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Abulon
A night of passion turns into a haunting nightmare when Pablo, a mysterious drifter vanishes, leaving Branca entangled in a web of intrigue.
One year later, a cryptic text message draws her back to the place where it all began. Are the rumors true? Is Pablo a killer?
Prepare for a modern tale of myth, mystery, and magical realism on a wild Northern California beach that will leave you breathless and wanting more.
One year later, a cryptic text message draws her back to the place where it all began. Are the rumors true? Is Pablo a killer?
Prepare for a modern tale of myth, mystery, and magical realism on a wild Northern California beach that will leave you breathless and wanting more.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2019
15 people want to read
About the author
Bibiana Krall
34 books199 followersJoin her free list (become Literati) and get an exclusive story, Witchhaus. as her personal thank you for subscribing. Bibiana has been publishing since 2015! Celebrating ten amazing years of storytelling, www.bibianakrall.com/freebook
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Thank you for your support. Happy New Year!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 3, 2019
Abulon is a short tale that starts out as a romantic adventure of sorts. We cruise with Branca on a highway above crashing waves and Bibiana Krall sets the mood with Sarah Mclaughlin’s Sweet Surrender: Brilliant! This morphs into a mystery as we play voyeur to Branca and Pablo. They give in to their desires in a secret place away from prying eyes as the realization of a tragedy unfolds before them. This reality finally transforms into what it claims to be: a modern fairy tale where we learn of the mystery and who our protagonist and her lover are. Come see.
August 5, 2021
I’ve read most of Mrs. Krall’s work and don’t know how I missed this one. Abulon is a beautiful modern fairy tale about Branca and Pablo, the sea, and its magic described as no one can but Mrs. Krall. It’s a fast read, with lyrical prose, descriptions of the sea, and love almost poetic. I will keep this review short, but if you are looking for a quick summer read while lounging by the seashore, the magic of this book will speak to you more so with the water lapping at your feet.
Mrs. Krall, thanks again for sharing your special magic. Loved it!
Mrs. Krall, thanks again for sharing your special magic. Loved it!
June 14, 2019
Abulon is a beautifully mysterious, yet haunting tale.
And as Krall’s words sink into your consciousness, you can take part in the mystery as well because everything isn’t always what it seems...
On her 21st birthday Branca meets Pablo, and as is the case in young love, their lives are truly changed forever.
But we find Pablo is much more to Branca than the night of passion they share. When the truth unfolds as to the intricacies of their true connection we understand so much more. Then the question becomes:
Will she or won’t she?
Will Branca awaken to her true destiny or will she remain asleep like the rest of humanity?
Abulon is a magical fairytale leading us far away from our everyday lives. Maybe even we can hope for such a diversion causing us to question our existence – to awaken us.
Upon finishing the story, I find myself wanting to know more and I’m hopeful the author will consider returning to the wilds of Northern California for another chapter in the lives of Branca and Pablo.
Let yourself slip away in this unique tale. You may find a magical reality just within your reach, where it’s been waiting for you all along.
And as Krall’s words sink into your consciousness, you can take part in the mystery as well because everything isn’t always what it seems...
On her 21st birthday Branca meets Pablo, and as is the case in young love, their lives are truly changed forever.
But we find Pablo is much more to Branca than the night of passion they share. When the truth unfolds as to the intricacies of their true connection we understand so much more. Then the question becomes:
Will she or won’t she?
Will Branca awaken to her true destiny or will she remain asleep like the rest of humanity?
Abulon is a magical fairytale leading us far away from our everyday lives. Maybe even we can hope for such a diversion causing us to question our existence – to awaken us.
Upon finishing the story, I find myself wanting to know more and I’m hopeful the author will consider returning to the wilds of Northern California for another chapter in the lives of Branca and Pablo.
Let yourself slip away in this unique tale. You may find a magical reality just within your reach, where it’s been waiting for you all along.
February 10, 2019
Abulon, is an imaginative and artfully written story, told by Bibiana Krall. The setting for this tale, is the beautiful shoreline and cliffs of Navarro Beach, located at the mouth of the Navarro River in Mendocino County, California—where ocean front meets the redwoods.
One afternoon, the main character, Branca de Castro, heir to a wealthy winery, meets a mysterious, young abalone fisherman named, Pablo Aviles and his Labrador puppy, Pico. While somewhere in his mid-twenties, she notices his mannerisms and word choices seem from a more old-fashioned era. Branca is attracted to him, finding herself smitten with the handsome young fisherman from the very beginning.
