The Twelve follows The Passage , which I read and reviewed in 2011. Now, I can hardly wait for the third and final volume in this trilogy.As a result of the time gap between reading The Passage and The Twelve, it took a while for this second novel to begin to flow easily for me. So many characters were introduced in The Passage--and The Twelve introduces even more characters and more subplots to keep track of-- in different time periods. Eventually, characters and plots from the first novel settled back in memory and new developments were easily assimilated as I became once again immersed in this post-apocalyptic world.
I really enjoyed The Twelve (with the exception of one scene that could have been less graphic), and you couldn't have separated me from it when I was reading it, but...honestly, I think the first one was better. Both novels are complex, yet the narrative in the first one seemed faster paced, in spite of the length of the novel; also, some of the more recent character introductions (or characters given only brief mention in the initial book) were less pleasing to me (i.e. Lila and Guilder) and seemed more like plot devices than characters.
Interesting. I was thoroughly wrapped up in the novel while reading it, but on thinking back, find myself critical of several elements.
Which does not stop me from wishing I could dive right into the final volume. Maybe I'll reread the first two shortly before the third one comes out so everything will be fresh on my mind.
Dystopian/Post-apocalytic. 2012. 592 pages.
The Kindle sample of The Passage convinced me to buy the book and I really enjoyed it until about halfway through, then just bogged down in the thunderdome-ish scenario that kept going on and on. I'd be interested in reading your review of it!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about buying this book but was not aware that it is part two of a trilogy. I will look for The Passage instead.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Passage (listened to it on audio), but haven't felt compelled to jump in to The Twelve (which I have in print - ARC). It's always a struggle for me to keep track of a huge cast of characters, so I'm a bit reluctant to keep going with this trilogy. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteJust found these comments in moderation folder!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Here is a link to my review. It was long, and I can't help but smile at the thunder dome comparison. I don't think you'd be any more interested in The Twelve--kind of more of the same.
Violette - No, you don't want to begin in the middle on this one!
Les - And it is confusing because Cronin introduces new characters as well, and at first I couldn't tell if some were from the previous book or not!