God I love these books. This novel proves itself to be the equal of the first volume, The Passage. A lot of our favourite characters return in this story, albeit older and in some cases, wearier. Nonetheless, Cronin engages us early into the book and we quickly become entranced with the horror and splendour that the author has brought forward. The book switches from storyline to storyline but it never becomes confusing or overly complex. He keeps our interest tighly bound in the narrative while leaving the reader hanging when necessary. Ultimately everything comes to a head in the blood-soaked climax. Cronin has emerged as a new horror master with others such as McCammon, King and Straub. I think he has better ability in writing lengthy novels than King but he shares the same attribute in letting us identify and sympathisize with the characters. After all, horror is only scary when you care about what happens to the main protagonists. This book is a classic - both in horror and post-apocalyptic milieus (aren't they really the same though?). I just wish the next book would hurry out.

Wow. Just wow. Justin Cronin did not disappoint with this sequel to The Passage.This is a story i will never forget. For a complete video review go to my YT chanell: thestorytaylor. * I was quite surprised with the fact that this book did not pick up where The Passage left off. Instead, we are catapulted back to when it all began, while being introduced to some very interesting new characters. * The characters are, like i expected, just as well written and multidimensional as i recalled. I felt a deep connection with just about all of them, both good and evil alike. In my opinion, they are the main focus of this story of epic proportions. * Justin Cronin puts as much work into his characters as he puts into his worldbuilding. All the aspects and details he puts into this book, specially those surrounding The Dome and it's inhabitants, are absolutely brilliant. * It's surprising how all of these aspects come together when we reach the climactic end. The battle against The Twelve, Amy's journey, all the trials and tribulations everyone went through, just made it all the more enjoying. And a hero long gone but not forgotten, rising from the dark to bring light to a new day. Absolutely mesmerizing. Brava, Justin Cronin. Brava.

I requested the first book from my local library and liked it so much that I went and bought the second book because I didn't want to wait for it to become available through my library. I really look forward to reading the third installment.

The Twelve continues right along where the Passage left off but this time the story is more fast-paced, more action and more gore. The huge cast of characters may be overbearing at times so the book requires your full attention. Cronin's despiction of post-viral America and the rich details of the characters enhances the plot. I promise that the ending will not disappoint but make you look really forward to the last installment if the trilogy.

congrats to cronin on writing a sequel that is better than the first. the twelve is action packed, suspenseful and uncomplicated. we have the original players from the passage and we meet new characters from present day. this book was awesome. i was a bit hesitant to read it, even though i enjoyed the passage (some parts dragged and dull to get through). i think cronin knew this and decided to amp up the action for the twelve. as well the passage was the first book so it was an introduction to all characters, setting and plot. BUT the twelve dives right in where you were left off in passage. he also cleverly included a quick summary of the past events in the passage (a reminder for readers who read the passage years ago). we now read where the first colony characters have gone (alicia, amy, peter, hollis, michael "the circuit", mausami, theo, greer). a beloved character from the first novel returns. what has happened since the death of babcock? what are the other so called 11 virals doing? is there is a retaliation war coming? what the world is like 3 weeks after the escape of the virus and virals? i honestly believed this would've been a fine ending to the story. but apparently he has a final book coming out in a few years. this is an awesome sequel to an incredible series. double thumbs up

I thoroughly enjoyed 'the passage' and had great expectations for this follow-up novel. Characters from the first book are still part of the story but - frankly - since it has been awhile between books you'd need to re-read the first to keep them all straight. Some new characters are introduced and when yo ustart to care about what happens to them - you never hear from them again. There are a lot of inconsistencies ... like we're 100 years in the future and yet there are 'shoe stores' completely intact - let alone the fact that 100 year old oil tankers are still on the roads. This is one of those books that spends 20 chapters getting to the point and then all story lines are wrapped up in a paragraph. won't be buying the 3rd book if there is one. Disappointed.

This was an amazing Follow-up to book 1 of The Passage. This writer is an amazing story-teller. Action-packed, emotional, nail-biting, depressing, this story has everything and is completely unpredictable. I didn't want this book to end and I will be biting my nails until Book 3 is available!