The Twelve - too, too, too . . .

[Allen]

Loved Mr Cronin's Summer Guest, Mary and O'Neal, and The Passage. The Twelve, not so much. The Dramatis Personae might well have been placed at the beginning, rather than "hidden" at the end, considering that there are 90+(some are listed at the end, broken into groups by just family names). In The Passage Book 1, I enjoyed and appreciated the bond between most characters and myself. The inhabitants of the Twelve showed some warmth, but mainly just bodies who did good or bad things. Personalities were not developed enough for me to care much about any of them.
Too many people appearing in too many places, switching between too many time periods, facing too many changes.

[Matthew]

I agree with you in regards to the Dramatis Personae. It's placement at the end of the book, particularly when I was reading it on a kindle, seemed rather pointless.

I agree that you don't feel too much of an attachment to the characters in the Twelve, however, I think thats a necessary factor in their evolving personalities.

[Matthew]

wally wrote: "i enjoyed the contrast...those who are so engrossed in their self they cannot see the humanity in others...the many who sacrificed for others...the moment of grace for one drac...the humanity on di..."

Yes, the kindle has this ability, but I had read the entire book before I realized that there was indeed an addendum. I realize this wouldn't have happened had I read the table of contents, but I tend to jump right into things.

[Cateline]

I just finished The Twelve, and did enjoy it, but kind of got a little lost with who was what, when. I thought the characters were developed though, particularly Alisha. I'm still processing though. :)

[Kim]

I was very excited for this book to come out, had it pre-ordered on my Kindle for quite some time. I usually like a book that requires concentration to keep up with the evolving characters. That being said, I did enjoy this book. The Passage was an easier read. I found that when I completed The Twelve I was confused in regards to Wolgast. Was he just a voice in Amy's head or did I completely miss the boat on this? I found that by the time I started to question it, I wasn't really concerned enough to go back and re-read.

[chris]

Wolgast confused me as well. He wasn't just a voice, he was a viral, one of Carter's Many. But for some reason, he didn't obey Carter and he retained his humanity. It's really not explained why ... perhaps because of Amy's influence?

At the big showdown in the stadium, Wolgast pretends to be Carter. The other virals didn't know because Carter had shut himself off to them long ago. Carter is still alive in that tanker where Wolgast had locked him up, so presumably he'll be a factor in the next book.

[Cateline]

I felt that his love for Amy, which was in a way triggered by his former life (with Lila and the lost baby) played a huge role in his ability to retain his humanity.

[LindaJ^]

chris wrote: "Wolgast confused me as well. He wasn't just a voice, he was a viral, one of Carter's Many. But for some reason, he didn't obey Carter and he retained his humanity. It's really not explained why ......"

I just finished and must say I did not think that Wolgast may have replaced Carter until I read your comment. I just thought Wolcast was in the crowd and that Carter died with the others, leaving only Zero.

I do agree with others that the list of the connections at the end might have been more helpful at the beginning!

[Gail]

I too was confused by Wolgast's appearance. When Amy left him in the first book he was dead or dying from radiation poisoning... When/how did he become a viral?

[Themetalmallet]

I re-read The Passage before reading this one and it definitely helped a lot with keeping track of things.

[Gail]

I did re-read The Passage before reading The Twelve. That's why it was pretty fresh in my mind that Wolgast was dying of radiation poisoning when Amy left.

[Themetalmallet]

In The Twelve it's revealed that Wolgast becomes a viral that was infected by Carter. How? I don't recall it that was specified. I guess a viral found him before he actually died.

I recall in The Passage I thought Cronin was portraying Wolgast as a ghost or something but near the end I remember Amy going out to meet him. That kinda threw me off.

[Adam]

This was somewhat what I expected for the second book in a trilogy. Sometimes the second part can get a little lost and slow on its way to the conclusion in the third part. I'm excited for the finale to this series and hope Mr. Cronin can wrap it up in a great way.

[Lindsay]

At the end of The Passage Amy goes out during the night and meets Wolgast, who it turns out has been "taken up" (a twist in the tale as you are supposed to have assumed he died from the radiation sickness), it was near the end of The Twelve that you find out that he was turned by one of Carter's many.

What I want clarified is this: Are the "dopeys" all of Carter's many? Because I think it was implied at some point, when it is explained that even after Carter was given the virus, he remained quite docile and felt guilty about everything he'd caused at the beginning (when he was eating everyone in sight), and that's why he was closed into the ship - to control himself. It states that Carter's Many are different from the others because they are similar to him.

[Chris]

Yes, the Dopeys were the "one's" of Carter. Carter was the only one of the 12 that wasn't a killer, therefore HIS many didn't actively seek to feed from humans.

[Jack]

I was confused at first like many about Wolgast being one of the elder virals at the final showdown. How did he become a viral? Then I remember while reading the first novel and while Wolgast was dying from the radiation poisoning (btw which utterly broke my heart), he was hearing sounds and movement in the trees. I was terrified thinking "Wow! Those vitals are everywhere!" That's when he was turned and took Carter's place at the showdown. Carter admitted he never stayed in contact with the other elder virals.

[Kristin]

Yes, Wolgast wakes up, almost dead from radiation poisoning and begins calling for Amy and goes outside. He leans against a tree and sees "falling stars, so many of them" which is also how Sister Lacy describes the glowing eyes of the virals as they fell from the sky.
He also sees and hears movement in the trees.
Interesting about him taking Carter's place, I didn't realize that either. I'm re-reading both books in anticipation of the release of the final book City Mirrors. I can't believe how much I either missed, didn't remember, or us just so much more memorable now that I am so invested in the characters, but The Passage is even better the 2nd time around, and it absolutely blew me away the 1st time!

[Jason]

This discussion has been very helpful. I'm just reading the third book and was confused as I thought all the 12 were killed at the end of the last book but Carter is still alive. I was sure he was one of the 12. One of the problems of old age and gaps between books. All is clear now so thank you all!

[Feddie]

Ok guys, now I am really confused. Carter must have been there in the stadium because the narrator says that 12 virals showed up and that made some people wonder until they saw a viral which was smaller than the others (Wolgast). We know that Babcock is no more, so this leaves us with 11 including Carter. Plus Wolgast.
Did anybody noticed this discrepancy????

[Feddie]

Plus he describes Carter being there or am I making this up?
PS I so hate inconsistencies...

[Caroline]

Fed wrote: "Plus he describes Carter being there or am I making this up?
PS I so hate inconsistencies..."

You're not making it up. Carter was there. Cronin definitely described a viral that was smaller than the others. That was Carter for sure. I noticed inconsistencies and lack of attention to some details in this book and The City of Mirrors, unfortunately.

[Feddie]

I know that these are huge books but you would assume the author should have a grasp on what he is writing... A little disappointed in these small details, but on the overall I enjoyed the experience :)

[Lynn]

Carter doesn’t leave the ship. Wolgast takes his place at the stadium. He’s the twelfth. He’s the small one. I don’t think the Iowa people knew that Babcock was gone. This is how I understood it.