Unfortunately this book read as if John Wick movies fell into a blender together with a few of China Mielville books. Neither of these things is bad per se, but overall the impression was of something that was just fine, and not new. I understand the appeal of big names, and the book itself wasn't bad, not at all. It just wasn't as good as I wanted it to be, and in a way I'd say capitalising on a name would make me expect a better book than if the same story was written by just another decent writer. I might be in the minority here, and can see many readers picking up this book just out of simple curiosity.

Weird however captivating. Strangely odd but if you read the comic I am sure you will have loved it. However not for me. I couldn't get into it.

I appreciate the chance to read this early and apologise for my late review, however this took several attempts to read and the longest I got to was 27%. It was a struggle.

I'm not sure where to start with this book. I was intrigued by the synopsis but the moment i started reading it, i struggled to get through a sentence fluently. There was just so many words thrown together that it wasn't making any sense to me. I found it so confusing and stressful as it just felt like words on paper. There was no connection with the characters or plot and it felt like reading a script. I even took a break from reading it to see if i could get into it after stepping away from it for a while but, unfortunately, it didn't get any better so i had no choice but to DNF it at 11%. I would have stopped reading at the very beginning but i thought i'd give it a chance. It's a shame as it could have been great but it wasn't executed very well. It was boring and failed to do what a book should.

I thank netgalley and random house for giving me a chance to try it out.

Can't say that this is a terrible read, but it didn't have much of a hold of my attention much to my disappointment, unfortunately. Made it through the middle, maybe slightly more before I left it be. To be fair, I liked it enough to acquire a physical copy of the book for a future reading - a second attempt of some sort. Perhaps I'm just not used to the style of writing. If I had previously read some Mievilles, I reckon I would be able to have a better time reading this one. Probably I like the idea of a book written partly by Keanu Reeves than the act of actually reading it. I dare say that that applies for quite a significant number of readers attempting this as well. It is what it is but it still makes me want KR to do another, if that's any consolation?

I was looking forward to reading this book, but sadly it wasn't for me. I couldn't get into it much as i tried.

I enjoyed parts of this and the general tone. I heard Keanu's voice throughout which was great, love that man. Really liked the mc Unute/B and his back story bits were my fave. Didn't really like the military stuff, but that's just me and my preferences. The dark depressive vibes were good and suited the story. It was both atmospheric and dull at times, violent and melancholy.

I didn't read the Keanu Reeves c0-created comic BRZRKR when it came out (I have subsequently picked it up), but I was aware of the general gist. It was broadly a more lonely and emo Highlander, an immortal guy who normally heals from any injury living an eternity subject to Berserker rages to the degree everyone calls him The Berserker. The twist on this scenario, if twist it is, is that the immortal is drawn to look uncannily like Keanu Reeves. The cynic in me saw this of another case of an actor trying to create IP for himself, and indeed it has been picked up by Netflix. Which makes The Book Of Elsewhere a particularly odd endeavor. From an IP perspective, there is no need for it, it completely muddies the waters as it takes the same premise as BRZRKR and then does something else with it, its is functionally set in a different universe (hence the gnomic title I guess). And equally, China Miéville doesn't need to do this, he's pre-eminent in his field and some sort of comics / IP tie-in seems far from where his career is right now. That said, it is awfully flattering when a Hollywood actor bangs on your door and fanboys you into working with him, and indeed his name on the cover suggests this is more than a vanity ghost-write. But what is it?

The issue with BRZRKR as a property is there really isn't much to it (the immortal guy does violence, and tries to understand why he is the way he is). The opportunity is also quite large - immortality gives you a lot of backstory to delve into. That is how this is structured, a chapter in the present where our lead (Unute) is working for the secret off-books governmental organisation, and lots of chapters from the past of Unute's life. Truth be told, I could have happily just read the back story, as it fluttered about entertainingly - mixing perspectives of those who fought, loved or cared for Unute. The general sense of immortality as absolute torture though permeates the book, particularly when we discover a second immortal being - a pig (a babirusa - but if that sends you scurrying to Wikipedia, so did I). If Unute is confused about his existence, the boar is just furious constantly and is drawn to Unute in its will misunderstanding rage. It is the conceptual silliness of the pig nemesis that ends up being the saviour of the book, even when there turns out to be a third immortal and you wonder if this is actually going to turn into Highlander after all.

The Book Of Elsewhere is a bit of a mess, but its a bit of a mess written with Miéville's precision and Reeves's sense of storytelling (how the labour was split between the two of them it is unclear though my sense is that Miéville did most of the actual ideas into words bits). Whilst I found the modern conspiracy stuff flat for the first half of the book, even it picks up near the end when revelations are uncovered - albeit I could do without more secret societies tinkering with the fate of humanity. Its messiness is eventually its charm, and even if it doesn't work for you as a whole, there are about ten short stories in the back story that all stand up on their own, so it won't be a waste of your time.

DNF 21%
It was evident from the first page that I wasn't going to like this book. I didn't like the way it was narrated and it felt very alien. I tried to stay interested but I kept zoning out and have no idea what was going on. I found myself not caring at all what happens in the end and I just couldn't go on. It was like watching paint dry

A gloriously silly concept (immortal warrior is chased by a similarly immortal vengeance obsessed pig) but the authors lean into it so hard that it becomes a genuine epic, a comics and pop culture inflected Beowulf. Unfortunately the plotting can't quite sustain the epic tone and the last quarter pretty much falls apart in front of your eyes, but it's a fun ride getting there.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is just not it. I can't tell you anything that has happened except really really poor writing and "action man being action man".

