Another terrifyingly realistic version of the future from Blake Crouch. This definitely slowed in the middle, but I thought the ending was really interesting.

Blake Crouch delivers a blockbuster sci-fi thriller with Upgrade. Logan Ramsay is an agent with the GPA, the Gene Protection Agency, whose genome has been unknowingly hacked. All Logan knows is that he feels stronger, he feels smarter, and he feels different. But Logan wasn't a random target for this hack, and he soon finds out there are connections to his past and threats to his future at play. Threats to the future of humanity, even. Logan may be the only person alive who can save the world. But to do that, he will need to become... something more.

I have read and loved all of Blake Crouch's previous books, even when the science goes over my head, and there's no exception with Upgrade. This book is electric! I loved the near-future setting, even though most of it was pretty grim, I thought it was realistic and well done. And make no mistake, this book is a thriller! Yes, it definitely has science fiction elements, but you will be flipping pages at near-light-speed trying to ease the tension. The action is amazing and all plays out on a grand scale, but I really loved the interior moments. When Logan is reflecting on his family and feelings, those quiet contemplations were just heart breaking to me. This book works because it has a truly flawed hero, a cinematic plot, big drama and a great payoff. Upgrade is available on 7/12/22. Pre-order your copy today! Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the chance to review this advance copy.

Nobody does sci-fi like Blake Crouch. Dark Matter and Recursion are two of my all time favorite books, so I was super excited to get my hands on an early copy of Upgrade, and it didn't disappoint! One of the things Blake does so well is make the science understandable, so the concepts are high level but still readable.

This book asks what you would do if you potentially knew how to save the human race - to make us stop killing the planet and each other before it was too late. Would you do it, even if it meant killing millions? Also, who are you when you change on a fundamental level? Is the old you still in there or is that person gone?

I was fascinated by the science, but also by the very human questions posed throughout this book. It's paced really well, and I love a good epilogue moment!

Blake Crouch just keeps getting better!
Genetic engineering meets non-stop thrills when a special agent for the Gene Protection Agency finds himself on the wrong end of a genetic upgrade, one that will not only disrupt his life, but may spell the end of humanity at large.
This is the very definition of a page turner, and I loved every bit of it!

Upgrade by Blake Crouch takes what could be the jumping off point of Flowers For Algernon, and injects it with super steroids—our narrator is exposed to a genetic upgrade, making him nearly super human and highly intelligent. What follows is a roller coaster thrill ride, and a philosophical discussion. Crouch is great at marrying accessible science theories with real world problems, and melding them into a bestseller. I really enjoyed this one

If you could be genetically modified to be faster, smarter, stronger, and physically superior - and be able to lock away your emotions using only logic and reason to make decisions - would you do it? And what would it mean for humanity if everyone did the same?

These are the questions at the heart of Blake Crouch's new science-based thriller Upgrade, Blake Crouch has been a favorite author of mine since Dark Matter, and boy has he done it again! I swear, I am not normally one to pick up a thriller, but a science based thrilled is definitely more up my alley, and ESPECIALLY when it's Blake Crouch. He just grabs me right from the beginning and never lets go.

I loved the premise of Upgrade - a man is targeted for a genetic upgrade, and the reason why sets him on a quest to save humanity. I don't want to say anything else for fear of spoilers! I will say that the ending really made a great statement about the state of our world, and what we should hope for in the future.

I also love how Crouch always makes the main character's family a driving force in his books. He really makes you care about the characters.

Bottom line is, if you like a page turner and need a good summer read, pre-order this today, You won't be sorry!

Blake Crouch has done it again with another great offering. I usually pre order all his books. they are that good. This is a great what makes us human novel with Logan being infected by a synthetic virus and it is changing him. Will he save the world? This fast paced novel is a great read.

Blake Crouch has done it again! This novel surrounds Logan Ramsay, who has been genetically upgraded for one sole purpose: saving humanity. He just doesn't know it yet. All Logan knows is that he is smarter, sharper, stronger, and faster.

This a complicated story of family, trust, and dystopia that will lead the reader down a scary rabbit hole of genetic war! It's filled with details about science but not too much to become confusing. For fans of Dark Matter, Blake Crouch has truly delivered another mind-boggling book.

This is another fictional treatment of a scientific discovery that will either make or break the human race--or both? Super powers have always been a two-edged sword and this story exploits the conundrum. Genetic engineering at its worst!

This thriller asks the question, "What if the next step in technology is to genetically engineer our own brains?" It's a stunning, but, really, not too far-fetched idea, and Crouch handles it beautifully.

Blake Crouch has made the previously unenjoyable task of reading scientific writing (or mumbo jumbo, as I like to call it) accessible, easy to understand, and yes, enjoyable. This latest is perhaps my favorite of his, owing to the emotional story that resonated with me, and because I was actually able to comprehend the science behind the story. Highly recommended.

Another mind blowing thriller from Blake Crouch. Following this writer's career and writing arc has been amazing. This book only serves to elevate his style and talent to the next level. Beyond reading the publisher's summary I think you should go into this blind to better be amazed by Crouch's twists and turns.

