As always, Blake Crouch delivered an amazing and thought-provoking read. How far would one person be willing to go to change their past? And what effect will those changes have when the world is remade over and over? This is speculative fiction at its best.

This book is a trip. Even more so than Dark Matter!

"Book One" begins in the present day (well, last year, but that's close enough). Barry Sutton is an NYPD detective. He arrives at a building where a woman named Ann is about to jump to her death. She's afflicted with something called False Memory Syndrome (FMS). As Ann describes it, she suddenly started to remember herself with a different past, while still also "remembering" her current life. It is, understandably, driving her crazy. Ann gives Barry some details about her alternate past before jumping to her death.

We then meet Helena, an inventor who is, apparently, trying to build a chair. (A WHAT now?) Also, she's in 2007. She's trying to get funding for this chair and she needs a lot of money. (So this is probably not going to be a chair made out of wood.) A mysterious man offers her a mysterious job at a research facility so she can build her chair. (Seriously, WTH?)

Ann's FMS situation has stoked Barry's curiosity (and mine), so he tries to investigate. As it turns out, some of Ann's "alternate past" story is true, but not all of it, which only deepens the mystery. Why was she remembering two different lives, and is this connected to Helena and her chair? (Yes.)

And that's just the first few chapters. Things get a lot crazier from there. I was definitely confused at times, but overall, it's a fun ride. If you liked Dark Matter, you will like this one too.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. (Thank you, Net Galley!)

Let me preface this by saying that I've read one other Blake Crouch novel (Dark Matter) and I was overjoyed to get early access to this one. Crouch has a way of grabbing me from the first pages and keeping the death grip over my reading time until the last page, and often beyond. Recursion was no different. Just a rollercoaster of wow wow wow. I have already ordered multiple copies for my library because I know all my sci-fi readers are going to love it. Thank you so much!

Recursion is well written thriller with elements of science fiction. I am typically not a science fiction fan, but this book somewhat changed my perspective of how the world works and how we perceive the past, present and future. This one kept me on the edge of my seat and held my interest throughout. My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved Mr. Crouch’s last book, Dark Matter, and was very excited to read his latest work. Recursion does not disappoint.

Recursion is well-written, especially the two lead characters, Barry and Helena. It has a slightly different feel than his last book. The plot is a harder science-style science fiction, but it works well, with a nice pace and a series of unexpected twists. And within the twists and science fiction is a more personal story about memory, nostalgia, and regret: “The thought comes almost like a prayer—I don’t want to look back anymore. I’m ready to accept that my existence will sometimes contain pain. No more trying to escape....”

Another strong effort from Mr. Crouch, who is quickly moving up my list of must-read authors. Try to avoid the spoilers, and read this book as soon as you can. Highly recommended.

Helena Smith has created an amazing device that is capable of recording memories, implanting memories, even altering memories. What she didn't count on were the unintended consequences of her invention -- whatever good is done by altering memories is undone when memories of previous timelines come flooding back on the anniversary of each alteration.

Barry Sutton is a New York police detective who first encounters those unintended consequences when investigating the suicide of a woman who believes her son has been "erased" -- a son she never (apparently) had. Barry experiences that feeling himself when the device is used to alter his memory of his daughter's death as a teenager, allowing him to relive his life with his daughter having avoided her untimely end.

Then things start to get really hairy in Blake Crouch's latest science fiction-thriller crossover.

Viewed strictly as straightforward storytelling, Recursion is a well-crafted, straight-ahead thriller with elements of science fiction as a catalyst. It has already been optioned for a Netflix series, which will fit right in with several other recent series that explored incursions into consciousness, dreams, timelines, and such.

Slicing a little deeper, there are two issues I grappled with in reading an advance copy of Recursion (thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC).

First is suspension of disbelief. While I can see how an individual's perception of reality can be altered via memory, I cannot see how actual reality can be altered, especially on a mass scale, by changing one person's memories. But such is Recursion as Crouch has composed it that I'm willing to suspend my disbelief and go with it -- I still don't see how it makes sense, but if you accept the premise, everything else makes sense, the story conforms well to its own internal logic.

Second is the alteration of timelines. Every time travel story has to deal with this issue -- if you change history, what happens to the future? Along the same lines as my disbelief that altering one person's memories can have any possible impact on reality, I don't believe anything can possibly change what has already happened -- which is why the only time travel stories that make sense to me are the ones where travel into the past re-confirms history, as in The Terminator / La Jetee.

