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jane_kelsey's review
4.0
Loved it, yes, I did. At first I was taken aback by Alissa's presence in the book, I wasn't a great fan of her in the first one, but the thing is that in the end, I almost cried for her.
This book is different, more mature, it can be sensed in the writing, in the forming of the sentence, and, of course, the fact that it wasn't pure Lukynenko writing(something that I don't think that I'm happy with...).
In any case, after taking me a month to get over the first story of the book, I couldn't put it down. Action, new characters, but most importantly: new insight on the story, on the Other world, the "creatures" that the Twilight can spawn. I was impressed and I loved it ("Mirror, mirror"). And, as soon as Anton came into the picture, I was more than thrilled: I was ecstatic.
I love the way that everything makes sense and it's planned in advance and the ending of this book was really good. I enjoyed it, I repeat, after the first story, not that it wasn't written well... but I couldn't relate with Alissa, I felt sorry for her but that was that, pity, which is a terrible feeling.
This book is different, more mature, it can be sensed in the writing, in the forming of the sentence, and, of course, the fact that it wasn't pure Lukynenko writing(something that I don't think that I'm happy with...).
In any case, after taking me a month to get over the first story of the book, I couldn't put it down. Action, new characters, but most importantly: new insight on the story, on the Other world, the "creatures" that the Twilight can spawn. I was impressed and I loved it ("Mirror, mirror"). And, as soon as Anton came into the picture, I was more than thrilled: I was ecstatic.
I love the way that everything makes sense and it's planned in advance and the ending of this book was really good. I enjoyed it, I repeat, after the first story, not that it wasn't written well... but I couldn't relate with Alissa, I felt sorry for her but that was that, pity, which is a terrible feeling.
hank's review
4.0
The first two parts of this were exciting and full of mysteries and 5 star stories. The last part was a mostly dry, russian, introspective, courtroom slog that seriously dinged my enjoyment. I loved the two characters in the first two parts, I was constantly engaged in where they were going and how it related to the overall story. They both had depth and although Lukyanenko clearly loves characters living inside their own heads, the first two were minimized enough to add to the story instead of weigh it down. The last piece to the overall book felt like an overly complicated courtroom drama without the drama. The pieces I did like were the vodka drinking session and the at the end. 3.5 stars rounded up because Russian authors always have a slightly different perspective than western authors that I enjoy.
I didn't enjoy it enough to immediately start reading the next one although I own it. Which means I probably won't ever read it because the "oh look a new book" syndrome I am suffering from will bury it before I get back to the series.
Spoiler
two lovers being true to their loveI didn't enjoy it enough to immediately start reading the next one although I own it. Which means I probably won't ever read it because the "oh look a new book" syndrome I am suffering from will bury it before I get back to the series.
phlegyas's review against another edition
4.0
I remember that when I finished reading the Day Watch, I was not entirely sure whether it was a big let down or a wonderful expansion over the first book.
What I was certain of, was the fact that the book felt like it was not written by the same person who had written the first book of the series, the Night Watch. It turns out, I was not entirely mistaken. The Day Watch has not been written entirely by Lukyanenko as, this time round, he had help.
I remember I was not entirely thrilled by the change of tone in the writing. However, I still gave this book a rating of 4, just like in the case of the first book. Why? Well, lets see.
On on hand, as I already said, I did not particularly enjoy the change in the writing style. It's not a huge change, mind you. But it is still enough for someone who greatly enjoyed the first book.
Also, in this second book, character development feels as if it is not the centre of attention anymore. I'm not implying that the characters are now shallow. Definitely not. I'm just saying (and without wanting to fall into a case of spoilers) that the characters who are driving the story forward, suffer when compared to Anton, the main character of the entire series.
So, why did I give this book 4 stars, just like I did with the first book?
Two things.
One, the action. As much as the first book lacked in action, it is here in bucket loads.
And two, a certain kind of character that is being introduced, an amazing original feast that, as far as I am concerned, has not been used in any other form, literature or movies.
