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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was interested in The Passage because I’d heard about the concept and that it had the feel of literary fiction. I dabble in all genres, but I do love literary fiction—and I can say that was not my impression of this book.
I struggled with it because it was far longer than it needed to be, and I’m not a fan of the author’s prose. See: cold, so cold — tired, so tired — repetitive, so repetitive.
That being said, the premise is good, and he took it in some interesting directions. I’m still debating whether I’ll continue with the series. While I’m curious to know what happens, I’m not sure I want to slog through two more lengthy books like this one.
I wanted to like you, book. I did. You had so much going for you. You felt like Jurassic Park with Vampires. That's pretty cool, you know?
But then you got confused. You weren't sure what was world building, and what was repetitious descriptor.
Check this paragraph, one of the ones that hit just about the time I got fed up:
"The virals were a problem, sure--about forty-two and a half million problems, if the old documents in the HD shed behind the Lighthouse were correct. A whole history of the epidemic in its final hours, for Michael the Circuit to read. "CV1-CV12 National and Regional Summary of Select Surveillance Components," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; "Civilian Resettlement Protocols for Urban Centers, Zones 6-1," Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.; "Efficacy of Postexposure Protection Against CV Familial Hemorrhagic Fever in Nonhuman Primates," United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland. And so on, in that vein. Some of which he understood, some of which he didn't, but all saying the same basic thing."
And would you believe that's only half of the paragraph?
Friend book, you tell me too much and show me too little. When a century has passed and we are introduced to our new cast of characters only three or four parts into the story, you throw names and concepts at me with no explanation, just expecting me to follow along as you ramble. Storehouse, Sanctuary, Teacher, World, Share, Stone, Mercy, Long Ride, Time Before--all of these must be capitalized because they are important concepts. You threw them all at me in half a page, book. I know I'm not dumb and you've expected a lot of me, and that's cool, but man, it's exhausting, too.
You buried yourself under a pile of characters, most of whom only appeared for a page or two of action--but all of whom had three or so pages of buildup and backstory, too.
Book, it got a little tiring, a little too fast. You did have a great opening. A solid opening pitch. But then, book, you just kept talking and talking, but you never said anything. You stew in your own pile of stereotypical dystopian ideas. Patriarchy, burned out cars, a zillion stored Nintendo DSes (okay, so, you didn't do that, but you mentioned handheld consoles and that made me think of Rook, which literally did have a Nintendo Gameboy in its dystopian pile).
And, to make it all the worse, book, you're not even a standalone. You clock in at nearly 800 pages (most of which could easily have been edited out), and you still don't finish the story. You need two more books for that. I get it. Trilogies are hot right now. But, book, is it really necessary when your first book is about as long as a trilogy in its own right?
Friend, you've lost me at 40%. I just can't do this anymore. I'm sorry. I wanted to like you. But I can't.
But then you got confused. You weren't sure what was world building, and what was repetitious descriptor.
Check this paragraph, one of the ones that hit just about the time I got fed up:
"The virals were a problem, sure--about forty-two and a half million problems, if the old documents in the HD shed behind the Lighthouse were correct. A whole history of the epidemic in its final hours, for Michael the Circuit to read. "CV1-CV12 National and Regional Summary of Select Surveillance Components," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; "Civilian Resettlement Protocols for Urban Centers, Zones 6-1," Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.; "Efficacy of Postexposure Protection Against CV Familial Hemorrhagic Fever in Nonhuman Primates," United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland. And so on, in that vein. Some of which he understood, some of which he didn't, but all saying the same basic thing."
And would you believe that's only half of the paragraph?
Friend book, you tell me too much and show me too little. When a century has passed and we are introduced to our new cast of characters only three or four parts into the story, you throw names and concepts at me with no explanation, just expecting me to follow along as you ramble. Storehouse, Sanctuary, Teacher, World, Share, Stone, Mercy, Long Ride, Time Before--all of these must be capitalized because they are important concepts. You threw them all at me in half a page, book. I know I'm not dumb and you've expected a lot of me, and that's cool, but man, it's exhausting, too.
You buried yourself under a pile of characters, most of whom only appeared for a page or two of action--but all of whom had three or so pages of buildup and backstory, too.
Book, it got a little tiring, a little too fast. You did have a great opening. A solid opening pitch. But then, book, you just kept talking and talking, but you never said anything. You stew in your own pile of stereotypical dystopian ideas. Patriarchy, burned out cars, a zillion stored Nintendo DSes (okay, so, you didn't do that, but you mentioned handheld consoles and that made me think of Rook, which literally did have a Nintendo Gameboy in its dystopian pile).
And, to make it all the worse, book, you're not even a standalone. You clock in at nearly 800 pages (most of which could easily have been edited out), and you still don't finish the story. You need two more books for that. I get it. Trilogies are hot right now. But, book, is it really necessary when your first book is about as long as a trilogy in its own right?
Friend, you've lost me at 40%. I just can't do this anymore. I'm sorry. I wanted to like you. But I can't.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was a very interesting and enjoying read. I didn’t love the first 300 pages or so, but the back half was so good that I didn’t want to put it down.
The first 300 pages is pretty much an extended prologue that sets the stage for the actual book and kind of dragged for me a bit. But I’m glad that there was so much information and backstory because it really helped the main story of the book, and I’m assuming the series as a whole.
The second half is where the real story of the book occurs, and I really loved this part! I just wanted to keep learning more about the characters living in this crazy post apocalyptic world. Peter and Alicia were the best characters in my opinion, and I just kept wanting to know more about them. The story was also very intriguing, and I just kept needing to know what happened next.
This is the second Justin Cronin book that I’ve read, and I will definitely be seeking his books out in the future. He’s got a great suspenseful writing style, but doesn’t give up any character writing while doing that. That is a rare gift, and I can’t wait to read more from him.
The first 300 pages is pretty much an extended prologue that sets the stage for the actual book and kind of dragged for me a bit. But I’m glad that there was so much information and backstory because it really helped the main story of the book, and I’m assuming the series as a whole.
The second half is where the real story of the book occurs, and I really loved this part! I just wanted to keep learning more about the characters living in this crazy post apocalyptic world. Peter and Alicia were the best characters in my opinion, and I just kept wanting to know more about them. The story was also very intriguing, and I just kept needing to know what happened next.
This is the second Justin Cronin book that I’ve read, and I will definitely be seeking his books out in the future. He’s got a great suspenseful writing style, but doesn’t give up any character writing while doing that. That is a rare gift, and I can’t wait to read more from him.
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book ends on several cliffhangers. I realize it’s the first in a trilogy but after a billion pages I’d like at least some closure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
DNF. Just found this one contrived, heavy handed and poorly though out. The main character has mystical powers from the beginning for no reason. Fate draws people to where they need to be (ex machina). Bullets miss - because they need to miss. The author is trying so hard to create some sort of huge world spanning - centuries spanning spiritual point (what point?) that the characters just get lost in the noise. Maybe there is something here - but not for me - and its way too long.
I feel like this book had so much potential but I eventually lost interest
I love me some Twilight vampires. 'The Passage' series is not your Twilight vampires. I'm wondering if Cronin knows something we don't, because this is how I think vampires could take over the world. Survival, loneliness, coming of age -- it has it all. You will be blown away by the world building and character development, which spans years, decades, centuries. But is it horror, or is it a love story?
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated