I have read everything by Blake Crouch and this is by far his best. I will be thinking about the possibilities and ramifications of genetic enhancement for a very long time...

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC!
I unfortunately DNFed this book at about 25% of the way in. This isn't a bad book, it's just not my cup of tea. I've loved the other Blake Crouch novels I have read, but this particular one wasn't a match. This almost reads like a blockbuster action movie but with more introspection, which I think a lot of people will really like. However, that style is not my favorite. The book seemed well researched, it brought up some difficult questions about how far we should push ourselves and nature, and possible repercussions if something goes wrong. I would definitely recommend the author though, as I've enjoyed his other sci-fi/thriller books.

Logan Ramsey is the son of Miriam Ramsey, the brilliant geneticist who caused The Great Starvation after releasing gene-modified insects to eradicate some other insects responsible for eating rice. Now, he works for the Gene Protection Agency, a government organization that works to ensure genomes are left intact by "erasing" geneticists. He survives the explosion of some type of device that shreds his hazmat suit during a raid. Soon, it become clear that his genome has been hacked, he is stronger, smarter; he has been upgraded. And then he discovers that his sister was stung by some type of wasp so she, too, is now upgraded. Together, they determine their mother is still alive and working to "upgrade" all of humanity. She thinks there is a coming event that will kill off humanity. On the other hand, her upgrades will also kill billions of people whose genome cannot withstand the trauma of it. This is a really interesting book. Blake Crouch is making a name for himself writing dystopian future SF.

Upgrade is exactly what I wanted and needed it to be. I wanted something escapist and page turning, and just like Dark Matter and Recursion, Upgrade delivered. It's outlandish, unbelievable, and jumps the shark, but I enjoyed it. This is another sci-fi page turner that somehow doesn't quite feel like sci-fi. This one deals with a new technology that can alter human genes with catastrophic consequences. It's also a family story and that was one of my favorite things about it. This releases July 12th and I definitely recommend it if you liked his other books. If you haven't tried them yet, even if sci-fi isn't your thing, I recommend giving it a try for some ideal summer reading.

I rarely read science fiction but for Blake Crouch I make an exception! He has a way of making me forget it's sci-fi and instead just telling a beautiful story. Full of intrigue, mystery and just jaw dropping! So well written and chockful of surprises!

"Upgrade" by Blake Crouch was a great novel! The story takes place sometime in the near future and is about a man named Logan Ramsay. Scientists are being watched closely, and no gene science is allowed, mostly due to Logan's mother, who released what she believed would help the food chain and it backfired. Logan receives an "upgrade" without his permission, and so does his sister. The book follows him and his path after this upgrade as he tries to stop the same upgrade from being released to all humanity.

A thought-provoking fast paced novel that I couldn’t put down. Blake Crouch writes amazing sci-fi and I always look forward to his books.

As with other Crouch novels, once you get a few chapters in this is pretty much impossible to put down. The science is explained in a way that’s easy to understand. The action is fantastic and the pace doesn’t let up. I loved how Earth is shown in the future, the glimpses of life and how it’s imagined. Lower Manhattan being underwater was described so well for example.

The ending was brilliant, I loved the direction it took. An excellent read.

I thought Upgrade had a very unique and interesting premise, and I could see it leading to some excellent book club discussions. It’s not my personal favorite by the author, but had the same level of suspense and great pacing that his other books have had. Loved the social justice and environmental themes and thought there were a lot of interesting issues raised. Would definitely recommend to others!

(I will return to post review links after I’ve shared to Instagram and Goodreads.)

Review of Upgrade:

Every time I read a Blake Crouch book, I wonder how he will make it feel fresh and new when his style is so specific.
He always surprises me.l and nails it!
I really enjoyed this one. All of his stories are fast moving and gripping. I love his big picture concepts and always find myself questioning what I would do in these positions.
I think the only thing that feels the same is the hero arch. Similar characters and outcomes. This is totally ok with me, as I don’t expect any different and enjoy the ride for what it is. A fast paced action sci-fi.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Always a recommendation for when you need something suspenseful and fun!

