The Balance of Power: The Zone War, Book 2

Terry Cloutier
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595467211
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (4/08)


I am a very big fan of Terry Cloutier’s first book in the Zone War series, and “The Balance of Power: The Zone War, Book 2” did not disappoint me. The Zone is a world that was created by Edward Fox when he was a young boy, to help him cope with the intense horrors in his life. In it he felt respected and in control of what was happening to him. However, a grown-up Edward now finds himself stuck in The Zone and losing that control, leaving his wife and doctor to ponder over his strange physical state. What is decent and right is once again being contested, making this second book just as uncomfortable and mesmerizing to read as the first one.

This novel is more character-driven than the last. There is more intrigue than big battle scenes, even though the war in The Zone continues. Character links between the “real” world and that of The Zone also become clearer as more of Edward’s past is explained. New characters are introduced and old ones elaborated on, and the story lines flow and intertwine as wonderfully as they did in the first novel. This one, however, is definitely not for younger audiences, not only because of a respectful, but graphic sex scene, but the continued incredible violence. Weakness and vulnerability, and the malicious way these are preyed upon; horrific deeds going unpunished; realistic, objective descriptions of gore and tremendous pain; and exquisite word choices and character actions simply suggesting the nastiness of the moment -  Edward’s two worlds have been, and are, extremely harsh places.
           
There are no great, long descriptions of places, people or things in this novel. Everything in Edward’s world and The Zone simply exists, and the reader steps comfortably back into the story where it left off in “The Zone War: The Demon Inside.” Once again, however, the story ended far too soon for me. I am really anxious to discover the kind of man this once sorry child will become, and which world will claim him. This book, “The Balance of Power: The Zone War, Book 2,” is quite simply an incredible follow-up to an all-round, terrific story.

Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live
Make comment on weblog