This is a quick read but not my favorite of Blake Crouch. I loved Recursion and Dark Matter by him and this one didn’t deliver the same level of twisty thriller detail he normally writes. I’ll keep reading this author since overall I’m a big fan of his work.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

From the opening line, the book seized me in its relentless grip, refusing to relinquish its hold until the final, breathtaking page. This wasn't just a good thriller; it was a masterclass in suspense, a meticulously crafted engine of anxiety that left me both exhilarated and utterly drained.

Blake Crouch is one of my favorite authors, I LOVE Dark Matter and Recursion, they’re in my top favorite books. However, Run just didn’t feel like a Blake Crouch book.
I still enjoyed it, I love most anything post apocalyptic, but I don’t know if this one will stick with me as much as the other two did!

4.5 ⭐️
Imagine waking up to a world where inexplicable violence sweeps the nation. In this book , Blake Crouch takes readers into this harrowing reality, delivering a thriller that is as unyielding as it is terrifying. At first it seems random murders are happening.
It centers on Jack Colclough and his family, who find themselves targeted after hearing his name on the radio of being a potential victim. They now need to RUN.
I’m telling you this one got my heart pumping!

Genre: Dystopian
Re-Release Date: October 22, 2024
Rating: 3⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this rerelease!

I was immediately intrigued because I have read a couple works from this author (Dark Matter and Recursion) and loved both. So of couse when I saw that a backlisted title of his was getting a re-release I jumped at the opportunity to read. Friends, I was pretty disappointed, I will preface the review by saying that was probably my fault. Because I read and loved his two other books I assumed that this book would be in the similar vein; science fiction with a hint of dystopia. This read was full on dystopian and it felt like things were coming at me at break neck speed. I did not enjoy this one, I felt that there was a lack of backstory and character development if I'm keeping it real. It defintely made me appreciate the writing style of current Blake Crouch. He's still one of my favorite sci-fi authors, but I probably won't go back to reading his backlist titles.

I love Blake Crouch's books, and this one did not disappoint. It is fast paced, crazy out there topic but so compelling and attention grabbing that I could not put it down.

I quickly became invested in the family and their travails. I found myself screaming out loud at times because I was so caught up in the story and the writing.

So hard to explain but if you love a thriller with some far-reaching ideas - then read this book!!


Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for sharing this digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

This story follows a couple, Jack and Dee, and their two children as they are fleeing their state at the start of an apocalyptic situation. They have to overcome many hurdles as they try to reach safety, wherever that may be.

I have mixed feelings about this book because while I enjoyed the concept, a lot of parts felt repetitive and drawn out. The beginning grabbed my attention quickly and I was excited to see how this family could escape their unexpected situation. As I kept reading, there was a lot of them driving down the road, finding a place to stay, then the bad guys chasing them out and being on the road again and not a lot of pivotal plot action. It went on like this until about 60% into the book.

I also don’t think the lights that turned people into killing machines was explained well enough. It was vaguely talked about, but I think it should’ve been more of a focus, especially at the end. That being said, I did find the ending satisfying after having to sit through the rinse and repeat events that took place over the 30 days of fleeing. The story was enjoyable, but was pretty average overall.

This review will be posted on Goodreads on March 3rd, 2025.

This is my second Blake Crouch book. This was not as good as dark matter, but it was good. It is very anxiety induced. Please check your trigger warnings, but it was very action packed. If you like end of the world/apocalyptic books, you would love this.

"Run" by Blake Crouch is an adrenaline-pumping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows the Colclough family as they struggle to survive in a world turned upside down by a mysterious apocalyptic event. The relentless pace, combined with well-developed characters and unexpected twists, makes this book a gripping and fast-paced read. Crouch masterfully blends suspense and action, creating an immersive experience that leaves readers breathless. If you're a fan of thrillers with high stakes and non-stop action, "Run" is a must-read.

Run lived up to Blake Crouch's legacy. It is fast-paced beyond belief and demands that the reader not put it down. The violence in this one is ramped up above his other books, but the story called for it. Compelling and so thrilling!

Electrifying, high-stakes thriller that gripped me by the throat from the first paragraph and never let go. Relentless tension, enhanced by deeply human moments. Incredible!

If you enjoyed Dark Matter, you might find Run by Blake Crouch equally gripping. This thriller follows the Colclough family as they flee a sudden, nationwide outbreak of inexplicable violence. Crouch masterfully escalates tension, immersing readers in a relentless survival journey. While it leans more towards action and suspense than the speculative elements of Dark Matter, Run delivers a fast-paced, intense experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

For those seeking novels with a similar blend of science fiction and thriller as Dark Matter, consider exploring Recursion by Blake Crouch, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North, or Pines by Blake Crouch. These books delve into complex narratives that challenge perceptions of reality, much like

I thought this book was dark and full of the depravity of people. Its a fast paced read with plenty of thrills along the way. I felt so on edge while I was reading this story. I couldn't put this book down. I just had to know how the story ended. It was an amazing story that I won't soon forget.

I didn’t like this as much as Dark Matter or Recursion, but I tried to keep my “this is his first novel” glasses on despite that. The writing didn’t feel details enough and the characters were a bit under developed for my taste. That being said, I did love the premise of the book. He has amazing ideas!

Blake Crouch’s first book is also his worst. Insufferable characters are repeatedly saved by increasingly unlikely coincidences over and over and over. Skip this and read Dark Matter or Recursion instead — they’re much better.

Listen, I love Blake Crouch. The man knows how to write a thriller that keeps you glued to the page, and Run is no exception. From page one, it’s pure chaos—a full-throttle survival story that feels like a horror-thriller hybrid. Think The Purge meets The Road but with Crouch’s signature intensity.

The setup? A mysterious signal turns ordinary people into murderous psychopaths, and suddenly, our main characters—Jack, his wife, and their kids—are on the run (literally). The tension is relentless. There’s no time to breathe, no time to process, just go go go. If you love action-packed survival thrillers, this will definitely scratch that itch.

But here’s the thing: while the breakneck pacing makes it impossible to put down, it also makes it hard to connect with the characters. The violence is brutal, which I don’t mind, but it felt like it overshadowed the emotional depth. I wanted more—more character development, more nuance, more than just non-stop running and near-death experiences. And the ending? It left me feeling a little...unsatisfied.

Would I recommend it? If you’re in the mood for a fast, action-heavy, cinematic read, absolutely. But if you’re looking for the emotional complexity of Dark Matter or Recursion, you might find yourself wishing for a little more depth.

2⭐️ For me, this book had a great plot but I think poor execution IMO. This is Blake Crouch’s first novel so it is definitely interesting seeing how much his writing has progressed but this story felt so confusing and lacked plot. It was hard for me to follow the story and it felt like so much was happening all at once where it become super overwhelming and it was hard to follow. I liked how it put you directly in the action, however, I wish we would’ve gotten a bit more information before everything happened rather than just getting thrown into it. It wasn’t horrible, it just wasn’t for me.

This is Crouch's first novel, and doesn't have the big ideas of later novels but it was propulsive stuff, with a family constantly running from wilder and wilder situations. The kind of book you devour in one gulp

This book is not stop thrill from start to end. It is so fast-paced that you won't want to put it down. A special thank you to Netgalley, Blake Crouch, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.