4.5/5
So mind-twisting and fun! Review coming at some point... ( )

While Joe Dobbs (aka Zero) is a central figure in this book, "Zero Recall" is not Joe's story. This book is a complex multi-layered mystery involving the history and future of Congress. Ms. King has developed a very interesting world, within which she develops and explores a multitude of characters.

While the mystery aspect had me staying up late to read more each evening, it was less engaging than "Forging Zero" with regard to the character development. I didn't feel I understood the motivations and drives of the characters. I will probably hang in for one more in the series... ( )

My review of Zero Recall is meant to explore why this book is a special contribution to space fiction. I will list some points to help you see whether you might want to step into the world of this book.

The writing can bring you into another world.
The writing creates a new world and brings you into a different time, place and reality. The role of planetary-ops, to which Zero is recalled, is to maintain the peace between Dasha, Jreet, Jahual, Genuji, Baga and the three thousand other species that are part of the Congress. We have to learn the traits, roles and loyalties of several races to follow the story. The author weaves fascinating characters, who were born on different worlds and belong to tribes with their own motivations, into one unified story. This book takes you to places crossing from truth to fiction, fantasy and imagination. New worlds are brought to life in this book. The world and worlds of this story intrigues the reader and introduces characters and a central mystery.

This is a big mystery story.
The first book in the series was military fiction. This book is keeping secrets, there are things going on that the characters within the story do not know and the readers do not know. We readers take a journey to find out why things are happening and who is gaining at each turn. With each passing page we become immersed inside a mystery that will affect our feeling and opinions about different characters. If you like mysteries you will probably appreciate the twists and turns on the way to revelation.

There are many interesting detailed, well-developed characters.
We know Zero from the first book. Zero is more and less than he was before. Our attitudes go through several changes as we see Maggie as his commander. We don’t trust Maggie, but we don’t know why, she should be friends and more with Zero, shouldn’t she be? Is Davlin just the mindless killing machine on the team, or does he have a more textured rule to play? Can Jer’ait be trusted, or will he betray Zero as everyone warns Zero will happen? Is Baga going to be a useful team member or is he just trouble? Forgotten is controlling some events like a puppet master, but what does he control and where are events beyond his control. What does the future hold for Rat, and will Zero and Rat ever have a more than military relationship? What is the secret about Zero’s brother? Will we learn more about his brother, Sam, and how has he changed from the child Zero saved years earlier. The relationship between characters is complex and multi-layered. I want to know what happens next with character’s development and future interactions.

There are embedded secrets, change and surprises.
Many mysteries are untangled in the course of the story. There are surprises about Zero’s old team. And the members of his new team are all more than they seem. The new team begins as divided individuals and they are almost unable to work together, but move to depend on each other and become inseparable. I became more and more invested in the relationship between the team members. Individuals grow and develop, enemies becoming partners, friends becoming enemies and strangers become friends. Such is the nature of well developed stories that can hold the readers attention.

I am waiting for what comes next.
The book leaves me wanting more. While we get closure with many mysteries revealed, I still want to know where some stories are going. I still do not know what the game of the Trith is, except they hate Congress. I don’t know if Zero will find love. I don’t know who is not who they seem; OK, this was a pet peeve of mine, I don’t like people being someone else who is imitating a friend. I do like that the story is embedded with future clues that are hidden. I followed the author’s suggestion to re-read chapter 1 and chapter 5, and saw the hints she had tucked away to be revealed on the second reading. I am even looking forward to a second reading of the whole book to see how my appreciation of the story might change. I enjoyed this book and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I would say the most likely audience is people who are more interested in character driven stories than tech or military driven stories. This book has fighting and war, but is not just a military story. I would recommend reading the first book in the series first, but realize the first Zero book is much darker and has a different feel than this book. Also prospective readers should read The Moldy Dead short story before reading this sequel. Give it a try, I think you will like it, although it might disrupt your sleep pattern as you forget to go to sleep when you refuse to put it down! ( )