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lya06's review against another edition
3.0
Qui la recensione completa: http://bookland89.blogspot.com/2011/02/recensione-i-guardiani-della-notte-di.html
nseribile nel filone urban fantasy, questo libro è il primo di cinque, quattro dei quali già pubblicati, i cui protagonisti ,che si chiamano tra loro”Altri”, sono i guardiani del giorno e della notte che combattono per mantenere l’equilibrio tra bene male. La particolarità di questi Altri oltre che la loro varietà (vampiri, maghi, streghe, mutanti) è la loro capacità di muoversi attraverso il crepuscolo e attraverso le ombre e di possedere poteri magici.
Questo primo volume, racconta degli episodi concatenati della vita di un agente della Guardia della Notte che appartiene, a dispetto del nome, alle forze del bene e che ha i compito di proteggere gli umani da possibili attacchi non approvati delle creature delle tenebre.
Ho trovato questo libro molto originale sia nella storia che nei personaggi, non è uno dei soliti urban fantasy, ormai per la maggior parte stereotipati e abbastanza ripetitivi.
Il fulcro della storia non è l’amore o la scoperta di se stessi o uno dei temi tradizionali, ma riguarda il Bene ed il Male, molti sono infatti i pensieri del protagonista che cercano di trovare le differenze tra Luce e Tenebre nel suo mondo, rendendosi conto che il confine tra queste due grandi categorie è molto sottile ed è facilmente superabile.
nseribile nel filone urban fantasy, questo libro è il primo di cinque, quattro dei quali già pubblicati, i cui protagonisti ,che si chiamano tra loro”Altri”, sono i guardiani del giorno e della notte che combattono per mantenere l’equilibrio tra bene male. La particolarità di questi Altri oltre che la loro varietà (vampiri, maghi, streghe, mutanti) è la loro capacità di muoversi attraverso il crepuscolo e attraverso le ombre e di possedere poteri magici.
Questo primo volume, racconta degli episodi concatenati della vita di un agente della Guardia della Notte che appartiene, a dispetto del nome, alle forze del bene e che ha i compito di proteggere gli umani da possibili attacchi non approvati delle creature delle tenebre.
Ho trovato questo libro molto originale sia nella storia che nei personaggi, non è uno dei soliti urban fantasy, ormai per la maggior parte stereotipati e abbastanza ripetitivi.
Il fulcro della storia non è l’amore o la scoperta di se stessi o uno dei temi tradizionali, ma riguarda il Bene ed il Male, molti sono infatti i pensieri del protagonista che cercano di trovare le differenze tra Luce e Tenebre nel suo mondo, rendendosi conto che il confine tra queste due grandi categorie è molto sottile ed è facilmente superabile.
tmsiu's review against another edition
4.0
It was good to read a book written by a non-American author. That said, I found the Night Watch infuriating, and finished each story in the book with a bitter feeling. Why didn't Anton just quit it, after everything that was done to him by his own bosses?!
katiescho741's review against another edition
2.0
This book was okay. The premise of a balance between Light and Dark and how it's managed was interesting, but the touble is that a truce between the two factions means that not much can actually happen. There was a lot about rules and regulations.
I liked the way the story was told in three seperated "stories". So the author could focus on the events rather than getting between the events.
I found Anton to be a bit bumbling...he just seemed to find himself in the middle of events and then usually someone else had to get him out of it. I guess it's mixing things up a bit to not have a fantasy novel from the POV of the super powerful young guy, but I found Anton slightly boring to be honest. Plus his catchphrase seemed to be "I'm not a field agent!", while he worked in the field. Olga seemed very interesting but she doesn't get as much page time as I was expecting.
I liked the twist on the normal vampire/wizard type books, but this book wasn't for me.
I liked the way the story was told in three seperated "stories". So the author could focus on the events rather than getting between the events.
I found Anton to be a bit bumbling...he just seemed to find himself in the middle of events and then usually someone else had to get him out of it. I guess it's mixing things up a bit to not have a fantasy novel from the POV of the super powerful young guy, but I found Anton slightly boring to be honest. Plus his catchphrase seemed to be "I'm not a field agent!", while he worked in the field. Olga seemed very interesting but she doesn't get as much page time as I was expecting.
