Pilgrims is a bold and complex journey into a near-future world on the brink of alien annihilation. Set against a backdrop of societal breakdown and moral ambiguity, M. R. Leonard weaves a tapestry of characters—some desperate, some heroic—grappling with the weight of their choices in a crumbling world. From Monsignor Innocenti’s heart-wrenching battle against killer robots in a Saudi hospital to Austin DeSantis’ spiral into moral despair in the face of Earth’s imminent doom, the novel intertwines deeply human struggles with high-stakes sci-fi elements.

I found the prologue absolutely magnetic. The sheer tension of Monsignor Innocenti’s showdown with the machines sets a visceral tone for the book. The imagery of him baptizing infants as a last-ditch act of spiritual salvation, despite the chaos and pain, stayed with me long after I turned the page. It was a stark reminder of humanity’s resilience even when hope seems like a cruel joke. That said, I did question the plausibility of the “halo of protection” concept, which felt at odds with the otherwise grounded desperation of the scenes. Still, it’s one of those bold narrative choices that you either embrace or not.

Austin’s arc was heartbreaking. His obsession with Aurelia, a figure as much fantasy as flesh, mirrors a society unraveling under the weight of unmet needs and crushing inevitability. His moral failings, especially his complicity in the old man’s death, are infuriating yet painfully human. Leonard excels here by forcing readers to confront the uncomfortable: What would we do when cornered? His choices are bleak, but they feel real. When Austin rationalized his inaction at the shop, my frustration bubbled over, but it made for compelling reading. I wanted to shake him, but I also understood him.

Leonard gives us fragments, government overreach, a collapsing economy tied to Fedcoin, and a global militarization effort to deter aliens. I wanted to dive deeper into the motivations of the aliens and the “Premise” and “Corollary,” which are mentioned often but remain opaque. That said, the story’s urgency and personal stakes kept me glued to the page, even when the larger context felt murky.

Pilgrims is a story that punches you in the gut with its grimness, yet it doesn’t wallow. Leonard forces his characters—and his readers—to confront some brutal truths about survival, morality, and what it means to be human. I’d recommend it to fans of dystopian novels who don’t shy away from the darker corners of the human condition.

Pages: 412 | ASIN: B0DKVHY2K5