Jack, his wife, and two kids are on the run, trying to survive and find a safe place to go during a rage epidemic. For some reason, half the people in the US are murdering the other half.

Questionable decision to pick this one up during election week. But, I was able to use it to escape reality. This book starts at 100 mph and the pace does not let up. It's one of those books where your smart watch thinks you're exercising, but you're just sitting there reading a book. (Just like T. J. Newman's books)

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My format- ebook
Other Formats- 📖Physical (306 pages) 🎧Audio (8 hours and 48 minutes)
Spice: 🚫
Language: 🤐🤐 moderate
⚠️Lots of TW for this one... see below

I absolutely LOVED Dark Matter so I jumped at the chance to read this! I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this one! It felt like a movie was playing out in my head and I was on the edge of my seat the entire read. Crouch does an excellent job of painting vivid and terrifying scenarios, making the reader feel like they're right there with the Colclough family. While the concept of RUN might require some suspension of disbelief, the masterful storytelling and the raw emotion embedded in this story make it a thrilling ride worth taking.

I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt and I wanted a little more about why the aurora affected certain people but overall, I recommend it if you’ve enjoyed his other novels or are looking for a suspenseful story about family and survival.

🏃‍♂️ Do you think you’d survive an apocalypse?

Post-apocalyptic stories
Survival fiction
Family drama
End of the world scenarios

CW:⚠️ infidelity, mass execution, murder, violence, torture, gun violence, grief, child death, physical abuse, medical trauma, car accident, suicide

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books, and Blake Crouch for allowing me to review this face paced sci-fi thriller. This is an earlier book that has been reprinted. I feel like this book is well written and still a great sci-fi thriller, but I could tell it was one of his earlier books. He has grown as a writer and storyteller, but you can still see the heart of who he is in this earlier book of his. If you love Blake Crouch books then give this one a try too. It is well worth the read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Thank you again for allowing me to review this book.

Quite underwhelmed by this one. I understand that Blake Crouch’s previous works are popular (big fan of Dark Matter and Recursion) so a republish of his first book doesn’t seem like a bad idea on the surface but it only highlighted how much better of a storyteller Crouch has become since. I could not find it in myself to care for the characters and with essentially the whole plot taking place in a car I felt like the least the story could have would be characters easy to connect with.

Of course this will not discourage me from continuing to pick up and enjoy Crouch’s subsequent releases but I am grateful to see that he evolved past this.

Could've been better but I've definitely read worse. lol. The ending was just...terrible. And it started off SO interesting!! Reminded me of the M. Night Shyamalan movie The Happening. P.S. That's not an alien on the cover (old cover).

I really enjoy Blake Crouch's novels. This was a political thriller, which, although different from some of his other books, was just as good. it kept me guessing as I read the story right up to the end.

If you’ve seen the movie The Crazies this felt like that. Some auroral phenomena happens and the towns people who saw the lights go on a violent streak creating mass genocide and destruction. A family of four is on the run trying to survive in the apocalyptic thriller. It’s very mundane as you’re following them trying to get to a safe place with some thrilling components. I loved Blake Crouch’s newer SciFi thrillers but this one didn’t hit like those ones did.

Update: TikTok review posted 11-7.
Fast-paced, intense, horrific, and real. Run had me in a chokehold from the beginning with muscular, vivid writing that doesn’t hold back. Crouch is a master at immersive storytelling. Every detail of this is real to me.

When Jack's name is read out on the radio, he and his wife and children go on the run.  This novel's hair-raising, horrific, and heartfelt. The breakneck pace kept me captivated. I couldn't look away. The book took me on an emotional journey through a nightmare event and a marriage. It's a high-impact experience.

There were implausible instances and the ending frame dialogue struck an odd note, yet the novel kept me engaged with relatable characters and excruciating suspense.

Highly recommended to readers of dystopian, apocalyptic, horror, and speculative fiction.

Blake Crouch’s Run is a relentless, high-octane thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story follows a family caught in a life-or-death situation after an inexplicable disaster, and the pacing never lets up. What I loved most was how quickly the tension escalates, there’s a real sense of urgency as the characters are forced to make impossible choices to survive. Crouch does an excellent job of blending suspense and sci-fi elements, keeping me hooked with each unexpected twist.

