Bzrk Apocalypse

One month after surviving the destruction of their Doll Ship, a floating prison of human experimentation, the Armstrong twins are ready to continue their efforts in achieving worldwide domination. The core BZRK team is back together, and the members are equally determined to prevent the twins from releasing their unnatural inventions on an unsuspecting public. Suddenly, notable figures, from a famous actress to influential businessmen to the Pope, rave about seeing things before mutilating themselves in a twisted attempt at self-defense. Who or what is behind this seemingly random display of control, and what might be the new ultimate goal? This may be the last of the series, but it is definitely not the least, in any sense of the word. Instead, serious fans will be excited to find plenty of detailed violence against the human body, even more explosive battles with gory scenes fully described, and the most number of agents with hidden agendas conducting double-crosses from all sides. Other elements of note include clues for alert teens interested in working out connections before they are officially revealed, a sex scene for committed couple Plath and Keats, adult language peppered throughout, and ending that may not qualify as happy but feels satisfyingly complete. This book is a bad choice for the squeamish but a great choice for readers with a strong stomach, an interest in the future of biomedical technology and the essential ethical debate, or anyone willing to embark on an unnerving, frighteningly plausible thrill ride all around the globe. --starred, VOYA --Journal In this trilogy finale, the BZRK 'death or madness' catchphrase has never been more applicable. Sadie (code name Plath) and Noah (code name Keats) are recovering from BZRK Reloaded (2013) on an island when an attack drags them back from heady sex into the secret war over humanity's fate. Putting aside her previous suspicions and reservations about BZRK's shadowy leader, Lear, Plath resumes leadership of the New York cell and considers drastically violent means to stop the Armstrong Twins for good. This uncharacteristic line of thought has her wondering if war's changed her--or if she's been tampered with. Meanwhile, the Armstrong Twins are desperate after their extreme losses, both in battle and in their best twitchers, deserter Bug Man and Burnofsky, who's been captured and had his brain rewired by BZRK. The devastatingly cruel wire job on Burnofsky threatens to teach the same lesson that sent Bug Man running--wiring has unintended consequences. Meanwhile, outbreaks of madness striking important, high-profile people are connected to mysterious, wealthy Lystra. The third-person omniscient narration here is essential to keep the many plotlines straight. Sexual content and gruesome violence will help readers not emotionally ready for the far-more-disturbing philosophical and moral questions to self-censor. By the end, the heroes stand between two forces--one side wanting to bring humanity's death, the other madness--and there's no such thing as a completely happy ending. Like reading an action movie. --Kirkus Reviews --Journal Fans of the series who were left breathless at the end of BZRK Reloaded (Egmont USA, 2013) will be thrilled to dive into this high-octane conclusion that picks up exactly where book two left off. The Armstrong Twins are set on revenge and Sadie ('Plath') winds up as head of BZRK in the aftermath of Vincent's mental breakdown. New characters are introduced, action is relentless, and the stakes are high. Readers new to the series will be hopelessly lost; this is a series that must be read in order. Those who've enjoyed the first two will find a satisfying end. --School Library Journal --Journal