The first story I remember reading about enhancing the mind through science was Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, but you could say the idea of pushing the limits of our abilities goes back to the Garden of Eden, with every author warning their readers that tampering with our mental restrictions can only result in tragedy.
Upgrade by Blake Crouch gives this cautionary tale a 21st century twist which makes it both more believable and scarier.
Crouch presents a world of the near future with all the usual threats of climate change, population explosion and the end of the world as we know it. What seemed to be a promising field of science, gene manipulation, has been outlawed because of unintended consequences that wiped out a large portion of society due to crop failure. . Not all scientists support this restriction and the story’s narrator works for a government agency created to track down these rebels.
Without revealing any spoilers, narrator Logan Ramsey becomes the victim of genetic hacking and gradually realizes that he is extending his mental powers in all areas, including, but not limited to, concentration, calculation, problem-solving, reflexes and social cues. It is so much fun to read about the growth of a fairly average individual who sheds his weaknesses. Logan shares his self-awareness and observations with the readers and, although I didn’t understand all the where’s and whys, it is exhilarating to go along for the ride.
But Logan and the reader soon realize, his gift is a terrible double-edged sword with the fatal flaw a misreading of the basic question of how to save humanity. Logan must use his enhanced abilities to prevent the greatest tragedy that could ever befall the human race.
This story combines the fantasy of science fiction, the possibilities of actual science, the heart-pounding action of a thriller and the thoughtful exploration of Man as a social being. Add to that an unexpected but satisfying ending and you have a book well worth the time you spend with it.

While science fiction is not my typical genre, I loved two of Crouch’s previous novels, Dark Matter and Recursion. Upgrade started out promising and is fast-paced at first, but the scientific jargon was a bit too much for my liking. I understand that this is indeed a sci-fi thriller but I had such a hard time getting into this book due to the lengthy explanations. I was also taken out of the story when the author references Meta and Covid.

I definitely think die hard sci-fi fans will love this one but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dare I say this is the easiest five starts I have ever given? Blake Crouch is a master at explaining complex scientific concepts into digestible language which shows just how well he knows his stuff. Upgrade is an exciting, action-packed adventure, that makes your brain tingle, your heart ache, and--given the state of the current world--puts tremendous, well-placed fear in the reader. While all of the science and explanations are incredible, the story telling and plot are what really drive this story forward. Logan has so many seemingly unbeatable foes, and it was a struggle for my own conscience to not also see the "upgrade" as a good thing like some of those antagonists. All that the say, the ending wrapped up incredibly well, I was actually really surprised by the "solution" and it brought me to tears because it felt truly relevant. I'd consider this a must read. Well done, Blake Crouch, well done.

Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? Also no.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I've absolutely loved everything I've ever read by Crouch. All the stars. Until now.

Upgrade just felt like it needed more editing. The concept was great and it started off with a bang. But between the endless pontificating about genetics and some less than thrilling plot twists...this book just fell flat for me.

wow. what a disappointment after Recursion. This book is just awful. Guy chasing his evil sister for 250 pages. Book description bears no relationship to the science theme advertised. Hope its just a one off mistake

The only sci-fi writer I trust is Blake Crouch. So I was thrilled to get an eARC of his latest - Upgrade. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read it and give my honest feedback.

After reading and loving Recursion, I was ready for my Crouch fix, and Upgrade did not disappoint. It started with a clever and timely premise, and then it was off the races! The story he tells is thrilling and fast-paced, although I would say it gets a little bogged down in the middle. But I trusted Crouch to land the plane, and that he did! The ending made me think and feel and wonder about the big questions of life and humanity, just as I expected it to.

I highly recommend Upgrade, as well as Crouch's backlist titles, even to readers who think they don't like sci-fi thrillers.

Blake Crouch has a way of writing books that make me feel both wildly intelligent and unintelligent at the same time. His books require you to suspend disbelief at first, but not soon after getting into them do you see something like this playing out in the future! If you've ever thought about genetic modifications and just how far someone may take them, check this book out! Some of it was way way over my head, but that didnt detract from the general idea of the book or my enjoyment of it!

Sometimes I read too many thrillers and get in such a rut, so I keep books like this one in my back pocket to bring out! I am so happy I discovered Blake Crouch! Science fiction is not my genre of choice, but he just delivers it so perfectly! It really brings out the nerd in me and has me going back to my chemistry and physics days and I love it!! After Dark Matter, I knew I would read whatever he came out with next! They’re both so different! The complexity and thoughtfulness that goes into these books is incredible! I would categorize it’s as a futuristic, science fiction, thriller. I hope if anyone is seeing this and on the bubble of reading Upgrade, you get pushed to try it! I really think a lot of thriller readers will enjoy this! And while it is definitely heavy in science information, it wasn’t so much that it distracted from the story or made it confusing. People with any background will be able to read and enjoy this book!

