Pub day: 7-12-2022

“What do you call a heart that is simultaneously full and breaking? Maybe there’s no word for it, but for some reason, it makes me think of rain falling through sunlight.”

It’s the not too distant future and gene modification is now on strict lockdown due to unintended consequences. What happens if someone in the bio world goes rogue and decides to modify humans?

In classic Crouch fashion this book delivers. This is, as I’ve come to expect from crouch, a suspenseful, action-packed, original story. The plot, content, and pace kept me invested and up late into the night. Of the three I’ve read - Dark Matter, Recursion, and Upgrade - this feels like the most scientific and detailed of the group and that made me like this one ever more. I know some people don’t enjoy an epilogue but I thought this one was done perfectly and the book was better because of it.

I also loved that Crouch dropped in the mention of my home town, Walla Walla, Washington and it’s wine. As my husband can attest, I was way too excited when I read that reference to the valleys wine. 😂

Thank you Netgalley and for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Would you like to be better at concentrating? Better at multitasking? Read faster? Memorise better? Need less sleep? This is Upgrade in a nutshell. You can genetically enhance yourself to the next step in human evolution.

This was my third book by Blake Crouch, Recursion and Dark Matter were both 5 star reads for me so I was ready for the next mind-blowing read but unfortunately this fell flat for me.

I’m an avid sci-fi fan when it comes to film/tv and was so excited to read Crouch’s spin on the classic human upgrade trope. It was missing something. The storyline was so tired! I did enjoy the overarching message in the book about compassion. Crouch is a clever writer indeed and highlights many timely moral issues. It felt like it was written for a scientific audience. Some of the scientific jargon was way too much for me. I got lost in the ACGT. It would be a great screen adaption!

I recommend Upgrade for those who want to dabble in sci-fi or if you are a huge lover of the human upgrade sci-fi theme. This take was just not fresh or riveting enough for me.

Blake Crouch's books keep getting better and better.

Upgrade was intense from beginning to end. With twists and betrayals, you never know what will happen next.

Set in the near future, Upgrade follows Logan Ramsey, an average man working for the GPA- Gene Protection Agency- trying to stop gene modifications. This is until he unwillingly receives an upgrade; his mental and physical abilities improve, making him a sort of super-human. His upgrade is only part of a bigger conspiracy, and humanity's fate suddenly rests on his shoulders.

Crouch goes into the fine details of genetic editing, and while I do not know much about this subject, it made the book easy to understand.

Ultimately, this book is about humanity and compassion; the last chapter, along with the epilogue, delivers its message in full. I got teary-eyed by the end of this book.

Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.

I'm a fan of Blake Crouch as an author, and coming to one of this books, I know what I'm hoping to find: relatively "fluffy", but well-researched, sci-fi. Admittedly, the types of subjects crouch chooses for the books he writes (time travel, alternate dimensions, and in this case, genetic engineering) don't _feel_ fluffy, but it's definitely the sort of thing that translates well to a 90-minute action-y sci-fi movie (ideally one from the mid-80s with practical effects, but one can't be choosy).

On this level, Upgrade succeeds - I read this basically in one sitting, metaphorical popcorn in hand the entire time. He defines his protagonist well, and it's clear he's done the work on the backend with how the science behind his sci-fi is supposed to work. Does it get a little too contrived 2/3 of the way in? Yes, but that's generally the way you want this sort of high-concept thing to work. Crouch is an author I go to when I want to have a good (if not too serious) time with a book, and he's delivered again with Upgrade.

Let’s get it out of the way – I LOVED THIS NOVEL!

Upgrade is the newest of Crouch’s sci-fi/thriller standalone novels. It takes place in the not-too-distant future where climate change effects are seen – NYC is partially sunken, and the Rockies don’t have snow. There are hyperloops crisscrossing the US, billionaires casually going up to low orbit for NYE, and a newer government agency, the GPA – Gene Protection Agency. You were expecting more of a summary of what the novel is about? Well, this is all I’m giving, because I think it’s best to go into this novel without knowing much of anything. It’s how I entered this novel and am thankful I hadn’t gone searching for more details. TLDR: pick this novel up and have fun on the ride.

