Book Review | I Am Pilgrim #iampilgrim
*I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based solely on my experiences while reading this book.*
Title: I Am Pilgrim: A Thriller
Author: Terry Hayes
About the Book:
The astonishing story of one man’s breakneck race against time . . . and an implacable enemy.
An anonymous young woman murdered in a run-down hotel, all identifying characteristics dissolved by acid.
A father publicly beheaded in the blistering heat of a Saudi Arabian public square.
A notorious Syrian biotech expert found eyeless in a Damascus junkyard.
Smoldering human remains on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan.
A flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity.
One path links them all, and only one man can make the journey.
Pilgrim.
My Review:
I know one thing for certain. The next time someone asks me for a book recommendation, I’m telling them that they need to read I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. I finished this book last week and it’s still on my mind! At first, I was intimidated by its length at 600+ pages since it’s longer than the typical novels I read. However, every last page of this book was so worth it. I didn’t want it to end and spent many late nights reading till 3 am.
I Am Pilgrim is the debut novel by British writer and producer, Terry Hayes. The story is told from the main character’s point of view, a legendary secret agent in his 30s who works for the US government. The man has had many names and in this novel and he adopts the code name Pilgrim for his mission. We learn some of the back story of Pilgrim like his previous assignments and how he became a legend in the super secret world. However, we know little of his childhood before he was adopted by an older, wealthy couple.
The story is woven together by a few different subplots that all tie in together in the end. At first, I was wondering how it all would fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The main storyline is Pilgrim hunting down a terrorist who threatens to unleash a weapon of mass destruction that would affect thousands of Americans. He is given very little information at first and you have to wonder how in the world is he going to find this person and stop him before it’s too late. Luckily, Pilgrim is extremely resourceful and that made me love his character even more.
His travels to catch the bad guy bring him all over the world. We start off in a seedy hotel in New York City and taken to dangerous nations like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and the beautiful Aegean coast city of Bodrum, Turkey. It was interesting to travel vicariously to these nations since I don’t ever plan to visit them myself nor do I often read books where they are the setting.
The main bad guy is known as the Saracen and we also learn more about him including how he became a terrorist bent on destroying America. I may have felt bad for him as a child, but his choices after he turned 14 made him despicable. However, this is also a very smart man who carefully and patiently plans his attack. I wondered if Pilgrim would ever be able to catch him and had to keep reading to find out.
I have great respect for the main character, Pilgrim. This man misses nothing and is extremely smart and observant. I was rooting for him to catch the bad guys and wanted to see him win in the end. I really hope that Terry Hayes writes more novels with Pilgrim. I felt like I really got to know the character and would love to read more of his adventures and hopefully learn more of his backstory.
This book is smart, thrilling and fast-paced. If you enjoy Dan Brown novels, you’ll probably like this one. In fact, I liked this book even better than any of the Dan Brown novels I’ve read. I hope Terry Hayes writes more books because I’ll be the first one to buy them!
I think I would enjoy reading this. That part of the world has really strange laws compared to us. 600 pages, eh!
sounds really good, I like when you get a book and it’s so good you can’t put it down you just gotta keep reading to find out what is going to happen next, I think I may just have to try this book out
I have to pick this up
Ooooh this sounds really good 🙂 NOT what I would have expected from the title though hah Very much something I would like to read! Thanks for sharing!
This is unlike most books I read, so I probably wouldn’t have chosen it. Now that I’ve read your review, I’m adding it to my TBR list. I love books that make me want to skip sleep!
Great review! Seems like an interesting book for sure!
I have actually already committed the perfect crime and no one will ever know…ha ha ha ha ha..
you have made me really want to read this book, lol; thanks for the great review.
I like Dan Brown so this would fit in nice.
Oh this sounds like a good book. I love these types of novels. I love getting caught up in the suspense. Thanks for the review!
Sounds like an interesting novel!
The book really seems to be an interesting read.
The suspense in the book would not want me to put it down.
Commented on the book The Pilgrim.
Sounds like a book I would like, will have to add it to my “to read” list on Kobo. Thanks for the review!
Sounds very interesting!
I love long novels, I get so into them sometimes I read them in a day or two. I am Pilgrim sounds interesting, generally I am a horror / mystery novel fan, but just reading the preview for this book has me curious. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a wild ride of a book! I’m going to recommend it to my dad!
Thanks
Thank you for recommending this book. I rely a lot on reader reviews!
I’ve seen so many great reviews of this book that I’m excited to read it! I love the cat and mouse chases in adventure novels!
Down loaded this the other day. Can’t wait to read it.
This book sounds awesome, I definitely will buy it! Thanks for the great review!!
my friend recommended this book to me too. she said it’s great read. can’t wait to read it when she has finished reading it..
thanks for the review
Love your site!
I think this book would be an interesting read. Not my usual genre of book, but who knows I might give it a try! Thanks for your input and review!
Wow! You are not the first person to say they like this book! I will have to read it!
Wow, this sounds great – I’m going to see if it’s at our local library.
Sounds like a good book. Will be looking for it!
I love thrillers and this sounds like a great book. I too hope that Terry continues to share his wonderful talent with us and writes many more books!!
Since you couldn’t wait to finish reading all 600 pages of it that tells me that it is an interesting fast paced book. THis thriller sounds like a great book
This looks like a real page turner.
This sounds like something my friend would like to have. I think it even sounds good for me too.
looks like a good read!
If you like books with subplots, you should read The Eight by Katherine Neville! Great story. Will put my name on the waiting list for this one at the library.
Sounds like an exciting book to read with constant action and suspense. Thank you kindly for your review. I’ll be sure to have my eyes open for this one to collect.
This sounds like a great novel. If you can’t put the book down and find yourself awake in the wee hours of the night, then you know it’s a great book. I Am Pilgrim is definitely something I would read. Thank you for this review.
my fav kind of book murder mysteries
this really caught my attention, thanks for reviewing it!
This sounds like a book I should check out. I love this genre and the premise sounds interesting. Thanks!
I enjoy reading and this sounds like a interesting book to read and pass on to my reading friends. This will be the biggest book I will have read 600 pages – wow
thanks for the review of it
Seems like an interesting book,thanks for the review.