Okay. So first things first, I love Crouch and his writing and this one does not disappoint on the thriller aspect. You get some amazing plot twists and the storyline was great. It's creative and has the touch of realism I enjoy with science fiction.

What I had a hard time with was the science aspect and why I can't give it a perfect 5 stars. Science jargon usually doesn't affect me and I usually don't mind it. This book is based on genetic engineering and with my medical background the concepts weren't foreign to me. It was just on a deeper level. I'm not sure if it was harder for me to grasp, because it was heavier than usual, because I read it at the beach and pool so I was more distracted, or both.

I would love to see this translated to film. The story is left open-ended to where I could see a continuation and I would happily read it! I just would suggest reading this book where you will have no distractions or you will be rereading passages throughout.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

This novel was nothing short of a masterpiece for me. The message is timely, essential, and written in such a beautiful way. Sci-fi is not my favorite genre. However, Blake Crouch has the remarkable ability to make the unbelievable seem like a commonplace occurrence. I also love how the concepts are always presented in an understandable way. Overall, fantastic story, fantastic author, and never disappointed 🙂

Blake Crouch took the science of Dark Matter and the thrills of Recursion, and the end result is Upgrade! The author's writing is on-point as always. I loved the focus on science and genetics while also keeping the plot realistic enough to keep you believing in it. Upgrade is an incredibly relevant novel that will stick with you even after the final page is turned, and an essential addition to the Blake Crouch catalogue.

I can describe this book in one word, fantastic! Crouch has hit it out of the ballpark again with his latest book, Upgrade. He never fails to surprise with his imaginative and realistic plots. To me, this book is what makes me want to read Science Fiction.
Unbeknownst to the main character, Logan Ramsey, he has received an upgrade. In short, his genome has been re-sequenced. Not only have errors been erased in his genes, they have been improved. His mind is sharper. He finds he can recall things from his childhood like they happened yesterday. His comprehension is now off the charts. What he struggled to understand before now seems so simple. But that is not all, his physical attributes are vastly improved. He is faster, stronger and heals quicker. However, is this necessarily a good thing for the entire population?
In order to avoid any spoilers, I am not going to say anything further. I will tell you that the pacing of this book was more like a thriller and I was on the edge of my seat for most of the time. It is a compelling story, filled with thought provoking ideas and a perfect blend of science and fiction.
The character of Logan was so well thought-out and perfectly executed. Crouch does know how to put you inside the head of a character so that you understand their problems and feel their emotions as if they were your own. It left me wondering what choices I would have made if I had been in Logan’s shoes. I love books in which I connect with the MC and I question myself in the process.
Crouch explored a lot of interesting ideas in this book. I especially liked that he asked the reader, is intelligence better than compassion? Also, can we lose our humanity if we become too smart? Because of these issues, and others, he raises, this is the perfect book for a Sci-Fi book club. There are a lot of interesting avenues to explore within the pages and you could talk for hours about some of them.
However, this is a great book for people who are not necessarily Sci-Fi fans because the science in this is not in your face. This is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read this year. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced book that also speaks to your heart.
I received a free copy, via Net Galley, in exchange for my honest review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch was what I’ve come to expect from this author. Fast paced, lots of action, weird science and a strong main character.

Logan has been attacked with a gene mutation virus that is changing him, making him stronger and smarter. He has to find out what he’s becoming and what the master plan is before this virus is unleashed on an unsuspecting public.

Logan was relatable and genuine in a future world with greater technology than we have currently. I truly enjoyed spending time with him on this journey. Supporting characters were good too. I liked them all so much that I can’t really say I had a villain in this story.

For fans of eco horror, sci-fi and adventure books. Wonderful read!

Upgrade was my 3rd read by Blake Crouch. He hasn’t done me wrong yet! I read Dark Matter and Recursion earlier this year and both were excellent. You bet I asked for Upgrade as soon as I saw it on NetGalley. Definitely will be picking up a physical copy but I couldn’t resist trying to read it early.
Upgrade reads like an action film. It’s constant chaos and I really enjoyed it. The book is about genetic modifications and “upgraded” humans. It was very fast paced and held my interest the whole time.
Release date is 7/12! Definitely would recommend. It’s a standalone you don’t need to read any of his other books first!

