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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. It was one of the best spy/espionage/thriller novels I have ever read. So, when I found out Terry Hayes had written another novel, it was a must read. Alas, The Year of The Locust was both good and bad. It was a book in four parts, where the first three were fantastic. Similar to I am Pilgrim in terms of quality of writing, plot intensity and incredible spy/espionage/thriller storytelling. Then, in part four, it completely looses its way. Without giving away spoilers, it felt like part four was actually from another book accidentally printed into The Year of the Locust. For some reason the quality of the writing declined and the narrative completely changed genres. Now, I love twists you don’t see coming (The Ferryman by Justin Cronin) but this one, did not work at all. Instead, it turned a great book into a disappointment.
Due to The Year of the Locust being so inconsistent, I am not sure who to recommend it for? If you enjoy spy/espionage/thriller novels, you will probably enjoy the first sections, then sci fans may enjoy part four.
First 400 pages of the book - so so good… then 400 pages of inconsistent, bad written sci fi… really wanted this to be as good as I am pilgrim but sadly it wasn’t
A three star review only because the beginning of the book was excellent, with a likeable main character. That said, the plot. OMG THE PLOT!!! This was one of those books where you wonder what the hell the publisher was thinking. I am Pilgrim was a fantastic book and I was so looking forward to reading this, but while the writing style is similar, and the premise, at least at the beginning, feels very familiar, this is nowhere close to being in the same league as I am Pilgrim. The Year of the Locust is a fast paced thriller but one that rapidly descends into silliness and farce, where the reader is asked not just to suspend disbelief, but to abandon it altogether.
I don't want to spoil it for those who might not have read the book yet, but if you want to read a Day of the Triffids meets Night of the Living Dead then this is the book for you. I really can't believe I made it through to the end of what was a truly disappointing read. I finished the book not with any kind of satisfaction, but with the thought that I had been cheated.
I don't want to spoil it for those who might not have read the book yet, but if you want to read a Day of the Triffids meets Night of the Living Dead then this is the book for you. I really can't believe I made it through to the end of what was a truly disappointing read. I finished the book not with any kind of satisfaction, but with the thought that I had been cheated.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Unusual plot twist for a spy thriller but if you're into a suspenseful story and not so too much for deep thoughtful literature, it's a good vacation read. It's like fast food, after you read it you will forget about it but it was good for the moment
DNF, had to stop at page 529! Part four absolutely ruined what could've been quite good. This started so well and got progressively worse until it was absolute nonsense. Such a shame!