BZRK Apocalypse

September 15, 2014
In this trilogy finale, the BZRK "death or madness" catchphrase has never been more applicable. Sadie (code name Plath) and Noah (code name Keats) are recovering from BZRK Reloaded (2013) on an island when an attack drags them back from heady sex into the secret war over humanity's fate. Putting aside her previous suspicions and reservations about BZRK's shadowy leader, Lear, Plath resumes leadership of the New York cell and considers drastically violent means to stop the Armstrong Twins for good. This uncharacteristic line of thought has her wondering if war's changed her-or if she's been tampered with. Meanwhile, the Armstrong Twins are desperate after their extreme losses, both in battle and in their best twitchers, deserter Bug Man and Burnofsky, who's been captured and had his brain rewired by BZRK. The devastatingly cruel wire job on Burnofsky threatens to teach the same lesson that sent Bug Man running-wiring has unintended consequences. Meanwhile, outbreaks of madness striking important, high-profile people are connected to mysterious, wealthy Lystra. The third-person omniscient narration here is essential to keep the many plotlines straight. Sexual content and gruesome violence will help readers not emotionally ready for the far-more-disturbing philosophical and moral questions to self-censor. By the end, the heroes stand between two forces-one side wanting to bring humanity's death, the other madness-and there's no such thing as a completely happy ending. Like reading an action movie. (Science fiction. 14 & up)

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2015

Gr 10 Up-Fans left breathless at the end of BZRK Reloaded (Egmont USA, 2013) will be thrilled to dive into this high-octane conclusion that picks up exactly where book two left off. The Armstrong Twins are set on revenge and Sadie ("Plath") winds up as head of BZRK in the aftermath of Vincent's mental breakdown. New characters are introduced, the action is relentless, and the stakes are high. Readers new to the series will be hopelessly lost; the books must be read in order. Those who've enjoyed the first two will find a satisfying end.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.