Run is Blake Crouch's first novel and it is being rereleased. It is insanely good and it's a debut! We follow four people, a family, as they run from the apocalyptic nightmare they are living. The world has turned upside down and there are bands of people murdering other people. Life, as we know it, has stopped. In this world, Jack and Dee along with their two kids, Naomi and Cole are just trying to survive. Whatever has happened has turned a percentage of the population into killers. How do you survive? How do you save your kids? Who can you trust? This was a compelling story that I read in one sitting. Wow. Thank you to Penguin Random House and Ballantine Books and Net Galley for my advance reader copy.

What a unique, nail-biting, dystopian thriller - a classic Blake Crouch special! If you can't get enough of The Last of Us style premise, then you're sure to enjoy Run. It's also just so nice to see this self-published work getting picked up to be traditionally published.

Personally, it's not quite a full 5 stars, just because the plot stagnated a few times for me, where I felt that it could've built up more.

This was my first Blake Crouch novel, and from my understanding it is very different from the more current novels he’s written, which is a relief for me, because this one was not for me.

Run is an apocalyptic survival horror novel centered around a family desperate to escape after a phenomenon that has made most of the population suddenly violent and murderous.
The premise was incredibly intriguing and promising, unfortunately the follow through wasn’t the same. The story exploration just wasn’t there and was instead full of the same plot line repeated in circles until the end.
The gratuitous violence and gore was hard to stomach when it seemed to be the main storyline rather than exploring the phenomenon that caused the widespread violence, which would have been much more interesting, in my opinion.
I stuck it out to the end because I did want to see the resolution and was invested in the family’s outcome. The resolution was a bit lackluster, but I was glad to learn the answers I sought so the book didn’t haunt me with what ifs.

Unfortunately, Run was not for me, but I’m willing to give Blake Crouch’s other novels a shot as I’ve heard such good things.

Thank you to the author and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC via NetGalley.
Publication date 10/22/24

his is a story of a natural phenomenon causing a country to run for their lives, but it’s also the story of a family: Jack, a philosophy teacher, his wife Dee, a doctor, their 14-year-old daughter Naomi, and Cole, their seven-year old son. Jack and Dee are on the verge of divorce when things go haywire, and they are forced to stick together to keep their children safe.

This book was self-published in 2011, and is now being rereleased. I can’t help but wonder if this year had anything to do with it, as the Aurora Borealis that swept much of North America in 2024 is very similar to the events that cause this family to RUN. Those who saw the Northern Lights (most of the United States and northern Mexico) are now subhumans who are intent on killing anyone not like them, causing cities to be burned and mass graves to be dug.

While this book is not at all like “The Stand”, there is a slight resemblance in that there are two groups in the country - those “affected” who want to kill everyone they see, and those who are just trying to find safety in a world gone mad. Our family is in the second group. They are not affected, and they flee from Albuquerque, New Mexico, all the way to Montana, trying to find refuge in Canada. Along the way, they endure many near-death experiences, many injuries and spent many nights starving and thirsty.

This was a page-turner from start to finish - you’ll want to read this in one sitting, if possible! The book was horrifying, thrilling, heartbreaking and suspenseful; this one isn’t for the faint of heart. I absolutely loved it and I’m glad it’s being published again for a new audience. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Random House - Ballentine, Blake Crouch and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I didn’t realize that this book was a re-release of one of his previous works before he really became well known. Regardless, it had a lot of the Blake Crouch elements that I’m used to, but this one added a level of violence/gore that we don’t normally see in such abundance in his books.

I will say it was nice to read one of his books that didn’t make my brain hurt. Sometimes his writing goes a little too science-fictiony for me but I didn’t have an issue with this one.

Definitely one you won’t want to put down because it is just non-stop action and suspense. But also not for the faint of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC for the re-release of this book. I didn't realize when I requested that this was a re-release of a book that Crouch wrote years ago. I thought that made it more interesting since this was written pre-pandemic lock-down without the trauma of collective unknowns and fear of death and loss around every corner. It was also not written as well as some of his later, more popular books, but it made a lot more sense with it being one of his firsts, and it shows that Crouch has had some great ideas from the beginning.
All that being said, I thought this was a great book. The tension, pacing and sense of danger and foreboding were well done throughout the book. It caught the fear and tension of parenting and trying to protect the people you love with a deep sense of empathy, considering when this was written. This was definitely a survival thriller with only a very light sci-fi element, and it takes place over a week except for the epilogue.

