STALKER is not only a series of games, but also a lot of books. Of course, there was plenty of filler among them, but you can still find decent novels. We have collected ten of the best works that you can read before playing STALKER 2.
“Dream of Defeat”
- Author: Alexey Kalugin
- Book price: 770 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
The novel “Dream to Defeat” has a rather simple, but at the same time dashingly twisted plot, which keeps the reader in suspense until the very end. An experienced stalker and the owner of a phenomenal memory, Gupi, against his will, becomes a guide for a motley group wishing to find the way to the legendary Wish Granter. And as the dangers they experience together, all the characters gradually reveal a new side, and the ending surprises with an unexpected twist.
“Fire Line”
- Author: Vasily Orekhov
- Book price: 1882 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
Fire Line” is the second book in the series about the seasoned stalker Hemul. And for a more complete experience, it is recommended to read “Defeat Zone” and “Fire Sector”, where all the storylines begin and end.
But of the entire trilogy, it is the middle that is the most vivid and spectacular. It is a real literary “spinal shooter” with a cool and charismatic protagonist, textured characters and constantly changing dangers.
“Mutant Hunters”
- Authors: Andrey Levitsky, Lev Zhakov
- Book price: 575 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
A dark story about the confrontation between an experienced mutant specialist, Lesnik, and a young hired killer, Gypsy. The conflict is made more acute by a “special cargo” that the former must deliver and the latter must eliminate.
The originality of the work is given by the alternate narration from the point of view of both characters. This allows you to feel the heroes, understand their motives, look at the same events from different angles. Well, and the ending, which turned out to be very difficult.
“Empty Lands”
- Author: Alexey Kalugin
- Book price: 930 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
The book can be safely divided into two parts. The first is the story of the survival of the seriously wounded and deprived of equipment stalker Jaeger in the Empty Lands. The experienced walker stubbornly clings to his life, literally going through fire, water and copper pipes. The second half is dedicated to the main character’s revenge on his “friends” from one clan who betrayed him. And all this is easy to read, and the serious tone is diluted with jokes.
“In the Fog Zone”
- Author: Alexey Gravitsky
- Book price: 797 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
In most books of the STALKER series, the main character is a brave artifact hunter who easily gets out of the most difficult situation. But in “In the Fog Zone” Alexey Gravitsky presented a different protagonist. But reading about his adventures is no less interesting, and the plot can even be called instructive. The dynamics between the silent Ugryumy and his cheerful friend Moonlight are especially pleasing.
“Choice of weapons”
- Author: Andrey Levitsky
- Book price: 1178 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
Choice of weapons” is a great option if you want to read a light and cheerful adventure in a familiar setting, not pretending to be too serious and pathos. There was room for an intriguing story, jokes, and charismatic heroes. The theme of the Zone itself is revealed in sufficient detail, to which the author added new details – for example, a detailed description of the principle of operation of anomalies.
“Food chain”
- Author: Victor Nochkin
- Book price: 397 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
The final part of the trilogy about the unlucky stalker Blind. The main character again failed to tie up with the Zone. Moreover, he was drawn into a dangerous case with extremely unpredictable consequences. A very dynamic story, filled with interesting events, meetings with the heroes of the previous parts and a spectacular denouement. At the same time, “Food Chain” is a completely independent work, although for full immersion it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the previous books.
Hourglass”
- Author: Sergey Nedorub
- Book price: 777 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
Another work with a very intriguing and extremely addictive plot. Much revolves around the silent Mark, who knows too much about the Zone, and the local legend of Borland. The heroes now and then get from one scrape to another, experience betrayal and get out of the most difficult situations. An interesting point: the writer himself took direct part in the development of the game’s script.
“Countdown”
- Author: Vyacheslav Shalygin
- Book price: 465 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
Reading this novel, one might get the impression that the author initially wrote about the adventures of a special forces soldier in the war, but in the process transferred the events to Chernobyl. Whether this is true or not is unknown, but the work itself turned out to be quite good.
Here the main role is played not by an artifact hunter, but by an experienced mercenary who is drawn into a conspiracy on the scale of the Zone. A very interesting adventure with unexpected turns and a very vivid description of what is happening. The main thing is to come to terms with a very cool protagonist who quite easily clicks all opponents.
“House on the Swamp”
- Author: Alexey Kalugin
- Book price: 747 rubles
- Where to buy: OZON
“House on the Swamp” is notable for two reasons. Firstly, the legendary Swamp Doctor appears as one of the characters in the novel. And secondly, the protagonist is not typical for the series: the stalker Shtyr does not want to be a hero and take risks, but wants to get rich quickly.
An intriguing plot results in interesting reading with philosophical reasoning. This is a very original work that stands out in the entire line of STALKER books. Of course, action lovers may get bored, but the atmosphere and seriousness fully compensate for this shortcoming.