NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The end of the world was only the beginning. In his internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed novel The Passage, Justin Cronin constructed an unforgettable world transformed by a government experiment gone horribly wrong. Now the scope widens and the intensity deepens as the epic story surges forward . . . In the present day, as the man-made apocalypse … the present day, as the man-made apocalypse unfolds, three strangers navigate the chaos. Lila, a doctor and an expectant mother, is so shattered by the spread of violence and infection that she continues to plan for her child’s arrival even as society dissolves around her. Kittridge, known to the world as “Last Stand in Denver,” has been forced to flee his stronghold and is now on the road, dodging the infected, armed but alone and well aware that a tank of gas will get him only so far. April is a teenager fighting to guide her little brother safely through a landscape of death and ruin. These three will learn that they have not been fully abandoned—and that in connection lies hope, even on the darkest of nights.
One hundred years in the future, Amy and the others fight on for humankind’s salvation . . . unaware that the rules have changed. The enemy has evolved, and a dark new order has arisen with a vision of the future infinitely more horrifying than man’s extinction. If the Twelve are to fall, one of those united to vanquish them will have to pay the ultimate price.
A heart-stopping thriller rendered with masterful literary skill, The Twelve is a grand and gripping tale of sacrifice and survival.
Look for the entire Passage trilogy:
THE PASSAGE | THE TWELVE | THE CITY OF MIRRORS
Praise for The Twelve
“[A] literary superthriller.”—The New York Times Book Review
“An undeniable and compelling epic . . . a complex narrative of flight and forgiveness, of great suffering and staggering loss, of terrible betrayals and incredible hope.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“The Twelve is even better than The Passage.”—The Plain Dealer
“A compulsive read.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“Gripping . . . Cronin [introduces] eerie new elements to his masterful mythology. . . . Enthralling, emotional and entertaining.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune
“Fine storytelling.”—Associated Press
“Cronin is one of those rare authors who works on two different levels, blending elegantly crafted literary fiction with cliff-hanging thrills.”—Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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This series was my favorite trilogy ever and I read 3 books per week. Justin Cronin ROCKS
Warning: If you want a well-written, critical review, stop now. I’m about to gush words all over the page.
I’m not sure where to start with this book – it’s epic. I’ll get that out of the way before I start nit-picking.
My issues, and they are minor, are similar to Book One (The Passage).
It jumps around a lot. I should have known better than to expect a simple continuation of where the story left off. Story arcs and characters were left hanging as they were between the two sections that make up The Passage. If you want your fiction served up in a straight line, this series is not for you.
There are a lot of characters. It was easier to keep track having read Book One, but even so, there were times when I struggled.
It dips a little in the middle as characters are being moved into place for the final push.
Would the chapters dealing with escalating viral problem be better in Book One? After all, The Passage skips the immediate issues of the virals/ dracs/ Twelve* and leaps almost 100 years into the future. I’m split on this. I think I would have preferred that overall, but it is also nice seeing the origins of First Colony already knowing what happens to them. Alicia’s ancestory, in particular, is nicely tagged on. (Almost like the literary equivalent of a post-credit scenes you get in certain types of overly-muscled superhero movies.)
Michael seemed like a new character rather than a development of Book One Michael. I know people change, but this guy was so different to ‘Circuit’ that it threw me.
That’s it.
Not many nits to pick, are there?
Now… the good stuff.
The section that deals with the immediate problems of the virus hitting is superb. #istandwithlaststandindenver
The section that deals with the concentration camp is harrowing. Not so much for the red-eyes but the normal people who willingly go along with their evil.
The ratcheting up of the tension towards the end is compelling.
The prose is sublime: minimal descriptions that paint so much better a picture than books stuffed full of adverbs and adverbs; alternating sentence structures that have their own internal rhythm; and a use of language that is, simply, beautiful.
There is an attention to detail that doesn’t swamp the plot. (i.e. it doesn’t read like a Wikipedia page)
Some of the most effective horror is hinted at: a growing, luminescent green light; a clicking noise; tree-tops rustling (‘They come from above.’); and, worst of all, the inevitable terror heralded by waning daylight.
