Michael Grant’s BZRK is the first book in the “BZRK” series. In this book there is a war between the biots and the nanobots. The nanobots are nano-sized robots controlled by genius gamers (aka twitchers). These twitchers work for the Armstrong Fancy Gifts Corporation (AFGC). The biots are the biological counterparts of the nanobots and are controlled by members of BZRK at the cost of potential madness. This war takes place both in the human body (the meat) and in the world visible to normal humans. Many characters narrate this story with the main characters being Sadie McLure (Plath) and Noah Cotton (Keats).
Several characters narrate this story. Working for AFGC, Bug Man (Anthony Elders) is a fifteen year-old computer prodigy without morals. Vincent (Michael Ford), Nijinsky (Shane Hwang), Plath (Sadie McLure), and Keats (Noah Cotton) all work for BZRK. Vincent is a man in his twenties and was diagnosed with anhedonia, a condition that robs a person’s ability to feel pleasure. Nijinsky is a man in his twenties who has been an actor, a professional model and, in many ways, is Vincent's opposite. Sixteen year old Plath saw her remaining family killed in a plane crash caused by Bug Man. She is recruited soon after the incident. Keats is sixteen year old British boy. His brother was in the army and was a member of BZRK before going insane. He is recruited soon after visiting his brother.
Michael Grant’s BZRK is an interesting and complex story. The multiple narrators help create a better understanding of the world of the “BZRK” series, but it leaves little time to allow each individual character to develop. The beginning of the story is very confusing because it constantly switches between narrators and doesn’t explain the significance of the events taking place. As the story continues, the plot makes more sense as do the histories and actions of the narrators. Michael Grant deeply describes what the nanobots and biots are seeing making for an interesting and sometimes disturbing image. Another confusing aspect is the biot technology. While the book makes an attempt to explain it, the biot technology seems a little too farfetched for the context of the story. While the first half the book is confusing, the second half is much more interesting since the major world building is over and the main part of the plot starts. Lastly, the curse words scattered throughout the book that are a bit more powerful than words like “damn” or “screw you”. This isn't a book for kids younger then 12. I give this 386 page book 4.5 stars.
Several characters narrate this story. Working for AFGC, Bug Man (Anthony Elders) is a fifteen year-old computer prodigy without morals. Vincent (Michael Ford), Nijinsky (Shane Hwang), Plath (Sadie McLure), and Keats (Noah Cotton) all work for BZRK. Vincent is a man in his twenties and was diagnosed with anhedonia, a condition that robs a person’s ability to feel pleasure. Nijinsky is a man in his twenties who has been an actor, a professional model and, in many ways, is Vincent's opposite. Sixteen year old Plath saw her remaining family killed in a plane crash caused by Bug Man. She is recruited soon after the incident. Keats is sixteen year old British boy. His brother was in the army and was a member of BZRK before going insane. He is recruited soon after visiting his brother.
Michael Grant’s BZRK is an interesting and complex story. The multiple narrators help create a better understanding of the world of the “BZRK” series, but it leaves little time to allow each individual character to develop. The beginning of the story is very confusing because it constantly switches between narrators and doesn’t explain the significance of the events taking place. As the story continues, the plot makes more sense as do the histories and actions of the narrators. Michael Grant deeply describes what the nanobots and biots are seeing making for an interesting and sometimes disturbing image. Another confusing aspect is the biot technology. While the book makes an attempt to explain it, the biot technology seems a little too farfetched for the context of the story. While the first half the book is confusing, the second half is much more interesting since the major world building is over and the main part of the plot starts. Lastly, the curse words scattered throughout the book that are a bit more powerful than words like “damn” or “screw you”. This isn't a book for kids younger then 12. I give this 386 page book 4.5 stars.