This one was insane, but so good. It was definitely on the sci fi thriller side because I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering if they would get away. Then the reason for the massive change in people. It was crazy! I enjoyed it very much. I want to read all of Blake Crouch’s books now just to get that sci fi thriller feel. It was a great read. I highly recommend if you are into zombie apocalypse vibes (that is not what happened here but think along similar lines).

Blake Crouch is always going to give you this tense atmospheric “What the hell is going on”. Run is just like that. you’re on this frenzied escape and literally have no idea as to why. I felt just as panicked as the characters. Blake has mastered the art of that !

As for the plot ehhh, it was a whole lot of nothing. the concept was great. This “major event” that caused people to turn violent but the story got real dry. I wanted to either know all the who’s and whys or nothing at all. here the bait was dangled in front of me. Also, the characters were kind of insufferable.

I hoped the ending brought it all together but nope. More nothing

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this copy of the book!

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Run - Blake Crouch

I was intrigued when I saw this pop up on NetGalley because I love Blake Crouch’s books and didn’t realize he had back listed independently published stories out there. Run was self published in 2011 and is considered to be Crouch’s debut novel.

Run is a story about a family of 4 on the run from a rage epidemic sweeping the nation. Seemingly over the span of days Americans have begun to hunt, torture and kill others without any explanation. When Jack hears his name and address being announced over the public emergency system he knows he needs to take his family and flee. Run follows Jack and his family as they try to outrun the millions of people hunting them in attempts to kill them.

This is a fast paced action packed speculative thriller/horror. Though I can see glimpses of what I have come to love and expect from a Blake Crouch book, this story felt far less fleshed out, there really was no plot and little character development. Instead you are offer a wild anxiety riddled cross country trip from your worst nightmares. The body horror is graphic and there never seems to be a lull in the chaos. The ending felt very rushed and I would have loved less near death interactions and more explanation of what caused the violent phenomenon that eradicated most of the country. I quite literally could not put this down and yet found myself grimacing and my heart racing as I kept reading.

For fans of:
Mysterious epidemics/pandemics
Fast paced thrillers
Zombie apocalypse stories

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

Blake Crouch mostly writes sci-fi these days, and I’ve really liked a couple of those, so I requested this one without looking at anything beyond the author’s name. Once I found out it was more horror than sci-fi, I was a bit worried, as horror is pretty hit-or-miss for me.

I shouldn’t have been. I hadn’t really been in a mood for something dark, but I read it anyway because I got it from Netgalley. Once I got into it I had a hard time putting it down. This is a tense and gripping story of survival in an apocalyptic situation where a large part of the US population has gone into murderous rampages, and no one knows why. Jack and Dee are determined to keep their children safe, no matter the cost. This novel gave me strong “The Road” vibes, though The Road is bleaker than this book, especially with regards to the ending. I was surprised to find out that Crouch actually wrote and self-published this novel more than ten years ago – it's a pretty solid book for an author’s early work.

Enjoyable (as all Blake Crouch novels are), but not as twisty as some other works. The author is great at creating and maintaining tension throughout the plot. With this one, however, there was a bit more disconnect than usual. Still a good read though.

Thankful to have received an ARC copy of this book.. However, I’m still confused about what I read. It seemed like it dragged on and on and there was hardly a storyline. It was honestly difficult for me to get through. I kept having to force myself to pick it back up again and keep reading. The idea had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. I will admit, I did have high expectations because of how good Dark Matter was.

When I requested a copy of this title, I had no idea that it was Crouch's self-published debut brought back to life by his current publisher. Only an author as talented as Crouch could write something this remarkable for his debut novel - what a gem! His writing and storytelling never disappoint! I flew through this one and then purchased a copy for my husband and he could hardly put it down; I think he now understands the concept of a book "slump," or book "hangover," as he's having trouble moving on to anything else after such a propulsive read - so good!

CHILLS.
This book had me from start to finish. This was such a gruesome, intense, and heavy ride. It had me constantly pondering whether or not I would survive some sort of epidemic like this, and I'm 90% sure the answer is no. Blake Crouch never disappoints when it comes to gutting stories and this one was top tier. Definitely one of my top authors of the year!

