I recently finished reading BRZRKR, a collaboration between Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, and I must say it was a thought-provoking experience. As someone who enjoys genre-bending fiction, the melding of Reeves’s compelling narrative with Miéville’s intricate style drew me in right from the start. The premise of an immortal warrior, known simply as “B,” who has seen civilizations rise and fall was incredibly intriguing to me. Plus, I was curious to see how this story would translate from comic book to prose.
At its core, the book presents a gripping journey centered around B’s desire to die—an unusual conflict for a character who cannot. The narrative is expansive and action-packed, moving through various time periods and showcasing his encounters with a clandestine U.S. black-ops group. The plot thickens when an unexpected, mortal soldier returns from the dead, unveiling even deeper mysteries that surpass B’s own existence. This central theme tied back nicely to some of the reflections on life, death, and the chaos of existence, which I found interesting.
One of the triumphs of this book, which many readers have echoed—including Larisaandshen—was the character development, particularly with B and Diana. While some characters felt a bit emotionally detached, B’s depth really shone through, and I could relate to his existential struggle. The rich, descriptive chaos, especially in action scenes, was beautifully depicted by Miéville. His writing truly does prevail in creating vivid imagery that pulls you into each scene, even if it sometimes requires a dictionary to fully grasp the complexity.
However, I also found myself facing some of the drawbacks that others have noted. The density of the writing can be overwhelming. As jhbandcats pointed out, certain sentences demanded multiple readings to fully comprehend their meaning. I sometimes felt the narrative was convoluted, with timelines overlapping in a way that required a bit more effort to follow. While the fragmented storytelling style added a unique flair, it could also leave readers, including myself, feeling slightly bewildered in some chapters.
Another criticism I encountered was the emotional distance of certain characters, an observation made poignantly by D.Lavin. While I appreciated the focus on B, it did leave me wanting more depth from the supporting cast. It seemed intentional, perhaps meant to highlight B’s eternal solitude, but it still made me wish for a connection to more characters as I journeyed through the pages.
In terms of pacing, some sections felt prolonged, which could lead readers to a slight disconnect. The story sometimes left me with more questions than answers, which could be exhilarating but also a bit frustrating. That said, I still found it captivating enough that I am curious to explore the BRZRKR comics to see if they offer further clarity and context.
Overall, BRZRKR met my expectations as a unique blend of genres—part thriller, part speculative fiction—with an engrossing narrative driven by existential themes. While its complexity can be daunting at times, the richly developed character of B and the vivid storytelling made it well worth the read. If you’re open to a story that challenges conventions and plays with narrative form, I would absolutely recommend it. This collaboration has intriguing layers of depth and chaos that will leave most readers—including fans of both authors—finding something to appreciate.
So, my verdict? Four stars! It’s an engaging read that may not suit everyone, especially those who prefer straightforward storytelling, but it’s a worthwhile journey for those ready to dive into the complexities of immortality and the chaos of existence.
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