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)

Very enjoyable read

The author of 14 has come up with a totally original plot concept and composed a spellbinding story around it. The story never loses pace and new developments are always unexpected. In the end all the plot lines tied together as far as I could tell.

Saying anything about the plot would give it away, but it's about a few building residents who band together to investigate some mysterious phenomena. There's nothing paranormal or scary in the book until the end. The characters are rather one-dimensional which is my main issue with the book. The writing style is very basic - high school level. Half the sentences go like this: "He blinked. Xela raised an eyebrow." It's funny after a while.

My other issue with the book is the ending. It is rather unbelievable and needlessly gruesome. I can think of several ways in which the story could have ended that would have been much better.

unexpectantly great

started out slow not expecting where it would go. great writing with a slow build up to a great 2nd half. highly recommended.

Unique, Lost-Like, and a fantastic read throughout

I will be recommending this to many friends and family. This is entirely top notch!

WHAT?! Soooo good!

Please write a sequel. Holy crap!

Just. Listen. Trust me.

You will not regret you did.

Anything Ray Porter narrates has to be good.

Where does 14 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

8 out of 10

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

ending was so - so. In fact, the last 1/4 of the book was so so. But it started out great and by the time i got to where it became weird i had to finish it.

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

Ray Porter did such a fantastic job with all the characters. Can't pick a favorite.

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

no

Great lead-up to a disappointing ending

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

It was great for the first two-thirds, then went completely off the rails. I think the author needs to re-write the ending, as he has the bones for an all-time classic, but butchered it at the end.

Fantastic technological thriller

This story kept me engaged until the end. I cared about the characters and the story line was believable. The performance was spot on. I highly recommend this book.

unexpectedly entertaining

I loved this book!!! It's totally not the kind of book I normally read, but I'm so glad I did. It was unique, well-written, engaging and fantastic!

This book never disappoints!

I've listened to 14 three times and I never get tired of the characters, the action or the adventure. It's a fantastic listen.

Loved it!

Would you consider the audio edition of 14 to be better than the print version?

I loved everything about this purchase. The story was captivating and on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed the development of the characters and particularly enjoyed Veek. The narration was superb and impressive.