In Recursion, the only problem in that regard is the effect on reality of memory implants -- if it remained in one person's head, any outcome is imaginable, as when Barry relives his life with his daughter surviving the night she died. But for the entire world to have its history altered by changing one person's memory of history, that remains a problem, even if I suspend my disbelief in all other respects.

Hence my four-star rating -- Crouch has done well enough to end up with a good book that even a skeptic like me can buy into, except for this one aspect about changing history (which becomes relevant over the last third of the book, which I won't get into to avoid spoilers). That's the only area where the internal logic breaks down, in my view.

Barry is a detective who, through his work, becomes entangled in the social and psychological phenomenon known as False Memory Syndrom (FMS). In his search for answers, he's thrust into a journey that will test the limits of his perception of reality.

Helena wants to cure Alzheimer's, or at least find a way for her ailing mother to maintain her memories while she still has them. What her research becomes is beyond what she could have imagined, and grows increasingly beyond her own moral reasoning and control, but by then it's too late.

Helena and Barry must each confront their deepest fears and desires in order to make sense of everything.

If it seems like I'm being vague, that's on purpose. To speak too much of the plot would be to give away (and rob someone else of) moments that made my jaw drop, or made me pause reading so that I could process what had just happened. Fair warning: this book gets dark at times, though remains fantastically surreal.

With complex plotlines, and delicate balance of logic, this is an incredible story of memory and how our minds are equipped to process space and time. Some heavier moments required careful reading or re-reading, but I managed to keep pace pretty well with the wildly swinging/building plotlines.

Also, of note is that this novel is written in the present tense, which I love and feel gives a greater sense of urgency to the reader. Urgency, by the way, perfectly fits the tone of this book. It's a powerful effect after reading so much fiction that's written in the traditional past tense.

After reading all of Dark Matter in one sitting (and being so wrapped up in reading it that I stayed out in the sun too long and suffered the worst sunburn of my entire existence), I'd anticipated being sucked into another Blake Crouch book, but I still wasn't ready for this one.

As I got closer to the end of the book, drastically running out of pages, I had a sense that this story wouldn't offer as complete of an ending as I was hoping for, but I still came out of this book with a profound sense of awe.

I just wish we'd had ONE more chapter.

Wow! I was blown away by this book. It was a phenomenal read and will be my new go-to for recommendations.

Memories stay...........People don't.

Detective Barry Sutton, Central Robbery Division of the NYPD, races to the 41st floor of the Poe Building known for its Art Deco motif and certainly not for what is about to happen. A lone woman is perched on the edge in more ways than one. She looks imploringly at Barry and tells him in a breaking voice that her son has been "erased". Before Barry can even blink, the woman falls to her death.

What's real, Barry?

A paralyzing question that will run like a gazelle stampeding throughout these pages. Barry has gazed into the eyes of Death and sees into an abyss of life circumstances and moments caught in a loop of repetition so bizarre that no words can describe the experiences adequately. Much like the spring of a diving board catapulting a soul into the depths of a Black Hole.

At the throttle is Dr. Helen Smith, a neuroscientist from San Jose, California, who has the purest of intentions. Her mother suffers from Alzheimer's disease and Helen feels desperate to bring her mother's memories back. Word reaches a wealthy philanthropist who flies Helen out to a former oil rig platform in the middle of the ocean equipped with all that she needs. Just sign on the dotted line, Sweetheart.

Recursion deals with the state of being and unbeing. If given the opportunity, would you act upon an open door into the past in order to tweak the details slightly or profoundly in your past personal life? Blake Crouch tosses about the ethical questions involved in such an action. And if you believe in cause and effect and butterfly wings, you are aware of the consequences.

Crouch brings tension full-on in Recursion. He knows his subject matter like hard hitting knuckles to the face. Time certainly does not stay in the bottle as you flip pages repeatedly back and forth from previous events. You can't have it any other way as the bolts of electricity play through. And yet, Crouch brings a tenderness to Barry at one point that will conjure your own memories of loss to the surface.

If you are a fan of the talented Blake Crouch, then this is a must read. While Dark Matter still remains my favorite, Recursion will burn in my own memory........strange how that theme will stay with you after the last page.

I received a copy of Recursion through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crown Publishers and to Blake Crouch for the opportunity.

Black Crouch comes through again with a brainy, mind-bending thriller that stretches the imagination and terrifies, warms the heart, and leaves the reader with a welcomed reading hangover. Some parts "11/22/63", some Clines' "The Fold", and other parts what we loved in "Dark Matter", Crouch is a master when it comes to writing about quantum theory and making "Recursion" not only palatable but entertaining.