4.25/5⭐️

Hard to believe this is my first Crouch novel, and I really enjoyed it. This story takes place sometime in the future when the world is struggling due to environmental negligence.

Logan Ramsay works for a bureau in charge of tracking down gene hackers who can practically play god with any species. He is infected (from a surprising source) and is “upgraded” to a smarter, faster, stronger, etc. (basically $6 million) man in the name of saving mankind/the planet. He is forced to leave his family and run as he feels he is no longer the man he was and wants to keep them safe. As he discovers he is not the only one “upgraded”, will he try to stop the involuntary global upgrade (that can be deadly to some), or should he join in the effort to possibly better mankind.

I found this an interesting and engrossing premise with a plot full of adventure, danger, twists and betrayals….and some heartbreaking moments as well. My only negative was the solution Logan comes up with in the end. It felt too contrived and to be honest, not far off from the involuntary upgrade mentioned above. Does a warmer, gentler upgrade really negate the issue of free will?? But otherwise, well-written and a definite page turner.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for providing the free early arc of Upgrade for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I am not a fan of science fiction. However, when it comes to Blake Crouch, his novels are more science than fiction. While Upgrade was not my favorite, it was still an INCREDIBLE read. It kept me engaged, and my jaw actually dropped a few times toward the end of the book. Make sure you carve out time to read Upgrade because you won't want to put it down once you start.

Another futuristic tale that grabs you quickly and have characters/siblings facing hard decisions about right and wrong.

CONTENT WARNING: bioterrorism, suicide, forced confinement, blood, mention of torture, violence, gun violence, bombs

I’m not typically one for sci-fi, but there’s something about Blake Crouch’s writing that makes them somehow easy to understand, even when he talks about the most difficult concepts. After starting with Dark Matter, this was a walk in the park. I mean, if people with guns were chasing me, you know?

This story takes place at an unspecified point in the near future. A scary and changed version of the future. Climate change, technology, and medical advances have changed the landscape of the US, leading to increased surveillance and the creation of a new government agency in accordance with the Gene Protection Act. And Logan Ramsey is a man who works for the government, ensuring the enforcement of this new act. Things are going well, mostly, until something goes terribly wrong. He’s subjected to an upgrade at a genetic level, and it creates major changes at all levels of his life.

When he realizes that he was specifically targeted for a reason, his increased cognitive processing skills start to put the pieces into place and he realizes that this has the ability to affect everyone on Earth, not just him and the people around him. However, it’s really easy to get sucked into Logan’s character and his internal struggle—with his own changes, with his past, with what he has to do, and how he feels about the situation that he’s been forced into.

The book is extremely fast-paced. I read it in a single sitting, mainly because I just couldn’t put it down. There is a lot of action, and the plot twists caught me completely by surprise. And don’t be scared off by the technical information and scientific aspects of the story—Crouch phrases even the most difficult concepts into bite-size tidbits that make it easy to understand even for a layperson. I never found myself getting overwhelmed or caught up in jargon, instead focusing on the bigger picture the entire time.

“We were a monstrous, thoughtful, selfish, 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.”

What started out as the story of a single man ultimately turns into a struggle to save all of humanity, even as Logan races against time. I fell in love with this story, and now that I see what Crouch is capable of, I’m definitely going to have to rush to the library and check out more of his backlist!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.


Description from NetGalley:
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?

This is my first Blake Crouch book, but this certainly impressed me. The pacing was great, and the world definitely felt lived in despite the apparent recent loss of tons of people due to gene modification. The gene and future science was explained well enough that it didn’t derail the story, which sometimes happens for me in sci fi books. If you like Michael Crichton, you will probably like this book.

Overall: 4/5

This is the origin of a different kind of superhero.
After an explosion, Logan Ramsey is invected with a virus and finds himself changing... well his DNA is. He is becoming smarter and able to recall things he has only heard once years ago. When he finds out that his changes are due to something/ someone in his past, and that he isn't the only one that has been upgraded, Logan has to decide what side he is on... Does humanity as a whole need to be upgraded to be saved? Or is there another way?

This decision leads Logan on a journey, he has to leave his family behind to keep them safe, and when the same virus that changed him is about to be unleashed upon the world, he has to figure out who he can trust and how he can save as many people as possible... and figure out if he can help the world survive without killing a good chunk of the population...

There were some slower parts, but when there was action it was really good. There was a lot of the techy medical stuff that did get a bit heavy at times, but Crouch made most of it pretty easy to understand and figure out. I especially loved the way it ended. After reading Upgrade, I'll definitely be checking out Blake Crouch's other books.