Fast-paced, interesting plot, although it was difficult to really root for any of the characters. This is mainly because all the options are slightly to outright terrifying, and it was hard to know which outcome might be best for humanity. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend for readers who like technology and biowarfare in their stories.

Blake Crouch does it again! I am not a big SciFi reader but I have greatly enjoyed each and every one of Blake's books. They are easy to understand and follow with excellent writing and good character development. I could not put this one down!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I've read everything Blake Crouch has written. I really enjoy his blend of science/technology and humor, and his visioning of near future worlds where things are a bit (or a lot) different. This is an easy read, but very well-written, and so absorbing that I plowed through it in 24 hours. Another very well done novel!

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.
As a fan of Crouch, I was looking forward to this book… did not disappoint. Some of these premises are scary but almost prescient. You must be able to tolerate scientific explanations or you’ll DNF. An enjoyable read!

"We were a monstrous, thoughtful, selfish, sensitive, fearful, ambitious, loving, hateful, hopeful species. We contained within us the potential for great evil, but also for great good. And we were capable of so much more than this." Thanks to Ballantine Books for the gifted copy.

This new novel from Blake Crouch was definitely different than the ones he's written in the past. However, it felt like I was watching a movie and hope that someone does pick it up one day (probably will).

This was definitely different than the Blake Crouch we've known in both Dark Matter and Recursion. Instead of focusing on theories within quantum physics, he's decided to go the biology and genetics approach.

A lot of this book feels like it's been influenced by the events of the past few years. From the pandemic, to climate change, to social justice issues, the story envisions an entire breakdown of humanity, it creates a near-futuristic America where humanity is on the brink of destruction. And in this world, science has caught up to science fiction as humans now have the capability to manipulate their genes. It's kind of crazy to think that you can edit yourself and change your face, make you more intelligent, or even create new species of animals, and yet, we are still down the path to the end of our species.

In this world, Logan is an agent for the GPA, Gene Protection Agency, who works to stop unlawful use of gene manipulation. On a routine investigation and raid of a possibly illegal genetics lab, Logan is attacked. He contracts a random virus leaving him in quarantine for fourteen days.

Once Logan has recovered from the virus, he slowly starts to change. He remembers every memory from his life as if they just happened. He can recall every piece of writing he's ever read right down to the very quotes. He can think more precisely, more logically, and can also suppress his own emotions. He's an enhanced version of himself and he's made this way by design. He realizes that his genes have been upgraded, but he doesn't know why.

From this point, the book turns into an action movie. You have your main character who escapes the GPA in order to find out why he was infected and what will happen to him in the future. Honestly, every bit of this story felt like I was watching a summer blockbuster action movie starring Tom Cruise or something. There were cyphers and codes to go through. There were shootouts and melee fights. There were even some touching moments with Logan and his family. It was the perfect combination of science fiction with thrilling action movie and I devoured the crap out of it. I don't think my eyes read that fast in my life.

I also loved Logan as the main character, grasping between his logical thinking brain and his emotions. I loved seeing him push and pull between the two and the imagery really reminded me of Mr. Spock from Star Trek; a man stuck between the intelligent choices and the emotional choices Something I love about Blake Crouch's stories is how human he makes his characters. They always have someone they are fighting for and it's the same in Upgrade as Logan can't let go of his family. It truly made it so much more personable especially when it gets heavy with the science.

This was such an absolutely thrill to read and I can't believe I devoured it so quickly. I loved the characters, the action, the adventure. I think the only thing I didn't like was the epilogue, but that's not really anything to criticize. Overall, it was such a fun read and definitely one you want to squeeze in before the summer is over!

Wowowowow not my usual genre but I've been expanding more into sci-fi recently and really enjoyed this book. I know that Blake Crouch is a beloved sci-fi author right now and I will definitely be reading his back list. I was super engaged with the premise of this book and how everything unfolded. I hope this gets made into a movie or limited series because I think it would be really cool to see it on screen.

