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Equilibrium

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The year was 2000, and the world was only just beginning to believe that Y2K wasn’t the actual End of Days. Rest assured, when that dark day inevitably arrives, it will be without warning…

Four complete strangers on a cross-country collision course.

One innocent little girl.

Two of these strangers are determined to kill the girl before she can realize her mysterious destiny. The other two are sworn to protect her.

The line between good and evil has never been so thin…

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About the author

Darin Miller

17 books434 followers
Darin Miller was born in Portsmouth but currently resides in Grove City, both of which are located in Ohio. While he has worked in Information Technology for three decades, he has not solved a single, solitary crime to date. He is the BookFest award-winning author of the Ohio-based Dwayne Morrow Mystery series, as well as an unrelated short story collection, Broken Bits and Bobs, and a standalone psychological horror thriller, Equilibrium. With equal parts action, humor, suspense and mystery, the Dwayne Morrow series features characters you’re sure to love—and in some cases, loathe.

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5 stars
28 (53%)
4 stars
14 (26%)
3 stars
7 (13%)
2 stars
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Charly Cox.
Author 6 books1,047 followers
October 26, 2024
In an epic battle of good vs. evil, I'd describe Equilibrium as psychological horror meets Supernatural. And honestly? It's better than some of King's novels.

One of the things that made this such a thrilling read for me is the writing style and character development. It's just chock-full of some chilling lines like this one: "Some had more experience than others and were quite willing to share... [He] wasn’t interested in learning from amateurs. None of them had killed..." (Didn't put the entire quote because I didn't want to give spoilers.)

The story opens with a cast of unrelated characters with unrelated issues and then does this slow but intense burn as their individual stories begin to connect and collide, and holy s**t, it doesn't disappoint when you see all those pieces slip into place. Seriously, this needs to be on the big screen because it would make a great thriller movie because this book has some of the most deliciously creepy characters I've ever read about. I wish I could tell you why, but I feel like that would be a bit of a spoiler, so I'm just going to say trust me. You'll think you see evil at the beginning... but when the real evil is revealed... it'll give you jaw-dropping shivers.

If you're a fan of Miller's writing style and the Dwayne Morrow mysteries like I am, then know Equilibrium is darker, but still a compelling, must-read story. Once you start, you'll get sucked into the vortex and won't want to stop. In fact, you might even forget you're reading a made-up tale. So, close your blinds, lock all your doors and windows, and then curl up and get ready for one hell of a chilling ride that'll leave your brain spinning long after you close the book.

Absolutely 5-star and counting recommended.

