A very different novel from The Passage. Probably not as good, but still a very good book.

Much of the opening of the novel works like a prequel, going back to the chaotic aftermath of Year Zero. And when it gets back to the present day, the novel often focuses on how humanity is still surviving in Texas and elsewhere. It takes a while for the action of the book to focus in on the titular twelve original lab virals, but when it does, holy crap is it good.

The major problem that I had with The Passage remains, which is that the main characters always seem borderline indestructible. There's even one part in The Twelve where it's pointed out that there is no logical reason for a character to have survived, but whatever, there he is. If the books weren't so amazing, this would be a problem. But Cronin's storytelling easily overwhelms the flaws of the books.