Blake Crouch is one of the only authors that can convince me to read science fiction. I tried Recursion randomly. Then Dark Matter. He's great so I tried Upgrade. I am NOT disappointed in the slightest.

So what is it exactly that gets an "upgrade" in this novel? The human race. And not like "I upgraded to the newest iPhone so my life is so much easier." More like...stronger, faster, smarter, just BETTER. Somehow this happens to Logan Ramsay. His very DNA has been somehow altered as he becomes a test subject for this new "upgraded" humanity. But is this what we truly need?

This novel went so quickly because it was so good! I would HIGHLY recommend it, even if science fiction isn't your normal cup of tea.

If Blake Crouch writes it, I am going to read it. Dark Matter is still the one I recommend the most, but Upgrade is a solid addition to his sci-fi compendium.

Upgrade explores the idea of hacking the genome - what's the risk, what's too far, and what's the line at which we are no longer human.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

A fascinating, near-future world. Intriguing concepts. An action-adventure, race-to-the-end story for sure.

Where it fell short was in that unnameable, creepy-but-this-could-really-happen vibe. It definitely had that, but didn't "hit me" as hard as I would want for a 5-star selection. I also didn't care for the main character's choice at the end of novel - it was a little crunchy and granola-eating, kumbaya kinda business. But... up until that point I appreciated the bit of fun poking at militant, "true believers".

Definitely worth a read for sci-fi and/or action-adventure fans.

Blake Crouch does it again. Upgrade is the perfect mix of humanity meets science, and leaves the reader considering what would I do (or not do!) for the future of our species? Crouch’s writing is immersive and cinematic—I’ll continue to read anything he writes with good reason.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Reading a science fiction thriller, a person might expect to be thrilled. Or intrigued. Or even just entertained. Upgrade did none of those things for me. I think there are many reasons for that, but it largely comes down to a lack of creativity. Like it's probably smart to explain all the genetic ins and outs behind your sci-fi whatever, but lecture-y info dumps are not the way. Either I knew it already and was bored by the explanation, or I didn't know it and was bored by the explanation. Another thing: action scenes in movies have their own inherent excitement. It's my experience that in books you need something more to make it engaging. You have to care about the characters or the outcome. Otherwise, it's just boring descriptions of guns and cars that I couldn't care less about. Finally, the book's message has the energy of a man repeating something a woman already said but LOUDER. The concept is nothing revolutionary, but it has a distinct white-man flavor in its delivery. More on that later.

Expect your basic genre content from the near future: excessive government oversight with obliterated privacy protections, corporations with so much insidious and blatant data-gathering that they know everything about you down to your genetic code, law enforcement that uses A.I. to predict subversive behavior (Minority Report, anyone?), and dumb humanity killing the planet obvi. In terms of villainy, we have a too-smart scientist who nearly single-handedly set off a global famine with her actions. She's characterized as hyper-rational and ambitious to a fault. Her son, Logan, is our protagonist, both ashamed of his mother and ashamed of himself for not living up to her flash-bright intelligence. When Logan is on the job during a raid of an illicit genetics lab, he's hit with a bioweapon that alters his DNA. It turns out to be an upgrade that makes him stronger, more intelligent, more aware, and able to compartmentalize his emotions to the point of shutting them out. In essence, Logan becomes a diamond-perfect new superhuman, though he had no say in the matter.

Unfortunately, our protagonist becomes one note in his super persona. Like yes, I get it, he's super smart now. Cool. Everyone else is beneath him and his speedy mind. Of COURSE, a cishet white guy imagines himself our collective hero. He becomes the champion of humanity's compassion in a morally dubious battle with the two women embracing drastic action away from all kinds of feelings. And nbd but one of them is a veteran who probably has PTSD from her time as a POW, so her mental health is not likely calibrated in a pro-feelings type way compared to the guy with a loving family who lives in the suburbs.

The whole book comes down to whether humans need to be more rational to save ourselves and our planet or whether we need to be more empathetic and community-oriented on a broad scale. And I guess I just don't get how there's a question here? Or how some white guy is the one to have sorted this all out on behalf of everyone? Tl;dr: I was bored and unimpressed with the framing, execution, and resolution of this bland science fiction not-so-thriller.

