Upgrade by Blake Crouch is another mind bending science fiction which only he can imagine. The plot of this story will sound a lot like Limitless, the Bradley Cooper movie, where an ordinary man gets an upgrade and can do incredible things with mind and body, but that is only the first act. Blake Crouch's story's always start so simple then expand and this one is no different. The story is action packed, yet super smart. I like how it shows how cool getting and upgrade is but then the detachment of being so smart. It also ask questions if would the world work better if we were all super smart, or would we find smarter ways to kill each other? The novel takes family dysfunction to the max. The ending is really smart and was perfect for what the novel was hoping to achieve. There is some nice twist and turns that caught me off guard. The only thing that did not work for me was that I lack empathy for the villain and the story was trying to give them it. There were too many moments where I was told about something than saw it. This is my third Blake Crouch novel, while I didn't like Upgrade as much as Dark Matter and Recursion, which I both rated 5 out of 5, I still really liked it and how unique the story telling is. I would like to think Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for reaching out through email and letting me download it through Netgalley. Upgrade by Blake Crouch is published on July 12th 2022.

Plot Summary: Logan Ramsey works for the GPA - Gene Protection Agency that deal with people who manipulate genes. Logan was once a criminal who worked with his mom Marion Ramsey who is infamous for making a a near famine in changing an insects genes. Logan has been winning his freedom back ever since. In his current case he tries to stop a gene slicer but walks into a trap that sets off an explosion where his environmental suit is pierced and he is infected with an upgrade. The upgrade is slow acting so he recovers with out the doctor and his own agency knowing. He starts getting smarter, healing faster, incredible memory, more physical, and all senses enhanced. He tries to hide it from his agency, who will see him as the enemy and also find out who upgrade him. He finds out who upgraded him and that he is not the only one. When he finds out he has to decide if he will save the world or destroy it, or maybe both?

What I Liked: The plot goes to that crazy level that Crouch is known for. The action scenes are pretty intense and really long, but great. There's three main action scenes and are really cool when described using the new upgraded abilities. The danger of science versus science will be our savior made a really good argument through out the novel. There is a couple of plot twists that I rally didn't see coming that were fun to see them played out. The ending was perfect and was a kind of compromise to the whole science is enemy and/or the savior.

What I Disliked: The connection and the empathy Logan had for the villain was not felt by me. They would say remember when this happened instead of have a memory of it. I think this novel should have started with a flashback that showed the family and also science and how deeply they are connected.

Recommendation: This is a good novel that will make you ask the question what would you do in this situation? The story is great science fiction that will bend your mind a little. I ill say this novel is my least favorite of the 3 that I have read, but I will say this is the most accessible of his books. It's mind bending but not as far as dark matter and recursion go. I rated Upgrade by Blake Crouch 4 out of 5 stars.

I was really excited for this one as I have Dark Matter & Recurssion and have always heard great reviews. I really enjoyed branching out with a sci-fi thriller as it was a nice change of pace from the psychological/domestic ones I gravitate towards. This was just too “sciencey” for me and I felt like lots of the jargon went over my head. Parts just felt too repetitive because it was continuing to talk about sequencing and DNA. I still think this is just to be a huge hit!

If you could "upgrade" your body and mind for a superior shift would you? Crouch takes us into a near futuristic world where upgrading your body is against the law and dangerous! But that doesn't stop the scientists and Logan slowly begins to see his body shift for the better! What will be the final result?

I believe this is labeled sci-fy, but I would suggest its more of a scientific thriller that is light enough on the science for laymen like me to be able to follow and stay with the storyline!

A very fast paced book that had me turning pages late into the night to a point that I finished this in a day and a half! A book I would give my teenage boy who enjoys genetics, coding, cloning, science and the idea of "what if" and "where can science take us".

Thank you go Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the advance e-copy.

Blake Crouch is an auto read author for me even though his concepts quite frequently go over my head. In Upgrade, it was a lot easier for me to picture and follow than his other books making it my favorite of his work.

I think this one would make an awesome movie!

