#bookreview Run by Blake Crouch

A sci-fi thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the end. This is an early self published novel by Crouch that recently was picked up. It tells of a family on the run from a sickness that is causing madness in everyone they know.

This was a fun and exciting read that reminded me of many apocalyptic stories like The Walking Dead and The Last of Us. While this is labeled as a scifi this feels more like a thriller, there just isn’t enough of the scifi elements that would make it such.

We follow a family of four through the challenges they face of getting to safety, low resources, other people, the apocalyptic sickness and the dangers of the wild.

I did enjoy this read for the simplicity that it was, it’s exciting and keeps your pulse racing throughout that I didn’t put it down. For me at the tjme of reading this, I was just coming out of a reading slump and I really needed something light and fast paced.

That being said, if you’re looking for the typical feels of a scifi, it really isn’t that. There’s little social dilemma and a brief interaction with the off world and almost no techno vibes. I will add that if you’re new to scifi and want to dip your feet in the genre but are nervous about the technical side of it, this is a great starter read.

Overall it’s a fun read but if you are looking for deep scifi I stress of a beach read, this isn’t the book for you.

Thank you to Random House for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book was originally published in 2011, but this is the first time I have read it. I've read other books by Crouch, and this one did not disappoint. It is an edge-of-your-seat thriller full of action that keeps the reader turning the pages. The pace was perfect, and the concept was intriguing. And since I read this shortly after recent waves of the aurora borealis being seen across the world, I really appreciated the timing. It also provided a unique angle to the outbreak theme. There were some loose ends at the ends, but that's how it was for the characters, as well, so I was okay with that ending. Is the story totally believable? No. However, if you enjoy an apocalyptic-style thriller, this is one to check out.

If you are a fan of Bird Box or other apocalyptic-style works, this is the book for you. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to figure out how the world came to this point and would the family we are following make it out alive. I've enjoyed every Blake Crouch novel I've read, but this might just be a new favorite.

5 days ago the violence broke out. Three days ago the president asked for peace. Yesterday the power went out. Today they read your name out as one of their next victims. Now you're packing your family, on the run from whatever is going on in the world, terrified of how you'll survive, how you'll escape, where you will go. They say it's safe in Canada... if you can make it there...

I really don't want to give away much more than that description, because it was such a wild ride to go into this blind. This was a one-sitting kind of read because it was just so intense, and I had no idea what to expect from the ending.

And not only is this a thrilling ride, but a heartwarming story of the lengths a father will take to protect his children. This needs to be on your list when it releases later this month!

Thank you Random House/Ballantine Books for the digital review copy.

This one is going to have mixed reviews. I personally was a fan! Note that I love science fiction and was previously a Blake Crouch fan. He is an author that brought science fiction mainstream, although this particular book leans more into the thriller genre, with some horror (violence, torture, and gore).

This is pure high-speed, non-stop, adrenaline-pumping action, following a family of four who go on the literal run following an apocalyptic event. This cataclysmic event has caused a subset of the population to be infected with a rage that is only satiated by burning down cities and going on mass killing sprees. Now it's every man for themselves as people flee major metro areas in search of sanctuary.

Crouch explores scifi concepts such as morality, humanity: how far people would go to protect their family, and human nature's will to survive.

Run was previously released in 2011 when Blake Crouch was an indie author. It's now gotten a shiny new cover & rerelease under the Ballantine imprint. As such, it's not surprising that you can see a progression in Crouch's writing maturity between this and his later books, which tend to incorporate more actual science/more novel concepts.

This book is set in my home state of New Mexico, the land of entrapment/enchantment. There's something fun about recognizing all the local dives, bars, restaurants, local attractions, streets and forest names.

Run is worth the read, especially if you like fast paced, rip-roaring action books.

“All our life we spend wondering, you know? Now it’s all about knowing.”

I really enjoy Blake Crouch's writing for the most part. I've loved his most recent books. I actually got a copy of this book from netgalley although it was published years ago as a new edition is getting published.

This was definitely the weakest of his books for me but definitely not bad. This just shows how much he's grown as an author

Thank you netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for giving me an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

As with any Blake Crouch fare, I simply could not put this book down. Like, could not. I want to tell you everything about this, but I also want to tell you absolutely nothing about this because you should experience for yourself! So I will tell you a few things, and then it's on you, okay? Great.

