Wow. It’s been a day since I finished but I needed to process my thoughts. This book was written so well, the descriptions, the emotions, the story, everything was so believable and I found myself questioning what I would do if I was in Logan’s shoes. Blake Crouch is such an amazing writer, he really knows how to absorb you into the story. This really felt like something that could actually happen.
I really liked Logan as a character and I felt the way he handled everything was justified by his feelings and knowledge about the situations. (I don’t want to spoil anything)

I really recommend this book to anyone who likes crime, realistic sci-fi, and moral dilemmas.

I really want to read all of Blake Crouch’s previous work now. I might start back at his beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley for this E-Arc, I received it back in 2022 but do to health reasons I wasn’t able to review it at the time.

I loved Dark Matter and was very excited to read Upgrade by Blake Crouch. I am not usually the biggest science fiction fan, but with how much I enjoyed Dark Matter I decided to give this a shot, and was glad I did. It was very different than Dark Matter but I enjoyed it a lot still. The plot was very well done and not predictable, and I liked Logan and thought he was a great main character.

This is a fast, exciting sci‑fi read about a guy whose DNA gets hacked, giving him crazy new abilities and dragging him into a high‑stakes conspiracy. It’s full of action and big “what if” questions, though the science talk can get a little heavy and some characters feel a bit flat. Not quite as mind‑blowing as others I’ve read but still a really fun, smart thriller.

I have read several Blake Crouch novels, and this one is right up there! The story follows Logan Ramsay, a man who undergoes an involuntary "upgrade" that enhances his body and mind beyond human limits. The novel dives deep into questions about identity, free will, and the consequences of playing god.

It is a thrill ride for sure! Thank you NetGalley for a digital copy to read for review. 4 stars!

Blake Crouch does it again!

Upgrade is a razor-sharp is another science fiction work of Crouch, full of heart-pounding suspense. Crouch once again proves he’s a master of the high-concept thriller, delivering a story that’s as smart as it is flawless.

From the very first chapter, the tension grabs hold and doesn’t let go. The world of genetic engineering feels terrifyingly real. Logan's transformation is both fascinating and unsettling, and the moral dilemmas he faces are as gripping as the action sequences.

If you loved Dark Matter or Recursion, this is Crouch at his most evolved. Five stars, no question.

Another knock out from Blake Crouch! Taut plot. Engrossing. I always look forward to a new release from the author.

Blake Crouch is an auto-buy author for me—every time he drops a new book, I’m immediately in. Upgrade didn’t disappoint, especially as someone who loves science-forward thrillers. The way this was written plays out like a great movie—fast-paced, cinematic, and full of tension. It definitely leaned more into the scientific side of things, which I personally love as a scientist myself. While it wasn’t my absolute favorite of his (hello, Dark Matter), it still had that signature Crouch style that keeps me coming back for more. Solid 4 stars!

Upgrade by Blake Crouch is a fast-paced, thought-provoking sci-fi thriller that explores genetic engineering and what it means to be human. The action kicks off quickly and doesn’t let up, with sharp writing and mind-bending ideas. Crouch delivers a tense, cinematic story with emotional depth, though some character moments feel a bit rushed. Still, it’s a gripping read packed with ethical dilemmas and futuristic tech. Fans of Dark Matter and Recursion will find a lot to enjoy here.

When I have the need to read some speculative fiction I can “scratch that itch” by turning to a Blake Crouch story. And with “ Upgrade” Crouchdoes not disappoint. In “Upgrade” Crouch asks this important question: What if the human race’s best hope for a positive future depends on our successful ability to engineer our own evolution. Put another way, can/ should we “play God” with humanity’s future? Best to begin reading Blake Crouches’ “Upgrade” to find out.

I don’t know that I’ve ever been disappointed by a Blake Crouch book. As usual there was a great mix of sci-fi, heart, and great writing. I loved trying to guess where the ending was going.

