2024 American Writing Awards

Recently, I was notified that I received two awards from the 2024 American Writing Awards for the fourth book, the Pilgrim – Part I, in my The Immortality Wars series:

(1.) category FINALIST – Fiction-Religious

(2.) category FINALIST – Fiction-Science Fiction

I am excited to share with you this honor, as well as the editorial review, which is shown below, that accompanied this literary distinction.

Front cover image for the Pilgrim – Part I.

FULL BOOK TITLE: the Pilgrim – Part I

AUTHOR NAME: A. Keith Carreiro

PUBLISHER NAME: Copper Beech Press

REVIEW BY: AMERICANWRITINGAWARDS.COM

LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrim-Part-Immortality-WarsBook/dp/0997382740/

In The Pilgrim: Part 1, the latest installment in The Immortality Wars series, A. Keith Carreiro delivers a tale that bridges the mystical and the futuristic, thrusting readers into a multilayered saga of war, spirituality, and humanity’s quest for immortality. As the first book in the series’ second trilogy, it lays the foundation for a new chapter in a universe where the lines between science, religion, and morality blur with devastating consequences.

Set in 2562 Old Earth Time, Carreiro juxtaposes the medieval and the advanced. Pall Warren, a sergeant from an experimental medieval world created by future scientists, finds himself in a galactic war waged by cyborgs, corrupt elites, and power-hungry factions. His combat skills and rare spiritual abilities make him a sought-after anomaly in a reality dominated by human greed and scientific hubris. This blending of timelines and technologies creates a world rich in complexity, immersing readers in a theater of war that feels both alien and familiar.

Pall Warren stands out as a deeply human protagonist, carrying the scars of his past life and the burdens of his newfound reality. His journey is not merely one of survival but of profound self-discovery. Carreiro excels in portraying Pall’s internal struggle, balancing his warrior instincts with his search for meaning and connection. This duality makes him an anchor in a story teeming with action, philosophical musings, and metaphysical challenges. From the ethereal hues of light that transform into shadowy figures to the hauntingly surreal landscapes, Carreiro paints with a vivid palette that captivates the imagination. The prologue alone is a sensory feast, plunging readers into a storm of cascading colors, clashing swords, and ominous prophecies. This visual intensity carries throughout the book, creating a cinematic quality. One standout sequence involves Pall’s confrontation with a shape-shifting creature named Ünger. The beast’s grotesque transformations and menacing chant epitomize the story’s melding of the mystical and the monstrous. Moments like this highlight Carreiro’s ability to craft scenes that are as unsettling as they are mesmerizing.

Thematically, The Pilgrim: Part 1 delves into humanity’s age-old questions: What drives us to seek immortality? At what cost? And how do faith and science coexist in such pursuits?

The pacing alternates between contemplative and kinetic, ensuring a balanced reading experience. Action sequences are carefully crafted, such as the climactic stairwell battle where Pall and Ari face down a squad of replicants. These moments of high stakes adrenaline are tempered by quieter, introspective passages that allow the story’s emotional and philosophical undertones to shine.

As the first entry in the second trilogy of The Immortality Wars, The Pilgrim: Part 1 serves as both a continuation and a new beginning. Whether you’re drawn to tales of epic battles, philosophical inquiries, or deeply human stories of love and resilience, this book has something to offer and leaves you hungry for the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. As the sole author of the first trilogy, the Penitent, in my series The Immortality Wars, and as the sole proprietor of Copper Beech Press, I have a material connection to these books, as well as to the publishing press, I have just listed. Other than my previously stated novels and publishing press, I have no material connection to the brands, products or services that I have mentioned here. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”