The Passage

The main reason i gave this 5 stars is not because it was one of the best books i have read, although it certainly is great, but because this book is so bloody long and it never loses you, and there is no way for myself that it seems that long... great....

At first I thought I'd scream at the melodramatic narration (Scott Brick), trying to make every syllable drip with nuance, but either he settled down or the story just got me in, because I really did look forward to my daily commute to hear the next chapters.

It's an epic, and I'd often rewind because I thought I'd missed something, only to find it was explained further down the track. In that way, it may have been a better story to read than listen to. Also, so many characters make it a bit hard to keep track of everybody, but ultimately it was an engaging story and well worth the cost of the download.

As others have said, it's only part 1 of a possible 3 books. The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger - in fact I often felt through out the book Cronin was writing it with a movie screen play in mind.

The story reminded me of the movie I Am Legend (Richard Matheson book) and a little of the book Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. (which is also a great audio book)

I read this book a few years ago and couldn't put it down, then bought the audible edition in preparation for the sequel "The Twelve", to be released in Australia soon. I expected to fast forward through much of it, just wanting to re-familiarise myself with the storylines, plot and characters. I have been unable to separate myself from my iphone ever since. Scott Brick does a remarkable job narrating this complex, deeply human, apocolyptic but somehow real story of humankind destroying itself while trying to save itself. The story itself is vast in scope and scale taking the listener from the beginning of the end, travelling on waves of , connection, loss and grief while twisting through the horror of isolation and desolation. The novel leaves no stone unturned in its intricate and amazingly imagined evolution to a time when just a few people remain. The reader knows 'she is coming' but those who remain are yet to realise that their safe place, their world (enriched by just the right amount of modernity to make it believable) is about to become very, very different....
I had rated "The Passage" as one of my favourite sci-fi reads of all time and it still is, but listening to it has coloured in and defined the story, made the characters seem like close relatives and I just can't wait to see them again in "The Twelve".

Scott Brick, the narrator, has such an engaging manner it was a real pleasure to listen to him telling the story. As for the story itself it, was seriously unnerving. To such an extent that while I will often listen to audio books to help me nod off at night this story kept me awake and when I did get to sleep my dreams were full of "virals" and the like. Notwithstanding this a really great listen.

i liked the believability of the characters

Awesome narration. really brings depth to the different characters and emotion to the story. He really engages your mind and its quite easy to sink into the story for hours.

there are two styles of books I like to read
first type I called it easy read, where the story line is simple and no complication, these books are easy to find
the second types is where complicated plots, stories and writing. I enjoyed this book so much I make excuses to clean my house so I can listen to it, because that only time I have time to listen to my audio books. It keep me so enthralled that it kept me from doing other things. The only fault with this book is I have to wait till next year for the next instalment. I also bought a paper copy as well to add to my library of favourite books.

Definately not the story I had anticipated. I love a long read, with lots of characters and complicated parts. The beginning was excellent and for a while, I couldn't stop! I kinda wished he could have kept up that type of storytelling for the entire book but the pace slowed in the middle with the need to establish characters and set the background for the next book. Hope the next installment is as good as the first part of this book. Be a winner for sure if so.

This book was randomly set out on a table at my local library, and I grabbed it on a whim. The trouble was, right from the start I couldn't put it down (and wasn't getting any work done because of it!) so I was very happy to find that it was available on audio so I could work AND listen, without having to take a pause in the story at all. I understand the tone that the narrator uses, yes he sounds a little forlorn and monotone at times, but it sets the scene perfectly - no doubt I would sound exactly the same in the same situation!

I was also attracted by the length of the story. I love it when something isn't over all too quickly, and it held my attention all the way. I realise it's not the first 'virus outbreak' story, but I found it to be completely set apart from all the others I've come across so far. I just HAD to find out what happened next, almost to distraction!

I'm so happy to hear that it's the first part of a trilogy, though I can't bear the thought of having to wait until 2012 and 2014 for the next two!

Highly, highly, highly recommended. I'd give it 10 stars if I could!

I love a great long book but this one was not for me. Loved how it started but then it lost me over and over again. Each to their own, you may love it as I know others have.

I would recommend the book to a friend, but not this audio book.

I am going to go out and buy the book because I really want to read it. I couldn't finish this audio version because of the narrators droning voice! If this was a short story or normal length novel it might have been alright but considering the length of this epic story having a narrator who cannot emote even a little was simple bad casting.

I couldn't even finish the first installment. The story is amazing but his voice just makes me want to scream.