Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Arrow (2008), 448 pages
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction & Fantasy. HTML: Translated by Andrew Bromfield Night Watch and Day Watch, the first two books in this remarkable series, established Sergei Lukyanenko as a breathtakingly bold talent. Part fantasy, part vampire story, and part detective potboiler, this is the most successful science fiction series of all time in Russia and a true international sensation. In America, Fox Searchlight released the film adaptation of Night Watch to rapturous reviews, and adaptations of the next two books are in production. The world of Lukyanenko is as elaborate and imaginative as Tolkien or the best Asimov: Living among us are the "Others," an ancient race of humans with supernatural powers who swear allegiance to either the Dark or the Light. A thousand-year treaty has maintained the balance of power, and the two sides coexist in an uneasy truce. In Twilight Watch, the Others face their greatest threat yet. A renegade Other, his identity as yet unknown, has absconded with a fabled spell-book of untold power and appears bent on attacking the entire earth. Now forces of the Light and the Dark -- the Night Watch and the Day Watch -- must cooperate to stop him. Anton, the hero from Night Watch, is back, but when the culprit turns out to be none other than his partner, 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..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member LittleKnife
The third novel in the Night Watch series is a fitting end to the epic tale. Like the other two novels it is nominally made of three interlinked tales set in and around Moscow. [edited because whilst I thought this was a trilogy I have found out there is at least one more out there]
These stories
Although there is no sense of the closure of the characters or a lack of potential for more adventures the author finishes the books off by giving the reluctant hero, Anton, an understanding of the magical world and thus inter-relationship between humans and Others and a new-found sense of hope. More story-driven than its predecessor and less full of twisting intrigues Lukyanenko still creates a vivid page-turner.
These stories
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follow Anton and Svetlana in pursuit of the ultimate dream - the creation of a magical Other from a human being without any natural potential.Although there is no sense of the closure of the characters or a lack of potential for more adventures the author finishes the books off by giving the reluctant hero, Anton, an understanding of the magical world and thus inter-relationship between humans and Others and a new-found sense of hope. More story-driven than its predecessor and less full of twisting intrigues Lukyanenko still creates a vivid page-turner.
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LibraryThing member mandochild
This is one of those series that Malcolm bought and recommended to me - and then ended up reading only the first title. Somehow, the Watch titles have all mysteriously migrated to my bookshelf. They're not titles I would have thought to buy for myself, but I am enjoying them. And now, predictably,
That's the thing. I enjoy the books, but they don't excite me enough to make me rush out for the next one. But since there's only one more to go... And I definitely enjoyed Twilight watch more than Day watch. This book at least has seemed to be less science fiction and more of a somewhat philosophical exploration of the nature of power, good and evil, and of belonging vs otherness. It is not fast moving but, particularly towards the end, is very poignant and rather sad. It is a fascinating world that Lukyanenko has created - I'm glad Malcolm got me into it.
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I realise that it isn't a trilogy - there is a fourth book, entitled Last watch - I wonder if I will make the effort to get it?That's the thing. I enjoy the books, but they don't excite me enough to make me rush out for the next one. But since there's only one more to go... And I definitely enjoyed Twilight watch more than Day watch. This book at least has seemed to be less science fiction and more of a somewhat philosophical exploration of the nature of power, good and evil, and of belonging vs otherness. It is not fast moving but, particularly towards the end, is very poignant and rather sad. It is a fascinating world that Lukyanenko has created - I'm glad Malcolm got me into it.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
An interesting end to the series. Through a series of incidents Anton finds out more about magic in the world and about his wrole in the keeping of the balance. A quite dark world with definite divisions of labour and with interesting attitudes to power.
Is it in everyone's interest to share power
Is it in everyone's interest to share power
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equally? The reflections of Soviet Russia are interesting too. Show Less
LibraryThing member lewispike
The continuing (concluding?) part of the stories of Anton Gorodetsky and the watches. This is set about 3 years after The Day Watch, in an action packed summer.
