Downfall

by Abigail Morrison

A city in peril. A lost boy. Can one engineer save them both?

In a world buried under eternal snows, five giant, electric crystal pillars are all that separate the last habitable city from destruction. Rebecca Dalton is determined to lead the corps that keeps them running, but when a series of mysterious power spikes lures her out of the safety of the city’s highest floors, she’ll need more than just her engineering skills to escape her hunters.

Lost and terrified in her new surroundings, Rebecca enlists the help of Jakes, a gruff but handsome boy from the city’s lowest and most dangerous floors. Jakes claims to resent everything about Rebecca and her high-class upbringing, but as the unlikely pair face off against roving gangs, malicious military men, and the terrible plot that sent Rebecca tumbling down in the first place, she’ll discover he’s more closely entwined with her world than she ever could have imagined.

Will Rebecca unravel the mysteries surrounding Jakes and the power spikes threatening her city or will humanity’s last bastion finally fall?

Downfall is the first book in the young adult, crystal punk series, Chronicles of Castia. If you like clean, slow burn romance; side characters you can fall in love with; and a wonder-filled world that you can get lost in, you'll love Abigail Morrison's immersive tale.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2026

About the author

Abigail Morrison is a Wisconsin-based genre and young adult author with over a decade of writing experience. She loves genre-fusing stories that feature grace and redemption, ask questions (without necessarily answering them), and point towards possibility. When not writing, she loves dancing, reading, all things nerdy, and throughout all, the indispensable enjoyment of tea. You can find Abigail’s home on the web at amorrisonbooks.com.

Reviews

[Jay Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to meet Abigail Morrison and get the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Downfall, and learning about the unique, dystopian setting of Castia. Abigail’s writing builds a world with such a rich history behind it, from the crystal pillars that power Castia to the Founders of the city. There’s just the right amount of detail within the text to give the reader a sense of how the world works and what the scenery looks like, without feeling overwhelming or bloated. I particularly enjoyed how the tension ramped up as the mystery behind Rebecca’s kidnapping and the corruption in Castia unraveled.

Rebecca Dalton was quite a captivating character, I found myself relating to her relentless curiosity as the story continued to unfold. I felt that she worked great as an audience stand-in for this reason, because she was learning more about her world along with the reader, and had questions about everything as a result. I loved her dynamic with the gruff but golden hearted Reuben, as well as Wren, the excitable mechanic. The strains the group’s friendship went through were heartbreaking to see unfold, but very realistically written. Each of the side characters really helped to flesh out the world and its inner workings, from those involved with the gangs to Rebecca’s uncle Jaygin and the rest of her high-society family.

I thought this was incredible work from Abigail, and I’m excited to learn more about the world and its characters as the series continues!

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading an ARC copy of this book! I've read Abigail's first book, The Yochni's Eye, and was excited when she announced her publishing this book. I don't read a lot of science fiction books, but the premise for this book being around a female protagonist who wants to be an engineer was intriguing given my background in science. The setting of the book gives me similar feels to the movie "Snowpiercer", but this is not set in a train and the protagonist is trying to help the entire civilization thrive instead of causing a rebellion to counter injustice. The themes of the book I feel aren't suitable for small children, but a young adult/teen would enjoy the pace, conflicts, and challenge of situations that are perfect for self-reflection and growth. Rebecca, protagonist of the story, has a strong character for helping others and was given a positive mentor to encourage this. Wren is one of my favorite characters as she provides a good compliment to Rebecca's character. Thus book definitely keeps you on your toes waiting for the next thing to happen. The ending has left me excited and hopeful for the series to continue! Thank you Abigail for writing this book and look forward to reading more from your future collection of works!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book. And I'm glad to say, I highly recommend it! It is a quick and catchy read. The story starts with a bang, and keeps a nicely fast pace from there. Definitely the first in a series, so don't expect everything to be resolved by the end. The characters make choices on what matters most to them, and have to live with those choices for now.

Character-wise, Rebecca is sheltered, but she is also clever and determined. Jakes is a delight from his very introduction. It is refreshing to see a female protagonist who cares much more about her scientific research than she does the attractive, kind man who is helping her. She is a nerd in the best way, and it made me happy. That said, Jakes will steal the reader's heart immediately. Together they will save the people they care about, one way (hers) or another (his). It is fun watching them try to figure out how (and whether) those ways can be merged.

Their adventures take place in a fully realized world, with unique structures and details sprinkled throughout. Very worth the read!

[Aislinn O'Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downfall is a fantastic dystopian novel that has continued to stick with me for weeks after reading it. The characters have so much personality and depth, the setting is original and thought provoking, and the plot pulls you right in. It was a page turner that kept me asking "what's going to happen next?". Rebecca, the main character, heavily reminded me of my teenage self, as she loves to make well intentioned, but impulsive decisions that manage to get her into some difficult predicaments. The book has lots of great twists and turns, and kept me on my toes. Every time I thought the story was wrapping up, or that I knew where the story was going, it reminded me to stop guessing and just keep reading! This is the first book I've read by this author, and I can't wait to read book 2 of the series and to see more of her work.

This book is suitable for pre-teens and older and is a great leisurely read for adults.

Full disclosure: I read this book as an ARC reader.

[B. F. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A contained and stratified society riding out the snows of the World Enders' apocalypse. A problem with the pillars that power the whole thing. A smart young student who falls in over her head to the machinations of bad political actors and must rely on a few unlikely outcasts to find her way home and avert catastrophe. With crystal-powered technology, a spiraling setting, and more secrets to uncover at every turn, Downfall will draw you in right alongside its cast of relatable heroes and keep you wincing at their mistakes, cheering for their courage, and hopeful for their future despite the many obstacles arrayed against them. This book is a delicious snack for the imagination, and it has certainly whetted my appetite for the rest of the series!

I received a free eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Downfall: Chronicles of Castia Book One, Abigail Morrison builds a world of eternal snows, surging crystal pillars, and Uppers, Twilights, and Bones, in which an ambitious engineer wants to save her civilization from collapsing. But before she can prove her theories, she's kidnapped and dropped in the Bones, where she encounters grave dangers and a mysterious man. Morrison has a knack for creating unforgettable characters and edge-of-your seat thrills. Downfall is an excellent introduction to the fascinating world of Castia. I was privileged to be an ARC reader for this novel.

[Erin Dydek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy young adult dystopian novels with clean, slow-burning romance, a unique crystal punk world, and surprises around every corner, you’ll want to check out Downfall by Abigail Morrison. The author wraps up the main conflict with a satisfying resolution, yet leaves the ending a bit open, allowing readers to wonder where the story will go next. I know I will be imagining possible futures as I eagerly await the next book in this exciting series!

I received a copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced, fun adventure full of intrigue and conspiracies. Morrison built the gritty world of Castia's underbelly with charm and fierce attention to detail, and her characters are distinctive and attention-grabbing. I couldn't put this book down.