Crouch writes hard science fiction, and one can tell there is a lot of research done, but his novels feel so much more accessible to the everyday reader because they read like a thriller. Upgrade is no different – I was on the edge of my seat, and because of that I read this incredibly fast. Like I was surprised how quickly I was getting through it because I just had to know what was going to happen. On top of the sci-fi and thrilling aspects I think this novel also has some interesting thoughts on morality and other philosophical topics. On top of all that, the world building, character work, and pacing were all great too.

I want to gush about how much I loved this novel, but I will wait until others get a chance to read it first. If it tells you anything, even though I read this via eARC, I went and pre-ordered the audiobook after I finished so I can listen to it again and so my family members can read this novel when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Upgrade did nothing to calm my post=pandemic anxiety; Crouch's latest work sounds the alarm on our very near future without being preachy or pedantic. I found the scientific explanations to be a bit tedious at times but appreciated that Upgrade not only feels realistic, but reasonable. The genre is outside of my comfort zone but I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read it!

VERDICT: Brilliant reflection on genetics and the future of our planet. Scifi as I love it.

The last book I received for review took me forever to finish, as I found it quite boring.
It just took a few days for Upgrade, which I avidly devoured. This was my first try with Blake Crouch, and now I really want to read his two previous books.

I really love it when scifi is based on solid science, and when the author tackles some major issue. Here, it’s about the survival of Planet Earth. At the point we are at, there no longer seems to be much we can do, or to look at it more deeply, there doesn’t seem much we are willing to do.
So how about we modify our genetic make, so that we would use more our reason and make the right choices to save our Planet?

Little by little, Logan feels different, mentally (imagine being able to read several books simultaneously and remember almost 100% of the texts after reading them just once?) and physically.
But his transformation opens up lots of questions about his past, his family, his future and ours!

What do you think: would such a genetic modification be a good idea? And what about all the ethical questions? Which parts of us could be enhanced to make us choose and act more wisely: our reason? our emotions? And ultimately, what really makes us human? And can we safely modify that?

Blake Crouch brilliantly puts all these questions together in his latest novel. He contacted scientists, and the book is full of fascinating information on genes. The author even proposes some possible answers at the end.

This is brilliant, with also lots of suspense and some serious human pathos.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Logan Ramsay is a government agent tracking down rouge scientists that hack genes. Logan is targeted and exposed to gene editing that changes him in huge ways.

There is a lot of interesting science that makes you think about so many moral and ethical issues coming our way. Very interesting book that I will think about for a long time.

This book is about how Logan Ramsay gets "upgraded" at a genetic level to be more than human - he's smarter and faster and superior in every way, and boy does he like to explain how his brain is working. I enjoyed the first part of the book, but it felt bogged down later by him explaining how he's calculating his vectors and whatnot and I found myself skimming to move things along.

I am one of the three people in the world who hasn't read a Blake Crouch book before, and this unfortunately didn't live up to the brilliant techno-thriller hype I was expecting. That said, I will try reading some of his earlier books because I've seen so many amazing reviews of Dark Matter and Recursion.

I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't love it either.

Wow!

I always say that when it comes to Crouch’s work because his writing is always phenomenal. Gene editing can have some incredible, life-changing applications. But with any exciting scientific milestone, the implications for things going awry are significant. I love the idea of healing myself of the many auto-immune diseases I suffer from. I find the appeal of having a flawless memory incredibly tempting. But at what cost?

Crouch explores that cost through fast-paced, edge of your seat storytelling with multiple layers and facets. The cast is purposefully small, and it works here. Crouch writes in a way that’s relatable for all readers. He proposes something brilliant and scary and says, this is what you get. Even the modern advancements that have nothing to do with gene editing are exciting and sure to come into fruition down the line. Overall, this is a superbly addicting read. Thank you, Random House/Ballantine Books, for sending this along!

