Twilight Watch (Sumerechniy Dozor)

Twilight Watch (Sumerechniy Dozor) (2007) by Sergei Lukyanenko

Description: Living among us are the "Others," and ancient race of humans with supernatural powers who must swear allegiance to either the Dark or the Light. A thousand-year treaty has maintained the balance of power between the two sides, but when a renegade Other absconds with a fabled book of spells and appears intent on using it to alter the course of humanity, the forces of Light and Dark must cooperate to stop him.

Anton, the hero from Night Watch, is back, but when the culprit turns out to be an old friend, the race against time becomes more urgent than ever. In a world where reality and magic commingle, and where different degrees of existence are layered one atop the other, nothing is ever quite what it seems.

Review: This book continues where we left Anton and Sveta in Day Watch. They are now a family with the daughter they were destined to have. Although things can never go to easily for them. Mysteries abound and a fabled book is found once more. When their daughter is captured and her life is at stake, they bend the rules a bit, but do find an ally from an enemy. I was completely captivated by the story. I just couldn't put it down. Lukyanenko has definitely created a most intricate world with very specific rules. Sometimes I have to remember back to the other books to remember some detail. In this installment, we get some answers to questions that have been looming, but the ending is ready for another book. I think this series is great and that if you love science fiction, you really should give it a try.

Score: 4 out of 5

Day Watch (Dnevnoi Dozer)

Day Watch (Dnevnoi Dozer) by Sergei Lukyanenko (2007)

Description: The second in a blockbuster series of novels from Russia's most popular science fiction author, Day Watch brings us back into the hyperimaginative world of Sergei Lukyanenko and continues the dramatic battle between good and evil, light and dark, day and night.

Set in modern-day Moscow, the epic saga chronicles the eternal war of the "Others," an ancient race of humans with supernatural powers who must swear allegiance to either the Dark or the Light. The agents of Dark - The Day Watch - keep an eye during the day, while the agents of Light keep watch over the night. For a thousand years a treaty between the two sides has maintained an uneasy balance, but when a very potent artifact is stolen from the Inquisition - an impartial group of Others who keep watch over all - the consequences are dire for both sides.

Day Watch introduces the perspective of the Dark Ones, as it is told in part by a beautiful but troubled young witch.When she falls in love with a handsome young Light One, the balance is threatened and a death must be avenged. Replete with thrilling action and intricate plotting of the first tale, Day Watch is fueled by cunning, cruelty, violence, and magic. It is a fast-paced, darkly humorous, haunting world that will take root in the shadows of your mind and live there forever.

Review: What a great second novel by Lukyanenko. I found myself completely sucked into this world he has created once more. In similar fashion, the second book in the series is comprised of three separate stories that all tie together... and directly to the first. I am completely hooked to this story and can not wait to start the third novel, Twilight Watch. It was great to see the perspective of the Dark Others and see their take on the whole situation. Everything is not as it seems and the decisions are very complex. This was also a refreshing read. It is great to take a break and read some fresh material from another different voice. I am interested to see if anything else by Lukyanenko is translated into English, otherwise I may have to learn Russian just to read more of his work. I highly recommend these novels.

Score: 5 out of 5

Additional Information: Although the second movie in this series by Timur Bekmambetov carries this name, it is actually the story from the first novel, Night Watch.

Night Watch (Nochnoy Dozor)

Night Watch (Nochnoy Dozor) by Sergei Lukyanenko (1998)

Description: Others. They walk among us, observing. Set in contemporary Moscow, where shape shifters, vampires, and street-sorcerers linger in the shadows, Night Watch is the first book of the hyper-imaginative fantasy trilogy from bestselling Russian author Sergei Lukyanenko. This epic saga chronicles the eternal war of the "others," an ancient race of humans with supernatural powers who must swear allegiance to either the Dark or the Light.

The agents of Light - the Night Watch - oversee nocturnal activity, while the agents of Dark keep watch over the day. For a thousand years both sides have maintained a precarious balance of power, but an ancient prophecy has decreed that a supreme Other will one day emerge, threatening to tip the scales. Now, that day has arrived. When a mid-level Night Watch agent named Anton stumbles upon a cursed young woman - an uninitiated Other with magnificent potential - both sides prepare for a battle that could lay waste to the entire city, possibly the world.

Review: What an interesting novel from Russia. It was really refreshing to read something from another country (although it was translated). I really like the whole light vs. dark scenario going on. It almost makes the light (or good) side seem like the real bad guys. I also like how each person actually chooses if they are light or dark and if one is dark, it doesn't make them evil. I almost have to wonder if Lukyanenko ever read Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising. After reading Rising, I found some similar themes. I know they are all taken from mythology, but I found them to be very close, which fascinated me. The book is long and is actually three stories in one. However, it went really fast and I couldn't wait to continue on the story. I highly recommend this book to sci-fi fans.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Movie Connectrions: Timur Bekmambetov brought this book to the big screen in Russia. Most of the story elements were left alone, but an important one was really changed. In the book, Anton is just a friend of Egor, not his father (as in the movie). I'm not exactly sure why they did that, but perhaps it was just to create some additional conflict. Honestly, I haven't seen the movie in a while, so I would need a refresher. I do remember being absolutely blown away. I thought it was really original and glad to see something of this quality coming from Russia. This movie should most definitely be seen by all.

Nochnoy Dozor (2004)