Run is giving The Walking Dead/Purge type of plot. I lead with this because had I known up front, I would not have read it. This genre is not for me. But I like Blake Crouch's writing style, unique stories and suspense-telling tales so I read until the very end. Curious to see how his debut novel measured up to recent releases. Let's just say that I can see the growth and appreciate his newer books.

Run is a one-dimensional story of a family running. That's it; that's all. Five days ago, an epidemic of rage began. Four days ago, senseless murders swept the nation. Three days ago, the president begged for peace. Two days ago, the killers began to mobilize. One day ago, the power went out. And tonight, the killers are reading the names of people to be killed over the emergency broadcast system. Jack is listening over a battery-powered radio and hears his name and address. This means killers—for an unknown reason—are coming to his house. Jack hurriedly gathers his wife, son and daughter to run for their lives.

And they run...and run...and run...until the unsatisfying end. No real answers. No climax. No full conclusion. No explanation. Just a family running amongst pointless violence. I am so very disappointed but grateful. Because if Run was my first impression of Blake Crouch, I would have missed out on his much better books such as Dark Matter, Recursion, and Good Behavior / The Pain of Others. Run away from this one, Bookhearts.

Happy Re-Pub Day, Blake Crouch! Run is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

I’ve seen mixed reviews on this one but I really enjoyed it. This is Blake’s first book he ever wrote but is being published in the US for the first time. Run was as a wild ride that made me question what I would do in the circumstances the characters went through and making plans for survival if something like this actually happened. This book was hard to read at times but equally hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy. Run is a rerelease of Blake Crouch’s first book. It follows a family as they desperately try to survive the time when people go on a rampage. The family that we follow through the book is made up of Jack, Dee, Naomi, and Cole. I do think the story was a little long and repetitive, but I was invested in what would happen. Run was Crouch’s first book that he self published, and his writing style has improved since then. Overall I enjoyed the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of this title.

While we wait for the next (truly) new Blake Crouch book, it's nice to see Ballantine re-printing his earlier books. You can see the spark of what's made his more recent work so compelling and page-turning in this, even if I found the main plot a little underdeveloped in places here, especially towards the end when everything just seems to resolve itself.

Run! This book was so good that it reminded me of the movie The Crazies and gave a subtle nod to The Walking Dead with the formation of groups or towns. I feel like this book was written so well that you couldn’t stop reading it. It’s packed with action and will not disappoint.

I would definitely purchase this title, but I would not reccommend it based on his other works which are much stronger. The twist at the end was not a great pay off for the lack luster storyline throughout the book. It just wasn't it for me.

A brutal and relentless dystopia that left me lying awake at 2 am thinking about moving back to the UK after this year’s presidential election.

After some aurora lights blazed across the skies of the continental 48 states, most of the US population turns into Christian blood-thirsty killers with access to all sorts of weaponry. Jack Colclough, his wife Dee, their 14yo daughter Naomi and 7yo son Cole have not been Affected so they go on the run from Albuquerque heading to the Canadian border to stay alive.

That’s the plot really and the author gets it going immediately (the blurb gives you much more set up than the novel) as the family drive, walk, and hide in an effort to evade the Affected. There’s a pretty straightforward rhythm: the family undergo increasing hardships to get away, they have a brief respite, they are caught up with, they escape, and repeat. The respites become ever shorter and the escapes become increasingly unlikely - how many nick of time saviors can there be?

The prose is workmanlike and the characterization doesn’t go much beyond Jack feeling like a manly man now he’s killed to protect his family and Dee realizing that this was what she needed to fall in love with Jack again.

So not really my cup of water drunk out of a gas station toilet but I was gripped and it feels realistic enough, prescient even, given that it was originally self-published in 2011, to make me ponder my chances in a post-election world.

Thanks to Ballantine and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Blake Crouch just does it for me. I was looking for a fast paced, addicting read and this was it! Highly recommend, but keep in mind that this is probably his most graphic book.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I have seen a lot of recommendations for Blake Crouch novels, but Run is my first one. I want to thank NetGalley and Random House/ Ballantine Books.

Jack Colclough hears his name called over the radio and knows that ‘they’ are coming to kill him and his family. He has no other option than to run.

They run through deserts and mountains, searching for gas, food and water. All the things necessary when an apocalypse hits. They do their best to avoid anyone else, not knowing who can be trusted…no one. Blake definitely puts his characters through hell.

Riveting. Engrossing. Suspenseful. Unputdownable. I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

Run (just rereleased after being self-published in 2011) is very different from Crouch’s most recent sci-fi novels. This is more of an entertaining apocalyptic suspense/thriller (similar to a lot of movies I feel like I’ve seen). The interesting premise drew me in right away, but it got bogged down by the inconsistent pacing and plot holes. While I enjoyed the story as a whole, I was a bit let down by the ending, which could’ve used more explanation/resolution. I’m giving it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for the entertainment factor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was intense from beginning to end! This story starts with a family of 4 running for their lives. They have no idea why there are people trying to kill them, but they run from everyone and anyone. They don't know who they can trust.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, non-stop action, apocalyptic thriller, this is the book for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very hard to put down. Just as a warning, there are many scenes in this book that are VERY descriptive and gruesome.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Bantam House Books for the ARC.

