Zero's Solace

by Jess L.M. Anderson, Kieran Mikolajova (illustrator)

Long before he joined King Caligo’s inner circle, Zero Skerrick was just a man trying to survive. Imprisoned for being marked a Keeper of the Light Source at only 14, he endured years of torment in the depths of the Ozran Prison. Fighting not only his captors but also the empathic noise that threatened to consume him. After escaping the chains that bound him, and with no memory of his past, Zero gets a glimpse at a life of peace. In the arms of a woman who sees past his pain, he begins to hope for a future far from the shadows of his past. But the world he fled hasn’t forgotten him, and the hatred lingering in the air tears apart his newfound refuge.

Though drawn into the heart of a growing resistance, Zero’s goal is not revolution but survival. For his kind, for his unborn child, and for the woman who loves him. With no room for hesitation, Zero must harness his magic and his wits to protect what matters most, even if it means becoming the weapon he once feared.

Zero’s Solace is the untold story of sacrifice, resilience, and the origins of one of The Source Keepers’ most beloved Keepers.

543 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2025

About the author

Jess L. M. Anderson has been hoarding stories like a dragon with a particularly nerdy treasure stash since childhood. Armed with a Master’s in Cinema Post Production from DePaul University (2019), she briefly considered a life of editing other people’s work before deciding she’d rather write her own. Mostly because she enjoys causing problems on purpose.

Her debut fantasy novel, Mercy’s Light, kicked off The Source Keepers series, a world she first conjured at age 12 and refused to let die. After receiving traditional publishing offers, Jess chose indie publishing for the creative freedom, embracing the chaos, wielding total artistic control like a mildly unhinged sorcerer, and enabling her goblin tendencies on the internet as stressinabox.

When not writing, Jess crafts Bookish Bugs, mounted bug art featuring recycled pages from her books and dried flowers. Because nothing says “fantasy author” like preserving dead things for fun. She also haunts conventions, where she sells books, shiny trinkets, and aggressively nerdy art to fellow fantasy gremlins.

She currently resides in Tifton, GA, where she continues expanding her literary worlds, hoarding shiny ideas, and consuming an irresponsible amount of coffee, all while pretending she has a normal sleep schedule.

Reviews

[Babe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another phenomenal installment! Zero’s Solace was absolutely gut-wrenching. Experiencing what Zeer endured before we meet him in the main series added incredible depth to his character, making his development even more impactful. Jess didn’t hold back at all! This book is raw, unflinching, and far darker, refusing to sugarcoat the harrowing realities Zeer and others faced during Mala's ruling and the aftermath.

I also loved the fresh perspective on Caligo Tenebris, revealing how those outside his inner circle perceived him as a ruler. And, of course, seeing the origins of Zero and Lili’s dysfunctional romance was both fascinating and heartbreaking. Their dynamic was as compelling as it was tragic.

If you enjoyed the main series, this is an absolute must-read!

[Victoria Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book! We get to dive into the life and past of some of the BEST characters in the series. This book made me laugh, cry, and jump to get to the next page. Getting to learn the truth behind Zero and the hardships he’s faced really created a new understanding of the sassy character we’ve all come to love. Reading about him going from rock bottom with no support to finding his own family and developing into his current character really opened my eyes to his actions and personality in the previous books.

[Scout M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by Jess. We really get to see Zero’s origins here and I think it really explains a lot of what he does in the main series. It’s also a great representation of the long term effects of PTSD and dealing with feelings (even if Zero can’t feel them). Can’t wait for the next one

[Kelley Bushner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the words of Niffty of Hazbin Hotel “Yay! Pain!” cause this book is filled with pain. Sprinkled with happiness. You get to see how the top favorite light keeper Zero Skerrick is the way he is, a traumatized sassy person with the struggle of handling his emotions and the desire to be thrown off a roof. You’ll understand his actions in Mercy’s Reign and Caligo’s Fall.