This is a good book, but not as enjoyable for those who have read Blake Crouch's previous works.

3+.

Logan has always carried the guilty from what his mother did, spreading a lethal virus that was almost the end of humanity and that became the reason why geneticists were humbled and ostracized. However, while going after another illegal scientific activity, Logan is hit with something unknown that makes him an improved version of himself. He's faster, smarter, better. However, he was only the beginning of something greater and probably more lethal than any pandemic ever whenever the process goes wrong. Is the improvement worth the losses?

The plot was very obviously inspired in the Covid pandemic; and I'm not sure I enjoyed reading about it this soon. However, although this would already be a problem for me, this isn't what made this book lose points with me. It lacked what Crouch's previous works had, the way it went beyond without fear of being too much. Or maybe we are just living such a complex, surreal experience that he couldn't overcome reality? In any case, the development was underwhelming for a theme that was already explored enough in other books (and in the real world too).

It is a good thriller with enough plot twists and emotional moments, but just a little bit better than the usual thriller out there.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Logan Ramsey feels “on point”. He is laser focused, his senses are sharper, memories are crystal clear. Once he realizes he is part of an experiment to evolve the human race, he is in for the fight of his life.

While seeking out who he can trust, it quickly becomes apparent that he is on his own. He can trust no one but himself. Does he follow his moral instinct? Or opt for the greater good?

This is a fast paced, brilliantly crafted sci-fi thriller; which kept me engaged. I read it because of the great reviews, but have rated it three stars because it truly isn’t a genre I enjoy.

#upgrade

I really enjoyed this book. For someone that doesn’t love science fiction. This author does a really good job and I would love to read more by him. Some of the topics and phrases used were a little above my head, but over and all I found the story, engaging and very thought-provoking.

Blake Crouch can do no wrong in my eyes. Dark Matter and Recursion rocked my world and literally made my mind into jello. To say I've been excited about Upgrade is an understatement. I needed a book that was going to keep me 100% hooked and have me gasping at the plotline. I needed the book with phenomenal structure and fleshed out characters. Blake Crouch delivered like always! Upgrade is a wild ride and fascinating to read. You would think with all the world building, info dumps, and scifi that it would get a little boring or too much to read. Crouch knows how to write a book thats full of information, but never make it dull or slow.

I know I haven't summarized the book at all, but honestly the more blind you go in the better!

I've read a few of Blake Crouch's novels over the years and this one did not disappoint. Super basic premise: scientists tinkering with genes to 'improve' them might not always be a good thing. And oh how Mother Nature can backfire. Fast-paced and exciting, I speed read this one, although stumbled somewhat through the deeper scientific mumbo-jumbo. Fortunately, you don't have to be a scientist to appreciate a good story!

I have been a huge Blake Crouch fan since his Wayward Pines series. His books take well-known sci-fi concepts and add in an intense and thrilling twist to it that makes his books impossible to put down. He's just got this way with making you fascinated by the possible science behind a thing, while also keeping you completely enthralled because of whoever (or whatever) may be about to harm our MC. This book did not disappoint, it was just as fantastic as his other novels that I have read. I honestly feel like I can't talk about the book properly without potentially revealing spoilers, so I'm going to just say that I really love his writing style and his way of making sci-fi so incredibly captivating.

So many perspectives of dna editing at is pertains to social class and morality weaved together with a suspenseful mystery in a thriller that only Blake Crouch could articulate! Science is FUN!

