14

By: Peter Clines

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Science Fiction, 2013

Padlocked doors. Strange light fixtures. Mutant cockroaches.

There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s. Because every room in this old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends. Or the end of everything....

©2012 Peter Clines and Permuted Press (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A riveting apocalyptic mystery in the style of LOST." (Craig DiLouie, author of The Infection and The Killing Floor)

"A wholly original story that weaves together mystery and the apocalypse like a finely tuned band." (Evan Roy, Bricks of the Dead)

Overall- really good!

Narrator did well with the different voices and had plenty of inflection.
The story got weird for a couple chapters, then made sense again.

Entertaining and unexpected

Where does 14 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The character development was well done and the performance was quite good. The story kept me wondering what was going happen next and the action was exciting. Although it isn't a profound story, it was fun and not just another sci-fi trodding over the same story line again and again.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have liked a little more development of the science behind it.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Ever character he did stood significantly on their own. I often found myself wondering if it was the same performer for all the voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Since I listen to many of the books while driving to work, there have been times where I didn't want to get out of the car just yet.

Amazing Read!

What did you love best about 14?

The book is a great mix between mystery and science fiction.

Any additional comments?

Wonderfully quirky that doesn't disappoint all the way to the end. I don't usually write reviews but this one definitely deserves 5 stars. Ray Porter does a great job of narration and will be looking for more books from both author and narrator.

14 is a 10

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book months ago, but never got around to listening to it until recently. I regret that. "!4" is a real gem. It weaves you into an interesting story before you know it. Even though it's a fantasy/sci-fi work, the characters are essentially average kind of folks. To be clear, they all have talents and even bravery, but they aren't super-powered or meta-human or the like. How refreshing to have a book where the characters don't have to have genius IQ, millions of dollars in the bank, etc.

The book is well-written and has good character development. It is very well narrated. Is it "Moby Dick" or "To Kill a Mockingbird"? No. But if you want to suspend your belief of physical laws a bit, and open yourself into the improbable if not impossible, you will have several hours of enjoyment.

High praise from a non-SciFi fan

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Five minutes after the book ended, I was calling people I know to recommend it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

The narrator's interpretation of the sqwhale speaking. Creeeeppppyyyy. Yeah, that's sqwhale. Not sure how the author spelled it, but after you listen, you will understand.

Which scene was your favorite?

Apartment 14. You gotta listen to understand.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I don't know, but they should SOOOO make this into a movie. I'd buy my ticket right now. It has everything for a great movie: humor, romance, mystery, thriller, sci-fi, monsters, villains, heros and you really don't see the twists coming.

Any additional comments?

I ended up listening to the book because it kept showing up on multiple lists. Funny thing is, I wouldn't have bought it if I realized it was Sci-Fi because I am not really into that genre. But this book starts out as a mystery thriller for the first 2/3 of the book, then goes into the hardcore sci-fi. By that point, I was so engrossed in the story and the characters that I couldn't wait to listen to what was coming up next. Author does a great job breathing life into the characters and the narration is one of the best I've ever heard. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Lovely stuff

Great audio from the narrator, great character “building” and great plot.

About to start the fold

Loved everything except for the last 20%

Would you try another book from Peter Clines and/or Ray Porter?

This was my first Peter Clines and I was amazed by how real the characters were and also his story telling skills.

Ray Porter also convinced me as a very good reader with an extremely comfortable voice to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

The opening of Apartment Nr. 14.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Reading speed and voice both were perfect.

Was 14 worth the listening time?

Yes, absolutely worth it. I went trough it in only two days. However it does feel like two completely different books as the last part of the book is so much different both in style and genre than the rest of the book.

More than I expected!!!!

The story made me laugh and kept me going....I was always wondering what's gonna happen next!!! I felt like I lived in the Apt! It was a great adventure!!!
I loved it!!!

Great book to read it more than once

I like the plot how normal characters take a main role.

I hope that there is a sequel where we got deep in the misery and some unresolved answers are finally clear.

One of the better audiobooks I have heard

Would you consider the audio edition of 14 to be better than the print version?

Been a member of Audible for over 10 years now and this book is one of the best I have listened to. Excellent narrator and perfect story for light summer reading / creepiness.