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)

Passable story

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

This book felt like a project that was missing some parts. The story revolved around the weirdness of the building, giving the reader some puzzles to play with. Some of the items introduced to the reader really didn't go anywhere - it just felt like filler. And then the shift at the end was a bit abrupt, as the ending.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The Narrator sounds exactly like Brian the dog off Family Guy. I couldn't stop picturing Brian talking to me or waiting for Stewie to show up.

Do you think 14 needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

Here is how I rank this book among some current entries in the paranormal fantasy genre:

1. Dresden series by Jim Butcher
2. Monster Hunter series by Larry Correia
3. Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne
4. John Dies at the End by David Wong
5. 14 (This Book)
6. This book is full of spiders by David Wong

I put it toward the bottom. It was slow and didn't seem to know where it was going. I mean it was ok, but nothing I'd get excited about and I don't think I'll read his other stuff.

Wait. What?

This book lost me about 3/4 of the way through. I was caught up in the buildup, even if everyone and their mom was invited to join in to investigate for no reason. Oh hey let's invite that super weird guy who hates us to help with our super secret investigation!

But I let it go, and at first I was all, "OH MY GOODNESS what is up with this building?!"

But then...what? It's...what?

**SPOILER ALERT**

I got sort of discouraged after the big reveal and, though I don't want to give anything away, that whole chunk of the book bothered me. I love science fiction, but this I didn't get. The monsters are ridiculous and have this lame mind talk. FEED>>>FEED>>>KILL>>>HUNT>>>BLOOD>>>BLURGH.

I don't know. I just don't know.

This book wasn't terrible, but I wish the "big secret" had stayed that way.

love this book! Fun listen.

Super ginormic alpha predators. HP Lovecraft Nikolai Tesla. Need I say more? Take this job and shove it. You'll see what I mean I definitely recommend it.

A Very Odd Ride

This book does not know what genre it wants to be and has about four places where it could have been neatly sewn up and tidily ended. It plows past all of them. With that being said, it did keep me interested (the narrator was very good) and I felt like I was sticking around just to see what bananas thing would be added in next. I feel like that is an author's job and he did it well for me. Although, it does have a VERY cringe-worthy and awkward sex scene. Something about the dialog...just kills it.

If you are willing to just hold on and watch the chaos, give this a listen.

Great Sci-Fi

Narration was excellent. Easy to put down and remember where you left off without forgetting the story line. Doesn't switch back and forth between past, present and future causing you to lose track like so many reads do.

Worth the credit

Any additional comments?

This was an entertaining listen. Story was unusual and engaging enough to keep you wanting to see what happened next. Narration was particularly well done I thought. I would buy a Peter Clines book again.

very intriguing story kept me with it

very nicely written. not overly written like some books that end up leaving me bored. the story leads you into some unexpected places and I really enjoyed the trip.

Addictive Enigmatic Science-fiction!

It has been a really long time since I have been so completely obsessed with a book! Loved it!

Very interesting concept! and a well told story.

I found myself not finishing jobs I had to do or even not starting them so that I can finish listening to this awesome story!

Very entertaining! Superb performance one of the best!

Very entertaining story. Great characters with very interesting back stories. Lead character is very relatable and easy to appreciate. The story keeps you wanting to know more and more and more and just when you think you have started to figure it out it throws you for a complete loop. Very deep mystery and the suspense is great. Very intelligent in its details and design. Some interesting history to go with it as well.
Classifying its genre is not an easy task as it doesn't quite fit anyone category. For the most part it is a mystery/suspense it doesn't really turn into a sci-if story until the very end and that part is so bizarre it is worth listening to it just to see what happens.
I do not normally listen to these type of stories as I am a historical fiction fan but this story is truly unique and is well worth the time to listen to it.
By far the best part was the performance the narrator is amazing! This story fit him like a glove! He mastered the voice and personality of every character. He is very talented and made the story that much more entertaining! A real gem in the world of audio book narration !