As someone who normally reads fantasy or historical fiction, I found myself stumbling upon this sci-fi on a whim. I can't comment on the accuracy of the jargon except for some tech speak, but the language sounds plausible and competent enough. What really carries the story is the heart. Our main character Logan is not the hard-boiled anti-hero I know (and hate) in this type of story. He's full of messy but earnest human emotion, and his inner conflict is never forgotten in the midst of plot. There is more moral introspection here than I would typically find in a hard sci-fi, and I appreciate all the better for it.

Crouch has a lot to say about the world, our narrative as humanity. He offers no easy applicable solution, but in the similar bittersweet tone of "Flowers for Algernon" he offers hope. There are thrills and science speak and thought pieces on the nature of man; what's not to like?

I received a free ebook advanced copy of this novel from Netgalley/the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch is an interesting sci-fi story with mystery/thriller elements mixed in, in a similar vein to the author’s previous novels Dark Matter and Recursion. The story starts with the point of view of a government agent working as part of a group investigating people who manipulate genetics/DNA. The story deals with important issues people are questioning today regarding our future, which usually makes for good science-fiction.

My only concern as a reader is that some people may still be feeling the pangs of trauma from the COVID pandemic and thus not interested in a story dealing with viruses and concerns of medical concepts regarding altered DNA. I highly recommend this novel for people not psychologically bothered by those issues. I also recommend it as an entertaining sci-fi thriller.

Blake Crouch has once again delivered a fun, interesting story that pushes the boundaries of sci-fi.

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine, Blake Crouch, and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

In the near future, there is a world wide famine caused by a genetic engineering experiment gone wrong. As a result, genetic engineering is outlawed and overseen by the Gene Protection Agency (GPA). Logan Ramsay, a former geneticist with a shameful past, is now working as an agent for the GPA.

While at what appears to be a routine raid, an IED goes off and Logan is infected with a hacked virus and as a result his DNA is genetically modified. After recovering from nearly dying, he realizes he's changing. He's stronger, sharper, faster, smarter. He's turning almost superhuman. When he discovers this is just the first step in an immense plan, he must decide whether to let it happen or attempt to stop it.

The first thing you should know about Upgrade is that it's different from Crouch's recent past novels. It's still an action-packed, futuristic sci-fi thriller, but it's a little more straightforward this time. There's no time travel, alternate universes, or crazy loops to follow. The second is that it isn't just another action-packed, futuristic, sci-fi thriller. Sure it plays at pretending that's all it is, but this one digs deeper. It's not until you get to the beautiful, eye-opening, heartwrenching epilogue that it becomes clear what Upgrade is really about.

As per usual, the book is quite science heavy. Crouch explains the complicated science stuff in easy to understand layman's terms. You never once feel like he's dumbing down the material for the reader. But because this book is about genetic engineering and DNA, he's frequently got these long lists of letters, genetic markers and sequences that lose the average reader, myself included.

Above all else, this is a story about how we as a species need to do better. We are failing one another, this planet, and future generations. Upgrade gives one scary as hell look at a possible future.

5 stars
Recommend for fans of: Science-fiction, Thriller, Action, Adventure, General Fiction

I have absolutely loves Blake Crouch's books so I was thrilled when I was given a chance to read an ARC of Upgrade.

Upgrade follows Logan Ramsey, infamous scientist Miriam Ramsey's son. Logan works for the GPA, an organization that helps to investigate those they believe are working on the illegal act of gene editing.

When a bust goes horribly wrong at the start of the book, Logan finds himself enhanced physically and mentally. He's undergone some kind of Upgrade, and needs to figure out both who is behind it and what it's repercussions are.

While I enjoyed Dark Matter more than Upgrade, I truly appreciate Blake Crouch's ability to weave a story and to make matters of science seem thrilling and accessible. I do feel like this story sort of dragged a bit in the middle but enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review!

I have yet to read a bad book by this author and find the topics engaging and the research amazing. Who knew there was so much to DNA...ok, so I really do know that there is a lot to DNA but it is explained in a way that even I can understand on a basic level.