Blake Crouch has solidified himself as one of my favorite sci-fi authors with this book! Seriously so freaking good. If you liked Dark Matter and Recursion, then run don't walk to get this one. I am obsessed with how the pacing, plot, characters and science all meld perfectly in this book. The plots also have this uncanny valley feel like is this future sci-fi, or just scary future. I will be waiting impatiently for Crouch's next book! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

If there was one genre I read the least, it would certainly be sci-fi. However I’ve heard so many glowing reviews for Blake Crouch’s past work, that I thought I would give his newest book, UPGRADE, a go.

As soon as I began reading I was immediately captured by the story and Crouch’s writing style. I had been a little apprehensive about not understanding the topics that this book centered around, however I was impressed by the way Crouch approached these topics in a more digestible manner for his readers.

I enjoyed the overall plot and the conflicts that he put in his main characters way. It made for a really fast read and one that I did not want to put down.

I ended up really enjoying UPGRADE and will definitely go back to read Crouch’s previous work now!

This was his third book that absolutely hooked me in from the first page and did not let go. We met Logan, an agent for the Gene Protection Agency, in the middle of a mission that leads to him getting injured and ultimately genetically modified with some, well, upgrades. I absolutely love how Blake Crouch seamlessly weaves together thrills and philosophy. The intensity is always too notch while there’s so many thought provoking angles to mull over. Having read 3 of his works, I can definitely see some of his Crouch’s signature writing in here which I love because it doesn’t feel redundant but just adds a touch of familiarity to a new and interesting story.

I absolutely love Blake Crouch’s writing and can’t wait to start exploring his pretty extensive backlog while recommending his work to literally EVERYONE ALWAYS.

DNF at 41%. I really enjoyed the author’s previous work, Dark Matter, so I was looking forward to this new sci-fi. However, it starts off a bit slow, and the plot didn’t really compel me to keep reading.

Blake Crouch delivers another stunning and unforgettable novel with Upgrade. In the past, I have compared Crouch to Andy Weir as one of the best contemporary sci-fi authors. Like Weir, Crouch is a master of his craft and his works are best known as being in depth tours of theoretical science. In Upgrade, Crouch explores a more tangible science in genetic science, but also toes the boundary of theoretical genetic science. Crouch explores both genotype and phenotype in his book Upgrade which allows for a blend of physical science and theory that take the reader on an incredible journey of scientific possibility. Potentially Crouch's best work thus far, most certainly his most researched work. I will continue to recommend his books and eagerly await whatever comes next.

SYNOPSIS: The mind-blowing new thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter and Recursion… “You are the next step in human evolution.”At first, Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different. He just feels a little . . . sharper. Better able to concentrate. Better at multitasking. Reading a bit faster, memorizing better, needing less sleep. But before long, he can’t deny it: Something’s happening to his brain. To his body. He’s starting to see the world, and those around him—even those he loves most—in whole new ways. The truth is, Logan’s genome has been hacked. And there’s a reason he’s been targeted for this upgrade. A reason that goes back decades to the darkest part of his past, and a horrific family legacy. Worse still, what’s happening to him is just the first step in a much larger plan, one that will inflict the same changes on humanity at large—at a terrifying cost. Because of his new abilities, Logan’s the one person in the world capable of stopping what’s been set in motion. But to have a chance at winning this war, he’ll have to become something other than himself. Maybe even something other than human. And even as he’s fighting, he can’t help wondering: what if humanity’s only hope for a future really does lie in engineering our own evolution? Intimate in scale yet epic in scope, Upgrade is an intricately plotted, lightning-fast tale that charts one man’s thrilling transformation, even as it asks us to ponder the limits of our humanity—and our boundless potential.

Blake Crouch does it again! I was absolutely enthralled with this book. Equal parts sci fi and dystopian, it was thrilling and something that was hard to put down. I loved the character development. 5 stars, and will deff recommended to everyone!

4.5 stars

I think this book was really strong at the start and then fell off at the 65% mark, pacing-wise. The ending, though, was extremely satisfying.

High action, smart, generally fast-paced, futuristic, and incites a lot of thought-provoking ideas. I would recommend!

This is the first book I’ve read by Blake Crouch, but it will definitely not be my last. This is going to go on my list as one of my favorite science fiction books.

