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The Twelve
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Cronin, Justin -- The Twelve -- start date August 28th 2013
Looking forward to this!
Oh boy, I don't know if I could start reading this one so soon... I'm still trying to finish the first one as I got too bogged down and needed a lighter read in between.I'm definitely going to be stalking around and seeing what everyone else thinks of this one though!
I want to join in on this one when it starts.
Sorry guys, I never say the response that someone wanted to join me. Darn Goodreads! I'm not doing any buddy reads the last of this month just the BOM Gameboards of the Gods. Anyone up for then? Maybe start the 28th?
Are we starting on Wednesday?
I'm STILL trying to get through The Passage!!!I ended up abandoning it on my kindle and started listening to it on audio instead to try and get through it a bit faster.
I'm about 80% through now so I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel!!
It is a real "chunkster," Michelle. I saw it at the library yesterday and hemmed and hawed over it. I'll read it one day.
Sandy wrote: "Are we starting on Wednesday?"Yep. I just need to divide up the chapters. Will start looking into that. How many pages should we read a day? 100 or 75?
Yayyyyy!!!!!! I need to finish the book I'm reading now so I could start this! :D
Reading Schedule:
Date Chapters Pages
August 28th Prologue - 9 Beginning - 82
August 29th 10 - 22 82 - 166
August 30th 23 - 29 167 - 256
August 31st 30 - 39 256 - 340
September 1st 40 - 52 340 - 432
September 2nd 53 - end 432 - 564
Karim wrote: "Yayyyyy!!!!!! I need to finish the book I'm reading now so I could start this! :D"I'm in the same boat! I really liked The Passage and I'm stoked for this one!
Schedule looks good, Lisarenee. Thanks!
Jessica wrote: "Karim wrote: "Yayyyyy!!!!!! I need to finish the book I'm reading now so I could start this! :D"I'm in the same boat! I really liked The Passage and I'm stoked for this one!"
I hope I can keep up with it. I also have some other books to read, but if its like the first one, I know I won't be able to put it down. :D
My very first challenge. Looking forward to it!!
Questions and Comments for Prologue - 9 1) Wow! Can I call them or what? When we read The Passage, I kept saying the author was writing in a way (word choices and names) that kept making me think of the Bible. This book took that and cranked it up a dozen times. I truly didn't expect this. Do you like the way the author did this? Making everything sound like a doubly new New Testament? Genius or annoying?
2) Was there anything in the Prologue that surprised you?
3) So we've got at least two more casualties. It looks like both of Caleb's parents died. We get a glimpse at five years in the future and poor Caleb is an orphan. We also learned that Caleb has dreams that aren't dream-like. Could they be another person's memories? He never explained what he meant to Amy.
4) So Peter is off fighting and Amy is with the children. I thought they were supposed to work together?
5) So do you think Alicia found Zero?
6) We've got a new character who I think was briefly mentioned in The Passage--Bernard Kittridge, aka Last Stand in Denver. I wonder why he is important?
7) Did you like the change to the past or did you want the book to pick up where it left off in the last book? Are we getting too much information dumping or are these things you wanted to know about?
8) So why didn't the viral kill Lila? Did you like finding out what happened to Wolgast's wife? What did you make of Grey being Lila's protector?
11) I don't recall Danny. What role will he play. At first I thought he was a little boy, but perhaps he is mentally challenge? Is that the politically correct term?
12) I felt we got a little too much information about Guilder.
13) Initial thoughts about this book?
14) Do you think David is dead or took off because he couldn't handle his wife's mental state?
My initial thoughts on this one are pretty positive. I wish that I hadn't read The Passage so long ago so that the story would be fresher in my memory. I like that we get to see more of what happened in the past and am excited to see where the story goes. I'm going to try to answer the questions specifically tomorrow when I have more time.
1) Wow! Can I call them or what? When we read The Passage, I kept saying the author was writing in a way (word choices and names) that kept making me think of the Bible. This book took that and cranked it up a dozen times. I truly didn't expect this. Do you like the way the author did this? Making everything sound like a doubly new New Testament? Genius or annoying?More annoying, in my opinion. He’s beating us over the head with the biblical references.
2) Was there anything in the Prologue that surprised you?
No. I was grateful for the synopsis.
3) So we've got at least two more casualties. It looks like both of Caleb's parents died. We get a glimpse at five years in the future and poor Caleb is an orphan. We also learned that Caleb has dreams that aren't dream-like. Could they be another person's memories? He never explained what he meant to Amy.
This really bothered me, and I am hoping his parents (Mausami and Theo, right?) aren’t really dead, just off on a secret mission or something. I really liked those characters! He can’t just take them away like that! Maybe Caleb has “the sight.”
4) So Peter is off fighting and Amy is with the children. I thought they were supposed to work together?
I’m sure we’ll get an explanation. I wonder if Amy has aged any more?
5) So do you think Alicia found Zero? I don’t think so. It’s too soon in the book!
6) We've got a new character who I think was briefly mentioned in The Passage--Bernard Kittridge, aka Last Stand in Denver. I wonder why he is important?
OK, I didn’t remember him from the Passage! Maybe we are going to follow his story throughout this book.
7) Did you like the change to the past or did you want the book to pick up where it left off in the last book? Are we getting too much information dumping or are these things you wanted to know about?
I didn’t like it at first, but I think Cronin is telling the stories very well so that it doesn’t feel like a boring detour.
8) So why didn't the viral kill Lila? Did you like finding out what happened to Wolfgast's wife? What did you make of Grey being Lila's protector?
OK, my memory must really be bad. I just read this section and I don’t remember Lila being in contact with a viral. I did like finding out about her. Makes me much more sympathetic toward her. I want to believe that Grey will be a protector. He has the virus, but the good strain, right?
11) I don't recall Danny. What role will he play. At first I thought he was a little boy, but perhaps he is mentally challenge? Is that the politically correct term?
I think Danny is a new character. Yes, I thought he was little too, but he’s old enough to drive so at least 16? Definitely mentally challenged.
12) I felt we got a little too much information about Guilder. I agree.
13) Initial thoughts about this book?
Liking it so far. It’s moving quickly. The middle of trilogies can sometimes drag.
14) Do you think David is dead or took off because he couldn't handle his wife's mental state?
Funny you ask. I was thinking he was dead in the basement.
Sandy wrote: "1) Wow! Can I call them or what? When we read The Passage, I kept saying the author was writing in a way (word choices and names) that kept making me think of the Bible. This book took that and cranked it up a dozen times. I truly didn't expect this. Do you like the way the author did this? Making everything sound like a doubly new New Testament? Genius or annoying?More annoying, in my opinion. He’s beating us over the head with the biblical references.
It worried me in the first book and then to see it here I kind of cringed. I'm not sure if I like it or not.
Sandy wrote: "2) Was there anything in the Prologue that surprised you?
No. I was grateful for the synopsis.
It did clear up some things.
Sandy wrote: "3) So we've got at least two more casualties. It looks like both of Caleb's parents died. We get a glimpse at five years in the future and poor Caleb is an orphan. We also learned that Caleb has dreams that aren't dream-like. Could they be another person's memories? He never explained what he meant to Amy.
This really bothered me, and I am hoping his parents (Mausami and Theo, right?) aren’t really dead, just off on a secret mission or something. I really liked those characters! He can’t just take them away like that! Maybe Caleb has “the sight.”
You know, I think you may be right about Caleb. I suspect we'll find out about Mausami and Theo in the flashbacks.
Sandy wrote: "4) So Peter is off fighting and Amy is with the children. I thought they were supposed to work together?
I’m sure we’ll get an explanation. I wonder if Amy has aged any more?"
In the last book she aged approximately 10 years in age in a hundred years, so I'd guess she'd have aged about 1/2 a year.
5) So do you think Alicia found Zero? I don’t think so. It’s too soon in the book!
That was my first thought when she declared she'd found someone.
6) We've got a new character who I think was briefly mentioned in The Passage--Bernard Kittridge, aka Last Stand in Denver. I wonder why he is important?
OK, I didn’t remember him from the Passage! Maybe we are going to follow his story throughout this book.
If memory serves, he was briefly mentioned in reference to a newspaper article. When Amy and Wolgast were living in the cabin.
Sandy wrote: "7) Did you like the change to the past or did you want the book to pick up where it left off in the last book? Are we getting too much information dumping or are these things you wanted to know about?
I didn’t like it at first, but I think Cronin is telling the stories very well so that it doesn’t feel like a boring detour.
I have mixed feelings I like it but I want to know more about the the 'present' or would that be the middle? We have past, the book entries submitted at the convention, and the in between time. Perhaps that is what we should refer to it as?
Sandy wrote: "8) So why didn't the viral kill Lila? Did you like finding out what happened to Wolfgast's wife? What did you make of Grey being Lila's protector?
OK, my memory must really be bad. I just read this section and I don’t remember Lila being in contact with a viral. I did like finding out about her. Makes me much more sympathetic toward her. I want to believe that Grey will be a protector. He has the virus, but the good strain, right?
Remember the trial with the woman being questioned? That was Lila. Apparently the hospital staff was attacked by one of the first virals and she witnessed it, staired the creature down, and survived.
Sandy wrote: "11) I don't recall Danny. What role will he play. At first I thought he was a little boy, but perhaps he is mentally challenge? Is that the politically correct term?
I think Danny is a new character. Yes, I thought he was little too, but he’s old enough to drive so at least 16? Definitely mentally challenged.
I wasn't sure if we'd seen him before, but I thought he was new too.
Sandy wrote: "12) I felt we got a little too much information about Guilder. I agree."
:) I think Cronin likes to give more details than are required.
Sandy wrote: "13) Initial thoughts about this book?
Liking it so far. It’s moving quickly. The middle of trilogies can sometimes drag."
Yes, right now it seems like an extension of the first book so we'll have to wait and see if it drags.
Sandy wrote: "14) Do you think David is dead or took off because he couldn't handle his wife's mental state?
Funny you ask. I was thinking he was dead in the basement. "
lol Like a game of clue...It was Lila in the basement with the paint roller.
I am running behind on my reading. I may not be able to post questions until tomorrow.
Questions and Comments for Prologue - 9 1) Wow! Can I call them or what? When we read The Passage, I kept saying the author was writing in a way (word choices and names) that kept making me think of the Bible. This book took that and cranked it up a dozen times. I truly didn't expect this. Do you like the way the author did this? Making everything sound like a doubly new New Testament? Genius or annoying?
I loved that part. The way the author revised what happened in the first book and in the beginning of this event and wrote it a some bible scripture.
2) Was there anything in the Prologue that surprised you?
Well, nothing surprised me, I just left the prologue with a better knowledge of what happened in the beginning. Because in the first book some things were written not that precise in which you gave your own opinion of the things that happened but here there were more detail on to the point.
3) So we've got at least two more casualties. It looks like both of Caleb's parents died. We get a glimpse at five years in the future and poor Caleb is an orphan. We also learned that Caleb has dreams that aren't dream-like. Could they be another person's memories? He never explained what he meant to Amy.
I think that as Amy, Peter and Alice, he is chosen by God. Because in the Prologue he is described or called as Beloved of God. He was born in a hallowed ground, the farmstead. So I think that is not so weird that he is having this kind of dreams.
4) So Peter is off fighting and Amy is with the children. I thought they were supposed to work together?
This better be explained soon, cause I didn't understand it so well. There has to be a reason he is off without her.
5) So do you think Alicia found Zero?
No, I think Alicia found on of the Twelve, Julio Martinez, the tenth.
6) We've got a new character who I think was briefly mentioned in The Passage--Bernard Kittridge, aka Last Stand in Denver. I wonder why he is important?
I didn't remember him from the Passage, but my guess is that if he is mention he has a big role to play in this one.
7) Did you like the change to the past or did you want the book to pick up where it left off in the last book? Are we getting too much information dumping or are these things you wanted to know about?
I forgot that the author likes to do that at first, and I got lost in the story. Still its good that he is doing this because we are getting a feel in some things that happened at the beginning. Like what happened to Wolfgast ex-wife, and what happened to the guys that worked in the compound.
8) So why didn't the viral kill Lila? Did you like finding out what happened to Wolfgast's wife? What did you make of Grey being Lila's protector?
I'm a little lost here because I don't remember a part in which Grey was told being Lila's protector but it would be nice. It seems as Grey is not bad or at least hasn't showed any sign. I think that Lila is there for a purpose. Want to know what that is.
11) I don't recall Danny. What role will he play. At first I thought he was a little boy, but perhaps he is mentally challenge? Is that the politically correct term?
I think he is mentally challenge. He seems like a full grown man but with the mind of a child. I don't know what will be his role but for everyone that has survived God in the book has given them a purpose.
12) I felt we got a little too much information about Guilder.
I think so, but maybe that information was given for us to create some sort of impression of him.
13) Initial thoughts about this book?
I'm loving it so far.
14) Do you think David is dead or took off because he couldn't handle his wife's mental state?
I really don't know what to think. I thought he return to the hospital because of the emergency and having big responsibilities and got bitten over there or something.
NO worries. I am behind too.Remember the trial with the woman being questioned? That was Lila. Apparently the hospital staff was attacked by one of the first virals and she witnessed it, staired the creature down, and survived.
Slapping my forehead! Yes, I remember this. She was at the police station? I forgot her name was Lila. Old age.
Sandy wrote: "NO worries. I am behind too.Remember the trial with the woman being questioned? That was Lila. Apparently the hospital staff was attacked by one of the first virals and she witnessed it, staired ..."
Well, it was done with initials and her last name. It was easy to overlook.
From The Passage, toward the end of Chapter fifteen:“I’ll tell you one thing. There’s a guy, calls himself ‘Last Stand in Denver.’ Posting a video blog from a high-rise downtown. Says he’s barricaded in there with a high-powered rifle. Got some good footage, you should see these bastards move.” The man tapped his breastbone again. “Just remember what I told you. One shot. You don’t get two. They move at night, in the trees.”
Questions and Comments for Chapters 10 - 22 15) I should have known everyone in this part would end up together. So I understand why the kids survived in the cellar and how Last Stand survived, but now I wonder if there's something special about Danny? It didn't sound like he hid at all.
16) So I'm not sure what to think of the relationship between Grey and Lila. To me it seems odd. What do you think? Is she somehow Zero's present to Grey? I'm trying to remember if in 'The Passage' Grey ever made a wish about wanting a relationship or being normal in the chapters that rambled on about his past? That book is just too large to find everything and I have no idea what to search for.
17) So Grey is a Familiar to Zero? Is that the term or am I reading too much into the naming of the second section? Remember the group of people living outside of Las Vegas? I think Grey is kind of like the guy who served Babcock, was his name Olson? Could he be more though since he serves Zero?
18) First thoughts on April? I like her, but was surprised to find out she was 18. I'm thinking she'll be important later if the bus makes it to safety. We already know that doom and gloom are coming. Do you think they survive? Does knowing about the trains for the kids and the wiping out of the majority of the population make it any less interesting? Could these individuals be one of the survivor groups they talked about in 'The Passage'? Is the bus like Noah's ark?
19) Kittridge's death was sad. First his statement about the bombing where he says, "I could have held his hand." to the emotional scene where he holds Tim and says, "I've got you." over and over. I thought he'd be a major player. I was stunned by this scene. How could Cronin kill him off?
20)The Kill Order was chilling. I wouldn't put it past a government to do this if they thought it was in the best interest of the nation, but how sad and awful.
21) Did Dr. Suresh go viral? Will he die, be converted, or be more like Grey? Any theories?
22) What about Lila and her baby? What happened to them? Did they get converted? Can Lila still have the baby if she gets converted? Gah! What a cliffhanger place to stop.
Been reading this one and then just came across this discussion so I am going to start it at again as I am very confused. Was Grey in the first book? I can't remember him. Do you mind if I join in?
Clare wrote: "Been reading this one and then just came across this discussion so I am going to start it at again as I am very confused. Was Grey in the first book? I can't remember him. Do you mind if I join in?"Clare, welcome to the discussion!
Yes, Grey was one of the workers in the compound who watched over the "Twelve". It appeared that he was killed in the Passage, however he survived!
Clare wrote: "Been reading this one and then just came across this discussion so I am going to start it at again as I am very confused. Was Grey in the first book? I can't remember him. Do you mind if I join in?"Yes, exactly what Sandy said. He is the one who let Zero out. It sounded like he was killed and then When Wolgast was escaping with Amy, I believe he was sitting in a chair acting kind of out of it while that one guy was freaking out. Can't recall the other guys name. Maybe it was the one who took him to the Red Roof Inn? I don't think they mentioned in the last book, however he'd been taken to the Inn.
15) I should have known everyone in this part would end up together. So I understand why the kids survived in the cellar and how Last Stand survived, but now I wonder if there's something special about Danny? It didn't sound like he hid at all. He must be chosen somehow. Everyone here survive for a reason. So he must be special in his own kind of way.
16) So I'm not sure what to think of the relationship between Grey and Lila. To me it seems odd. What do you think? Is she somehow Zero's present to Grey? I'm trying to remember if in 'The Passage' Grey ever made a wish about wanting a relationship or being normal in the chapters that rambled on about his past? That book is just too large to find everything and I have no idea what to search for.
It seems as if both of them are destined to play a part in Zero's game. What is it? I don't have a clue but each time you read more into their story it seems as if both of them and the baby are going to be part of Zero's plans.
17) So Grey is a Familiar to Zero? Is that the term or am I reading too much into the naming of the second section? Remember the group of people living outside of Las Vegas? I think Grey is kind of like the guy who served Babcock, was his name Olson? Could he be more though since he serves Zero?
I didn't think of that. It could be. That he is recruiting for Zero. Still I'm surprised at his great sense of control of his hunger around Lila. What Zero did to him I don't know. But it doesn't seem as if he's a regular viral.
18) First thoughts on April? I like her, but was surprised to find out she was 18. I'm thinking she'll be important later if the bus makes it to safety. We already know that doom and gloom are coming. Do you think they survive? Does knowing about the trains for the kids and the wiping out of the majority of the population make it any less interesting? Could these individuals be one of the survivor groups they talked about in 'The Passage'? Is the bus like Noah's ark?
