Blake Crouch, you okay, buddy? It feels like you really needed to get something off your chest with this one 😂

Run was an adrenaline rush from page one. This book was unputdownable and just about the goriest, grizzliest bunch of words a human could possibly put together.

This book does not have the “science is cool!” elements that his other works are well-known and beloved for but holds its own as an all-out traditional thriller nonetheless.

I was super excited to be able to read this as an early-release ARC from NetGalley and found it interesting that this is actually an older book of Crouch’s being rereleased. It’s different from his more recent books for sure but just goes to show that Crouch is an excellent author who is here to stay.

5 very bloody stars for this one.

I have absolutely loved Blake Crouch’s books in the past so this was a no brainer read for me. But this one just fell short for me and here are the reasons why:

The premise of this book has been done before. I have definitely seen a movie that has a very similar storyline that this book has but instead they were killing themselves. I like action packed books but this one seemed like too much was happening and it started to get too repetitive. The dialogue was sort of unrealistic. It sounded like a child came up with the dialogue. It was just corny and dry. The family dynamic was super off too, I can’t really explain it but it just seemed fake. The characters were so 2D and I couldn’t connect with any of them. I honestly felt like it was hard for me to get through this book

Like I said, I have loved Blake Crouch’s books in the past and will continue reading his next work but this is a flop. I would pass on this

If Blake Crouch writes it, I already know I’m going to read it. Fantastic. My brain was going a million miles a minute and I couldn’t stop reading. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I'm a huge fan of this author, but I'm torn on this book. Although the action sequences were very well written, there were almost too many of them, which started to feel repetetive. Also, while I enjoyed the fast pacing, the story often unfolded erractically. This is probably intentional since it effectively creates tension, but I found myself having to go back and re-read previous pages several times because of it. Finally, I really didn't connect with any of the characters. I'm not sure I was even supposed to like them at the beginning of the story, but even by the end, none of them had developed enough for that to change. Overall, it was a very fast-paced and mostly enjoyable page- turner, but I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped.

Thank you for the opportunity to read RUN. I forgot how good Blake Crouch can write. I do like his recent books but this on is special.
This book is written in a way that I was holding my breath and I could not put it down. I also didn’t want it to end.
Fast paced novel that takes you to the unimaginable place where we as humans do not think thing this bad can happen in real life. Read this one about a family on the run from humanity and all the bad that people can do. 5 stats

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I think I'm settling on about 2.5 stars. I considered DNFing halfway through but decided to finish it out as it was a very quick read. I have greatly enjoyed other books from this author, but Run was very bleak and quite graphic. I would highly recommend checking the trigger warnings. I also struggled with how repetitive this story was. It could be a great read for the right person, just wasn't a good fit for me.

Run is bleak, at times graphic, and very compelling. I’ve enjoyed all of Crouch’s books I’ve read and this is no different. They all can be dark, but Run is to me the darkest. A story about a family in a terrible circumstance that at times felt repetitive. Overall it was very readable. I’d recommend, but definitely give some warning about potentially upsetting content. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC through NetGallery.

Blake Crouch will always be a hit for me. A phenomenon turns the people who witnesses into rage killers, thinking they are doing good. Jack and his family are on the run with chaos at every turn.

Loved reading about this family conquering all of it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

After America is torn apart by unceasing waves of shocking violence, a lone family on the brink of divorce must eke out survival while staying one step ahead of the murderous hordes raping and pillaging across the country. With previous novels like Upgrade and Dark Matter, Blake Crouch has revealed a definite knack for penning thrilling page-turners, and that knack is plenty evident even in his earlier titles, like 2011’s Run (which is being reissued later this year). Run is easy to devour; Crouch writes in such a way that you can’t help but turn to the next page again and again and again. (I read the entire thing in a single 24-hour period.) As a post-apocalyptic novel, Run often feels like Crouch’s attempt at Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, albeit with a few hints of sci-fi here and there. A word of warning, though: As you read about the family’s various ordeals, their many narrow escapes, and the discoveries they make concerning the violence ripping apart America, just be prepared to suspend your disbelief higher than you may normally be comfortable with, even to eyeroll-inducing levels.

Another hit from one of my favorite sci-fi authors Blake Crouch. A fast paced story similar in setting to the series "The purge". Good characters, with the book focusing on one family in particular. Lots of action, twists and turns, and overall kept me turning the pages late into the night. Not quite as good as some of his other more well known novels, but if are looking for a good thriller book to cleanse your pallet between big long series, then you wont be disappointed with Run:) Strong 3.5-4 stars!

