The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin gives a
thrilling finale to a trilogy. It has been awhile since The Passage
and The Twelve, but the story rushes quickly into action and
Cronin is kind enough to throw in breadcrumbs to remind us of people, places,
and things (like virals). Civilization fell after a great blood disease
swept the land thanks to the bite of virals. But some humans survived and
slowly built The Colony. Now from the cover blurb:
The Twelve have been destroyed and the terrifying
hundred-year reign of darkness that descended upon the world has ended. The
survivors are stepping outside their walls – daring to dream of a new
future. But far from then, in a dead metropolis, he waits: Zero. The
First. The anguish that shattered his human life haunts him, and the hatred
spawned by his transformation burns bright. His fury will be quenched only when
he destroys Amy – humanity’s only hope, the Girl From Nowhere who grew up to
rise against him. One last time light and dark will clash…
Oh this is quite a saga. Past and present. Strong characters
with sons and daughters carrying on – eager to farm the re-birthed land, eager
to welcome children, and willing to mourn their dead. But something was
coming, Lucius could feel it. He knew it the same as he knew his own heartbeat,
the wind of breath in his chest, the carriage of his bones. The long arc of
human history was headed toward a final test…..it would be a time for warriors.
(p.18)
Excellent writing pulled me forward in this journey, reading
quickly, holding my breath, rooting for our heroes. History is more than
data, more than facts, more than science and scholarship. History is a story –
the story of ourselves. Who are we? (p. 568). You will find out, dear
reader, and you will question your role in the history of mankind. Will you see
yourself in the mirror, eager to remain strong, and to fight for what is good –
family, friends, and life?
Superb trilogy and The City of Mirrors by
Justin Cronin is a tour de force finale.
