With all the controversy around genetic manipulation, this book should have no problem finding a home with readers who enjoy thrillers of a medical or scientific nature. There are already consumers worried over eating foods that have been modified, debates over how far medical care should go in treating genetic diseases, and this summer we even have "Jurassic World: Dominion" showing the dangers of messing with Mother Nature (in a big way).

Author Blake Crouch has taken a what-if scenario and run with it. What if a geneticist found a way to protect crops, but something went horribly wrong? What if a worldwide food shortage was the result of those good intentions? What if countries were so scared that they created a policing agency to track down genetic labs and experts and keep them under control? And what if your mother was the scientist who started the whole avalanche of disasters and changes?

Logan Ramsay is that son with a dark family legacy he is trying to overcome. When he is exposed to an unknown contminant, everyone is worried about the consequences. And they should be - he begins to experience changes that can only mean his genetic code has been manipulated. But by whom? And why? And once the enhancements kick in, he sees that he may be the only one to save humanity from all its past mistakes.

There are a lot of scientific terms and concepts woven into the narrative, so readers should be prepared to encounter chemistry, biology, and other fields related to genetics. But the story does not take place isolated in a lab/clean room. Plenty of fights, stealthy manuevers, and trying to work out whom to trust are also a large part of the plot. And, as Logan changes, he does some soul-searching about his past, his colleagues, and what is the best way to protect his family and the human race in general.

If you enjoy your action and suspense mixed in with science, global effects, and personal sacrifice - then pick up a copy of Upgrade.

I read Dark Matter for a book club last year and really enjoyed it so I jumped on this one. It did not disappoint. Some of the science went over my head, but as that was a part of the character, I didn't let it bother me. The gene-science was very Jurassic World (without dinos) - even helped me understand the movie better. Also had a very profound message, What he learned in the end is what we all need to learn to save us all.

Blake Crouch's newest novel sticks with that creepy sci-fi feeling of this could totally happen that he does so well. The setting isn't in a world too different from ours with a big caveat of genetic manipulation being outlawed due to some serious consequences of genetic editing gone wrong. The main character Logan undergoes involuntary genetic editing that sets off a chain reaction that has serious implications for the human race and the world. It's in his hands to decide how the evolution of humans needs to be manipulated or maintained in order for life as we know it to go on. The book feels realistic and well researched, it got slow in the middle for me and the concept was inspired by the most recent pandemic and a lot of hot topic issues so it was a little much for me at times. The idea of fixing the human race and genetic editing is a pretty cerebral conversation, but I really appreciated the solution that was presented at the end. I was given this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It completely played out as a movie in my head. I can see Tom Cruise/Chris Pratt/Chris Hemsworth playing the MC. It was sci-fi, with lots of scientific terminology but it was sooo easy to follow. I just love Crouch’s storytelling style, his words flow and I Love his writing as expected from reading Recursion. I ordered Dark Matter as my BOTM add on and I’m very excited!

Oh my goodness I really, really enjoyed this book! I didn’t know what to expect, I went in blind and I’m so glad I did. It was amazing!

I have loved Crouch's other novels as well as the Wayward Pines and Good Behavior on television. This one didn't disappoint either! Logan Ramsey works for the GPA (Gene Protection Agency) as the world lost many people to The Great Starvation which was a mistake by his mother who is now dead. He locates his sister, Kara but both of them have their own DNA changed without their knowledge and they are smarter than the speed of light! One would think this would be a wonderful chance to save the world, but we all know there are consequences for just about everything! I'm not usually a sci-fi fan but I will read anything Crouch writes as his mind is incredible and I raced through this one!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

A fast-paced sci-fi thriller that was well plotted and interesting. Even though it concerns gene-splicing research to improve the human body and mind, the author provides enough of a scientific explanation to make it seem plausible now. The plot confronts lots of considerations, not the least of which is the ethics of human modification without consent. Despite what sounds like heavy subject matter, it is very readable and very entertaining. In fact, the very last couple of pages are what bumped this novel up to 5 stars for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Random House for the ARC to read and review.

I decided to go out of my comfort zone with Blake Crouch’s latest sci-fi thriller novel, Upgrade. I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi, I find myself getting easily distracted with it and when it’s heavy on the science, it can sometimes go over my head. That being said, Upgrade was so good! It was intense and while it was definitely science-based, I was able to comprehend everything that was going on, and really appreciated the amount of research and knowledge I can only assume went into this. I flew through this and was constantly wondering how Logan would get himself out of the mess he was in. I hope they make it into a movie, my husband would love it. I’m looking forward to picking up more of Crouch’s work and excited to dip my toes into a new (to me) genre. Thank you to Penguin Randomhouse, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for my review copy. Upgrade is expected to be published 7/12/22.

Darryl: You know I just got Limitless on my iPad, I bet I could get it on the tv.
Phyllis: Ooh isn't that the one where the guy becomes limitless?

I generally love Blake Crouch and his books, however this one fell a little short for me. I think he's done better and frankly, maybe needs a little break or an "Upgrade" (you see what I did there?) himself.

