The City of MirrorsAuthor: Justin Cronin
Series: The Passage #3
Published by: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: May 24, 2016
Format: eARC
Pages: 624
Source: Publisher
In life I was a scientist called Fanning.
Then, in a jungle in Bolivia, I died.
I died, and then I was brought back to life...
Prompted by a voice that lives in her blood, the fearsome warrior known as Alicia of Blades is drawn towards to one of the great cities of The Time Before. The ruined city of New York. Ruined but not empty. For this is the final refuge of Zero, the first and last of The Twelve. The one who must be destroyed if mankind is to have a future.
What she finds is not what she's expecting.
A journey into the past.
To find out how it all began.
And an opponent at once deadlier and more human than she could ever have imagined.
Oh man, The City of Mirrors left me feeling completely humbled and awed. I was a complete blubbering mess while reading the last section; it was like this overload of emotions. Bittersweet doesn’t even begin to describe it.
I would have never guessed how huge of an impact this trilogy would have on me when I started reading The Passage. I’m extremely glad I re-read the first two books before jumping into The City of Mirrors, though. It had been so many years, and I don’t know if this ending would have impacted me as much as it did if I hadn’t re-read them.
Cronin does a phenomenal job weaving past and present in this transgenerational tale. It all comes together in this book, and the way everything is connected is mind blowing! It’s like watching history in the making and getting to see the outcome. It truly is an epic journey from beginning to end.
The City of Mirrors is utterly breathtaking, and the characters and their fight for humanity are the heart of this compelling story. Amy, Peter, Alicia, Michael, and all the others are such amazing characters. They’re all so wonderfully fleshed out and complex. They have been through hell and back, but they never give up.
The City of Mirrors is an absolutely stunning finale to the trilogy. There’s just no way my words can come close to expressing its brilliance. This trilogy will without a doubt always stay with me.
I seriously can’t believe it’s over. I remember threatening to Justin Cronin after reading The Twelve, that I was going to haunt him if I died before this book was released. Happy to say that I’m still alive 3.5 years later, and Cronin is safe from my cold spots.
Book hangover on steroids, huh? I don’t think I noticed this series, but now you have me uber curious. I will definitely be looking it up.
For sure! I hope you do read them, because it is quite the experience.
I know Joy loves these books too, so I’m really excited to give these a try knowing that you loved it too. A book that makes you want to haunt the author is always a great book! LOL! 😀
I totally would have too. Gone straight up poltergeist on his ass. lol!
I absolutely adored this series and I don’t think I could have read them all without you! So much detail and weaving, it was amazing. I finally got my review for it written up and it will post tomorrow. I’m so sad it is all over.
I’m SO glad you decided to read these, because I doubt I would’ve reread them if I hadn’t read them with you.
I actually didn’t love this one like the first 2. Sure, I read it and it has great moments. I just wasn’t so wowed by the time I finished. Look for my review tomorrow!
That’s too bad. 🙁
I am so happy that this final book was amazing for you and that this series will stay with you. Great review!
You need to read it, Grace!
You have me in a quandary! I want to run from it b/c of the blubbering mess I would be with something so bittersweet. I also want to run toward it because it sounds so brilliant! What to do…
The blubbering mess, I’m sure, was all me. I’m a weird-o like that. lol. You should definitely read it!
I tried book 1, but omg so sloooow
There are parts, especially in the beginning that might need to be pushed through, but it is the BEST reward.
I keep meaning to read this series, they have been on my radar for a while now, your review is awesome and now I need to start at the beginning. Thanks for this great review:) I can’t wait to start reading The Passage!
I hope you do, Cindy. At least now you won’t have to wait years between the books like I did.
Awww I love how much you loved this book! I could feel it through your review that you adore this series! Great review 🙂
Thanks, Lola! I do love it immensely. 😀
This sounds like an amazing series of books, but man this is long. I guess it’s safe to assume they’re all pretty long. Man I avoid lengthy books like the plague. I’ll have to think about these. Amazing review, though!
They are long. And I’m not going to lie, a little slow at times, but oh, it is SO worth it!
I hate seeing a series or trilogy that I really liked end.
I know, it’s sad. At least it was an awesome ending. 😀
I hadn’t heard of this series. The length is a bit offputting since I’m trying to stay away from the big ones *snorts* but I may just need to set aside some time to get this one from the library. Great review!