I loved April. Hope she survives. Reading that chapter 22 and knowing that her last name is Donadio gives us hope that she is going to survive this and leave her mark. We know why she didn't get herself killed.
19) Kittridge's death was sad. First his statement about the bombing where he says, "I could have held his hand." to the emotional scene where he holds Tim and says, "I've got you." over and over. I thought he'd be a major player. I was stunned by this scene. How could Cronin kill him off?
I can't believe Croning killed him. I wanted for him to survive and be part somehow of April's life. For the both of them to have a fighting chance together.
20)The Kill Order was chilling. I wouldn't put it past a government to do this if they thought it was in the best interest of the nation, but how sad and awful.
Yes, it was. How they treated every civilian as bait. Terrible. It makes you think if that really happened nowadays and if they would be able to do it.
21) Did Dr. Suresh go viral? Will he die, be converted, or be more like Grey? Any theories?
I think he will go viral. Grey didn't killed him as he did to Nelson. It seem that he was infected and run away.
22) What about Lila and her baby? What happened to them? Did they get converted? Can Lila still have the baby if she gets converted? Gah! What a cliffhanger place to stop.
That's why I said that Grey and Lila will have a part in Zero's plan because it seems that Grey is going to try to save her with his blood. Converting her. That's what Zero wants. That's what his voice demands Grey to do. So it seems that not a normal baby will be born from Lila.
Karim said, "That's why I said that Grey and Lila will have a part in Zero's plan because it seems that Grey is going to try to save her with his blood. Converting her. That's what Zero wants. That's what his voice demands Grey to do. So it seems that not a normal baby will be born from Lila. "Oooooo....Could we be talking about an antichrist? In this case would it be the antiAmy?
Karim, The more I think about what you suggested the more I hope your right, though I'm not sure if I'd like it in the end because if he goes that route there are some gaping wholes it the way he went biblical. First, he made it seem like god prophesized this would happen, yet there were no people spouting the end was coming before it hit, and usually someone is told years in advance about something big like this coming so they can prepare. Lacey didn't know far enough in advance for that. Secondly, it would kind of make the whole book less original. I don't know. *sigh* I guess we'll have to wait and see what he does.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 23 - 2923) So I was right about the name familiar, but wrong about it being Olson. It was Jude. Using the term familiar seems a rather odd word choice to me. It's usually a term associated with witches. (Think Harry Potter and the Rats and Owls and Cats)
24) So how do you like all this toggling around between different time periods? I'm finding it difficult to keep things in my mind. I wish there was a timeline, but that would give it all away.
25) Sometimes I feel like this is a soap opera. All the "he's sleeping with her" and "she's sleeping with him" is a bit much. Do any of these affairs serve a true purpose? Couldn't Caleb's parents have married without all the drama? Plus, with Dee and Tifty how can they be sure her daughter is his? It sounded like she slept with her husband every night.
26) When I read this section I had no clue who the strange woman in the field was. After reading Karim's earlier thoughts I can't help wondering is she Lila's child? She reminded me of the Pied Piper but instead of the pipe the woman's voice is what lured the children in. A siren like quality?
27) Yay! A map or at least parts of them.
28) What are your thoughts on Tifty? The initial description of him looking like he was made of parts of other kids was strange. Is there something about him we don't know?
29) Dear goodness, was Wolgast who Bos saw in the water works before he was killed? Is he still alive? If so, how?
30) Any predictions about the person on the ship waiting for Amy that Wolgast talks of?
31) Sounds like whoever speculated that Anthony Lloyd Carter, being as he didn't actually commit a crime, might be special could be right. Could he be who Amy is going to meet?
32) Why was the President asking Lucius about the town? What role will he play in all this?
33) Alicia kicks butt once again. To me it seems Alicia and Peter should be a team not Peter and Amy. What do you think?
34) Is Amy getting her monthly curse or is she experiencing something else?
35) We found out a little of what happened to Sara, Mausami and Theo. They were killed in Roswell Road attack, well except for Sara who may have been taken. That was where they were in Sara's last journal entry at the end of 'The Paasage'. I was surprised Michael wasn't doing more with his life. So once again, a group of characters come together in one spot.
36) Were you surprised Peter was demoted while Alicia became a Captain? So will Amy and Peter be reunited?
37) I wonder what happened to Hollis?
38) And what did Ignacio mean when he said that Martinez "left us"? Where did he go and why?
Questions for prologue - chapter 91. I really liked the prologue and thought the Bible-esque bit was really clever. I needed the recap to remind me of what happened in the first one too.