What a great post-apocalyptic thriller! This isn’t my normal type of read, but the description sounded great and it did not disappoint. This was fast paced and interesting. I’ve never seen the Aurora Borealis before and I don’t think I’ll be jumping to after reading this book!

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

You know me if I read the synopsis at all it was forever ago and I have no clue what it said. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Holy freaking wild ride batman. That was one of the fastest-paced short books I've read. AND it did NOT disappoint at all!! Run don’t walk (see what I did there) to read this book. I’ll be honest I’m sad I don’t have a hard copy for my shelves.

This was originally self-published so it has been out for a while. Maybe you’ve read it but probably not.
Thank you to @blakecrouch1 @penguinrandomhouse & @netgalley for a gifted copy of the e-book

Run by Blake Crouch is a relentless, pulse-pounding ride from start to finish. The suspense kicks in from page one and never lets up, throwing you into a terrifying apocalyptic scenario where survival is the only goal. Crouch masterfully weaves together a gripping plot, visceral action, and raw emotion as Jack and his family fight for their lives against a world gone mad. The pacing is relentless, and the twists will leave you breathless. If you’re looking for a thriller that’ll keep you on edge, this is it.

Thank you Blake Crouch, Random House Publishing Group- Balantine, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the eARC.

Blake Crouch books can be hit or miss for me. Upgrade was one of my all time favorites but I got somewhat lost in Dark Matter. I did not initially recognize that Run was one of his earlier books, but still found that it kept me on the edge of my seat and super intrigued. I enjoyed this one and will continue to look for future work by Crouch.

Blake Crouch masterfully crafts a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel delves into the dark aspects of human nature and society, offering thought-provoking commentary on how quickly civilization can unravel under extreme stress. The stark, brutal realism of the story is both terrifying and compelling.

As a seasoned storyteller, Crouch excels in creating tension and suspense. His vivid descriptions and dynamic pacing ensure that "Run" is a book that readers will find hard to put down. The novel is more gory and intense compared to some of his other works, but it remains a standout in the apocalyptic thriller genre.

In conclusion, "Run" is a must-read for fans of apocalyptic thrillers. Its relentless pace, intriguing exploration of human behavior, and Crouch's exceptional storytelling make it a memorable and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and chilling adventure that will linger in their thoughts long after the final page.

***3.5 Stars***

Overall,
I am a big fan of Blake Crouch and his fast paced science fiction thrillers. I enjoyed the story in this book. The title is apt, as from the beginning you are tossed into a world where a family is on the run from almost everyone. The breakneck speed of the book has some lighter moments where there is the smallest glimmer of hope for the family, which is usually only for the shortest of time. Through it all a once broken family rallies together around hope for the future. You can tell that this is one of Blake's first books as the writing could use some work. There are no chapters, just and endless stream of moments broken up by spacing. It was a bit jarring at first, however once I found the rhythm of the book it did not bother me as much. The mystery of the book is not the greatest but in my opinion that not the point of this book, it is about family and doing everything they can to stay together and hope for the future. I would recommend this to people who already enjoy Blake's books, and fans of thriller science fiction. It is an easy read at only 288 pages long.

I though Dark Matter was a great book but Run is an amazing underrated book that I feel like really surpasses Dark Matter.

This book really makes you think about how far you’d go to keep your family safe. My family will never be looking at the Aurora Borealis just in case.

Jake and this family is fleeing their home in New Mexico. They don’t know why but everyone around them have this uncontrollable rage and he knows his family is not safe. As they flee across the state, Jake is faced with how far will he go to keep his family safe.

I loved this book! It was so fast paced and kept me engrossed the entire time. This is a book that will literally terrify you. The amount of gore was perfect and the storyline was amazing. I was feeling for this family every time they thought they found somewhere they thought was safe.

This book needs to be talked more about the Dark Matter. This is a far superior book.

