14

By: Peter Clines

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Science Fiction, 2013

Padlocked doors. Strange light fixtures. Mutant cockroaches.

There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s. Because every room in this old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends. Or the end of everything....

©2012 Peter Clines and Permuted Press (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A riveting apocalyptic mystery in the style of LOST." (Craig DiLouie, author of The Infection and The Killing Floor)

"A wholly original story that weaves together mystery and the apocalypse like a finely tuned band." (Evan Roy, Bricks of the Dead)

Instant classic

Great innovative writing. character development was superb. tempo built with evolving intrigue. dynamic conclusion. Wry, intelligent humour.

Enjoyed Every Minute

Loved the storyline and narration and I listen to audio books constantly
The book is never boring

Green Cockroaches?

What made the experience of listening to 14 the most enjoyable?

Clines has a good imagination for sci-fi fiction.

What other book might you compare 14 to and why?

The Fold.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Something about Ray Porter narrating the voice of a middle eastern woman is entertaining, so definitely Veek.

Any additional comments?

I originally listened to The Fold by Perter Clines, which was excellent. I later found out 14 was a sort of prequel to The Fold.

Both books left me asking why the hell are the cockroaches green!

A magical listen

I have seen many people recommend this book and I’m so glad I took their recommendation. I loved the narrator and the way the book unfolded into a new world. This is one of my new favorites that I convinced my husband and son to listen to also.

Absolutely fantastic!!!

From the very beginning to the very end I was drawn in and held captive by this book. It took me away from the stress in my life and took me on a fantastical ride. I loved every second of this great listen. The narrator was perfect and I will miss these characters.

Not What I Expected but Couldn't Stop

Would you listen to 14 again? Why?

I wouldn't listen again but would recommend to a friend.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

I think the most memorable moment is finding ( without giving anything away) the controls.

Which scene was your favorite?

Again, where a big piece of the mystery is revealed by finding the controls.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the end when the characters reflect on what was lost during their hunt for answers.

Good Enough

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I think I'd have preferred to find something better, it wasn't something I wanted to finish but felt I had to.

What could Peter Clines have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I saw several plot twists coming, in that sense it let me down considerably. On another level it could have been far shorter than it was.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Performance was top notch, I would listen to Ray Porter again.

Could you see 14 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It could be a movie, I would also find that somewhat boring.

Any additional comments?

I think this is probably a solid listen if you like sci-fi and action. Definitely targeted at the YA and millennial crowd. The mystery in it is not really that mysterious IMHO. It's more 'odd' and I found the protagonists motivation to be lacking for his actions. The best part by far is the way the characters interact, but ultimately I found this book something of a let down. As a huge fan of cosmological horror, I felt that the book did that aspect of it's story the worst.

TL;DR - Boring for first two hours, picks up in terms of intrigue, at hour 8 it gets strange. Ultimately felt banal in several places and could have been shorter.

great characters and progressive storyline

just the right balance between developing the character relationships and developing the plot. Narrator nailed it

Fun, engaging mystery

How much weirdness would you put up with in exchange for a cheap, rent-controlled apartment? This premise drives 14, a fun page turner of a book.

While not high art, this is a really enjoyable and gripping story. Critical readers might nitpick some of the cliched characters and dialog, but I still had a blast with this one. Recommended for anyone who wants a light, easy to enjoy audiobook.

OHMYGODSOMANYFEELIGS

slow to attach myself to the characters but when I did boy howdy was it intense!