Blake Crouch does a fine job of creating sci-fi stories with backgrounds that can lead to the possible plausibility of events happening, This particular novel delves deeply into the science of DNA and the human genome. It's heavy on the scientific jargon and that could bog you down if you aren't that invested in that particular info and just want a story that grabs you. It took me to 25% in the eBook to really get interested, but once I got to that point the story really picked up.

A fine story with a chance for you to gather quite a bit of information on gene mutation. If that's not your thing, try skimming over those paragraphs and hang on to the actual story.

I read this book as a recommendation from NetGalley. It took me a couple of attempts to start reading. Then I couldn't stop.
What happens when your life is shadowed by something your genius mother did? You go to jail and then attend to live your life upon release under a different name. Logan's mother caused a global disaster that is still affecting the world. He works for a government agency that is trying to stop the manipulation of genetics. On a job a blast puts DNA into him. It causes him to Upgrade . Smarter, faster, and stronger. Who is behind this? Can he stop it?
Great sci-fi book.
Thanks NetGalley for a book that makes me think. A little scary, but at the same time full of possibilities.

My favorite thing about Blake Crouch’s books is that they make you feel really smart. He has a way of making complex science accessible for the reader. Upgrade is my first 5 star book this year and will be at the top of many must read lists!

Logan Ramsey is the son of a genius scientist, Miriam Ramsey. Miriam miscalculated the implications of a experiment and inadvertently killed millions globally. Logan is currently working for the GPA which is a government agency fighting against gene editing (which has become way too commonplace).

Without giving too much away, Upgrade is full of action, mystery, science and “save the world” vibes. It will leave you questioning human nature and the path we are all on as global citizens. This book is a must read especially for those who don’t typically read science fiction. Blake Crouch makes science fun, accessible and also a little scary. It sometimes hits too close to current events and makes you wonder about our world.

A big thank you to Blake Crouch, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy! When Upgrade is out in July 2022, run don’t walk to get your copy!

This was a super page-turning science fiction story, though far more reminiscent of the Wayward Pines series than his more recent novels. It is wildly propulsive, particularly so in the first half. While heavy on science explanations, those parts are easily skipped over, and the plot is fast-moving enough not to require them.

Just as in Wayward Pines, there is not much character building/development, and you are mainly just in the main character's brain as he fights his way through the world, but it is a wild ride if you don't think too hard about it. I also loved the realistic near-future part dystopian world setting.

4 stars!

This was my first ever ARC read and my goodness, it did not disappoint. I've been an avid Blake Crouch fan since The Wayward Pines trilogy, and Upgrade was certainly just as intriguing, fast paced, and entertaining as any Crouch book I've read.

The story follows Logan Ramsey on a "Limitless" style journey of growth (literally and figuratively) after an attack on his genome. I absolutely loved the detailed explanations of genetics, chemistry, biology and other fascinating areas of science Crouch sprinkles throughout the novel; the pharmacist in me was taken back to my days of misery in class learning about the biochemical makeup of drugs. However, in this setting, it held my attention instead of putting me to sleep. Crouch gives you just enough that it's not overwhelming, and he really includes them to aid in the context of the story. At times it did feel a little lecture-like and/or preachy, but I was moving through the book so fast I barely noticed.

Without question a 5 star read for me. I don't think he could possibly write anything I WOULDN'T give 5 stars to. Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

Lower Manhattan is flooded. The coral reefs are gone. Synthetic meat is all you can find most places. Amid these "new normals," Logan Ramsey is injected with a new sequence of DNA during a workplace mishap, leaving his senses heightened and his intellect at an all time high. With the brain he always wanted, can he continue his mother's legacy in trying to save humanity from itself?

This was a kind-of Flowers for Algernon meets Inferno for me. I love that Crouch's books always read like a great TV show or movie--there's twists, momentum, and awesome world-building. All those elements are definitely present here and I think his fans will like this. Is it my fav Blake Crouch? No- but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

Many thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the advanced copy! You can buy Upgrade when it hits the shelves on July 12, 2022!!