I enjoyed it, okay, but it will never have the pull to me like Dark Matter.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Blake Crouch is one of the few sci-fi authors I can 100% trust. He meshes sci-fi with thriller better than anyone and this one may be my favorite one so far. The story follows Logan who ends up getting his genetic material modified from a dirty bomb. What happened to him was the first step to either saving the world from it's self destruction or sinister plan. Crouch does a fantastic job of creating plausible fantastic stories of science/technology and getting us to consider how far is too far. Another exciting, thought provoking thriller.

By far my favorite of the 3 Crouch books I’ve read (and I really loved them all). This one was easier for me to comprehend science wise so I flew through it and can’t stop talking about it!

Thank you, Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I hate to say but… this one was such a let down for me. I read Blake Crouch’s two other books earlier this year and really enjoyed them! I’m not sure if it’s because I have more of a biology background than a physics background, but the story and the science didn’t captivate me as much as I thought it would.

In Upgrade, we follow Logan Ramsay, a former microbiologist turned genetics cop in this nearly post-apocalyptic 21st century future. After his famous geneticist mother accidentally caused The Great Starvation and nearly wiped out the entire human species, Logan was disgraced and has spent the last 15 years atoning for his complicity in his mom’s crimes… until a raid gone wrong leads to his mother’s last project—upgrading his DNA and leaving the fate of humans in his hands.

There was so much potential for this book to work, but it felt too fast-paced to the point where by the time I finished it, I was left thinking, “wait, that’s it?” So much of the plot happens off-page and the reader is left assuming a lot of things. It’s very science-heavy (obviously, it’s sci-fi), but it felt repetitive. I didn’t connect with Logan or Kara, and I was just glad that during the final conflict something was actually happening. I did appreciate the emphasis on climate change and humanity’s responsibility to the planet, and it did have an important overall message, but reading the rest of the book to come to the final conclusion didn’t leave me satisfied.

Blake Crouch does it again! Another unique plot, fast-paced, keep-you-on-your-toes read. A sci-fi book that leans on science, but is still readable and relatively easy to understand.

"We were a monstrous, thoughtful, selfish, sensitive, fearful, ambitious, loving, hating, hopeful species. We contained within us the potential for great evil, but also for great good."

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy!

OKAY WOW! per usual, blake crouch got me back on the sci fi kick 🧬

what I love most about his novels is the easy blend between science, thriller, and emotional capacity. and I legit almost failed chemistry and biology, so you know ya girl here will understand probably next to nothing 😅

UPGRADE was a perfect blend of all of these elements … except for the emotional end. the MCs were not fleshed out at all, and when the reader was supposed to care about the characters, I found the backstories and personalities severely lacking.

however, the plot line of gene editing was so realistic that I could see this happening in our not so distant future - and I think that’s the scariest element of them all 🤪🥴

logan has a battle with humanity ahead of him, and y’all, I was battling alongside him. one second, I was like YES SAVE THE LOWLY HUMANS and two seconds later, I remember all of the BS happening in america and I’m like why would you want to save us 😅

ANYWAY I love blake crouch’s books and I would die to read another one 🫶🏼 his writing is gorgeous!!!

thank you to ballantine books, netgalley and the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest t review!

rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: california merlot

I want to say that I’m so impressed with how Blake Crouch writes books. You can tell there is a lot research and thought put into the science behind the story. DARK MATTER was one of my absolute favorite thrillers read this year and completely made me like 🤯🤯🤯🤯

With that said, this one was a little bit of a let down for me. I LOVED the beginning. This novel focuses around the ethics and viability of using gene editing to enhance the human population. As a PhD student in the life sciences, I use gene editing (not on humans though lol) in my thesis research so I found the discussion around this to be so interesting. But as the story went on, it just lost steam.

Part of my problem was I felt like Crouch would use scientific jargon in a way that broke up the flow of the novel too much and wasn’t necessary to the storyline. I didn’t feel connected to the main character at all (and I get why that is the case) but it really took away from my enjoyment of the novel.

Honestly, I also may have just read this at the wrong time. It is definitely a dystopian novel. The story takes place in the aftermath of “the great starvation” and the world is falling apart. It was all just too depressing and too possible a reality.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read several of this author’s books in the past and enjoyed this one every bit as much. It was a quick read and kept me interested throughout. The premise was unique and I’ll read more by this author in the future!

I will admit that I haven't been a fan of Crouch's other books. I have really wanted to try them and enjoy them, but I haven't been able to. However, I think this one was different! I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the plot, the pace and the overall storyline. Everything about this book was special and unique. I think that this is his best book yet.

Stop me if you've heard this before. A dystopian future wrecked by climate change and other semi-apocalyptic events. An overreaching police force enforcing questionable laws. And an officer who quickly finds himself turning into the very thing he's been hunting. If you immediately thought of a dozen different sci-fi books and movies, that's completely understandable. Despite how fun a read Blake Crouch’s new novel, "Upgrade," is, I wouldn't call it very original. However, what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for with intricately plotted twists and turns and plenty of thrilling action sequences. "Upgrade" reads like the literary equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie in the best way possible. It's a compulsive read from start to finish and a perfect book for a summer vacation.