►This should be a show. I would watch it- nay, I'd devour it. It is all the best things- family and emotion and morally gray choices and apocalypses! Name things I like more, I'll wait.
►Like I said, I could not stop reading. It was horrifically high stakes, and I needed to know everything.
►Action, yes, but also characters! Sometimes in thrilling fare like this, characters can get lost in the shuffle. Not so, here! The characters are beautifully flawed and relatable and fleshed out.
►So very thought provoking. I mean. How can it not be? How far would you go to save your loved ones? How would you react at the end of civility? Delicious.

Bottom Line: Stop reading this review, and start reading Run.

Id rate this like 3.5 or 4 stars. It was fast paced and a decent story but not the most memorable. I need to read more from this author to determine how I feel.

A fast paced, action packed dark thriller! The title sets you up for exactly what to expect in the book. The characters start running in the first 10 pages or so, and they don't stop until the last 10.

What I liked:
-I thought that the tension was done really well in the book. The tiny chapters/page breaks made it very easy to keep turning the page and it kept the momentum going. There was always some new antagonist or obstacle facing our protagonist so it was exciting to see what would happen next.
-There was a lot of dark moments in this book, so I appreciated that he didn't shy away from some terrible things that people would do in an apocalyptic situation. Also, you have close look at the struggles that our characters face like hunger, dehydration, trauma, violence, etc... and I enjoyed the realism of those struggles.

What I didn't like:
-The characters were a bit thin in this book. It's definitely a heavily plot focused book but I would've appreciated a little more time getting to know the characters, especially in the beginning before everything started.
- The ending was very abrupt. There is not much explanation for how the apocalypse started at the beginning of the book, which would bother me in most books but this isn't really the kind of book where an explanation is necessary. However, I feel the ending of the book needed a better resolution and more explanation. I also felt the epilogue was a bit unnecessary.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Run by Blake Couch
⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 336 / Genre: Apocalyptic Garbage

Let me start this review by saying that this is the tenth book by Blake Crouch that I’ve read. Dark Matter and Recursion were high 4 stars for me. I absolutely loved the Wayward Pines trilogy and I gave 5 stars to Upgrade last year. So I was extremely excited to get approved to review this book by one of my favorite authors. Run was actually written in 2011, which I didn’t realize because I like going into a book blind when it’s by an author I love. Well, I have no idea why they’d bother to rerelease this dumpster fire now. I hated it. Absolutely hated it. People in the US who witnessed an aurora borealis turn into violent serial killers killing everyone who hadn’t seen the lights. And I mean everyone. Little kids are found hacked up to pieces next to their dead parents. And we’re stuck following a family of four as they desperately try to survive. I found the utter lack of humanity in this book so bleak that it was both suffocating and boring. I do not recommend. Two thumbs down. Run. Indeed.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by a favorite, Blake Crouch. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The world has gone crazy and Jack and his family are running for their lives. It started with widespread rage, then murders, and then it took over. But what is happening? Jack's only chance is to run.

This is republished from the author's first self-published book, which is hard to believe considering where he is today. Maybe 10+ years ago, this story was too far out, too gory, too everything? But to me, while this is certainly an apocalyptic one, it's very easy to extrapolate similar events to what our country is going through in current times? Unchecked rage and hate? Check. One side vs another? Check. Way too many guns in the wrong hands? Check. Not knowing who you can trust? Check. Even though it was very violent, I read this book with my heart in my throat wondering how Jack and his family would survive. I thought it was fascinating that the phenomena of the aurora borealis caused people who viewed it to change. A smart, but gory, sci-fi thriller that will keep you glued to the pages.

The premise: Jack and Dee have a marriage that is on the rocks. Dee had an affair with Kiernan, and he shows up at the family home deranged and out to kill. Something has happened in the United States that has turned a segment of the population into a violent army with an agenda of destruction and murder. Jack, Dee and their two kids (Naomi and Cole) hop in the family car and flee towards Canada, which is quite a way from their Albuquerque home.

My thoughts: This is not my genre at all. I actually got this book from netgalley because I thought it was a new Blake Crouch and not a re-release. I flew through this one and was at the edge of my seat —even a bit scared at times. Note that this one is not for the faint of heart and you have to suspend some degree of believability. DIE HARD in book form.


Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this. I was so scared while reading this book. It had me on the edge of my seat. Well done Blake

A gut-wrenching, train wreck you can’t tear your eyes away from, thrilling ride!

Dee wants out. Her marriage to Jack is a joke, and she’s over it and ready to move forward. Discouraged and ready for change, she heads home after a late night affair that ends on a strange note. When Jack and his family realize the world has literally gone to hell after a rare aurora happening in the sky, they must make the choice to leave their home in Albuquerque to search for safety. Those who saw the strange event in the sky are changed and violent, seeking to kill all who didn’t and aren’t changed. Thus begins a whirlwind fight for survival amidst destruction, savage murders, and a constant need for supplies and food. This one has all the gore and spells it out in detail, so don’t go in squeamish. Can Jack protect his family while the world is crumbling around them? And can Jack and Dee somehow find what they’ve lost in the chaos? I felt like I was holding my breath through most of the book and on the run, praying along with them for safety and deliverance. Don’t miss this read if you love high-action, apocalyptic style writing! I was granted an arc copy by NetGalley and the publisher of this updated publication of Run. Many thanks for a great read!

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I ended up DNFing this about 15% in. I didn’t realize this was a rerelease of an early Crouch book until I was reading it and it became obvious. It’s got the fast pace action I associate with Crouch, but it felt unpolished. I also really didn’t love the dialogue style and, ultimately, there wasn’t enough that grabbed me to continue on.

Something is affecting people in the United States that turns them into a murderous rage. Names are broadcast across the radio, and if yours is one of them, you’d better run because they’re coming after you..

Jack finds himself as one of the people who has been targeted. He packs his family up and leaves Albuquerque, New Mexico to try and find a safe spot, which is impossible as every city and town they visit is in shambles.

I blindly requested this as I’m a huge fan of Blake Crouch however, the actual plot is not his traditional Science Fiction that I’m so used to and love. However, this is a nonstop, pulsating thriller for those of you who really enjoy that genre.. It certainly has a ton of action and did hold my attention.. I did really enjoy the ending. I liked how that was tied up and thought was done really well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Run: A Novel by Blake Crouch

This is obviously a challenging and dark story. It is a dystopian work about what would happen, when people turn on each other for no apparant reason. Hmm?

It was emotional to me, since I'm a husband and father of three grown children. How would I react in this scenario?

There is the mystery as to WHY is this happening? This question is a driving force through the story.

It is also a very reflective and sad tale. The opening is confusing at first, but by the end...it makes a LOT more sense. I finished the book, then reread the beginning.

It was intense, throughout the book. I was dialed in and had to figure out, what was going to happen next and how the story was going to end. I read it in less than twenty-four hours.

I was medium-paced. At times frenetic, but in other times plodding, but at all times...exactly what was needed at that moment.

This is a character-driven story. There is a plot, but we are unaware of it...till the end, and even then, it is up for interpretation.

Thee is strong character development throughout the book. As you meet each character, they are basically a blank slate, and each new encounter or experience teaches the reader about their motivations and demeanor. I did not like one of the main characters at the start, but they won me over by the end.

This is not the type of story that you have to LOVE the main characters, for you just want them to survive, but because of their actions...I did fall in love with them.

For obvious reasons, the characters were diverse, but isn't humanity a mixed bag?

And, yes...the flaws of characters are the main focus of the story.

4.0 Stars

Run by Blake Crouch - republised

I really enjoyed this tale, but there were times while I was reading...that I felt that I'd read this story before. I hadn't, but there are only so many books/movies that have gone over this TYPE of topic...and what the world would be like...when this happens.

Some of the books that I thought of while read is D.J. Molles' series The Remaining. Stephen King's The Stand. Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven...and so many others.

This is NOT a knock on THIS story, but these were the books that came to mind...as I was reading.

I feel that this book touched me more, because I'm married and have children (though our children are grown and living on their own). The very thought of having to go through THIS with them, is just debilitating. Honestly.

The question of why and how it all started? is an interesting discussion. Why some and not others?.

The main characters in this story are Jack and Dee Colclough and their two children, Naomi and Cole. Their adventure and misadventure is tragic and heartbreaking.

