Transcendental by James Gunn is a fascinating book about a pilgrimage that promises "Transcendence" (fulfillment of one's potential) for pilgrims who visit the Transcendence Machine. This pilgrimage requires a long arduous interstellar space flight on a very decrepit spaceship with a less than reassuring human captain and crew and a motley group of alien pilgrims of all shapes, colors, and physiologies from all over the Galaxy. To enhance the reader's enchantment with the many alien pilgrims, several of the aliens tell their stories, which include descriptions of their home star systems/planets, environmental requirements, evolution of their species, their societies, and their individual lives. The novel focuses on Riley, an involuntary pilgrim whose mission is to determine whether a "prophet" is aboard and (if so) kill the prophet. Nevertheless, Riley attempts to keep the alien pilgrims and the ship's captain and crew from violence, while trying to determine whether the prophet is aboard. Everyone on board the ship endures a distrustful, conspiratorial, and violent atmosphere, as well as the constant danger and discomfort of space flight. Riley forms tenuous alliances with several passengers and the Captain. However, he realizes that he cannot trust anyone on this voyage, and he begins to question his mission. I found this novel to be a very entertaining and satisfying read that enhances the reader's experience of space travel and human/alien interaction. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys science fiction. How could I not highly recommend a book written by James Gunn, one of the oldest living SFWA Grand Masters?