On Finishing A Favorite Series: The Passage Trilogy

Series: The Passage
Published by Ballantine Books, Random House on May 24, 2016
Genres: Horror, Literary Fiction
Pages: 624
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher

Today’s post was inspired by my read of The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, the conclusion to The Passage trilogy. I knew upon finishing it that there was no way I’d be able to write a true and formal review. As I read others’ reviews of this title, another post formed in my mind. What do we expect when it comes to book series?

There are many ways of thinking when it comes to series conclusions. Some are of the opinion that everything should be wrapped up nice and neat, all questions answered, no unknowns. Then there are others who are fine with open-ended endings, leaving it up to the reader to determine how the story ends. When we don’t get the ending we hope for, we’re left feeling frustrated and angry, feeling that the author didn’t follow through on a promise.  What happens when a conclusion is a mixture of the two?

Before reading The City of Mirrors, I did a reread of both The Passage and The Twelve. Yep, I’m that kind of reader. So much time had passed between the books that I felt the need to re-immerse myself in this world, one that goes behind a simple vampire series. I needed to be reminded of Cronin’s writing voice, to get my reading self prepared for what was to come.

We know that Cronin wrote this series because his daughter wanted a series in which a girl was the hero, a girl saves the world. Cronin wholeheartedly accomplishes this goal, for Amy is a lasting hero throughout the trilogy. What else happens is just icing on the cake, correct?  In this case, the icing is that Cronin not only provides up the answers we, as readers, need but also expands upon the characters we’ve grown to love (ok, and hate).  We see the other side of the man who became the Zero, the first one struck by this horrific virus. Rather than leaping right into an action packed conclusion, Cronin takes us back to who he was before he became this…monster. To me, this long-awaited conclusion to a vampire trilogy evolved into a heartwarming tale of everlasting love.

Sure, that sounds sappy but that is, in fact, what we are left with. Now, we shouldn’t be disappointed for Cronin succeeded in what he sought out to do. Everything else is simply an extra gift to his readers. He could have summed it up quickly and easily.  Everyone survives and the world is a happy place.  He doesn’t do that, though. Rather, humans are dealt a pretty difficult and deadly deal in life. There’s no quick resolution here. What does exist is hope.

To me, this is the true evidence of Cronin’s talent: he turned a terrifying tale of a vampire apocalypse into an uplifting story in which love wins out over everything. Sure, this many not win over the fans who patiently awaited an intense battle between humankind and vampires.  Think about it, though: When Cronin released the first book six years ago, vampire books were all the rage. That time has passed; the fad and the novelty of  such a thing is over. Cronin needed to transform this conclusion into something that would stand the test of time, the test of ever-changing fads in reading.  To me, he succeeded.

Sure, I was very skeptical as I read. A good portion of the beginning of this book had nothing to do with vampires. It felt like a completely different book, not part of this trilogy. And I took my time in reading. Typically, I would have finished this book in 2-3 days. Instead, I read it over the course of nearly ten days. I didn’t want to rush it, I didn’t want to overlook anything. I wanted to embrace this book, slowly, and savor in it.  I think in doing so, I gained a better appreciation of Cronin’s talent.

I wholeheartedly understand that there are hosts of other readers who don’t have this shared experience, that feel that this conclusion isn’t what Cronin promised. What is more important, though, for an author to meet his/her own goals or objections or to satisfy readers? Can they not be one in the same? A compromise? A little give and take?

What do you think? Whether you have read this trilogy or not, what do you expect/prefer when reading a conclusion to a favorite series?