This is a review for "Zero Sum" by B. Justin Shier, Amazon Kindle Edition.
Available here:Zero Sum by B.J.Shier

"Did you know for the low cost of twenty thousand souls you could be the proud owner of a Kraken?" - Dieter Resnick

It's the aftermath of the first real battle in Dieter Resnick's life.
Elliot College is in shambles after the shadowy organization known as Talmax attacks without warning, leaving friend and foe alike, dead. As a result, Dieter's training in the elite magus squad IKAM is sped up, and it's do or die trying to survive orientation.

In the second book of the Zero Sight series by B. Justin Shier, we're plunged deeper into the world ruled by magic, vampires, were's, and old wrongs. Unfortunately for Dieter, it's a little more complicated than that.

For one, he's hearing a freaky-sounding voice in his head, and it isn't entirely friendly when it comes to his self-preservation or that of others.

For two, Dieter's weft-link with Rei Acerba, the vampire Princess, is acting up, making him feel out of control of his emotions, and igniting blood-lust he's frightened will become too easy to accept.

And third, oh yeah, he's the only one that can save the world.

"I love this one. He beats himself up ahead of time." -Gaston Spinoza.

Enter the mercenary Spinoza, whose idea is "Pain = Gain" is synonymous with "Learning Skills = Broken Bones." He pushes the Lambda house to face a stark reality: War is not for the indecisive or the weak-willed. As the elite group of students train together, they learn that the only way to survive this war is to rely on each other.

Shier leads us further into the world of the Conscious, the Magi, and the use of Mana or magic, to you Imperiti (humans). The study of war leaves little time for socializing, something that Dieter wishes there was more of between him and his weft-partner Rei.

But when a surprise attack is the only means to destroy Talmax's hold in the desert Southwest, a cross-country road trip to Las Vegas could turn ugly before the Lambda house can even make it past Elliot's gates.

The only complaints I really have about this book is the editing. I wish Shier was hiring for one because I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I hope to God he gets one soon. He's gotten better than last time but there are still a few tweaks needed in the continuity and spelling department. Other than that, it's a well imagined story and describes the pitfalls of new relationships and coming to terms with one's identity in a way that is relatable to a young adults and teenagers. There are still unanswered questions about Dieter's past, what's in store for his future, and if he can trust the people that are teaching him.

I'm looking forward to the next installment and the expanding world of Elliot College and whether or not Dieter will survive the next semester. Saving the world? No problem. Graduating? We'll see...

B.Justin Shier well written blog can be found at http://www.bjshier.com

-BurnTheMidnightOilReader