If you need a guy to write a novel to fill out your zero-plot comic book that's obviously a movie pitch, China Mieville as your hired gun is like bringing the BFG to a balsawood fight. Makes BRZRKR actually good! In the way somebody of Mieville's level of talent would, takes what's there in the concept (unkillable death machine born 80,000 years ago searching for the meaning of himself) and turns it into something that feels like how that character would actually live and think. Since you already know the main character is Keanu, it lends the book a really easy way in to start imagining how the events would look. Some great prose flourishes too.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. You always hear about someone who is a force of nature. That someone is b. B is immortal and is consumed with many things. An ok read.

It was definitely different but totally enjoyable! I’m not sure if I loved it or hated it but it’s very memorable!

China Miéville's way of writing is and acquired taste that I unfortunately did not enjoy. The flow of the story was disjointed and kind of jarring, I just couldn't engage and lose myself because of the struggle to simply understand what was going on. This is the first book in quite a while that goes in my dnf pile.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. This book was well written and it is an interesting concept and story. I will say that this book was just not for me but I am sure others will enjoy it. The story telling was enjoyable but the subject matter was not what i normally enjoy. I believe that sci-fi readers will absolutely love this book.

I only read about 20 percent of The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville. Honestly, I could not figure out what was going on to save my life. I kept reading the publishers summary of the book and failed to decipher how that was being laid out in the introductory chapters. It was just too convoluted for me to understand.

I wa excited to receive an advance copy of this book to see what it is all about. I didn’t k ow that this was kind of related to comics but was still interested. This is absolutely not a light easy read that you can speed through. You want to take your time to read this and sip it like fine wine. I wasn’t sure if i could get into the book since i had a hard time at first but hang in there! It’s absolutely worth the story! :)

(Just as a note, I have not read any of the BRZRKR comics for which Reeves has recently authored and to which this story is at least somewhat connected.). This is not your normal fantasy novel. The Book of Elsewhere revolves around one main character who for the last eighty thousand years has been reborn every time he dies and does not know why. Though it takes a few chapters to comprehend exactly how the story is being laid out (mainly due to the abnormal use of third person, second person, the use of flashbacks and interviews etc...), I think the authors succeed in telling a fascinating story about the struggle to understand identity, purpose and change. At times it has a mystery novel vibe that draws you into trying to figure out what's going on and throwing in some shocking twists and turns. It's not perfect. It can be a bit wordy as if it's trying to impress with big words and colorful language. There are full paragraphs that I don't think add very much to the story and bog it down. Overall, however, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others.

This is a well written book. It has some fine lines, a few well-conceived set pieces, a fair share of perceptive and insightful observations, and occasionally a lean and edgy narrative drive. The premise is enticing, and I can see the book's appeal, regarding both style and content, for its target audience. That said, try as I might I found neither the characters, nor their situations, nor the overall narrative and its execution engaging enough to arouse or hold my curiosity and attention. As a consequence, it doesn't seem fair to write much more of a review, apart from encouraging inquisitive readers to give the book a try.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Book of Elsewhere.
I just finished a few good books that I think made me enjoy this book more than I would have in the past
This is sort of comic book and science fiction put together.
It’s not an easy read but what a great plot and storyline.
I liked this book and found myself lost in a new world and these are authors to watch.

3.5 stars

So after being a somewhat of a fan of BRZRKR comics I thought a novel based on them would be awesome and it was for the most part. I did enjoy it and it was enough to hold my interest to finish the book. Wasn’t my favorite read of 2024 (so far) but it was good. Maybe if i was more into the comics it would have had a better and more impactful effect for me but who knows but yeah it was good at the end of the day.

I've only dipped my toe into the BZRKR comics, so the idea of a novel inspired by them was really interesting, and them being partially be Keanu Reeves was just another good reason to read it. I feel like parts of this were so interesting and good, they kept me engaged and curious, but others felt disjointed.

The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville is a captivating blend of myth, mystery, and modernity that delves into the timeless desire for mortality and the enigmatic forces that shape our existence.

