The Last Pilgrims

The Last Pilgrims #1

by Michael Bunker

Twenty years in the future is five-hundred years in the past. It is just two decades after the worldwide societal collapse and the Vallenses, an Amish-like "plain people" living and surviving in what was once Central Texas, are under attack by the King of Aztlan and his armies. The pacifistic Vallenses are defended by the shadowy Ghost Militia and their inspiring leader Phillip, a militant freeman who wages a guerilla war with Aztlan.

Jonathan Wall and the agrarian community of Vallenses have prospered by living the simple and sustainable ways of the past. In a massively depopulated world, monarchy is back, and a corrupt kingdom arises, led by a king who cannot abide freemen on lands that he covets. Just as the Vallenses send off a plea to the benevolent King of the South States, a mysterious assassin misses his target: Jonathan Wall.

Phillip "the Ghost" is on a personal mission to save the Vallenses - even if it is against their will, while Jonathan's own son David and his fearless teenage daughter Ruth are led to challenge their pacifistic upbringing and question whether or not the time has come for the Vallenses to fight for the land, the people, and the God they love.

During times of instability, trepidation, and even fear, history is often the best light to our feet. The Last Pilgrims is a modern re-telling of history of the Ancient Waldenses - simple farmers who lived in the valleys of the Alps for hundreds of years despite repeated attempts to annihilate them. Full of tragedy, adventure, humor, and love, The Last Pilgrims is a rare post-apocalyptic saga that takes history and casts it into the future, while examining that future in light of the errors of both the present and the past.

Genres: Fiction, Post Apocalyptic

343 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Shelli Black Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Wick series first, then The Last Pilgrims. I have to say that I enjoyed the Wick series - published after TLP - much more than I enjoyed this one. The proselytizing in TLP was much worse than it was in Wick. The story was good, and if I were to base my review solely on the storyline, I would give this book 5 stars. However, because of the religious and ideological proselytizing, and all of the eye-rolling that produced while reading it, I had to knock it down a good bit. I also felt that the author was trying too hard to come across as smarter than everyone else, which was also a running theme throughout the whole book with more than a few characters, by using highbrow language when more common language would have sufficed. The know-it-all language and inflated ego of both the characters and the author was a bit obnoxious at times. Put down the thesaurus, and just write using everyday language; your story is smart, you don't have to pile it on.

[Kurt Loy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar in feel to Stirling's "Dies the Fire" series but with zero hocus pocus and better for it. The plot is very grounded in a very likely future prefaced by an economic collapse and some military conflict. Takes what is becoming a common theme, the "doomsday prepper" and "off the grid" living and works them into a believable society that is all story and little "how-to" guide like so many other examples of the genre. Bunker knows his stuff but doesn't feel the need to show off instead concentrating on character and story. Absolutely can't wait for the sequel to this story.

[Terry Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is a work of fiction about 2 groups of people attempting to survive after a full economic collapse of the western world, there is enough history and facts in the book to really make a person stop and consider what would happen in this situation. This is a book that brings together a group of pacifists and militia who are thrown together after the collapse and subsequent rebuild of a once strong, proud country.

Many of the events and conditions of the story line are found in the book, "Surviving Off-Off grid" by the same author is his real life ranch in Texas. I am not normally fond of such books, but I could not put this one down after reading "Surviving Off-Off Grid" and learning some history behind the country I live in and the church of Jesus Christ.

This is a book I would recommend to anyone.

[Gary Close · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting examination of what happens when the the world as we know it ends. Bunker posits that the simple life, one grounded in agriculture and self sufficiency, is the best survival preparation for when the lights go out. Not a how to survival guide, like some post apocalyptic works, the novel focuses more on the philosophy behind simple living. It is well written and the action flows naturally from the plot and the characters. Its main strength, in my opinion, is the unique perspective he brings to the genre. A perspective he expands upon in his latest work, Pennsylvania. I should also note that the book does not delve into foul language and sexual innuendo...something I appreciate.

[Dale Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful follow-up to the WICK collection. 20 years after "the collapse," the region formerly known as Texas is in play. The peaceful Vallenses have created a stable and productive society based on deep religious faith, hard work and strong commitment to family and friends. Surrounding them are new monarchies patterned after those found in Europe during the Middle Ages. Some are benevolent, some are surely not. This novel is the ideal blending of action and adventure one hopes to find in a "might makes right" story line.

So, get busy reading!

D.B.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mr. Bunker's first fiction book and am looking forward to the next in the series. Surviving Off Off-Grid is still my favorite, but Mr. Bunker has shown that he has a talent for fiction writing as well.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional read - would give it more stars if I could!

Torn through this read while traveling - an excellent page-turner that has a deeper philosophical angle as well as a great story line.

Very much looking forward to the following books in Michael Bunker's series!

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of good ideas of how philosophies can be different and yet symbiotic at the same time. There were some themes that I would have liked to see expanded, but the story flows pretty well. The sequel is supposed to be out this month (Oct)...yay!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Fast read. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure why I finished this book. It was tired and predictable. I will not be seeking out the sequel.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

An end-of-the-world book that takes place about 20 years after WICK. Somewhat unbelievable, but interesting.

[Richard Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book!