The Passage

by Justin Cronin
The Passage cover
Good Books rating 4.47
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1168
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • 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 horrifying experiment that plunges the world into chaos. As civilization collapses, FBI agent Brad Wolgast takes on the daunting task of protecting six-year-old Amy Harper Bellafonte, the key to the experiment's origins. Their journey is fraught with danger, as they navigate a landscape overrun by predators and prey, seeking sanctuary in a world forever changed. /n/n Amy's role in the experiment makes her both a target and a potential savior. Over decades, her odyssey spans vast distances and time, leading her to a pivotal moment where she must confront the consequences of the experiment that altered the world. The novel explores themes of survival, redemption, and the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable horror.

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.

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.

The Guardian · Alice Fisher · 2010-07-17
excellent 4.00

The book lives up to its hype, delivering a gripping and well-crafted postapocalyptic vampire fantasy. The narrative is engaging and the characters are well-developed.

In the review, the book is praised for meeting the high expectations set by its pre-publication buzz. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot, which successfully blends elements of horror and fantasy. The world-building is commended for its detail and the pacing is noted as particularly effective. The reviewer also highlights the emotional resonance of the story, which makes it stand out in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Justin Cronin's postapocalyptic vampire fantasy raked in millions before publication.

    It lives up to the hype.

    The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging.

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