I liked the twist on the normal vampire/wizard type books, but this book wasn't for me.
canecat's review against another edition
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected. It's a bit dark, which I like, but it's also a great look at life in Russia, even if it is as an "Other".
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
I read this because I'm positively in LOVE with the movies, and although I absolutely love this book to pieces, it does have some fatal flaws.
There are 3 stories in this book (which span both of the movies), and they all centre around some apocalyptic plot, where there's a tonne of buildup and suspense, and then all the details are released hastily at the end, often in a way that doesn't quite explain everything and leaves me confused. Im not sure if it's due to the Russian translation or what - but I always feel like something is missing, and I should google it to get the answers.
That being said, the moral conflict that this book raises is what makes me seriously adore it so much - no book has every made me question myself the way this one does. I always thought I would be on the side of the Light before reading this book, seeing as I'm a pretty decent person and not about to go hacking people up with chainsaws anytime soon. But the representations of the Light and Dark are SO intricate in this series, and even the most selfless people might find that they'd be swayed to the dark side too.
It's not a matter of Evil/Darkness in terms of psychopaths and serial killers (although there are plenty of them!) - many people on the side of Darkness simply prefer to use their powers to get ahead, whether it be pushing someone out of their way on the subway, or sucking a little emotional energy out of people to boost your power. I always thought I'd be good, but I know I couldnt resist using my powers for my own advantage, and I'd rig a few games at the casino in my favour ;]
One feeling that hung over me while reading this book was frustration. Not because of the way the suspense and resolution occurred as mentioned earlier, but because the Treaty in Moscow makes it so difficult for these people to use their powers and be what they truly are - Others. Whether Light or Dark, these people can't use their powers for ANYTHING without incurring some kind of bullshit law, and it's so irritating and frustrating! You really feel Anton's frustrations in wanting to help or punish people, but being unable to because of the Treaty and the Inquisition.
I'd just move the hell out of Moscow and use my powers to the best of my ability!
Overall; the timing and structure of the storylines could use some work, and Im still a little confused about things that went on behind the scenes, but I love the characters and moral conflict enough to power on and keep reading the series.
There are 3 stories in this book (which span both of the movies), and they all centre around some apocalyptic plot, where there's a tonne of buildup and suspense, and then all the details are released hastily at the end, often in a way that doesn't quite explain everything and leaves me confused. Im not sure if it's due to the Russian translation or what - but I always feel like something is missing, and I should google it to get the answers.
That being said, the moral conflict that this book raises is what makes me seriously adore it so much - no book has every made me question myself the way this one does. I always thought I would be on the side of the Light before reading this book, seeing as I'm a pretty decent person and not about to go hacking people up with chainsaws anytime soon. But the representations of the Light and Dark are SO intricate in this series, and even the most selfless people might find that they'd be swayed to the dark side too.
It's not a matter of Evil/Darkness in terms of psychopaths and serial killers (although there are plenty of them!) - many people on the side of Darkness simply prefer to use their powers to get ahead, whether it be pushing someone out of their way on the subway, or sucking a little emotional energy out of people to boost your power. I always thought I'd be good, but I know I couldnt resist using my powers for my own advantage, and I'd rig a few games at the casino in my favour ;]
One feeling that hung over me while reading this book was frustration. Not because of the way the suspense and resolution occurred as mentioned earlier, but because the Treaty in Moscow makes it so difficult for these people to use their powers and be what they truly are - Others. Whether Light or Dark, these people can't use their powers for ANYTHING without incurring some kind of bullshit law, and it's so irritating and frustrating! You really feel Anton's frustrations in wanting to help or punish people, but being unable to because of the Treaty and the Inquisition.
I'd just move the hell out of Moscow and use my powers to the best of my ability!
Overall; the timing and structure of the storylines could use some work, and Im still a little confused about things that went on behind the scenes, but I love the characters and moral conflict enough to power on and keep reading the series.
cryptofauna's review against another edition
it was so mid 😭 the back makes it sound like an extremely cool thriller horror novel and it’s SO BORING. this was meant to be my thriller in translation but even if i finished it thrilling is a strong word. maybe it was better in russian?? badly written with vauge world building. was just a chore to get through and once harrow came in on libby i was so hyped to give up on it
angie82's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
warwriter1939's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, but same old tropes as most urban fantasy. Might be different in Russia, but it's the same old same old here.
natze_berlin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0