She accepts his invitation to go for a meal, where they are comfortable at once in in each other’s company, even during long periods of silence. They spend the next few weeks together, enjoying themselves as they get to know one another.
One day, they explore tidal waves along the river where it meets the ocean. They find a cave where they can talk, even have a romantic interlude. Everything is perfect, until Pablo makes a strange remark that gives Branca pause. “You are even more breathtaking than you were as a girl!” He tells her. She finds the remark perplexing, since they have only known each other a few short weeks, but before she can address it further, he says, “we must go!”
The darkness was coming and the river was moving faster, also getting deeper and they still needed to cross it while they could still see. Suddenly they stopped, Branca letting out a scream, when seeing what she’d thought was a piece of plastic or garbage, turns out to be a body. They can tell the drowning victim is a surfer, by his board floating nearby. He is also young, appearing to be approximately their same age.
They make their way back to Pablo’s truck as quickly as possible, Branca finding her cell phone where she left it and dialing 911. She explains to the voice on the other end of the line, what they discovered and where they are...but by the time she returns to where she left Pablo, he’s gone. Disappeared! She calls his name out many times and looks everywhere, however, he is nowhere to be found!
A year later, on a day when she’s working in the winery, she receives an ambiguous message from him. “Meet me at Navarro,” is all it says. She is still infuriated with him for abandoning her a year earlier—leaving her to face the emergency vehicles and sheriff by herself...all the questions, news reporters and publicity that still haunts her family and the vineyard’s reputation today. She questions her sanity, as she drives along Highway 1 to Navarro Beach.
How can she even think of meeting him? This man, who in an entire year’s time, never once bothered to explain himself or contact her until now? She must be completely out of her mind, yet for some reason, she is unable to stop herself.
At this point, I think I should tell you that there is a perfectly, non-plausible and almost unbelievable explanation for everything that’s happened. The inexplicable, as Ms. Krall is so adept at creating. I think I should leave you now to read the story and find the answer out for yourself. I hope you will enjoy this modern-day fairytale as much as I have. Thank you Bibiana, for reminding us all, you don’t need to be a child to believe in fairytales!
C.M. Turner
One afternoon, the main character, Branca de Castro, heir to a wealthy winery, meets a mysterious, young abalone fisherman named, Pablo Aviles and his Labrador puppy, Pico. While somewhere in his mid-twenties, she notices his mannerisms and word choices seem from a more old-fashioned era. Branca is attracted to him, finding herself smitten with the handsome young fisherman from the very beginning.
She accepts his invitation to go for a meal, where they are comfortable at once in in each other’s company, even during long periods of silence. They spend the next few weeks together, enjoying themselves as they get to know one another.
One day, they explore tidal waves along the river where it meets the ocean. They find a cave where they can talk, even have a romantic interlude. Everything is perfect, until Pablo makes a strange remark that gives Branca pause. “You are even more breathtaking than you were as a girl!” He tells her. She finds the remark perplexing, since they have only known each other a few short weeks, but before she can address it further, he says, “we must go!”
The darkness was coming and the river was moving faster, also getting deeper and they still needed to cross it while they could still see. Suddenly they stopped, Branca letting out a scream, when seeing what she’d thought was a piece of plastic or garbage, turns out to be a body. They can tell the drowning victim is a surfer, by his board floating nearby. He is also young, appearing to be approximately their same age.
They make their way back to Pablo’s truck as quickly as possible, Branca finding her cell phone where she left it and dialing 911. She explains to the voice on the other end of the line, what they discovered and where they are...but by the time she returns to where she left Pablo, he’s gone. Disappeared! She calls his name out many times and looks everywhere, however, he is nowhere to be found!
A year later, on a day when she’s working in the winery, she receives an ambiguous message from him. “Meet me at Navarro,” is all it says. She is still infuriated with him for abandoning her a year earlier—leaving her to face the emergency vehicles and sheriff by herself...all the questions, news reporters and publicity that still haunts her family and the vineyard’s reputation today. She questions her sanity, as she drives along Highway 1 to Navarro Beach.
How can she even think of meeting him? This man, who in an entire year’s time, never once bothered to explain himself or contact her until now? She must be completely out of her mind, yet for some reason, she is unable to stop herself.
