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)

Where do you hide a building?

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

This is a perfect example of a great book being paired with a great audio book narrator. Ray Porter does an exceptional job of bringing this world to life. I can't imagine this book being experienced any other way than as an audiobook.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Where do you hide a building?

Any additional comments?

Just when you think you know where this story is going; it takes an astonishing twist. Fast paced ride that sucks you down the Sci-Fi rabbit hole. If you like 14; definately give Peter Clines Ex-Heroes series a try.

The most unique story I've read in years

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

First, this book is well-written: the characters develop into believable, 3D human beings that I actually liked (many of them . . .), the narrator, Ray Porter, is really superb, doesn't over enunciate, isn't shrill, a perfect mix of dynamic contrast with different characterizations/accents/attitudes, etc., along with a superbly written book. The combo of Clines & Porter is an example of Alchemy, of the 'whole being more than its parts', something like that. At first, I couldn't really tell what genre it was (well, I knew it was fiction, but beyond that, wasn't sure). All I knew was that one scene flows into the next with a speed and clarity that was at a perfect pitch. No boring passages that you really have to force yourself to listen to; truly compelling stuff. I could be more specific (if I were a better writer, ha; no, I just don't want to give anything away except there are some bugs in these apartments that I'm not sure I would want to live with; you'll see).The story moves quickly, you'll see the main character move into the new apartment building and get to know some of his new tenants, as if you're there. It's an old historical building in Hollywood, with a lot of history right there. One tenant is a 'grip' and for the first time I learned what the heck that person does on an actual movie set. Another is an artist who sunbathes topless, has a tough demeanor (at first . . .) with requisite tats, sky blue hair (including eyebrows), who's not only extremely well-educated, but also streetwise. Nice combo. Then the youngish but not too young woman from India who's got a quick, deadpan sense of humor, she's also a computer geek of some kind, says she 'inputs data' (that's what Nate does too but he has to go in to work everyday) but then when you hear the description of her computer devices, well you get the feeling that something's not being said because her computer could run NASA. Then again it might not be such a big part of the story, just saying there's a lot of interesting stuff here. Slowly & surely, you meet a few other tenants, plus there are a few rooms that are always LOCKED. Hmmm, what's that all about?It's written and narrated in such a way that, combined, the story evolves, is told, and you listen to the whole thing with a seeming lack of effort. I kept listening all night, through the next day. Just a suggestion, but you might want to start listening at the start of the weekend. Count yourself lucky if you don't have a date. And count yourself even more lucky to have stumbled upon this writer and narrator, combined.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

When one of the tenant's, Tim (a cool dude, probably in his late 40s or early 50s, totally buff), is sitting with Nate, having a beer on the L.A. rooftop of their apartment building, when Andrew, a tenant that's peripheral, comes up. Andrew starts preaching to Tim and Nate about religion pretty heavy, forcing it down their throats, but not for long. Tim's verbal response and exchange with Andrew is something I would've like to have seen myself. There are many memorable moments in this book. I wish I could talk about them with some of you who've read the book, over a beer on top of a roof somewhere in the city overlooking L.A. Alas. Hey, maybe Audible might add a technology that would allow its readers to discuss the books they read, eh? Do you hear me Audible? (They pre-read all of our reviews before putting them out which is a good idea.)

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

Nate, the main guy's pretty cool. The thing that makes this writing so darn good is that you increasing feel like these are real people in your lives, someone you could relate to; that's a full, three-dimensional character. And Nate also has a side to him that's open; despite the fact he's not sure at all about what he's doing careerwise (or romantically, either; he's straight and he knows THAT but his last relationship just ended), so he projects this intelligent, open to life but not arrogant at all, which along with his humble able to let people get close to him, well, as a reader, we do. Darn, I wish he lived in my apartment building. Down to earth, respectful to all. Listens to everyone, and he's curious, which is a great trait in everyone.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

If you're wanting to be entertained and like a well-written, intelligent book that requires just a bit of 'suspension of disbelief', then you just have to get this book. It's truly one of my favorites (since The Gods of Gotham). And if you hate it, which is really almost impossible unless you don't speak/understand English, you can always exchange it. That's one very cool thing about Audible. "Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think."

Just became a fan of Peter Clines

Although the storyline was a little far fetched--other worldly and all--it was laced with sarcasm and humor which made it realistic enough for me. I loved ALL the characters, and the narration was awesome. I went searching for more Peter Clines, but, nothing caught my eye like '14'. Definitely credit worthy.

Friends meets War of the worlds

14 is one of those listens that keeps you in the supermarket carpark till the next chapter. Its a bit of a slow starter with lots of nice character development and then just keeps goings with overtones of all the best in SciFi and gothic traditions. Enjoy a rare taste of good tight writing that lets you settle right into the scene. No spoilers on this one, just sit back and enjoy a good solid listen to a fantastic narrator.

Entertaining Sci-fi story with great cast.

This story was slow starting, but once it got going and we met all the ensemble cast, the story moved along with merit. Nate moves into the historic Kavach building, and Discovers quirky characters and a very quirky building with a lot of strange things. What happens when your curiosity gets the best of you? Well Nate and his new neighbors find out after they begin a systematic exploration of their strange building, trying to find out just what the heck is going on with all the quirky and creepy stuff that keeps popping up. Humming buildings, chained and padlocked doors, mutant bugs and electricity that appears without wires or lines. Basically this is just a bunch of characters who band together and begin searching for clues to their buildings origins, With each clue more confusing. What makes it interesting is the characters and the nice pacing, The story moves along and I was very entertained. There are few unexplained things left hanging at the end, but mostly the story wrapped up with a terrific sci-fi creature feature finale, including MIB.
Ray Porter as usual was an absolutely excellent narrator.

I loved this book!

Great story and the real star is the reader! Amazing how he can change his voice for each character!

Mixed

I liked the first part better. The last third wasn't of ANY interest to me at all and I found it to be silly. I'd rate this 3.5 because the narration was good. I wouldn't read any more by this author but I would listen to this narrator again.

I really loved this book

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

I have no idea. I don't read books any more.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

The random comment comparing someone in the book to "Dr. Walter Bishop" ... I still giggle over it.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything. I bought this book solely because Ray Porter narrated it and because I'd already re-listened to the Joe Ledger series three times in a row and there still isn't another Joe Ledger book to listen to. I just now ordered another unknown to me author - narrated by Ray Porter.

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

The Control Room. That whole thing. The visualization of it. Moved me in a hugely creepy way.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. I came into it blind. I did not know Peter Clines although the synopsis sounded like something I'd like. I was very correct. I will go look for more of Mr. Clines' books - hopefully narrated by Ray Porter.

Lost, but with answers.

Well written and performed. Every word pushes the story onward. No filler. Great fun.

Thrilling

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

Top ten of several hundred.

What other book might you compare 14 to and why?

In my reaction to the characters, Mr.Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. For not wanting to put it down, any in the Outlander series, for ability to make me suspend my disbelief in un-reality/fantasy, Hunger Games...

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

Tim, or Veek, or Nate! Great job Narrator! I can't choose!

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

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

Wish there were more to the story.