“I Am Pilgrim” by Terry Hayes – Universal Warriors

Coming from the world of cinema and fast-paced thrillers, it shouldn't come as a surprise that with his debut novel, I Am Pilgrim, Terry Hayes brings to us an intricate, action-oriented plot (there is certainly more to the novel though, and more on that below) that moves along at a breakneck speed.

In it, we are basically treated to a confrontation between a government agent code-named Pilgrim, and a deadly mastermind of a terrorist genius only ever known as Saracen.

As a woman is found lying dead in a pool of acid, with all traces of evidence removed from the room according with the instructions written in Pilgrim's own book, a chain of events is set in motion which will end up pitting the two warriors against each other, but not before having them travel half the world in search of the other one's defeat.

As you can certainly imagine, Hayes wastes little time in getting the action rolling, and pretty soon the reader is taken on a journey throughout the world, with stark contrasts portrayed between Pilgrim's orderly, structured and sanitized world with Saracen's squalid and almost makeshift way of living.

Though the action and the chess match between the two is certainly a pleasure to watch, there is also another aspect of this novel which, in my opinion, takes the spotlight: the character development.

We become acquainted closer than we ever imagined we would with the two main characters, to the point where in the end, both feel justified in their actions, at least to a certain extent. The line between good and bad becomes blurred, with there only being actions and consequences left.

From a technical perspective, it shows in a certain sense that Hayes was a screenwriter. The language used here is more or less simple, though it effectively and concisely conveys what the author intended to, never limiting his ability of expression.

Many of the sentences are short, and it seems that the whole thing in general is geared around establishing this fast and relentless pace which still endures, even during the slower and more relaxing moments. I'd say that the for the kind of novel this was meant to be, the writing could not have been done better.

All things considered, I Am Pilgrim is certainly an excellent debut novel from a man who may have taken a bit too long before trying his hand at literature.

I'm certainly looking forward to whatever else the author has coming; if its anything like this, we are in for some more solid espionage thrillers in the coming years.

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Terry Hayes Terry Hayes is an English-born author, screenwriter and producer. Though he was originally a journalist, he began working on numerous scripts and movies and such, with some of his better-known titles including Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Vietnam, Payback and From Hell, without forgetting his debut novel, I Am Pilgrim.