At this point, I think I should tell you that there is a perfectly, non-plausible and almost unbelievable explanation for everything that’s happened. The inexplicable, as Ms. Krall is so adept at creating. I think I should leave you now to read the story and find the answer out for yourself. I hope you will enjoy this modern-day fairytale as much as I have. Thank you Bibiana, for reminding us all, you don’t need to be a child to believe in fairytales!
C.M. Turner
February 8, 2020
Author Krall’s enchanting short story, a modern fairy tale, embodies deep truths of young love, mystery and loss, danger and passion. Like all great fairy tales there is truth in the mystical and magical. Will twenty-two year old Branca awaken to her true self, to what feels real in her deep consciousness, or will fear, the tug of reality, pull her back into a world that seems safe?
With great story telling Krall pulls you in and suspends disbelief as a magical world and mystery infuse the lives of Branca and Pablo, the stranger, also in his twenties, she meets on a beach. Krall’s skillful use of words and imagery creates a world I can easily imagine in my mind, where even the mystical feels real. I love the way she uses nature to reflect the characters’ inner world and emotions of passion, serenity, turmoil. Her writing is fluid, moving easily between evocative description to the quick, honest speech and reactions of Branca and Pablo.
I love this short story and Krall’s style and look forward to reading more of her books
With great story telling Krall pulls you in and suspends disbelief as a magical world and mystery infuse the lives of Branca and Pablo, the stranger, also in his twenties, she meets on a beach. Krall’s skillful use of words and imagery creates a world I can easily imagine in my mind, where even the mystical feels real. I love the way she uses nature to reflect the characters’ inner world and emotions of passion, serenity, turmoil. Her writing is fluid, moving easily between evocative description to the quick, honest speech and reactions of Branca and Pablo.
I love this short story and Krall’s style and look forward to reading more of her books
February 16, 2019
An Amazing Tale!
I absolutely loved Abulon! I was immediately pulled into the story and needed to read faster to find the answers to all the questions popping up in my mind. Bibiana tells this beautiful story so eloquently! Such a magical tale!
I absolutely loved Abulon! I was immediately pulled into the story and needed to read faster to find the answers to all the questions popping up in my mind. Bibiana tells this beautiful story so eloquently! Such a magical tale!
September 24, 2021
Loved this short story. The story made me think of the fantasy’s and imaginations of my youth. Well, not too young...late teens early twenties. 🧜🏻♀️ 👸
April 2, 2020
Bibiana Krall’s Abulon takes you on a journey of love, heart break, and then to fantasy all in one read. Branca is a young woman who doesn’t feel as if she fits in and then she meets Pablo. They have a wonderful encounter that soon turns tragic and Branca finds herself holding the ball on and having questions thrown at her that she has no idea how to answer. After a year wondering what happened Branca receives a text from Pablo asking for another meet. What she finds out will change her life forever.
Dive headfirst into this wonderful tale and get swept away.
Dive headfirst into this wonderful tale and get swept away.
March 16, 2019
Exciting and mysterious!
I'm drawn in by the mystery, then disgruntled by the man's attitude. Truly a modern fairy tale! I can picture in my mind the natural beauty of the beach.
I'm drawn in by the mystery, then disgruntled by the man's attitude. Truly a modern fairy tale! I can picture in my mind the natural beauty of the beach.
February 10, 2019
Holy Love 💗
This is an amazing read for anyone! As someone who enjoys all genres this has to be one of my top 10 romance stories I have ever read. The connection between the two of them was so strong that nothing was going to keep them apart! True love always finds its way!
This is an amazing read for anyone! As someone who enjoys all genres this has to be one of my top 10 romance stories I have ever read. The connection between the two of them was so strong that nothing was going to keep them apart! True love always finds its way!
October 11, 2019
Being an avid consumer of true crime podcasts during my RL, I wanted to shriek at Branca, "No, do NOT meet that man!" But the story is not what I expected. However, I did expect the unexpected from Bibiana Krall, and that's what I got. I loved stepping out of the familiarity of daily life and its all-too-often unsurprising consequences to be absorbed by the blending of the mundane, sometimes spiritless, modern world with the thrill of fantasy and the mythological. Take the plunge into the cold and crystalline depths of Abulon!
December 31, 2019
Author Bibiana Krall takes us on an unexpected journey into the fantasies of unknown worlds with this enchanting short story. A moment of passion with mystery man Pablo on a beach in northern California has chilling consequences for main character Branca that leaves a lasting imprint on her heart. As her destiny and past is revealed, will she leave her world behind or stay in the safety of the known? A short story that will leave you guessing and gasping to the end!