Yet again we have three linked stories, in this set Anton works closely with the Inquisition, hence the name. There are various revelations
There are, again, the usual insights into life in modern Russia too (the comments about the train carriages were revolting and compelling in equal measure to my mind).
I won't spoil the ending too much, but let's just say, although it doesn't actually finish with quite these words, you could almost write "And Anton and Sveta lived happily every after." to conclude the book.
Yet again we have three linked stories, in this set Anton works closely with the Inquisition, hence the name. There are various revelations
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as Anton works out the truth about the Watches and the Inquisition, plus an exploration of the mechanics of the Others and how they manage to work.There are, again, the usual insights into life in modern Russia too (the comments about the train carriages were revolting and compelling in equal measure to my mind).
I won't spoil the ending too much, but let's just say, although it doesn't actually finish with quite these words, you could almost write "And Anton and Sveta lived happily every after." to conclude the book.
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LibraryThing member woosang
Another excellent Watch book. This one has some interesting concepts and the stories tie together more than in previous books. If you liked the first two then you will like this one
LibraryThing member mchrzanowski
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
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member Conrad.Rader
My only complaint about this book is that it is over too quickly. The same is true for the entire series. Anton continues to develop and grow and see the wisdom in the way things are.
The world of the Watches is wildly interesting, and the Russian atmosphere and setting is a great backdrop to magic
Plots and motivations interweave and the past is constantly informing the present, and revelations happen in an instant, just as in real life. A great read, not to be missed.
The world of the Watches is wildly interesting, and the Russian atmosphere and setting is a great backdrop to magic
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that can rend the world apart, if you have a mind to.Plots and motivations interweave and the past is constantly informing the present, and revelations happen in an instant, just as in real life. A great read, not to be missed.
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LibraryThing member silentq
Three interrelated stories, building a bit on the events in Day Watch, but it stands on it's own fairly well. Some interesting history on the Others and the Watches and the Inquisition, with much more exploration of the grey areas between them (as expected from the title of the book really).
Anton
Anton
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stays in the narrator's seat this time, but his personal growth (disillusionment?) wasn't as fundamental as I was expecting. Show Less
LibraryThing member citygirl
I found this book, and others in the series, a lot of fun as well as a bit perplexing. I think it might have to do with the translation, especially of the dialogue and first person thoughts. I think it must be that something in the Russian slang is lost in translation so that in English, in
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American in particular, the phrases come out a bit dated and kind of cheesy. I love how this imaginative magical world Lukyanenko has created is blended with post-Soviet Moscow and other venues foreign to me. This time we get a country dacha and a train to Kazhakhstan. Somehow I don't find the endless and rather simplistic moral debates draining. There's a lot of energy in the books. I appreciate how Anton's matured from a novice Light Watchman to an experienced, and jaded, agent. I'll definitely read the next, and possibly last, book in the series, The Last Watch. Show Less
LibraryThing member pratchettfan
Similar to its two predecessors Twilight Watch is a collection of three interconnected stories. The main theme of the book is the legend of Fuaran, a book describing the process of turning ordinary people into Others. On his journey to discover this book Anton learns a lot about himself and the
Sergei Lukyanenko did an excellent job in producing another page-turner which in the bargain reveals more details about the world of the Others. A must read, if you liked Night Watch and Day Watch.
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nature of the Others, in that case it's as much a story of personal growth as a thrilling mystery of discovering who's pulling the strings.Sergei Lukyanenko did an excellent job in producing another page-turner which in the bargain reveals more details about the world of the Others. A must read, if you liked Night Watch and Day Watch.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
The tale of Others continues in the third volume of the Watch series. The three stories in this volume, told from the point of view of Light Other Anton, focus on the possibility of human being being transformed into Others, a transformation many believe to be impossible. However, as the story
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unfolds, the possibility becomes more and more real. For some reason, I found this volume more engaging than the previous two. Maybe because of the characters and their development, I got into this book much quicker than the earlier volumes. Recommended for fans of science fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member ohdani
This series absolutely amazes me. I thought the first book was great, then the second topped that and left me even more in awe, and now the third has my jaw dropped. I even went out and bought the fourth without looking for a a used copy, sale, or a coupon. And that's impressive for me.
