BZRK Reloaded

Gr 10 Up—Fast paced and action packed, Reloaded picks up where BZRK (Egmont USA, 2012) left off. The New York BZRK cell is reeling from a massacre at the United Nations building, and many members are either injured (physically or psychologically) or dead. The evil, wealthy, conjoined Armstrong brothers continue to usher in an age of "sustainable happiness" for all humanity by having world leaders infected by nanobots in order to manipulate them. Battles between the members of BZRK and AFGC (Armstrong Fancy Gift Corporation) occur in both the visible world and at the microscopic level. Fighting has moved to a new level, as one group is ready to pilot self-replicating bots and another has twitchers, people who are especially skilled at controlling others through nanotechnology. Grant's descriptions of cells, bacteria, and other miniscule bits are viscerally disturbing, as is the Armstrongs' creepy Doll Ship. Sexual episodes and violent scenes are included. Backstory is sprinkled throughout, but it's best to read this novel in conjunction with the first. The ending will leave fans anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this exciting trilogy.—Sherry J. Mills, Hazelwood East High School, St. Louis, MO