I love Blake Crouch novels. This one follows his usual fast-paced tempo where a character is in trouble and constantly finds obstacles in their path. As someone with a young family, I resonated with the need to get a family to safety.

This was fun. It was very fast paced and I was always curious how they would get out of things. With that being said, the writing did feel very repetitive at times. I often felt like there weren't many stakes and like the reason behind what was happening was a little flimsy. Either way, it was fun and I can definitely see the Blake Crouch vibes in this repub

Blake Crouch takes us on a heart-pounding ride in Run, an apocalyptic thriller where survival is the only thing that matters.

In a nation descending into madness, Jack Colclough and his family have only one choice: run. An epidemic of rage has turned ordinary people into violent killers, and now, their names are on the kill list. With the world collapsing around them, Jack must protect his loved ones as they flee through a terrifying, chaotic America.

This book is a non-stop race against time, with Crouch’s signature style of taut, edge-of-your-seat tension. There are no answers, just relentless action, making you question humanity's very nature. If you loved Dark Matter or Recursion, you won’t want to miss this.

Not quite the level of Dark Matter or Wayward Pines which I simply adore, but this is still a strong and action packed sci-fi thriller that was more than worth my time. Blake Crouch is a tremendous story teller.

Do not pick up this book if you do not have time to read it all in one sitting! This is an adrenaline rush that will keep you turning the pages. When violence erupts over the United States with no explanation, the Colclough family goes on the run. Dee, Jack, and children Naomi and Cole are in a race to stay alive. With no technology, no idea what is happening and no one to trust, this book will have you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend this book if you want a thriller and a family to root for. It did give me some stress! I also wanted a little more at the end to explain everything, but overall I gave it 4.5 stars.

Blake Crouch's Run is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you on the edge of their seats. The novel follows a man who wakes up to find himself trapped in a terrifying reality where he is the target of a relentless pursuit.

Crouch's masterful storytelling and ability to build suspense create a relentless pace that will keep readers turning the pages. The protagonist's desperate struggle for survival is both thrilling and emotionally charged. The novel's exploration of themes such as identity, free will, and the nature of reality is both thought-provoking and mind-bending.

Run is a must-read for fans of thrillers and science fiction. It's a thrilling and thought-provoking ride that will leave readers questioning the nature of their own reality.

Blake Crouch is a favorite of mine. His books always keep me on the edge of my seat and Run is no exception. I loved reading this one. Highly recommend!

Blake Crouch’s Run is a gripping survival thriller with a chilling sci-fi twist, plunging readers into a world on the brink of collapse. The story follows Jack Colclough, a man who suddenly finds himself on the run after his name is read aloud on the Emergency Broadcast System, signaling that he & his family are next on a terrifying kill list. The book takes place over the course of a few harrowing days, as society falls apart & violence spirals out of control.
While the premise is undeniably gripping, there were a few things that slowed me down at first. The opening chapter felt unnecessary, and I wasn’t sure the relationship dynamics were serving the story in any meaningful way. And honestly, the amount of focus on their family driving a Rover felt a bit like a car commercial at times. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be more worried about the danger or the brand of vehicle they were in. But once I pushed past that, the book really pulled me in.
The violence in this novel is intense & disturbing, & at times it crosses into unsettling territory. That said, I think these moments are purposeful, helping to convey the raw, brutal emotion driving the chaos.
One aspect that frustrated me was Jack’s wife. She felt more like an obstacle than a true partner at times, always putting pressure on Jack to prove himself without offering much help herself. It just felt a bit unrealistic given the situation.
Still, Run is a wild ride—fast-paced & full of tension, with never a dull moment. Once I got into the groove of the story, I couldn’t put it down. It’s intense, emotional, & keeps you guessing. Crouch does a fantastic job of building tension and keeping you on edge.
Thank you @randomhouse / Ballantine books for allowing me access to the ARC via @netgalley All thoughts are entirely my own.

