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Since the time of Bram Stoker's DRACULA, readers have been enthralled with the idea of vampires – sexual, exotic and immortal. But now a new kind of vampire – maybe, a more realistic creature – has invaded our consciousness with the sci-fi/horror epic THE PASSAGE. These are half-human, half-bat, glowing-in-the-dark creatures who, yes, prey on humans and convert them into vampires. But otherwise they are far different from vampires we've seen before. They are manmade creatures, a government experiment that has gone horribly wrong. Twelve men on death row are given a bat virus by government researchers who hope to find the secret to a longer life. But one night, in the year 2018, these "virals" escape, and within months the landscape of America is changed. A hundred years later, we're transported to an isolated colony of humans in California who live in a constant battle with these creatures, now numbering in the millions. But the batteries that keep their lights on are at risk of being depleted soon (these are essential in keeping away the virals, who shun light). Some of the colonists are also being brainwashed by one of the original virals, Babcock, who is able to penetrate their dreams. The colonists have one hope: Amy, also infected as a little girl with the virus. She's escaped becoming a viral, although she's aged very little. A small group of colonists undertake a journey to find answers – and, hopefully, salvation for the human race. This is the very short version of this novel, the first in a trilogy. To describe more would spoil some of the pleasure of the journey the reader undertakes. A massive book, it comes in at almost 37 hours on audio. It does bog down at times, and a listener might want to put it aside. Don't. When the narrative picks up again, it is a riveting read. And scary? Yes. While not the usual vampire story, it will make the hairs on your arms prick up while driving down a dark, desolate road. And if you miss the old vampires of fiction, well, there's a funny scene with some of the humans watching Bela Lugosi's "Dracula." There is an abridged, CD version of this audiobook, but every detail in this novel matters, so I recommend the unabridged audiobook, which is only available as a download. It is superbly narrated by Scott Brick, a well-known voice artist, with some parts read by Adenrele Ojo and Abby Craden. § Lourdes Venard is a newspaper editor in Long Island, N.Y.
Reviewed by Lourdes Venard, August 2010
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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