2. Nothing surprised me in the prologue I don't think
3. I wonder what happened to Caleb's parents. When we saw them in the last book they were in that house and everything was OK wasn't it? I think Caleb will feature a lot in this book
4. Hmm. I thought Peter and Amy were going to stick together. It sounds a bit like they are a couple considering she is still 10 in looks
5. No I don't think Alicia found Zero. Didn't it say in the chapter that she was looking for another one of the twelve?
6. It is quite good to hear more about Kittridge cos we only heard him in passing in the first book.
7. I thought the book would pick up where it left off so I was quite surprised that it went right back to the start - although hopefully it will mean that a lot of the questions that I had at the end of the first book will be answered.
8. I wondered why the viral left Lila, could she have been it's ninth (wasn't it every 9 they left or something in the first book?). I think I would have been just as messed up as she was when she was questioned if I had seen all the stuff she had seen. It sounded horrific. I had forgotten about Wolgast's wife so it was good to hear about the baby and what happens to her. Grey is weird but perhaps he has found a use by looking after Lila.
9. I don't remember Danny from the first one.
10. I don't know why we heard so much about Guilder perhaps he will come into it again later on
11. I reckon David is dead or he would have tried to come back to her....although she was a bit loopy.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 10 - 2215) I should have known everyone in this part would end up together. So I understand why the kids survived in the cellar and how Last Stand survived, but now I wonder if there's something special about Danny? It didn't sound like he hid at all.
I think Danny didn't really understand the danger and the complexity of what was going on. For his sake, that's a good thing.
16) So I'm not sure what to think of the relationship between Grey and Lila. To me it seems odd. What do you think? Is she somehow Zero's present to Grey? I'm trying to remember if in 'The Passage' Grey ever made a wish about wanting a relationship or being normal in the chapters that rambled on about his past? That book is just too large to find everything and I have no idea what to search for.
This is odd in that Grey has the feeding need and strength of a viral, but the compassion that they lack. I was rooting for him against Guilder so that he could save Lila.
17) So Grey is a Familiar to Zero? Is that the term or am I reading too much into the naming of the second section? Remember the group of people living outside of Las Vegas? I think Grey is kind of like the guy who served Babcock, was his name Olson? Could he be more though since he serves Zero?
I thought this was in reference to the fact that Zero "made" him. Didn't Grey contract the virus from Zero biting him, or was Grey injected as an experiment? I don't recall.
18) First thoughts on April? I like her, but was surprised to find out she was 18. I'm thinking she'll be important later if the bus makes it to safety. We already know that doom and gloom are coming. Do you think they survive? Does knowing about the trains for the kids and the wiping out of the majority of the population make it any less interesting? Could these individuals be one of the survivor groups they talked about in 'The Passage'? Is the bus like Noah's ark?
Well, we found out she's not 18. Probably 16 or so. I was wondering how old Kitteridge is and was a little weirded out by their getting together. In a way, I was wondering how their story would play into the overall story, and was it just a waste of time. It was at least interesting to learn that Alicia Denadio is a descendant of Bernard Kitteridge! That explains her bad-assness.
19) Kittridge's death was sad. First his statement about the bombing where he says, "I could have held his hand." to the emotional scene where he holds Tim and says, "I've got you." over and over. I thought he'd be a major player. I was stunned by this scene. How could Cronin kill him off?
I agree that it was sad. I thought Cronin had spent a lot of time on this guy just to kill him off, but like I said, it was interesting to see Alicia's ancestor in action.
20)The Kill Order was chilling. I wouldn't put it past a government to do this if they thought it was in the best interest of the nation, but how sad and awful.
Yes, very sad and awful. I honestly don't think they had a choice.
21) Did Dr. Suresh go viral? Will he die, be converted, or be more like Grey? Any theories?
I think we will see him again, and he will be like Grey, however I think he will be more like the other virals.
22) What about Lila and her baby? What happened to them? Did they get converted? Can Lila still have the baby if she gets converted? Gah! What a cliffhanger place to stop.
It sounded as if she had lost the baby, although if it was at 30 weeks there would be a chance for survival if they could get the right medical care (doubtful at this point). I hope she is not converted, though.
Sandy, "Well, we found out she's not 18. Probably 16 or so."Did I miss something? These are the quotes I tagged:
"But to put your mind at ease, yes, I’m eighteen. Eighteen years, two months, and seventeen days. Not that I’m, you know, counting.”
“I wasn’t lying about being eighteen, you know. Not that it matters. I don’t think this is a world where stuff like that means much anymore.”
As for Kittridge:
"He wasn’t lonely. Loneliness had left him, long ago. He was thirty-four years old. A little heavier than he would have liked—with his leg, it was hard to keep the weight off—but still strong. He’d been married once, years before."
Oh, man, I totally misread this. I thought she said she WAS lying about being 18. Sorry!