Run by Blake Crouch is a relentless, edge-of-your-seat thriller that grabs hold from the first page and never lets go. Known for his knack for blending suspense with high-concept storytelling, Crouch delivers a terrifying and adrenaline-fueled survival story set against a backdrop of chaos and societal collapse.

The story follows the Colclough family as they desperately flee a country unraveling into violence after a mysterious broadcast turns ordinary citizens into ruthless killers. Crouch’s vivid prose and breakneck pacing pull you into their harrowing journey, making every twist and turn feel immediate and visceral. The emotional depth of the characters adds a layer of poignancy, making their fight for survival not just thrilling but profoundly moving.

Run is a masterclass in tension, combining Crouch's signature unpredictability with heart-stopping action. Fans of apocalyptic fiction and psychological thrillers will devour this one in a single sitting. It’s a visceral and unforgettable ride that will leave you breathless.

Highly recommended for readers who loved Bird Box or The Road.

Awesome new book! I have always like Blake Ceouch and this didn’t disappoint. My favorite author and my favorite type of book, post-apocalyptic.

3.5 stars

Blake Crouch, who's well known for dark twisty sci-fi books like Dark Matter, Recursion, and Upgrade, began his writing career by self-publishing 'Run' in 2011. This debut novel, which was re-released in 2024, is a stomach-churning thriller.

*****

Picture this: You're watching television and start to see chyron after chyron reading something like, "45 Dead in Mass Shooting at a Church in Columbia, South Carolina." And then you hear a woman on the local radio station reading off the names of people to be killed, such as, "Jim Barbour....His address is Two Carpenter Court.....and while you're in the neighborhood, stop by the home of Jack Colclough, a professor of philosophy at UNM. He lives at 1414 Arroyo Way. Go now."

And YOU'RE Jack Colclough, living on Arroyo Way in New Mexico, with your wife Dee, 14-year-old daughter Naomi, and 7-year-old son Cole. What do you do? What you do is pack food, water, clothes, a road map, weapons, gas cans, camping equipment, etc.....and you RUN. Jack, Dee, Naomi, and Cole load up their Land Rover and aren't even out of their driveway before they see the headlights heading for their house, with gunshots erupting into the night. All Jack and Dee know is that five days ago, a good portion of the American population went insane. Affected people got out their rifles, handguns, knives, axes, chain-saws, and other killing tools.....and they began hunting down and murdering 'normal' people.

From here, the book is a saga of the Colclough's flight from New Mexico - their plan being to drive north through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana and up to Canada, which is said to be unaffected by the insanity. Needless to say, the trip is dangerous and harrowing, and the Colcloughs are in constant jeopardy.

If you're a fan of TV series like 'The Walking Dead' you can anticipate the family's adventure: they need to find food and gas; they're constantly under threat; they have good luck; they have bad luck; there are injuries; there are separations; there are reunions; they see horrible things; they experience terrible things; and so on. For instance, here's a description of people talking about a mass grave: 'Mapping system shows a hundred and seventy-five still down there.....Men, Women, Children.....High velocity gunshot wounds and dismemberment. In most instances, it's not a clean break, like a machete or ax strike. They cut everyone down with AR-15s and then went through with chainsaws. Making sure no one crawled out."

Jack, Dee, Naomi, and Cole are average folks with no special skills. However, they show remarkable resilience in unimaginable circumstances. They also have to deal with family drama, because Jack and Dee's relationship was strained before their flight from New Mexico, with Jack staying in the guest room for months.

The motif of this novel - the interminable run and chase - isn't my favorite theme. In addition, the manic scenes of peril are interspersed with slow sections of the Colcloughs driving, looking for shelter, camping, preparing food and the like. Thus the pacing is (inevitably) uneven.

I kept thinking the family would get somewhere and everything would be elucidated, but that's not quite the case. There IS an explanation of what happened, but the climax and denouement of the novel aren't completely satisfying. Still this is a good first effort for a talented novelist, and the book would appeal to fans of exciting adventure stories.

Thanks to Netgalley, Blake Crouch, and Ballantine Books for a copy of the manuscript.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one at the 15% mark. I felt like I was reading the same sequence of events over and over again, and the pacing was too quick to really keep me engaged and interested enough to root for these characters.