"Upgrade" by Blake Crouch is a science fiction thriller that answers "what would happen if we could upgrade our DNA?" Logan Ramsey works for the NSA, a federal organization that polices the intentional genetic modification of DNA. Ironic, given that his mother created the technology for humans to do so. But when investigating a case, Logan finds that both he and his sister have had their own DNA modified, in an "upgrade," that allows them to think, see, hear, speak and perform better. But fearful of unintended side effects, Logan goes on a mission to stop the upgrade from spreading, protecting the welfare of all mankind.
After reading the total and complete mind f**ks that were Dark Matter and Recursion (in the best way possible) I was pretty underwhelmed by Upgrade. This didn't push the limits of my thinking like Crouch's previous novels, and the plotline just felt to me like it had been done before (reminded me of the movie "Limitless.") The book was still enjoyable, but not what I'd recommend from this otherwise stellar author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing, Ballentine Books, for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback.

#Upgrade #BlakeCrouch #NetGalley #RandomHouse #BallentineBooks #bookreview #booknerd #fiction #sciencefiction #thriller #readwithme #bookstagram #readwithsee #bookshelf

This tale of gene manipulation from bestselling author Blake Crouch places the protagonist, Logan Ramsey, in a genetically modified body — even though his job is stop rogue geneticists — and finds himself trying to figure out how and why he’s become a GMO superhero.

This book explores some dark places, but ultimately is a winning, thrilling read. My first Blake Crouch book and now I’m ready for his back catalog.

I loved this book. Blake Crouch has such an incredible mind to think up these complex sci-fi adventures. The idea that “knowledge is power” is truly examined in this exciting thriller.

Rating: 3.5/5 parallel lines of thought to slow time

Format: e-book. I’d like to thank the author, Random House, and Bellantine Books for sending me an e-arc of this book to review!

To sum up:
In Blake Crouch’s newest thriller, Logan Ramsey has been “upgraded”, having received a series of mysterious genetic modifications. As he unravels who upgraded him, and what changes are made, he is set on a path that will uncover secrets about his family and put the whole world into jeopardy.


What I enjoyed:
Crouch is great at putting in just enough legit science for his thrillers to make sense and this one is no exception. I have some background in genetics and although there are definitely some leaps made here, a lot of the basics make sense which made this really fun to read. I thought the picture he painted of our future was depressingly accurate but overall the message of the book is not what I expected and found it rather uplifting. I liked that at the heart of the story, brother is pitted against sister, each fighting for what they think is right to save humanity from itself.


What was meh:
I did find myself putting this book down a lot which is why it took me a while to read. I think Crouch’s other books have a lot more reflection in them, a deeper layer going on underneath the plot that I enjoy a lot and this one didn’t really have that until the end. I think the nature of the changes made to the main character (one of which is limiting his emotional range) might distance the reader from the MC in a way that makes this book not as easy to connect to as his others. Lastly, some of the choices made by the characters didn’t quite make sense to me, and the realization that the solution could be something between all or nothing was too slow to come into focus.


Overall, I thought this was pretty enjoyable but not my favorite Crouch book. If you like some genetics in your thrillers (Jurassic Park fans I’m looking at you), then definitely check this out! This one takes the science and the implications to a whole new level which is exciting.

I have a confession. I've had Blake Crouch's Recursion sitting on my shelf for years now, and I still haven't gotten around to it. But when Upgrade was released, I couldn't resist picking it up! Unlike Recursion, I got around to Upgrade pretty quickly.

Logan Ramsay is part of a controversial team. Some people love the work they do, while others will fight to their dying breath to stop them. Logan is part of a team of people who track down scientists that study and alter genomes.

The irony of Logan's career isn't lost on him when Logan finds his own body hacked by the very science he's sworn to stop. Now Logan is on the run, and his newly hacked body and mind have provided him with a unique yet powerful opportunity.

“You can’t kill humanity to save humanity. Human beings are not a means to an end.”

Hrm. If I had only one sentence to describe Upgrade, I would say that it makes you think. It's a creative novel that tackles modern science, morals, and ethics, all in one fell swoop. And let us not forget the thriller elements, which add much to the aesthetic of this story.

There were times when Upgrade reminded me a lot of Gattica, with the whole debate (read: ban) on genetic modification. Granted, both stories deviate strongly from the public's opinion on the matter, but it kept popping into my mind.