Blake Crouch does it again! I cannot say enough how much I enjoy this man's writing. He continues to write complex, science-fiction stories in such an accessible way to those who are not science people (like myself). His stories are always perfectly paced and just the right length that you feel satisfied when you turn that last page. I personally think this was his best story yet!

Upgrade was such a believable, harrowing tale of a man who is forced into a gene-upgrade against his knowledge or will and the repercussions that ensue. The reader follows the MC, Logan as he is inflicted with the upgrade, through finding out that his body and mind are changing, to the government finding out about his changes, and him subsequently going on the run. We are later pulled into a battle between Logan and someone very close to him who he later finds out has also received a forced upgrade and are find themselves pitted against each other with the decision to upgrade the species, or destroy the upgrade. This decision brings up so many philosophical, moral, and ethical questions, and you really get put through the wringer along with Logan as to what is the best decision.

There was just so much good in this story! But I think the most harrowing part of this story was the dystopian future that Crouch created which is not too distant in the future and was written in a very believable way. It was easy to see this future that Crouch lays out becoming our reality if we as a species do not make much-needed changes to the way we live.

Also, the epilogue! Y'ALL! These few pages hit so hard and I think should be required reading for all humans.

It's no doubt that Crouch has solidified himself as a top-tier sci-fi writer and a must-read author for many a booklover.

As with his other stories, this one will have you thinking about the what ifs long after the last page. Logan is a great character and I was invested in his story within a few pages. The premise is intriguing. There is a lot of tension and action. It may be science fiction but it isn't so far out there .

What an interesting premise! Who wouldn’t love to remember everything they read and every conversation they’ve had, and to have superhuman strength and reflexes? Sounds wonderful, right? But at what cost? This is the dilemma facing Logan Ramsay in Upgrade. I enjoyed this book and how much it made me think.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Blake Crouch does it again! He is a master of science fiction thrillers and I was so happy to get my hands on this book. This book is all about genetic engineering. The book is set in the future, where genetic modifications of any kind are against the law, due to the consequences of actions that Logan's mom had taken years ago. Her actions resulted in millions of deaths and Logan is still dealing with the guilt.

I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that I loved the questions raised in the book about how far we should go to save the earth and how many lives are worth being sacrificed. This was a fantastic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Does Genetic Engineering Make A Better Human?


Agents Ramsay and Nettmann from the GPA, Gene Protection Agency, arrest a genetic scientist leaving a country at an airport. His luggage and person are clean, but under interrogation he admits to delivering a package at an address. The agents along with a SWAT team raid the location which is a vacant Victorian house undergoing renovation vice a warehouse containing an industrial lab as was expected. In the basement Ramsey and Nettmann discover some cubes. They start making a noise and collapse revealing ice cold spheres. All make it out except Ramsey when one of the spheres explodes. He discovers his suit is shredded, and a liquid is burning on any exposed skin. Later, Ramsey wakes in the hospital. His DNA is tested and does not appear to have been changed. During the next few days, he runs a fever and his body is changing.

There really is only one main storyline told essentially in the voice of Ramsey. The actions of the other characters depend upon what is observable to Ramsey. Initially, the upgrade to Ramsey’s body is the chief topic is how his body is changing that relies heavily on genetic engineering. The storyline morphs as the novel proceeds as Ramsey goes from the hunter to the hunted and hunter. With each twist that morphs the main storyline, the tension and suspense increases. My interest was captured and kept to the end.

The B-storyline is rich and complements the main storyline. Much of the background information provided also supports the main storyline. It explains how Ramsey’s previous experience and his roll in the incident that resulted in the banning of all genetic engineering worldwide, and how that lead to becoming the lead agent in the criminal investigations into the research and use of this technology. This storyline provided me a good understanding of Ramsey and the dilemma that he is facing.

