The one-sentence synopsis for this 766-page book: Maze Runner (by James Dashner) for adults. Now just in case you haven’t read Maze Runner…
Justin Cronin has written two emotionally rich books about people discovering themselves and exploring relationships (The Summer Guest and Mary and O’Neil) so when I read the description of The Passage on the back of the early reader’s edition of the book about a post-apocalyptic world, I was a little puzzled. But early reviews have been strong and titillating and though I don’t often read books that creep me out so much, I admit to reading for four days straight — barely stopping to cook, eat or sleep.

The reader isn’t told when the novel takes place exactly but we’re given clues. Gas is selling at thirteen dollars a gallon. Terrorist attacks on U.S. soil are far too common and Jenna Bush has followed her father into politics. Ultimately though, the time doesn’t matter. A virus has been discovered in Bolivia which shows the promise of transforming humans into super-beings who are strong, violent and live a very long time. The military is interested in the virus and what it might mean for their soldiers who are fighting wars all around the world and they create Project Noah (who lived over 900 years). Once a sample of the virus is contained, twelve death-row inmates are gathered at a secret facility in Colorado to begin running tests. The experiments don’t go all that well and the doctor in charge decides they need to test the virus on a child. They find Amy Belafonte, a girl abandoned by her mother who is about to be placed in the care of social services. And the doctor was right, Amy reacts differently to the virus.

While Amy is still recovering from the injection of the virus, chaos breaks out all around her. The Twelve (upper case intended) inmates have used their twisted powers to escape from the facility and the virus is unleashed on the world. That’s all I’m going to tell you about the book. What I’ve described so far takes place in the first quarter of the book so I haven’t given too much away.

The Passage is the first in a trilogy and I will forewarn you that the ending is something of a cliffhanger. But I will also say this book is a terrific read; absolutely engaging, imaginative and thoroughly entertaining. Yes, it is long — very long — but when I think back over the many stories contained in it’s pages, I can’t think of a single one I would want to miss. So, when you have a long break (on a beach with a margarita?), pick up The Passage. ~Patti