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)

Amazing

Could hardly stop listening. The narrations were eloquent meaningful and when needed sharp and strong. Kudos for book 2. Already bought 3.

Book readee

Excellent job! Looking forward to reading the next in the series! Hope City of Mirrors is just aa good!

good

It is a good book! There are a lot of characters to remember though, and since the writer goes back and forth between the character storylines it can get a little easy to lose track if you are not FULLY paying attention.

The narration was hard to get beyond.

The narrator read the story in a painfully ‘preachy’ manner. Merely every sentence ended in a softening of the voice. It made it difficult to engage in the story since it happened even at totally inappropriate times.

Perhaps the story was good, but as much as I tried to get through, I only made it half way. I might try again at a faster speed and see if that helps.

Definitely give a sample listen before buying!!!

Great read

Lots of enjoyable storylines but they don’t lose focus from the main plot. Great twists and turns that keep it interesting.

Great book!

Read it several times and discovered more of the story each time. Definitely worth it. Have the paperback too.

great story!

this will leave you begging for the tissues wondering wth and thanking god that there's one more story . I truly enjoyed this the twist and turns keep you going Scott Brick awesome story teller and justin croinin what an excellent weaver looking forward to book 3

Excellent part two!!!

I love this series!! This sequel is an excellent addition. Cannot wait for part 3.

Better than The Passage

I was reluctant to begin reading this book because of so many negative reviews. I'm so glad I decided to (after a few months of completing The Passage, partly because of some negative reviews and also to finish up other books). I felt The Passage was excellently written, but there were many parts where it felt like "detail overload" that turned me off. The Twelve was A LOT more exciting and thrilling for me and gave me that excitement that I loved about the first book without so many details that bored me the first time around. I understand this can be a love it or hate it situation, but I can honestly say I enjoyed the sequel far more than book one. So many character developments, thrills and chills, plot twists and some heartache... bravo. 👏🏼

Loved this trilogy

Would you consider the audio edition of The Twelve: A Novel to be better than the print version?

I like the story telling that happens when you hear something read to you. It's very different than reading a book.