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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
Spoiler Alert!
Terry Hayes'novel started out as a typical American-hero spy novel. You know the type...the protagonist is skilled in multiple languages, has unusual endurance and strength, is super smart etc...ie excessively unrealistic.
As was Kalinsky, the prime terrorist.
So, I was expecting more beyond-reality events and adventures. I'm happy to go along with bending light and time travel but 'The Year of the Locust' went just a bit over the top (understatement) with the invisible submarine about 2/3 into the book.
Then, totally over the top with Part 4 where we have a virus invasion, strange human-something creatures and then a post-apocalyptic NYC arrived at by mere co-incidence. I have to admit that I lost interest pretty quickly as the novel became more and more ridiculous even down to references to, of course, the 4th of July.
Such a disappointment after 'I am Pilgrim' a decade ago. Locust is a book that reads more like an AI experiment than the work of Terry Hayes.
Terry Hayes'novel started out as a typical American-hero spy novel. You know the type...the protagonist is skilled in multiple languages, has unusual endurance and strength, is super smart etc...ie excessively unrealistic.
As was Kalinsky, the prime terrorist.
So, I was expecting more beyond-reality events and adventures. I'm happy to go along with bending light and time travel but 'The Year of the Locust' went just a bit over the top (understatement) with the invisible submarine about 2/3 into the book.
Then, totally over the top with Part 4 where we have a virus invasion, strange human-something creatures and then a post-apocalyptic NYC arrived at by mere co-incidence. I have to admit that I lost interest pretty quickly as the novel became more and more ridiculous even down to references to, of course, the 4th of July.
Such a disappointment after 'I am Pilgrim' a decade ago. Locust is a book that reads more like an AI experiment than the work of Terry Hayes.
The first 60% is an outstanding spy caper and a thrilling fun read. The second half - it’s like two different books were married together. The second half is abysmal. Read this book for the first half and don’t bother with the rest.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
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