3.5 Rounded Up

I've previously read this author and really enjoyed the scientific aspect of his stories, so this one was a little different. Overall I enjoyed this one, and it was a pretty easy read as well. It's definitely more action than story plot, and the characters aren't super likeable (even the children). I'm glad this wasn't my first experience with a Blake Crouch book, but I would still recommend this book if you're looking for a quick action-y/suspense read.

I’m a big Crouch fan and have loved most of his work. It started with Dark Matter and Recursion and then expanded in to some of his earlier works. I think Run is a solid thriller but doesn’t quite have the magic present in Crouch’s later books.

We’re still gifted with Crouch’s direct punchy prose which manages to be both efficient yet still includes some very vivid imagery. There was one scene where my acrophobia had me going nuts. The pacing is FAST. The book starts off in chaos and really only goes up from there. It was difficult to put the book down (sans mountain climbing scene of course :D).

I will say there are some aspects that make it evident it’s an early work of Crouch’s. The characters aren’t very lovable. Honestly, I was rooting for some of the side characters they briefly meet over the family. And also, Cole Colclough? I’m not sure if Crouch ever said that full name aloud. The story is very cinematic and I struggled with that aspect of plausibility. I enjoyed where the ending seemed to be heading but then comes to an abrupt stop which was a bit unfathomable. It’s kind of like we’re driving super fast in a car with Crouch and then realize a cliff is up ahead and he just jumps out and lets the car keep going.

Overall, it’s still a really solid read. The aurora aspect was neat but I would’ve loved some more detail on the why and how of that. Crouch is up there in my top authors and this book only solidifies that stance. It lacked a bit with characterization and storyline, but the pacing and writing are all Crouch. I can’t wait to see what else he puts out into the world.

Loved this, but I always love crouch, I haven't read one that I didn't at least enjoy reading.

This isn't my favorite but it's not bad at all, and had the good thriller writing I look for on his books.

This reminds me less of Wayward Pines and Dark Matter and more of a traditional thriller, something very John Grisham, which I love lol.

Check this out if you want a good solid read and love Blake's writing.

Don't be disappointed this isn't Dark Matter

Run by Blake Crouch had me on edge from the first page. The story followed Jack, his wife Dee and their two children as they tried to survive massive attacks as they fled their home. I finished the book but it gave me nightmares. It was overly gory and detailed. I enjoy Crouch's other books but this was not for me.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I believe this book was a rerelease but nonetheless it was thoroughly enjoyable! The perfect story for a road trip or anytime you want to stay up late reading. It’s a non stop adventure from the very first page to the last! There’s so much action and adventure and nail biting moments as you cheer this family on and I was just hoping they made it out unscathed. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves continuous movement and if you’ve read any of his other books, his style of writing is always on point!

The writer's first, self-published book, re-released! It's a fabulous tale and also a look at how the writer has gotten even better in his craft. His themes remain the same: In a sci-fi universe, how does a man save his family? So glad I got to read this.

This was my first time reading a book by Blake Crouch and it was so good! This story had my heart racing and thinking about what I would do in the same situation. I highly recommend for something fast paced!

I love Blake Crouch books and this did not disappoint! This one was definitely more gruesome and chilling than the other books I’ve read by him but I wasn’t sad about that. It was page turning, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The end did sort of fall flat and didn’t feel like it really came together as much as I wanted it to but the rest of the story was good so I’ll allow it. Definitely faster paced and thrilling and easier to read than some of his other books! Highly recommend!

💀🪦𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨🪦💀

📖: Run by Blake Crouch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫{4.5}
KU🚫

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, non-stop action, apocalyptic thriller, this is the book for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very hard to put down cuz I was a little stressed the whole time lol. Just as a warning, there are many scenes in this book that are VERY descriptive and VERY gruesome. This one really delves into questioning what how far you will go to protect those you love and humanity in general. I wouldn’t say this one was overly unique, but it was a wild ride that I would recommend for sure!

The majority of the US population seems to have gone mad, there are mass murders taking place all over. Jack and Dee are forced to flee their home in Albuquerque with their teenage daughter and young son, but it seems there is no safe place to run to. A large majority of the population seems to have been ‘infected’ and have all grouped together to torture and murder the non-afflicted people. But what caused it? And where will they go? And what lengths will they go to in order to protect their family?

𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓲𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮:
🪦thrillers
💀 non-stop action
🪦 questioning humanity
💀 apocalyptic vibes
🪦 lots of (v descriptive) mvrder
💀 dual-ish POV

𝓕𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼:

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦.”

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛, 𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝚐𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝙰𝚁𝙲. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗.