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A review by ihateprozac
Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
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.