The story introduces us to B, a legendary warrior who has traversed countless civilizations, witnessing their rise and fall with an unyielding resilience. Known by many names throughout history, he now seeks the elusive gift of death. Reeves and Miéville paint a vivid portrait of this immortal figure, imbuing him with a depth of character that resonates throughout the narrative.

The narrative unfolds in the present day, where a clandestine U.S. black-ops group offers B the tantalizing prospect of mortality in exchange for his assistance. However, when a seemingly ordinary soldier defies death itself, the plot thickens, unveiling layers of intrigue and a formidable adversary with its own inscrutable agenda.

Reeves and Miéville masterfully weave together elements of fantasy, mythology, and contemporary thriller, creating a story that is both thought-provoking and exhilarating. The enigmatic premise of seeking mortality in a world where immortality reigns supreme lends an air of philosophical contemplation to the tale, while the pulse-pounding action keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

At its core, The Book of Elsewhere is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, as well as the eternal struggle between life and death. With its richly imagined world and compelling characters, this collaboration between Keanu Reeves and China Miéville is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and adventure alike.

I requested a copy of The Book of Elsewhere because: 1) I am a fan of Mieville 2) love sci-fi 3) the synopsis piqued my interest.
Unfortunately, I have no understanding or interest in the world of the BRZRKR comics. I really tried to continue further in the book but failed to find the strength to do so. The story line was confusing and disjointed. Mieville’s prose is incredibly unique and Keanu is obviously brilliant but this novel just was not for me.

I do appreciate the advanced readers copy.

This book is highly cerebral. It is near genius level science fiction. Actually, weird fiction, the concept of which I have learned about recently, is an apt name for it. I am still reeling, after finally finishing it only a moment ago. This is not a quick read, nor should you attempt to speed-read it.

This has garnered and will continue to garner very mixed reviews. Many people will not make it to the finale, and it’s with good reason. This story is extremely disjointed. The storylines switch abruptly, over and over, and oftentimes you will not know who or what or even WHEN. You will need to pay close attention to all of these seemingly unrelated events, of which there are a veritable boatload. Every little thing matters.

There is a character in here that would scream Keanu Reeves to me even if I didn’t know the book’s authors or background. It’s quintessential Keanu, of his “DO NOT RILE ME UP, FOR I WILL END YOU” acting days, which will probably continue on and make him more and more millions of dollars (well-deserved, I say—the man is amazingly kind and generous, despite numerous personal tragedies).

So who or what is “B”, you ask? Nobody knows, not even B himself, even after living and dying for millennia. What would you do with seeming immortality? Nothing would surprise or shock you, anymore. You’ve already seen it all. You’ve had the time to devote to the learning of all subjects and languages, known and unknown to the human race. Life must be incredibly boring.

And then.

Something new, to you. Something different.

Someone who was absolutely, 100% deceased comes back to life. And you realize that maybe, just maybe…you’re not alone.


If any of this piques your interest, look for a copy this July, and stick it out to the end. It’s worth it.

4.25 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Del Rey for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

And now I must away, for to find and devour the BRZRKR comics that inspired this tale!

The book description and authors are what drew me in. However it was a struggle to keep going. Being dropped into the middle of a story and finding direction is okay but that was a continuous feeling for this narrative. I never found a reason to care about any of the characters. Finishing the book was a struggle. I am worried lots of readers will just compare “B” to an immortal John Wick. Overall just 3/5 stars for providing good writing and a couple “what the heck” plot twists.

This book was just not for me and I fully respect it. I’m thankful that I was given an arc of this. I think I will have to revisit this in the future.

Having been a Keanu fan since the 80’s, I knew I had to read this. However, similar to when I watched the Matrix trilogy and some of his indie films from the 90’s, I was a little lost reading this book. I haven’t read any of the BRZRKR comics or China Mieville’s books, so I don’t know if this book is indicative of their style of writing or Keanu’s, but it was sometimes a little hard to follow.

Overall, the writing was good, but character development was a little lacking, they were introduced with no preamble, leaving me wondering what they were there for.

