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thelaurafoley's review against another edition
3.0
Liked the book. The spacing and font size made it feel as though I was making no progress at all though.
darloharper's review against another edition
Parts one and two were good. Just as I thought they’d be after reading and enjoying his previous book. Then it started meandering, then it went ridiculous. The cliched plot twist I thought was coming was blown completely out of the water and so unbelievable I gave up 500 pages in.
lcsp1991's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
berrybeli's review against another edition
2.0
I was looking forward to this book. I really was. Oh what a disappointment. Imagine a literary rollercoaster, except it's missing half its tracks and there's a sign that says, "Please suspend your disbelief". However, suspending it does not even begin to cover the feat you need to achieve to enjoy this book. You'll need to shoot disbelief in the head and bury it deep in the woods to get through this one.
Hayes seems to have thrown every implausible plot device into a blender, hoping for a smoothie but ending up with chunky, narrative soup. The first two-thirds of the book teeter on the edge of believability, like a cat on a windowsill in a hurricane. But it's the final third where Hayes really cranks up the 'implausibility-o-meter' to a level that would make even sci-fi aficionados raise an eyebrow.
At this point, you half expect a unicorn to trot in, offering everyone a ride to Narnia. The plot twists are less 'twists' and more akin to narrative gymnastics. The characters, once somewhat grounded, now leap across time and battle zombies with a casualness that makes you wonder if they're all just in a particularly vivid fever dream.
In a desperate need for an editor, or perhaps a team of them, armed with red pens and a strong pot of coffee, "Year of the Locust" is a testament to the fact that sometimes less is indeed more. More editing, less... well, everything else. The book is a wild ride, but not in the way one hopes. It's like being on a bike with square wheels – sure, it's a unique experience, but you can't help but think a regular bike would have been a better choice.
In summary, if you're looking for a book that respects the laws of physics, common sense, or just plain old good storytelling, perhaps look elsewhere. If, however, you're in the mood for a narrative equivalent of a fever dream featuring time-traveling zombies, then "Year of the Locust" might just be your cup of bizarre, over-steeped tea.
Hayes seems to have thrown every implausible plot device into a blender, hoping for a smoothie but ending up with chunky, narrative soup. The first two-thirds of the book teeter on the edge of believability, like a cat on a windowsill in a hurricane. But it's the final third where Hayes really cranks up the 'implausibility-o-meter' to a level that would make even sci-fi aficionados raise an eyebrow.
At this point, you half expect a unicorn to trot in, offering everyone a ride to Narnia. The plot twists are less 'twists' and more akin to narrative gymnastics. The characters, once somewhat grounded, now leap across time and battle zombies with a casualness that makes you wonder if they're all just in a particularly vivid fever dream.
In a desperate need for an editor, or perhaps a team of them, armed with red pens and a strong pot of coffee, "Year of the Locust" is a testament to the fact that sometimes less is indeed more. More editing, less... well, everything else. The book is a wild ride, but not in the way one hopes. It's like being on a bike with square wheels – sure, it's a unique experience, but you can't help but think a regular bike would have been a better choice.
In summary, if you're looking for a book that respects the laws of physics, common sense, or just plain old good storytelling, perhaps look elsewhere. If, however, you're in the mood for a narrative equivalent of a fever dream featuring time-traveling zombies, then "Year of the Locust" might just be your cup of bizarre, over-steeped tea.
jacquilogan's review against another edition
4.0
The Year of the Locust by Terry Haynes audiobook narrated by Jeff Harding. Published by Bolinda Audio listened to using BorrowBox via Norfolk County Council 4.5 stars.
I read I am Pilgrim by the same author a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it so read this one too. I really enjoyed this one too, although it is a little longer (30 hours in total) and could be split into 2 books but the author is looking after us readers/listeners and giving us good value for money with this one. This time our agent Kane is a Denied Access spy for the CIA, when he is sent to exfiltrate a man and his family with vital information it all goes wrong. Picking up on 6th senses feelings and when he finds the man he supposed to be helping beyond all help and his family family in a position that is beyond anything he has seen before he makes a decision to step break the rules.
Somehow our hero makes it back to the USA and the race is on to eliminate the man who will bring the world to the brink of extinction.
Like I said a great book a real thriller/spy a great mixture of things that feel so real and current and then you get to the bit in the submarine. (I won’t say much as I don’t want to spoil it) I am not sure how I felt about that section it doesn’t flow and didn’t seem to fit into the style of the book although it sort of works too. It is like the author had a great idea but then couldn’t really work out how to fit it into this story. For older people it is certainly no worse than the Bobby Ewing 'dream' in Dallas
I read I am Pilgrim by the same author a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it so read this one too. I really enjoyed this one too, although it is a little longer (30 hours in total) and could be split into 2 books but the author is looking after us readers/listeners and giving us good value for money with this one. This time our agent Kane is a Denied Access spy for the CIA, when he is sent to exfiltrate a man and his family with vital information it all goes wrong. Picking up on 6th senses feelings and when he finds the man he supposed to be helping beyond all help and his family family in a position that is beyond anything he has seen before he makes a decision to step break the rules.
Somehow our hero makes it back to the USA and the race is on to eliminate the man who will bring the world to the brink of extinction.
Like I said a great book a real thriller/spy a great mixture of things that feel so real and current and then you get to the bit in the submarine. (I won’t say much as I don’t want to spoil it) I am not sure how I felt about that section it doesn’t flow and didn’t seem to fit into the style of the book although it sort of works too. It is like the author had a great idea but then couldn’t really work out how to fit it into this story. For older people it is certainly no worse than the Bobby Ewing 'dream' in Dallas
phelps2519's review against another edition
2.0
This book was amazing for the first two parts. After part two the story continually went downhill and lost all focus. This book did not need to be so long, with many unnecessary side plots that could’ve been skipped as they didn’t add anything and added to the confusion of the story.
For an action/CIA book it turned very quickly to a sci-fi/dystopian fantasy which was a product of the story having no where to go.
To keep the story going and heading somewhere, things just kept going right. No matter how unlikely it is to happen, it happened in this book.
Aside from this, the first two parts were 5 ⭐️ and burdened by the last two parts. The ending (epilogue) was very well done and closed up each character well.
For an action/CIA book it turned very quickly to a sci-fi/dystopian fantasy which was a product of the story having no where to go.
To keep the story going and heading somewhere, things just kept going right. No matter how unlikely it is to happen, it happened in this book.
Aside from this, the first two parts were 5 ⭐️ and burdened by the last two parts. The ending (epilogue) was very well done and closed up each character well.
robw's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mvmcginley's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
mcdannyb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0