3.5 stars

Logan Ramsay is an agent for the Gene Protection Agency, an organization that hunts down scientists engaged in illegal genetic manipulation. In a way Logan is just paying his dues. It was his mother, the brilliant geneticist Miriam Ramsay, who perfected a ground-breaking DNA modifier system called Scythe. Using Scythe, Miriam attempted to enhance the blight resistance of indica rice plants, which are a staple food for over half the world's population.

To make a long story short, things went wrong, there was a worldwide famine, and 200 million people died. Miriam committed suicide and Logan - who was a college graduate working in his mother's lab - went to prison for three years. Legislation was passed to restrict gene tampering, and Logan now works to capture people who flout the law.

After Logan helps raid a suspected gene-tampering lab, an explosion lands him in the hospital. Logan learns that the blast injected modified genes into his body.....genes bioengineered to enhance human abilities. Over the next several weeks Logan finds that he's getting smarter, his bones are getting denser, his muscles are becoming stronger, his reflexes are improving, he has a photographic memory of his entire life, he can recall the contents of every book and article he's ever read, etc. In brief, Logan has been 'upgraded.'

Logan determines that the lab explosion and upgrade weren't random events, but a plan engineered by his mother before she committed suicide. Irregardless, Logan is arrested and quarantined at a black site by the GPA, who accuse him of fiddling with his own genome.

Logan is sprung from the black site, and learns that his mother's long-term plan was to 'upgrade' all of humanity. Miriam believed that making people more intelligent would result in better stewardship of the Earth, with attention to environmental concerns like global warming, ocean pollution, and so on. Thus, Miriam planned for a cabal, led by Logan's 'upgraded' sister Kara, that would spread the 'enhancement' virus to every person on the globe.

Logan is strongly opposed to changing the genome of the entire human race, and takes steps to stop the cabal. Thus much of the story is an action thriller, with Logan and his sister maneuvering to destroy each other. There's plenty of shooting, fighting, death, and destruction, enhanced by the superior abilities of the combatants. It's fascinating to watch Logan's thinking processes, and the manner in which he tracks down and battles his enemies.

The story would make a good movie, and has been optioned for a Hollywood film.

I love this author, so I was disappointed to find myself less than enthused with this title. The subject matter was interesting, but the execution and the writing didn't seem up to the usual standards I've come to expect from this author. This is one that seems to have a wide range of opinions in the reviews, so the reader will have to draw their own conclusions.

Though DARK MATTER still remains my favorite Crouch novel, UPGRADE delivered with the thrills and chills. Even though technothrillers are a new subgenre for me, I loved the way the author contstructed the story in a way that is part science fiction and part suspense. The pace was perfection and I was pulled in right away.

I received an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

I've really enjoyed two of Crouch's previous works, Recursion and Dark Matter. I was looking forward to Upgrade, but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It may have been my misunderstanding, but I was expecting something different from the "upgraded human" aspect of this novel. Instead, it was a bit too action-packed thriller for my taste, with too many fight scenes. What I enjoyed more were the main character's emotional conflicts surrounding his old and new self and how he related to his friends and family.

What struck me most overall is that this is by far and away Crouch's most blunt statement on humankind and the future thus far. I quite enjoyed the ending of the book and appreciated that the author had a higher purpose that served his writing. All that to say, action and suspense isn't normally my genre, but I look forward to seeing what Crouch does next.

Blake Crouch’s thrillers rarely fail to do just that—thrill, and Upgrade is no exception. With a timely scenario and breathtaking narrative, we are driven to a satisfying resolution. I must say that as Logan, the protagonist, increasingly evolves, his first-person narrative becomes increasingly tedious, but that’s because it reflects his state of mind. If you’re a fan of techno sci-fi, this should be your cup of tea.

I’ve enjoyed all of the Blake Crouch novels I’ve read and I’m happy to say that the streak continues. I love the cinematic quality his writing brings. I’m also thankful that the “science” didn’t get in the way of my enjoyment or understanding of the story!

