The Passage

by Justin Cronin
The Passage cover
Good Books rating 4.53
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1168
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780345525222
  • Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc.
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 15
  • Reviews: 4

The Passage begins with a catastrophic security breach at a secret U.S. government facility, unleashing a horrific experiment that plunges the world into chaos. As civilization collapses, FBI agent Brad Wolgast and six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte flee in search of safety. Wolgast is driven by guilt and a desire to protect Amy, who holds the key to understanding and stopping the nightmare that has been unleashed. Their journey is just the beginning of a much longer odyssey that spans decades and miles, leading towards a final confrontation that could change everything./n/nThe novel explores themes of survival, redemption, and the enduring power of hope in the face of unimaginable horror. With its blend of action, suspense, and emotional depth, The Passage is a gripping tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-09-27
fantastic 4.90

The book is epic and well-written, with believable characters and a gripping storyline. It is highly engaging from start to finish.

The reviewer is highly impressed by the epic scope and quality of the writing in this book. They find the characters to be believable and well-developed, which makes the story emotionally resonant. The storyline is praised for its ability to pull the reader in and keep them engaged until the very end. The reviewer also appreciates the cliffhanging conclusion, which leaves a lasting impact.

Quick quotes

    An epic book & so well written with believable characters that you care about.

    A storyline that pulls you in from the start to its cliffhanging end.

    Highly engaging from start to finish.

We Need to Talk About Books · 2022-07-23
brilliant 4.50

The writing is considered superior to other bestsellers of its time, making it an essential read. The book is praised for its promising and high-quality prose.

The reviewer emphasizes that the book's reputation for exceptional writing is well-deserved. They find the prose to be of a higher caliber compared to other bestsellers, which elevates the reading experience. The reviewer also appreciates the depth and complexity of the story, which keeps the reader engaged throughout. The book is seen as a standout work that transcends typical genre expectations.

Quick quotes

    The Passage has a reputation for promising writing a cut above the bestsellers of its era.

    It turns out this is an essential aspect of the book.

    The writing is of a higher caliber compared to other bestsellers.

The Nerd Daily · 2019-03-18
intriguing 4.20

The story is a grand tale that echoes real-world atrocities and examines humanity's perseverance. It is a gripping and thought-provoking read.

The reviewer found the story to be a grand tale that resonates with real-world atrocities, making it a deeply thought-provoking read. They appreciated how the narrative explores humanity's perseverance in the face of evil, creating a gripping and emotionally resonant experience. The reviewer also noted the book's ability to blend horror and drama effectively, making it a compelling exploration of both individual and collective human experiences.

Quick quotes

    The Passage is a grand tale that echoes atrocities we have faced in the real world.

    It leads the reader to examine how humanity perseveres in the face of evil.

    The book is a gripping and thought-provoking read.

Reviews by Writers · Tony Bradman · 2017-07-31
great 4.50

The book explores character relationships with both intimacy and grandeur, balancing melancholy and joy effectively.

The reviewer appreciated the book's exploration of character relationships, which they found to be both intimate and grand in scope. They highlighted the balance of melancholy and joy, as well as the technical explanations that add depth to the story. The reviewer also noted that the book's pacing and character development make it a compelling read. Overall, it's a well-crafted novel that offers a rich and engaging experience.

Quick quotes

    It explores character and relationships, it has intimacy and grandeur, melancholy and joy.

    There are passages of technical explanation any technical explanation.

    The Passage is an epic book & so well written with believable characters that you care about & a storyline that pulls you in from the start to it's cliffhanging end.

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