This one is really hard for me to rate. I'd put it at solidly 3.5, rounded up because I think my main issues with the book are those that are probably specific to me and aren't likely to offend the wider crowd.

There was a lot about this book that I really liked. The very beginning of the book is a little slow as Crouch does some world-building and introduces us to everyone. Once the plot really takes hold, though, the action ratchets up fast and I was loving the ride. The whole middle of the book kept me quite entertained, with plenty of little mysteries and twists, plus a decent amount of action of the car chase/fight scene/running for your life variety.

But then I started to get bored around 60-70%. The action just became gratuitous. There were SO MANY fight scenes and climbing up buildings and such. There wasn't enough plot to satisfy me at this point. And the science! The science was lovely in the beginning half. It made sense to a non-scientist. It seemed possible in the near future. It was really cool, no other word for it. But then the science sorta jumped the shark. This may be a personal thing, but it started to feel less plausible. I was only barely comfortable with the futuristic-ness of the early book science, and now you're throwing this crazy truly sci-fi/comic book level science at me? I can't tell if I got bored with the science because it was just TOO MUCH or if the science itself took a nosedive. All I know is, my reading took a nosedive and even in the climax of this book, I could barely make myself read. It was boring in a too-much-stimuli sort of way. There was just so much happening, but it was all so detailed and it didn't lead to enough furthering of the plot.

But then there was the epilogue. My faith in Crouch was immediately restored. I considered giving the book 5 stars because I was so touched. But I didn't cry, and that's usually what I save my 5 star reviews for. This was no Dark Matter, but I did really really enjoy the ending. I enjoyed it so much, I almost hope he writes a sequel someday. Unfortunately, I couldn't forget and forgive my past grievances with this book, no matter how accurate/correct I found the ending (can't explain without major spoilers).

All in all, a good book, maybe even great in some places, but with a few issues that I couldn't ignore. I'm definitely going to read all the past books by this guy that have been languishing on my to-read list ASAP.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What is the first thing you would do if you were suddenly smarter, able to read whole pages at a blink, carry on multiple conversations at once, and run like the Bionic Man? Our hero Logan reads his TBR. Yup. Turns to the stack of 12 books on his nightstand and knocks them out. Then he tries to save the world.

I love Crouch’s writing. It’s fast-paced, smart, sciency, and thrilling. What sets him apart is how he makes me care about his characters. Logan is a conscientious, hard-working, law-abiding agent for the GSA (Gene Protection Agency), just going about his business when his DNA is hacked by an unknown entity. We get to see his amazement and concern as he uncovers improved skills, and wonders about his humanity. Did the Upgrade make him more human, or less?

That he worries about this, the future of humanity, and his family makes him an endearing character worth pulling for. I enjoyed the story immensely, and the epilogue is icing on an already incredible cake.

Yup. The epilogue. Regina at @confettibookshelf captures how I feel better that I could, so I will quote her GR review. “9/10 epilogues are completely unnecessary turds, but this one was…thoughtful, heartfelt, and unexpected.”

Thanks Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books, Blake Crouch, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Expected US publishing date is 19 Jul 2022.

Upgrade is a fast-paced sci-fi thriller about an ordinary man who becomes extraordinary overnight--whose DNA has been modified. Logan Ramsey experiences significant physical and mental changes to become almost superhuman.

Born with an IQ of 118, Ramsey ends up in an impossible situation, overcoming the stain on his family name, his new gene alteration, and his mother’s and sister’s extreme actions to put Earth on a new course. His mother caused the Great Starvation due to her creation of the Scythe DNA modifier system, and Logan paid the price with prison time.

Now working for the Gene Protection Agency, he’s sent out on a raid and hit by an explosion and exposed to a toxic substance. He discovers his genetic code has been changed, and the agency that employed him has jailed him in a glass cage. His sister Kara, a former POW with the same genetic alteration, helps him escape. Together, they discover their mother’s dying wish to unleash another genomic upgrade.

It is Logan’s race against time to end or save humanity against all odds, enduring pain, pressure, loss of family, and friendships to right the wrongs of his mother. Brilliant and technically written, Blake Crouch creates a harsh dying world searching for answers with a superhuman hero. I thank Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it. #Upgrade #NetGalley #sci-fi books #thrillers

Mindblowing. Blake Crouch has become one of my favorite authors. This story shows the good that can be done by genetic engineering, but watch out for the bad! Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different. He just feels a little sharper. Better able to concentrate. Better at multitasking...who doesn't want this? Reminds me of what is promised by many products available to us in 2022, right? But with what can be done in a lab, should it be forced or done without your knowledge - what if things go wrong? This book will make you think about it! The science in the book is thoughtfully written and easy to follow. It is a fantastic thriller and keeps you turning pages to see just what happens to Logan, and his sister, and his long gone mother - and the human race.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. If Crouch writes it, I'm reading it.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch is a sci-fi thriller set in the near future. Logan Ramsey is attacked and soon figures out someone has edited his genes. He is smarter and sharper both in mind and body. Who did this to him? Are there others. In a fast-paced story he tries to figure everything out and do the right thing. The author always has a remarkable story, and the writing was very good. I highly recommend his book. Thank you, Net Galley, for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and comment on Blake Crouch's "Upgrade."

