Day Watch: The Second Night Watch Urban Fantasy – A Dark Supernatural Thriller Where Good vs Evil Is Perspective

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.

Unlike the first book in the series that ran one story....this one is a collection of connected short stories. Story one directly leads to story 4. Story 2 is felt through the rest of the book. Looking forward to book 3. But going to rewatch the Night Watch and Day Watch movies again first.

Awesome second series installment. Great read, good pace and continues intriguing plot lines started in the first book Night Watch. The main characters are primarily from the organization Day Watch (representing mankind's penchant for evil). The stories present a picture of love and betrayal and the subsequent entanglements evolving from the planned betrayal and it's discovery. As with the first installment - hard to put down when you start reading.

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.

This book is difficult to follow if you haven't read the first one. I enjoyed the first third of the book with one of the main characters recovering from injuries. I think it could pose as a brand new spin for Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed it better than the typical Romeo and Juliet story/spin offs. If nothing else this book is worth the buy for the first third. The rest of the book seem to loose steam. Perhaps it is a build up for the last book? It just seemed so mundane after the first book.

Barring a few inconsistencies from the previous volume, an excellent sequel! If you haven't read the first book, you could probably get by without, but I would definitely recommend starting there first. I was expecting a more one-sided viewpoint of what it is to be a dark one, but there are moments where Lukyanenko allows himself to slip back into Anton's head - you can tell that is where he feels most comfortable. I can't wait to start the third book!

Lukyanenko continues his series with this book. To put it simply, the series continues to get better. Very interesting and original read.

I enjoyed that it was set in Russia, that was unique. I liked that this book was fantasy. Excellent book. Five stars. 10/10 would buy again.

Excellent roman, la suite de Night Watch avec Alisa Donnikova et Igor, une intrigue particulièrement bien écrite, du suspense et de l'action. Tout comme le 1er livre de la série LUKYANENKO est au sommet de son art. Je conseille ce livre à ceux qui aiment les intrigues dont on ne devine l'objectif qu'à la fin de l'ouvrage, avec des personnages attachants et un sens de l'humour et de l'ironie très aigu.

Vasiliev managed to create a mix of puzzle, chess game and labyrinth in the form of a great story that, excuse me if you disagree, outranks Harry Potter (I mentioned this because it seems a lot of critics have compared the two of them, wrongfully as they are so so distinct). And I am one of the many Harry Potter lovers in this world. All the different races, all the different events, beliefs, curses and profecies, all the roles and paths, so carefully thought and wittly put on paper. The story draws your attention much like Vasiliev's Twilight feeds itself from the magical creatures able to access it: with lethal charm and a delightful suspense, thrilling feeling. In other words: I can't wait for what the third book holds. Thanks, Vasiliev!

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!

Excellent read, great stories

watch out for more from this author. Interesting look at good &evil