I'm not a big fan of sci-fi, but oh my god Dark Matter was so good! So of course I was excited for this one. Everything was great except for the repetition. I get that it's part of the theme, but it was just slow going and felt like a chore to get through. Overall though, very interesting stuff that not only makes you think but also makes you feel. I can't wait to see where Blake Crouch takes us next!

Wow. Just...wow.

My mind is still reeling from this novel! Blake Crouch has done it again. In this novel, Helena Smith is a neuroscientist who sets out to create a device to allow those with memory loss to experience their preserved memories over and over again, in light of her mother losing her memory to dementia. Barry Sutton, a NYC copy, is investing a new illness called False Memory Syndrome, which causes its victims to suddenly remember entire lifetimes that they never experienced.

From the first page I was immediately hooked. While it became a little confusing when the story jumped around multiple timelines, the root of the story was in humanity and the desire to change the past if you had the option. It addresses the dangers of such abilities falling into the wrong hands and, how humankind can't handle that type of power. No spoilers, but the ending of the novel was beautifully written, philosophical in nature, surprising and I was complete satisfied by the conclusion. With sci-fi novels like this I find that the conclusions tend to be either predictable or disappointing, but Recursion exceeded all expectations.

Thank you to Net Galley for sending me an ARC of this book!

I usually do not enjoy science fiction books but this author really blows me away. Such a fast paced thriller!

This. I loved it! I'm not sure I understood all of it but the story was amazing. A mind blowing romp through memory and time.

Dark Matter is one of my all time favorite books and Recursion was my MOST anticipated read of 2019. I can’t believe how much more I loved Recursion! Blake Crouch is an amazing original writer. This story is simply mind blowing and I know I’ll reread it again one day. Five entertaining stars!!

Recursion is a Sci Fi thriller that is centered around a society where False Memory Syndrome is plaguing citizens, causing a rise in suicide attempts. As NYPD detective Barry begins to investigate FMS, neuroscientist Helena has a rich benefactor who is sponsoring her on pushing her to make a breakthrough on her research for a chair that helps those suffering from Alzheimer's with memory loss. And then the story gets weird.

This book is full of alternate timelines and neurological tampering and time warps and

This is my first time to read a book by Blake Crouch and his legions of fans are embracing this novel.
I found the first half of the book easy to follow and understand but my brain wasn't capable of keeping track of the complicated plot twists and turns for the second half. Clearly the author has some enlightened ideas about alternate memory lines and time travel, and my reading life could use more imagination and futuristic plot infusions. However, this book was a miss for me.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crown Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start off with a fact…Sci-Fi is not my thing. With that being said, I enjoyed reading Recursion by Blake Crouch. Once I accepted that the premise of the book relies upon yet undiscovered mechanical processes above my intelligence level, I was able to appreciate the struggles of the main characters. Barry and Helena lead very different lives but are brought together by a technological break-through developed by Helena. They must find a way to come together to fix the unintended consequences of her work before the outcomes are catastrophic and irreversible. This book includes classic elements of science fiction, but at its core it is the examination of the costs of human choice. What are people willing to sacrifice for those they love and at what point does the greater good outweigh personal desires? If you are not a traditional Sci-Fi reader, Recursion by Blake Crouch is a great place to start. You will find a novel with solid writing, character development, and innovations you will most likely not understand, but a story you will enjoy nonetheless.

Wow I loved this book. It was gripping, and once I was hooked, I binge read it to finish. I was a fan of the author's previous book "Dark Matter", and this definitely exceeded my expectations. The twists and turns never stopped, and the human connections throughout the book felt authentic and visceral. This book will really make you question the nature of time and reality as we think we know it.

What if you’re going about your regular day when all of a sudden you’re slammed with memories of a life that is unmistakably yours but that you did not actively live? What if you live alone, never married, in a five floor walk up and suddenly remember a life in which you were happily married with children - something you find far more fulfilling than your present? Blake Crouch’s Recursion explores the parameters of memory and reality unlike any other.
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All I can say is - HOLY SHIT. This book took me on the WILDEST mental ride I have been on in quite some time. I’m so glad I participated in a Buddy Read of it this month because I definitely need a space to throw out all of the crazy thoughts and feelings Recursion has incited in me. Crouch takes such a mind-boggling concept of memory, time, and reality and makes it fairly easy to follow while also keeping you on your toes, and in my case, muttering a lot of WTF’s under your breath.

Yes I liked this one even better than Dark Matter. Yes there were moments in this book where I really had to stop and think hard in order to grasp the concepts. Yes this book blew my mind in so many ways (good ways!) Yes this book reeally makes you think-on a scientific level, on an existential level, on a hypothetical level...on a lot of levels actually. And that is the genius of this book.

Like Dark Matter, I’d categorize this as a science-y thriller. Definitely not your average domestic page turner about cheating husbands and murderous wives/mistresses. This takes a very interesting topic such as time travel/memory exploration and throws in a large dollop of crooked CEO’s and corporate greed, a little dash of romance and we’ve got the perfect mash up for a summertime read! This was absolute perfection, my personal definition of a “beach read.” I’m not one who picks up a romance in the summer, or a special exotic destination book setting. Recursion was the best I could’ve asked for. Fast paced and engaging, clever, complex & thrilling. I loved it! I blew through this in two sittings and was left wanting more! (Not because the book was in need of something more but simply because I did not want it to end.)

