Equinox - The Second Book of Ascension
The Keep
The most beautiful city on the great Mountain
The pinnacle of Maelir culture
The place where secrets hide
The most beautiful city on the great Mountain
The pinnacle of Maelir culture
The place where secrets hide
The fate of the Mountain hangs in balance at the time of Equinox, and even the Keep can no longer remain untouched.The Maelir are desperate to defend it, the Faemir to demolish it, the windriders to claim it. But unknown to them all, a dark force has already emerged from the chaos to seize power.
Can you see the story breathing?
Can you see the story breathing?
As darkness consumed the Mountain side, they came again: grotesque, misshapen, eyes blood-red and teeth bared. Rhea and those Faemir who could still stand had their swords drawn and stood tensed in battle formation.
This time the grale didn't charge, they simply kept walking on their twisted legs with the same awkward, shuffling gait. They came closer with every step, as if they instinctively knew they would finish the Faemir this time.
Through the still night air, the rancid smell of burning dung reached Rhea's nostrils. She watched the hundreds of pairs of red pinpricks as they approached. They've learnt from our previous night's encounters, she thought. They are in no hurry. They know we won't attack them or try to run away, and that we'll just wait for their onslaught. Well, at least this time there was a surprise in store for the grale.
This time the grale didn't charge, they simply kept walking on their twisted legs with the same awkward, shuffling gait. They came closer with every step, as if they instinctively knew they would finish the Faemir this time.
Through the still night air, the rancid smell of burning dung reached Rhea's nostrils. She watched the hundreds of pairs of red pinpricks as they approached. They've learnt from our previous night's encounters, she thought. They are in no hurry. They know we won't attack them or try to run away, and that we'll just wait for their onslaught. Well, at least this time there was a surprise in store for the grale.
Praise for Equinox
Equinox was a Finalist for Best Fantasy Novel in the Aurealis Awards.
"Equinox is full of fantasy, mysteries, a lot of hope, war for secrets, charming characters... and endless adventure! Dirk Strasser is a storyteller! A damn good one (!) that makes you feel like the book is reading itself to you and not by you."
LibraryThing review
"This book delivers! I was drawn in immediately as I continued the story from the first book. There is more action in this part of the series, and I found myself more easily engaged. Equinox excels at its job as the middle part of this trilogy, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. The character development grows by leaps and bounds... and I appreciate the author's talent in showing that growth. With the first book setting the stage, Dirk Strasser casts his characters into their roles perfectly. This series is unfolding into a complex tale that reminds me of why I have a deep rooted love for epic fantasies. Again, fans of fantasy, you will not be disappointed with Strasser's Book of Ascension series!"
Pretty Little Pages
"Vibrant, complex and adventurous; it’s always a pleasure to read something which is trying something different. Strasser is creating a new folklore within his mountain world – a grasping, ferocious, adult place where trust is hard won and pleasure seldom found. Beneath the new terrain and devilish creatures, lies the oft heard cry of, “why can’t we all just get along?”
Best Chap Lit
“The world Dirk has lovingly crafted is as mythical and vivid as ever, the characters just as relatable and believable… Dirk’s writing has a spellbinding quality that draws you into the story and keeps you there until the end. Equinox is a perfect continuation from Zenith and is ideal if you’d like to escape from the real world for a while.”
Lynsey James
“Equinox is the second book in the Ascension trilogy – a vivid, creative series which has been packed so far with fantastic world building and fascinating stories… There’s plenty of action and lots of little sub-plots to keep the interest going and I can’t wait to see what’s left to come.”
Reviewed the Book
"This world is... plagued with secrets and power hungry groups, but truths will be uncovered through the creative mind of Dirk Strasser who is unafraid to add subplot after heart pounding subplot as he builds new depth into all of his characters. This is truly epic fantasy that comes to life in your mind."
Tome Tender
"Equinox... is a more complex work... Though there is no lack of intrigue, action, and excitement, it is in Equinox that Atreu truly develops most as a character... Strasser is to be commended for not giving into the urge to rush a conclusion or meander pointlessly, but instead delivers meaningful character and plot development while continuing the same high standard of world-building, adventure, and wonder which make Zenith so enjoyable."
Alex Stevenson
“Zenith was a great book. . . Equinox is even better in virtually every regard. . . it’s an engrossing story that touches on serious issues — balance and equilibrium; matters of equity; violence and peace; and the nature of reading.”
Van Ikin, English Dept. University of WA
“Equinox has sword fights, adventure, intrigue, wars, characters who fall in love and get laid, yet behind it all there is a sense of political realism, of integrity, of imagination, that is unusual in modern fantasy. Ascension is the most interesting and ambitious fantasy series currently running in Australia, and Equinox establishes Strasser as a talent to watch out for.”
Bill Congreve, Aurealis
"Equinox is full of fantasy, mysteries, a lot of hope, war for secrets, charming characters... and endless adventure! Dirk Strasser is a storyteller! A damn good one (!) that makes you feel like the book is reading itself to you and not by you."
LibraryThing review
"This book delivers! I was drawn in immediately as I continued the story from the first book. There is more action in this part of the series, and I found myself more easily engaged. Equinox excels at its job as the middle part of this trilogy, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. The character development grows by leaps and bounds... and I appreciate the author's talent in showing that growth. With the first book setting the stage, Dirk Strasser casts his characters into their roles perfectly. This series is unfolding into a complex tale that reminds me of why I have a deep rooted love for epic fantasies. Again, fans of fantasy, you will not be disappointed with Strasser's Book of Ascension series!"
Pretty Little Pages
"Vibrant, complex and adventurous; it’s always a pleasure to read something which is trying something different. Strasser is creating a new folklore within his mountain world – a grasping, ferocious, adult place where trust is hard won and pleasure seldom found. Beneath the new terrain and devilish creatures, lies the oft heard cry of, “why can’t we all just get along?”
Best Chap Lit
“The world Dirk has lovingly crafted is as mythical and vivid as ever, the characters just as relatable and believable… Dirk’s writing has a spellbinding quality that draws you into the story and keeps you there until the end. Equinox is a perfect continuation from Zenith and is ideal if you’d like to escape from the real world for a while.”
Lynsey James
“Equinox is the second book in the Ascension trilogy – a vivid, creative series which has been packed so far with fantastic world building and fascinating stories… There’s plenty of action and lots of little sub-plots to keep the interest going and I can’t wait to see what’s left to come.”
Reviewed the Book
"This world is... plagued with secrets and power hungry groups, but truths will be uncovered through the creative mind of Dirk Strasser who is unafraid to add subplot after heart pounding subplot as he builds new depth into all of his characters. This is truly epic fantasy that comes to life in your mind."
Tome Tender
"Equinox... is a more complex work... Though there is no lack of intrigue, action, and excitement, it is in Equinox that Atreu truly develops most as a character... Strasser is to be commended for not giving into the urge to rush a conclusion or meander pointlessly, but instead delivers meaningful character and plot development while continuing the same high standard of world-building, adventure, and wonder which make Zenith so enjoyable."
Alex Stevenson
“Zenith was a great book. . . Equinox is even better in virtually every regard. . . it’s an engrossing story that touches on serious issues — balance and equilibrium; matters of equity; violence and peace; and the nature of reading.”
Van Ikin, English Dept. University of WA
“Equinox has sword fights, adventure, intrigue, wars, characters who fall in love and get laid, yet behind it all there is a sense of political realism, of integrity, of imagination, that is unusual in modern fantasy. Ascension is the most interesting and ambitious fantasy series currently running in Australia, and Equinox establishes Strasser as a talent to watch out for.”
Bill Congreve, Aurealis