The TwelveAuthor: Justin Cronin
Series: The Passage #2
Publication Date: October 13, 2012
Pages: 568
Source: Publisher
In 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.
Ah! This is so hard. As I read The Twelve, I knew this book was going to be difficult to review. I really love this series, but I didn’t always love it as I do now. When I read The Passage almost two years ago, I liked it a lot, but it wasn’t until a year or so later that I realized that I absolutely loved it! Never has a book stuck with me so much, that I found myself randomly thinking about it many times. Then of course I became more and more excited to read The Twelve. So when an ARC copy arrived unexpectedly on my doorstep, I was beyond ecstatic! And oh how I loved it.
The Twelve seemed to have a slightly different feel to it. I don’t know if it was just me, or if there really was more of a paranormal aspect to it. Which is completely fine, it just felt a little different than The Passage. My favorite thing about this book, though, is how everything is connected and there is a reason for everything. There were a couple of times I wondered why Cronin was switching over to a new set of characters, but then it would eventually all come together and completely wow me. I loved all those moments when I realized how certain people were linked. There is a list of characters in the back of the book, but honestly, I’m glad I keep my own notes, because there are a few connections I would have missed if I hadn’t. Seriously, Cronin is a master at weaving the lives of past, present, and future together. I am such a stickler for details and constancy, and he ties the whole thing up extremely well.
Like I said, this book is tough to review, because there is just so much and I don’t want to give spoilers. What it come down to is this: Everything about The Twelve is fantastic; the characters, the world-building, the plot, the twists and turns… everything. This series definitely deserves all the hype it gets.
I can’t believe I have to wait two years for the third and final book. I swear, if I die before I get to read it, I will haunt the author. You have been warned, Cronin! 🙂
I haven’t even heard of The Passage but I have been hearing about The Twelve everywhere. I’m all about plagues and the end of the world so I should check it out. Although two more years for the last books does suck.
Aww you have to wait two years?! I always find the one year waits unbearable! Good luck. 😉
Love your review and totally agree it was a hard one to write..how do you adequately express the greatest that is Cronin..hehehe! Thanks for the shout-out 🙂
I read The Passage this summer – I was on a 6 week excavation, camping for that period of time, so I took it with me as it was really thick and I thought it would last a while. Nope… I read it at every free opportunity!
I’m glad you enjoyed The Twelve, your review has made me even more excited to read it =D
You don’t even know how many times I have almost purchased The Passage just because of all the great things I have heard about it.
Great review! I think I just might have to finally purchase this series!
I still need to read The Passage. I’ll definitely be moving this series up on my list. Great review.
I just bought both books because of that evil enabler Kimba – I’m so glad you love them too. Actually, don’t kill me, but two more years until the next book doesn’t sound totally awful to me because at the turtle’s pace I read my personal TBR pile, it might take me that long to get to them. 😉
Love your enthusiasm!
Bwahaha… It’s my and Kimba’s mission to make TBR piles grow. I totally know what you mean, I’m on turtle speed too. lol
Wow, it sounds really special. I mean a book that you don’t realize how much you love until way later is definitely a winner! This sounds like a fascinating plot. Maybe I should wait until the next book is out though so I don’t have to wait. ; )
No. Start now! 😀 They’re pretty long books.
Okay I need to read this series,..want to give me a copy!
Kimba does!
I had not even heard of The Passage until I heard about The Twelve from Kimba…and with some amazing luck I actually found the book in my Goodwill store. So I’m reading it now and really enjoying it so far.
I’m glad you enjoyed The Twelve, great review!
That’s great that you were able to find it there. You know what, that gives me an idea… I think I’m going to start donating some of my books to Goodwill.
Definitely! That’s what I do when I have books that are bit too ‘loved’ on to giveaway. You can find some amazing deals there, this past week mine had tons of brand new (with price stickers) hardcovers.
If an author gets a haunting notice, you know they did it right. That’s about all I can say, and it should be enough 😉
Great review, Christy! I hadn’t heard of this series (or it hadn’t made it into my awareness radar, at the very least) but it sounds great.
Read it. This is a great series that I think you’d love. Go enter the giveaway! I *think* it’s international… maybe. Hopefully.
Oh, I like the sound of this one! I love it when it all connects like this. This will be a definite read for me, ’cause I know now that, if you love it, I probably will too! (ie: Dark Inside – #1 read of the year!!!) <3
I couldn’t resist commenting. Perfectly written!
Hmm… so I really did like the first. The 100 years in between threw me off and I almost didn’t finish but stuck with it and was pretty happy about how it ended. Other than the major cliff hanger and two years. So I haven’t picked this up yet. I may have to give it a try.