This is a slog to get through, not enjoyable and ultimately goes nowhere. I've read other Mieville novels and he tends to be a dense, detailed writer, but partnering with the chill of Reeves threw the whole thing over a cliff.

2 Stars is generous. I loved the graphic novels. I found that story intriguing and well presented. This novel was a trainwreck. It has some great literary moments but it's like a fantasy memoir? That doesn't do great at connecting all its tiny stories into one cohesive tale.

The writing style didn’t quite do it for me. It felt a bit uneven and hard to get into.

I appreciate Keanu’s effort in trying something new, but the book didn’t really grab me like I hoped it would. If you’re curious about Keanu’s writing or just a huge fan, it might be worth checking out. Otherwise, it might not be the most engaging read out there.

A very interesting book. I'm not really into comics, so the tie to a comic book made me nervous that this would not be good, but I like Mieville, so I gave it a chance. While I can see some comic book influence in the story, this book is much more sophisticated than expected. For a lot of readers that may be an issue, because this doesn't just get into action and move fast. It develops slowly and for at least the first 100 pages I felt kind of lost. But if you stick with it things become clearer and the story is really good!

Definitely will appeal to readers based on name recognition alone. Mieville's style is an acquired taste which I have not developed. I want to like him; feel I should, but his writing exhausts me.

3.5 rounded up.

Not being familiar with China Mieville or the BRZRKR comics this was strange, brash, funky and weird.

I was confused and lost a good chunk of the way but I still couldn’t stop wondering what was going to happen.

That said, I definitely feel that this is definitely not for everyone.

This was a ride. A big picture, introspective, ride. But honestly, this read isn't going to be for everyone. If you don't enjoy multi pov, multi strings of story, and various narrators depending on the thread, you probably won't enjoy this. I haven't read anything by either author, and know nothing about Keanu's other works which ties in.

It's hard to put into words all the ways this book made me feel. But it really does feel like Keanu is talking to you about being immortal, humanity, and everything in between. The raw malarkey view of it after having lived for thousands of lifetimes.

When 2nd person is done right it is one of my favorite POVs of a book. The use of it here, gives clear distinction in voice, and the story being told while in that POV. I enjoyed the timeline jumping, various plot strings and how it all tied together in the end. Discovering the why was an adventure that I didn't expect. How the various humans reacted to him, how everything cycles. Basically the entire book felt like each chapter could expand into it's own big picture magnifying glass on humanity.

I think the opening scene is perfect to set the book up. For me, the lack of names in the opening scene is setting the stage for how detached he is from the rest of the people in that moment. It felt like a base, in which all of the other scenes are measured off of. How human is he in this specific moment. Where is the emotion compared to the first scene. This book is doing a full circle view of immortality, and this scene felt like a true view of how cold it can get knowing everyone around you is only there for a moment, while you are there for an excruciating long time with no end in sight.

You'll enjoy this book if you want something weird, not your normal read, and are ready for complexities you'd never expect.

Weird and expansive without being inaccessible. Really liked the way the backstory was weaved in with different perspectives and stories without being overly explicit about what to take away from each story. That vagueness might offput some, but lead to an overall mysterious and philosophical vibe that worked for this story to make it more than just an action comic book.

If you like military thrillers and science fiction, then The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville may be the book for you. Legends tell of a warrior who can’t be killed. But "B" as he is known in this story wants more than to kill, die and come back to life repeatedly.

Stylistically different, poetic at times, with excellent worldbuilding this book has a great premise and is definitely thought-provoking.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

I loved the idea of this book from the very start. I love the synopsis. I love the story arch that they were building on. I just could not finish it. It's just not my favorite type of storytelling. I'm going to attempt the audiobook and see if it helps.

I love Keanu Reeves. I would hang with that dude any day, just hang out and drink coffee and probably watch him smoke a bunch of cigarettes. However, I am not in love with China Mieville. In fact, I find him to be a bit boring. I knew going in that this was going to be a book that was written by Mieville and thought of by Reeves and I was okay with that. And while it was very exciting and violent and fun I found it sort of dry and boring and took a long time to get through. I dig the world and the characters, I just wish there wasn't so much exposition, and there was a lot, like too much. Anyway, Keanu, you're a national treasure. Love you.

"The Book of Elsewhere" by Keanu Reeves, China Miéville was a dark, yet creative novel. Full of mystery, tragedy and unexpected beings, this book examines emotional impacts and other possibilities of existence. Thank you NetGalley, the authors and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!
It took me a while to understand what was going on but once I had a grasp on it, this book was really interesting and unique. The characters were interesting and I loved their relationships with each other. I was smiling so big at the end with the final chapter. I think I struggled the most with the vocabulary. There were a lot of words I didn't know which threw me off a bit. That aside though this story was so interesting and kind of inspiring. If I gave this another read I'd probably love it even more the 2nd time around.