Sometime in the future, all forms of gene therapy, experimentation, and research have been banned after a devastating famine caused by a genetic experiment gone wrong. In charge of enforcing the ban is the GPA, an FBI-esque government agency tasked with tracking down any and all rogue geneticists. After a botched raid, GPA agent Logan Ramsay discovers he's been infected by an unknown virus. A virus that slowly changes his DNA, upgrading his mental and physical prowess and turning him into the kind of anomaly the GPA hunts down. To make matters worse, Logan believes his upgrade wasn't an accident at all. That it's the beginning of something worse, something with a dark connection to his past, and something only he can stop.

Boiled down to its simplest elements, "Upgrade" sounds like any number of similar sci-fi stories. A little bit of "Blade Runner" here, a little bit of "Matrix" there. You get the idea. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. While "Upgrade" doesn't add much to those well-worn tropes, it never fails to be absolutely captivating. Between the quick pacing, the restrained exposition dumps, the thrilling action sequences, and the moments of tense political intrigue, "Upgrade" hits the ground running and never takes its foot off of the gas.

Sure, the middle of the novel simultaneously feels too short and too dragged out, resulting in a climax that doesn't land quite as effectively as it could have. But there's honestly little to be mad about. It feels like "Upgrade" is trying to be the literary equivalent of a fun blockbuster movie. And in that sense, "Upgrade" succeeds with flying colors.

For as similar as Logan feels to dozens of other characters, Crouch ensures you always feel connected with him. There's never a moment you don't sympathize with him, even when he questions his humanity or does questionable things. To talk too much about Logan’s backstory would venture too far into spoilery territory, and "Upgrade" is a book best read unspoiled. So, keeping it as vague as possible, there's a genuinely captivating family drama at the heart of this book. And it's that drama that helps the book stand out against the crowd of similar stories.

Unfortunately, "Upgrade" doesn't focus anywhere near enough on that family drama. In large part, this is the reason that the middle of the book sags. It's the part of the story where you'd think the author would delve deeper into its themes, exploring all sides of the central conflict. But "Upgrade" only flirts with doing this, as though it's constantly in a hurry to get to its climax as quickly as possible.

On the one hand, this approach keeps things fairly lively. But on the other hand, it keeps the story from reaching its full potential. Despite all of this, though, Crouch does do an excellent job of focusing on the humanity at the center of "Upgrade." Both on a macro level and on a micro level. And those parts of the book prove surprisingly emotional. I wish some of the other characters had gotten the same attention paid to them as Logan did. But sometimes you take what you can get.

Overall, "Upgrade" is an absolutely delightful read. Yes, it's easy to see how it could've been even better, had it focused a little bit more on its themes and dived a bit deeper into some of its interpersonal conflicts. But for what it's trying to be, it's never anything less than fun. It's the very definition of a fast-paced, compulsive read. The kind of book you could easily read during a relaxing summer weekend. It's a tense, action-packed thrill ride that's as exciting as the best summer blockbuster. If you're a fan of similar dystopian sci-fi stories, "Upgrade" is well worth a read.

Finished one of my most anticipated 2022 releases a few weeks ago & it did not disappoint! Blake Crouch is the 🐐 of creating a plot that is wild yet also believable.

Logan Ramsey is the son of a famous geneticist who unleashed new technology on the world: complex gene altering. When Logan’s physical and mental abilities start to get sharper and stronger, he realizes his genome may have been infected and “upgraded” without his knowledge. But he is only one part of a larger scheme that is on track to change the world as we know it … unless Logan can stop it.

This one is fast-paced while at the same time explains the scientific rationale behind the plot - it’s part cat-and-mouse thriller, part “what if the world were like this” science fiction.

Crouch built a complex, futuristic setting: he talks about the high-speed transit system taking people from city to city in mere minutes, billionaires circling earth in low-orbit rockets, and the “Meta Frame” building that rotated social media wall feeds. He also included more frightening elements such as the “GPA,” a militaristic gov body regulating civilian gene editing, and climate change impact across the country, such as Lower Manhattan being completely underwater.

My only (very small!) complaint is I wanted a little more! Not from the epilogue — I LOVED how that was wrapped up in the final pages 🥹 — but I wanted a bit more from the final raid scene. I feel like the book was “go, go, run, go, swerve, chase” and I wanted to extend the final showdown. Although, I was flipping the pages super fast to figure out what happened, so maybe it was a me problem reading too quickly 🤣

Definitely recommend this book for all readers — I will say, my favorite of his still is “Dark Matter” (I think about alternate me running around in a parallel universe almost daily due to that book, LOL) although this one comes in at a close second. Grab this when it comes out in t-2 wks!

WOW. I absolutely love this new novel by Blake Crouch. I’m not usually a sci-if reader, but this was easily accessible to me as Dark Matter and Recursion were. This might be my new favorite.

Upgrade is incredibly fast paced and a puzzle that you’ll be more than happy to dive into as a reader. This reads like a thriller, an unputdownable thriller at that. This book will have you racing through the pages to see what happens next.