Nightwatch
Sergei Lukyanenko
I finally finished Nightwatch, and am finally getting around to telling you about it...
My initial response was that the 2004 film, which I was a huge fan of, is SO very different from the novel. I still think both are very commendable works - not something I normally, or ever, say when a film based on a book takes so many liberties.
Nightwatch is set in contemporary Moscow and chronicles the division between Light and Dark. All chief characters of the novel are "Others" - the chosen beings who possess the gift of seeing past this life and realm of being into the next: the Twilight, and who act as the soldiers in the eternal war between Good and Evil.
Nightwatch takes on a sci-fi fantasy feeling as you learn that the Others take the form of shapeshifters, vampires, sorcerers - all kinds of fantastic and demonic beings. They patrol Moscow as parts of the Daywatch, made up of Dark Others, and Nightwatch, the organization of Light Others. Being set in modern day, the struggle for balance (note: balance, NOT power) is much more a corporate situation than medieval combat. They act almost as government organizations of the spiritual realm, keeping check over each other to ensure that neither spreads too much influence over the human race.
My favorite parts of this book are, as mentioned, the struggle for balance but not necessarily for victory. The idea that both Light and Dark exist not only in the world but within each person and that must both remain to maintain order is so basic and true. The other aspect that drew me in was the definitions of Good and Evil - what makes an Other turn to the Light or Dark side? It is not the basic perception of a flawless protagonist and malicious nemesis, but instead it is that an Other chooses a side according to his intentions. Dark Others think only of themselves - their own gain and recognition, while Light others genuinely want the best for the human race. Both sides use ugly tactics in battle and each character, Light or Dark, is very deeply flawed but their reasons for fighting polarize them into their given affiliations: the Dnevnoy Dozor or the Nochnoy Dozor.
Definite reading suggestion if you're into fantasy with a less-than-whimsical message; go get it.
I finally finished Nightwatch, and am finally getting around to telling you about it... My initial response was that the 2004 film, which I was a huge fan of, is SO very different from the novel. I still think both are very commendable works - not something I normally, or ever, say when a film based on a book takes so many liberties.
Nightwatch is set in contemporary Moscow and chronicles the division between Light and Dark. All chief characters of the novel are "Others" - the chosen beings who possess the gift of seeing past this life and realm of being into the next: the Twilight, and who act as the soldiers in the eternal war between Good and Evil.
Nightwatch takes on a sci-fi fantasy feeling as you learn that the Others take the form of shapeshifters, vampires, sorcerers - all kinds of fantastic and demonic beings. They patrol Moscow as parts of the Daywatch, made up of Dark Others, and Nightwatch, the organization of Light Others. Being set in modern day, the struggle for balance (note: balance, NOT power) is much more a corporate situation than medieval combat. They act almost as government organizations of the spiritual realm, keeping check over each other to ensure that neither spreads too much influence over the human race.
My favorite parts of this book are, as mentioned, the struggle for balance but not necessarily for victory. The idea that both Light and Dark exist not only in the world but within each person and that must both remain to maintain order is so basic and true. The other aspect that drew me in was the definitions of Good and Evil - what makes an Other turn to the Light or Dark side? It is not the basic perception of a flawless protagonist and malicious nemesis, but instead it is that an Other chooses a side according to his intentions. Dark Others think only of themselves - their own gain and recognition, while Light others genuinely want the best for the human race. Both sides use ugly tactics in battle and each character, Light or Dark, is very deeply flawed but their reasons for fighting polarize them into their given affiliations: the Dnevnoy Dozor or the Nochnoy Dozor.
Definite reading suggestion if you're into fantasy with a less-than-whimsical message; go get it.
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