The Twelve

A Novel

By: Justin Cronin

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 26 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

The end of the world was only the beginning.

In his internationally best-selling and critically acclaimed novel The Passage, Justin Cronin constructed an unforgettable world transformed by a government experiment gone horribly wrong. Now the scope widens and the intensity deepens as the epic story surges forward....

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.

A heart-stopping thriller rendered with masterful literary skill, The Twelve is a grand and gripping tale of sacrifice and survival.

Look for the entire Passage trilogy:

The Passage
The Twelve
The City of Mirrors

Praise for The Twelve

“[A] literary superthriller.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“An undeniable and compelling epic...a complex narrative of flight and forgiveness, of great suffering and staggering loss, of terrible betrayals and incredible hope.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“The Twelve is even better than The Passage.” (The Plain Dealer)

“A compulsive read.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

"Gripping... Cronin [introduces] eerie new elements to his masterful mythology.... Enthralling, emotional and entertaining.” (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“Fine storytelling.” (Associated Press)

“Cronin is one of those rare authors who works on two different levels, blending elegantly crafted literary fiction with cliff-hanging thrills.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

©2012 Justin Cronin (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Named one of the Ten Best Novels of the Year by Time and Library Journal, and one of the Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post, Esquire, U.S. News & World Report, NPR/On Point, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Magnificent...Cronin has taken his literary gifts, and he has weaponized them.... The Passage can stand proudly next to Stephen King’s apocalyptic masterpiece The Stand, but a closer match would be Cormac McCarthy’s The Road." (Time)

The Twelve lives up to The Passage!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Passage.

What did you like best about this story?

Compelling plot and calendars, excellent writing.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Alicia.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

I lost sleep giving in to the temptation to listen to just 15 more minutes, then 15 more . . . and before I realized it I had given up hours of sleep to continue this book. Calling this a "vampire novel" really isn't fair to the monummental nature of the story line, the sweep across a century of "history," and the uniquely horrifying and complex nature of the creature who prey upon and virtually destroy humanity.

Excellent

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book that turned into an excellent series. The books are long but you don't want them to end. Give this book a chance you won't regret it.

A masterpiece of human survival

A must read for anyone interested in the action and suspense genre. The book is read to perfection. Scott Brick is once again tested and comes through in an astounding fashion.
There were a few parts that left me confused about the reasoning, and the way it is written it seemed that I would need to go back too far to pick up on these few and fleeting moments.
Even with the one negative remark aforementioned this is a must read SERIES, (in order). Start with the passage and carry on through all three.

Just a great series

What made the experience of listening to The Twelve: A Novel the most enjoyable?

First, the story is just so layered and multi-faceted. It's so well-crafted that it feels like there is not a single thing that happens that does not have further significance. I literally didn't want to stop reading because I *had* to know what was next. Second, Scott Brick's narration is probably the best I've ever heard. It's flawless.

What other book might you compare The Twelve: A Novel to and why?

It is literally unlike any novel I've ever written. The Twelve isn't even similar to The Passage, at least the first half of it anyway.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

It's such a finely nuanced performance. Every character, it seems, has his/her own voice and none of it is forced or awkward.

If you could rename The Twelve: A Novel, what would you call it?

I don't know

Any additional comments?

There was a brief period I thought I wouldn't like this book. A lot of time was spent revisiting the initial infection time. I wanted the story to progress toward resolution, not revisit the past. However, not a word was wasted and it all come into play. I still liked The Passage better on the whole, but this book still remains a must-read.

Excellent Story!

The Twelve had me hooked from beginning to end. It was such a fantastic story. Will definitely revisit it in the future to pick up on things I may have missed the 1st time.

Justin Cronin really has a knack for deep character development as previously shown in The Passage.

Should start with The Passage if you have not yet. There are a lot of recurring characters and you will miss out if you skip it.

I love this book and I love Scott Brick!

I'm still not sure if I love this book because the story is so great or if I just love to listen to Scott Brick read. I think I could listen to almost anything he read. Love Him!

A long time had passed since I read the first book and I found it a little hard to remember all the characters, places and events and I really didn't want to read "The Passage" all over again. I resorted to Wikipedia to get some of my questions answered. It really helped.

I think I liked this book better than the first. I really enjoyed the story, I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Book One and Book Two were excellent listens

If you could sum up The Twelve: A Novel in three words, what would they be?

It's Worth Buying!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Latisha - she was one bad character, always up to something. Always a behind the lines leader.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

He keep the audio moving, easily distinguished between the multitude of characters. This was a very interesting audio. I could have listened to it for 100 hours. Never wanted it to end.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made you wonder what in the world could possibly happen next. There seemed to be a new adventure in each paragraph. It might not be an audio for just everyone however the majority would find it intriguing.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to read the next adventure and see where Lish ends up. Probably Presdient of the new world order.

Excellent Series!

I loved the characters and the storyline and the narrator was great! I recommend this book.

Still the most innovative take in vampire lit

Any additional comments?

Still doesn't feel quite right calling this a vampire series (even though that's what it is). The narrative voice is so different - like a biblical retelling. Ranks as one of the top 10 most memorable fantasy / sci-fi books I've ever read ... though I can't say I LOVED but book ... I really really admire it. The execution is fantastic. The world strange, dark and compelling - feels truly alien even though it's still Earth. The Twelve really opens up narrative - looking forward to the last in the trilogy.

takes a great new storyline w/ familiar characters

I read other reviews and they made me wonder if I'd like this second book. it was as good or better than the first. new storyline with the same characters, and filled in lots of blanks. awesome book!!