Blake Crouch writes sci fi books in a way that even if you don't love sci fi, you might like his books. Or maybe that's just me. Either way, I was engrossed in this one and I loved the whole thing. The concept of upgrading your genetics to make you stronger, faster, smarter, etc. is fascinating. Logan was a great narrator, because he said and did exactly what you would expect. He was smart without being stupid. This became a battle to save humanity... but what was the best way to do it? Logan had to read people, escape people, and figure out what to do. It was fast paced and easy enough to understand if you're not a science guru.

This was book was a ride. I did enjoy the ride. I think where Crouch excels is coming up with these sci-fi concepts that aren't too far off from reality. Very much feels like some of these things could be happening in multiverse. This book does run heavier on the science side, so if you're not into that, then this might not be for you. It adds a nice level of grounding for me.

Blake Crouch brings you his latest, Upgrade, where the main character Logan finds himself exposed to a contaminant at work and begins to notice some strange changes.

Solid sci-fi book! Blake knows how to do it

DNF for me sadly, This was my first Blake Crouch novel and I didn't enjoy his writing style at all.

Set in the future where the US has banned scientific research on gene therapy and has gone so far to set up the GPA, Gene Protection Agency, sorta like the FBI. Logan works for GPA and while raiding a house, gets injected with a type of virus that causes him to become “super human”. This virus could be the end of all humans unless he figures out a way to stop it.
This was very scientific, so I skimmed a lot of it but it was still an okay read. I’m not a huge sci-fi reader and DARK MATTER is my fav book of Crouch’s. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I ended up really enjoying this one. I might be back in my dystopian era. I put it off for so long b/c it seemed to be his lowest rated book but I was surprised how much this one kept my attention. I listened to the audiobook and it played out like an action movie. It reminded a lot of a Michael Crichton book which is one of my favorite action/thriller writers. I have always loved the topic of genetics and what makes a human a human and I think this book had an excellent blend of action and science in an easily digestible way. Would definitely watch this as a movie.

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for an ARC.

I'm late to the game reviewing this book, but I'm happy I finally made the time to read Blake Crouch's latest release. While I'm not a huge Sci-fi reader, Crouch consistently makes the genre appealing. Upgrade was no different with its concept reminding me of the film Limitless with Bradley Cooper.

When two people in this dystopian world get an upgrade to a higher form of humanity, they have to decide whether it is ethical to upgrade the rest of society to save the human race. This upgrade includes the ability to think of numerous linear thoughts simultaneously, including listening to an audiobook while reading a different text. There are significant physical upgrades as well, such as reading and understanding microexpressions on the faces of others, and endless physical prowess such as running uphill for great lengths without getting tired. Naturally, the upgrades sound amazing but when everyone's capacities for knowledge and physical well-being are maxed out, there are sure to be dire consequences.

The scientific parts of this book, specifically the modifications to the human genome were fascinating. However, like all Sci-fi, the imagined reality of the story taking place in the not-too-distant future is frightening. This story did a great job of putting the reader in the main character's shoes as he came to grips with his upgrades. I found the story to lag a bit in the middle as Logan traveled the US while laying low and figuring out his next course of action. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the ending and the overarching theme of compassion. This was a firm 4-star read!

I loved this. Sci fi that really made me feel like it was happening. Realistic enough to be believable but just outside the realm. Well written, easy to understand, but I learned a lot too!

NOTHING in this world has hit quite like Dark Matter and Recursion since I read them, and that includes Upgrade. I still think Blake Crouch is the king of blending complex sci-fi concepts with fast-paced thriller plots. This feels like a story that would adapt well into film, though it feels more entertaining than it does offering real depth or development.

Blake Crouch has an uncanny way of writing compelling reads. Those that once you start, you're not setting it down. All of those descriptive phrases readers use when they want everyone to know how good a book is......apply them here. This multi genre story line should scare the pants off everyone....the what ifs.....I'd say this is just fantasy, but it seems awfully real. 5 stars.