Pilgrims by M.R. Leonard

 

Our Rating 3 ⭐s

You can buy Pilgrims by M.R. Leonard ...Here

You can find out more about M.R. Leonard...Here

• The Blurb...

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.

• Our Review...

Spoilers ahead.

Well, where to start with this one. Its an absolutely bat-shit crazy bonkers premise but is nicely delivered. Aliens approach Earth but when they eventually get here, they are latin speaking fundamentalist Roman Catholics. Yeah I know! Totally headshot. Upon reading I immediately thought that this author is definitely Roman Catholic and very probably from the USA. Turns out I was right. What's more after Muslims kill the Pope and top level Cardinals, The aliens start a lightning fast, brutal genocide of all  Muslims. Sounds like a President Trump fever dream. Imagine if a Muslim had written a Muslim version of this. I guess the aim of narrative is to point out if we don't all get along together, we are all doomed together. But wow, just wow.

If you can get over the right wing religious bonkers stuff, the writing is decent. But it's like being given a hand grenade wrapped up in a nice bow. This one is not for me.

• Selected Quotes...

“Terror is the most brutal kind of pain. At least when we nuked the Japs, they didn’t see it coming.”

if you don’t want to be told by the pope to go up to an alien spaceship, then don’t join the priesthood.”

“Said like a man who only sees power.” Father Ambrose took off his glasses and began cleaning them on his shirt. “One who is blind to compassion and mercy.” “Compassion and mercy?” General Fergusson scoffed. “Those are mere luxuries for those at the top of the food chain.”

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Nope... I got nothing soz