Sergei Lukyanenko's Night Watch
This is the first book in an internationally bestselling series making its way to America for the first time--it looks like the whole series will be released in the next few months, which on the one hand, YAY for not having to wait long to find out what happens next, and on the other--well, the translation is a bit awkward at times. (Also, I didn't realize this was first written in 1998, and couldn't figure out why the main character kept listening to a Discman, but now am mostly amused by that.)
Anyway, this is the story of Anton, a young guy who works for the Night Watch--an organization of various supernaturally gifted people dedicated to maintaining balance in the world between light and dark (the Night Watch are the Light ones, who keep an eye on their dark counterparts of the Day Watch). The worldbuilding here is fascinating, even though the plot is kind of all over the place--there's a young boy with strong powers, and a pretty doctor with a curse, and a talking owl, and some fairly convoluted machinations. The last third is also a lot weaker than the first two. But I really liked seeing a strongly Russian fantasy world, and loved all the concepts and most of the characters (more Tiger Cub and Yulia, please!). I'll definitely be reading the next one. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on December 31st.
5 comments:
Yo Alicia. The -Watch series has been out in the US for at least 5 years. They had to capitalize on the possible popularity of the Nightwatch movie, stateside (it wasn't). I kind of liked the movie. It has some interesting techniques. Anyway, the point is: you don't have to wait even a week to check out Daywatch and Twilightwatch. Maybe this is a new translation?
-Forresto
Maybe just the e-books are coming out? I don't have to wait anyway, I have copies from the publisher. ;) Thanks for the info, I didn't even know there was a movie!
Sure. They (Russians) also made a movie of Daywatch that was pretty convoluted, unfortunately. It was subtitled "the Chalk of Fate", so how could it be good? Still, it had a very memorable car chase scene. I'd totally be up for watching it again, if you want a viewing buddy.
I dunno, the chalk was surprisingly compelling in the first book! :)
thank you
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