Upgrade is the first ever ARC I have received. So, I was prepared to love it, just as I had loved Dark Matter & Recursion. But, I was bummed out when I didn’t love this book as much. There were parts which I liked. The subtle message about how humankind is doomed if we don’t incorporate compassion & empathy in our lives was so well placed. I did not see that coming. Also, the focus on climate crises is evident. Because this book is set 100 years from now, the effect of climate change is more pronounced.

Then, of course, the concept of gene editing was inspired & had so much potential. I felt that this potential was not fully used. We only saw the upgrade in a few characters, which was fascinating to read. So, more of that would have been amazing. But, instead I think the author tried to combine science fiction with action to make it more of a movie-worthy script. This is why, I couldn’t find myself enjoying it. I had finished his earlier two books in less than 2 days. But it took me the longest time to finish Upgrade, probably more than a month! I truly wanted to love this book, but I didn’t.

I have rated Upgrade by Blake Crouch at 4/5 stars. It started off as a 5/5 read, but then in part two, it declined to almost 2.5/5. And then finally, it was at 3/5. But then I read the letter which took the rating up one whole star to 4/5! Basically, when I look back at my reading experience, there is not a lot of joy or fun or surprise for most of it. But, what I will remember is the stunning concept of gene editing to upgrade humankind.

I want to thank the author and the publisher for sharing the e-ARC with me. I am really grateful for it! Folks, stay tuned for Upgrade’s official publication date on 12th July! If you have read & loved Dark Matter and Recursion, I suggest you read this!

Author Blake Crouch is a master at weaving complex, but quick-paced stories that maintain a balance between intellectual and compulsively readable, and <i>Upgrade</i> is no exception. I should say: I am not a fan of hard Sci-Fi, but love grounded, relationship-based SF, and this is sort of on the precipice of those. There are parts I skimmed, as they leaned a bit too heavily into the genetics of it all, but Crouch seems to anticipate this of some of his readers as it's still accessible and compelling even while skipping those details. I could've done with truncating the 55-85% section, but many will enjoy those bigger action pieces-- and those are exactly the moments most people will be excited to see when this is adapted. But the set up, the character work, and the epilogue are *chef's kiss* so good.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

I am so surprised by this book it held my attention from beginning to the finish. I am not a fan of sci-fy books but this book was written for someone like me who wants to step their toes into reading sci-fy but wanting the book to be not to difficult to follow along. This book fit that bill completely.

Logan works for the GPA which monitors scientists after laws changed for gene development. Logan is an interesting character he goes through so much throughout the book. Which he seems to deal with and withstand all the things he faces.

This book was like a speed rush to the end. Logan was a very likeable character who had to stuff his emotions to get the job done which is saving all of mankind from a virus that can change everything.

Blake Crouch knows how to write a sci-fy book that engages people who normal don't read the genre he does it in a way that helps the reader to understand what is going on. His writing is simple to understand even when technical terms are being used. The story felt believable.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves sci-fy but also to someone who wants to try reading sci-fy it was that good. My heart was racing as the pages where turning and that makes for a great read. I plan on reading more from this author. He might have made me into a sci-fy fan with this book.

I want to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for a free copy of the book for an honest review. I cannot say enough about this book.

Upgrade
Blake Crouch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Out July 12th, 2022!

To be honest, I will read anything that Blake Crouch writes, at this point. I have yet to make time to read his backlist of books, but have kept up with his releases since the MIND BLOWING Dark Matter released.

In Upgrade, Crouch continues tackling complex scientific concepts and making them digestible to the less than savvy reader (aka ME). This story deals with the aftermath of the scientific breakthrough of DNA editing and the tragedy that followed. Crouch ventures into some deeper, darker, and more emotional territory in this novel, and I was impressed by the moves he made.

While perhaps not as mind-boggling as his previous novels, Upgrade does a good job of fully fleshing out the ideas that come into play, and it gives the reader lots to think about but also a lot to be thrilled by.

As I mentioned earlier, this book goes to emotional places that Dark Matter and Recursion never came close to. There are some very complex relationships at the heart of this book, and I loved the way that they changed as the characters did. There were some truly bittersweet moments in this story as well, and I found myself quite moved throughout.

The moral dilemma at the center of the plot (which I won’t get into because spoilers) is a significantly complicated one. It’s hard to say that there is a simply black and white to the sides of the story, as the motivations of the protagonists and antagonists have some positive motivation buried within. I found this to be well-executed, as well!