I didn’t realize this was a 2011 independently published release being republished later this fall. I love Blake Crouch and will eagerly read anything he writes, but the previous books I’ve read like Dark Matter and Recursion have a lot more finesse than this one. If you’re looking for just action-packed with lots of violence, then this would be a great. But I wanted to care about the characters more and the plot and action just took center stage. The dialogue and writing wasn’t anything special. The kids in this were unrealistic, from the creepy teen daughter constantly wanting to look at dead people to the seven year old boy who somehow conveniently sleeps through car chases and gunfire. A mystery surrounding the boy was unsatisfyingly explained as well.

An interesting thriller by Blake Crouch. "Run" shows us a world where people in the US and Mexico are suddenly becoming killers and perpetuating mass acts of violence for seemingly no reason. We follow a family of four who are trying to escape the violence by heading to Canada. There are many violent moments and the situation is often bleak. Recommended for readers who enjoy thrillers and dystopian fiction.

Thank you for this ARC!

I did enjoy reading this, but as others pointed out, it’s not very original. Coming from the author of Dark Matter and Wayward Pines, I was hoping for something unique, with more depth to the story and characters.

The bickering kids was definitely realistic. I know many people have commented about how annoying the kids are and I would bet none of them have kids themselves. Kids. Are. Annoying. That’s what makes it relatable. They question every little thing their parents ask/tell them to do.

I do recommend this read!

I really do like Blake Crouch as an author. I’ve read other books by him. But this book already a few chapters and was too violent for me and I did not want to finish it.
The concept of the book is a great idea and intrigued me, but in the end was too violent and too much death for me.

What an absolutely amazing read. Run by Blake Crouch was all great things in a novel- a great plot with character development, edge of your seat thriller that even shed a tear or two out of me. Run is the first novel I’ve read by Blake Crouch, the start of many more.

Thank you NetGalley, Blake Crouch and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

I love Blake Crouch's other novels. Dark Matter is one of my favorites. I did not enjoy this one as much. I understand this is his first book he wrote and it shows. It took me a while to get used to the writing in this book. The dialogue is just not good and sentence fragments were throwing me off. I did get used to it and because the story itself was interesting I was able to get passed the bad writing. I gave this 4 stars just because it kept my interest throughout the whole thing. There was always something going on but at the same time it seemed like there was too much going on. I felt there were bad guys at every corner and the gore was a bit too much for me. And the ending was very vague. There was no resolution, and we never find out why things happened.

Thank you to NetGalley for my free ARC copy of the book.

Respectfully, no thank you. Blake Crouch was clearly in his Stephen King era when writing this book, and it's not working for me right now. There is way too much horror and not much of anything else. I can see how he went on to write Wayward Pines after this and I'd honestly just finish that (much better) series instead. Life's a little too short to waste time reading books I know I'm not gonna like.

However, this book would probably appeal a lot more to horror enthusiasts. If you're one, run toward the book. If you're not, run away (and toward his better, more recent books).

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC of the re-released book in exchange for an honest review!

**Review of "Run" by Blake Crouch**

Blake Crouch's "Run" is a fast-paced thriller that grips readers from the very first page and doesn't let go until the very end. Known for his ability to blend high-stakes action with psychological depth, Crouch delivers a compelling narrative that is both intense and thought-provoking.

The story centers around a family on the run in a dystopian America, where a mysterious and violent phenomenon has turned society upside down. Crouch excels at creating a palpable sense of urgency and fear, immersing readers in a relentless chase that tests the limits of human endurance and resilience.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, with each member of the family facing their own unique challenges and growth. Crouch's skillful character development ensures that readers are deeply invested in their survival and emotional journey. The relationships within the family are explored with nuance, adding a layer of emotional depth to the high-octane plot.

The novel's pacing is one of its strongest attributes. Crouch keeps the tension high and the action constant, making "Run" a true page-turner. The descriptive writing brings the bleak, chaotic world to life, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama.

While some plot points might feel familiar to seasoned thriller readers, Crouch's execution and the emotional stakes set this novel apart. His ability to blend heart-pounding action with moments of quiet introspection and character-driven storytelling makes "Run" a standout in the genre.

Overall, "Run" earns a solid four stars for its thrilling narrative, strong character development, and relentless pace. It's a must-read for fans of high-stakes thrillers and anyone looking for a gripping story that explores both the physical and psychological aspects of survival.

I did not know what to think of this book at first but I’m glad I stayed with it. It was thrilling and engaging and even though I was not the biggest fan at first of the main characters I grew to have affection for them and wanted to find out what happened. I couldn’t put the book down by the end and felt it was a great story rich in details and super fast paced!

Crouch continues his ability to grab you and keep you engaged throughout the whole book. Dark Matter is still number one for me but Run takes a close second. Fans of Crouch’s writing won’t be disappointed!