Well, I honestly don't know what to say. I aboslutely love science-fiction and post-apocalyptic stories, but... This is the second russian sci-fi novel that I have read and the first one I had to put away because it was awful. Metro 2033 was a lot better than that, I have to admit. But somehow I just can't get familiar with the russian writing style. In both books the authors put a lot of emphasis on metaphors, dreams and visions. And that's probably just me, but I don't feel like science-fiction and fantasy go together. I mean some things just did not make any sense at all. 
 First of, the main character, Artjom, dreams a lot about past events, possible future events and a mash-up between the two mixed with weirdness. But as soon as he wakes up he never remembers his dreams. What purpose do they exactly serve then? I mean obviously they are meant to trigger something in the reader but they just left me confused. Furthermore, they caused enough confusion in me, that at certain points I couldn't really distinguish between what's part of the actual story and what's part of a dream or a vision. 
 The visions are a second weird thing. Everyone in those metro tunnels seems to have them and it feels like they're only there to advance the story and tie the very loose story plots together. I mean at one point that one guy has a vision that (view spoiler)[tells him, Artjom is the chosen one and has to find some sort of really important book. So they send him into the library on the surface where no stranger would be allowed. Artjom doesn't find the book, his companion dies and he flees. That's it. (hide spoiler)] Something that seemed incredibely important to the story just gets brushed off and is never mentioned again. What?! 
 I think I will still read the second book, because the story in itself is quite interesting and good and maybe I just need more time to appreciate russian sci-fi novels. You know, like good wine. Or something.