I've had a hard time connecting with techno-thrillers of late so I did *not* expect to enjoy this book anywhere as much as I did nor to be so engaged by the characters and the story.

I think what really helped was the fact that the reader is thrown into the action almost immediately. There's no great buildup or backstory (the backstory is provided really well throughout the book and in context), the main character and some of the others are established from the get-go and we're off on the journey with them.

It's a book about genetic manipulation so obviously there's quite a bit of reference to the science but none of it gets in the way, you can understand as much or little of it as you need to to keep on track with the story and enjoy the action.

Although this is set in the not-too-distant future, in addition to the advanced genetic science, In a move that'll no doubt upset the more conservative/right-wing reader, Crouch introduces very real present-day societal and global concerns in a very concrete way. Misinformation and misuse of the digital world, the exploitation of fear of science by expedients politicians, climate change (Manhattan is partly underwater),

This, for me, was a real page-turner. The pacing was excellent and the writing engaging. Highly recommended.

Upgrade by Black Crouch is a thrilling, science fiction novel set in a not to distant future. Logan Ramsay lives in a world where he knows that the well-intended actions of his mother's team resulted in massive crop failure and the death of over 200 million people. As a direct result, genetic modifications are now significantly regulated and off limits to science outside of the illegal black market. Logan works with the government agency that shuts down illegal operations, but on his latest mission something goes wrong. As he recovers from his injuries, he realizes he is stronger, smarter, needs less sleep, can remember things with a precision that is impossible,,,, and he is in trouble. Logan must discover what has happened to him, who has done, and what are the bigger implications all while evading the government and coming to terms with his past.

The pages of this story basically turn themselves and I found it nearly impossible to put it down once I began to read. The story is entertaining and reads almost like a blockbuster hit, but also manages to make important underlying messages about the way that humans care for each other as a whole and the world we live in and rely on! While I would say this is a dystopian future, it feels pretty realistic and as such is thought provoking.

I would highly recommend for a variety of readers- those who like science fiction thrillers, dystopian futures, people interested in genetics, or just someone looking for a fast paced exciting read. I think this is my favorite Blake Crouch novel yet! Thank you to #NetGalley, Blake Crouch, and Random House Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for this review!

BLAKE CROUCH DOES IT AGAIN. Crouch is legit one of my favorite authors. This book was dense and smart. It took some concentration, but man was the payoff worth it!

I received this book as an ARC and this is my review. Wow! I loved this book! The futuristic embellishments and the science are a knockout! The story is loaded with flawed, but colorful characters. Crouch’s imaginative world is scary and amazing. I totally recommend this book to readers who want to follow the fantasy and science fiction of this truly gifted author.

QUICK TAKE: Ultimately extremely enjoyable, but definitely reminiscent of films like LIMITLESS and LUCY. The story of a man who is accidentally exposed to a dirty bomb that genetically modifies his DNA is propulsive and entertaining and action-packed, but I would have preferred more insight into the MC's family dynamics with his sister and mother, and I was way more fascinated by the "gene war" and world-building than I was with the central plot. That being said, my review here is meaningless as everyone and their mother is going to read this one!

Blake Crouch is the best at bringing the future into the present. He is also one of the best at opening your mind to deep thought. A lot of his concepts have stuck with me for years after I read his books. This was no exception. I highly recommend it.

If we were smarter,would we be better? Blake Crouch explores this question in "Upgrade" in an action-packed ride packed with enough science facts and fiction to satisfy any fan of near-future thrillers.

This is my first Blake Crouch book and I can honestly say that I will be reading his other books now. Upgrade is a fast-paced sci fi action thriller that grabs you from the premise and doesn’t let go until the last page. I loved the idea of gene editing and the possible places that it can go. Fair warning, you do have to pay attention. If you’re looking for a book to skim through or listen to in the background while you do other things, this might not be that book.
It is easy to see the government’s reaction to a mistake and overreact accordingly. This overreaction led to the creation of the GPA, the gene protection agency, who our protagonist, Logan works for. Logan, unfortunately, is also the son of the renowned geneticist who accidentally killed a large portion of the population when her creation mutated beyond her control. While Logan was conducting a raid, there was an explosion and he was caught in the blast. A month later, his body and mind start changing.
I liked the gradual changes and how Logan adapted to them. Twisted up in all the action and science, there is quite a bit of psychological contemplation going on. What is acceptable to create a possible outcome? What are we willing to lose? All in all, a well written, enjoyable book. Thank you NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my unbiased opinion.