June 18, 2019
“That day was haunting and its ardent, sensual memory clung like ancient kelp to her bones.”
Abulon is a delightful romance with strong and likable characters. The story unfolds around Branca’s mysterious encounter with Pablo and their time together at Navarro, a solitary and enchanted beach. Themes of nature pair nicely with this modern fairy tale.
Krall is a natural-born storyteller and paints beautiful imagery with words. I am hooked and look forward to reading more from this author!
Abulon is a delightful romance with strong and likable characters. The story unfolds around Branca’s mysterious encounter with Pablo and their time together at Navarro, a solitary and enchanted beach. Themes of nature pair nicely with this modern fairy tale.
Krall is a natural-born storyteller and paints beautiful imagery with words. I am hooked and look forward to reading more from this author!
March 17, 2020
A magical modern fairytale
A beautifully written tale veiled in fantasy and which crosses with reality in a seamless evocative way. The story is woven thickly with love and passion, mystery and danger. The short story is a perfect one-sitting quick read which will leave you wondering and yearning for more. Thank you Bibiana.
A beautifully written tale veiled in fantasy and which crosses with reality in a seamless evocative way. The story is woven thickly with love and passion, mystery and danger. The short story is a perfect one-sitting quick read which will leave you wondering and yearning for more. Thank you Bibiana.
August 8, 2020
Get ready for your senses to be in overdrive! Bibiana Krall's, "Abulon" will take you on a mysterious journey to the ocean, where the twist and turns of the story ride the waves of the unknown. The thoughtful and creative writing shines like the iridescence of an abalone shell. It is a story that is beautifully written and will have you hooked by the first page.
December 29, 2019
Book 40 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019
A delightful modern fairytale with a few twists and turns that roll in with the tide.
A delightful modern fairytale with a few twists and turns that roll in with the tide.
September 11, 2021
Abulon is a delightful read. I was quickly drawn into its mystery when the heroine, Branca, receives a note from a man she remembers only too well. But this isn’t just any man. The note is from “him,” the man who not only made love to her, but captured her heart.
But perhaps she’d been a fool. The thought was founded on experience. When she really needed him, when death had visited and intruded on their time together, he’d disappeared. Now, a year later, he wanted her to meet him again, at an isolated beach.
Was her mysterious lover really the person she thought he was? He had said some things that scared her. Then there was the dead body and the questions surrounding it! The mystery woven into the story and the nature of the affair between the lovers kept me turning pages.
The descriptions of the lovers, Branca and Pablo, and the locations of their trysts, had a magical quality that added to their passionate exchanges and appealed to my romantic heart! All in all, “Abulon” is a gem of a story that I can definitely recommend if you enjoy romance, mystery and a modern fairy tale.
But perhaps she’d been a fool. The thought was founded on experience. When she really needed him, when death had visited and intruded on their time together, he’d disappeared. Now, a year later, he wanted her to meet him again, at an isolated beach.
Was her mysterious lover really the person she thought he was? He had said some things that scared her. Then there was the dead body and the questions surrounding it! The mystery woven into the story and the nature of the affair between the lovers kept me turning pages.
The descriptions of the lovers, Branca and Pablo, and the locations of their trysts, had a magical quality that added to their passionate exchanges and appealed to my romantic heart! All in all, “Abulon” is a gem of a story that I can definitely recommend if you enjoy romance, mystery and a modern fairy tale.
March 17, 2025
Magical short story
Abulon is a modern fairy tale teeming with potent magic. The short story is also in the magical realism genre. The backdrop is modern day now, but the author quickly introduces a mysterious other worldly frequency.
Abulon drew me in from the first page with mystery, intrigue, and magical aspects. The author writes beautifully, and her lush descriptions are both subtle and vivid.
The book is a super magical realism short story brimming with mystery, romance, intrigue, and otherworldly magic.
Abulon is a modern fairy tale teeming with potent magic. The short story is also in the magical realism genre. The backdrop is modern day now, but the author quickly introduces a mysterious other worldly frequency.
Abulon drew me in from the first page with mystery, intrigue, and magical aspects. The author writes beautifully, and her lush descriptions are both subtle and vivid.
The book is a super magical realism short story brimming with mystery, romance, intrigue, and otherworldly magic.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews