Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A post apocalyptic world as the result of government experimentation. The writing style is unique. Amazing character development. A vampirish tale. But think “I am Legend” vampires. Not Buffy or Twilight vampires. It’s a big book! Not because of filler, but because there’s a lot going on. And not the kind of unnecessarily long story, you truly get lost and invested in it. I’m immediately moving on to The Twelve because of that ending!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Gore, Pedophilia
Minor: Infertility, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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:
No
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
About 400 pages too long and segmented in an unnecessary way - I also disliked the obnoxious use of quotes from famous writers pre-facing every part.
Part 1 is essentially a prologue. It goes into an entirely unnecessary level of detail to provide backstory to a well worn dystopian idea.
What annoyed me is that I actually became quite invested in the characters you're introduced to, just to have it mean mostly f-all 350 pages later when there is a nearly 100 year time skip and the entire world has to be built by the author again.
I also felt there were times when the telling came to a natural end. Especially around the 800 page mark, where it made sense for the story to end in preparation for book 2. But instead the author insisted on smashing through what is quite an important plot point. I can't believe I'm saying it, but that part actually felt rushed.
Finally, comparing a woman's vagina as she gives birth to a "flower with its petals peeling away" - go away. I do not need to read a graphic description of someone shoving their hands into a uterus to pull a baby out.
This is a book about vampires, but not the sexy kind. Instead, more of an animalistic hive mind. And they can only be stopped by a girl who can give them back their identity.
It felt like a mashup of Doom, Resident Evil, The Strand and the actual Bible. Needless to say I won't be continuing on with the series.
Part 1 is essentially a prologue. It goes into an entirely unnecessary level of detail to provide backstory to a well worn dystopian idea.
What annoyed me is that I actually became quite invested in the characters you're introduced to, just to have it mean mostly f-all 350 pages later when there is a nearly 100 year time skip and the entire world has to be built by the author again.
I also felt there were times when the telling came to a natural end. Especially around the 800 page mark, where it made sense for the story to end in preparation for book 2. But instead the author insisted on smashing through what is quite an important plot point. I can't believe I'm saying it, but that part actually felt rushed.
Finally, comparing a woman's vagina as she gives birth to a "flower with its petals peeling away" - go away. I do not need to read a graphic description of someone shoving their hands into a uterus to pull a baby out.
This is a book about vampires, but not the sexy kind. Instead, more of an animalistic hive mind. And they can only be stopped by a girl who can give them back their identity.
It felt like a mashup of Doom, Resident Evil, The Strand and the actual Bible. Needless to say I won't be continuing on with the series.
probably more like a 3.5 but rounding up was best. A book that really grows on you...with the end I wanted more.
I somehow, gratefully, missed the hype on this book. As a fan of the post-apocalypse genre this was a book I simply could not put down. Part medical thriller, part military conspiracy, part mysticism, and that was just the beginning.
The post-infection United States world was authentic and the characters leapt off the page with all their strengths and human foibles. From start to finish this reader had an incredibly satisfying experience that has kept me thinking and reflecting, and more than a little freaked out.
Thanks, Justin, for a wonderful August reading adventure.
The post-infection United States world was authentic and the characters leapt off the page with all their strengths and human foibles. From start to finish this reader had an incredibly satisfying experience that has kept me thinking and reflecting, and more than a little freaked out.
Thanks, Justin, for a wonderful August reading adventure.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my second time reading this, and I'm glad I did a reread because the first time I read it was when it came out in 2010. I had forgotten a lot of the details which are clearly important to remember before reading the rest of the series!
I enjoyed this as much on reread as I did initially. I know the book has been somewhat criticised for it's relative slow pace, but Cronin is such a fine writer that, for me, the story didn't feel slow as I read it or that it should have been edited in parts. I like the sense of slow build that pays off nicely at the end, leaving me with both answers and more questions, and I thought it was a perfect set up for the next book.
Definitely reading [b:The Twelve|13281368|The Twelve (The Passage, #2)|Justin Cronin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331230956s/13281368.jpg|14373498] within the next month, and I'm hoping it is as satisfying as this first book.
I enjoyed this as much on reread as I did initially. I know the book has been somewhat criticised for it's relative slow pace, but Cronin is such a fine writer that, for me, the story didn't feel slow as I read it or that it should have been edited in parts. I like the sense of slow build that pays off nicely at the end, leaving me with both answers and more questions, and I thought it was a perfect set up for the next book.
Definitely reading [b:The Twelve|13281368|The Twelve (The Passage, #2)|Justin Cronin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331230956s/13281368.jpg|14373498] within the next month, and I'm hoping it is as satisfying as this first book.