I will always pick up a Blake Crouch book, but sadly this one didn't do it for me. However, my husband and most of the folks in my book club devoured it, so I think that was more personal on my end.

This was an interesting premise and I was compelled to finish. I liked how it ended. A solid offering by Blake Crouch.

Super intriguing premise that started off soooo strong that I flew through Part One in a single sitting. Unfortunately it began to lose me a bit after that, and I realized somewhere along the way that it was because the more Logan slipped into "new Logan," the less I cared about him. That said, I don't know that the author could have done anything differently--it was absolutely true to the story he was writing and made the conclusion that much more poignant. Definitely a thought-provoking read that I'm glad I stuck with to the end!

Another fantastic book by Mr. Crouch. This upgrade is not mechanical or electronic. This is a human upgrade. Kind of cool kind of scary upgrade, but great book withe way.

After reading and loving Blake Crouch's novel Recursion, I knew I had to get my hands on his latest. I was NOT disappointed.

What I really love about this author is that he explores the "what ifs" relating to science and everything we know to be true, whether it's time travel, genetic mutations, viruses, you name it. He does so in such a way that keeps you absolutely glued to your seat and anxiously awaiting more.

If you're looking for a novel to hold you in suspense while also making you think completely outside the box and question everything you think you know, then this one is for you.

Blake Crouch had me hooked with Dark Matter; so much so that I couldn't wait to get my hands on anything he has written. I am a big fan of sci-fi via plausible future reality (Dark Matter, Recursion) so I couldn't wait to read Upgrade. Unfortunately, Upgrade fell flat for me. I struggled to connect with Logan and the story just didn't have a smooth flow.

This was my first Blake Crouch book but it won't be my last. Logan was working with SWAT when an explosion happened. Not long after he notices drastic changes. His boys are stronger and the biggest change, his mind. He remembers ever word he ever saw. He remembers articles and books he read years ago. He learns that his life will never be the same and now he's on the run.

Upgrade is a scary book about what happens to our society and how "upgrading" will change the world.

I absolutely loved Upgrade! It’s an excellent and very timely science fiction thriller dealing with some interesting socioeconomic and environmental issues, as well as the fact that humans are unable to truly care about more than a certain number of people in their circle. Of course it wouldn’t be Blake Crouch, if he didn’t throw in some mind-bending science fiction concept into the mix, and let me tell you that - it’s a fascinating one to explore!

I very rarely read sci-fi books, but Crouch has always been an auto read author for me. And Upgrade didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the concept and how the main character and his sister interacted, grew, fought, and orbited around each other. And the book poses some very interesting questions about what one would do to save humanity.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I was not able to finish so won't be leaving a full review at this time.

Logan Ramsay has been hacked--his genome, that is. In the near future, Logan works for the GPA, the Gene Protection Agency, to crack down illegal gene editing. In a raid gone wrong, Logan was targeted for gene modification, which causes him to become physically and mentally stronger. Most significantly, it allows him to think more logically without involving his emotions. But are all improvements really better for humanity?

The only other book I have read by him was Recursion, which I loved, so I could not wait to read Upgrade. This newest Crouch novel is everything you would expect from him: faced-paced, full of action, and heavy on science. But the science is so approachable; I may not understand it all, but I feel like I can still follow along. I wish I had found this author sooner, but I suppose that means I just have some more amazing books to look forward too!

I recommend this to someone who likes:
💡More science in their scifi
💡Complicated family relationships
💡Recursion, but looking for a different science angle

I found this as very mediocre. It took me a long time to actually finish this book and it just didn't catch my attention much. I can see how people would enjoy it and it was fine but definitely dissapointed.

So I am not a huge fan of science fiction, but somehow this author just really hooks me in with his stories. Maybe it's because they all feel like thrillers and not so science fiction to a point I can't understand what's happening?! Anyways, this book didn't disappoint and I really enjoyed it. You've got science, romance, and a thriller aspect to it. Kept me guessing until the end.

A fantastic follow-up to the previous novel. Blake Crouch never disappoints. For all of the science fiction lovers out there, this is sure to please.