Sandy said, "I thought this was in reference to the fact that Zero "made" him. Didn't Grey contract the virus from Zero biting him, or was Grey injected as an experiment? I don't recall."I believe he was bitten, but I guess what made me think he was still linked to Zero is that he keeps getting mental messages from him. Remember the tank scene?:
Do you see, Grey?
He startled, as if hit by a jolt of current. The voice. Not like the one in the garage; the voice was in his head. The voice of Zero. Lila was staring at him from the base of the tank. He tried to say something, to warn her, but no words would leave his mouth.
Are you … hungry, Grey?(...)It is my gift to you. The gift of blood.
Lisarenee wrote: "Sandy said, "I thought this was in reference to the fact that Zero "made" him. Didn't Grey contract the virus from Zero biting him, or was Grey injected as an experiment? I don't recall."I believ..."
Yes, I agree they are linked since Zero bit him.
(Although, if I recall correctly, Zero could mentally talk to Grey before he attacked him.)
Do we know who Zero is?Wishing I had the e-book of the Passage so I could search!
Questions and Comments for Chapters 23 - 2923) So I was right about the name familiar, but wrong about it being Olson. It was Jude. Using the term familiar seems a rather odd word choice to me. It's usually a term associated with witches. (Think Harry Potter and the Rats and Owls and Cats)
Right, I think of the black cat as a witch's familiar. Kind of like a sidekick.
24) So how do you like all this toggling around between different time periods? I'm finding it difficult to keep things in my mind. I wish there was a timeline, but that would give it all away.
I find that I have to really think about where we are now in the story, each time we toggle over. I think I'm able to keep things straight so far, but it's not easy!
25) Sometimes I feel like this is a soap opera. All the "he's sleeping with her" and "she's sleeping with him" is a bit much. Do any of these affairs serve a true purpose? Couldn't Caleb's parents have married without all the drama? Plus, with Dee and Tifty how can they be sure her daughter is his? It sounded like she slept with her husband every night.
Yes, Dee's daughter could have belonged to either man. Not sure what the point of that was, since Dee and the girls were killed off. I'm sure Tifty (the mob boss?) will never tell Vorhees about it. (Every time I see the name Vorhees I think of the classic film Friday the 13th!)
Was Mausami married to someone else, who eventually got killed?
Still bummed that Theo and Mausami died. I forgot that they were there at the end of the Passage when we're told there was a massacre at Roswell.
26) When I read this section I had no clue who the strange woman in the field was. After reading Karim's earlier thoughts I can't help wondering is she Lila's child? She reminded me of the Pied Piper but instead of the pipe the woman's voice is what lured the children in. A siren like quality?
I have no idea who she is. Lila's child is a good theory!
27) Yay! A map or at least parts of them.
The maps made me a little homesick for Texas!
When I was 13 our family drove to Carlsbad caverns. I don't recall seeing the bats, though.
28) What are your thoughts on Tifty? The initial description of him looking like he was made of parts of other kids was strange. Is there something about him we don't know?
I think he's an interesting character. I still it's funny that there's a mob boss in the story.
29) Dear goodness, was Wolgast who Bos saw in the water works before he was killed? Is he still alive? If so, how?
Oh! Maybe it was! I don't think Bos is alive...didn't they say they found his body?
30) Any predictions about the person on the ship waiting for Amy that Wolgast talks of?
Hmmmmm. Zero? Lila? Grey?
31) Sounds like whoever speculated that Anthony Lloyd Carter, being as he didn't actually commit a crime, might be special could be right. Could he be who Amy is going to meet?
I was hoping Carter would show up again. He could be.
32) Why was the President asking Lucius about the town? What role will he play in all this?
Sounds like the town is not a good thing. Perhaps it's a town of semi-virals?
33) Alicia kicks butt once again. To me it seems Alicia and Peter should be a team not Peter and Amy. What do you think?
Yes!
34) Is Amy getting her monthly curse or is she experiencing something else?
Hard to say. It could be the curse, or could be the virus wearing off?
35) We found out a little of what happened to Sara, Mausami and Theo. They were killed in Roswell Road attack, well except for Sara who may have been taken. That was where they were in Sara's last journal entry at the end of 'The Paasage'. I was surprised Michael wasn't doing more with his life. So once again, a group of characters come together in one spot.
36) Were you surprised Peter was demoted while Alicia became a Captain? So will Amy and Peter be reunited?
37) I wonder what happened to Hollis?
38) And what did Ignacio mean when he said that Martinez "left us"? Where did he go and why?
Questions for Ch 10-2215. I reckon Danny was just lucky.
