Journey Deeper into a Fallen World…
Coming on August 3, 2023
by J.R. Konkol
The Sundered City
In the face of an uncontrollable demonic plague that dissolves flesh, twisting its victims into horrific monsters, Achillion walls off a section of his city, condemning thousands to death. Beyond that wall, an ancient evil feasts, festers, and grows.
Left with little choice, the heroes must face their fears and master the intricate spells that have burned them in the past. Both friends and foes join forces in a desperate battle against the twisted shambling horde marching against them.
But old rivalries die hard, and in the heat of battle, will strength and honor be enough to overcome deception and betrayal, and if so, at what cost?
Now Available
the latest novel in the Rebirth of the Fallen series
by J.R. Konkol
The Crumbling City
Months after the fall of the Citadel, scattered refugees find themselves trapped in the southern swamps, the home of ancient denizens that prefer to be left undisturbed.
On the other side of the world, the possessed children struggle to find their place amongst the people of Derregain.
But a demonic plague has already taken hold in the once great city, and the few that stand against it are under siege by servants of Plaguebringer, the demon who engineered it.
Will friends and enemies, both old and new, set aside their differences and come together to fight the demon that threatens to destroy them all?
by J.R. Konkol
Flight of the Fallen
Faced with the approach of an unstoppable army, the people of the Citadel are forced to flee. While most of the population attempts to escape along the southern waterways, the group of newly possessed friends choose a more dangerous path.
Guided by visions, the possessed friends enter the Theleram, an expansive network of caves, stretching hundred of miles beneath the rainforest. The visions direct them to the ruins of the ruins of the ancient city of Semilae, where a hidden library lies.
Meanwhile, Raelyn, the willful demon who brought about the fall of the Citadel, struggles to make a home for herself in Derregain, the largest remaining human city. The Demon Queen has placed a price on her head, and many powerful demons are interested in collecting.
But Derregain itself is struggling, as sickness begins to spread through the city streets. Raelyn knows the plague is demonic in origin, but will she survive long enough to share her lnowledge?
by J.R. Konkol
Gathering the Fallen
After barely surviving the Black Tide and the demonic assault that followed, the group of newly possessed friends struggle to make peace with the willful spirits that inhabit them. While the spirits grant wisdom and power, it often comes at a terrible price..
Driven by her spirit’s crippling guilt and sorrow, Eliana leads her friends on a dangerous journey across the jungle in a desperate search for answers. What happened in the Darkwood? What role did her spirit play in what transpired?.
While the friends quest for understanding, the people of the Citadel struggle to rebuild and replant their ravaged farmlands. But hidden amongst them, an ancient demon carefully gathers power as she prepares to launch an assault against the magical painting that protects and preserves the Citadel.
by J.R. Konkol
Citadel of the Fallen
While exploring the rainforest, a group of teenage students barely survive an encounter with a wild boar. In doing so, they discover that events have already been set into motion that threaten to destroy their entire civilization. Their journey represents a true coming of age as they are forced to grow up quickly and step into the roles their parents and teachers can no longer fill.
Now Available on Kindle
the boxed trilogy Rebirth of the Fallen series
by J.R. Konkol
The Fallen Trilogy (Books 1-3) Boxed Set
The trilogy is a perfect way to dive into this series. It’s an exciting start of the much larger story told across the larger Rebirth of the Fallen series. Vivid and terrifying, but with an emotional depth that will keep readers yearning for more, JR Konkol weaves a complex tale, with a delicate balance of cinematic action, and political intrigue.
A vast, fallen world, with even deeper mysteries, is waiting, just a few clicks away. Unlock it today!
Reviews and Recognition
What people are saying about Citadel of the Fallen
… Konkol has a cinematographic knack for actions scenes. He crosscuts between characters readers care about — small groups engage in complex choreographies of battle and shifts seamlessly from close-up to wide shot from the slice of a single blade to the shattering of distant protective runes. In so doing, he deftly creates energy, engagement and suspense.
JR Konkol’s CITADEL OF THE FALLEN is a worthy entry in the high fantasy genre featuring distinct characterization, strong world-building and great action scenes in which good and evil, necromancers, warriors and demons contend for the survival or destruction of humanity.
This world is built so well, so completely, you’ll forget that it’s not real. The characters pull you in with the familiar – teenage angst, growing pains, struggling with self-confidence and popularity issues – and then amaze you with the out-of-this-realm nature of their coming of age –discovering their powers, fighting magical boars, humongous ants, and surreal spirits. This type of fantasy reminds you of your own rites of adulthood, but simultaneously introduces you tosomething you’ve never experienced before.
… the book’s best moments are found in Konkol’s portrayal of the tight bonds of friendships and family … the characters’ struggles with their youth and inexperience in the face of a gathering darkness will draw readers in. This dystopian adventure will appeal to adult and young adult readers alike.
In a world where magic imbues every aspect of their lives, a group of young friends, living in one of the last outposts still free from the domination of a malevolent demon horde, must confront their fears and doubts as they risk everything to save their city from annihilation. With unrivaled world-building and unforgettable characters, Jeff Konkol’s novel, Citadel of the Fallen, is a must read for anyone who loves young adult high fantasy.
Jeff Konkol’s story is full of adventure, humor, heartbreak and insight. Jeff is an amazing storyteller and has created a unique world that captures your interest from the first pages.
Wiki of the Fallen
Delve deeper into the world of the Fallen and its lore through this wiki. This new resource is a constant work in progress and will be updated regularly with new information as the story progresses and novels are published.
About the Author
J. R. Konkol
A marginal triathlete, and better-than-marginal classical pianist, Jeff Konkol is permitted to live in the sprawling home of four very large cats. He published his first table-top RPG, Of Gods and Men, in the early 90s, and has been running games within that setting ever since. He recently returned to writing with the hope of sharing those stories with a wider audience.
My Writing Blog
Follow Along
What’s in a Name?
It’s one of those things you may not consider all that carefully when you start writing a novel. I remember thinking my character names were just fine when I started workshopping my novel over at AllWriters Workplace & Workshop. I was quickly disabused of that...
Book Two is Done!
(Which, sadly, makes it about half-done.) I finished writing the Epilogue for book two last night, and I’m happy with the progress of the plot and character arcs throughout. This book is a bit longer than first. It picks up a few months after the events of book one...
A Musical Approach to Writing
My approach to studying piano may not be the most efficient, but it’s what works for me. I love the Romantic period. I like huge pieces, and difficult composers. Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Liszt, and of course, Chopin. Falling in love with the music is the easy part....
Serendipity, Proximity, and the Beauty of Algorithms: Finding the All Writer’s Workplace
I was maybe two-thirds of the way through my first draft of Citadel of the Fallen when I considered going back to school. Writing the novel was no longer a reclusive hobby that would never see the light of day. My story was taking shape. It was rapidly turning into...
The architect who learns to garden
I heard an interview on NPR with George R Martin, where he discussed two different types of writers: the gardener and the architect. He said that he was very much a gardener. He loved treating each character as a seed for him to water and tend to. He expressed having...
What’s so great about rolling dice?
I thought the best place to start blogging might be an excerpt from the last couple pages of the book, Citadel of the Fallen. “What? Won’t that ruin the ending?” you ask. Rest assured, I wouldn’t do that to you. Unlike a lot of authors, I decided to place my...
Links
I can’t overstate how positive my experiences have been with AllWriter’s. Both my writing, and my writing process have improved tremendously through working with AllWriter’s. Supportive, yet realistic, the staff at AllWriter’s have a proven track record of helping authors land traditional publishing contracts.
Black Rose Writing is my current publisher.
(Opinion) I would categorize BRW as small-press, but a traditional publisher. They are traditional in the sense that the author receives a royalty, and is not required to spend anything on the services the publisher provides. However, as a small press, the expectation is that the author will be doing the lion’s share of their own marketing. BRW does have extensive expertise and leverage for marketing. These are provided on behalf of their authors as part of the arrangement.
I can say with certainty, the only reason I crossed the IronMan Wisconsin 2016 finish line was because of the training and support of Brent Emery and his staff. I don’t know if there is a large Venn diagram crossover point between Fantasy fiction readers and triathlon enthusiasts… but, if there is, I wouldn’t want to miss out on making the recommendation.