I loved this book! I was able to read it quickly and didn't want to put it down. The plot was intriguing and I loved the mystique and sci-fi elements. After going through COVID-19 it was fun to read a sci-fi version of a virus.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

3.5/5 stars

Logan Ramsey is exposed to a virus that upgrades his genes and begins to make him smarter, faster, and stronger than he was before. It's now up to him to decide to change the course of humanity.

Blake Crouch is one of my favorite science fiction authors, and just like with his previous works I couldn't put this book down. I loved that at the beginning of the book the reader is given a slow drip of information about the setting and world. I find that it's often hard to do this well where books give you just enough information to keep you engaged but not leave you confused, but Crouch did a fantastic job with that in this book. The writing was also beautifully descriptive. I felt really immersed in the world and could feel the main character's happiness, pain, etc.

I felt like the book started to drag about 2/3 of the way through, and it never really picked back up.

The ending was really satisfying and thought-provoking, which I enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Review posted on Goodreads - 3/20/22
Review to be posted on Instagram (@skylers_shelfie) - 7/12/22

Actually a 4.5.

Timely, relevant, thrilling, smart, and thought provoking. An all around great read!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59838811

This came damn close to dethroning Dark Matter as my favorite Blake Crouch novel.

I was instantly intrigued by this world, and found myself desperate to learn more from the first mention of The Great Starvation. The future and ideas in this book don't sound so crazy, it raises some interesting questions, and I enjoyed the main character and felt connected to him all through his journey and evolution. I found the epilogue to be rather moving, and satisfying.

Received through NetGalley from Random House Publishing Group.

Another great sci-fi book (heavy on the sci) from Blake Crouch. Falls somewhere between Recursion and Dark Matter for me.

I think Blake Crouch is a great author. Dark Matter? Amazing. Which is why, with a heavy heart, I had to mark this a DNF at 35%.

The flow of a book is really important to me. Making sure the paragraphs and sentences sound good together, that they stop and start in a way that sounds nice in someone's head and makes sense for the story.
This book, however, did not.
It did that so poorly.
And this is why.
The dramatic single sentences.

A few of these sprinkled throughout a book, yes. It draws attention to the drama and makes you understand this is a crucial, important thing to be aware of. Crouch used this approximately 4 times a page, sometimes for nearly the entire page. It made the main character and the story seem so extra, and not in a good way. It read like you're being told a story by your neighbor who knows they don't really have anything interesting going on, so they need to spice up a boring tale and pause constantly for dramatic effect. I hated it, and it made me irritated with the main character. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to look past it to finish the book.

It also gave me some Matrix vibes? A few of the scenes were copy and paste from the movie, like the mysterious text he receives at work before looking up from his cubicle to see some meatheads at the door ready to mess up his day.

It kind of feels like Crouch is riding the wave of a few successful books and releasing something a little lazy because he know he can. I might try reading it again in the future. Sometimes, it's just not the right book for the moment.

Thanks to @BallantineBooks and #NetGalley for a digital ARC of #Upgrade. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Blake Crouch is the master of the sci-fi thriller (emphasis on the science part). A compulsive read set in the not-too-distant future that revolves around gene editing and the implications. Crouch's "future" is relatable (electric vehicles, a planet devastated by climate change), but still advanced enough to feel different (supersonic travel).

Our main character, Logan, is the son of a pioneering DNA scientist who genetically modifies locusts and causes a worldwide famine that kills 200 million people. Decades later, gene editing has been outlawed and Logan works for the Gene Protection Agency (GPA), seeking out rogue scientists who are still advancing the science of DNA manipulation. During a raid, Logan is infected and things take a dark turn quickly.

Even though the DNA/science stuff was a little over my head, I was still able to follow it all and found this to be the most relatable of all Crouch's books. Maybe because the characters were dealing with truly human emotions and issues or maybe because the "future" didn't feel that far-fetched. Highly recommend!

I enjoyed this one but not nearly as much as Recursion or Dark Matter. I know there’s a lot of science in his books but this was wayyyy too much science for me.

