This is a great addition to a collection for a collection needing more thrillers.

This story fell a bit short for me. I really wanted to feel the danger that the world seemed to be in and that part of the story seemed unfinished. I appreciate that the story focused on a single mom and her love of her children. There was good character development and I really rooted for the main characters. I enjoyed the sort of weird supernatural element to the story but did feel that at times if was a little but too out there. This was a fun easy read and I enjoy the ride all in all even if I felt like there were parts I didn't love.

An interesting book, placed in the paranormal genre, but i had a difficult time seeing it as such. The storyline was interesting, and the characters being African American was a plus! (I had no idea the author was also AA). The plot was fast paced when it wasn't mired in the metaphysical/mental aspects of the story--and that was a large part of the story. It slowed down the pace considerably and had me skipping over parts or reading quickly. Just wasn't interested.

DNF. I just could not get into this book. Super-macho men who are the best at what they do, a female main character who mentally comments on a co-worker's weight (and not in a good way), 'indigo children', an autistic child with special powers - bleah.

The 'autistic child with special powers' is the new 'young woman in a dystopian society who will save everyone'.

Twelve Days by Steven Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I admit that I've been a fan of Stephen Barnes for years, but I also admit that it's mainly been because of his co-authored works with Larry Niven. I think that's going to change after this!

This novel reads like a modern bestselling thriller that SHOULD be a modern bestselling thriller. It also has supernatural elements that are all tied to the dark side of the Kundalini and Hindu Yogis thrust upon the world stage as evil people and world leaders are murdered in gruesome ways.

Specifically, however, this is a character and plot-driven novel in the very best sense. It's fast-paced and exciting, full of surprises and depth. But mostly, I'm impressed by the depth of knowledge Barnes has about fighting styles, esoteric meditations, and traditions.

Regardless, the craft in this novel is fantastic and fast and pretty damn gorgeous. It's more of a modern thriller, through and through, but that didn't bother me. This should be a huge crowd pleaser. If it isn't, then I'll be very surprised and rather sad.

This really should be a bestseller!

This is my first book by Steven Barnes. It won’t be my last.

If I had to narrow the genre down to just few words, I’d say this was a metaphysical horror thriller. While I was honestly a bit more into the horror and the thriller aspects than the metaphysical stuff, I still found myself completely entrenched in our story.

Barnes came up with a humdinger of a plot involving mysterious assassinations (and quite possibly the end of the world as we know it) and I was dying to know how it would all end…or if it would all end.

I loved our characters. Especially a ragtag group of ex-military who aren’t always on the side of law and order, but who do retain their own sense of morality.

I’ll happily read Barnes again. The man tells a riveting story that simply doesn’t let you go!