Today, I have a unique Christian-themed science fiction thriller in our book review spotlight! Check out Pilgrims, read my thoughts on the book and learn about author M.R. Leonard! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 412 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Blue Castle Press
Release date: November 2024
Content Rating: PG-13. There is death in my book. There are also religious profanities “God damn”. There are also a few swears (not many but some “F” bombs said by the villain at the end). There is no description of sex but my protagonist follows an online creator who does adult content (her content is never described at all other than to say it exists). The main thing is the violence in my book. It is not gory but it does involve children dying.
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Latin was a dead language—until the aliens arrived.
Out-of-work Latin teacher and borderline alcoholic Austin DeSantis is determined to spend his final days in the arms of a prostitute—that is if the aliens don’t exterminate humanity first.
But when the aliens land at the Vatican, begin speaking Latin, and reveal themselves to be Catholic, the world turns upside down.
Pressed into service as a translator and thrust into the center of humanity's first contact with a cryptic alien race, Austin must uncover their true intentions before religious turmoil rips the planet apart. But with Austin caught between the Catholic Church, the US military, and an enigmatic alien AI, he'll have to decide where his loyalties lie as the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
PILGRIMS is a sci-fi retelling of Augustine's Confessions, mixing a high-concept premise à la Children of Time with the ceaseless pacing and rich characterization of Red Rising.
Pilgrims offers a unique, thought-provoking storyline. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy a science fiction novel with such a strong focus on faith--but, I was pulled into this book immediately and couldn't put it down. The author creates very realistic interactions and thought-provoking dilemmas for the characters throughout this book. The book is based on a science fiction premise, but the moral challenges and religious elements faced and grown through as the plot progresses make this novel something much deeper and more engaging than most alien invasion thrillers.
Readers should expect more than just a good vs. evil sci-fi story. I didn't love the main character Austin, but flaws, growth and faith were central to the story. There are many good vs. evil storylines at play in this novel--some within the characters and some between them. There are certainly evil characters and scenes packed with action and drama--but, there are also elements of human conversation and philosophical and religious connections that make this a very engaging novel.
Would I Recommend Pilgrims by M.R. Leonard? This novel is a unique blend of science fiction, faith, politics and philosophy that is well-written and thought-provoking from the prologue to the ending. The author's writing style creates scenes that readers can see and feel. While the novel focuses on an alien invasion--science fiction shares the stage with strong human elements that stay with you beyond the book's pages. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Michael Leonard was born and raised in Boston, but the cities he’s spent the most time in are Beijing, Florence and Edgartown (in that order). After graduating from Boston College, he pursued a career in law before becoming a China market entry advisor and accumulating a few lifetimes worth of adventures in just nine short years. Somewhere along the way he lost his faith but he found it again in graduate school at MIT. Married with two young sons, he can be found discussing his next novel with his ten pound dachshund as he strolls around Boston Harbor.
connect with the author: website ~ X ~ instagram ~ goodreads
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