RaeOfSunshine’s Reviews > I Am Pilgrim > Status Update
RaeOfSunshine
is on page 92 of 612
PT I:
Pilgrim (the protagonist) draws on real intelligence tactics, geopolitics, and forensic detail that makes his professional world convincing. Through flashbacks to past missions, Hayes reveals Pilgrims expertise and reputation; allowing us to see his motivations and methods in motion. Due to this way of story telling, Part One may feel dense. Some may enjoy this as immersive while I personally found it slow.
— Jan 12, 2026 08:57AM
Pilgrim (the protagonist) draws on real intelligence tactics, geopolitics, and forensic detail that makes his professional world convincing. Through flashbacks to past missions, Hayes reveals Pilgrims expertise and reputation; allowing us to see his motivations and methods in motion. Due to this way of story telling, Part One may feel dense. Some may enjoy this as immersive while I personally found it slow.
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RaeOfSunshine’s Previous Updates
RaeOfSunshine
is on page 259 of 612
In addition to my other complaints, I found there’s a pattern of female characters serving as narrative purposes rather than acting as fully developed agents.
While Part 2 is undeniably gripping due to its procedural detail and escalating tension, its ideological narrowness and emotional detachment make its flaws difficult to overlook.
— Jan 13, 2026 07:14PM
While Part 2 is undeniably gripping due to its procedural detail and escalating tension, its ideological narrowness and emotional detachment make its flaws difficult to overlook.
RaeOfSunshine
is on page 211 of 612
Although Hayes has tried to “explain” radicalization through trauma it feels as though he is treating extremism as an INEVITABLE outcome of Middle Eastern upbringing. He does not offer any counter character to challenge this idea. He leans very heavily on reductive portrayals of Middle Eastern and Islamic characters which leave a bad taste in my mouth.
— Jan 13, 2026 07:11PM
RaeOfSunshine
is on page 200 of 612
The beginning of Part 2 of significantly raises the stakes of the novel, but it is also where its major criticisms become more apparent. Although Hayes provides the Saracen with an extensive backstory, his progression toward extremism feels overly linear, suggesting that trauma and political grievance almost inevitably lead to radicalization, which limits true psychological complexity.
— Jan 13, 2026 07:06PM
