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.

Run is a nonstop thrill ride that hooks you from the very first page. The pacing is intense, and the high-stakes tension keeps you completely glued to the story. The characters fight to survive grips you from the beginning. Crouch’s writing is so vivid, and the twists make the chaos feel so realistic. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down kind of book, Run absolutely delivers.

A fast-paced and inventive story that held my attention from beginning to end, Run is another hit for Blake Crouch! Recommended!

Wasn't as into this as dark matter; saw where it was going but felt like it was looped together. Not sure if it could be condensed or better described versus previous books from him.

I've really enjoyed many of Blake Crouch's novels, so this was a no-brainer to request on Netgalley. I was a bit hesitant when I realized this was a continuation of a previous book, but I’m happy to say I had a great time with it. The story grabbed me right from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat. By the end, there were moments where it started to feel a little repetitive, but it made sense given that the title emphasizes the idea of constantly running. The tension was built up really well, with only a few brief moments to catch my breath. While it may not have been anything radically new, I thoroughly enjoyed the read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this copy of Blake’s rerelease Run. This book is getting 3.5 stars from me. It was gripping and I constantly was trying to figure out how the story would end BUT either I missed it or we never were really told what was going and why they were on the run the entire book which seems to be quite an important part of the story 😅

A well-paced thriller with a great setup, but a very undercooked story. What even were these characters? What was this arc? And the resolution? It's the type of climax that just makes you go "Wait, that's it?!" Look, you can tell that even in his early work Blake Crouch knows how to write a page-turner and has a great understanding of what makes a tense scene, which is why I'm not giving this book a lower rating. But "Run" is one of the most unsatisfying stories, as far as world-building and development goes, I've ever encountered.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Blake Crouch’s Run is an electrifying, high-stakes thriller that grabs you from the very first page and never lets go. The novel thrusts readers into a terrifying world where society collapses overnight, turning ordinary people into desperate fugitives fighting for survival.

Crouch’s writing style is cinematic, vividly portraying the chaos, fear, and desperation of the protagonists as they flee across a hostile landscape. The action sequences are intense, and the constant sense of danger makes this a truly pulse-pounding read. Beyond the adrenaline rush, Run also delivers strong emotional depth. The main characters, particularly the Tucker family, are well-developed and relatable, making their struggles all the more gripping. Their journey isn’t just about survival—it’s about resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family. This is something I have come to expect with a Crouch novel.

Run (debut novel) was originally published in 2011 and recently re-released. Since receiving my first Crouch ARC through NetGalley I have become a fan! If you have read all of his books like I have, you may find this one to be a little different. What this said to me was how much he has grown from his writing and how amazing he was from the start!

Blake Crouch's Run hits the ground running—literally. From the opening crackle of an emergency broadcast, the book catapults you into an apocalyptic nightmare, where survival is the only rule. Jack Colclough’s world spirals into chaos after a nationwide killing spree, and he’s forced to protect his family amidst a rapidly disintegrating society. What follows is a relentless, action-packed race through a world where violence spreads like wildfire, and there’s nowhere left to hide.

If you’re expecting the cerebral twists of Dark Matter or the slow-burn suspense of Wayward Pines, prepare to shift gears. Run is a high-octane thriller, less about mind-bending science fiction and more about pure survival. The narrative, broken into choppy, fragmented paragraphs, amplifies the urgency but can feel jarring, leaving readers to piece together the chaos as they go.

Though the pacing is relentless, it sometimes sacrifices depth for adrenaline. While the story’s high stakes keep you flipping pages, there’s a lingering question: Does the action ever let up enough to fully connect with the characters’ emotional struggles? Jack’s journey is compelling, but it’s the breakneck pace that drives the story more than character development or lingering dread.

That said, Run delivers exactly what it promises—a rollercoaster ride through an unraveling world. It’s for readers who crave a non-stop, edge-of-your-seat experience. If you’re in the mood for a thriller packed with terror and chaos, Run will grip you. But if you prefer complex character arcs or a slow-building tension that lingers long after the final page, you might feel a bit unfulfilled.

In the end, Crouch’s Run is a thrilling, no-holds-barred rush through a collapsing world. If you love fast, frantic survival stories, it’s a must-read. Just don’t expect a slow burn—this one’s all about the chase.

Blake Crouch slays. Literally always. I found this was interesting that this was re releasing since it actually was released in 2011.

This is different from the Blake Crouch I know. I felt like I was in a 28 Days Later tale. While not exactly similar that was the tension I felt,
I really enjoyed this book.

This was my first ever Blake Crouch read, and one of the first books I picked up when I first purchased an eReader, so it’s great to have an opportunity to revisit RUN. It’s a gripping narrative and a prime exploration of human psyche.

Thank you for the opportunity.

The story begins with an intriguing premise: a mysterious event turns most of the population violently homicidal, Jack Colclough and his family are forced to escape and fight for survival in a ravaged, chaotic America.
However, Run fell a bit short for me with character development and depth. While the action is gripping, the characters sometimes feel like vehicles for the plot rather than well rounded characters.
3.5 stars rounded up.

This book stresses me out in a good way. I really wanted to know what would happen next for the family. Very fast paced. I love this author.

tropes: (read if you like) dystopia science fiction, suspenseful chases, apocalyptic thriller, dark and tense mood


Thanks to Random House Publishing Group, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked literally right away. This is not a book I ever thought I would be so into, but I crushed through the entire book in one day cause I could not stop reading until I finished. My heart rate was so high the entire time and I was really on the edge of my seat, but I could not stop even through it freaked me out so much.

This book reminded me of the first season of Walking Dead and The Last of Us, so I know similar things have been done before but for some reason in book form it felt so much different and creepier.

My boyfriend and I really love Blake Crouch’s books so much we love all the freaky Sci Fi type of plots that he comes up with.

Really enjoyed Run by Blake Crouch. It was a compelling non stop action from start to finish this had it all great characters thought Dee was the real heroine kept the family together through a nightmare no family should be put through.a top notch thriller

RUN,RUN, RUN for your lives there is no turning back mass shootings city on fire where would you go & all you could do is RUN!!

All I can say is that Blake crouch really knows how to keep the reader engaged his description of the scene was enhanced & you felt like you were right there with the family a top notch thriller that will keep you wanting more right to the very end.

The only criticism I have is the ending was a little abrupt but that is just a minor glitch on my part just thought it lacked a bit of gusto to the normal Crouch endings.