I was blessed (or cursed, depending on your perspective) with the opportunity to read Blake Crouch's book Dark Matter weeks before I read this book. That book took me by absolute surprise, in the best way possible, and is one of the few books I've ranked as an unapologetic five-star book in the last two years. After finishing Dark Matter, my hopes for this book were high. Unfortunately, the book didn't leave an impression on me in the same way that Dark Matter did. Sure, the premise of a book is a interesting take on the zombie-sci-fi genre, but the story itself, while compelling at some point, did leave me hanging on the edge of my seat. The character development is minimal (I thought) due to the short span of time in which the story takes place. Is it easy to read? Yes. Would I read it again - most likely no.

This book, honestly, is terrifying, and was one that almost felt TOO real at some points, especially given how some people in this world react to different situations and/or scenarios. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book, and felt genuine nervousness for the characters as they went through the book. There were a few points where I felt "well that wouldn't actually happen," but then I wondered if it really could. This definitely felt like an almost dystopian novel taking place in real time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy Blake Crouch's writing. I ate up Dark Matter, so I went into Run with high expectations. This one was a fun read. I love apoloclyptic books, so this fell into one of my favorite book types. The chapters few by and I really struggled putting it down. The pacing was perfect and the intensity of the tension was on the mark.

Thanks for the chance to review this book!

Quick and easy read. Some disturbing parts. The story started to seem repetitive at times. Not my favorite Blake Crouch.

I always enjoy Black Crouch's work. It was really interesting to read this one, going back to his first books and seeing how much his style of writing has changed. I really enjoyed the shortened and almost quipped style for this book. I liked it and felt like it added to the overall suspense as I was reading though it. The apocalyptic theme worked really well and I enjoyed how the end was tied up the way it was, leaving no questions unanswered about the family.

I actually didn’t realize this was an old one re-released! I loved Dark Matter but was a bit disappointed by this one. I felt so bad for all the children etc. I know it’s all like post apocalyptic but mehhhhh.
Love Blake crouch so I’ll try another ones

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my copy of Run by Blake Crouch in exchange for an honest review. It publishes October 22, 2024.
This is a re-release that was previously self-published, which I didn't know before I had requested it. Written in typical Crouch fashion, high octane, high profanity, high gore and violence. This is a definitely "Dad-book" with car chases, survival, gun fights, and as the title implies, running. This was an engaging read and easy to lose yourself in.
One gripe I have with this book though is that the end it quotes the bible, and calls it "Revelations" rather than the proper singular, "Revelation". Hopefully that can be fixed before final printing.

My thanks to Random House Publishing, Blake Crouch and Netgalley.
I had originally read this book when it first came out quite awhile ago. I didn't like it then. But, I was hoping that with a major publisher that it might have improved and been updated a bit. Well, maybe it was and maybe it wasn't.
Hell, I'm definitely not comparing the 2 word for word!
On the re-read? Yeah, my thoughts haven't changed. I still believe that this is one of Blake's worst efforts.
Not a biggie. I've been reading Mr. Crouch's books from the very get go, and I've read all his published works, and this and just one or two others have made it onto my "shit list."
That's pretty damned good odds!
Many others on my friends list have enjoyed this story, so please take my review with a grain of salt....though I'm always right!😜😛
2 1/2 stars, rounded up to 3.

Crouch's first explosive self-publish book, reprinted for wider audiences.

An event has turned people mad, driving them to commit unspeakable acts of hatred and cruelty across the country, preying upon those unaffected, who need to run for their lives...

Sure, the premise is a typical survival story, but when written. With Crouch's singular ability to highlight emotion and the human condition, a slasher film becomes a harrowing tale of redemption, heroism and a testament to the power of familial love.

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I unfortunately really struggled with this book. I am usually a Blake Crouch fan, but I found this book to be unrealistic to the point that it really took me out of the story at times. The family went through a lot of trouble when running; however, the resolution of many of these events seemed impossible. The fact that this untrained family could shoot down so many killers and keep each other safe just seemed impossible.