This was my second Blake Crouch book. I read The Pines several years ago and thought it was a very well-written book. While I enjoy Mr. Crouch’s writing, I hadn’t read any of his other books until Upgrade caught my eye. I have never been a big Sci-Fi reader. I’ve dabbled in it (The Martian, The Pines, and Project Hail Mary) but it is not a genre I seek out. If Mr. Crouch continues writing Sci-Fi that draws me in, I may have to rethink that.

Upgrade tackles the science of genetic engineering. Set in the future, shortly after a miscalculated experiment caused millions to starve, the Gene Protection Agency (GPA) is a CIA-like entity that keeps track of and regulates scientists involved in the study of genes. Logan Ramsay, son of the scientist that caused the “great starvation” is a GPA agent hunting down rogue scientists.

When Logan investigates the location of a suspected gene editing operation that a suspect provided him, his life is changed forever. An explosion of a device causes shrapnel to puncture his hazmat suit and he becomes infected with a virus dispersed by the explosive device.
Once he recovers from his injuries and the virus which caused a high fever and crazy nightmares, Logan believes he is fine, until his body begins to change. He has better concentration, night vision, memory, increased muscle mass, and higher pain tolerance. He basically becomes superhuman. Now, Logan must find out who did this to him and why.

An action-packed pursuit begins, as Logan finds out who he can and can’t trust. His superhuman abilities as well as some of the characters he encounters make for a fast-paced, action-filled, sci-fi mystery.
Make sure you read the epilogue!

The book is scheduled to be released on July 12, 2022.

Thanks for reading!

I was provided with an advance reader copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

https://this-life.blog/2022/06/01/review-upgrade-by-blake-crouch/

This is book 3 I've read by Blake Crouch and while I have loved everything I have read, I have to say that this is my favorite among Dark Matter, Recursion, and now Upgrade. There is a perfect balance in the science and fiction so that it feels like it could be a situation we encounter at some point. This book was particularly fascinating to me as I work in genetics and loved letting my brain go with the possibilities. It was easy to get invested in all of the characters and their journeys and the ethical quandaries of interfering with the natural course of our genes. This was a homerun for me! Five Stars!

One bit of constructive feedback. Gene names should always be italicized. CDKN2A and CFTR for example should be in italics unless fully writing out the names. This may be updated in the final version but it was not correctly formatted in my digital copy so wanted to call it out.

Thank you for the ARC! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this in advance.

Blake Crouch's novel Upgrade is available on July 12th. By creating a relatable link between the present and future in Upgrade, Blake Crouch offers readers a mind-bending journey. Fans of sci-fi should not miss this fast paced exciting book. Pre-order your copy today!

Synopsis:
Logan Ramsay is a government agent that is unintentionally genetically altered to become superhuman. The fact that he has powers beyond human comprehension sounds intriguing, but what are the repercussions in the hands of the enemy? His mission is to try to prevent the DNA upgrade from spreading throughout the world.

Upgrade evokes a sense of curiosity and wonder. Logan Ramsay, the main character is well developed and interesting. Blake Crouch's imagination and use of scientific concepts keep the reader engaged to the very last line. (4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for allowing me to review this spellbinding book. Your kindness is appreciated.

My goodness what a book! I devoured this novel in two sittings. It was bit like reading Jack Reacher on steroids made from future technology. This dystopian science fiction thriller will be in my top ten of the year I’m sure! Even better than Dark Matter. I got lost a little in the science but I’m good at skimming those parts that make my eyes glaze over, and this was heavy on the science. I loved this book though and would love to see it adapted for screen at some point. The minute this comes out in July go grab it!

[4.5 stars]

Blake Crouch is the only reliable Sci-Fi author for me and I loved his first two novels (Dark Matter and Recursion). His third novel is set in a post-apocalyptic near future following a Great Starvation. Logan Ramsay, son of legendary geneticist Miriam Ramsay, feels himself changing…his mind and body becoming a bit sharper. He realizes his genes have been chemically altered and that it’s part of a much bigger and more insidious plan. Of course, he has to stop the plan to save humankind. Crouch is a master at making nerdy science and apocalyptic projections incredibly propulsive. The stakes are incredibly high...of the "save the world and humanity" variety and I haven't turned the pages this fast in awhile. This is also a family dynamics book and might be the first Sci-Fi action thriller I've ever called heart-warming.

My new favorite book by this author. I read this in one sitting. Could not put it down even though I was struggling to keep my eyes open. This is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Definitely my favorite sci-fi read of the year. Pre-ordered it for my daughter who will be studying genetics.

A federal agent discovers he’s the only person who can save the world from a frightening development. In order to do so, however, he must face his past and decide whether family matters more than country. Author Blake Crouch uses his screenwriting skills to full effect with somewhat shallow results in his latest novel Upgrade.

In the near future, Logan Ramsay works with the governmental Gene Protection Agency, which finds and neutralizes geneticists who work in secret. Logan feels like he’s paying his mother’s debts. Miriam Ramsay was a brilliant scientist herself, but she killed 200 million people worldwide with her work. She didn’t mean for it to happen, but the science spun out of control and so did most of the safeguards for the world’s populations.