If you're on the fence about this, go to amazon and read the "look inside" bit. Just from page 1 you'll know if you're gonna like this book or not. It goes from an entire page of just the shortest sentences possible, and then the next page is a whole paragraph of a single sentence. The writing is very stilted and just very basic honestly.

I was going into this expecting "keanu reeeves self insert john wick fanfic but sci-fi" and I think that is there, but I just cannot get past this writing. Got told multiple times as well that the story just completely loses the plot so it's not even worth reading for that.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I was really keen on reading this and seeing what it's about because of this dream paring! It was a really fun read and I could def see Keanu Reeves' influence.

I was very keen to read this book, having enjoyed the work of both authors for many years - what a combination!

And yes, it's a ride. I can absolutely imagine Keanu narrating a lot of it with the smoky tone of John Wick. China's intensity and political savvy comes through, of course. Both men work together very well.

But there's something about it that just didn't grab me. I was puzzling over what this could be - and I think ultimately it's that this might make a better movie than a book. The visual descriptions are excellent, the atmosphere appropriately cutting, but it seemed so very wordy. I found it hard to fully engage.

I may try again in future. Not what I expected, and I know others will enjoy; I'm glad to have had the experience.

In short, a very interesting Sci-Fi narrative picking apart the idea of immortality, as presented in the figure of Unute, the main protagonist. The core of the story takes place in a Government facility, but regular flashbacks and side narratives allow exploration of the character’s journey to this point.

It took a minute to get into, probably as a result of the comic-book approach to scenes (one panel at a time), but both the writing style and the idea for the story are superb. I would heartily recommend.

This was an interesting one... an existential action thriller and a violent rumination on the meaning of life. The story follows Unute, a warrior who has existed for thousand s of years. He can die but always regenerates. He has seen everything and yearns for mortality. The novel follows his journey, often from the point of view of others, jumping across timespans but mainly centred on the present day. As we read, we unravel the mystery of Unute, and the novel comes to a partial explanation by the end, leaving open the possibility of a follow up. As others have said, the writing style can be a little hard to follow at times, sometimes jarring or experimental. The pace starts slow but picks up and keeps you reading to see what becomes of Unute. An enjoyable read with some weighty ideas.

The team-up I didn't know I needed. Perfectly weird, captivating and simply breathtaking. Absolute recommendation!

This whole story was really interesting, I liked how we were told the story of Unute/B through so many times and POVs. All pieces of a greater puzzle, taking us through some of his past and his present as he struggles to piece together who and what he is.

Deeply fascinating story and so intricately told. This reminded me at times, of how Philip K Dick constructed his stories.

I would definitely recommend this but go into it knowing that it is not an easy read. It takes a bit to get into the flow of how this is written, if you are not familiar with the style.

"The Book of Elsewhere" by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville is a mind-bending journey through time, violence, and the human condition. This genre-defying work blends military thriller with weird fiction, creating a unique reading experience that will challenge and captivate readers willing to embrace its complexity.
At the heart of the story is Unute, also known as "B," an 80,000-year-old immortal who can't be killed. Born from blue lightning, he regenerates from his wounds and even emerges from eggs when his body is beyond repair. Sound bizarre? It absolutely is, and that's just the beginning.
Reeves and Miéville have crafted a non-linear narrative that jumps across millennia, weaving together Unute's encounters with historical figures like Freud and Marx, his experiences with death cults, and his current involvement with a military operation seeking to create the perfect soldier. The prose shifts between poetic and visceral, often within the same paragraph, mirroring the protagonist's struggle between his violent nature and his search for meaning.
The authors don't shy away from exploring heavy themes. Death, grief, and the value of life in the face of immortality are central to the story. There are even subtle nods to Reeves' personal experiences, adding a layer of meta-commentary on celebrity and the human experience.
However, this novel is not for everyone. The disjointed narrative and frequent perspective shifts can be disorienting. Many readers may find themselves lost in the labyrinth of Unute's memories and experiences. The violence is graphic, the philosophical musings dense, and only a handful of characters are fully developed.
Yet, for those who persevere, "The Book of Elsewhere" offers a rewarding and thought-provoking experience. The worldbuilding is intricate, the concepts are fascinatingly weird (like an undying, vengeful pig that haunts Unute), and the underlying questions about immortality and purpose are compelling.
In the end, this collaboration between action star and acclaimed author has produced something truly unique in the landscape of contemporary fiction. It's a challenging, cerebral work that defies easy categorization and demands the reader's full attention. Whether you love it or hate it, "The Book of Elsewhere" is sure to leave a lasting impression and spark conversations long after the final page is turned.

This book is an experience in duplexity. From fast paced pulpy action, to slow, philosophical ponderings on immortality and what it means to be 'alive'. At times poetic and meandering, before jolting perspectives to become choppy and violent. It is less a book to be read, and more a trust of process. It all comes together in the end, but the journey can feel disjointed and confusing if you stop to ask too many questions.

China Mieville is an author I can take or leave. It took me until about the 10% mark to decide this collaboration with Keanu Reeves was the latter and a further 10% before it was clear there were better things I could be reading and I DNFed.

Terrible prose, a confusing narrative and characters dropped en masse with little or no explanation are just a few of The Book of Elsewhere's problems. A lot of the time it reads more like a script than a novel. I mean...

'A room, full of violence to come. Then with the nasty white light of LEDs. Then a man came in and sat between the metal lockers. He took a machine from his pack and ran protocols on it. Alone awhile, he stared at its screen. His comrades followed him in at last. The man kept on with his preparations.'

That's just the first paragraph, but there's more like it and worse.

Sorry. This one wasn't for me, but thanks anyway to NetGalley, Del Rey and the authors for an advance copy.