What really set this book apart, though, was the emotional depth woven into the action. While the plot is filled with pulse-pounding moments, it’s the relationships between the characters that give the story its heart. The family dynamics feel real, and I found myself genuinely invested in their fate, which made the stakes feel even higher. Crouch nails that balance between gripping action and emotional resonance, creating a thriller that’s not only thrilling but also thought-provoking. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, emotionally charged read, *Run* is definitely worth picking up.

This book was right up my alley, one of my favorite genres, apocalypse related. Could hardly put this down to sleep because I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. It started to give me Purge vibes a bit at the start but then ended up being pretty different.

Jack, his wife Dee, and their two kids are on the run. They have to get away from those that are affected, and fast if they want to stay alive. Those that are affected are wreaking havoc traveling through and the scene they leave behind is not pretty. Supplies are getting harder and harder to come by, food, water, and even places to sleep become harder and harder to find. Will they all make it through this alive?

Ride along with Jack, Dee and the kids on this wild adventure trying to keep everyone alive.

Thank you NetGalley, and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this book. This was a fast-paced, easy-to-read, and occasionally unsettling apocalyptic thriller. The action in each chapter was powerful and even challenging to read. This narrative emphasizes the protagonists' bravery, fortitude, and perseverance in overcoming adversity. Please understand that while each chapter was equally captivating and thrilling as the next, the book as a whole was lacking. This novel did not make the favorites list, even though I adore Blake Crouch and his other works. After reading the entire book, several portions of the plot didn't make sense since they didn't fit together well. It is a quick read, so I would recommend it to those who are looking for an easy palette cleanser in the thriller genre. The plot although has been done over and over again, it's not like anything I've read before, so it has that going for it. I was entertained throughout the book; I could guess what would happen next since the plot did become repetitive. 3/5 stars, not Blake's best work in my opinion. I would recommend his other books, especially Dark Matter.

A really good read by Blake Crouch! .I can tell it was one of his earlier books, but it was still a good read. I wish there was more closure though

A nonstop, terror filled race for survival. Jack and his family find themselves in a dystopian nightmare where half of the population has turned into murderous killers. They flee their home in Albuquerque in an effort to get to the safety of Canada. Every time you think you can take a breath, a new crisis arrives.
This book is filled with gruesome images and nonstop death. However, there are glimpses of humanity in the midst of the insanity. A father and husband finds the value of his family as he struggles to keep them safe. A wife learns to love and cherish the man that she had stopped loving. Small acts of kindness are found even in the face of genocide.
This is Crouch’s first novel that was self published in 2011. It does not have the polish that his later works display, but is worth reading nevertheless.

Run was Blake Crouch’s first published novel. It has recently been republished with some minor updates. I can see how this novel helped start his career and set him apart as an author. It is fast paced and action packed with plenty of crazy moments. Everything that I’ve grown to expect from a Blake Crouch novel.

This is an adrenaline ride almost from the start. Jack and his family are about to go on the run. The world has gone crazy and there are bands of people who have decided who needs to die to cleanse the world. All of this comes after an Aurora borealis event that has Jack and his family trying to figure out how they are going to escape with their lives and stay ahead of the people who want to kill them. Jack never imagined he’d have to protect and care for his family like this and he is going to have to dig deep and do some horrible things if he is going to keep them protected.

While the premise is a bit far fetched ,it is a crazy adventure. I have enjoyed Blake’s ability to write some of the more complicated aspects of marriage and family relationships in his novels. Jack’s marriage was all but over before this crisis. His wife was in love with another man and they were trying to figure out how to separate without destroying their kids. That was until the world started falling apart. In their journey to save the family they built, there are some very tender and real moments to figure out where they went wrong in their marriage. I liked that even among all the running for their lives there were some quiet and true moments between a man and a woman who lost their way from each other, trying to figure it all out again.