Another amazing mind bender from Crouch, with a near-future setting and a very currently relevant topic, I didn’t want to put this book down. It’s easy for individuals, especially “geniuses”, to think they have all of the answers but Upgrade examines the complexity individual and social responsibility in science.

I loved Dark Matter and Recursion, Crouch's other most recent works, so I was extremely excited to read his most recent book. This one doesn't land the same for me, I think the other two have a better sense of pacing and the odds against our heroes in DM and R feel more real than Upgrade. I'm not sure which side of the debate between Miriam/Kara and Logan I agreed more with, which left Logan's attempt to save mankind from the upgrade feeling less consequential than it should for our lead protagonist. The epilogue, while a lovely sentiment, I wish had been hinted at more in the actual novel so that it didn't feel like an addendum and a statement on the world's current state. I wholeheartedly agree that the world needs more compassion but wished it felt more like the two sides of conflict throughout the novel rather than the epilogue. Still excited to see what Crouch comes out with next.

Ebook/Thriller:. I got this book from NetGalley in lieu of an honest review. The book was okay. I didn't really feel a sense of kinship with the hero, Logan, and at one point was rutting for his sister to complete her evil plan.
The book is kind of like the old movie "Phenomenon" where a man wakes up to heightened intellect. Having researched a lot about prions and spongiform encephalopathy, I understood that part of the side effect, but not what triggered the disease n the book.
There was a lot of .007 hijinks along with continuity problems. Plus, in the end, Logan goes against every thing he fought for in the book.

Crouch does it again.

Logan has his genes hacked and “upgraded.” His has new abilities. His memory, his muscles, his intelligence…they’re all sharper and stronger and far more powerful than he could have ever imagined. He’s perceiving the world and those around him in a new way and he’s not quite sure if the upgrade is good or bad, or if he’s even still human. But there are forces trying to force the upgrade on everyone, at a staggering cost. These forces believe this is the way to save the world, to save humanity. Logan is the only one that can stop them.

I know the big question is whether or not this was as good as Dark Matter, which everyone (including me) loved. The answer is: YES. The stories are very different but it’s the same style of storytelling, the same break neck pace, so if you liked Dark Matter you’ll like this one, too. The beauty of his stories comes from his cutting edge plots (his characters are pretty good too but it’s the plots that draw me to his books and I’m certain I’m not alone). I will say that I liked the characters in this one better than Dark Matter so…overall, I think it may even be better. I know, I didn’t think it was possible either.

What I love is that, while his books are insanely entertaining, they also make you think. Halfway in I tell myself, this could never happen. Far fetched. No way. But then I start thinking…is it far fetched? I’m not 100% sure because the way he tells the story you could almost believe it really could happen one day.

The first few chapters were pretty science-y (and a few places later in the book as well) and I can’t lie, I got a bit worried for a moment, but the worry was for nothing. You don’t have to be a scientist or academic to understand or appreciate this story, I promise.

Bottom line? I loved it. Every time I think Crouch can’t outdo his last book, that he can’t come up with a plot as intriguing as the last, he comes through and I feel dumb for doubting him (it won’t happen again).

Pub date is Tuesday, July 12th but I’m going to preorder a copy because I need a physical copy too - it’s that good. Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the eARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I was so excited to read this!

Like Crouch's previous books, Upgrade was a fast-paced, smart thriller that I couldn't put down. I loved the plausible premise of the book - so well written!

Crouch's strong character development was essential to the story, but I wanted a little more background on the relationship between Logan and his sister. I felt that some parts were a little rushed, which caused a small fracture in the story; however, the epilogue redeemed it for me!

Overall, I loved it and would give it 4.5 stars!

Upgrade is my third Blake Crouch read and it did not disappoint! Very interesting concept explored in a different and thought-provoking way. At first I thought it would be similar to Bradley Cooper's Limitless, but it went a very unique direction with a lot of social commentary about our world and the fate of our existence. While some parts were two action-packed for my liking, I can easily see this book as a movie. Like many have said, I did appreciate the epilogue and thought it was a necessary component to bring more hope to the story.