Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - The Passage (Passage, Bk 1)

The Passage (Passage, Bk 1)
The Passage - Passage, Bk 1
Author: Justin Cronin
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 f...  more »
The Market's bargain prices are even better for Paperbackswap club members!
Retail Price: $28.00
Buy New (Hardcover): $18.99 (save 32%) or
Become a PBS member and pay $15.09+1 PBS book credit Help icon(save 46%)
ISBN-13: 9780345504968
ISBN-10: 0345504968
Publication Date: 6/8/2010
Pages: 766
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 169

4.1 stars, based on 169 ratings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

scout1968 avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16
The world as we know it has gone horribly awry. The author has written a thoughtful, exciting and, very addictive book. This is not the typical vampire novel. The creatures are frightening and mindlessly ruthless. Cronin has created a very believable, albeit terrifying scenario and, while there is hope, it is a grim read. For fans of well-written thrillers, this book will be very satisfying. The characters are well developed and the action is excellent. This is a fine novel for fans of this particular genre, as well as for those eager for a very thrilling ride. Highly recommended.
CrazyaboutFantasy avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
Folks, this is one terrific book. I actually bought the hardcover version. It is a huge book, and I wish it was it had been longer. I started to get sad around the last 1/5 of the book knowing that it was going to end, and that I will probably have to wait quite a while for the sequel. But, I am extremely grateful there will be two more books. I am so involved with all the characters, that I want to know what is going to happen to them. It is being compared to Stephen King's "The Stand", and I agree they should be in the same category, but this is a much better book.
reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 175 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
4.0 out of 5 stars Intense post apocalyptic drama..., June 7, 2010

This review is from: The Passage (Hardcover)
Although I don't typically read books that feature paranormal creatures, this particular novel grabbed me immediately and kept me interested and entertained throughout the very lengthy volume (my paperback ARC had 766 pages). The first novel in a planned trilogy, The Passage was fast paced and chilling. Although the ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger, the rest of the book was good enough to keep me glued to the pages and racing to the final chapters. I think I speak for most everyone who has read this book when I say that I can't wait for the next in the series! Many reviewers have remarked upon some similarities to other works -- most notably Stephen King's The Stand, but I feel that this book was not so much about the battle between good and evil as it was about the nature and expansiveness of the human spirit and its will to survive.

Without rehashing plot or detailing what happens in the book, let me just say this: I really liked the characters and the shifting point of view as well as the storyline! Rarely does a novel come along that brings out so many different moral issues that can be discussed long after the final page is turned. What makes a person human? How does the loss of hope affect the way that people live their lives? Does a vision of a medical advance that can transform the nature of humanity ultimately mean the destruction of the species? And what of using convicted killers as human subjects in a testing program? How far can/should humans go to protect each other and save mankind from predators and threats? All questions that arise during the course of the novel.

Bottom line: order it today! You won't be disappointed though you should definitely set aside a hefty chunk of time so that you can devour it quickly.
reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Unlike other reviews that I have read about this book, this book is a fantastic, imaginative story from start to finish. The sequel to come "The Twelve" is definitely on my future list of books to acquire. No doubt. For those that love a good future world thriller do not miss this one! The author keeps just enough of everything going to make you want to read in every spare moment. Have fun with this one. :) I did.
mreneerouser avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 127 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book is a huge commitment of your time and of your patience. There were so many times I wanted to give up on the book. Basically because I didn't understand where the author was going plotwise. Thankfully, I stuck with it. Cronin is a beautiful writer and he clearly is an expert on character development. He does an incredible job of bringing the story together at the end. My only gripe is the end was 1000 pages or so so you had to be willing to work hard to reach the pot of gold.

Will I read the next book?

Absolutely. I feel a loss not having this book to read even though I seriously wanted it over when I was reading it. I really felt I knew the characters. When the story was gone, I kept on thinking about Peter, Amy, Michael, Sara, etc.
Read All 53 Book Reviews of "The Passage Passage Bk 1"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Very disappointed. Thought this would be similar to Stephen King's The Stand, and the concept is, but the story telling is not. This book is around 750 pages and the story isn't finished, it's the first book of 3. Had I know that I would have never started it. The story starts out with a cast of characters that you become involved with, then 1/3 thru the book, it changes scenes, characters and story. Now you have to learn all about this other group. Then again another 1/3 of the way in, they bring back one of the characters from the beginning, and at this point, I just hoped they'd all die. Then of course, you get to the end... and there's no ending. Really frustrating to put in that much time and get nothing.
smith-jones avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
The fours stars I gave it are more like 3.5. Although I enjoyed the story of Amy, I did not appreciate the massive amount of characters and all the necessary details upon details that sometimes were repeated under some other person's reveries.

It was too much for me, in one word: cumbersome. I think it would have been a more endurable read had it not been told in so many pages, so many little characters and the details and descriptions upon descriptions that at times bore me.

I struggled to finish it but I did. I am not keen the way it ended or the lack of there of.
susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 1061 more book reviews
I loved this book! It is a long book, but it does not drag at all. There are many scenarios going on. It begins in the present/immediate future and how the world changes into what it becomes. The main character is a small child, Amy, though everything is experienced mostly by those around her. This moves along 92 years in the future and many characters and scenarios in that time become the central story then. It is told in many perspectives throughout and, at times, in the writing of emails, journals and historical documents. It extends as far as 1,000 years in the future. It is one of the most unique tales I have read. It was scary, and it was also beautiful with some most endearing characters! Well done!
chickerific avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
This was an excellent read. The story is original and really draws you in. I also really enjoyed the presentation and the way the chapters were broken up. I was a little disappointed when I reached the end, but was happy to learn there is another book to continue the story in the future.
reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
This is an excellent book if you like post-apocolyptic fiction. It is nearly 900 pages but they fly by and you can't wait to get back to it! Well written and suspenseful!
ovbev avatar reviewed The Passage (Passage, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Good beginning for a trilogy..all characters are easy to follow..interesting idea for the future generation..waiting to see the follow-through..

Book Wiki

Common Title
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Peter Jaxon (Primary Character)
Amy (Primary Character)
Alicia Donadio (Primary Character)
Sara Fisher (Primary Character)
Hollis Wilson (Primary Character)
(Show all 8 People/Characters)

Genres: