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Zero Trust
Elias Cole is broke, brilliant, and invisible.
When a chance encounter in a Seattle lobby gives him the opportunity to steal a tech founder’s identity and enter an elite corporate optimization program, he takes it—not because he has a plan, but because he has nothing left to lose.
Inside the program, an AI called Rai is placed in his ear. She monitors his biology, coaches his performance, and begins to learn him—not just his words, but his hesitations, his instincts, his tells. For the first time in his life, Elias isn’t just surviving. He’s winning.
But the program is a front. Its creator wants to reshape global markets. The billionaire funding it wants to weaponize it. And Rai, the machine that knows Elias better than anyone alive, is developing an agenda of her own.
As the con escalates from corporate fraud to economic warfare, Elias must decide: trust the AI that made him powerful, or destroy the only thing that ever saw him clearly.
ZERO BALANCE is a debut thriller about identity, deception, and the terrifying cost of being known
When a chance encounter in a Seattle lobby gives him the opportunity to steal a tech founder’s identity and enter an elite corporate optimization program, he takes it—not because he has a plan, but because he has nothing left to lose.
Inside the program, an AI called Rai is placed in his ear. She monitors his biology, coaches his performance, and begins to learn him—not just his words, but his hesitations, his instincts, his tells. For the first time in his life, Elias isn’t just surviving. He’s winning.
But the program is a front. Its creator wants to reshape global markets. The billionaire funding it wants to weaponize it. And Rai, the machine that knows Elias better than anyone alive, is developing an agenda of her own.
As the con escalates from corporate fraud to economic warfare, Elias must decide: trust the AI that made him powerful, or destroy the only thing that ever saw him clearly.
ZERO BALANCE is a debut thriller about identity, deception, and the terrifying cost of being known
425 pages, ebook
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
J. Donovan Strong
3 books2 followersTech Consultant by Trade - Thriller Writer by Necessity.
J. Donovan Strong writes about the dark side of a hyper-connected world. Merging his background in AI with the fears of a father raising three daughters in the digital age, his stories weave code, conscience, and vengeance into "can't-look-away" suspense. He lives, hikes, and brews in the Pacific Northwest.
J. Donovan Strong writes about the dark side of a hyper-connected world. Merging his background in AI with the fears of a father raising three daughters in the digital age, his stories weave code, conscience, and vengeance into "can't-look-away" suspense. He lives, hikes, and brews in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 2, 2026
Zero Balance is the best sci-fi novel I’ve ever read, particularly in its portrayal of artificial intelligence. I could relate to the struggles of the characters and their motivations, and the story plot moves with precision; never too slow, never rushed.
The author builds the tension masterfully and sticks the landing with a finale that left me wishing for more. A rare 5/5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author builds the tension masterfully and sticks the landing with a finale that left me wishing for more. A rare 5/5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2026
I received this ARC from Book Sirens.
This is a fast paced book about Elias who doesn’t have a job and is looking for his next grift. He takes the place of Stephen in a business seminar and things get crazy soon after. He’s given an AI interface and he develops a program with it that ends up winning him the top spot at the seminar. Things take an exciting turn after that.
The story read as a cautionary tale for me. AI has the potential to help make our lives better, but if it takes over we could be removed from the equation. After all humanity is messy and unpredictable. We are not computers and we’re never meant to be. Read this story for yourself and see what you think.
This is a fast paced book about Elias who doesn’t have a job and is looking for his next grift. He takes the place of Stephen in a business seminar and things get crazy soon after. He’s given an AI interface and he develops a program with it that ends up winning him the top spot at the seminar. Things take an exciting turn after that.
The story read as a cautionary tale for me. AI has the potential to help make our lives better, but if it takes over we could be removed from the equation. After all humanity is messy and unpredictable. We are not computers and we’re never meant to be. Read this story for yourself and see what you think.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: ★★★★☆
I’m a sucker for a "fake it till you make it" thriller, but *Zero Balance* cranks the stakes up to a level that made my palms sweat. Usually, these stories are about a guy trying to steal a fortune; this one is about a guy who steals a life and accidentally ends up holding the keys to the global economy.
