The Year of the Locust: The ground-breaking second novel from the internationally bestselling author of I AM PILGRIM

Like most other reviewers, I loved I am Pilgrim. Locust starts off in a similar tone, the writing is a bit bloated with various inconsequential people and side stories that should have been editted out, but generally a solid spy thriller. Then around page 430 it just falls of a cliff. When I started reading about space virus and clocks going crazy in the stealth submarine, I was concerned. Then a few pages later my worst fears were realized - zombies and time travel, fine genres both, but not mixed into this story. At this point I stopped and read some reviews and saw just how bad the plot became. I tried to read on, but decided not to waste any more time. The book went into the paper recycling so no-one else wastes their time reading my copy. I can't believe how Hayes or his publishers/editors allowed such a terrible book to be released. Locust has destroyed Hayes' reputation for me.

This is a very well written book to hold your attention ... if the style works for you. Advertised as a "thriller". True, but it is not a thriller with continuous kinetic action. The entire story (book) is a look-back narrative by the principal character, i.e. the 'hero' and the hero's journey. We are party to his thinking (llimited 3d party notes) and quotes of interactions with others, event by event. Like "I Pilgrim" this requires patience at the start to frame the story, set the stage for all that happens with and to the agent. If this feels like too much - it is a lot - try a different book. In this sense it is similar to I Pilgrim. I’ll try not to reveal too much so that unexpected, unintended outcomes can be enjoyable. I wrote this review to encourage people to read it. I rate it 4+-5*, 5 to be generous because it is well written and creative, a magnificent story. Sure, I initially wished a different ending although continuing the journey to an expected series of events would not be memorable. The first portion is about a CIA operation to stop an unknown Islamic terrorist event planned to occur offered from human intel, not what, where, when. After a series of events the story continues into post action efforts to track the ex Spetsnaz terrorist event operational commander after he was not affected. At the close of this phase the physically and psychologically damaged agent is being stood down by the CIA director. While recovering the agent takes on a mini mission, going further than strictly authorized, in an effort to show he is ready to go back into operation. I found this distracting but looking back, it was OK. Didn't add much. It was the author's effort to add richness to the plot. Following this the book shifts in an unexpected way, next part veers into sci fi , shades of 2 Star Trek episodes and HG Wells. (I've left out how the agent became involved to not reveal the twists ... beware of other reviews if you like the unexpected.) The physics for what is described misses basis our science, fails to explain all the means for detection, i.e. ‘acoustic’, and for biological with creation of more cellular mass from what was originally present. (You’ll understand this better as you read it.) Warning ... To enjoy the book please put your science understanding aside, go with it and enjoy, same as for Star Trek. The discontinuity in the plot is the shift from a global terrorist threat to sci fi and back again. At first it feels disconcerting. But if you can do this, you’ll enjoy the rest, and be able to think back at the entire storyline. If what I've written here discourages you, I totally understand. At the change point I wasn't sure I would continue, decided to keep reading, glad I did. What drew me along were the people interactions, in the last part it was the Ridley and Rebecca story, depictions of efforts and dedication of the CIA community. This is a long book at 787 pages, 273 short chapters. Action in the last chapters is compressed, Epilogue (Book 4, 88) fitting. Sci fi angst? Suggest accepting the story at face value though improbable. It’s a good ride … or as the last line reads “all we are or can ever hope to be … riders on the storm”. Apropos historical references, Rorke’s Drift and the Kohima epitaph.

Where ‘i am pilgrim’ is a real well told story, this book is lacking structure, more two stories - one well written - the other not - in one book.

I enjoyed the book until the final section. It’s as if Terry Hayes felt he must finish it and lost inspiration. I was a little disappointed by the conclusion. His previous book is much better.

THE YEAR OF THE LOCUST by Terry Hayes Gripping and elegantly written. A meandering epic of grand proportions. At nearly eight-hundred pages, it is daunting, not unlike the first time you picked up the Iliad but certainly worth the time. It’s a grand adventure that takes you back to the tomes of J.R.R. Tolkien. Simply breathtaking. Don’t let the length of TYOTL dissuade you. If you adored I AM PILGRIM, Hayes prior bestseller, you will enjoy this just as much. A grand hero’s journey that begins in Iran, trapes about the globe, taking you to places you never imagined. One of the elements of Hayes’ writing that I deeply admire is his gift of language. While there are technical issues that true practitioners of the dark arts will undoubtedly note, the reader finds themselves pulled into a world and a journey such that it just doesn’t matter. Further, his skills as a screenwriter shine through in dialogue and compelling conflict that keeps the reader turning the pages, wondering what will come next. And then there’s the twist. The one you’ll never see coming. The one that will drive you madly onward until the end. In sum, it’s masterful. Highly recommend.

J'avais adoré Pilgrim, je l'ai même lu plusieurs fois. A la fin de Pilgrim, vous avez une prévision du nouveau livre (soi-disant) qui augurait bien. Or, le livre n'a rien à voir avec! Etait-il en panne d'idées, est-ce pour cela qu'il fallait attendre plusieurs années avant que le livre sorte? Il s'agit d'une banale histoire d'espionnage, de chasse à l'homme, avec quelques bons passages. C'est par la suite que ça se gâte... On verse dans le super-naturel, un saut dans le futur, la fin du monde, et le retour dans le passé pour prévenir ce qui se passe dans le futur. C'est n'importe quoi. Je ne suis pas prête à racheter un livre de Terry Hayes!