I have to agree with most of the other reviews on this book. It’s an interesting take on the vampire motif that grabbed you at the beginning, slowed down a bit in the middle, and ramped up at the end.

Many people compare it to Stephen King’s The Stand. I see the comparisons, you shouldn’t expect the same reading experience here. The Stand delves further into the minds of the characters than Cronin manages. Also, the ending of The Stand is far more odd and satisfactory than the somewhat predictable ending of The Passage.

The Passage is a great read, though. It’s the first in a series, so maybe I’m judging the story arc prematurely. I’m looking forward to see if Cronin can keep the series interesting. He’s sure created a fascinating world with many questions left to be resolved.

Cronin, Justin. The Passage. Doubleday Canada, 2010.