Back in 2011 when I was lying around in Asturias with not much to do I bought a hardback of ‘The Passage’. I like fat books and at just over 1000 pages it is big for a novel. And while very far from a horror or vampire fanatic I found this a great read. I found it a great story, vampires or not. I could drop in and out of it enjoying the very real characters that came along in changing circumstances; believable characters you could care about. It strikes me as beautifully written.
Back in 2011 having finished the first of the trilogy I was keen for the second instalment but Justin was still writing it and I wanted the Spanish version which would cause more delay. So I moved back to novels based in Spain in the past and crime among other genres and left Justin on the back burner.
However while looking for something meaty to fill the hols up popped Justin’s second instalment. To my surprise it was cheap: £7 in English and less that £3 in Spanish, on Kindle. So minutes later it had arrived.
At the start of the second book ‘The Twelve’ there is a recap (strangely but enjoyably in a biblical format) which is really useful and brings you, despite 4 years gap for me, right back into the flow. And I haven’t put it down yet. Although ‘The Passage’ received rave reviews not quite repeated for the following two instalments I think the second is even better than the first.
Sadly for those who want to read it in Spanish the third instalment hasn't yet made it through translation but hopefully the wait will not be too long.
Just wanted to give it a bit of publicity as I think many may see the word vampire and skip it and that would be a shame. It is turning into my best read for many many years.
If you've had any great reads in either Spanish or English would be good to hear. I guess many books will find their way into Xmas stockings next week.
Happy Christmas and grape eating to one and all