Bitter dregs of disappointment.

I need to stay much more in the head of "no comic books" and I'll be happier, and make better reading choices for myself. This kind of pseudoprofound character, like The Ancient Mariner, or the Highlander, whose wisdom is aperçus strung together on worn-out fibers of fraying plot-ropes unbundled to make them stretch farther, just does not work for me.

Not my favorite style of storytelling. Too much info dump too quickly with way too much vague stylization of characters. Maybe I'll get into it another time, but right now, it felt like if Neo decided to try his hand at pretentious fiction writing.

There are three things you need to know about this story before you read it. The first is that, unless you have already read the BRZRKR comics, this will more than likely not make any sense to you and you will DNF within the first couple of chapters. In my opinion, it’s absolutely necessary to at least read a couple of them. The second is that, yes Unute speaks in second person for part of this story. These are small sections and are limited only to Unute’s deeper perspective, his past self. The vast majority of the story is written in third past. The third thing you need to know is that this book is written very much like a comic adaption. So, imagine yourself reading the panels of a comic, then imagine a much more explained and drawn out version, panel by panel. If you don’t like comics/graphic novels, you will absolutely hate this book.

This is a great adaption of Unute’s story, and while it differs in some respect to the later comics, it still gives the reader a much better understanding of his past and what drives him. I can say that the format will not be to a lot of people’s liking, and I really believe it is because they’ve never read the comics. Again, in my opinion, they are vital to understanding this book. And yes, it is cerebral. I found it to be an incredibly deep view of a very complex character. A fantastic view into the BRZRKR world, and I will absolutely be reading it if a sequel is written!

Huge thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

Eight years after his last novel and reputedly, a year before his magnum opus lands — China Miéville has added a new type of genre to the mind bendingly varied list of books in his oeuvre — the tie-in. In 2020, movie star Keanu Reeves originated and co-wrote the BRZRKR comic series about an immortal warrior named Unute, loosely affiliated with a secret division of the U.S. Army under the codename B. Although there’s no way of compelling him to do anything, he accedes to most orders in return for specific scientific help that he cannot do himself.

I’ve never read China Miéville before, though he’s on my radar, and when I learned he wrote a book with Keanu Reeves, I was so curious to read it. Unfortunately, it really didn’t work for me. I bailed at about 30% in. I thought the idea of an immortal being (or one who keeps being reborn) was interesting, but not much seemed to be happening other than introducing this character and when an immortal pig then entered the picture, it just got too weird for me.

"The Book of Elsewhere" by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville is a novel that’s as intriguing as it is challenging. The concept is undeniably unique, blending military sci-fi with a deep philosophical exploration of immortality. The story of "B," an immortal warrior weary of life, promises a fascinating journey through time, violence, and existential dread.

However, the execution may not appeal to everyone. The narrative style, with its non-linear timeline and complex prose, can feel disjointed and difficult to follow. While the collaboration between Reeves and Miéville results in some thought-provoking moments, the uneven pacing and occasionally pretentious writing make it hard to stay fully engaged. The characters, though interesting, lack depth beyond the central figure, making it challenging to connect with the broader cast.

The book does have its merits, particularly in its world-building and the intriguing, if sometimes muddled, plot twists. Fans of experimental fiction and those who enjoy a challenge may find this novel rewarding, but it’s not an easy read and may not satisfy everyone. A solid 3 stars for an ambitious but uneven effort.

The Book of Elsewhere merges a unique concept with a distinctive writing style, but its execution proves to be a mixed bag. The novel's premise—following an immortal warrior named Unute who grapples with the meaning of life and death—offers an intriguing foundation, blending military thriller and sci-fi elements. The worldbuilding is commendable, with a poetic and imaginative prose that evokes a sense of grandeur. However, the narrative's non-linear structure and experimental style, including odd descriptors and a third-person present tense perspective, may leave readers feeling detached and confused. The novel's stylistic choices can come across as overly complex and pretentious, making it a challenging read for those expecting a more straightforward experience.

Despite the novel's ambitious themes and depth, it struggles with pacing and character development. While some readers might appreciate its cerebral approach and layered symbolism, others may find the execution uneven and the story hard to follow. The graphic violence and numerous characters lacking depth further detract from its appeal. Overall, The Book of Elsewhere might captivate fans of experimental fiction and those curious about Keanu Reeves' literary venture, but it may not be for everyone, especially those seeking a more conventional narrative.