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larkspire's review against another edition
3.0
Twilight Watch is a good addition to the series, but it could have been better. But it helps to remember that this was originally the end to the Night Watch Trilogy - one of my gripes wouldn't have mattered in this light.
In the last two books, I think I complained that I didn't like at least one of the POVs each time. It's ironic, then (in the Alanis Morissette way) that I occasionally got sick of Anton here. But since he's the best voice for the second and third stories, it only makes sense that he was the voice for the first (unless the second story could have been used to set up an Anton-Kostya dynamic with, I don't know, Semyon and some not-yet-introduced Day Watchman).
Part of what I liked about the first two books is the way Lukyanenko continued to introduce new things about the world of The Others, but unfortunately there isn't too much of that here, other than a MacGuffin we'll never see again, and the revelation that even Light Others have Twilight forms. The world is still interesting though, and there's titbits of new information about the Watches (and their structure in Russia and the former Soviet republics, at least).
The ending of Day Watch was pretty predictable - even if you didn't figure out the twist, the plot structure was so similar to Night Watch that you could figure out that there would be one, and who it would come from. That's not an issue here, fortunately. Unfortunately, Anton's actions in the finale are nearly identical to Night Watch, and even though he acknowledges this it doesn't make for the most interesting reading. Which is a shame, because the third story was the most interesting up to that point, and other parts of the finale were pretty cool, especially the clever resolution - and it wasn't because of the behind-the-scenes scheming of the first two books that it was clever (but if you love the scheming, don't worry - there's plenty in the first two stories).
The problem which is only a problem when you know that there's three more books coming is the power creep of this series. Everyone's supposed to have their ceiling, but Anton seems to be the exception. He (and other protagonists) have largely been facing off with progressively more powerful antagonists. It's at the point where - despite Gesar and Zabulon pointing out that higher-level magical duels are battles of wits rather than raw power - I can't help but wonder what challenges could possibly be left. But perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, and future books do indeed make things a battle of wits, rather than an arms race. At least there are still some mysteries to explore, such as the further levels of the Twilight.
In the last two books, I think I complained that I didn't like at least one of the POVs each time. It's ironic, then (in the Alanis Morissette way) that I occasionally got sick of Anton here. But since he's the best voice for the second and third stories, it only makes sense that he was the voice for the first (unless the second story could have been used to set up an Anton-Kostya dynamic with, I don't know, Semyon and some not-yet-introduced Day Watchman).
Part of what I liked about the first two books is the way Lukyanenko continued to introduce new things about the world of The Others, but unfortunately there isn't too much of that here, other than a MacGuffin we'll never see again, and the revelation that even Light Others have Twilight forms. The world is still interesting though, and there's titbits of new information about the Watches (and their structure in Russia and the former Soviet republics, at least).
The ending of Day Watch was pretty predictable - even if you didn't figure out the twist, the plot structure was so similar to Night Watch that you could figure out that there would be one, and who it would come from. That's not an issue here, fortunately. Unfortunately, Anton's actions in the finale are nearly identical to Night Watch, and even though he acknowledges this it doesn't make for the most interesting reading. Which is a shame, because the third story was the most interesting up to that point, and other parts of the finale were pretty cool, especially the clever resolution - and it wasn't because of the behind-the-scenes scheming of the first two books that it was clever (but if you love the scheming, don't worry - there's plenty in the first two stories).
The problem which is only a problem when you know that there's three more books coming is the power creep of this series. Everyone's supposed to have their ceiling, but Anton seems to be the exception. He (and other protagonists) have largely been facing off with progressively more powerful antagonists. It's at the point where - despite Gesar and Zabulon pointing out that higher-level magical duels are battles of wits rather than raw power - I can't help but wonder what challenges could possibly be left. But perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, and future books do indeed make things a battle of wits, rather than an arms race. At least there are still some mysteries to explore, such as the further levels of the Twilight.
jerefi's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe I am just getting used to his style, but for some reason I am liking this series more and more as I go. Or maybe the foundations laid in the earlier books are starting to reveal some purpose.
lberestecki's review against another edition
4.0
This was my favorite book in the series so far. I liked that the three parts followed the stories of the same characters, and I thought the overarching plot line was really interesting. The second story was my favorite because Arina was a very interesting and complex character. My one complaint was that the resolution of the overall plot felt a bit rushed and under-explained.
rococo_bang's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
skepticalri's review against another edition
4.0
Not many series get better as you get farther along, but the tales of the Others may just be one of them. Perhaps what I'm sensing is Lukyanenko's move from straight action to a more winding philosophical treatise on what makes the Others tick, the differences between the two "sides," and the individual characters on which he focuses. Again, the focus of this novel (or set of three stories) is Anton, although many characters from the earlier books make appearances: Sveta (now his wife and the mother of his little Other), Gesar, Zabulon, Edgar, Kostya, and Semyon. These stories center around issues of metaphysics--the relationship between magic and energy in the Others and in humans--and how these issues could be used within the world for good or ill (or a combination thereof). Twilight Watch is a great example of how good fantasy/science fiction can make you stretch your brain a bit.
jolew's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite of the series so far. I enjoyed the first two a lot, but this one is even better. So glad there's more!
brilliancee's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while but I think I actually liked it far more than the previous book.
imitira's review against another edition
4.0
Less twisted than the prequels, and therefore more straightforwardly enjoyable. Not much more to say. Good clean fun, with noticeably more world development and background exposition this time too.
nooker's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best so far. While the 3 story format shared by the other books is done here as well, in this book the stories hung together better in this one. This one also showed more of the world and how it worked which was cool.