This sci-fi thriller explores gene editing as a way to change human behavior to address climate change and the approaching disastrous repercussions. A family of gene manipulators create a way to upgrade humans by altering their DNA to make marked improvements both physically and mentally, but this is both highly illegal and possibly unethical. When the brother, who works for the Gene Protection Agency, butts heads with his sister who would like to upgrade the world despite a high fatality rate, it becomes a battle of whose upgrades will win out. Readers will be engaged by the fast paced plot, though some will struggle with the technical gene science contained within. Some might call this cli-fi due to its core motivating premise of finding a solution to resolve climate catastrophe.

This will probably be my last attempt at reading a Blake Crouch book. His books are quick to get through, but are lacking in depth. I don't like his characters, especially the main ones. His writing isn't for me. All the science jargon is just dumped in without being explained well. Overall, this author isn't for me, but if you typically like his books, you'll probably like this one.

#Upgrade, the newest novel by Blake Crouch, has an inventive plot with well-thought-out downstream actions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this dystopian thriller/sci-fi novel (shout out to #netgalley for the advance reader copy!), and I'll confess to being a diehard Blake Crouch fan since I first came across the Wayward Pines book series.

No spoilers here, but I will say I relished traveling along side the main character as he underwent changes and navigated obstacles. The story was compelling enough that I continued to think about it when I was away from the book, wanted to talk about it with friends, and continued to "what if" after finishing the book.

A great read for Blake Crouch fans, as well as readers who enjoy some sci-fi in their thrillers.

You say Blake Crouch, I say preorder. As a huge Blake Crouch fan and lover of Dark Matter (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and Recursion (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️), I knew I had to get this book in my hands ASAP. Huge thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!

Logan Ramsey got an upgrade…but there’s a catch. Yes he can read faster, comprehend better, remember more, and sleep less…but along with these new powers he is faced with the decision of whether to save humanity and suffer the consequences or sit back and do nothing. Without him, it’s not a matter of if homo sapiens will become extinct, it’s a matter of when. This book is a fast-paced, page-turner that will keep you guessing and contemplating our very existence with every page.

I go into every Crouch book fully prepared for my brain to get a workout. Upgrade did not disappoint! While it’s clear that Crouch did extensive research in developing the storylines for this novel (as we’ve come to expect with all his books), I found the plot points in Upgrade easier to digest than previous works I’ve read by Crouch (who knows, maybe I received an upgrade somewhere along the way, too).

If you’re a fan of Crouch and hoping that this book lives up to its predecessors, it definitely does.

Disturbingly thought-provoking and surprisingly moving, a must read!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine for allowing me the opportunity to read this latest Blake Crouch book prior to its publication date. I have been a huge Blake Crouch fan for years, and absolutely loved Dark Matter and Recursion. Going into Upgrade, I knew to expect a complex sci-fi story that really made me think, and that is exactly what this book provided! Blake Crouch has a very cinematic way of writing -- which I think is a good thing! I can always so clearly visualize the characters and events of his stories, which is important when you're trying to transmit complex genetic science to readers. The story always felt accessible and engaging.

While I did enjoy this book, I did find it to be somewhat less gripping than Recursion and Dark Matter. I had some trouble connecting with the main character of Logan. However, I did like the ending and found the book to be very enjoyable overall. I am definitely a devoted Blake Crouch fan, and I am already excited for his next book!

Upgrade is the third Blake Crouch novel I’ve read. This sci-fi thriller explores human evolution, gene war, control, and compassion. Overall, I enjoyed this one! I really loved the word building and the “gene war” that Blake Crouch created in this novel. I found that Logan’s DNA transformation to be fascinating and at times reminded me of the movie, Limitless. The writing style is incredible and kept me on the edge of my seat from page one. I had no idea where it was headed which was good. The only part I found myself wanting a deeper dive into his relationship was like with his mother and sister in the past.Though Recursion will always be my favorite, but Upgrade is definitely a must-read for any Blake Crouch fans out there!

Blake Crouch is this generation's Michael Crichton writing stories about the unintended consequences of technology. Upgrade may be his finest book.

"Logan Ramsey feels a little sharper - his body and brain are responding in new and amazing ways. His genome has been hacked and there's a reason that goes back to a dark past and a horrible family legacy. This is only the first part of someone's plan to change humanity.

And Logan may be the only one who can stop it."

