Sullen Falls
Frank Julius Palumbo
Dark Dragon Publishing
July, 2016
Reviewed by Jess Landry
Deep below Sullen Falls stirs an ancient evil.
Seth left Sullen Falls monastery five years ago in search of answers to his life. With the unexpected appearance of a comet, he is lured back to the town he once called home. There he discovers that an evil warps those he cared about and threatens the woman he loved–Sophia.
The Coughlins thought that vacationing in the scenic campgrounds of Sullen Falls would provide the respite from the crazy world and build a closer bond between parents and teen children. Drawn into town by what appears to be a festival, the family of four is plummeted into a nightmare none can awake.
The secret to defeat the evil lies in an ancient book, guarded by the last of an order thought to be extinct. To save Sullen Falls, the Coughlins and Sophia, Seth must find the tome and accept his destiny, even if it would cost him everything that is dear to him.
That, in a nutshell, is Sullen Falls. Though it takes some time for the novel to pick up speed, once the action starts, it doesn’t let up.
Palumbo has a knack for his characters – each bring their own distinct traits in the battle of good vs. evil, and each do so in an entertaining way. The main character, Seth, though not without his flaws, is a strong character whose destiny is weaved in with the story. And as the novel progresses, the tension between characters and plot points reaches a boiling point, ultimately culminating in an ending that is both satisfying and surprising.
With many twists and turns by the end of the novel, Palumbo has a style that’s all his own – his descriptive narrative makes the story simple enough to follow along but intricate enough to keep readers intrigued.
For those who enjoy the broad spectrum of speculative fiction (particularly horror and fantasy), Sullen Falls is sure to keep you reading until the very end.