Profile Image for Tambi Smith.
205 reviews12 followers
November 22, 2024
Equilibrium - a state of balance where opposing forces are equal. The universal pendulum, forever in motion, embodies the essence of equilibrium. The universe, in its grand design, relies on this balance to sustain its very existence - a constant reminder that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, preserving the cosmic order. What happens when the pendulum's swing is disrupted?
In "Equilibrium," Darin Miller crafts a mesmerizing tale of balance and chaos, where light is forever shadowed by darkness, and good is pursued by evil. This gripping narrative follows the lives of four strangers, bound by fate and a mysterious connection to a dark-haired little girl named Virginia Parnell. Their journeys, fraught with tension and uncertainty, unfold across a landscape where their opposing forces are destined to collide.
At the heart of this suspenseful epic lies the enigmatic four-year-old Virginia, a child whose very existence draws the attention of two protectors and two killers. Yet, none of them understand the true reason behind their compulsion to find her. As their paths cross and intertwine in a relentless, cross-country collision, they become ensnared in a web of destiny that defies logic and reason.
The recurring motif of teacups serves as an eerie thread connecting these disparate lives, alongside haunting images of the little girl that blur the lines between reality and imagination. Are these visions a shared dream, an elaborate hallucination, or a glitch in the matrix of their existence? Each character is driven by an unshakeable sense of purpose, as they navigate through a tumultuous storm of crime, destruction, and even murder, on a quest that feels inescapably linked to their destinies.
Darin Miller's storytelling prowess shines through in his vivid and memorable character portrayals. Each of the four main characters is intricately developed, with secondary characters weaving in and out of their lives, each bearing their own backstories. The narrative unfolds like a complex tapestry, where in some cases, past events from one character's life parallelly mirror that of another, creating a rich, overlapping web of connections that enhance the depth of the story.
The world Darin Miller builds is as vivid as it is horrific. Through his masterful use of imagery, readers will find themselves transported into a cinematic experience, witnessing the chilling shadows of a first kill, the chaos of car accidents, the haunting familiarity of death in everyday locations, and more. Each scene is crafted with such detail that it plays like a movie in the reader’s mind, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
Darin Miller has perfected the Rashomon Effect using this technique to enrich the narrative, avoiding repetition while underscoring the significance of each encounter. By offering multiple perspectives, this author challenges readers to question their assumptions and consider the broader implications of each character's actions. As the individual storylines converge, the reader is drawn into a mesmerizing dance of perspectives that ultimately merge into a singular, powerful narrative. This multifaceted approach not only enhances the story's complexity but also highlights the themes of perception and truth, inviting readers to explore the nuances of human experience. The Rashomon Effect serves as a reminder that reality is not always what it seems, and that the truth is often a matter of perspective.
Despite its epic scope, "Equilibrium" maintains a brisk and engaging pace, strategically building intensity during pivotal scenes, particularly as it races towards its gripping conclusion. The sheer momentum of the story ensures that readers remain captivated from the first page to the last, riding a wave of adrenaline, tension, and fear. Darin Miller expertly balances the narrative's complexity with a sense of urgency, weaving a tale that is both thought-provoking and thrilling. The pacing is meticulously crafted, with each chapter building on the last, propelling readers toward the story's climax with relentless energy. As the tension mounts, the characters' lives become increasingly intertwined, their fates sealed in a final confrontation that will leave readers breathless.
With the psychological intensity reminiscent of Stephen King, the vivid descriptive prowess of Dean Koontz, and the suspenseful ingenuity of Harlan Coben, Darin Miller's "Equilibrium" stands as a masterful work of suspense. This unputdownable story invites readers into a world where the boundaries between light and dark, truth and illusion, are perpetually tested, leaving them breathless and eager for more.
Watch out, King, Koontz, and Coben, there is literary competition at play.

Profile Image for Reader Views.
4,752 reviews333 followers
January 23, 2025
Stephen King better watch out, because Darin Miller is well-equipped to steal his crown as the king of horror. “Equilibrium” is a horror novel that seemingly has it all: character development, suspense, gore, psychological intensity, murder, intrigue and more under the carefully planned themes of family, belonging, and the power of perception.

“Equilibrium” has a diverse cast of characters who at the beginning of the book, seem disjointed and a bit random.

Lisa is a sheltered and repressed young woman living and caring for Nana, the elderly woman who raised her. Nana knows that there is something wrong with Lisa’s soul, but before Nana gets the chance to explain, she passes away. Her passing is at first a sigh of relief for both Lisa and the reader until we realize that maybe Nana’s overbearing and seemingly cruel treatment was not unwarranted as Lisa unleashes her uninhibited chaos on the world.

Crystal is a television starlet with humble roots, but fame has gone to her head. By the time we are introduced to her, Crystal has become a Hollywood horror; and is impossible to work with. Despite warnings that she is on a path that leads to being blacklisted, she doesn’t change her attitude. Her world inevitably comes crashing down forcing her to reevaluate her priorities. What does the future hold for a washed-up television star?

Chad’s dreams have more reality to them than he realizes. One night he has a strange dream of his mother being murdered, only for the dream to fulfill itself in a disturbing way. As a freshly turned eighteen-year-old, Chad holds his future in the palm of his hands, with important choices he has to make for himself.

