REQUIEM (noun):

1. A Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead.

2. A musical composition setting parts of a requiem Mass, or of a similar character.

3. An act or token of remembrance.

Origin: Latin, accusative singular of requiēs, meaning “rest” or “repose.”

I've always held a certain appreciation for the word “requiem.” It's lovely to the ear, conveying consequentiality and reverence without being overly long or convoluted. It's a musical term; the Requiem Mass has inspired hundreds if not thousands of musical compositions, including pieces by some of the greatest composers who have ever lived. It's fitting that the last novel in a saga called Aurora Rhapsody bear a title steeped in musical sentiment. And, yes, it is an apropos title for the book, but as has been common with my book titles, perhaps in some unexpected ways.

It has come to my attention that some readers are experiencing a little...concern over the title. Trepidation. Possibly worry. I'm here to say I understand completely, I expected it, and I will assuage any apprehension as best I can...without revealing anything about the book.

I can't tell you how much it means to me that these characters mean so much to you. After eight books, you know them better than they know themselves; you've walked alongside them as they've grown and changed, as they've made mistakes and (mostly) learned from them to become better and stronger. After all that, you don't want anything irreparably bad to happen to them - or at least I hope you don't!

For the last decade, if not longer, popular culture has drowned itself in dystopias, where the world sucks and anyone who tries to make it better will only suffer for it. The mark of “quality,” “edgy,” and “daring” art (books, films, TV, games) has been that the main character - or worse, everyone - dies at the end. Or was always dead. Or never existed at all. When you've been deluged with this nihilistic style of entertainment for so long, it's no wonder that you've come to expect the worst. I don't live in that world, however - and more importantly, neither do my characters.

After eight books and six short stories, I believe I've earned the right to ask one thing from you: TRUST ME. If you're still here and reading this, then I haven't let you down in 985,000 words. Rather than punishing my readers, I prefer to reward them. As such, I intend for Requiem to be a worthy conclusion to Aurora Rhapsody in every respect and to embody of the spirit of the entire series. Most of all, I intend for it to be memorable. I won't let you down.

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