Blake Crouch is back again! Recursion is probably my favorite science fiction novel of all time (although this is from someone who doesn't read that much of the genre) and Upgrade definitely redeems the disappointing Recursion for me. It didn't get too caught up in its own world-building and tech storytelling, and I'm glad that it still catered to the reader more. It lacks a little bit of that final punch to bump it up to five stars but this will definitely be another big hit. I can't wait to read more about whatever existential technological crisis Crouch comes up with next.

Logan Ramsey has been “upgraded” to a being far more powerful and intelligent compared to the average human. Working for the Gene Protection Agency his job is to find and stop scientists from illegal gene editing, but during a raid an explosion goes off that alters his DNA sequence. From incredible strength, stamina and concentration to having photographic memory and being able to tolerate pain and require less sleep, he’s become superhuman. But this is only the start of a genetic war against humanity as a dark family past catches up to him…

I was so into this book for the first 30%, the idea of being able to alter DNA to create new species or to heighten senses is super interesting. Crouch always has the coolest and most complex ideas when it comes to his sci-fi thrillers. I love Dark Matter and Recursion but unfortunately this book was a bit of a let down. It’s perfect if you’re into long drawn out explanations of scientific research and terminology. For me it just felt like I was being pulled out of the narrative to be taught a science lesson various times. The ending picked up again and was super action packed but the heavy science information killed the mood for me.

I like explanations here and there but when it’s something that should be simple turns complex like “a neurological artifact that was actually the elicitation by angiotensin II acting on angiotensin II receptors in the subfornical organ, a brain region near the ventricles with high vascularization…” Crouch could have just said Logan was thirsty… I don’t know why it had to be a whole paragraph. I get that Logan’s senses are heightened but I don’t need all that lol that’s where you lose me.

With all that said, it’s still a cool novel with a unique premise that I really liked. I wish I could rate it higher but for me it was just mediocre.

Another fantastic Blake Crouch! He's an auto buy author for me, especially after seeing him speak at BEA about how he gets his ideas. I know the pseudoscience will be sound in a Crouch novel. And UPGRADE didn't prove me wrong.

UPGRADE takes the trope of the enhanced human to the point of superpowers and gives it real-world implications. The next step in human evolution, indeed. Logan and his sister Kara's DNA was hacked by their mom for reasons (that include a dicy family history) and now the two are pitted against each other. The upgrade not only allows for more reasoned thinking, it will, in theory, make people actually want to save themselves rather than continue to destroy the planet with their hubris and be dead in 100 years. Thing is, both Logan and Kara want to save humanity with the upgrade, but only Kara doesn't care about the deadly cost.

I liked Logan. He's a nice guy and a protagonist I had no problem rooting for. He cares for his family, for humanity, even for his sister who is absolutely against him. He's taken his family's deadly legacy and become an agent for an FBI-type agency against DNA upgrades. So of course, he is the perfect person to save us all. Isn't he?

This would make a fantastic film. Thanks for the advanced read!

A thriller that involves tinkering with genes/DNS. If anyone can pull these two elements together, it would be by the strong hand and imagination of Blake Crouch.
However, it seems as though the highlight of this story was the impact of gene editing, as if all the energy went into forming the premise, making the story structure and characters - suffer for it.
I can tolerate a weighty element of science, in a story - as long as it's not forfeiting the magic of the storytelling.
But with Upgrade, it became a chore to read to the end. Which surprises me!
Of course, after the usual second-guessing questions of: maybe it's me, maybe it's the wrong time for me to read this story, let me try harder, adjust my focus better - I ended up right back to my initial impressions. Just not interested in this one.
Unfortunately, not one I would recommend.

Upgrade is by far my favorite Blake Crouch book yet. In a not too far off future, the modification of genes is illegal. The MC, Logan, is the son of a famous geneticist whose research changes the world. After a life altering accident at work, Logan has to figure out what side of history he wants to be on and how his choices impact the future of humanity.

I could not put this book down. I loved that this story was unpredictable, fast paced, dark, science driven, and surprisingly emotional. The epilogue alone had me sobbing for a solid 10 min, in part because it was an absolutely perfect ending but also because I felt like it was SO relevant to current events.