Crouch is a strong writer and even though this is one of his earlier works it stands strong with some of his more sophisticated stories later. This is for people who really like end of the world types of stories with some of the philosophical quandaries that one might have when the world you knew is falling down around you. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading as I needed to find out what happened next and if/how Jack and his family would survive this craziness.

Overall a solid sci-fi, apocalypse type read with a satisfying ending.

This novel is a high octane non stop ride that will have you craving what is coming next. You know the bad things that some people are capable of, but what would you do if all of a sudden everyone was capable of that kind of evil? Could you survive being on the run when it seems like the entire country is after you and wanting to kill you? I often found myself nervous to read the next chapter because of the horrors that had happened on previous pages only to discover more disturbing things. An incredible thrill ride filled with a families love and drive to survive through the end of the world!

Run by Blake Crouch is pure adrenaline and unrelenting horror from start to finish. Crouch thrusts readers into a nightmare that’s disturbingly immersive, keeping you hooked as you navigate each harrowing page. Are there moments that feel repetitive? At times. But that same relentless pacing and sheer terror are what make this book so gripping. Some scenes are brutal, perhaps even too vivid, yet it’s precisely Crouch’s ability to evoke such a visceral reaction that stands out. If you’re up for a chilling, pulse-pounding ride, Run delivers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is actually my first book by Blake Crouch -- he's been on my TBR for years and I was excited to receive an early copy of this one.

This book was not for me. It did build and hold suspense, but I found that I didn't care a lot about what was happening because I didn't care about the characters. I could have used some more character development up-front so I felt invested. There were some parts that are pretty graphic and gruesome -- they didn't bother me but I know that's not for everyone.

Despite not loving this book, I will check out Blake Crouch's more popular books and read what he comes out with next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

People in the US have suddenly gone on a murderous rampage and when Jacks name is called on the radio to be killed, he grabs his family and some supplies and runs. His wife, Dee, and their 2 children seek safety, food and shelter. It’s about the will to survive and what we would do to save those we love.

The premise was interesting but the execution was just okay. This was previously a self published book that is being re-released and his later work is much better. The story was a bit repetitive and there were too many lucky breaks throughout. The family was fine but could have been more fleshed out and likable so you wanted to root for them more. It was a quick pace and full of action. I like apocalyptic books and this did make me feel anxious with no power, scarcity of food, and the threat of being attacked at all times. However, the ending was far fetched and not satisfying.

Five days ago, the epidemic of rage began. Four days ago, senseless murders swept the nation. Three days ago, the President addressed the nation and begged for peace. Two days ago, the killers began to mobilize. One day ago, the power went out.

Tonight, the killers are reading out names of those to be killed over the Emergency Broadcast System.

Jack heard his name over the radio and knows people are coming to his house to kill his family. He has no idea why, but he knows he has to run.

This is a thrilling read, and definitely makes you question how you would behave in a crazy situation. The only bad thing is, the plot is a little overdone in my opinion. I read Dark Matter by this author and loved it, so definitely wanted to give this one a try. I would prefer Dark Matter to this one, but still an enjoyable read. Would recommend!

Fast=paced dystopian story about the love of family and the will to live against impossible odds. I have read and enjoyed all of Crouch's Sci-Fi books and was anxious to read this one. I just found out this is his first book, self-published and rereleased. It does lack some of the character development of his other books but I found it exciting and a bit sad. Jack and Dee are a married couple with a teenage daughter and young son. Their marriage has been in trouble and Dee has been having an affair. But all of that is tossed to the side when the family finds out people are going mad and killing each other; possibly related to some bright lights seen in the sky. Not everyone has seen these lights but those who have became violent.

Most of the novel is about Jack and his family as they struggle from New Mexico towards Canada across deserts and mountains to try to survive as throngs of violent, armed people chase them and everyone else who is not part of "them". Jack and Dee must constantly search for food, water and shelter as their cars become riddled with bullets and their kids become exhausted with hunger and fear. The story is a bit repetitive at times as they continue to find shelter and bits of food only to be shot at and have to hide and start out again. I liked the strength of all of the members of this family as they were determined to stay together and survive. Great ending! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC for review.