BZRK

//BZRK// by Michael Grant



I haven't read this myself, but a very picky junior (boy) of mine said he was at his wit's end waiting for me to get the sequel to it, ha! - Liz, Merrimack PL

BZRK is a covert, near-future organization that uses nano-biology to defend against terrorists who utilize nano-mechanical technology. Teens who achieve elite status as video-gamers are recruited by both sides to gather intelligence and engage in chaotic, intense battles at the microscopic level.

The initial chapters feel like a series of thrilling short stories, but the plot quickly pulls these threads and the surviving characters together. Noah and Sadie are recruited and renamed Keats and Plath. Their disconcerting and abbreviated training forces them to put some very real "skin in the game" to create their nano-biological servants. With "Nano-Biots" and hormones barely under control, the pair is immediately thrown into a battle against those who seek control over the minds of several world leaders about to meet at the United Nations.

This action-packed and highly entertaining page-turner offers a diverse cast of characters and an interesting view of ethics, while exposing potential pitfalls of nano-science. Think "Ender's Game" meets "Little Brother." A stand-alone story with a good ending, yet leaves you wanting more (three other titles have been written for this series so far). It is my pick of the year for the Flume final list. ~ ~ ~ Wally Keniston.