Night Watch

Watch, Book 1

By: Sergei Lukyanenko

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Set in modern day Moscow, Night Watch is a world 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. But an ancient prophecy decrees that one supreme "Other" will rise up and tip the balance, plunging the world into a catastrophic war between the Dark and the Light.

When a young boy with extraordinary powers emerges, fulfilling the first half of the prophecy, will the forces of the Light be able to keep the Dark from corrupting the boy and destroying the world?

©2006 Sergei Lukyanenko (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Brace yourself for Harry Potter in Gorky Park.... The novel contains some captivating scenes and all kinds of marvelous, inventive detail: The vampires’ seduction of a teenage boy is bone-chilling; every time Lukyanenko described the Other-worldly Twilight, I felt lured into it; and the fantastical powers exercised by Anton and his colleagues range from delightful to awesome." ( The Washington Post Book World)

"[As] potent as a shot of vodka.... [A] compelling urban fantasy." ( Publishers Weekly)

" Night Watch is an epic of extraordinary power." (Quentin Tarantino)

Great Science Fiction/Fantasy Story

I had the opportunity to read this book in Russian a few years ago, and I loved it. Then, I purchased the DVD version of the movie (which is from only the first story in the book). While the movie is somewhat different from the story in the book, I still thought it was fantastic. I enjoyed it so much that I showed clips of it to the students in my Russian Folk Culture class. Perhaps it is my obsession with all things Russian, but I am continually drawn back to this book, so I read it again in English. The translation was very well done, and I greatly enjoyed reading the book again. The story is about a group of "others" who represent the forces of good (or light) in this world. They work at night (as part of the Night Watch) to defend humans against the evil (or dark)"others." The book and its characters have a very supernatural feel, yet those supernatural "others" seem so human and easy to relate to. This book is the first in a series of four (Night Watch, Day Watch, Twilight Watch, and Last Watch), soon to be five (New Watch--or so I've read). Night Watch is divided into three short stories about the members of the Night Watch (and one agent in particular--Anton Gordetsky). Each story is self-contained; however, they all interconnect. I would highly recommend this book (and series!) to anyone who likes science fiction and fantasy--especially those who want a significantly more adult tale than those offered by many of the popular young adult series.

A moral tale with next to no morals

This book is an attempt at a moral tale while remaining dismissive of any moral sophistries the characters use to defend their side, even while acknowledging it is doing so. If that sounds a bit meta, it really is. It has an interesting fantasy veneer. but the story writing (there are three separate stories in this book) is shockingly weak and predictable and by the time you reach the third story you realize that this is pretty much the same formula of same story over and over again with only minor variations. Only get this if it is on sale.

Great audio book, poorly marked files

This is a well done production of the work, even the Russian names were handled alright. I wish audible renamed the audio chapters to correspond to the actual book that is divided in three parts each with their own prologue.

new russian master

Any additional comments?

this is the first of four novels which address the Others, locked in the balance between darkness and light, but set in post-communist Russia. the characters are compelling and the narration is good.

Great Performance

Very interesting story of magician of the light and the darkness. This story brings a new perspective of good and evil.

Pleasantly surprised

I got this book as part of a deal or sale. I had never heard of the author. I wasn't sure what to expect. But I do enjoy books read by Paul Michael.
Definitely not let down by the author nor the narrator. The story is kind of a "Constantine" style unseen war waged between good and evil that has reached a Cold War type of stalemate. The main character is part of that force that keeps an eye on the other side. I've seen that the stories have been made into movies in Russia, if done well, they could be worth the time.

Really enjoyed how the 3 parts were interwoven

While at first I didn't enjoy the "cold open" of each part feeling unrelated and episodic... the subtle development of characters and dynamics through the 3 parts really won me over with both character development arcs and interweaving the storylines. This was a nice surprise recommendation!

INFINITE GAME OF CHESS

IN THE TWILIGHT
This book consists of three stories, with Anton as the main character in each. If all I had listened to would have been the first story Destiny, I would have given this five stars. Destiny is so good I almost gave the whole book five stars. To me this was the most intelligent fantasy I have ever listened to or read. This was one of the few times in my life, that I got it! This is an infinite chess game between good and evil and both sides are right and both sides are wrong. There is some action, but this is mostly a head game. You could compare this to Simon R. Green's, In The Night Side or China Mieville's The City, The City and maybe even Butcher's, Dresden's books, only this is better, more stimulating to the brain. Some have compared SL to King. Both use scary or fantastical elements to get a message across. King message is usually political, where as SL is more psychological. SL shows how doing good can lead to evil and vise versa. That good and evil is not a black and white issue. The second story, Among HIs Own Kind, is good, but not as good as Destiny. I would give the second story four stars.

AN EXPERIENCED KAMIKAZE
The third story, All for our Kind, is bad. Anton becomes a big whiney baby. Even the characters in the story complain about his whining. The plot does not develop until half way through the story and then it is not enough to save the story.

I would suggest buying the book, but only for the first two thirds. The first story is worth your credit. If you are not enjoying the third story, quit the book. Don't be one of those who have to finish every book they start. I used to be that way, until I realized that I was only punishing myself, which was stupid.

MY FRIEND AND ENEMY
I think I will try the next book in the series, even though it goes against my rules. If I don't give the first book five stars, I don't go on to the next. If he can repeat the genius of Destiny, it will be worth it.

Paul Michael is a very good narrator and if you listen closely, he sounds an awful lot like Rod Serling. Even if you don't agree, you have to agree his talent makes this book a better listen then a read.

Brilliantly executed moral ambiguity

Shelve this one with The Incrementalists and the Count of Monte Cristo. Characters are decent, stories are well self-contained, but it's the situations that really gleam here.

Moving, Dark, Expansive

Where does Night Watch rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Number 1

Who was your favorite character and why?

Olga, as she is mysterious & strong.

What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A view point out side of my own psychologically referenced from listening to a person's live voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Watches

Any additional comments?

This is the greatest experience I have had in a long time.

I haven't listened to an audiobook in over 12 years.

I needed something other than music at work & this worked perfectly.

This story line is currently my favorite film, yet the world in the book is so much more revealing than the film.