Genre: SciFi Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 306
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

This was a very fast-paced, apocalyptic & creepy read. I liked the overall concept of the book, I just didn’t love the book itself. If you are a fan of apocalyptic thrillers I could definitely say this one could be for you!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Blake Crouch’s Run. This was a very quick and easy read. Blake keeps you engaged during the whole story making you want to turn the page to see what happens next. Was this my favorite Blake Crouch book? No. But it had all the action and Sci-Fi aspects that I have come to expect in a Blake Crouch book. Some aspects of violence were quite gruesome. There were a few plot holes that I found once I finished but nothing that kept me from wanting to keep reading until the end! Thank you again NetGalley for the ARC of Run!

So, if I hadn't read the synopsis of this book before reading, I wouldn't have known at all what was going on until well into the book. The story starts with Jack's name and address being called out on the radio and then his whole family is on the run. There are convoys of vehicles full of murderers seemingly affected by some unknown phenomenon, whole cities are burned and none left alive. The book is almost nonstop action as Jack and his family struggle across country to a rumored safe zone, fighting bad guys and the elements to survive.
This story wasn't at all what I expected from this author and at first I was confused by the snippets of time described between paragraph stops and the lack of chapters. It made more sense when I realized this was one of his first self published novels. I can see the shadow of the brilliant author he's become in the writing of this book and it kept me interested and on the edge of my seat the whole time.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: October 22, 2024

Anxiety inducing from the first page. The lack of chapters keeps you in a constant frenetic energy in this fast-paced thriller. Not the a relaxing bedtime read, but definitely worth a read!

Aptly titled Run…because that’s all I wanted to do while reading it! Self-published over a decade ago before all the other books you’ve read by Crouch, this is getting a shiny new US release! This one may hit a little too close to home for some at this moment in time. It takes place shortly before an election and an “infection” of sorts has hit the US…possibly linked to those saw the aurora across the country a few weeks back. Sound familiar?

Although I'm a little suspicious of the timing of this getting a rerelease this year, this was a gripping, entertaining thriller that I breezed through. Although it still has Crouch's distinct style, this is from the early day's of Crouch's writing career. Even though I didn't find this *quite* as thought-provoking as some of his later books, this was still an entertaining read that I'd recommend if you like his other books.

I love me some Blake Crouch and was thrilled to dip into this backlist selection. This book is a violent, apocalyptic, and thrilling. It gives roadtrip Purge. There are many things missing from this fast paced thriller, but a reader isn't given the opportunity to lament their absence with the speeding plot that keeps you turning each page. To tease the storyline just a bit, Jack and Dee Colclough of Albuquerque, NM, along with their two children are forced to Run for their lives from masses of people trying to kill the rest of the population for a mysterious reason. The family travels north hoping to find help and safety but, instead meets with life threatening situations at every turn. This book is a quick read that might have you thinking about current weather happening, and thus send chills up your spine. Run was worth the afternoon it takes to read it. I recommend this backlist Blake Crouch thriller. Thank you to NetGalley for setting me up with a copy. It was a great fall, creepy season read.

Originally released in 2011, RUN is Blake Crouch’s self published novel now being pushed out to a wider audience. I’ve long been a fan of Mr. Crouch’s novels, even if the science is beyond my understanding.

RUN differs from his later novels in that the focus is less on the why and more on the what. This is a fast paced, gruesome apocalyptic book that is not for the squeamish. Something awful has happened in the United States. It starts with a few random murders and quickly escalates into mayhem where entire cities and towns are being obliterated in the most horrific ways possible by rampaging mobs.

When Jack Colclough hears his name and address broadcast over the radio as a target for death, he flees with his wife, teenage daughter, and young son. RUN details their harrowing journey from Albuquerque toward the Canadian border. What happens along the way is a heart pounding nightmare that defies description.

This is a brutal, violent book that does not scrimp on gore. Buried in all of that, however, is a tale of sacrifice and devotion. Jack and his wife, Dee, experience exponential character growth. Neither is likable in the beginning, but they transform over the course of the book into badass superheroes of mythic proportion.

This action packed thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. You won’t be able to look away.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing House - Ballantine for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review.