The main character of the story is Logan Ramsay. Logan is the son of Miriam Ramsay, a brilliant geneticist who killed hundreds of millions of people while trying to help provide more food for people. Miriam’s terrible mistake made the whole science of gene modification against the law.

Logan is actually one of the people who seek out anyone breaking the law and modifying genes. During a raid, he was struck with glass shards that pierced his skin. He soon finds himself changing. Senses are sharpening, bones are getting denser, he is becoming an upgrade of himself. The question is, who did this to him?

There is a lot of science in this, a slew of genes and what they do. It doesn’t distract from the story, it just adds to the whole complexity of what’s happening.

It’s science, it’s the future, it’s action packed, it’s a can’t-put-it-down page turner. I loved every bit of the ride from page one to the end. I received an ARC of the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for my copy of Upgrade by Blake Crouch in exchange for an honest review. It published July 12, 2022.
This was definitely in the vein of Crouch's previous books, and has earned its places next to them on the shelf. I would definitely consider this a "dad book", however, I am not a dad, and I found this to be interesting, gripping, and fast-paced.
I noticed a lot of parallels to today, and it was very well-executed. Lots of action, understandable scientific descriptions, and a very thought-provoking scenario of living my morals, this will keep you on the edge of your seat.

“We don’t have an intelligence problem. We have a compassion problem. That, more than any other single factor, is what’s driving us toward extinction.”⁣
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Quick Summary: UPGRADE takes place in the future where a former scientist, Logan Ramsay, has been genetically upgraded (against his will). He takes on the task to save humanity from extinction.⁣
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Another great sci-fi novel from Blake Crouch! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it forever… don’t be put off by the “sci-fi” label. Crouch’s books are accessible to everyone despite your reading interest. If you like fast-paced, action-packed, thrilling stories then you will enjoy his novels.⁣
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Now onto UPGRADE! I enjoyed the story arc in this one. This novel focuses on a DNA upgrade that can be injected through an IV. The effects of the upgrade begin to show themselves as the body begins to change. The genetic upgrade was fascinating (obvi) but also terrifying- like the unknown tends to be. I also LOVED the incorporation of climate change. I am a climate nerd and was here for all of that.⁣
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At the beginning of the book, the reader learns of a terrible starvation that had ended within the previous couple decades. The plague was started because a couple scientists were genetically modifying some insects and the results were devastating. I thought this was pretty fascinating and wouldn’t be mad if Crouch wrote another book centering this storyline.⁣
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I love an audiobook but I think this one is best read with a physical copy. I feel this allowed me to be more immersed in the story and not get lost in any technical science jargon- there’s not too much in the book but it doesn’t take a lot to lose me 🤪⁣
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Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! UPGRADE hits shelves TODAY! I’m already waiting for Crouch’s next novel!⁣
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4 stars

I couldn't get caught up in this book the same way I did while reading Dark Matter and Recursion. I got about 80% in but to be honest, I just didn't really care about the ending and felt like starting a new book. Oh well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Another great read from Blake Crouch. His mix of science fiction and horror really works for me. I enjoy the characters, the plot, and the pacing. Couldn't wait to start the next chapter each time. Can't wait for the next book by Blake Crouch. #Upgrade #NetGalley

I’m not usually a big fan of sci-fi, but I loved Dark Matter by this author so I knew I wanted to read this one. I love how Blake can mesh a sci-fi book with thriller in it!
It was terrifying to read about what could happen if we could alter our genes like in the book. I really liked Logan, but I didn’t like his sister or mom. He wanted what was best for everyone in the world! I also really loved his wife and daughter, and the relationship he had with them. I hated how it ended with them, but I know the author did what he thought Logan thought was best.

Blake Crouch did it again! I am so not a sci fi fan but whenever I get a book by Crouch, I literally cannot put it down. It’s almost an indescribable feeling.

I will say this one hit a lot closer to home in terms of reality especially as the pandemic rages on and we face endless supply chain issues. I think something like this might be able to happen some day and that was unnerving. Even if it was unnerving all I wanted to do was continue reading.