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anonymole's review
5.0
A bit long winded. One can skip some meaningless descriptions of what passing characters had for breakfast.
But overall an engaging book.
But overall an engaging book.
kitkatdub's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
gregz_newdorkreviewofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Justin Cronin's The Passage was the hit novel of 2010. Everyone read it. Everyone raved about it. Everyone waited in eager anticipation for the next novel in the trilogy (The Twelve, which is out this October). But I skipped it. No particular reason — just never got to it.
So having picked up an ARC of The Twelve at BEA, I figured I'd finally give The Passage a go — a first step in getting over my hesitation of reading long series before all the books are out.
And you what? It's not half bad after all. It's a familiar story, to be sure — a government experiment with a virus wipes out most of the population, leaving a small band of survivors to carry the torch for humanity. A "chosen one" — a girl named Amy — helps this band of noble straggles make a "passage" across the country to try to find out who she is, and if humanity really does have a future.
Of course, the comparison's to Stephen King's The Stand are inevitable. But there is one key difference — whereas The Stand was a pitched battle of good vs. evil, The Passage is simply good (or is it?) vs. vampires (or virals, smokes, or dracs, as they're referred to in the novel); mindless creatures programmed to kill humans so they can survive. So, they're no more evil than a polar bear that kills salmon to live. The only evil characters are the government henchman who start the viral weapons program at the beginning of the novel. And then, it's pretty obvious that they're evil.
So, again, you know this story. But what sets The Passage apart is that, with the exception some wooden dialogue here and there, The Passage is better written by about a factor of 20 than just about any of those genre humankind-wipeout stories. Cronin is a master of pacing — writing action scenes and moody, atmospheric "set-up scenes" with equal aplomb. Here's an example of Cronin's writing, a quote I really liked: "Courage is easy when the alternative is getting killed. It's hope that's hard."
There's nothing extraordinarily heady here — it makes for great plane reading. There's action. There's romance. There's blood and gore and death. But with hints of religion and the philosophy of history, there are interesting questions the novel asks its readers to consider. How seriously do we take stories that are ostensibly allegories? Are they really allegories after all? (Noah's ark, for instance?)
Regarding history, Cronin often includes diary entries from the main characters that are presented at a conference a thousand years later. It's an interesting tactic that makes us consider the two types of storytelling — the first-person from the characters' perspectives, and Cronin's own omniscient perspective. Normally, this shift in narration bugs me. Here, it worked.
I'd say this is a four-out-of-five stars novel. I really enjoyed it and read it quickly (mostly on planes). It loses a star for slipping into the too-familiar from time to time. But overall, highly recommended.
So having picked up an ARC of The Twelve at BEA, I figured I'd finally give The Passage a go — a first step in getting over my hesitation of reading long series before all the books are out.
And you what? It's not half bad after all. It's a familiar story, to be sure — a government experiment with a virus wipes out most of the population, leaving a small band of survivors to carry the torch for humanity. A "chosen one" — a girl named Amy — helps this band of noble straggles make a "passage" across the country to try to find out who she is, and if humanity really does have a future.
Of course, the comparison's to Stephen King's The Stand are inevitable. But there is one key difference — whereas The Stand was a pitched battle of good vs. evil, The Passage is simply good (or is it?) vs. vampires (or virals, smokes, or dracs, as they're referred to in the novel); mindless creatures programmed to kill humans so they can survive. So, they're no more evil than a polar bear that kills salmon to live. The only evil characters are the government henchman who start the viral weapons program at the beginning of the novel. And then, it's pretty obvious that they're evil.
So, again, you know this story. But what sets The Passage apart is that, with the exception some wooden dialogue here and there, The Passage is better written by about a factor of 20 than just about any of those genre humankind-wipeout stories. Cronin is a master of pacing — writing action scenes and moody, atmospheric "set-up scenes" with equal aplomb. Here's an example of Cronin's writing, a quote I really liked: "Courage is easy when the alternative is getting killed. It's hope that's hard."
There's nothing extraordinarily heady here — it makes for great plane reading. There's action. There's romance. There's blood and gore and death. But with hints of religion and the philosophy of history, there are interesting questions the novel asks its readers to consider. How seriously do we take stories that are ostensibly allegories? Are they really allegories after all? (Noah's ark, for instance?)
Regarding history, Cronin often includes diary entries from the main characters that are presented at a conference a thousand years later. It's an interesting tactic that makes us consider the two types of storytelling — the first-person from the characters' perspectives, and Cronin's own omniscient perspective. Normally, this shift in narration bugs me. Here, it worked.
I'd say this is a four-out-of-five stars novel. I really enjoyed it and read it quickly (mostly on planes). It loses a star for slipping into the too-familiar from time to time. But overall, highly recommended.
carladash's review
2.0
It was decently written and had an interesting premise, but I can't say I really enjoyed it. In general, the book felt bloated to me. For example, the first 3rd of the book was backstory that didn't need to be there (the same information could easily have been conveyed through flashback or references in various characters' POV chapters) and felt disconnected from the rest of the book, which takes place 100 after the opening. In additional, the knowledge that I garnered from the book's opening provided me, the reader, with information the main characters spent the whole novel looking for. How could I care about their quest when I already knew most of the answers? As well, I always have trouble getting into novels that follow multiple POVs, and this was no exception, especially since a lot of those POV characters disappeared or died as the plot kept switching gears. How can I possibly care about anyone when they're so fleeting? Also, many of the characters' decisions didn't make sense to me, and many of the plot twists and turns felt unnecessary, convoluted, and/or too convenient. A lot was left unresolved at the end, too, which makes sense now that I know the novel is the first in a trilogy, but still, it was pretty unsatisfying.
readwithdina's review
1.0
This one is insanely long - I am going to try again in the winter when I don't feel like moving from my warm house.
kaf172's review
5.0
A long read, but gripping. The story unfolded well for me and the characters were convincing. Can't wait for the next one.
shiyr's review against another edition
I'm pretty done with reading epic fantasy novels that are just made up of horrible shitty men doing horrible shitty things to each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Violence
grumpachu's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes the pacing felt off, especially towards the end; and the jump forward by 100 years after part 2 took a bit of getting used to. It was like starting a whole new book with fresh characters. But all in all it was a gripping story, a mix of interesting characters and beautiful writing.
twstdtink's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
At 766 pages, The Passage is quite the undertaking! It almost feels like reading three different books, with its shifts between multiple characters and timelines. Cronin provides extensive backstory for his characters. sometimes too much, especially for those destined for the chopping block. One of my favorite aspects of Cronin's writing is the unpredictability, though; no character feels truly "safe." Whether you consider this a zombie, vampire, or contagion novel, it's a gripping read that will keep you racing to find out what happens next.