I could not put this book down. Crouch has given us a story set in the near future that feels real. The story is incredibly fast-paced. There is conflict galore in the pages - between Logan and himself, Logan and his boss and colleagues, Logan and his current family and Logan and his mother and sister.
Logan is pulled in so many ways. His transformation is amazing. Who wouldn't want to be enhanced? But what happens when everyone is enhanced? Crouch looks at the consequences and offers a way.

There were moments when the gene science got a little too much. Biology nerds will love it. I skimmed it because I didn't think it added to the story.

You'll want to add this to your summer reading list. Make sure you have time, because you will want to keep reading until the end. Great new book from Crouch.

This is actually my first Blake Crouch book and I don't know why I haven't picked a book up earlier. I was instantly hooked from the first chapter and wanted to know where the story was going. I finished it in one sitting. There is definitely research that the author has done but it isn't shoved down your throat every single page. It is just placed perfectly in the text so you know exactly what is happening without feeling dumb. The crazy thing about this book is that I can see it happening in the future with all the research that is out there and the evolution of the human speicies. I think he did a wonderful job with this book and I can see a lot of pople loving this book no matter what they usually read. Great book!

What a fantastic ride!! I don't often finish books in 24 hours, but I could not put this down!! It grabs you from page one with a masterful story, real, flawed characters, and a pace that just never relents. Absolutely loved it!
Set in the not too distant future after a global famine caused by a genetically engineered species, the story follows Logan Ramsay, an agent for the Gene Protection Agency(GPA). After this global catastrophe, genetic experimentation was outlawed and the job of Logan and the GPA is to monitor and arrest those who violate these laws. It is after one of these raids that Logan's life changes in ways that put the entire human race's survival in jeopardy.
Logan is a wonderful protagonist, a family man, loyal to his team and doing what he feels needs to be done with the GPA. The government overreach is frightening and in so many ways this feels like a direction we are definitely heading down. There is a lot of information about DNA, gene expression and gene manipulation, but you can certainly follow the gist of what is happening without a thorough knowledge of genetics. Can't recommend this highly enough, it's thoroughly enjoyable and yet frighteningly prescient at the same time.

Incredible and fast paced, Crouch hits the mark again with this one. I picked it up and read almost the whole thing in one sitting. If you are into genetics and creating super humans (almost like, but better than, Captain America) this is it. Add in a little evolutionary roulette, biological warfare, ethics, morality, and whether or not we can save the human race, you have yourself a thriller.

Our main character falls victim to a biological attack and ends up “upgraded”. Not only does he need to find out what has happened to him, but when he does find out, what does he do with that information? Can all humans be upgraded? What are the implications for this? What if these upgrades end up in the wrong “hands”?

It’s a race to save humanity (or not?)

Clever, clever book. Some sad bits, but in the end, it ended in a way that makes sense while still telling an interesting story.

It's almost publication day for the new Blake Crouch book - Yay! BC books are always such a fun, mind-bending ride, and Upgrade was no exception. As with Dark Matter and Recursion, Upgrade is heavy on the science-y side of sci-fi. What's great about BC is that he makes science accessible to the common reader (hello me!). While there's plenty of science, you don't have to understand all the details to understand and enjoy the story as a whole. This story was primarily about genetic engineering - the good, the bad, the ramifications.

I have to say I felt some Flowers for Algernon vibes as the story took off - but they didn't last long b/c this story quickly went off in a direction all its own. And then we were off to the genetic races! That said, there are two things about this book that kept it from being a 5-star read for me. One is that the pacing of the middle section felt a little sloggy. The other was that there was a bit of a political agenda. It didn't go deep off one side or the other, but it was there. What I enjoy most about BC is the fast-paced rollercoaster action, steeped in science, and these two things detracted from the fun just a bit. There's also the fact that this is the first BC book that I read in book form rather than listening to in audio form - and I have to say I really enjoy his books in audio form.

Despite a couple of small glitches, Upgrade is well worth the time spent reading, and I'd recommend it to anyone - even those who think they don't like sci-fi. As an aside, I spend a lot of time in Colorado and it has become my practice to read BC books while I'm there. How much trouble do you think it would be to ask Blake Crouch to publish a book every time I travel to Colorado so I can keep up the tradition?

Thank you Random House, Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Always a pleasure to read a Blake Crouch book.. I find the writing to be engaging even if the subject matter can be dense and there is always a very human element to the scifi. Fans of Crouch's other work should very much like this.

Blake Crouch certainly knows how to write an engaging thriller. Rather than exploring time travel or alternate universes, he has instead chosen to take a look at the manipulation of gene expression in order to create superhumans and the fundamentals of what make us human.
Our main character Logan Ramsay has a very interesting backstory. His mother was an infamous geneticist, known best for her role in what was called the Great Starvation - a famine caused by her attempt at genetically altering crops. Logan worked in her laboratory at this time and later spent several years in prison until he was pardoned and has spent the time since working for the Gene Protection Agency trying to atone for his mistakes. The GPA spends their time tracking down rogue geneticists (a science that is all but illegal) and their creations, and monitoring those who used to work in the field to ensure they don’t go rogue. During one such operation, Logan is struck by ice shrapnel during an explosion. Initial tests show nothing has changed, but as time goes he begins to notice his mind is sharper, his memories are perfect, and he’s stronger and faster than he has any right to be.
He must go on the run from his own agency and let his family think him dead in order to stop the inevitable. Humanity is headed toward its own destruction and Logan has to basically decide if he’s willing to let the extinction train wreck or if he’s going to help stop it.
Much like Crouch’s recent thrillers, Upgrade blends an exciting mix of action, emotional decisions, and pseudo-science into an unputdownable tale. I always enjoy seeing what branch of theoretical science Crouch blends into his latest story and gene modification was a good choice! There’s plenty of fascinating research out there on the potential applications of CRISPR (with interesting article titles!) in terms of disease treatment, gene therapy, etc. and it’s easy to see where the author got some of his ideas. What if you could edit someone’s genome cell by cell and make a superhuman? Are you still a human if you’ve changed or replaced line after line of genetic code?
Overall, this was an extremely entertaining, easy to read book that would make an awesome movie. Lots of action. Definitely gives me manly man with a gun vibes (because that’s totally what it is with a bit of science thrown in). Totally a fun summer thriller! I do admit, I preferred Dark Matter and Recursion a bit more because this really was basically about a guy who gets turned into a super soldier but he has some morals.

1st time Blake Crouch reader here. And while this book is heavy scientifically speaking, it does make you think about humanity - where have we been and where are we going.

In the not to distant future, the world for humans is changing and not for the better. What if a gene altering drug afforded civilization to better itself? Need better concentration. Better reasoning and deduction? Better at your job. Better at solving problems and foreseeing trouble that you can avert. Now consider that someone has already altered their genetics and is set to introduce it in mass quantities to alter human society. Imagine that person is your mother and she takes it upon herself to mass spread their drug knowing some will die senseless deaths. What would you do? This is the crux of Crouches book.

In today’s pandemic world, Crouch gives us a lot to think about in Upgrade. Ultimately his book is about humanity and family. It’s a book about morality and ethics. The characters are for the most part relateable. This is a book to savor and think about long after you close the book.

Thank you NetGalley, Blake Crouch and Random House Ballantine for the opportunity to read and ponder our future.

3.5 ⭐️

I just finished this book and I feel so empty and sad. That epilogue really made me cry. I want nothing but the best for Logan as I grew very attached to his character.

This is definitely a little bit different than Recursion and Dark Matter. The scientific talk got to be a lot at times. It’s my least favorite read of the three but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I don’t know if it’s because I read an uncorrected proof copy but the pacing was weird. Very fast at times and dauntingly slow at others.

This book, like all the books I read from Blake Crouch, makes you think deeply and reflect on life. And just like Recursion and Dark Matter, it has a little bit of an open ending which makes the reader think about the book a long time after they’ve finished it. That is the reason why I love Blake Crouch’s writing so much.

𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐃 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃:

I did, however, find a little bit of a “plot hole” (for lack of other words). At one point in the book our main character has to perform a certain type of surgery and it didn’t explain how he managed to do it. I guess he could’ve read and watched videos on how to perform that specific type of surgery but even then, it’s very different to apply that knowledge in real life with success without previous experience.

Other than that, I enjoyed my time with this book and I can’t wait to see what Blake Crouch will come up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the free e-arc in an exchange for an honest review!