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A review by phlegyas
The Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
4.0
I remember that when I finished reading the Day Watch, I was not entirely sure whether it was a big let down or a wonderful expansion over the first book.
What I was certain of, was the fact that the book felt like it was not written by the same person who had written the first book of the series, the Night Watch. It turns out, I was not entirely mistaken. The Day Watch has not been written entirely by Lukyanenko as, this time round, he had help.
I remember I was not entirely thrilled by the change of tone in the writing. However, I still gave this book a rating of 4, just like in the case of the first book. Why? Well, lets see.
On on hand, as I already said, I did not particularly enjoy the change in the writing style. It's not a huge change, mind you. But it is still enough for someone who greatly enjoyed the first book.
Also, in this second book, character development feels as if it is not the centre of attention anymore. I'm not implying that the characters are now shallow. Definitely not. I'm just saying (and without wanting to fall into a case of spoilers) that the characters who are driving the story forward, suffer when compared to Anton, the main character of the entire series.
So, why did I give this book 4 stars, just like I did with the first book?
Two things.
One, the action. As much as the first book lacked in action, it is here in bucket loads.
And two, a certain kind of character that is being introduced, an amazing original feast that, as far as I am concerned, has not been used in any other form, literature or movies.
Lukyanenko seems more polished this time round. In this second book, it already becomes evident that Lukyanenko grows as a writer and by the end of the series, it is apparent that he managed to keep the basic ingredients of the first book and polish his writing to create a wonderful mythology.
Ah, not to forget, this book probably has the most amazing ending out of all four of the series. Again, I don't know if it feels that way because the entire book before the end felt a bit less deep -I don't think so- but in any case, the ending left me hunting down the next book to start reading as soon as humanly possible.
What I was certain of, was the fact that the book felt like it was not written by the same person who had written the first book of the series, the Night Watch. It turns out, I was not entirely mistaken. The Day Watch has not been written entirely by Lukyanenko as, this time round, he had help.
I remember I was not entirely thrilled by the change of tone in the writing. However, I still gave this book a rating of 4, just like in the case of the first book. Why? Well, lets see.
On on hand, as I already said, I did not particularly enjoy the change in the writing style. It's not a huge change, mind you. But it is still enough for someone who greatly enjoyed the first book.
Also, in this second book, character development feels as if it is not the centre of attention anymore. I'm not implying that the characters are now shallow. Definitely not. I'm just saying (and without wanting to fall into a case of spoilers) that the characters who are driving the story forward, suffer when compared to Anton, the main character of the entire series.
So, why did I give this book 4 stars, just like I did with the first book?
Two things.
One, the action. As much as the first book lacked in action, it is here in bucket loads.
And two, a certain kind of character that is being introduced, an amazing original feast that, as far as I am concerned, has not been used in any other form, literature or movies.
Lukyanenko seems more polished this time round. In this second book, it already becomes evident that Lukyanenko grows as a writer and by the end of the series, it is apparent that he managed to keep the basic ingredients of the first book and polish his writing to create a wonderful mythology.
Ah, not to forget, this book probably has the most amazing ending out of all four of the series. Again, I don't know if it feels that way because the entire book before the end felt a bit less deep -I don't think so- but in any case, the ending left me hunting down the next book to start reading as soon as humanly possible.