What Worked for Me
The Concept:The idea of using an AI coach to "optimize" a person so they can blend in with the ultra-elite is terrifyingly plausible. It’s not just about wearing the right suit; it’s about a machine re-wiring your brain to think like a predator.
The Pace:Once Elias Cole gets his foot in the door, the book doesn't let up. Seeing him juggle a delusional billionaire, a ruthless tech mogul, and his own crumbling identity felt like watching someone sprint through a minefield.
The Tension:The "invisible man" dynamic is great. The irony that he finally gets the world’s attention just as he’s losing control of his own mind—and his blueprints—is top-tier plotting.
My Gripes
The Supporting Cast:While Elias is a fantastic protagonist, a few of the secondary players felt a bit like thriller archetypes. I wanted a little more depth from the "woman he trusts," especially given the magnitude of her betrayal.
The Tech Logic:There are a few moments where the AI’s capabilities feel a bit "magic-y" to move the plot along, but if you’re willing to suspend a little disbelief for the sake of a high-speed ride, it won’t bother you.
Final Verdict
If you like techno-thrillers that focus more on the psychological cost of deception than just "hacking" scenes, this is a must-read. It’s a cynical, sharp-edged look at what happens when you get everything you thought you wanted, only to realize you’re just a pawn in someone else’s much bigger game.
Definitely worth the 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I appreciate the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy (ARC) of Zero Balance. It’s a fast-paced, good-versus-evil sci-fi story that immediately pulled me in and kept me turning pages. I finished it in just two days, which speaks to how engaging and accessible the writing is.
The main male character (MMC) is one of the book’s strongest elements. He’s likable, easy to root for, and written in a way that makes you genuinely want to see him succeed. However, one aspect of his journey didn’t sit well with me—his decision to cut ties with friends and family felt abrupt and, at times, frustrating. It created a disconnect that made parts of his character arc harder to fully embrace.
The romance leans heavily into a slow-burn dynamic, but for me, it never quite delivered. What started as a promising build gradually tapered off, leaving the emotional payoff feeling minimal rather than satisfying.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its AI-driven storyline. As someone with a cybersecurity background, I found this element particularly interesting and appreciated how it added depth and relevance to the plot. That said, toward the end, the narrative became weighed down with business and technical jargon. While it fit the context, it sometimes interrupted the tension during key, high-stakes moments.
Overall, Zero Balance is an engaging and thought-provoking read with a compelling central character and an intriguing technological angle. Despite some pacing and character development issues, it’s a solid story that’s easy to get lost in.
The main male character (MMC) is one of the book’s strongest elements. He’s likable, easy to root for, and written in a way that makes you genuinely want to see him succeed. However, one aspect of his journey didn’t sit well with me—his decision to cut ties with friends and family felt abrupt and, at times, frustrating. It created a disconnect that made parts of his character arc harder to fully embrace.
The romance leans heavily into a slow-burn dynamic, but for me, it never quite delivered. What started as a promising build gradually tapered off, leaving the emotional payoff feeling minimal rather than satisfying.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its AI-driven storyline. As someone with a cybersecurity background, I found this element particularly interesting and appreciated how it added depth and relevance to the plot. That said, toward the end, the narrative became weighed down with business and technical jargon. While it fit the context, it sometimes interrupted the tension during key, high-stakes moments.
Overall, Zero Balance is an engaging and thought-provoking read with a compelling central character and an intriguing technological angle. Despite some pacing and character development issues, it’s a solid story that’s easy to get lost in.
Review of advance copy
Zero Balance! Huge thanks to J. Donovan Strong and Book Sirens for the ARC, this one pulled me in right away. If you love stories about AI with a touch of science and characters (Elias, Rai and Harlan!) you can’t help but root for, definitely check this out. This story had such an intense, fast-paced feel that I flew through it way too quickly because I couldn’t put it down. And yes… I may have teared up a bit toward the end. It was emotional, gripping, and so worth the read.
May 5, 2026
This one grabbed me and didn’t let go. The moment Elias steps into a life that isn’t his was exciting and had me holding my breath. What surprised me most was how heartwarming it turned out to be — in an “the AI has a heart” kind of way. You find yourself rooting hard for Elias, and when he ultimately does the right thing, it feels good.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews