Dormition: Short Stories from the Fallen Universe

by Patrick Abbott

Intelligence Officer Brendan Murphy is back on Earth and the Sabia have gone. His dreams of a better future for himself, humanity, and the Sabia are shattered. But the journey started is not yet finished. Dormition documents tales from before Fallen and after Risen, which set up the final confrontation between human and Sabia.

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2025

About the author

Patrick Abbott served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is happy to live the rest of his life in the United States of America. Writing science fiction and other speculative fiction allows him to focus on themselves in new and unique ways. He has a Substack that allows him to discuss his influences. When not writing, he is active in his church, enjoys reading and the outdoors, and watches baseball to relax.

Reviews

[Robert Sauers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just finished reading Risen and decided to start Dormition. I was not sure that I was going to like the format of short stories. However, I really got into each one and ended up really liking the anthology.

At the end of Risen, I was hoping for a follow-on. Reading Dormition just emphasized that I want to hear more!

[James Ricard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dormition is collection of short stories that advances the Fallen storyline, clearly setting up a sequel. What I liked about it was how it included so many different perspectives for each chapter. You have ancient myths, newspaper articles, intelligence reports, and narratives all working together. It was a quick and cheap read, so I’m happy.

[Miky Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterpiece of World-Building: A Must-Read for Fans of the Series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars

I have been following this series since FALLEN and RISEN, and I must say that Dormition is an absolute triumph. If you’re looking for a book that deepens the lore of this universe while keeping you on the edge of your seat, this is it.

The Format:
Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect from an anthology format, as I’m usually a fan of traditional linear novels. However, I was pleasantly surprised! Each short story acts like a vital piece of a larger puzzle. Instead of a single narrow path, this book gives you a panoramic view of the conflict between humanity and the Sabía. It builds the "Fallen" universe in a way that feels organic and incredibly immersive.

The Characters & Tone:
The writing is where this book truly shines. The author has a remarkable gift for balancing "hard sci-fi" elements—like the cold, clinical military tech and the "Medical Glove" sequences—with deeply moving, human moments. The dialogue in the confessional scenes felt so authentic it was almost painful.

And then, there’s the humor! I found myself laughing out loud at Roxin’s antics. The dynamic between the characters, especially around Brendan Murphy, adds a layer of warmth and "seductive humility" to an otherwise high-stakes sci-fi setting. Chapter Seven is a particular standout—I haven't laughed that hard at a book in a long time!

Favorite Moments:

"Roxin – The Sad Witch": Eerie, suspenseful, and perfectly paced. It leaves just enough unanswered questions to make you crave the next installment.

"Kimya – Majestic Pet": The creativity behind the code names for the Sabía is genius. It’s these small, clever details that make the world-building feel so rich and professional.

Final Verdict:
Do not skip this one! Just make sure you’ve read the first two books first to fully appreciate the "Executive" level of detail put into this narrative. It’s a unique, high-value expansion of a world I’ve come to love. This isn’t just a "bridge" between novels; it’s a core part of the mythos.

I’m already checking for updates on the next release. If you want a story with prestige, action, and genuine soul, Dormition is the perfect addition to your Kindle library!

[Shawn Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series (the book 1 being FALLEN and book 2 being RISEN). I enjoyed this book as much as the first two, however there are some things to note for those who might have interest in reading this book.

First, don’t read this book until after you have read FALLEN and RISEN because too much happens in this book that’s not explained well. So, you need to have read the other books in order to know what’s going on in this one. Remember, this isn’t a standalone work, it is part of a series and therefore plays off what you already know by reading the other books in the series prior to reading this one.

Second, this doesn’t read like a traditional novel, but more like an anthology of short stories. Each story lends a great backdrop to the overall storyline. The characters are well written and the action is well paced. However, like I mentioned, if you don’t like collections of short stories, but prefer novels, then this might not be the book for you.

I especially enjoyed the story ROXIN – THE SAD WITCH. It was eerie, suspenseful and left enough open to keep the series going.

I liked this book as much as the others in this series, and am looking forward to future works by this writer.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

a unique look into the fallen universe

Dormition approaches the Fallen universe through a collection of smaller stories, each one adding another layer to the larger nerative between humanity and Sabía. Each piece jumps between different characters and moments, which slowly builds a bigger picture of the Fallen universe without spelling everything out.

I liked the smaller human moments buried inside the sci-fi setting “There are good times, more good than bad, but the bad times undermine them, Father.” feels painfully real, even surrounded by alien conflict and military tech. Then the tone flips right back to hard sci-fi with lines such as… “SUPERFICIAL HEAD WOUND. MEDICAL GLOVE ACTIVATED.”

That mix of personal reflection, strange alien threads, and cold technology made the world feel larger than just one storyline. It left me genuinely curious about what else is happening in this universe. Totally interested in reading more by this author in the future.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Fallen series. This book shows all the characters that have been introduced so far, as being split up due to conflicts in politics, location, or government. This short read gives us the idea that each side is trying to prepare for something big. There is war going on between different factions of the Sabia. There is difference of opinion about the Sabia by the governments of the Earth. Brendan is tolerating Esfirs even though she has apologized for her role in what was done to him. The other characters, both Sabia and Earthling have split up. The reader must read the previous two books to understand what is happening.