I rarely read science fiction but I do love Blake Crouch, and Upgrade was on point with my expectations. Dark Matter will probably still be my favorite but this was a very close second. Sometimes sci-fi can be a little over my head but this one was not, and I really enjoyed the plot which centered on DNA and an evolution of Logan Ramsay into a ‘super human’, if you will. He realizes he is feeling a littler clearer in the mind, his concentration is much better. Then he can multitask like no one else, and starts speaking much faster to keep up with how fast his brain is processing information, and knows something has happened to him but is not sure what. Turns out hIs genome has been hacked, and others know this too so now he is not only fighting to figure out what is going on, but to figure out why he was targeted and the bigger picture of how this could affect humanity while trying to hide from those that are after him.

This was pretty fast paced right from the start, and I was able to keep up for the most part. I really liked this one, thought it was well written and enjoyed the fast pace. I liked the focus on humanity and how changes to our genome affect us for the greater good (or bad).

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the digital copy to review.

This was classic Crouch. The book was engaging and enjoyable. It had plenty of twists and turns, and was pretty much what one would expect from Blake Crouch - and that is a good thing.

As with all of Blake Crouch's books, I thought this had a fascinating concept. It was a tad confusing but less so than Recursion. It was great for discussion in our book club.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

While this was my least favorite Croich novel, I still really enjoyed it. I do find that his books are starting to blur together though. I love how his writing reads like a screenplay, I’m just hoping he has some new ideas next

Whoa, Nelly! I don't think I was ready for the whirlwind that was Upgrade by Blake Crouch. This technothriller follows Logan, an investigator with the government agency tasked with enforcing the new laws against genetic research. When he becomes the victim of a genome hack, he has to fight against his friends and his family to find a way to stop this from happening to anyone else. He is smarter and stronger and faster than ever before, but would this be the answer to humanity's problems, or will it usher in the end of the world. And how many will die if it all goes wrong?

This fast-moving thriller was exciting and kept me up well past bedtime. It got a little technical at times, but the research that went into writing it must have been massive. The science is fascinating, but the real enjoyment for me came from the philosophical questions raised. If we can, should we? What would make the world better? And what is an acceptable loss to save the human species?

The end of Homo sapiens lies just over the horizon. We can see it in a thousand metrics. Which means we have a chance. But only if we collectively decide to act. If nothing changes, we will die off for the stupidest reason imaginable- because we refused, for so many childish reasons, to do the obvious things that would save us.

Science fiction set in the near future is my favorite. The reader can see the world they know, but also begin to imagine what could be. We know what our problems are now and to see them solved is exciting, even if it isn't quite real. Yet. There are other quotes I'd love to share with you, but I'd hate to spoil such an entertaining read for you. I can't wait to read more Blake Crouch.

Everyone says hangovers get worse after 30, but Blake Crouch hangovers are horrendous at any age! As soon as I read the first page I knew I wouldn’t be moving from my reading chair until I read the last. I’ve always been fascinated by time travel/alternative realities, but have VERY minimal understanding of the science and principles behind them. This novel, like the two before it, does a fantastic job of breaking down these complex topics into digestible, easy-to-understand bits. Also like the other two, this story leaves you with many complex and thought-provoking questions. Love, love, LOVE authors who do their research and leave the reader with far more questions at the end of the book than at the beginning.

I liked this book a lot, but I have liked other Blake Crouch books more. I don't always love science fiction, but I do tend to like the stories crafted by Crouch. I like that the main characters often do not know what is happening and must figure it out along with the reader. This as a writing style is something I didn't know that I would enjoy but have really grown to love. I will always pick up a Blake Crouch book because even when they aren't incredible, they're pretty dang fun.

This is a book you can finish in one sitting. It was detailed and entertaining. The perfect fusion of sci-fi and thriller. It didn’t have too many twists. Recursion is my favorite but this was still incredibly good and easy to follow along for this science fiction genre.

Blake Crouch has done it again! His ability to create an amazing sci-fi mystery is out of this world.

This is perfect for sci-fi or non sci-fi fans. Go read this book.

Another good book from this author about sci fi stuff. I never enjoyed that genre as much prior to Crouch so for that I think him!!

Upgrade is a story that I know had I watched it as a movie, I would have loved it. There’s something about the visual aspect of movies that explains things to me, particularly sci-fi type things, that I have a harder time grasping when I’m reading about it. I don’t typically read a lot of sci-fi for that very reason but I was drawn to this story for what happens to Logan and what his body goes through when he discovers that he’s been given some type of DNA “upgrade” and can now do so much more than a normal human can do.

I loved that the story didn’t drag at all, it was nonstop all the way through. I admit I started feeling quite anxious while reading because it was obvious it was building to an all out war to save humanity and it really started feeling like an all too real scenario, like, what if this happened to US? I will say, some of those upgrades that Logan got? Increased reading speed, better memory, a stronger body? I’ll take those, please!