Oh, and the cover was gorgeous too! I likey very much! Only thing was tho that it was quite similar to Dark Matter in a lot of ways, they both get into & explore in depth the whole parallel universe/ alternate realities thing & the potential consequences of progress in these areas. It’s very interesting subject matter and I love the thriller aspect of it, the way Crouch takes this giant world altering scientific movement & then turns it on a personal level so we see not only the universal consequences but also the way it affects people on an individual level. This is a common theme in both Dark Matter & Recursion, the darker sides of being able to mess with our linear perception of time. It’s absolutely interesting reading, & it definitely gives you something to think & wonder about, but I found the overall theme/points of both to be very very similar. That’s why I figure his next book should be a little different, just to switch it up a bit. I would love to see him explore a different area of science! Either way tho, Blake Crouch has become an author that is a for sure buy for me, whatever he comes out with, I will be reading!

Recursion follows detective Barry Sutton as he digs further into FMS (False Memory Syndrome). When people experience FMS, they experience an entire set of memories from a life that they never lived.

Without revealing too much here, Barry and Helena work together to stop the world from experiencing FMS.

This book was so interesting! I love that Blake Crouch's books are obscure and yet there's enough details to make you feel that something like this could happen!

If you loved Dark Matter and Pines then you will surely love this book!

Blake Crouch is an insane writer. I loved the WAYWARD PINES series so when his next standalone was available on NetGalley, I snapped it up. Boy, oh boy, did he not disappoint. This novel is a wild ride through a future that is tangible yet foreign, frightening but possible. Not to even mention the morality questions that coincide with these scientific advances. I recommend this to folks who might be nervous about science fiction; it reads like what could be reality before we know it.
Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the digital ARC.
thelithaven.com

I will not be reviewing this book. I have read 25% of the book and am finding it too intense for my tastes. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, but I need to pass.

Who knew a story about a chair could be so captivating? Crouch created such an intense and wild ride with Recursion. My mind is absolutely, 100% blown away. I’m not usually a fan on sci-fi, but I’m glad that I was able to give this a shot. Recursion is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Normally, redundancy is a turnoff, but it worked wonders here. With the multiple storylines in one, it was almost like reading many different stories in a different way whenever there was a new timeline introduced. Some parts were confusing, but I felt like that was the point. It honestly helped me feel like I could relate to the characters a bit more because they were dealing with that feeling too.

Aside from that, overall, the story made me think. What if this happened in our reality? I feel like anything is possibly, especially with the technology these days...definitely a scary thought. Everyone’s always reminiscing in their past, and who wouldn’t want to relive the good memories with loved ones? And if we could go back and stop all these tragedies from happening?

Oooo boy. Absolutely amazing. My book hangover is seriously so real after this. It’s going to take me some time to fully process everything!

I waited a long time to read this book because I am NOT a sci fi fan, and especially struggle with understanding things like time travel. My mind doesn't usually want to wrap itself around that type of thing. However, as soon as I started this one, I knew I was going to be hooked. What remained to be seen is if it would all go over my head. Well, to my surprise, I not only mostly understood this book, but I really liked it! This book was non stop action and I was thoroughly engrossed the whole time. The main characters and their relationship were really well written and the type of characters that stay with you. This was such a pleasant surprise! (First Review for #reviewathon))

4.5! This book will have me thinking for a loooong time. A crazy interesting look into memory, time, and the power those things have on humanity. This book is much different than I thought it would be, but I really enjoyed it. I’ve got to stop telling myself I don’t like sci-fi!

Blake Crouch’s latest book Recursion is one of my favorite reads of all time! Recursion had suspense in spades along with originality and heart and ties that bind and circumstances with dire consequences all while sporting a mystery, thriller, technothrillers and psychological bent.

Barry Sutton is a New York City cop investigating False Memory Syndrome. Neuroscientist Helena Smith has dedicated her research to creating technology that will preserve precious memories. This exciting read gives reality another name. “Memory makes reality” is an understatement in this read because memories and reality are as much as main characters as Barry and Helena. This book will thrill you. You won’t want to do anything but read it. You’ll be thrilled, terrified, emotional, and on the edge of your seat the whole time.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Synopsis from the Publisher/NetGalley.com
Memory makes reality. That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

Neuroscientist Helena Smith already understands the power of memory. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious moments of our pasts. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent.

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?

Science fiction with a twist? I am addicted to Blake Crouch, If you like being watching Netflix’s Black Mirror then give this a try. So thrilling and not predictable.

This book was hard to put down and it made me feel like I was book drunk when it was over but I am happy that I read it

I am not a science fiction fan, but within this genre, this was the best such book I"ve read. Because it had a storyline that any of us can relate to (how important are memories? Would you go back in time to change something?), I enjoyed this book.