Overview

The Sunlight Pilgrims is set amid an extreme winter in the Scottish Highlands as climate collapse brings record cold. We follow Stella, a young trans girl living in a caravan with her survivalist mother, and Dylan, newly arrived from London. Their lives intertwine as they face savage weather and build fragile community in Clachan Fells.

Writing & Voice

We found Fagan’s prose deeply atmospheric and lyrical. She writes with precision, drawing the cold and the landscape into character. The voices shift subtly between Stella and Dylan, giving us intimate access to their emotions and internal journeys against a backdrop that feels both surreal and grounded.

Content & Perspective

The narrative moves between daily survival and inner transformation. Stella’s coming-of-age and gender identity are central, while Dylan’s grief and search for meaning unfold alongside. Constance’s resilience and the community’s responses add texture, making personal relationships as compelling as the harsh world outside.

Themes

The Sunlight Pilgrims explores survival, belonging and identity in a world transformed by climate upheaval. The novel also examines human connection and adaptation, highlighting how people forge meaning and support each other when the environment becomes hostile.

What Worked

• Rich, evocative atmosphere that pulls us into the frozen world.
• Strong character focus with emotional depth and nuance.
• Thoughtful exploration of identity and community under strain.

Minor Quibbles

• The slow pace may challenge readers expecting more plot-driven action.
• Some narrative threads feel open-ended rather than resolved.

Final Thoughts

We found The Sunlight Pilgrims quiet, moving, and humane, more about people caring for each other than catastrophe, even as climate collapse reshapes daily life.

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5