So, what didn’t I like? The beginning of this story is pretty heavy on exposition, and that bothered me, but I won’t say that it was unnecessary. More of the important details could have been revealed through dialogue and would have felt more natural. But, this didn’t take away too much from the story. There were also a couple of loose ends I would have liked to have seen resolved, but I can’t argue that the ending was still mostly satisfying.

Long story short, if you like fun sci-fi, thrillers, or Blake Crouch books, DON’T MISS THIS! It is better than Recursion, but not quite as good as Dark Matter, in my opinion. 😄

Oh my goodness! I don’t even know where to start with a review! This was a mind blowing story! Logan is a scientist who works for the GPA, Gene Protection Agency, which fights against gene editing. Logan’s mother was a brilliant scientist who miscalculated an experiment that cost millions of lives. But she manages to give Logan an upgrade which messes with his genes. Just fascinating!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Upgrade is about a man who works for the government, the GPA division. The GPA's primary focus is to stop unlawful gene editing in humans. Then there is an accident. He starts to notice his mind and body are beginning to change. He is being upgraded.

This book is HARD sci-fi. I am not a science-oriented person, yet this story's core is very human. How we can idolize and want validation from our (sometimes flawed) parents and our need to protect our family and loved ones.

I loved Dark Matter, and this did not disappoint! Upgrade is a "fast-paced sci-fi thriller" that gad me invested even when I didn't fully understand the science. I cared what he was doing and why.

Part The Six Million Dollar Man and part Jurassic Park (but for humans), this book is an unputdownable thrill ride.

Logan Ramsay has spent his life paying for the mistake of helping his mother, renowned geneticist Miriam Ramsay, unwittingly cause the Great Starvation. After his release from prison, he worked with the Gene Protection Agency to prevent the now-illegal gene altering. He is “upgraded” by a virus he contracted in a botched raid, and from there, Logan’s life changes forever, in good, bad, and unbelievable ways.

I never thought he’d be able to top Wayward Pines series, but this book is just as good, racing toward a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed the premise of this story. It made me pause and consider what I'd do if I suddenly got better physically and mentally almost overnight due to gene editing. The first few chapters gripped me, but then it went in a direction that maybe I just wasn't expecting. The story felt a little shallow at that point and lost tension for me. I also simply wasn't invested in the characters enough and that caused the relationships in the book to fall flat for me. In the end this one just wasn't for me.

Blake Crouch's books always make me think. I love how he incorporates science into a thriller. This book was a bit hard for me to read though. Sometimes I felt like there was just too many technical scientific terms and I had to stop and figure out what I was reading which too away from the flow of the story.

Logan Ramsey is a member of the GPA (Gene Protection Agency) which tracks the development and application of genetic research. When he is caught in an explosion at a botched raid, his DNA is changed. Initially unaware of what's happening to his body, he notices more and more changes are occurring. He discovers his mother is responsible to what is happening to him and that his sister's DNA has also been changed. Not all the changes are good - what will it mean for the human race if others are also infected? Food for thought.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

After just recently really enjoying re-reading Recursion by Blake Crouch, I was so excited to get an advance copy of Upgrade to read and review!
Upgrade has Blake Crouch's signature blend of sci-fi and action PLUS a huge dose of messy family drama. This book will be perfect for readers who gravitate toward stories about family dynamics. He truly has a knack for putting his characters in impossible situations that involve loved ones and family. Seeing as the plot revolves around genetics, having family be such a large aspect is a perfect fit.
The futuristic setting felt like a mix of Total Recall, Blade Runner, and Minority Report with some haunting Station Eleven vibes. Especially intriguing to me were the detailed descriptions of transportation and vehicles! I also loved some of the unique scientific side characters.
While I was expecting Upgrade to be fast-paced, the story instead takes its time and really builds to an entertaining and gut-wrenching finale. In fact, the last 10% of the book was my favorite part. I even found myself tearing up!
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, and the author for this e-arc. Reviews are my own.

Techno thrillers are always great, until you start wondering WHAT IF in the middle of the night! The science was a bit much for me, and I found myself skimming through the complicated DNA bits. I found Logan to be a wonderful character who struggles with the eternal concept of should I just because I can.
Perfect for anyone who likes a fast paced , science driven novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance reader copy.