I could go
I could go
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on for days singing it's praises, so I'll just summarize my thoughts on this book and series in general. So far, three books in, I can say wholeheartedly that this is something that any sci-fi lover should read. If you are even remotely interested in a a good science fiction story, then please read these. You won't be disappointed. Show Less
LibraryThing member .Monkey.
It never ceases to amaze me how many different, original, scenarios and magical objects (and objectives), as well as unique engaging personalities, Lukyanenko can come up with. In each book (and partially in the stories within the books) we spend more time with different types of Others that exist,
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and learn a bit about what they are like. Anton is also learning, about what the Watches & Inquisition really do and how he feels about everything. Really good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
As one might guess from the title, Twilight Watch digs down into the grey areas between the competing philosophies. It also comes back around to an examination of class, power, and the ideals and realities of leveling society. Very Russian, and fascinating.
LibraryThing member comixminx
Very readable, great stuff. I was a bit put off by the fact that Lukyanenko takes the opportunity to power-up a character in a not-entirely-necessary way, but other than that all very absorbing.
LibraryThing member Katyas
This follow-up to the (also amazing) Russian magical reality books Night Watch and Day Watch returns us to Anton's mind and to Anton's relationships with those around him. Focusing on interactions with the mysterious Inquisitors, this book takes Anton further along in his path to understanding that
In the first of the three "books" that are traditionally found in each of these novels, Anton has to go "undercover" into a community of humans to try to discover who, if anyone, has been told about the Others. Not only is it dangerous for the Others to be revealed, but whomever revealed the Others to this human has also promised to turn this human into an Other him or herself, which is - according to all but the most forbidden of legends - impossible.
In the second "book," Anton runs across an unregistered and VERY powerful witch as well as several werewolves who were apparently hunting humans while on vacation in his dacha (country house) and has to try to take care of these problems with the help of Svetlana.
In the third "book," a powerful vampire and member of the Inquisition has been murdered and a book thought to be the stuff of legends, that will allow Others to turn humans into Others themselves, has been stolen from the house of the witch Arina. Anton, with the help of the vampire Kostya and the Inquisitor Edgar, has to try to find the culprit and the book.
Lukyanenko has created a vivid world in modern-day Russia. He shows us the despair with which many modern Russians live while they try to adapt to a capitalistic society, a method of life that is completely foreign to everything they've ever known before. Through this is shown the plotting of the Watches and Inquisition and the Others, using the humans often as pawns and foils in their games for glory. It is an often bleak outlook (to me). My husband, on the other hand, found the book to have a lot of humor in it - he says there are a lot of instances of outright slapstick. So I guess it is all in how you look at it - there is a situation where Anton has an old out-of-work drunk work on a BMW. He brings in several friends and they completely take apart the car. They get so involved in it that they even forget to get drunk. Me, I found that sad. My husband thought it was hysterical.
At any rate, do NOT miss this amazing series of books. You will not be sorry for reading them.
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there really is very little difference between Light and Dark and that the shades of Grey they all walk in are probably more suited to all Others than being separated like this.In the first of the three "books" that are traditionally found in each of these novels, Anton has to go "undercover" into a community of humans to try to discover who, if anyone, has been told about the Others. Not only is it dangerous for the Others to be revealed, but whomever revealed the Others to this human has also promised to turn this human into an Other him or herself, which is - according to all but the most forbidden of legends - impossible.
In the second "book," Anton runs across an unregistered and VERY powerful witch as well as several werewolves who were apparently hunting humans while on vacation in his dacha (country house) and has to try to take care of these problems with the help of Svetlana.