If you are a fan of Dark Matter or Recursion then this is a perfect read for you. Upgrade is a solid 5/5 star read for me.

I really enjoy reading Blake Crouch's novels, so I was super excited to get access to this latest work. The premise of how genetic modifications have the potential to create both great benefits and unforeseen devastation is intriguing particularly in relation to the environmental Armageddon that has been wrought on the earth through the careless activities of humans. Unfortunately, this point tends to get beaten much like a dead horse throughout the novel to the point of fatigue for the reader. The characters are pretty annoying as well and hard to like. I hate to be a negative Nellie, but this was not my favorite of Blake Crouch's novels to date. I do think it is interesting enough to recommend reading, just not an absolute page turning mindbender like his other novels. All-in-all a fun summer (or whatever season it is when you read this review) read, but no more and no less.

Family changing DNA running to stop a mass genocide. Who would have thought that I would read a book so out of my realm and finish it in one day. Logan Ramsey whose famous mother a scientist who committed the biggest viral deaths of millions of people. Logan being brought back into her craziness engineering the evolution of the human race. Will he survive it all.
Logan is thrown into the upgrade of genetic change. Starting with his mother Miriam Ramsey to his long distant sister Kara he has to find out what will happen if his DNA is changed and what it can do to other people. Thinking is mother is dead Logan finds out that she still is alive and is still trying to change the course of the world. With Logan on the run from not only his sister who wants to carry on her mothers work but also he is running from humans who re genetically changed by his sister. Where does he go and what does he do.
I am not a science buff at all. Yet this book hooked me from the beginning and I could not put it down. I was so engrossed with the whole plot. How we start with a family man doing his job loving his family but cannot escape his past. Then one day it changes for him,, being almost killed in a blast kidnapped by his own government and then being rescued by his sister or did she really rescue him?
What I enjoyed mostly about this book is the whole back story to revile why Logan is who he is. How his mother impacted his life and made him the man he really didn't want to become but it was out of his control. Losing his loved ones, his life and all the changes that are coming to him. What will he do?
I highly recommend this book. Not only to the sci-fi readers, but to anyone like myself who wants to read something totally different. Also this is a new author for me, and I will be sure to look into his other books.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC copy. Also thank you Blake Crouch for introducing me to a whole new genre of reading.. Looking forward to more from Mr. Crouch.

Recursion was one of my favorite novels I read in 2019, I love Blake Crouch’s practical and levelheaded approach to sci-fi, the protagonists and the consequences. Obsessed!

When it comes to well researched sci fi with a thriller twist, Blake Crouch doesn’t disappoint! Upgrade has an interesting premise surrounding upgrading DNA to make someone physically and mentally stronger. I liked that we got to see both sides to the argument about upgrading and I liked that many characters went back and forth on the issues. The interesting family relationships were my favorite part of this story and I loved reading about Logan’s backstory.

There’s also some commentary in the book that parallels to the pandemic and the climate crisis, which was definitely topical! I enjoyed seeing how this book could relate back to what we are all going through and I think it was smart for Crouch to blend fiction with reality.

I should preface this review by saying that I am a huge Blake Crouch fan and was extremely excited to get an early copy of Upgrade! The basic premise of genetic manipulation leading to an increase in intelligence and general human capabilities was fascinating to me. I very much enjoyed Logan, our main character, and loved watching him grow and change. While I wouldn’t say I was on the edge of my seat, I had a great time. In an effort to provide a more impartial review, here are a few things that I didn’t like. The first is that at more than one point in this book, I felt as though what was happening was a direct rip-off of various action movies I had seen. The second is that this had more explainable science involved than in Crouch’s previous two works that were a similar blend of science fiction and thriller. The final gripe I have is that one specific character displayed behavior that didn’t seem to make any sense to me. It was a zero to one hundred situation that didn’t seem to make sense. That being said, we got very little background and information on this particular individual’s character. But despite all that, I was quite pleased with the book and plan to add it to my collection upon release.

Upgrade is my first Crouch read and while it’s not up there with Recursion and Dark Matter, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and will hands down read anything he writes. Upgrade was heavier on the sci-fi and I was missing that romance in Recursion and Dark Matter.