As always with Garino’s books, there is plenty to love here. When we first open this book, we’re introduced to a world where Angels have been banished from Heaven and now live in a variety of Realms between their old home and Earth. There are a variety of different angels, each of them holding an important role. Citizens of the city of Sa’Doran depend on a shield to keep their city safe from the dangers lurking just outside. This plan won’t last though, and the city is looking for ways of evacuating the city. Before the can, trouble emerges in the form of two powerful demons who chase a band of angels into the new realm.

Worldbuilding in this story is very complex, but very well done. It took me a little bit to get my worlds and beings sorted out, but once I did, it was a very enjoyable read. Even though I’ve read Gates of Golorath, I found that this story offered a unique backstory of the world as I have come to know it. Just like in Golorath, the battle scenes in this story are all very well fleshed out and so are the characters.

There is a lot going on, and it can be a little tough to follow at times. I recommend reading this book more than once. I found that with the information I had from the first readthrough, it made the second readthrough easier to understand the story more enjoyable. I could easily see this as a television series.
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A Fantasy as Tension-Producing as Any Fiction Set in the “Real” World

It’s difficult for a fantasy to generate any real tension in a reader … at least, until he/she is totally immersed in the story’s make-believe world. Before that, the threat to life and limb (which may or may not include humans) is often met with a shrug, a roll of the eyes, because, of course, the good guys will have another magical spell up their sleeves to save the day. This limitation, however, is not an issue for Requiem’s Reach. Even without a background in author Garino’s fantasy world, uneasiness rolled over me in waves during the action scenes. Perhaps that’s because these chapters have the feel of a military campaign—gains come only with tremendous personal sacrifice; enemies are allies because they’re less reprehensible than the others. It’s the kind of fantasy you could easily imagine in our world, although you’d rather not. And therein lies the tale’s ability to tie your stomach in a knot.

In a nutshell, the heroes of our story, led by Malachite, are fighting a doomed war against the Apostate, a fallen angel who retains his abilities. To escape his trap, they must cross over to the Patresilen, find the fabled and possibly illusory world of Raqui, align the two realms, and open the Gates of Golorath so the others may escape. Didn’t follow all of that? Well, to help manage this information overload of new worlds, races composed mostly of fallen angels, and our characters, the author provides a brief introduction. Even so, it’s a lot to follow.

I enjoyed the writer’s style. Magical spells were strange amalgamations of science, mathematics, and drawings. Humans were a misunderstood species, despised by some—“At least have the decency to keep the little creatures out of sight when you have company”—and respected by others. About the only concern I have in recommending this novella is whether it is an appropriate introduction to this imaginary realm. The author considers these novellas extensions to the main series, written so that the reader may better understand a character and his or her story. And as I said before, the composition of the world and its inhabitants is a lot to comprehend. My advice, however, is don’t worry about the details too much; the nature of the characters in this book becomes clear with their acts of cruelty or kindness, their betrayals, and their self-sacrifice on an ever-shifting battleground across multiple dimensions, making it a highly enjoyable read on its own. ( )