Lukyanenko seems more polished this time round. In this second book, it already becomes evident that Lukyanenko grows as a writer and by the end of the series, it is apparent that he managed to keep the basic ingredients of the first book and polish his writing to create a wonderful mythology.
Ah, not to forget, this book probably has the most amazing ending out of all four of the series. Again, I don't know if it feels that way because the entire book before the end felt a bit less deep -I don't think so- but in any case, the ending left me hunting down the next book to start reading as soon as humanly possible.
What I was certain of, was the fact that the book felt like it was not written by the same person who had written the first book of the series, the Night Watch. It turns out, I was not entirely mistaken. The Day Watch has not been written entirely by Lukyanenko as, this time round, he had help.
I remember I was not entirely thrilled by the change of tone in the writing. However, I still gave this book a rating of 4, just like in the case of the first book. Why? Well, lets see.
On on hand, as I already said, I did not particularly enjoy the change in the writing style. It's not a huge change, mind you. But it is still enough for someone who greatly enjoyed the first book.
Also, in this second book, character development feels as if it is not the centre of attention anymore. I'm not implying that the characters are now shallow. Definitely not. I'm just saying (and without wanting to fall into a case of spoilers) that the characters who are driving the story forward, suffer when compared to Anton, the main character of the entire series.
So, why did I give this book 4 stars, just like I did with the first book?
Two things.
One, the action. As much as the first book lacked in action, it is here in bucket loads.
And two, a certain kind of character that is being introduced, an amazing original feast that, as far as I am concerned, has not been used in any other form, literature or movies.
Lukyanenko seems more polished this time round. In this second book, it already becomes evident that Lukyanenko grows as a writer and by the end of the series, it is apparent that he managed to keep the basic ingredients of the first book and polish his writing to create a wonderful mythology.
Ah, not to forget, this book probably has the most amazing ending out of all four of the series. Again, I don't know if it feels that way because the entire book before the end felt a bit less deep -I don't think so- but in any case, the ending left me hunting down the next book to start reading as soon as humanly possible.
mark0's review
4.0
Another fun yarn in the Night Watch trilogy. Somehow adding Russian bureaucracy to familiar magic / vampire tropes makes the whole genre infinitely more enjoyable.
kidclamp's review
4.0
Admittedly, when I started this one I was just sad to have lost the voice of Anton from the first book, though even when not writing as Anton, he still comes through the author, but I quickly warmed up to this book. Like that last, it focuses on the nature of good and evil exploring things mostly from the perspective of the dark ones. Each story stands well on it's own, questioning who is right and who is wrong, and where the line blurs, and the way the author ties every action together into a much larger plot, which the heads of each side are constantly planning and pulling strings to bring about is great.
Now I need to get the third.
Now I need to get the third.
rocketiza's review
4.0
The first part is unnecessarily drawn out and probably should have just been about 10 pages of off screen action. After that, this picks right back up and is filled with intrigue and second guessing that this series is so good at.
pawikan_reads's review
3.0
This is my least favorite book of the series so far mainly because I disliked the main characters. The stories revolve around a "balance-keeping" group of Dark Others called the Day Watch. Having no affinity for the characters whatsoever, I nevertheless found myself appreciating the narratives and the moral dilemmas found in these stories.
The first and second stories were the ones that aroused the most feeling in me. It's difficult to feel sad for the fate of an antagonist, but Lukyanenko showed the all-too human sides of the Dark Others so well that I had no choice but to get swept up in the story arc. I found myself feeling sympathy for the witch Alisa (argh!) and the Mirror from the second tale.
The first and second stories were the ones that aroused the most feeling in me. It's difficult to feel sad for the fate of an antagonist, but Lukyanenko showed the all-too human sides of the Dark Others so well that I had no choice but to get swept up in the story arc. I found myself feeling sympathy for the witch Alisa (argh!) and the Mirror from the second tale.