Luke is an orphan who was adopted by a rough-and-tumble elderly farmer. Though his upbringing is a little less than conventional, he was taught how to live a simple but good life. Upon his father figure’s death, Luke is presented with a strange and life-altering clause in his will. Luke will inherit everything, but only if he travels the country for a full year. While Luke has never left his hometown, he is ready and excited to leave and discover a world outside and sets out on a journey that becomes far more than he ever bargained for.

While these characters seem to have nothing in common, there is a strange child, Virginia, who seems to be drawing all of these unconnected individuals together. Who is this little girl and must she be protected or destroyed?

Miller challenges readers to rethink their assumptions by presenting multiple viewpoints, urging them to reflect on the broader consequences of each character’s actions. This layered approach not only adds depth to the plot but also prompts readers to consider the subtleties of the human experience and whether they can trust everything they see.

“Equilibrium” maintains a swift, compelling pace despite its expansive scope, carefully intensifying as it builds toward its exhilarating conclusion. Darin Miller skillfully balances the narrative’s complexity with an ever-present urgency, crafting a tale that is as intellectually stimulating as it is pulse-pounding. The pacing is thoughtfully structured, with each chapter propelling the reader forward toward a final, high-stakes confrontation that will leave them breathless.

Profile Image for Amanda.
158 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2024
Equilibrium is all about balance…for every force of good there is a force of evil to counteract it. But there’s a sort of beauty in that balance. You can’t have light without casting shadows. It’s just the way of the world.

Equilibrium follows the story of several individuals. Lisa is a sheltered young woman living and caring for the elderly woman who raised her from a child. The woman can see that there’s something wrong with Lisa…something wrong with her soul…but before she gets the chance to explain it to her, the woman passes away and Lisa is finally free to bring chaos to her world. Crystal is a rising television starlet, but fame has gone to her head and she’s allowed herself to become impossible to work with. Even when her agent tries to show her what her future could look like if she doesn’t change her attitude…she feels like the world is jealous of her. Paula is a super fan who adores Crystal and helps her out of a very sticky situation. Chad’s dreams have more reality to them than he realizes…perhaps seeing the future in bits and pieces. Some of those dreams are murderous. Luke was adopted by a farmer at a young age, taught how to live a simple but good life. When his father-figure predicts his own death, he leaves specific instructions that he will inherit everything, but only if he travels the country for a full year. And so, he sets out on a journey that becomes far more than he ever bargained for.

And that’s not even mentioning the strange child that seems to be drawing all of these seemingly unconnected individuals together. Who is she? And must she be protected…or destroyed?

There are a lot of moving parts with this novel. In the beginning it may seem completely random, but the stories of all of the characters coalesce into a beautiful crescendo, bringing everything together. Some of the characters devolve into madness while others grow and mature into strong protectors. Everything is connected…but the way that it’s connected is truly mind-blowing. With such a large cast of main characters, it can sometimes be easy to get lost, or to feel like some of the characters aren’t as “there” as others. In this novel, they are all very solid and very real. Each character has well-written backstories and personalities.

This book has it all…thrills, horror, gratuitous gore, and an underlying theme of family, both by blood and by choice. The twists and turns were jaw-droppingly good. I won’t spoil the ending…but my goodness…the gasp I gasped! Such a great story. Definitely one of the top reads of the year!
82 reviews
December 7, 2025
Awesome tale of good vs evil

This was my first Darin Miller book. I bought this kindle edition because it sounded like an epic tale like King’s The Stand. I was not disappointed. The story is about good people joining in a goal against bad people who have an opposite goal. As these people gather, the author slowly reveals more and more about the people and their relationships. Some of the relationships are truly startling. There is a fair amount of death and some of the deaths are pretty gruesome. The author doesn’t dwell on the deaths or the gruesomeness of them, but they do occur. The story and the characters are very well defined. The reader gets completely enveloped in the story. One thing I felt was negative for me but may not be for others is the amount of detail in the last half of the book. The good team and bad team are pretty much aligned by midpoint in the book. The rest of the book the author reveals fascinating relationships but also spends a lot of time in the heads of the characters. In my opinion, too much time. I wanted the story to move faster and ended up skipping some of the internal dialogue of the characters. Some people may enjoy the internal dialogue but the author builds so much suspense, I just wanted to move on. Other than that, this is an epic tale with amazing twists and many surprises. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Abby Draper.
132 reviews11 followers
December 7, 2025
I was immediately intrigued by this book after meeting the other and he explained the premise. Essentially, four people start dreaming about the same little girl and they don’t know her. Two of them want to kill her and two want to save her. It is a very unique plot and didn’t disappoint!

