Day Watch: Watch, Book 2

The sequel to Lukanyenko's _Night Watch_ relates some of the events (and many of the characters) of that story from the perspective of the Day Watch, continuing the story and expanding on the cosmic struggle between the forces of the Light and the Dark. For those who have not read the first book in the series, it is important that you begin at the beginning, as the two stories are connected (although the connection and relation is not immediately apparent.) It is every bit as cleverly crafted and imaginatively written as the first, and equally as good.As with _Night Watch_, Lukanyenko begins _Day Watch_ with a story that seems a bit confusing and only anciallarily related to previous events. The perspective, motives and relationship of the Dark Ones provides not only insight but genuine empathy with who they are and what they stand for - it is alluring and attractive (intentionally so, as this is how one eventually sides with the Dark), and is part of the brilliance of his storytelling. Quickly, however, the connection and interrelation between the sequel and the first book become apparent, the broader schemes and manipulations between Gesar (the leader of the Light) and Zebulon (the leader of the Dark) only becoming clear and apparent by the end of the book - the readers themselves every bit the pawn in the telling as the characters in the story.A highly recommended read by a marvelous writer.

Lukyanenko wrote a book called Night Watch. It was made into Russia's most succesfull film. Because of this success Night Watch was translated into English. Day Watch is the follow up.The world portrayed in both books is one in which magic exists. It is a world in which there are vampires, werewolves and magicians. In this world there is a ongoing struggle between " the light" and " the dark". At a point in the past this conflict could have potentially destroyed the world. As a result a treaty was drawn up to restrict the use of magic and to licence the activities of vampires, werewolves and the like. Two organisations have been set up to monitor the working of the treaty. The Night Watch which is staffed by Light Magicians and the Day Watch which is staffed by Dark Magicians.Night Watch was a book which was really a series of interlinked short stories. It was told from the perspective of " Anton" a White Magician. The novel Day Watch starts with a witch from the Day Watch visiting a resort to rest after a battle has destroyed her powers. It explains her perspective.If the book had been American it would have been a conflict between good and evil with evil defined as a desire to impose malicous damage. This book is different. The Night Watch are social democrats. They believe in using their power to intervene posatively with humanity to achieve good outcomes. Prevent natural disasters, stop airplane crashes and the like.The Day Watch are libertarians. They do not particularly desire to harm others but they are indiferent if their actions hurt others. They are committed to the idea of freedom and the freedom to do what they like. Their freedom can be something detremental to humanity as a whole.The book is obviously reflective of the problems faced by Russia since the collapse of communism in the 90s and the responses to the predicement of that country.It is quite a readable book and even things like science fiction and fantasy are interesting as they say a good deal about the country that produces them.

My favorite part about this series is that while it's a self-proclaimed battle of good verses evil, it's all just people. Day Watch tells a very dark, but human story of the dark Others. It would have been easy for the writer to stereotype these characters devils in red suits, but instead he makes sure that there is something very real in each character.Every time I read this series, I can't help but feel like I learn more about turn of the century Russia and it's people. The story is immersed in such a gritty and foreign world, while at the same time it's somewhere that you can't help but feel an empathetic connection.This is the second translation of this work that I've read. This translation seems to make the story more a tiny bit less "Russian", but probably a lot more understandable for the average English reader.

I liked this book, for both the story and the exposure to the Russian (Moscow) culture. Just the dailey things that I take for granted in my environment that a Moscovite would take for granted in theirs.The approach to the supernatural is refreshing. There is little soap opera or over the top action. It is a good detective/mystery story told in a magic saturated world. I like the fact that regular humans are mostly outside the story line but yet not impotent. A rocket launcer still kicks the butt of a magician.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I found it a bit too choppy but that may be due to the translation from a style that works in Russian best. An excellent read.

Book 2 of the Night Watch series. If you read the first one and it interested you, you pretty much need to read this one. A bit different from the first (in a good way) but it follows the same story line. We get a taste of the "bad guys'" point of view which is very intriguing. More twists and turns like in book one which definitely kept me interested. I love the author's ability to keep the reader guessing, then ties everything together in the end. Again, if you read the first one, you are pretty much required to read this one.

The Day Watch is Book 2 of Lukyanenko's series surrounding the supernatural world of "The Others" in Moscow. The series as a whole focuses on the struggle between Good and Evil. The Night Watch (The first book of the series) focuses on those we as the reader would consider to be "The Good Guys." This novel looks at the second of the two watches- to put it in simple terms those on the side of evil.When I first heard that the author had decided to write about the daywatch, I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd really enjoyed the Night watch due to its exciting plot and characters, so I wasn't sure how I would enjoy a book that forces the reader to examine characters that they know to be bad. However I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has written in an exciting an engaging way. He presents the characters in an interesting way, rather than writing them to be "Evil" in the truest sense of the world, he focuses on the fact that its their perception of the world and people in it that distinguishes them from the light ones. For example whilst the light ones go out of their way to help and aid others. The Dark Ones believe that every man should be out for themselves and that people get what they deserve and should expect nothing more.I found myself as a reader understanding their point of view. Lukyanenko seems to bring the aspect of selfishness that everyone possesses and bring it to the forefront of the Daywatch. It makes the characters much more relatable as everyone has a tendancy to be selfish at one point or another.The structure of the book follows that of The Night Watch. The novel is split into 3 parts. The first is narrated by Alissa, a witch readers are introduced to in The Night Watch. The second and third books alternate between the first person view of a new character Vitaly and third person involving a mixture of characters.The book as a whole is very well written, Lukyanenko has a talent of creating a story within each part of the book that could stand alone whilst also tying aspects of them together into an overall story arc that spans not only the entire book but also the series.My only minor criticism of this book is that after the fast paced and engaging story in part 1. the second part is quite slow to get going. I found there were some parts that I wanted to finish quickly to get to the more exciting parts. However readers should persevere, the second story builds to an excellent conclusion and part three is very tense and exciting!A great read overall!

Came across this book by accident and wasn't too bothered about reading it but was immediately hooked. The writing style is very different from your usual - possibly due to the translation from the original Russian - but it works well. I particularly liked hearing a Russian's thoughts on his own country and the rest of the world which comes through the main story. The story line itself is clever and believable and the three section structure used that others have discussed is brilliant - two self contained stories linked in the third. Anyway, a very enjoyable book on a lot of levels and I went straight out and bought the rest in the series (all just as good)

I was uncertain how i would take to the second book, i enjoyed the first immensley. But because i had already associated with the characters in the night watch i thought it might be difficult to change allegencs so to speak as the presumably the Day Watch was going to be written from the side of the Day Watch. But surely enough the author soon had me disliking the night watch and favouring the dark ones. it had a brilliant plot just like the first one and once again i thoroughly enjoyed it.

The switch of view is exciting, but i fail to see the difference between the sides that would lead to an eternal conflict with world shattering consequences - both sides, "light" and "dark" seems to behave in much the same way and even hold much the same ideology.If you liked the first then this is just as good.

The first part of the book about Alisa almost made me lose interest completely in the story. It doesn't looke like Sergei's style! I only repicked up interest in the book when Vitaly's plot came back. I miss Anton. Why isn't there more plots from Anton's perspective? I like Anton!