16. The relationship between Grey and Lila is a bit weird. I hadn't considered Zero was behind it, perhaps he was.
17. Grey is definitely one off Zero's recruits. It is weird that he can speak to him when Zero is nowhere near. Zero is the most powerful isn't he so perhaps that gives Grey more power?
18. I really like April. She must survive if her descendant is Alicia. I presume she is the baby that April has? I wonder if the bus is separate to the trains and they make their own way to the compound. She must survive somehow to have the baby and that's 9 months away. I wonder if the rest of them survive too. I hope so. I wonder if the old lady is the one that lives away from the rest in the compound? Or perhaps that's April?
19. I was a sad that Kittridge died I wanted him to survive. It was nice that he held Tim's hand this time, it sort of made up for not holding the other boy's hand but still very sad. Cronin has a habit if killing off main characters doesn't he?
20. The kill order was scary. I suppose they were thinking of the greater good but who should decide that? I can see that happening
21. Dr Suresh escaped didn't he so perhaps he will turn up again. I wonder if he will be a special viral because Grey bit him?
22. I had the feeling that Lila lost her baby because if the dark blood. I presumed that was her losing the baby. I thought that Grey was trying to save her but she didn't get chance to have enough blood before Guilder killed him so I guess I thought that she died. Might be wrong.
Sandy asked, "Was Mausami married to someone else, who eventually got killed?"Caleb is the result of an affair between Mausami and Theo. She was married to Galen at the time. He later turned into a viral and I believe he was the viral who tried to kill Theo in the Barn.
It kind of made me cringe a little in the beginning when Amy made some comment about Caleb's birth to him. It was something along the lines that his mother was brave to have him or something.
Sandy wrote: "Do we know who Zero is?Wishing I had the e-book of the Passage so I could search!"
Luckily, I phrased who he was in one of my questions from our 'The Passage' Buddy read:
So do I have this right? Is Zero actually an individual named Fanning who was once a friend of Lear's? Could he be the Tim from the emails? The one who seemed to be getting better? That would make the lead scientist of the experiments Jonas Lear, the man who wrote the emails? How did he go from there to doing experiments? I'd think Zero's condition would scare the you know what out of people. *shudder*
Finishing Q's from last night...35) We found out a little of what happened to Sara, Mausami and Theo. They were killed in Roswell Road attack, well except for Sara who may have been taken. That was where they were in Sara's last journal entry at the end of 'The Paasage'. I was surprised Michael wasn't doing more with his life. So once again, a group of characters come together in one spot.
Maybe Sara is in the ship? :-)
36) Were you surprised Peter was demoted while Alicia became a Captain? So will Amy and Peter be reunited?
Was he actually demoted or just reassigned? I think they can't "control" Alicia due to her semi-viral status. She's going to do what she wants anyway. I think Amy and Peter will eventually be reunited.
37) I wonder what happened to Hollis?
Me too
38) And what did Ignacio mean when he said that Martinez "left us"? Where did he go and why?
So, Ignacio was one of the compound workers, like Grey? Does each member of the Twelve still have a "familiar" such as those men still hanging around after 97 years? I don't know where Martinez went. Is it possible the Twelve (11 + Zero - Babcock) are gathering somewhere?
Lisarenee wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Do we know who Zero is?Wishing I had the e-book of the Passage so I could search!"
Luckily, I phrased who he was in one of my questions from our 'The Passage' Buddy read:
So do I h..."
I think you're right. I thought it had to do with Fanning.
Lisarenee wrote It kind of made me cringe a little in the beginning when Amy made some comment about Caleb's birth to him. It was something along the lines that his mother was brave to have him or something. Were you cringing because of the adultery factor, or something else? When Amy called Mausami brave, I thought she was referring to the fact that when she was pregnant, she set out with the others on the quest out of the colony, knowing the dangers that were out there.
Sandy wrote: "Lisarenee wrote It kind of made me cringe a little in the beginning when Amy made some comment about Caleb's birth to him. It was something along the lines that his mother was brave to have him or ..."The adultery factor. She probably did mean her being brave while pregnant, but I felt bad for poor Galen.
This topic is open for discussion of The Twelve by Justin Cronin. Be prepared for SPOILERS.
Book Synopsis:
THE EPIC STORY OF THE PASSAGE CONTINUES...
At the end of The Passage, the great viral plague had left a small group of survivors clinging to life amidst a world transformed into a nightmare. In the second volume of this epic trilogy, this same group of survivors, led by the mysterious, charismatic Amy, go on the attack, leading an insurrection against the virals: the first offensives of the Second Viral War.
To do this, they must infiltrate a dozen hives, each presided over by one of the original Twelve. Their secret weapon: Alicia, transformed at the end of book one into a half human, half viral—but whose side, in the end, is she really on?