In the third "book," a powerful vampire and member of the Inquisition has been murdered and a book thought to be the stuff of legends, that will allow Others to turn humans into Others themselves, has been stolen from the house of the witch Arina. Anton, with the help of the vampire Kostya and the Inquisitor Edgar, has to try to find the culprit and the book.
Lukyanenko has created a vivid world in modern-day Russia. He shows us the despair with which many modern Russians live while they try to adapt to a capitalistic society, a method of life that is completely foreign to everything they've ever known before. Through this is shown the plotting of the Watches and Inquisition and the Others, using the humans often as pawns and foils in their games for glory. It is an often bleak outlook (to me). My husband, on the other hand, found the book to have a lot of humor in it - he says there are a lot of instances of outright slapstick. So I guess it is all in how you look at it - there is a situation where Anton has an old out-of-work drunk work on a BMW. He brings in several friends and they completely take apart the car. They get so involved in it that they even forget to get drunk. Me, I found that sad. My husband thought it was hysterical.
At any rate, do NOT miss this amazing series of books. You will not be sorry for reading them.
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LibraryThing member RandomMichelle
This may well be my favorite book in the series.
No, you can't read it without reading the previous two, but I do think it's a lot of fun.
No, you can't read it without reading the previous two, but I do think it's a lot of fun.
LibraryThing member terence_oh
I was originally attracted to the novels by the offbeat, wacky, sometime surprising movies, and wanted to know what the author's intent and ideas were.
What I came to realize is the old cliche that the 'novel is better than the movie' is not only true in this case, the two movies were only a shadow
The development of the main themes of the use of Power and Balance (both deservedly capitalized) comes to a crescendo in this book, and the extremely satisfying conclusion of the plot that arises from these basic concepts.
Without putting any spoilers in the review, all I can say is that the depiction of the limits of extreme power, and the concepts of how that power is derived is very satisfying to a long-term practitioner of 'soft' martial arts based on Taoist principles.
What I came to realize is the old cliche that the 'novel is better than the movie' is not only true in this case, the two movies were only a shadow
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of the complex story lines and depth in just the first Night Watch book, albeit a noble effort to portray the complexity of the developments of a somewhat naive, dislocated young initiate to the Power.The development of the main themes of the use of Power and Balance (both deservedly capitalized) comes to a crescendo in this book, and the extremely satisfying conclusion of the plot that arises from these basic concepts.
Without putting any spoilers in the review, all I can say is that the depiction of the limits of extreme power, and the concepts of how that power is derived is very satisfying to a long-term practitioner of 'soft' martial arts based on Taoist principles.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
As always, an excellent book in an excellent series, although a bit weaker than the previous two volumes. This time, our second level magician, Anton, is tasked to look into a request of a human to become an other.... of course, this is an impossibility, or is it?
Generally, these books follow
The next story has Anton on vacation - feeling confused about how the human wanting to be a Other ended- with his wife Svetlana and their talented two year old daughter. An encounter with an unregistered witch leaves to revelations about what it means to be Other.
Where this book shines is just how grounded Anton is - his motivations are torn as he learns more about the watches. It will be interesting to see how this world changes, especially when Antons very powerful daughter comes into her powers.
Generally, these books follow
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three interconnected vignettes -but this one has two. In the first story, Anton must tract which human made the request, and which other the request was made to. This brings in the Day watch as well as the Inquisition.The next story has Anton on vacation - feeling confused about how the human wanting to be a Other ended- with his wife Svetlana and their talented two year old daughter. An encounter with an unregistered witch leaves to revelations about what it means to be Other.
Where this book shines is just how grounded Anton is - his motivations are torn as he learns more about the watches. It will be interesting to see how this world changes, especially when Antons very powerful daughter comes into her powers.
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LibraryThing member nmele
By this point, my reaction is "meh".
Language
Original language
Russian
Original publication date
2003
2007-06-13 (English translation)
Physical description
448 p.; 5.12 inches
ISBN
0099489945 / 9780099489948
Local notes
Duplicate
Other editions
The Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko (Paperback)