Global warming has changed how we grow food, our weather, and our health. A brilliant scientist manipulates human DNA to enhance our intelligence and other "important" traits. Genetic manipulation and experimentation are banned by the government. When a man begins noticing changes in himself, what should he do? Logan Ramsay suddenly found himself reading faster, concentrating more easily, and recalling memories vividly. At first, he doesn't really think about it. When he notices changes happening to his body too then he knows something is different. His DNA has been hacked. Who did this? How did they manage to do it? Why is he a target?

Logan's family legacy is tainted by his mother's misguided activities prior to her death. He wonders if he is being targeted. He also wonders whether he is the only one experiencing these changes. What could happen to humanity if someone is secretly manipulating DNA? Knowing what type of enhancements can be made will force Logan to decide whether to warn of the consequences or just enjoy his improvements.

This is an epic story that touches on global warming, genetic manipulation, and government control. It is quick-moving and vividly believable. How far are we from the genetic enhancements becoming something to watch for? The not-too-distant future looks terrifying when seen through Blake Crouch's eyes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an eArc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Upgrade was another exciting thriller full of adventure from Blake Crouch. I’m an absolute sucker for Crouch’s books. They are always such a good time, and Upgrade is no exception.

If you had the power to prevent the extinction of humanity, but still had to murder millions, would you do it? Or do nothing?

Logan Ramsay is the victim of an IED who’s shrapnel imbeds a virus into his body. Weeks later, doctors cannot detect any symptoms and give him a clean bill of health. But Logan starts feeling different. Upgraded. Suddenly he’s reading faster, running harder, and bringing forth memories from years ago. His intelligence, endurance, and stamina have all been upgraded. When he discovers another victim of the virus, they have differing views on what direction they should take. Either inject the virus and save humanity, but killing millions. Or do nothing and let humans die out. Or could there be a third option?

This book was pretty fast paced and exciting. If you’re a fan of his other works, I would recommend this one. This story is a bit heavy on the science. I personally enjoy these types of books, but if you’re the type to be intimidated by scientific jargon and discussions, this may not be for you. Crouch does a fair job of explaining a good portion of the subjects being discussed, but there are a few sections that even I wasn’t sure about. I just used the context to understand what was being discussed.

My thanks to @Ballantine Books, as well as to @NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Upgrade.

“The greatest threat to our species lies within us.”

Very cool book!!! I was grabbed from the beginning when Logan Ramsay finds himself better able to concentrate. Better at multitasking. Reading a bit faster, memorizing better, needing less sleep. (I've reached the age where I could use an upgrade!😄) I absolutely loved the relationship Logan had with his daughter. In fact, there was a lot of emotion, as well as massive action in this book!

I must admit that soooo much of the science went over my head. After reading about half the book, I found myself skimming past the science. It was just too much. That worked for me but I'm not sure it would work for everyone. This would have been a 5-star review if the story hadn't been somewhat bogged down by all of the science. Still, it was an intense and enjoyable ride, in my opinion.

Excellent book! The author explains the science very well so I could follow the details easily. This book really stuck with me. I asked myself over and over what I would have chosen. I STILL do not know!
I hope this is turned into a movie or series like Wayward Pines was.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dark Matter and Recursion so had high hopes for Upgrade. While I enjoyed the overall concept of this book, I ended up disappointed by the end. I think this one felt more like a dystopian thriller than an exploration of a mind-bending future technology. Perhaps it is set in a time a little too near the present and the problems of climate change, lack of privacy, and government overreach were a little too close to reality for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me preview Upgrade by Blake Crouch in exchange for an honest review. I would have purchased this book when it came out as I am a long time fan of Crouch's writing. Unfortunately, Upgrade missed the mark for me.

The major issues I had were with the science and the rushed ending. Crouch got very in the weeds with his listing of various genes and their expressions. It was a bit tedious and took me out of the story. Also, the ending/epilogue did not seem earned. It came out of nowhere and felt rushed and out of place. I did like overall conclusion, but the story didn't build up to it properly.

Upgrade has one major theme that I agree with wholeheartedly - humans need compassion for others in order to save ourselves from ruin. Just because those of us privileged enough to be born in America don't see the toll that climate change and overconsumption are having on other parts of the world doesn't mean that people aren't suffering. Crouch is saying something necessary with Upgrade; I just feel the story doesn't live up to that message.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Ballantine Books.

I'd never read anything by Blake Crouch before but I have heard rave reviews so I was thrilled to take a crack at this one.

In a pretty awful near future, gene editing is the rage. Our protagonist Logan is a member of the Genetic protection Agency and on a mission suddenly he starts getting....weird.

This book is very detailed about the genetic stuffs and is asking some pretty big questions!

I really, really enjoyed it.