Dirk Strasser

So I won a copy of another book (an anthology) from this same author by LibraryThing... but mr.Strasser sent me the wrong link and I ended up getting a copy of Equinox and WOW!
Thanks the gods by this coz I've been devouring this book since I got it. I even prioritized it over all my other books that are halfway done.

Even if I don't feel comfortable to review a book before finish reading it, Equinox is one of those rare cases that you simply can't go wrong. Specially coz it's in the middle of show more a series.
But even if I didn't read the first book (yet!), I doubt it would change my mind about this one.

Equinox is full of fantasy, mysteries, a lot of hope, war for secrets, charming characters (though MC can be kinda irritating in some parts) 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.

I can't end this review before comparing Dirk Strasser's captivating Storytelling style to the one present on Michael Ende's "Die Unendliche Geschichte" (Neverending Story) novel!
(And, no, I'm not saying that because there's an "Atreu" in Ascension at all, please! haha)

So, for what I've read of Strasser until now... if you liked Ende's famous novel, you will certainly enjoy Strasser's Ascension series.
And I'm looking forward to add hardcover editions of the series to my personal library! show less

I recently received a copy of Zenith: The First Book of Ascension by Dirk Strasser. In many ways it is a classic quest fantasy, but it deals with deeper issues as well. The protagonist, Atreau, and his twin must set out to reach the top of the mountain during Zenith, aka summer solstice. Along the way, he learns many lessons from many teachers, some of them intentional. Although some of the philosophy Atreau is exposed to is very Zen and inclusive, it does not reflect the reality of his show more world at this time. Rather, the world of Ascension is sharply fragmented, not the least between men and women. I thought this was going to be a good-old-boys story until near the end, when it becomes so much more. I really enjoyed the different philosophical underpinnings to the story, which added a great deal of richness and depth to the tale. As this is the first in a trilogy, there is much left unresolved, but Zenith is a fully satisfying book. show less

You are about to embark upon a journey. Not just any journey, but an Ascension to the summit of The Mountain. Every set of male twins must undertake this journey beginning at the Zenith (Summer Solstice) of their 18th year. Each twin has one year to finish their journey, and must reach the summit of the mountain before the next summer Zenith.

We begin our journey with Atreu the Ascender. He and his twin are both taking the journey to the top of the mountain, but each must take their own show more journey. The trail and trials that each twin must face are unique to that twin. Atreu and his brother, Teyth begin their journey during the Zenith. They spend the first few days together, and then they each go their separate ways. They hope to meet once or twice over the year in cities where their path overlaps, but the chances are, they will not see each other again until the next year.

The mountain that the Ascenders must climb is tall, and it dominates life in and around the villages that lie in and on the mountain. Atreu will visit many of these villages, and learn many new customs, on his way up the mountain.

Throughout the course of his journey, Atreu will find many teachers. Some have been placed deliberately in his path by the holy orders. Some are unintentional teachers, who will teach him new ways of thinking and relating to the world around him.

However, there are unexpected challenges and dangers along the way. Unfortunately, war is brewing across the countryside. The Faemir are restless, and they will do whatever it takes to win. While the Maelir, who live around the base of the mountain revere the Ascenders and help them in every way possible, the Faemir are not above stopping the Ascenders and preventing them from reaching the summit.

The very land itself is distressed, as unexpected cracks and pillars of land suddenly appear out of nowhere to block the path of the traveler.

I enjoyed this book! I am intrigued by the thought of a great journey that must be faced - alone - at the age of 18. After all, isn't life a journey that we basically face, alone, with constant danger, snares, and entanglements along the way? We are fortunate to find good friends along the way who share our journey and help us to reach our goals along the way. show less

This book follows Zenith, first in the series. In that book, twins ascended the mountain in search of a greater truth, and those who succeeded would become members of the Holy Orders. Our hero had discovered his truth and all seemed well.

So is all well? Not so much. Turns out that after the first judgment, there's a second judgment and those who fail that one are conscripted into an order who constantly circle the holy keep, but are never allowed inside. And with the hero's truth being so show more out there (Men and women getting along? Never!), it looks like he's going to be one of those failures. If he can rescue his brother, reclaim his talisman, survive the war and, oh yes, if the keep doesn't fall down around them.

This book had more suspense to it than the first, but I liked the first better, because it had a clearly defined goal. While this book had its moments, I was never quite sure what was going to happen and if I needed to put needles through my eyes to keep from reading some of it. Because some of it was that annoying.

Still, a good tale, and complete unto itself. It's clearer from this one how the third must go, but there's still some mystery left, like whether they'll ultimately win.

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less