For the aspects of novels that turn off some readers, I rate this novel green for intimacy. Language earned a yellow flag with violence earning a yellow-green. These last two are present, but the level was nowhere near a level to bothered me. I did use the internet access on my e-reader as much of the gene editing technology and gene terminology did chase me the internet quite often. The author did a good job explaining how most of the genes affect and what aspects of the body they control. I just wanted a little more detail so this is not problem with the novel.

This is a science fiction novel. As such future technology is an integral part of this novel. What I liked is that all the technology that appears is currently in use now or probably will be in the not-too-distant future in which the novel is set. They are enhanced but reasonably so. There are not technologies that now are more conjecture such as phasers and warp drives. For me, this made the story more realistic. The ability of the results achieved by the gene technology for me was a little over the top in practicality, but this novel is science fiction with the latter word being the operative word, so it was acceptable. All the loose ends were tied up by the end of the novel. Although the ending for me was a little sad, there really was the best possible ending. After reading this novel, I realized that it had a morality play flavor.

This is the first novel by the author since reading his Wayward Pines trilogy. When I started to rate authors to help me select books to read, I placed this author in my May-Read category. I requested this ARC to see if I should reevaluate this author’s rating to purchase and request more of his novels. I did enjoy reading this novel, but not enough that I would raise his rating to Will-Read. If the teaser interests you, I do recommend reading it. I rate this book with four stars.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Ballantine Books. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

This was definitely an intriguing read that kept me turning page after page! I hadn’t read any of Blake Crouch’s books before this one & I was pleasantly surprised by his writing and storytelling! (Though sometimes he does go into a little too much detail when describing things, especially scientific terms and processes.) But overall, it was a solid sci-fi thriller that I would for sure recommend! And I’m definitely excited to read some of his earlier books now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What if we were capable of thousands of years of evolution in a matter of days?
What if a few people held the keys to advancing us all?
Who should be in control? Should people be able to decide for themselves? Or is it the government's job? What about scientist? Are they trained or chosen?
Blake Crouch has yet to deliver a novel that is simply entertaining. There is always a lesson to learn. His novels are fiction but yet strong cautionary tales.
This one is no different.
Kurt Vonnegut may have left this world in 2007 but in some small part he and his storytelling lives on in Blake Crouch.
If you have read classics such 1984 and were intrigued by movies like "Limitless" you will love "Upgrade"
But pace yourself, this is HEAVY. I love devouring novels in one day. BUT this one I did have to put down a few times, go read something lighter and come back.
I am still thinking about the "what ifs' if this were a possibility.
Maybe it already is and we aren't privileged enough to know ......YET.

What a great thriller! Many of us have thought about potential consequences of genetic engineering, and that those can be both incredibly positive as well as fantastically horrific. We haven't really thought through the issues surrounding this field of science. In this book we are plunged right in and forced to think about it. We find that our protagonist, Logan Ramsey, has suffered from his last name since his mother unleashed a well intentioned experiment that went terribly wrong and caused a world wide famine. Since then a Gene Enforcement Agency has been created and Logan is an agent. On a raid, he is infected with a virus that upgrades his body. And so begins an adventure where he has to not only survive, but figure the best moral course of action. Does upgrading humans really mean they will figure out better ways of dealing with the environment and each other? Is giving humans higher intelligence and better reason the answer? Or will even then disagreement and selfishness persist? What about a different approach?

Upgrade is a fast paced sci-fi thriller that, by the end will have you thinking about society and where we're headed. I know this is a work of fiction, but boy does it feel like the author has been able to see into our future and it does not look good! Do humans need a genetic upgrade to turn things around?? We just might...

Blake Crouch is consistently my absolute win for sci-fi books, and his most recent does not disappoint!

While sometimes his formula can feel a little - well, formulaic - it absolutely works and pulled me right along for the ride. As with all of his books, I loved how this installment kept the pages flying while still battling some significant existential questions. I’d rank Upgrade right below Dark Matter (my favorite) and just above Recursion. A perfect page-turning, brainy beach read!