Part thriller, part modern sci-fi, taking place slightly in our future in a time when most work with genetics is outlawed because of the terrible consequences of prior genetic experimentation. Logan is part of a federal agency which tracks down and shuts down those suspected of genetic research, yet he becomes "upgraded" in a lab accident with improved genetics in an attempt to....sorry, no spoilers here. This book focuses on Logan's search for the truth and his struggle with what to do with the information he uncovers. Logan's struggle really resonated with me and I turned page after page with anticipation as to what he would do next, who he would trust, and what plan he would devise. This was my first Blake Crouch book and considering the number of reviewers who said "Dark Matter" was even better, I'm running to get a copy of that book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review! Advanced copy from Netgalley.

As a fan of Blake Crouch's other books I had very high hopes for this book. It did not disappoint.
The story is mostly fast paced, combining a solid sci-fi plot with an underlying question of 'what is the correct balance of intelligence and emotion that makes us human and does advanced intelligence take away our humanity'.

Enjoyed this very thought provoking read.

I need to start by saying that I'm the biggest Blake Crouch fan. I loved Dark Matter and Recursion with all my heart. That said...

My initial impression was that Blake's writing is very simplified and even a little shallow in this one. Skinny writing, sometimes with just the basics, with no flesh around the bone. In the other books I was convinced from the start, very engaged. Not here, the beginning didn't catch my interest in the same way. The idea of a future where they can madly mess with DNA is very interesting, but poorly executed.

The pace is very fast as usual and you can even finish the book in one sitting. But, for me, the story fell flat, felt uninspired, cartoonish and very 2015. It is definitely Blake Crouch's weakest book, and I was only held by the mini curiosity to see how it would end and because of the fact that you can read the book super fast, so it's not even worth giving up.

Zero attachment, not caring about the characters at all. It also throws made up cientific information at you that simply doesn't add to anything, it just looks fancy. Eventually it became annoying. It was like trying to hit the word goal. In the big picture, the conflicts seemed so pointless, silly and clichés.

It pains me to write this review, because I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunatelly it didn't match with my expectations.

Blake Crouch is so incredibly talented. I'm always dying to read what he writes next because his brain works in such a fascinating way to weave a pretty incredible story.

The say I loved Dark Matter and Recursion would be an understatement, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to read and review Upgrade from the publisher.

Let's start by all humming the Kanye West tune "Stronger."

Work it, make it, do it
Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger
N-n-now that that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger....

That's basically the premise of this book. Guy comes into contact with a substance that essentially "upgrades" him to be better, faster, stronger. But why? And what is coming next?

This book explores human involvement in manipulating the human genome. How far is too far?

While I liked the book, there were parts that seemed a bit far fetched, even for a science fiction novel. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to Dark Matter or Recursion but it was still an enjoyable read overall.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Blake Crouch, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to review.

Another compulsively readable science-fiction thriller from Blake Crouch. This novel is set in a near-future world where gene editing has become illegal. Logan, an agent for a government organization that hunts down geneticists, has been targeted with a genetic weapon that alters his DNA and turns him into a next-level human. Thrillers are always more fun when you don't know much about the plot, so I'll leave it at that. There is a save-the-earth agenda throughout the story that felt a little tiring at times, and sometimes it gets a bit too science-y, but overall this is a fast, fun read and I loved the epilogue. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Ballantine Books for a digital review copy.

Thrilling science fiction Another wonderful book from Blake Crouch. I’m a huge fan and this didn’t disappoint me at all. This is an edge of your seat read all night book. Thank you for providing ARC copy

This is the first Blake Crouch book I have read, and I loved it! I am going to have to find other books by this author because I enjoyed this one a lot.

The book is the story of a man named Logan, who has been “upgraded” through genetic technology. It is set in the future where such technology is readily available, and laws govern its use. Logan Ramsey’s mother was a famous scientist who worked with this technology prior to her death. Logan has an accident at work and is exposed to a virus that begins to change him. I won’t give away more than that since it would be giving away spoilers.

The story is well-paced and moves along quickly. There is just enough detail about the technology to make it convincing. The changes Logan undergoes are gradual enough to make it believable. The characters are well-rounded and realistic.

As a thriller, this story works very well. It’s got some great elements of tension and the suspense builds as you go along. I loved how the author was able to keep some elements a surprise until just the right moment to reveal them. The writing is top-notch. I really have to seek out other books by this author.

I give it five stars. If you love a good thriller with sci-fi and suspense elements, this is a great book for you.

Upgrade is another winner from author Blake Crouch. It's a sci-fi thriller exploring the possibility of hacking someone's genome to make them stronger, faster, smarter...to super-human levels. It's not only a matter of how it can be done, but should it be done, and who decides? An exciting read for sci-fi and thriller fans. I will recommend to my patrons. I enjoyed it a lot.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.