Since the copyright date of this novel was listed as 2011, I have to assume that the advance reader copy of Run, which I received from Netgalley, is either a reprint or an updated version of Blake Crouch's first published novel, but regardless of which, I couldn't put this novel down, stayed up all night, and reading it from beginning to end until 5:30 this morning, with only one reason for not giving it a 5-star rating, which I'll get to. It gets 4-1/2 stars from this reader.

I'm used to being astonished by Blake Crouch's inventive plots, but this post-apocalyptic novel grabbed me from the opening quote and never let go. Run is the story of one family--a father, mother, son and daughter, who managed to sleep through a night of the aurora (the youngest, their son, Cory did see it), and the next day they wake up to a world gone mad. Those who viewed this strange atmospheric event have turned into ruthless killers, some joining bands of others to form ad hoc murderous, arson-prone, soulless, heartless, militia-style groups, who torture and kill anyone whom they come across who were unaffected by the aurora. In one scene that is terrifyingly reminiscent Mr. Crouch had referenced some of the horrors of Hitler's extermination camps in WWII. As their rampage continues, they burn every city and town to the ground. And yes, this plot was also reminiscent of John Wyndham's novel, The Day of the Triffids.

Leaving their home in Albuquerque, this one family is ready to try to make it to the Canadian border, assuming they will be safe there, since the aurora was only visible in the lower 48 states and northern Mexico. It's a horrifying journey, fraught with danger, thirst, starvation, capture, and injury, as they attempt to evade and eventually escape with their lives, and through it all, even though there are times when they are separated, this family sticks together as never before.

The reason for my slightly less than 5-star review is the ending, which made no sense because it was so short, so simple , and so utterly without explanation, and which I can't mention, since I don't do spoilers. And here's the warning, this novel contains extreme scenes of brutal violence, torture, and murder, and it is not for the faint of heart. But, if you're looking for one heck of a page-turner of a novel, this is it. Thank you, Blake Crouch, for another thrilling, unputdownable read, and thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review the advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated herein are my own.

Nonstop action and such a page-turner! I need to read more books from Blake Crouch. I was on the edge of my seat and needed to know how this story ended. If you’re looking for something that grabs you from the first page, pick this one up.

Wow, wow, wow. I read Run by Blake Crouch in one day, which is unheard of for me. I'm a slow reader normally but I could not put this one down. Something happens during a recent aurora borealis event that anyone who was outside during became infected somehow with a killer virus. It became a man versus man world as one family is running for their life. The writing and storytelling is so fast paced and built this level of anxiety for me. I had to keep reading to find out what happened to Jack, Dee, Naomi, and Cole. This one will not disappoint! Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy.

3.5 ⭐️s rounded down to 3⭐️

I really loved Dark Matter by Blake Crouch so I jumped at the chance to read this! This book is actually a re-release of one of his earlier novels. It hooked me in right off the bat!! 🙌

I did feel that something was missing - perhaps the why behind the aurora and its effects? I also felt that the ending was abrupt! 🤔 I still recommend giving it a shot! 👏

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

Oh boy, I wasn't expecting to have this kind of read with this Blake Crouch book. However, I binged it in two days. I couldn't put it down for two very different reasons: 1. it was so propulsive and I needed to know how it ended, and 2. I didn't want to be inside this very scary, crazy, and dystopian world for longer than necessary.

This book will not be for everyone. But if you are ok with stressful situations in an unrecognizable U.S., then this is a propulsive dystopian novel worth your read. I surprisingly did not have nightmares related to this book; and I continue to think about and reflect on the many terrifying incidents that occur in it.

3.5 stars
I'm such a fan of Blake Crouch! His book DARK MATTER was one of my favorite books. But this was a bit different. Even though it was very fast-paced and thrilling, I found it a bit repetitive at times.
Thank You Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Synopsis: A family of four is on the run from Arizona to Canada in an attempt to escape the rash of increasing violence following an Aurora Borealis sighting across the United States.

Thoughts: This is a timely review after the Aurora was visible over much of the U.S. last night. 😂 This book is unlike the other super well crafted sci-fi works I am accustomed to reading by Blake Crouch. That being said, it is still an entertaining book. While not an incredibly unique or original plot, it is a quick page turner of a read that is full of action and suspense. If you like end of the world, action movie style survival stories, then this one is for you! I flew through it because I felt like basically every chapter ended in a cliffhanger. It won’t be for everyone, but I think most fans of the genre will enjoy it!

Read this if you like:
🏃🏻 apocalypse stories
🏃🏻 survival
🏃🏻 action-packed thrillers
🏃🏻 family drama

'There is no decent place to stand in a massacre.'
Leonard Cohen

This is a very scary and gory apocalyptic horror story set in the American west, pitting one group of US citizens against others. People are dying and cities are burning. At first we do not know what has set this off but eventually it is revealed.

The protagonist is Jack Colclough, a professor who lives with Dee, his doctor wife, and two young children in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the story begins they are preparing to run as his name is announced on the radio as someone to be eliminated NOW.

Such begins an odyssey of terror as they try to protect their family at all costs. But where to run TO? Where would they be safe?

I was thrilled to be offered an arc via NetGalley of what I thought was a new novel from Blake Crouch but it turns out it was a very early piece of his work that he self-published in 2011. I would say he's developed a lot as a writer since then. Even I could see several even more terrifying directions he could have taken this plot.

This reminded me a lot of The Road by Cormac McCarthy written in 2006 but McCarthy's is even darker and perhaps more plausible and, therefore, even more terrifying. It's a quick read if you are looking for something like this for the spooky month of October but there are several better choices out there. I have 34 in my GR post-apocalyptic file alone--just ask me for a recommendation.