After reading "Dark Matter", I have been anticipating another book from Crouch. "Recursion" did not disappoint. Very fast paced, super interesting concept, a group of characters that I was invested in - It was a great book. I started getting bogged down towards the end in the scientific part, but trudged through to the great ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am hoping to see it in movie form soon!!

I loved Dark Matter so I couldn't rate to read Blake Crouch's latest novel. I have to say this one was just so-so for me. I liked the premise and the writing was good. However, I found the intricacies of the science behind the time travel and how it related to memory to be convoluted to the point that I lost interest. I also never felt fully invested in the characters. By the end, I just wanted to see how the story was going to wrap up so I could be done with it.

I will definitely read more by this author and recommend this book to readers who enjoy a fast-paced, sci-fi story. It may be more your cup of tea.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary digital review copy.

I absolutely loved Crouch's "Dark Matter" and was excited yet nervous to see how "Recursion" would measure up. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Crouch is a master at the sci-fi/thriller combo, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story. I am typically only a suspense/thriller fan and really not much of a sci-fi fan at all, but "Recursion" made me want to try more sci-fi!

Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC!

I read 58% of this. I normally either give up on a book at 10% or finish it, so this was unusual. But in this case, I really enjoyed this first half, and then it just became ridiculous--too hard to follow, too confusing.

WOW. This was fantastic. A total mind-trip. There were SO many times while reading this that I just said "wait WHAT?!" to myself. Or maybe out loud.

We follow Helena and Barry as they navigate a world beginning to suffer from a condition called False Memory Syndrome. For part of the novel, no one really knows what causes it, and it's suspected to be contagious. After a particularly difficult call as a NYPD Detective, Barry begins investigating the root of FMS himself and finds himself drug into a world that is losing its collective mind. How Helena and Barry are connected, and her role in FMS, is really best left to be told by the novel itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel. I can't wait to read more of Crouch's work!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a premise. The idea that, theoretically, a memory can be tapped into to breach the fabric of the time-space continuum and alter outcomes. It’s not necessarily a new premise, but still...

Helena Smith is on the verge of creating a device that will allow her to implant and/or resurrect memories in her rapidly deteriorating mother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. When she is suddenly approached by a mysterious businessman with unlimited money and the prospect of taking her project even further, she goes for it. Thus unravels the plight of modern man in a series of seemingly parallel linear storylines that may or may not have occurred simultaneously. It began very promising and then devolved, imho, into a difficult to maintain an investment into the characters depth assuming they were incessantly doomed yet somehow immortal and repeat the loop. Think: watching Inception if HG Wells had written it while punching you in the face with morphine needles.

This book really hit the spot for me. It was a little like Black Mirror, a little like Back to the Future, and a little something else altogether.

When I started the book, I thought I was getting one story, but in reality, I was getting another one, and I loved where the book went. Books that play with time, and memory are super intriguing to me and this one kept me super entertained until the end.

The book comes out in June, get ready guys, it's a good one :)

MY THOUGHTS:
Somebody hand this guy a movie deal already! This book read like an action movie. It was Minority Report meets The Bancroft Strategy. Plus some kind of time travel movie with all those consequences and morality questions mixed in. And it was awesome! I read it in less than 24 hours. I was hooked beginning to end. It was an action movie with so much heart and so many questions of morality and ambition and human frailty...

Loved it! Love Blake Crouch! Read it!

MY RATING:
Entertainment Value: 5
Characters 5
Voice: 5
Plot: 5
Overall: 5 stars!

See all my reviews @ www.mamaneedsabook.blogspot.com
<i>Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!</i>

Barry, a detective, begins investigating a case of suicide, the cause, False Memory Syndrome. Those with FMS have more than one set of memory, often involving family members, relationships, or situations that never really existed. It is enough to drive someone mad. Helena Smith, a neuroscientist interested in preserving memories, is hired by a mysterious man to build a chair, one designed to preserve, and re-experience one's memories. Accidentally, she discovers that the process allows one to "travel back" and change the memory.

This was a fascinating book. I found myself reading late into the night, waiting to see what happened with the characters and storylines. Barry and Helena were both interesting and dynamic characters. They were fully realized and grew/changed throughout the story. The plot was well paced and entertaining. Overall, well worth picking up.

Thank you @Netgalley for this ARC. I can't wait for other people to read this book. Just as good as Dark Matter. I loved the story line. I had to stay aware because the booked moved so fast from one thing to the other. I'm becoming a big fan of sci-fi.