Now Logan lives in a world where organizations like the GPA maintain control and places like Lower Manhattan are under water. He spends his days looking for the scientists who are still frantically trying to solve the world’s biggest problems. During one such raid, he’s attacked with an unknown substance. Without warning, he’s whisked away to a black site and put into isolation.

Whatever substance invaded his system during the raid has changed him. It has increased his awareness and his ability to go long stretches of time without food or sleep. He’s able to speed read his way through several books in a day, and he’s learned to anticipate people’s reactions to his questions before they can process how they’re going to answer.

While some might say it’s a huge boon to his work to be turned into a modern-day Bionic Man, Logan knows one thing for sure: somehow his mother is connected to this major upgrade to his system. Then a stranger breaks him out of the site, which confirms his worst fear: the world may be on the brink of losing a wide swath of humanity once again.

Certain factions have decided that killing millions is worth it so the world’s problems can be solved with logic, reason, and high intelligence. Those who don’t survive are just collateral damage. Logan alone is left with his own skills, his instinct, and his heightened abilities to figure out how to save everyone while also battling the reality that in order to do so he might have to undo everything his mother created.

Author Blake Crouch leans into his screenwriting skills to set up the main premise of the book. Logan is likeable as a protagonist and someone who is easy to root for. In a welcome departure from the genre, Crouch allows Logan time to reflect on the consequences of his mother’s mistakes. Readers get to watch Logan grieve her, which makes him that much more relatable.

Once Logan escapes from the black site, the book becomes more about the science and the tech and less about a tangible goal. Crouch clearly did his research into genetics and shares a wealth of information about how a simple change to a person’s genome can create wildly different results. After a point, some readers might find their eyes glazing over. The narration spends too much time pinpointing specific genes and their functions.

Readers might also find it difficult to suspend their disbelief later in the book when Logan goes on the run. As a highly-valued employee of a visible government agency, his escape from the black site should have created a massive manhunt where authorities search for him. Instead, readers may get the feeling that the world has mostly forgotten about Logan and his abilities. It’s a puzzling approach that zooms too close to how Logan plans to save the world and solve the problem of a scientist gone rogue.

Those who enjoy books that play with tech concepts of the future might enjoy this one. Others looking for a book that covers all of its bases without a well-supported plot might want to skip it.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

Reviewed by Parker!

**We received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We’d like to thank Blake and Ballantine Books for the opportunity. This book comes out on July 12th!**

I was so thrilled to read upgrade based on the experience I had with recursion. I saw crouch talk at book con 2019 and on his panel he committed: no more small books. And with upgrade, like recursion, crouch swings for the fences. Upgrade imagines economic, political, and environmental futures, focusing clearly on how we in the first continue to fuck it up. literally, Crouch wrote a book about human nature. it’s a full and rich world, if dark. Fans of crouch’s stakes and pacing won’t be disappointed. Upgrade is detailed, and so well researched.

Goodreads Overview:

“Mysterious, fascinating, and deeply moving—exploring the very nature of what it means to be human.”—ALEX MICHAELIDES, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient and The Maidens

“You don’t so much sympathize with the main character as live inside his skin.”—DIANA GABALDON, #1 New York Timesbestselling author of the Outlander series

“Walks the fine line between page-turning thriller and smart sci-fi. Another killer read from Blake.”—ANDY WEIR, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary

The mind-blowing new thriller from the New York Timesbestselling author of Dark Matter and Recursion

“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.

My Plot.

After exposure to a boutique dna delivery drone while on assignment, genetic crime cop Logan has to chase demons, the ghost of his mother– a global pariah and sociopath of a– and the trail of a mysterious illness in order to stop all of humanity from having it’s dna forcibly altered. As he eschews the old confines of humanity, becoming something greater in pursuit of something far worse, Logan contemplates questions about just what the fuck is wrong with humanity that we’re so willing to wager the end of the world as we know it for a few comforts.

As the book develops, we see through the protagonist’s eyes and genome, and descend into madness. There are moments where crouch tries to capture the enormity of a dataset or the absurdity of a statistical possibility. as Logan’s brain changes, Crouch manages to express a lot of that through the presentation of infomration to the reader. There are times where it’s a true infodump, but it’s always intentional when it happens in upgrade. I personally enjoyed them.

Upgrade wants to ask really important questions about what it means to be human, while it makes commentary about our responsibility to protect the planet. Its ambitious as fuck; it feels like oryx and crake meets Jack Reacher.

I think tho that the book felt a little ableist; there was so muchtalk about how hard it is to get genetics right, to have viable functional humanity, but it never took up the existence of people whose genetics society has never made room for. The pursuit of perfection is a project with an ugly history after all. I think Upgrade could have done well to examine the history of, say, phrenology– even if on the way do debunking it. After all, there are humans that we continue to decide are not quite human enough for our sympathy, humans that already bear the brunt of the environmental disasters that upgrade suggests are looming for humanity.

Rating: 4 shots/5

Paring: del maguey vida mezcal. Pretty good, very complex. but I’ve had so much like this recently, and some of what I had before was much, much better.