PS: If you are worried what the aftermath of this year's national election might be like, this will keep you awake at night.

Suddenly a large portion of the population becomes seriously violent. Jack has one thing he can do with his family… run.

This one is constant action but it’s unique because it’s a regular suburban family that is involved in the action. Ever wondered what you would do if the end of the world came? This is pretty much the answer. It’s exciting and nerve wracking, and there’s also a great mystery as to what was happening.

Run comes out on paperback 10/22.

This book was so diffferent than what I expected. It was far more thriller and scary to me than I imagined. The lack of info about why anything is happening is frustrating but also keeps you on the wire because you’re waiting for it the entire time. The family dynamics are odd, to say the least. I am aware enough to know I am just not the target audience for this book, so take my review with a grain of salt!

I am a big fan of Blake Crouch and his writing. His stories are usually engaging, action packed, and fun to read. RUN is an action packed book, but it is a republication of a work he published previously. You can tell how much he has grown as an author since he originally wrote this. This book has all the trademarks of his later books, but his ability as a writer has developed since this book. And I think, personally, this could have been rewritten to reflect this change.

This isn’t a bad book. It follows Jack Colclough and his family as they navigate a string of violence that is sweeping through the country in an apocalypse style narrative. It is a typical road novel, as we follow the characters as they try to figure out what is going on and to find safety. The concept is really interesting and it is action packed, as all this author’s novels are.

But this is where rewriting the story to reflect the author’s writing development. The narrative doesn’t flow well and is clunky. The characters are very one dimensional and don’t really have personalities. The story doesn’t flow and I was left with a lot of questions. Parts of the plot are left unexplored.

Overall, this is a story that is fine. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s not terrible. But I think that it could have benefitted from an overall to make it great.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

starting off this review by saying that horror / suspense without plot books is not really my cup of tea, and if I had taken thirty seconds to establish the fact that this is indeed a futuristic horror novel, perhaps I wouldn’t have picked it up…

BUT HERE WE ARE! blake crouch’s writing is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before with a way to keep your heart pounding while your brain desperately tries to read faster and faster to find out if they’ll make it to the end!

unlike his other sci-fi stories, this one didn’t have much of a plot… as it’s based in the future when humanity is going crazy and basically turning into the purge, one family is on the run from everyone who wants them dead… and it does not stop until the very end 😩

I just wanted more than a suspenseful gory horror movie, as it was never truly explained what made certain people turn to the dark side after seeing the lights… and why it just suddenly stopped? I don’t know I like to have a conclusion 🥸

thank you to ballantine and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! will continue to read anything blake crouch writes!

rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: australian malbec

What do you do when the world is literally falling apart around you? There are mass killings happening everywhere and names are being broadcasted over the radio for those that are to be killed next. When Jack hears his name there is no time to do anything except gather his family and RUN. What is to follow is harrowing and more than a little dangerous. Will Jack, Dee and their two children make it out alive? And if they do, what does this new world look like?

This is my first Blake Crouch book. I have seen his book Dark Matter recommended all over the place. I love gaining style, so I’ll definitely be picking it up soon!

This was a very quick, straight to the point, easy to read post apocalyptic thriller. I loved the storyline and I also loved the ending. I loved that this book did not have pages and pages of unnecessary descriptions and fillers.

I have read a lot of books by Blake Crouch, and this was good, but it wasn’t my favorite. There was a post apocalyptic element that I liked, but it was just so brutal and gruesome.

⭐️3.5
Apocalyptic and action packed from the get-go. America has become a place of chaos. The power is out and the people are going on massive killing sprees. Jack, his wife Dee and their kids, Naomi and Cole suddenly are on the run for their lives.

This one is high speed action from the very beginning, you will be exhausted when you finish.

If you are looking for action, survival and an end-of-the-world type thriller, Run has you covered.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6783032839

Pub date: October 22, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Listen…I LOVE me some Blake Crouch BUT this could’ve been a novella🙃 you can definitely tell it was written a while ago (this is just a republishing!) because he’s come SO far!!

Not to say this was bad, it just wasn’t great. It’s a nearly 9 hour audiobook and while it’s certainly his usual action packed, every end of chapter is a cliffhanger, you need to know what’s happening type of story…it was repetitive! It could easily have been edited down a biiiiiit! And you never know what really happened💀 or the why, I guess you could say.

✨suspense thriller
✨family-oriented…what lengths would you go to to protect the ones you love?
✨on the RUN action (see what I did there?🤪)
✨vague-ending
✨good on audio
✨mob mentality killings🫣

After a series of strange murders grips the nation, ordinary people begin to act violently without warning. The country quickly spirals into chaos. Jack's family is forced to leave everything behind, fleeing into the wilderness to escape the growing wave of violence and try to outrun those who are hunting them.

This book is an incredibly fast-paced book and an intense story of survival. Blake Crouch always does a great job at keeping tension high and engaging the reader. Like his other books, I walked away from this one questioning the what ifs.

This book had a brutal and freaky plot that I definitely enjoyed with a fun cat and mouse chase. This kind of story has been done a million times but Crouch brought a somewhat fresh feel to it. I felt the character development was lacking a bit and the ending was predictable.

I was so excited when I got this ARC from Blake Crouch because two of his other books that I have read were fantastic

I love a good post apocalyptic story line. Because post apocalyptic has been done before countless times, I found myself being entertained for sure, but not something I thought about after I was done reading.

I never really got a sense of much character development. From the very start of the book, you are thrust into action. If you haven't read anything from Blake Crouch, don't start with this one ( try Wayward Pines, Dark Matter) because those are top shelf.






Thanks to NetGalley, Blake Crouch and Random House Publishing Group for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.