This is a long book and it was pretty slow-paced for at least the first half, but I was interested in figuring out what was going on and learning about the lives of all the characters. I also didn’t love how the women in the book were described during the first half. It was the epitome of a man writing women and that is my biggest complaint about the book, but it did get better and there are some strong female characters.

The second half really turned around and there was so much action. There was a lot of back and forth between several points of view, but I think it was easy to follow and made the pace faster. After such a long and detailed lead up, it did end a little abruptly, but the ending was good.
57 reviews13 followers
December 29, 2024
Equilibrium by Darin Miller is amazing. It’s a page-turner, a thriller, a psychological drama. At first glance, it appears a little scattered. What could these characters possibly have in common with each other? As Miller deftly crafts the intertwining stories and weaves these ultimately-connected characters, you’re continually in shock and questioning how this good v evil tale could add any more tension and disbelief at its core. But, Miller pulls you in with no relief from the chapters which follow. And together we’re free-falling down a deep and dangerous rabbit hole that may never end. We may want to close our eyes as we descend, but we don’t dare.
Profile Image for Renee Simmons.
516 reviews59 followers
October 25, 2024
Equilibrium, the balance, the balance of light and dark, the balance of good and evil. The balance of right and wrong. A battle from both sides to triumph the other. Four complete strangers with only one thing in common. Their dreams. The dreams of a little girl and they all are desperate to be the first to find her. Two called to protect her and two called to keep her from growing stronger. This is an action pack thriller with all kinds of twists, turns, and suspense that will have you holding your breath from the beginning to end. And it definitely deserve my five stars
220 reviews9 followers
November 13, 2024
Wow just wow! This is Darin Miller's first horror book and he does not disappoint! Good versus evil moves up to a whole new level. Two complete strangers meet and instinctively know a little girl must be protected at all costs. On the opposite side are two people determined to kill the little girl. The relationships are complex but connected in a way that makes perfect sense. Don't miss out on this amazing book. I highly recommend it and look forward to more books by Darin Miller in this genre.
Profile Image for Dawn Weast.
19 reviews5 followers
October 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It reminded me a great deal of a King novel in many aspects, but I have to say I liked it better. It was a slow build up, but the action along the way kept it moving and the payoff at the end was worth the journey! I highly recommend this book and I hope he does a sequel at some point.
Profile Image for Bookworm .
767 reviews5 followers
November 23, 2025
The world around you, with its ups and downs, fairness and unfairness, joys and grief, predictability and unpredictability, causes and consequences, tragedies and miracles, sometimes beyond human comprehension, is brought to mind by this magnificently reflective story!
6 reviews
April 19, 2025
Outstanding

Another outstanding book by Darin Miller a member of my community Grove city Ohio. I really love how this book kept me in suspense.
Profile Image for Lynette.
64 reviews
April 20, 2025
so drawn out

There is a lot of back and forth. I really had a hard time with it. Didn’t need to be so long. Had a decent abrupt ending at least but wow was it drawn out.
Profile Image for Nancy Brady.
340 reviews2 followers
September 3, 2025
good vs evil. what an adventure it was. i really enjoyed this book even tho it was a little long. very different from the dwayne series
Profile Image for Rebecca Baker.
Author 3 books3 followers
December 19, 2025
Excellent novel dealing with the age old good versus evil. Hard to tell until the last page which side would win this time.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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