Logan is a tortured character, to say the least. His backstory essentially forced him into a position where he hunts scientists, and boy, does he feel conflicted about that fact! I appreciated the brutal honesty of his position, and that was all before the plot kicked off.

Once the main event occurred, I found myself uncertain of how to feel. Logan changes a lot throughout this novel, for good or for ill. It opens the door to plenty of debates, which I appreciate. However, it also felt...rushed?

It was fun seeing a sci-fi/thriller take on modern issues and concerns. I always love it when an author can portray these concerns in a mature way. It makes me want to go back and read Recursion (I swear, I'm planning on it!).

2.5 stars, rounded down


Sci fi is a hit or miss with me, but I continue to read it because I enjoy the underlying social commentary. This is my fourth book by Blake Crouch, and while I enjoyed it significantly more than Pines, it was nowhere near the levels of Dark Matter and Recursion.

This genre can sometimes be difficult, because it must have a perfect balance of science and entertainment. Unfortunately for Upgrade, it felt like there was too much emphasis on the science that it took away from the entertainment aspect of the story. I would have liked to see Crouch develop his characters a little more... I didn't feel emotionally attached to them. There were scenes in the book I found enjoyable, but I decided to round down in my rating because of the confusion with the science of genetics. I know it was included to help the reader to understand the world, but it came across as the author trying to sound overly intelligent (which I'm sure he is, but it felt as though he were trying too hard).

I think that Upgrade is a perfect book for scifi lovers, but if you struggle with the genre, I would recommend proceeding with caution.

My least favorite of Crouch's so far unfortunately! I've loved his previous novels but this one just didn't work for me. There's not much character development so I didn't care for the characters, even our main character Logan. On top of that, there's so much science talk I zoned out a lot. I just didn't enjoy this one overall. I did like the concept though, it was definitely unique. It took me a long time to get through this book because I kept stopping this one and would read over books.


Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Once again another page turning sci-fi thriller from Crouch! I really loved the first 100 pages and where I felt the story was going. Once the plot started to split off I was worried it wouldn’t hold up but it worked. It reads like a screenplay which is common for the author. I liked the comparisons to what is happening in the real world and the true message at the end. I will forever read whatever Crouch writes next.

This is the book I've been wanting to read since COVID started. A pandemic sci-fi. And it was probably the most suspenseful book I've read all year.

It's absolutely action-packed and would make a great movie. Some of the scientific explanation did get a bit long-winded, and the action scenes were written a little too clinically for my taste (I would have liked more dialogue, more of what the MC was thinking during those scenes.) But the overall story was excellent and I couldn't put it down.

I’ll read anything Blake Crouch writes. Upgrade was such a fascinating read. I read it in a day and couldnt have stopped if asked.

Thank you to Netgalley for my eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed Recursion by Blake Crouch and was looking forward to another fun sci-fi adventure. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me mostly due to the lack of character development. It was very fast-paced and almost too much so because it did not allow the reader the chance to get to know the characters or sympathize with them. That said I did really like the idea of living in a world where it is possible to mess with the human genome and to create an almost "super solder/human being race". I also loved the final message that the human race needed more than super strength or super intelligence. is empathy. I think that is a very important message and one that I fully agree with. It is such a shame however that this novel was too fast-paced to allow the reader to feel any empathy toward its characters.

OK LOOOOOOOOOOOVED.
What a fun, smart, and thrilling(!) thriller! I managed to understand what was going on without fully grasping the science or knowing what was going to come next. I loved the family drama and the FEELING within it. It feels better than Dark Matter, to me, because of just how action-packed it was.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the free eARC!

I feel like I always know I'm going to get a great read when it comes to Blake Crouch. Sci Fi isn't my thing but his books are mesmerizing and I just can't get enough! I enjoyed this one a lot! Thanks so much for the opportunity to read and review! Looking forward to the next one!