Logan Ramsey has had a hard life because of what his mother did in the past, but he is doing his best to make up for those sins. Until one day he is following a lead and ends up injected with a virus that changes his body and makes him stronger, smarter, and resistant to many diseases. While this sounds like a miracle, the costs are too high mentally and personally. I sympathized with Logan because he didn't ask for this to happen, yet the government has its finger in everything which makes his life harder trying to escape their oversight.

This novel is a tale of how much the government is or can be in our business, how far the government will reach to control the narrative, and it is also a tale of the compassion that humans have lost thanks to the media and government. I could see all of this happening and humans losing more freedoms and rights just to exist. But it is also a tale of hope for the eradication of disease and perhaps humans realizing that things need to change before the world implodes on itself based on our current choices and paths.

This is an action-packed book that doesn't leave you with the desire to put the book down. Something is always happening with Logan, the GPA, and other characters.

I do have to admit the first time I saw GPA I immediately thought of grade point average. I'm still not sure Gene Protection Agency will be the first thing I think of when I hear GPA. But I like this fictional government agency because I honestly can see that becoming something sometime in the future in our world.

Overall, we give this 4 paws up.

I'm not a science fiction fan by any means--I don't ever watch sci-fi movies or TV shows and until I finally had to find out what all the buzz was about Blake Crouch's book Dark Matter, I hadn't willingly read a book in the sci-fi genre before. I LOVED it though and ended up also reading and loving Recursion. Both books are slanted more toward being thrillers than just sci-fi, so they're perfect for someone like me--a very hesitant sci-fi reader, if you will. So it was a given that I was going to read Upgrade when I saw it was coming out, especially since I've always found genetics, DNA, gene mutations, viruses, and how they spread, mutate and replicate (especially in light of the recent COVID pandemic) intriguing and the most interesting part of biology.

Logan Ramsey works for the Genetic Protection Agency, a federal agency that investigates and apprehends people who operate genetic labs intent on illegal genetic modifications and editing. He doesn't love his job. Instead, it's a kind of penance for the death and devastation his mom, a brilliant scientist unleashed on the planet, when she edited the DNA of rice plants and caused millions to starve to death.

A raid gone wrong causes Logan to be exposed to an unknown virus that, at first seems to be harmless, but suddenly Logan notices that he's changing--for the better. The virus he was exposed to was a genetic enhancement. An upgrade. He's stronger, more intelligent, and faster than other homo sapiens. As Logan realizes the why and how of his upgrade, he has to grapple with the morality of whether this genetic upgrade is something that should be set loose on the entire human population, to save it from the brink of destruction, even though a substantial number of people will die if exposed.

This started out as a 5-star book--it's action-packed, kept me flipping pages, and completely invested in Logan's story--and although it did get a little TOO wordy with the science and genetics talk about midway, it was still 5-stars at the very wonderful ending. I loved the moral complexity involved in the novel: should human DNA be upgraded if possible to save humankind and our world (even if many would die in the process?)? It's a thought-provoking story that's not at all far-fetched; I think what makes this book so interesting is that it's plausible that something like this could happen in the near future as geneticists continue to map the genome and learn more about genetic modifications.

This is another mindboggling, edge of your seat read by Crouch that you definitely don't want to miss! It's out on July 12th, so make sure you grab a copy!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

-review posted to Goodreads and Twitter on 7/11/22
-review posted to Amazon and Barnes & Noble on publication

Title: Upgrade
Author: Blake Crouch
Genre: Sci-fi
Rating: 4 out of 5

“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.

Like Crouch’s other books, this one was way over my head, but I enjoyed it. The author did a good job of capturing the sheer overwhelming nature of Logan’s transformation—good enough for those of us who are still regular humans and can’t process things like a computer. There’s a lot of action in this near-future story, and the book flew by.

Blake Crouch is a bestselling author who lives in Colorado. Upgrade is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House in exchange for an honest review.)

Upgrade was my first novel my Blake Crouch. I do not usually gravitate towards sci-fi, however I have always heard really good things about this author’s books. I was a little worried that the language and terminology would go completely over my head and I was pleasantly surprised to find this was a very easy, entertaining read. I think the author does a really great job of balancing this genre with typical sci-fi but also breaking it down and making it easy to follow along. The story line was unique and very fast paced- I read this book in a day!! I look forward to reading more from Blake Crouch!