Characters that are so flawed and so real because of it. There’s not even a mention of a kick-arse heroine who can speak multiple languages, holds multiple black belts in multiple mystic martial arts (Including the Approach of Aggressive Alliteration) but suffers from a deep dark secret that only one person knows. As for hard-bitten detectives with marital/ drinking/ authority* issues but are good at their job? Forget it.
And how the author manages to bring all the disparate characters and arcs to the climax as he does, I have no idea.
In short this book is phenomenal, a classic example of ‘just one more chapter before I switch the lights out.’ It has played hell with my insomnia. Not only because I wanted to know what happened next, but because the shadows in my bedroom grew claws and teeth.
But despite that pace and prose, the masterful weaving of story lines and complicated/ real characters, despite all that brilliance, there was one line that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go for days: a moment of tenderness in a world beyond hope.
“I’ve got you,” he said, hugging Tim fiercely; and again, over and over, so that the boy would be hearing these words. “I’ve got you, I’ve got you, I’ve got you, I’ve got you.”
Last Stand in Denver
Read The Twelve, you’ll see what I mean.
It is awesome.
*delete as appropriate
Loved it! Such great character development, I feel like I know them! I can’t wait to read the 3rd and final book of this series!
Equally fascinating story following The Passage (book 1) without picking up where the other left off, but tying back to important characters and incidents. Again, the breadth of the human experience and strength of the human spirit is paramount. Highly recommend.
Best “vampire” story ever!
I loved this book (and series)–original, thought-provoking and a hard to put down. He writes beautifully!
THIS BOOK SHOOK ME, I CAN SEE HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE. HOW THE GOVERMENT EXPERIMENTS, DOES COVER UPS AND ULTIMATELY IS HUMANITY THAT GETS AFFECTED. I COULDNT SLEEP WHILTE I WAS READING THE BOOK AND EVEN A WHILE AFTER. SCARY BUT IN A GOOD WAY AND I AM NOT ONE FOR SCARY BOOKS OR MOVIES BUT THIS SERIES I LOVED!
For fans of Apocalyptic/ ZA fiction, this whole series is excellent! I especially enjoyed the final book “City of Mirrors” but read them in order you won’t be sorry
2nd book in an amazing series, soon to be TV Show
As you may have seen from my ‘fanboy’ review of The Passage, I am a big fan of Justin Cronin and this series. And I will say this – The Twelve is the Terminator 2 of book sequels. It is it’s own piece of awesomeness entirely.
Like the first book, it is done in different time periods and the pre-crisis period is simply heartbreaking in this book. Cronin absolutely nails the desperation of the characters who know they are fighting a losing battle but manages to highlight the survival instinct of humans. Is beautiful.
The future set parts of the book are equally enthralling, although I will highlight now that there are a few more unpleasant scenes in this book than its predecessor. Makes for difficult reading at times.
Also, Brad Wolgast may be my favourite fictional character of all time!
Read The Passage and then read this book!!
Re-read in Jan 2018 – Okay, this book is still 5 stars! Such a well woven story and some parts of this story are truly heart breaking. The pre-crisis section was just excellent writing, whilst the return to Peter, Amy, Lish etc was fantastic. A few bits were maybe a little too convenient, but I am SO excited I can now read City of Mirrors!!
I didn’t like it as much as I liked the first book, “The Passage”. It feels a bit like there is not much being added to the story but more filling in for the final chapter. It is well written and enjoyable, but I found it did little to move the story forward. Probably except for a couple of details you could skip this one and move directly to the final book when it comes out next year.
I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down!
After The Passage, by Justin Cronin, I eagerly looking forward to his next installment. I wasn’t disappointed! The story continues in the same wonderful style, character, and world development. This isn’t a black and white world, there are frustrations, disappointments and triumphs. Mr. Cronin is a wonderful storyteller.
As wonderful as THE PASSAGE
A little more confusing than the first book in the series – I kept having to look back and refer to things. But still a great story.