I really loved Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter book. If you haven’t read that, go do it now. However, I couldn’t see Crouch’s writing in Run and didn’t feel that urge to devour the pages.

This horror, thriller, post-apocalyptic book was a bit too violent for me and I had to read it in the morning so it would be out of my brain by bed time. (This is coming from a reader who dislikes anything scary.)

But what got me the most was how impossible the last 50 pages were and while I won’t go into it all, it left me thinking that no way any of this would happen to work out the way that it did. Like a nice little bow.

I think that if I hadn’t read Dark Matter first and got to see how Crouch has grown as a writer, I wouldn’t be so hard on my rating.

Jack and his family are running for their life, along with everyone else who didn’t see the lights. Imagine if one day, tons of the population turned evil and started killing people. Not just killing, torturing and enjoying it.

This entire book is sad and depressing and dark. That is some people’s thing and this is an apocalyptic type book, so it is to be expected to a certain amount. I feel that this book took it a bit too far, especially with the imagery and violence. When thought it cannot get worse, it does.

I do think the writing was good, but I’ve read 2 other Crouch books and think he has improved since this early novel. I also love how his books always have a supernatural or sci fi element. This one does too, however it’s not as dynamic as usual and doesn’t get the attention or explanation that I would have liked especially compared to his other books.

I will say that one reason I felt so affected by this book is because the family has a teenage daughter and a young son almost the same exact ages as my own children. I cried 3 different times reading this book. The ending was satisfying but not enough to balance the rest of the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of this book before the re-release.

This was a fast paced insane book
25% done...what is even going on?
50% done, how are they still alive? I am exaughsted!
75% oh don't make me LIKE you!
90% really?
100% ahhh the science.that we know Crouch for.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A new top book of the year!! 🎉

Run follows a family of four: mom and dad, Jack and Dee, and their two kids Naomi and Cole, ages 14 and 7 respectively. When half the population goes mad and begins murdering their friends, family, neighbors and strangers (anyone who's not affected), Jack must get his wife and kids to safety, no matter the costs. But with convoys of "the affected" always on their tails, they can't stay in one place for long. They'll face unbelievable hardships and suffering as they outrun the murderous mob. Will they make it out in one piece?

This was WILD!!!! Run is a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat scifi / apocalyptic thriller that I could not put down! Crouch pulled me in on the first page and held me, locked in suspense, until the very end. In addition to the action-packed survival story at the center, there's also a heartfelt story of marriage and family and what's really important. I just loved it!!!! 5/5 stars!
Thanks Ballentine for my gifted copy. 🩷
I'll be posting my review to my IG and Goodreads soon.

This book was as good as the others he wrote ! Thank you for the ARC . Very good story and easy to follow ! Definitely 5 stars !

Re-releasing October 2024! Run is the perfect title for this novel- I felt like I was on a sprint the entire time while reading. There is a m*rder spree taking place across America, and we don’t know why. The story follows Jack trying to lead his family to safety. It’s VERY graphic and gory, so fair warning, especially if you like to read at night like I do. I was pretty hooked in the beginning, but I had enough about 50% through. Now I need to read something cheerful 😂 Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Expected nothing less from Blake Crouch! I know this is an older booo but it was not on my radar before

I did not realize this was a republished book at first. I thought I had read everything written by Blake Crouch, but I was wrong. I did not enjoy it quite as much as Dark Matter or Wayward Pines, but you really can't go wrong with anything Blake Crouch writes. This was a very quick, fast-paced, entertaining read.

Couldn’t put it down. Couldn’t stop hoping they would be ok. Caught between cheering them on and crying on their behalf on almost every page.

Disturbing and apocalyptic are the best words I can use to describe this. As a mom of 4 with anxiety, this one was tough because it spelled out one of my biggest fears. However, I enjoyed it and think it is a fast, action-filled read for a rainy day.