14

I'm sure I can't say here anything that hasn't already been said, however I was so impressed, I felt like I had to. I also don't want to reveal anything, because the minimal knowledge I had before listening made the unfolding of the story so much more fun! This was such a solid listen on all fronts. The characters were engaging, the story interesting, the source of the mystery was terrific. By the time it had ended I wanted to hear more!
The absolute best thing, though, was the narrator. If there were some way I could give Ray Porter more than 5 stars, I'd give him an enthusiastic 10! His accents were credible, pronunciation:impeccable, and timing and flow: spot on! The thing I loved the most is that his interpretation never got in the way of the story he was telling. I've never found a narrator, aside from Jim Dale, I felt I would gush about - Ray Porter is gush-worthy!

This was another book purchased solely on reading reviews and I'm glad I did. Reading the story description alone I never would have used a credit on this book, strange goings on in an apartment complex just didn't "pop" for me but there were so many positive reviews I gave it a shot. The narrator is the same guy that reads the Joe Ledger series and I really like his voice and characters, he did it again on this book and even added an Indian accent. The "goings on" in the apartments was interesting enough but what happens toward the end of the book was very suspenseful and exciting and that's all I will say about the content.

This is one of those audiobooks that I really can't see how no less than 90% of listeners will enjoy and a sure bet that your credit won't go to waste.

I've never read Clines before, but if the rest of his work is on par with 14, I think I will have read all of his work by the end of the month. I devoured 14. I missed a project deadline at work because of 14. I really want there to be a 15, 16, and 17, even though I am perfectly aware that would make no sense.

Bottom line? This was a fun book with a fantastic narrator. Nothing deep really, but it didn't need to be. It was perfect fantasy/horror genre pulp. The entire thing is destined to be a movie that will inevitably fall far short of the story Clines has written. For Clines' financial sake, I really hope that happens anyway. Keep up the good work Peter.

I downloaded this book thinking it would be a haunted house story. It's so much more. I hesitate to say more because I would not want to give away anything. I'll just say there is a mystery that you will not guess. Not in a million years. The story is part science fiction, part horror, part thriller. I definitely wanted to finish it in one sitting.

It is difficult to review this book without ruining the experience. I thought I knew where Clines was going, then BAM--he changed directions and utterly surprised me. I did not see where he was going with 14 and was questioning Audible placing it in the Sci-Fi category..I was sooo naive! I believe I can make some comparisons without giving the plot away:

It is part Stephen King and part Frank Peretti (I think I should stop there as you are probably completely baffled...as you should be! This is utterly unique!). 14 is bizarre and wonderful.

Ray Porter did a fantastic job. I put him in the same category as Scott Brick and Kate Reading (2 of my favorites). He gave each of the characters their own personality. The evil characters made my skin crawl and I cheered for the heroes.

Recommended, I just cant tell you why without spoiling it~

I purchased this novel on a whim, primarily on the strength of it's description. It turned out to be a great investment and a pleasant surprise! It's best experienced without much knowledge of the plot as most of the fun comes from the characters (who make numerous pop culture references and even compare themselves to Scooby Doo and his pals) unraveling the mysteries of the building where they live. Cline has a to-the-point writing style, a good sense of humor and he keeps this story rolling along.

14 isn't a deep novel or a book that will blow the reader away with tremendous, in-depth characterization. It's good, fun genre fiction with a memorable cast of characters and some genuinely surprising twists and turns. I highly recommend it.

The story was UTTERLY unpredictable and MOST enjoyable!

The wit and humour woven into the seriousness and reality of certain situations.

Vika was a favourite as she faced and dealt with challenges to her world both personal and interpersonal.

My eyes were wide with wonder in parts and then in other parts you couldnt help but laugh uproariously and from the belly at others.

The narrator was absolutely superb!!!!! I want him to be Chief Reader for all Audio Books!!!

SciFi is not my usual genre, but the almost universal rave reviews with promises that this was new and different than any other book around made me take the leap of faith. Ultimately I was both disappointed and pleased at different points in the story.

I hated the slower than molasses set-up. It took right at half the book to get beyond the introductions to the cast of characters, and as much time as the author took to work everyone into the narrative, there was little depth to any of them. You could see the broad stereotypes from central casting. The comparisons to Scoobey and the gang sounded somewhat intriguing in the reviews that I read, but especially in the front half of the book it became tiresome and trite.

Once I hit the halfway mark, things picked up considerably. There was action and the wild ride creativity that had been promised in the reviews. It was Scoobey Doo meets Dr. Who, and I mean that in a good way. (Yes, Dr. Who is my one scifi guilty pleasure). Well written, unexpected and breathtaking. The characters took on greater depth and dimension as they were (finally) given something to do.

Then I hit hour 10. After the thrilling Act 2, I wondered what the author was going to do for four more hours. That's when it hit some hard core scifi that I don't mean in a good way. The fans of the book who gave the rave reviews obviously had no problems with the turn of events. But it didn't appeal to me. I don't want to ruin anyone else's pleasure with spoilers, so I won't be specific about what disappointed me. But the movie Jaws came to mind in the sense that for most of the movie we never saw the shark, and we were scared to death. It was after we actually saw the shark that it didn't quite match our imaginations. That was the kind of let-down that I felt. True fans of Clines may be better pleased. But for my leap of faith - my bad.

I am thrilled to rate this book with 5 stars. What this book has.....
terrific character development, I got to know and cared about each and every character; story/plot, I just couldn't put this book down (what is the audio equivalent of a page turner?); intrigue and suspense, the tenants of the building have a mystery to solve that is a matter of life and death;
romance that is hip and cool and relevant, with plenty of references to current culture;
and equal to the wonderfulness of the book overall is the expert narration, I am thinking that Mr. Porter is perhaps one of the best narrators ever, he did everything right, accents, pace, tone, and inflection.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book, oh I agree ......happy dance!!!!

Well written, highly imaginative, apocalyptic thriller, ably narrated by Ray Porter. Listen, and you can expect several hours of entertaining diversion ... IF ...

You suspend disbelief in the fantastic. This plot moves from engaging mystery to wild apocalyptic fantasy. Let me repeat: WILD apocalyptic fantasy. You have to drink the Kool-Aid for this plot to work. AND

You also suspend logic and critical thinking. Here is the greatest flaw in this novel. Fantasy is not an excuse for sloppy plot development. And as well written as this novel is, it is bloated with illogical or unexplained plot elements, and not a few distracting contrivances.

If you think me overly harsh, consider just a few examples (minor spoilers follow):

~ Do we really believe that a government so concerned about a particular building that it would track public inquiries would not have more capable agents on site?

~ Do we really believe the same government would go to such extraordinary lengths to screen tenants and NOT track or arrest the cult whose actions it fears most?

~ And don't we find the explanation from the mysterious "owner" at the end to be a little too contrived, relying a bit too much on the "if I tell you, I'll have to kill you" contrivance.

Nonetheless, if you can, you should accept the world of 14, turn off that part of your brain that demands logic and internal consistency, and take this ride. It is a wild one.