What happens to humanity, when humans face a mass extinction event? Survival is the key, but also..how does this EVENT change who you are and how you proport yourselves?

All through reading this story, you are constantly asking yourself, "what would you do in this circumtance?' The answer that comes to mind...is the meter of where you still are...in your humanity.

Being a husband and father, my wife and my children are my first concerns, but...that does NOT mean that anyone (or everyone else) is the enemy. We are still "in this together", but that complicates how and if you survive.

The title of the book is an apt entry point into the story..but the question is WHERE? The world (as you see it) is in decay and you have no idea where and if there is ANY place that hasn't been "infected". Ugh. The "What if's..." are overwhelming.

At first I did not like, nor trust Dee. Trust is something that is earned, and from the beginning, she was in the negative. Obviously, that small sample size of what was happening in her life (when we meet her), doesn't tell the whole story. But I was locked in, and wanted to know more.

This book had me at the edge of my seat, sitting upright our bed and at times...even standing (when you get to this, you know that you've got the attention of the reader).

I cried at the end. When you get there...you'll understand, but it was a worthy cry.

I am thankful to Net Galley for giving me the ability to read an eArc of this book and to give an honest and fair review.

This is the FOURTH book that I've read from this author, so I pretty much knew that he was a good writer. This one says that he was good, from the start.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I requested "Run" on NetGalley as soon as I saw that Blake Crouch was the author. I fell in love with "Dark Matter" and have enjoyed Crouch's books ever since. He has a unique ability to captivate me by making me uncomfortable. His storytelling is just realistic enough to be both entertaining and terrifying.

"Run" was no different. I had no idea what the plot was when I picked up this book, but I became immediately obsessed. As a lifelong New Mexican, I was shocked to see so many familiar places in Albuquerque, from the Frontier, which I assume is the famous home of the Southwest breakfast burritos that Dee referenced, to the glowing green Wells Fargo. The fact that the aurora borealis was visible in New Mexico on October 11th (just three days before I started this book) made the story feel incredibly real.

This title is labeled as sci-fi, but it leans more toward thriller, bordering on horror. I felt uncomfortable most of the time, and I had to reread the last ten pages because I was frantically scanning them, worried that I had missed important details while rushing to find out what happened.

I love Blake Crouch. I love the sensation that this could happen at any moment, even though it’s horrifying. I enjoy questioning what I would do if I were thrown into this situation. Love. Love. Love.

3.75 stars

A republishing of Crouch's breakout novel, Run is an apocalyptic thriller that I finished SO quickly. It was dark, gritty, tragic, but filled with pockets of hope and humanity that don't make it too depressing to read. I wish there was time to get more attached to our main characters, I think that would have really brought this book to a new level for me!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book needs to be a movie! It was so addicting and I would love to see this on the screen. This is one of the most fast paced thrillers l've read. It literally goes from thing to thing so fast and there's twist after twists. I couldn't read it in a day because I didn't have enough time but this is definitely a book you could read in one sitting. If you like end of the world, on the edge of your seat drama, you'll enjoy this one. I really liked the ending too! I would definitely recommend this one!

Had a bit of deja vu when I started reading this one. The story just felt so familiar. And I guess it should have seemed familiar considering I read this one back in 2012 I believe, back when I think Blake might have self published it. Regardless, I only vaguely recollected the story so it was still well worth a reread. Run is a brutal and relentless tale of survivor. And while it may sound strange (and perhaps it’s only me) this one felt like an odd combo of The Crazies crossed with a bit of Maximum Overdrive. (Not machines though) Imagine the world is melting down, insane acts of violence seems to be happening everywhere, no rhyme or reason. Then while Jack Colclough is listening to the EBS he hears his name and address given out, being targeted for death. What the heck is going on? Why is he among those being singled out? Doesn’t matter. There’s no time to ponder such questions. He has grab his wife and kids and run! Sounds insane, right? It is. And while it may stretch believability a bit, once the action starts you won’t really care. Because once the running starts, the intensity never really lets up. The way Blake writes, every time you reach the end of a chapter you’ll feel the need to see what happens next. With much of Blake’s work being made into series over the last decade or so (Wayward Pines/Good Behavior/Dark Matter) this would be a fun one to see get a similar treatment. I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Run.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2C4E2WFQ6VVNM/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv