Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
The Year of the Locust begins with the kind of high stakes tension Terry Hayes is known for. We follow CIA operative Kane, a man accustomed to danger, who takes on what should be a routine mission near the Afghan border. It quickly becomes clear that nothing about this assignment will go to plan. From the opening chapters Hayes blends espionage, global politics and ominous hints of something far larger and more catastrophic unfolding. The scale is bold, cinematic and instantly gripping.

✅ What I Liked:
Kane is a strong central character whose voice pulls the reader directly into the chaos around him. His grit, intelligence and vulnerability make him easy to root for as the mission spirals into something far stranger and more terrifying. Hayes excels at worldbuilding on a grand scale, shifting from covert operations to scientific intrigue to the eerie sense that humanity is on the edge of disaster. The pacing is confident and the stakes continuously build, creating a feeling that the ground is always shifting beneath your feet. The writing is sharp and immersive, and several scenes deliver a haunting sense of dread that lingers long after reading.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
The sheer size and ambition of the novel can sometimes work against it. Certain sections feel overly long or dense, and a few plot threads are so expansive that they risk overwhelming the emotional journey of the protagonist. Some readers may find the tonal shifts between espionage thriller and apocalyptic fiction jarring, and there are moments where a tighter focus could have amplified the tension even further.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you loved I Am Pilgrim or enjoy thrillers that expand far beyond the boundaries of traditional spy fiction, this is an easy recommendation. The Year of the Locust offers a blend of action, sweeping global stakes and unsettling speculative elements that make it stand out from typical geopolitical thrillers. It is perfect for readers who want a novel that feels grand, immersive and thought provoking.

💭 Final Thoughts:
The Year of the Locust is a bold and absorbing thriller that showcases Terry Hayes at his most ambitious. Though occasionally heavy and sprawling, it delivers unforgettable moments, a compelling lead and a sense of scale rarely seen in modern thrillers. It is an intense, atmospheric journey into the heart of global crisis and the human will to survive.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – Vast, gripping and hauntingly imaginative