The Passage

by Justin Cronin
The Passage cover
Good Books rating 4.35
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1168
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780752897844
  • Publisher: Orion
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 15
  • Reviews: 4

'The Passage' is an epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, centered around the story of Amy. Abandoned by her mother at a young age, Amy is pursued and imprisoned by shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. Special Agent Brad Wolgast, sent to track her down, is captivated by the quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment spirals out of control, Wolgast secures her escape, but society collapses around them. Amy, filled with a mysterious and terrifying knowledge, walks alone through a dark and violent future, holding the power to save the ruined world. /n/nPraised by Stephen King as 'Enthralling' and compared to classics like 'The Stand' and 'The Road', 'The Passage' is a monumental work of dystopian fiction. It has been named one of the best books of the year by numerous publications, including 'Time', 'The Washington Post', and 'NPR'. The story of Amy continues in 'The Twelve', with a special preview included in the book.

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.

John the Librarian · 2016-12-02
good 3.50

The plot may not be original, but the execution and character development make it a compelling read. The book's strengths lie in its ability to create a believable and engaging world.

The reviewer from John the Librarian notes that while the plot of The Passage may not be original, the execution and character development make it a compelling read. They appreciate the book's ability to create a believable and engaging world, as well as its pacing and character development. The reviewer also commends the book's ability to maintain tension and suspense throughout, making it a standout in the postapocalyptic genre. They highlight the book's strengths in creating a world that is both familiar and intriguing, as well as its ability to captivate and entertain readers.

Quick quotes

    The plot isn't terribly original: a virus is unwittingly unleashed by the government which turns people into something very much like vampires.

    The book's strengths lie in its ability to create a believable and engaging world.

    The Passage is a compelling read with strong character development and pacing.

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