Fantasy Book Critic: Book review: Equinox by David Towsey

AUTHOR INFO: David Towsey is a graduate of the Creative Writing programmes at Bath Spa University and Aberystwyth University. Born in Dorset, he now lives in Cardiff with his girlfriend and their growing board game collection. Together, they write under the pseudonym of D.K. Fields whose Tales of Fenest trilogy is also published by Head of Zeus. David's first novel, Your Brother's Blood, was published by Quercus, and was the first in the Walkin' Trilogy. He is also one half of the indie games company, Pill Bug Interactive, who have released three titles across PC and Nintendo Switch (TM).

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Publisher: Head of Zeus (May 12, 2022) Page count: 336 Cover art: Format: Hardback, paperback, ebook

Equinox provides plenty of thrills and exciting ideas. Imagine a world where two beings share a human body: one inhabits it during the day, the other at night. Both lead different lives, have different careers and personalities. The protagonists of Equinox, the day-born musician and hedonist Alexander and the night-born Special Inspector Christophor Morden, are drawn into a witchhunt.

They must act quickly, or sorcery may spark a serious conflict and perhaps even war. The investigation takes place in the small town of Drakenford. The Brothers’ different lifestyles often clash, and Alexander’s naivete impedes progress. I loved the concept of two beings sharing the body and Towsey’s exploration of such bizarre life is captivating.

The dark and dangerous magic is fascinating, but since its nature is revealed slowly, I don’t think I should spoil it for you. Suffice to say, I found it unique and scary. Equinox is a standalone, and it impressed me with the amount of world-building seamlessly woven into the narrative. Of course, there are a few info dumps here, but that didn’t bother me much.

The paranormal mystery unfolds at a steady (but slow) pace. It feels convoluted, especially in the beginning. Some readers may scratch their heads trying to figure out what’s going on and why exactly they should they care. If you enjoy the foreboding and tense atmosphere, you probably won’t mind. However, if you prefer clearly defined storylines and a straightforward narrative, Equinox will probably disappoint you.

Equinox is an intriguing read that tries something new. I don’t think it will appeal to all readers, but I firmly believe it’s a book worth trying.