I think readers who have read the BRZRKR comics or any of Mieville’s work would enjoy this. For me it was definitely a different type of read. I was able to read it, and enjoy it though I was in a state of confusion for most of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I was given an ‘uncorrected proof’ and asked not to provide direct excerpts, hence, the lack of quotes. I will gush about Miéville’s prose nonetheless.

A man who cannot die, or rather, a man who can die, but is stuck in an endless cycle of hatching reincarnations. The plot of this book is a little cliché, a government agency studying a semi-immortal person in order to further research with the ostensible aim of creating weapons. It burns slowly, and as it does, there are flashbacks and alternate storylines that introduce new puzzle pieces and bits of information around our pupating protagonist, Unute, B, etc. etc. (Yes, I just needed an excuse to alliterate that p. Can I get a pass on using extravagant words please? I’m coming down from a Miéville high, but unlike Miéville, who could make a car repair manual ooze with beautiful prose, and I’d just like to be selectively pretentious.) The Book of Elsewhere can be read as a standalone novel (as I did) but it is situated in a larger world that Keanu Reeves put together in the BRZRKR comics. Larger world is perhaps a wrong phrase, as B seems to be the main character in that series. B’s trying to figure out his place in the world (because, after 80,000 years of life you can still have existential crises), is he the protective figure of a tribe of people? Is he a demi-god? Is he death incarnate? Is he just an average joe excepting the fact that he occasionally goes on battlefield killing sprees?

I really struggled with the first couple sections of the book. Miéville drops you entirely In medias res and leaves you to struggle through it, gasping for air and a reaching for the closest dictionary simultaneously. I completely floundered through that bit, and ended up re-reading the opening scenes after they kept being referenced later on in the text. The book hits its stride after that, becoming more interesting and readable. There are a lot of flashbacks and historic scenes, and there are points at which they overshadow the main storyline. I feel like Miéville got handed a short story and made it into a full-length novel. The side stories are never not interesting, they just don’t fuse entirely well into a coherent narrative. Sure, they reflect different aspects of Unute’s character through time, but they felt like page padding to a certain extent.

B is the only character who is really fleshed out well. Keever and Diana, a soldier and a scientist, respectively, who fraternize with B, are somewhat developed, but never reach full potential. To be fair, anyone’s personality and personhood would be dwarfed by someone who’s been alive since before the earliest known bits of prehistoric art, but I would have liked to have seen more of the other characters, as I didn’t harbor any overly fond feelings for B.

As for the writing, Miéville is of course, a master of prose. I actually enjoyed how the second person narration was used, a first for me. Normally, I’m also a stickler for punctuation and grammar, there are plenty of ways for an author to be creative without tampering with basic linguistic structures (José Saramago you get a pass). Miéville created cramped prose that actively contributed to the atmosphere of the scene, rather than simply being flashy. The writing in this book was all Miéville, and accordingly, it was a delight to read, however the plot was simultaneously confusing and lacking. I was able to follow along well enough, but wasn’t ever fully invested. As always Miéville threw in a bunch of thought provoking bits of philosophy, but this was no Embassytown.

All in all, I liked this more than The Last Days of New Paris, a little more than This Census Taker, but a lot less than Embassytown, Railsea, and the Bas-Lag books. If you’re a Miéville fan, read this book, but its not his best. The plot was the weak link, but it’s smashed between stimulating themes and excellent writing.

So, I will freely admit that China Mieville on this as a ghost writer appealed a lot to me, though I did wonder what Keanu would bring to the table as a cowriter. Let's put it this way - it's very obvious when Keanu is writing, and when Mieville is writing, and whoever the editor is clearly gave up on trying to integrate the two very separate voices very quickly. If you want to know more about the Brzrkr universe that he's been cooking up, this is a very good book for that. As someone who has had absolutely zero interest in the Brzrkr universe, there are some very solid individual chapters here, but there is some really, really rough writing here and the divide between the two authorial styles is so severe that it brings the reader out of the narrative.