Mr. Crouch really tells the story well, and it’s obvious he researched the material extensively as it all felt like a very real world situation we could face at some point in time. I was fascinated with the concepts, and the whole “should man be trying to play God” scenario throughout. I would absolutely love to see this made into a film!

Blake Crouch is just one of those authors. You know you are in for a wild ride and it will likely turn out to be worth the time. Upgrade is no different. Sci-Fi nerds alike can rejoice in the fact that Crouch still has it.

Crouch has done it again! UPGRADE absolutely blew me away and kept me captivated through the entire story. I typically do not gravitate towards science fiction, however, I will read anything and everything by Blake Crouch. His stories are always so well thought out, easy enough to understand, and include fascinating predicaments that leave me thinking and talking about it with others. Absolutely will recommend UPGRADE to those that enjoy sci-fi or are looking to try something new.

Thank you thank you Netgalley and publishers for access to this advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A reading friend introduced me to Blake Crouch a few years ago, starting with Dark Matter; I immediately read all of his other available titles and was so excited to read Upgrade when it was published. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite. I"m not sure if it's that I've watched/read several fairly similar stories, with similar plot lines and characters, or if I just didn't read this one at the right time; nevertheless, I struggled to get through it but forced myself to finish because I am such a huge fan of his work! Hopeful for a more engaging story from him in the future and I'm sure many will love this one.

I enjoyed both Dark Matter and Recursion, and was excited to read Upgrade! While I didn't love it as much as the other two, it was still an excellent read that hooked me from the very first page. Just like the other two, it was also hard to put down! The science in this book is fascinating! Also a bit scary because I feel like this could happen in real life.
TW: There are some trigger warnings for death of a parent--luckily I was warned ahead of time so I knew what to expect. There is a bit of death and gun violence in this one.

This book was everything! Had extremely high expectations and it knocked it out of the park. Blake Crouch keeps getting better and better, I am in awe!

R E V I E W 💖

I’m not a huge sci-fi person but I always hear such good things about his novels. The first half of the book I was so intrigued and it reminded me of the movie limitless. Somewhere around the half way point it got a little muddy for me and I was loosing track of the details. The ending was pretty depressing and didn’t really add up for me. Good, not great.

Ty
for the ARC!!
3⭐️

TLDR:

Upgrade is the newest novel by Blake Crouch. You may recall his other popular Science-Fiction Thrillers, Recursion and Dark Matter.

Notable Elements:

Genetic Engineering
Bioethics
Intellect
Family Dynamics

Likes:

Heart-Pounding Suspense — Logan finds himself in a number of high-stakes situations. The on-the-run narrative made this a fast-paced, easy read.

Mindful Storytelling — Coming out of a global pandemic, this is a thoughtful, sensitive approach to a fictional story regarding human health.

Dislikes:

Story Direction — There is a substantial focus on the workings of Logan’s inner world and the science of his predicament; as a result, the more interesting and meaningful parts of his life (like his relationship with his family) aren’t as prevalent as I hoped. This book is more about Logan’s relationship to himself than his relationship to others.

Unlikeable Narrator — The narration style changes as Logan changes due to his “upgrade.” I grew to dislike him over the course of the novel.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I liked Upgrade, but I wasn’t invested in the story. It was fast-paced and brilliantly imagined as I’ve come to expect from a Blake Crouch novel. However, it doesn’t compare to the roller coaster of gripping emotion I felt reading Recursion.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Agent Logan Ramsay works as a scientist for the Gene Protective Agency where the primary goal is to enforce the ban against genetic engineering, but after a raid gone bad, he finds himself “upgraded” from a gas in which he inhaled. His IQ is well over 200, he has total recall, even from his earliest memories, and the strength and speed like no other. He is a wanted man and on the run. But the planet is dying and soon humanity will no longer exist unless he acts fast. He has to find a way to save himself and the world. This is a fast-paced sci-fi dystopian thriller and perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Philip K. Dick. One of my favorite reads of 2022

Upgrade is set an unspecified number of years into the future. Climate change has wreaked havoc over the planet, leaving lower Manhattan permanently flooded. A genius trying to save the human population has used her gene editing skills to modify locusts to increase crop production, and in the process caused a global famine that led to the starvation of billions. Her son has tried to live a normal life, and almost succeeds but for his mother, who has engineered a specific change - an upgrade - to his genetic code and that of his sister. This is where the story gets weird. It goes very fast. There are many technical terms and it can be hard to follow. Does the key to saving humanity lie in changes to our genetic code? What are the unintended consequences? Do ethical considerations matter in an emergency? Upgrade is, of course, fictional, but it raises tricky real-world questions. I found it to be very entertaining and thought-provoking, and ridiculous. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.