The Passage by Justin Cronin

I'm back! $50 later I have a new cord and my computer loves me again. Yay!

So, I finished The Passage last week, but have had to take some time to get my thoughts together before I did a review. First of all, I previously read Trish's review at Hey Lady! and have had to re-read it to make sure I didn't accidentally plagiarize. I felt similar to her and didn't want to not realize I was taking something from her review.

Now for my review...

The Passage is a book that takes vampire to a totally new level. Most books focus on hot vampires and teenage angst. Some more graphic, some erotic, some - well you get the picture. I enjoyed almost all of those books, but was glad to take a break from them. This is vampires, but so much more. Yes, they are the basis of the entire novel, but Edward they are not. What happens is more scientific and horrific. These are man-made monsters that wipe out most of the world. They jump at astounding levels and speeds and glow in the dark. They have no idea who they are, but will attack you and rip you apart for your blood once the dark sets in and they are free to roam. This is the world after the rampage. Man against beast. Man is trying to survive in a sheltered, safe existence, and the vampires just want to be complete.

Many main characters exist in this novel. There were times I had to look back to make sure I had the right character background with my story. I think that is because I am usually able to skim parts of a book and still have full comprehension. In Mr. Cronin's novel you have to pay attention. The great thing is that you totally want to. I was thrown into a new world and I was on the edge of my seat as they fought for their lives. Not only was that happening, but there were strong relationships and beautiful histories. There was a world created that was amazing. I read this and wondered how long it took the author to create this new world. It was so deep and every piece came together and made complete sense.

Back to the specific characters, they were great. Each had a very distinct personality. Even though they were all different, you found a way to relate to almost all of them. It seems impossible, but I even felt for the vampires as they slashed people. They were victims as well. Everyone in the novel is searching for something or someone, but it isn't redundant. You don't get tired of the journey, though I did long for peace for them.

Per Justin Cronin's own daughter's words this is the story "about a girl who saves the world". (Mr Cronin asked his daughter what he should write and this is what she requested) I for one can't wait for each part of the journey to unfold so I can be a part of the world she saves. I want to see who remains, and how it all comes together in the end. I don't know when the next novel comes out, but I will be buying it as soon as I see that pre-order button!

Now that I have gushed and probably made little sense to you here is the synopsis from the books website. www.enterthepassage.com

About the Book

“It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die,
another to be born.”

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he’s done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. He is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors. But for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey—spanning miles and decades—towards the time and place where she must finish what should never have begun.

With The Passage, award-winning author Justin Cronin has written both a relentlessly suspenseful adventure and an epic chronicle of human endurance in the face of unprecedented catastrophe and unimaginable danger. Its inventive storytelling, masterful prose, and depth of human insight mark it as a crucial and transcendent work of modern fiction.

This book was given to me by the publisher Random House. Thanks so much! I enjoyed every minute of it!