This was a reasonably strong finish to the Night Watch series. I can respect an author for, whether the overarching arc was planned from the beginning of a series or not, recognizing that for a story to be told it must have a definitive end rather than letting it drag on. I am not sure if this was where Night Watch was going from the beginning or not, but it is definitely an apt ending to Anton’s story. It serves as an ending not only to his story, but in many ways signals the end of an age...an age for the Others themselves, but also reflecting a possible end/change to many factors within the world and society.
Anton himself, though by far not the oldest of others, is in many ways already an anachronism (musical formats and tastes, ideas about men’s and women’s roles, ideas about teenage sexuality,etc.). This is reflected in the overall structure of the Night and Day Watches themselves. When we finally see the interior of the Day Watch we find that while the Night Watch has failed to evolve in structure and function, the Day Watch is the very epitome of modernity. Even the pondrerings on Anton’s inability to fully adapt to either human or Other lifestyles,this failure to embrace anachronism or modernization, leaves him a man out of time and place, doomed to pass from influence. Doomed in a somewhat obfuscated bit of foreshadowing, to end.
I saw other reviewers object to some of the casual sexism and homophobia present in this books, which I think is partially a product of the current climate in Russian society (similar to veiled comments about the biased, ‘liberal’ media), but prerhaps it is more closely tied to this idea of ending eras. Most of the casual homophobia and sexism are voiced by characters who are likely to see their active roles in Other society (and by extension their influence of the society of humans) passing away. I would like to think this is a subtle nod by the author that these ideas are outdated, of the past.
I say that I hope that because while in have loved this author’s literally work, some additional biographically reading has left me feeling unsettled about supporting him through the purchase of any additional books (unless used). It seems he is a staunch supporter of the violent invasion and domination of the Crimea by the Russian government. It seems he is also a vocal supporter of the patently false propagandistic claims by the Russian government that the ban on US adoption of Russian children is anything other than using those children as a weapon to protest the Magnitsky Act. Perhaps this should not surprise me, as he was successful even under the state run publication of science fiction and fantasy, some in some sense would have to be a loyalist. This go easy long way to explaining the lack of social commentary on the government of Russia itself, and the occasional jabs at foriegn media and liberalism. ( )

This is an interesting series in that, each time a new book comes out, I tend to pick it up out of obligation, having gone through the full series, yet, as soon as I get a few pages in, I then remember that I actually enjoy the writing, the characters, and the world that Lukyanenko had built over the six novels.

But I think I can say I never had more fun that with this one, supposedly the conclusion of the series. Not only are all the incredible concepts that make this world come alive all on display, but the author simply seems to find more and more avenues to run down, each one a diamond mine of sparkling creativity.

And dammit, this one was just fun. I was intrigued and bought in early for the ride, but I didn't count on all the chuckles along the way.

If I had one quibble about the story, it was the fact that no one seemed to be more upset about the impending apocalypse. Other than that, this story was bang-on perfect. ( )

This book takes no prisoners in terms of having read previous books in the series - much will be very unclear if you haven't. If you have - well, we're still following Anton Gorodetsky's career. His daughter is a teenager and constantly being watched - but that doesn't prevent an attempt on her life and suddenly the apocalypse is impending yet again, secrets and history must be revealed and a prophecy must be fulfilled, leading to a bitter-sweet and surprisingly affecting ending. ( )

This is one of those series that went on way to long. Its a solid book, but the author doesn't have anything new to add to the world.

It is, however a good ending to the series, and hopefully, it stays that way. ( )

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Title: Sixth Watch
Series: Night Watch #6
Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 403
Format: Digital Edition



Synopsis:

A rogue vampire has started biting people in broad daylight and what's more, they're just taking a “sip” from each victim. Anton figures out that the vampire is sending a coded message to him using the initials of the victims.

Once he figures that out, ALL the prophets have the exact same foretelling. Something dealing with the numbers 1-6 and the End of All Life on Earth.

So both Watches, Night and Day, give all acting Authority to Anton to figure out what is going on. It turns out that an old Agreement by the Sixth Watch and the Twilight, in the personafication of the Two In One, has been breached and that gives the Two In One the right to wipe humanity down to 1%.

The solution is to invoke the Sixth Watch, which involves both Watches, the Witches, the Vampires and Other “Others”. Huge sacrifices are made by many people and the Agreement is null and voided. Humanity and the “Others” are all saved.

Anton is sacrificed and gives up his “Other” powers and becomes truly human. Thus ends his story in the Night Watch universe.

My Thoughts:

What a great end to this series. This was just as good as all the previous books and had that perfect mix of pathos, humor, tension, fear and maturity.

I think what I liked best about this book and the series, even while I'm opposed to it, is the fact that Anton goes from an idealistic Light One to a pragmatic Human. I suspect I enjoyed his journey because in SO many ways it mirrors my own journey through life.

I also liked how Anton's sacrifices include having his family make sacrifices. The load wasn't all on his shoulders and there was nothing he could do about it. Watching his 16year old daughter choose to sacrifice her future as a Zero Ultimate Other, man, that's tough.

While there are a lot more stories to be told in the Watch series, I suspect that Lukyanenko has reached the end of his interest and thus chose to wrap things up nice and neat. Anton has always been the center of the stories and with his story done, I think the flavor would irrevocably change, enough so to affect any future stories.

This is one of the few Urban Fantasies that I've been able to stomach over the last couple of years and I think that speaks well to Lukyanenko's skill. I also think it shows that somewhere I've got some Russian blood in my past. That or I'm the reincarnation of Turgenev. Haha.

★★★★☆ ( )