I may enjoy some of Crouch’s books more than others, but he’s never disappointed me and is easily one of my auto-buy authors. I always know I’m in for a mind-bending, thrill ride of a read.

Logan Ramsay’s genius scientist mother was responsible for the starvation of two hundred million people after an engineered virus went horribly wrong. He was also on the team, and as a way of paying penance, Logan now works for the Gene Protection Agency responsible for policing gene editing. After an explosion at a raid, Logan learns his genome has been hacked. He’s received some kind of genetic upgrade resulting in him being better at, well, everything.

I won’t reveal too much to avoid spoilers, but trust me when I say you’ll feel a lack of intelligence at certain points of this novel. Crouch dives deep into genetic detail, which I didn’t completely understand of course, but I’ve always had an interest in the topic since high school biology. Although much of the science may leave you scratching your head, you’ll get the gist of what’s happening and that’s the important thing. Upgrade may be a sci-fi novel, but it focuses on real world problems and makes points that may keep you up at night.

This would be a perfect book club selection and will spark discussion about what it means to be human, the human genome, and rationality versus emotion. The story requires the reader’s full attention, and you’ll find yourself contemplating some of the ideas within it. I was thrilled at the inclusion of an epilogue, and it presents a highly thought-provoking theory that’s still bouncing around in my head.

I can’t recommend Crouch’s books enough. They’re a must for sci-fi fans, and I can’t wait for his next riveting concept.

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

This was the first book that I read by Blake Crouch and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I won’t go into details, but the plot was interesting and scary at the same time because it is something that could possibly happen in the future. The story does have a lot of scientific concepts, but the author makes it very easy to follow along. From what I see, a lot of people like Dark Matter and Recursion from the same author, so I am excited to read his other novels.

At first, Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different. He just feels a little ....better.. 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 a whole new way. 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. 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?

I am usually a fan of this author's works, but this one just didn't cut it for me. The first chapter or so started out with a bang, and I thought I would really enjoy the book, but then it went downhill from there. I think a lot of it was just because the novel used so much science - biological and chemical. Science was definitely not my strong point in school and so a lot of this went right over my head, which took away from a lot of the enjoyment of the book. The book has gotten overwhelmingly great reviews from other readers, so take my review with a grain of salt. This won't deter me from reading his books in the future, but this will definitely go down as my least favorite of all of his books.

why my nose was in this book:
blake crouch stories are intimidating for me. i've had my fair share of almost DNF moments, but kept going out of curiosity and stubbornness, and i always had that aha! moment when everything clicks and makes sense
this time around, the themes were relatable and easy to follow within their unique complexities, which made the story fly by
his stories are like 1,000 piece puzzles and it's always a fun challenge figuring it out along the way
I love that his stories make me think on a deeper level
the theme of humanity - giving everyday humans the capabilities to be their best self was fascinating and thought provoking
the theme of family vs. career success made for an intriguing discussion
Overall, I love how his stories (particularly this one) brings a fresh perspective to the table in the form of an idea subtly relevant to current world events layered in with the dangers of human selfishness in the name of bettering our planet

I don’t usually read science fiction, but I loved Crouch’s Recursion when I stretched my typical reading genres and borrowed it from Boston Public Library a few years ago. I was so excited to get an ARC of Upgrade, his latest which publishes tomorrow, 7/12, from the Random House Ballantine Books folks via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
The premise of Upgrade is absolutely frightening - in the not-too-distant future, scientists are experimenting with gene manipulation and editing in order to “upgrade” human beings. Logan is unintentionally upgraded - his IQ and emotional intelligence both increase dramatically, as physically his bones solidify and his muscles strengthen. Is that what all humans need to evolve?
Crouch is able to write science fiction with a lot of science-filled details, but it still seems approachable and understandable to the average reader. And with a thriller-based plotline, Upgrade is exciting to read (as quickly as possible). I especially enjoyed the ending.

The galley was incomplete - missing pages. I read this for our upcoming subscription box and it did not disappoint. This is my first time reading him and this sci fi thriller has made him one of my go to authors. We all need an upgrade.

