Immortals' Requiem

Vincent Bobbe's "Immortals' Requiem" is one of those rare books that makes you feel like you've lost something important after you finish it. It's a bittersweet grief that lasts long after the story is over, like a book hangover. This amazing novel had me utterly enthralled. It was a nonstop, action-packed trip that fantasy readers, especially those who like a darker and more mature story, won't want to miss. I'm pleased to award this book 4 out of 5 stars since it has great world-building, great character work, and perfect execution.

A Story with High Stakes and Old Roots

"Immortals' Requiem" has a great story that combines old myths with modern urban fantasy. The story starts with a prologue set two thousand years ago, when we meet the evil entity Cú Roi, a "miracle child" of two different fairy races born to destroy. The only thing that stands in his way is the brave fairy warrior Grímnir, whose life is bound to Cú Roi's. The prologue builds up a huge fight that ends in a short-lived calm. But in modern-day Manchester, a terrible street attack sets off a remarkable and terrifying event: Grímnir comes back to life. There is only one thing that can happen when he comes back: the old evil of Cú Roi is waking up again.

The narrative really starts when Grímnir, a huge guy with dragon tattoos all over him, meets Camhlaidh, an Elven outcast who spends much of his time drunk at his favorite bar. Cam, who doesn't know how important Grímnir's presence is, is forced to join an epic search for answers. The next five days are a frenzy of adventure, and the pacing is so good that every scene feels like it has to happen right away. A group of humans, immortal men, and magical creatures joins the two of them. They all have to work together to fight a common threat that might ruin the world. The main question driving the story and adding depth to the action is whether these different races can put aside their differences and work together on this huge project.

Building a world and real violence

Vincent Bobbe is a talented storyteller and a master at making up worlds. It's wonderful how well he can construct a world that feels real and alive. I could see every scene from the dirty alleys of Manchester to the lovely landscapes beyond. He has a special gift for making things and places come to life by giving them human qualities. For example, the beautiful sentence "The swollen sun was making its lazy dip towards the horizon, and its golden face held a blush that colored the world." This type of poetic description appears all over the text, which makes the reader more interested in the setting.

The portrayal of violence struck me as both authentic and captivating. This book contains considerable collateral damage; therefore, individuals sensitive to violence should exercise caution. But in this case, violence doesn't seem pointless like it does in literature; it seems like an important, real element of the tale. The epic battle leads to all the death and destruction, and Bobbe makes you feel every hit. The plot feels so real, and the stakes are so high because the characters are so sure that a conflict will end the world.

Unique Characters and a Perfect Story

The novel has a lot of characters, including elves, ifrit, vampires, zombies, and other creatures. What makes it different is that none of them feel like they belong in a story. Bobbe has given these well-known beings new features that fit perfectly within the amazing world he has created. This innovative twist on old fantasy tropes gives them new vitality.

Additionally, Bobbe's skill as a writer is evident in the way he tells the story. The story is narrated from the points of view of several characters, which can often be confusing. But it works perfectly here. I never had difficulties remembering which chapter belonged to which character because their voices and designs were so unique. I didn't even need to glance at the chapter headers at the end because each character's personality and way of telling a story were so evident.

The editing of "Immortals' Requiem" is outstanding; I didn't find many mistakes, which says a lot about how careful and professional this work is. I wouldn't have changed anything about it. I could have written a lot more about other things I liked, to be honest. But it's important to remember that the novel is for adults, not kids, because of the colorful language and graphic violence. But this novel is a real gem for adults who like fantasy. You won't be sorry you picked it up.