Title: Requiem, Changing Times: Where Fantasy Meets Reality
Author: R. J. Parker
Publisher: 2020 Literary Group
ISBN: 978-1-962868-52-5
Pages: 544
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
Change is one of the toughest aspects of life a person can be forced to deal with or accept. Yet change is a constant source of challenge in a person’s life, and the only way a person can grow is if they learn to accept change and move forward in their life. Teenagers are especially susceptible to change and the hardships which come with it, and change can define those formative years in many different ways.
A constant battle of change is what drives protagonist Clint and his allies in author R. J. Parker’s Requiem, Changing Times: Where Fantasy Meets Reality. The story follows Clint and Corbin, two friends going through their teen years and facing the challenges of school, from tough teachers to impending school dances and more. Yet life becomes much more difficult when supernatural and fantasy creatures emerge into their world, and the two boys become embroiled in a battle for an ancient and powerful artifact neither one of them is aware of, with powerful beings threatening to take over their entire town.
What a powerful and compelling read! The first thing which stood out was how the author was able to bring out these fantasy and horror creatures of myth and legend into the modern-day world, rather than bringing the two boys into another realm entirely for the majority of the novel. The modern-day setting was able to touch upon a lot of the issues facing our world today, from government experiments and cover-ups to immigration and what it means to the United States as a nation. Cultivating an adventurous atmosphere, the narrative drives the reader forward by introducing government espionage and thriller elements before introducing the fantasy and YA elements of the main narrative, giving the story a more cinematic, almost miniseries feeling in terms of pacing and setting.
For any fans who enjoy science fiction and fantasy, especially those who are drawn to young adult and new adult narratives with elements of horror, thriller, and sword and sorcery storytelling devices, the story found in this novel is the perfect choice. The rich character dynamics at work here, from Clint’s relationship with his mother and step-father and the complex emotions Clint experiences after losing his father, to the intrigue that Banks and O’Neil bring upon entering Clint’s life, allowed the reader to feel engaged and immersed into the story fully, feeling the adrenaline pumping through their veins as the heroes faced one attack after another. After ending on such a big cliffhanger, fans will be eager to dive further into this powerful world that they have created. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!