Blake Crouch has done it again. He takes a wild and scientific idea and makes a thriller out of it.

Logan Ramsay is the protagonist and we find him first working for the entirely plausible Gene Protection Agency to police those who tamper with genetics.

This book is action packed with a villain (Logan’s super genius mom that tried to fix world hunger but actually caused a famine that killed millions) that isn’t your typical villain as they think they are helping the human race by upgrading human DNA to be better. Logan has been upgraded against his will and forced to deal with it in a world that is coming close to destroyed by humans.

Even if you’re not into science and you have no idea of the dizzying array of genes that make up your DNA (some explained in this book), you are still able to follow and enjoy the ride of this book. And, if you’re like me, you start down the rabbit hole of reading more about the sheer magnitude of genes, DNA, etc.

The book brings some existential questions to the foreground. Because medical companies ARE messing with genetics and DNA and some of them even hold patents on people’s DNA (see: Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa gene). Would we be better off being changed? Would the world be better?

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this eARC.

Audiobook/Book Review
Upgrade by Blake Crouch
@BlakeCrouch1
Pub date: July 12, 2022
Narrated by: Henry Leyva
Duration: 9H 48M

I’m a huge fan of Blake Crouch, and although most of his books are hugely science based, I never feel so lost in the technology/vocabulary that I don’t understand what’s happening.

In Upgrade, he directs his writing skills at gene editing and what a phenomenal story this is. I was both intrigued and terrified at the same time.

The main character, Logan Ramsay works for the Gene Protection Agency, the GPA, but his history with genetic editing goes much further back, back to a time when his mother almost destroyed the world with her hubris when she initiated a global famine. Now Logan works against those that would play God by illicit genetic editing. While on a mission, though, Logan is purposely exposed to a genetic upgrade via a virus and his life will be forever changed from that very moment. A twisty game of cat and mouse ensues and it is an action-packed deep dive into the world of genetics.

There’s no doubt that this is a thrilling sci-fi that held me in its thrall but it is hugely character driven, as well. The character of Logan is one that I immediately became invested in. He’s a good guy trying to do the right thing even when the right thing hurts him the most. I rooted for him all the way to the *almost* end and this is where he went from hero to anti-hero for me. And I’m ok with this because I believe there’s a lesson to be learned here.

Henry Leyva narrated this story and he did not disappoint. His voice has a wide-ranging timbre with a pace that moves effortlessly between chapters, bringing the story to life.

Blake Crouch has written another phenomenal story that I’ll be thinking about for a long time to come and I hope everyone with an interest in this genre/subject gives it a read.

Upgrade is exactly what I've come to expect from Blake Crouch - fast paced, exciting, relatable science, unputdownable. Upgrade is probably my second favorite Crouch book after Dark Matter. It has likely solidified a spot on my top books of the year!

This was my first Blake Crouch book- a NetGalley ARC. I’ve seen the Wayward Pines TV series and thought it was pretty good so I gave this one a shot.

So, this really wasn’t my kind of book at all, but I am also not the target audience for this book. Even though it was totally out of my comfort zone, I was still interested enough to finish.

The biggest strength of this book was in the characters. The story is told in first person by the narrator, Logan Ramsey. I really liked Logan and found him to be realistic and well written. He also explains a lot of the scientific/genetic/engineering stuff well enough to understand, but at times it does feel a little like a text book.

The setting is post-apocalyptic kinda- like the world hasn’t ended, but it’s pretty ravaged and not as we know it today. This is the result of a famine and the fallout of that famine. There is much mention of climate change, compassion fatigue, and what is best or right for others. The book has a good message, ultimately, and I think most people are going to love this. Especially those who love things like Black Mirror or other futuristic scientific fiction. Pub day is coming up on 7/12/22!

Upgrade draws you in from the first page. This fast-paced, well-written story is full of twists and turns that turns mysterious, fascinating, and deeply moving, all while exploring the very nature of what it means to be human.

I love Blake Crouch always! He is a fantastic writer and his stories are always so captivating and through-provoking! Upgrade is no exception! Definitely recommend to anyone that is new to Sci-Fi or a tried and true fan!