The Twelve

A Novel

By: Justin Cronin

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 26 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

The end of the world was only the beginning.

In his internationally best-selling and critically acclaimed novel The Passage, Justin Cronin constructed an unforgettable world transformed by a government experiment gone horribly wrong. Now the scope widens and the intensity deepens as the epic story surges forward....

In the present day, as the man-made apocalypse unfolds, three strangers navigate the chaos. Lila, a doctor and an expectant mother, is so shattered by the spread of violence and infection that she continues to plan for her child’s arrival even as society dissolves around her. Kittridge, known to the world as "Last Stand in Denver", has been forced to flee his stronghold and is now on the road, dodging the infected, armed but alone and well aware that a tank of gas will get him only so far. April is a teenager fighting to guide her little brother safely through a landscape of death and ruin. These three will learn that they have not been fully abandoned - and that in connection lies hope, even on the darkest of nights.

One hundred years in the future, Amy and the others fight on for humankind’s salvation...unaware that the rules have changed. The enemy has evolved, and a dark new order has arisen with a vision of the future infinitely more horrifying than man’s extinction. If the Twelve are to fall, one of those united to vanquish them will have to pay the ultimate price.

A heart-stopping thriller rendered with masterful literary skill, The Twelve is a grand and gripping tale of sacrifice and survival.

Look for the entire Passage trilogy:

The Passage
The Twelve
The City of Mirrors

Praise for The Twelve

“[A] literary superthriller.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“An undeniable and compelling epic...a complex narrative of flight and forgiveness, of great suffering and staggering loss, of terrible betrayals and incredible hope.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“The Twelve is even better than The Passage.” (The Plain Dealer)

“A compulsive read.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

"Gripping... Cronin [introduces] eerie new elements to his masterful mythology.... Enthralling, emotional and entertaining.” (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“Fine storytelling.” (Associated Press)

“Cronin is one of those rare authors who works on two different levels, blending elegantly crafted literary fiction with cliff-hanging thrills.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

©2012 Justin Cronin (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Named one of the Ten Best Novels of the Year by Time and Library Journal, and one of the Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post, Esquire, U.S. News & World Report, NPR/On Point, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Magnificent...Cronin has taken his literary gifts, and he has weaponized them.... The Passage can stand proudly next to Stephen King’s apocalyptic masterpiece The Stand, but a closer match would be Cormac McCarthy’s The Road." (Time)

Satisfying

Scott Brick does a fabulous job of bringing these characters to life. I thoroughly enjoyed this 2nd installment; this is actually the 2nd time I've listened to it, plus having read it when it first came out. I find the characters wonderfully fleshed out, rich in their flaws as well as their fiber attributes; Mr. Cronin has such an ability to take one to his worlds. The story moves steadily and, with Mr. Brick's fine narration, it kept me listening for hours on end.

Great series

Would you consider the audio edition of The Twelve: A Novel to be better than the print version?

I wasn't really happy with the narration of this book so it is on my reading list.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Twelve: A Novel?

The beginning was hard to get started, but once it got going it had me hooked. The last few chapters were great, finally some real action! The changes that Amy made in the book had me surprised, hopefully all for the good, but that will have to wait to be seen in the final book. As far as vampire trilogies go, this series is better than the Strain, and it has nothing in common with the Twilight series, so if you are looking for a vampire love story this is not it.

What three words best describe Scott Brick’s performance?

Could be better

Captivating Story

Any additional comments?

I get all the post apocalyptic stuff, but I find it difficult to get any real sense of just what is left of the world outside the bubble that is focused round the main characters. But I have to admit, he does a masterful job of developing those characters ....except his habit of killing them off just as you are getting to know them!

Can't wait for the third.

Would you listen to The Twelve: A Novel again? Why?

Probably before the third one comes out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Twelve: A Novel?

Poor Sara.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

He does an okay job.

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

Not as much as The Passage but still good.

The twelve

If you could sum up The Twelve: A Novel in three words, what would they be?

Too darn LONG.

Would you recommend The Twelve: A Novel to your friends? Why or why not?

Maybe

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

Good naration

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

Prepare for a long ride.

Any additional comments?

Most of the book went pretty fast, some parts just dragged on and on and on and all the skipping around got a little confusing at times. I had to go back and listen again...all in all it was worth the credit, but, if I had the printed version I probably would not have finished it, at least not for a long time.

Really loved it

Started a bit slow, introducing a bunch of new characters. But, once it got going...it was great. Nice to revisit some of the characters that I thought were gone. Very involved plot. Wonderful book :)

love the trilogy

love The Passage and The twelve! new favorites for sure. Can't wait for the 3rd!

Great Book!

I loved the first book “The Passage” and was excited to start “The Twelve”. After reading so many bad reviews on here, I was almost scared away. I’m glad I wasn’t because this book is at least as good as the first, if not better. Definitely recommend, and the narrator is awesome as always.

ready

I had to reread so I can enjoy the last book without trying to remember what happened in the previous ones

Fantastic sequel!

Cronin does a great job following up the first novel and setting up the third. The reader of the audio book was also very good.