What?! You haven’t heard of this series? You have GOT to read it. Vampires, woman, there’s vampires! lol.
I was literally just eyeing this series! I told myself the other day, that I wanted to venture out and read more than just the ” norm ” that I’ve been reading, and I ended up coming across City Of Mirrors. I’m definitely going to look into The Passage. Thank you for such a nice review girl, I can’t wait to pick this up.
I really, really, really hope you do! I guarantee you’ve never read anything like it.
I love everything about your review! You can feel the emotions you probably felt all through it. I’ve never heard or these books but I think I’ll have to look these up. Great review!
Oh, Leona! You have got to read them!
It’s grea to see that you found a book like that and I didn’t know about it
Your review is pulling me in…blubbering mess, haunting authors…I’ve got to see if my library has the trilogy on audio. Great review!
Okay, clearly I’m hugely late to the party for this series and I need to remedy that asap! You, Ali and Kim are all raving about this one, and I’m over here all out of the loop like with The Others series. UNACCEPTABLE CHRISTY!! I feel like I’m going to need to take off work one day and just binge read:)
bwahaha..yeah I might have haunted him myself, or stood over your shoulder to read this!
Oh my gosh. You’re threatening cold spots on authors now… what will you do next?!?!?! LMAO!!!! Thanks for the smile, dude!!
Now I can finally read the books. 🙂 I kept putting off reading the first two so I wouldn’t have to wait for this one. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoy a good bittersweet book now and then, not many books out there who evoke that feeling. I rarely re-read books, but sometimes it’s really worth it to re-read the previous books when a new book gets released. That’s interesting how you see history in the making and see how things work out in the future. And it’s so satisfying when a series you love has a good ending.
It seems like everyone is reviewing this book! I have to say that I’m getting more and more curious about this series. I may have to give it a try. Especially now that they are all out.
I’ve waited so long to read these books and I can’t even tell you why, except that so much love for it from most of my friends is somewhat intimidating. I will be reading it soon, though. I am throughly convinced. Wonderful review!
I’m really looking forward to starting this series. I just need an extra 12 hours in the day! Glad you loved this so much 🙂
Ahhh a blubbering mess? Sounds like a really good set of reads. That’s awesome it ended on such a stunning note for ya.
I’ve had this series on my list since the first book was released. Now I know I definitely need to bump it up on my TBR list.
Could not agree more!!!! So Bittersweet!!!
It took 3.5 years for the book to come out?! No wonder you were antsy lol. But I’m glad it was worth it! It sounds like you really did love it. It’s great when a series can have that much of an emotional impact on you and when it’s the kind of series that will stay with you forever. I don’t know if I’ve actually heard of this series or not, but I’ll check out the first book 🙂
That’s a long time to wait for a book, but it definitely looks like it was worth it Christy! Particularly with the amazing ending and the characters. I read the first book but was absolutely gutted after that first twist, so I couldn’t continue.
Omg, Jeann! No nono, you don’t understand, you HAVE to continue, because if anything, BECAUSE of the twist. If it’s the one I’m thinking of… with Wolgast the agent that helped Amy? Good Lord, you don’t understand how badly you need to continue. lol- I’m being dramatic, but I’m telling you … you REALLY need to see it through to the very end.
This is a new to me series but it sounds like one i should read, for sure! I’m glad to see you loved it!
This looks like a great book. I’ve not heard of this series before this book came out. I’ll have to see if I can fit it into my schedule at some point. Great review. 🙂
I bought the first book in the series not too long ago actually, but wasn’t aware that the entire series is now out. It definitely sounds like one you need to binge read and can’t wait to get stuck into it. I’ve noticed my tastes in books lately is changing and I’m looking for books with more substance and this sounds perfect. Wonderful review Christy, hopefully I enjoy it as much as you have <3
Brilliant review, I just finished it today and I am dreading writing my review, in fact I have The Twelve to review too so I am screwed – I don’t know how to put in to words the sheer epic awesomeness.
Do you think this is it now? Is this world finished with?
I know, right? It’s so hard to even describe how awesome this trilogy is.
I don’t know, I would imagine so. If he writes something else in this world, it’ll probably be out in 10 years. lol. It would be cool to get a book for Michael and see what ever happened to him.
Sounds like the perfect ending to have all your emotions in turmoil like that! Fab review Christy!
Wow, it’s crazy how long we wait for books and stick with series. Happy the whole series left an impact on you. I will for sure try it.