Upgrade is a fast paced sci-fi thriller that focuses on gene editing and the overall plight of humanity. It has some deep thoughts for a thriller. While I enjoyed the story better in Recursion by the same author I felt Upgrade was faster paced.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

Science fiction, though long neglected by me, is one of my favorite genres. I love the gaze into the future and seeing how it could all go wondrously right or horribly wrong. That being said, I find myself hesitant to pick up sci-fi because the ones I gravitate towards tend to be thick and I am intimidated 😂 Then, I learned of Blake Crouch and his blend of sci-fi and thrillers. Two of my favorite genres mashed into one book? Yes, please! That’s why I was ecstatic when I received the e-ARC for Crouch’s latest release, Upgrade. I’m happy to report that it hit the spot!

This novel follows the story of a man named Logan Ramsay. Logan has lived his entire life in the rather infamous shadow of his genius mother. So much so that he spent time in prison after a genetic modification she designed ended up killing over two million people. Logan now works for the government, hunting down rogue scientists who continue to tamper with DNA. One day, while on the job, he is injured and his very genes are hacked. Now Logan is evolving and that puts everything he cares about at risk.

Wow, this was quite the ride! This was exactly what I needed to get my sci-fi hit without bogging myself down. It was quick, entertaining, and still rather thought provoking. I mean, when you’re discussing gene modification and changing the very core of what makes someone who they are, you’re bound to bring up some interesting topics. I would have maybe liked to spend more time on exploring some of them, but then this would have been a much longer book, haha. I thought the author did a great job of balancing action, high stakes, and introspection on some heavy topics. It certainly kept me engaged from page one until the very end!

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this story, but that would have fallen flat if I hadn’t liked the characters just as much. I was completely invested in Logan’s story, even if there were moments when I wanted to shake some sense into him. I thought he was a fascinating character and a great conduit through which the reader could start parsing their own feelings about the abilities of science and the future of the planet. Though the other characters in the novel didn’t feel as whole as Logan, did I still thought Crouch did an excellent job of making them all come to life on the page.

Overall, this was a thrilling story that also speaks to some very relevant topics, like climate change. I was absolutely immersed in the story and found myself, on more than one occasion, reading way past my bedtime. That is always the mark of a good book to me!

Logan Ramsay's mother was the most brilliant mind of her generation. But her misstep cost Logan his freedom for a few years, and cost a lot of the world's population their lives. Logan begins working at the GPA (Gene Protection Agency) to atone for his perceived sins against humanity.

I don't think there are many authors who could break down genetic modification as clearly as this author did. I felt science-y and smart just reading it, while knowing this is a subject wayyyy over my head. But Logan would make some gene observation, and I'd be like, "Of COURSE!" Definitely one of the best sci-fi books I've ever read, which leads to my 5 out of 5 star rating.

I could barely put this book down, and even the ending was satisfying. With that said, I hope to get back to his previous works at some point and see if I love them as much as I loved Upgrade.

I really enjoyed Dark Matter and Recursion, so was looking forward to digging into Crouch’s latest work of speculative fiction. I don’t know if it’s the passing of time, or if it’s just this book in particular, but Upgrade read to me like a Michael Crichton novel, and I don’t mean that as a compliment. Rather than an intriguing and thoughtful sci-fi mystery, Upgrade felt alarmist and mostly devoid of any mystery. Maybe I’m a different reader than I was when I read Crouch’s previous work, or maybe this one just isn’t as good. Either way, I didn’t enjoy it.

I was beyond thrilled to receive this ARC via Netgalley. I will always read anything released by Blake Crouch and I am never disappointed; this book is no different. I love the complexity and thought-provoking plots in all of his work: Science fiction that lives right on the edge of impossible and possibility. Genetic modification... good intentions behind the invention yet dangerous and immoral implementation. This book follows Logan Ramsey who is a loving father, a devoted husband, and now finds himself something of a super-human who doesn't know who he can trust. Intriguing is an understatement. This will absolutely be a re-read for me!

"The greatest threat to our species lies within us."

Blake Crouch is a reliably great author. I really enjoy his books and seeing how his brain works--a lot of what he writes about is well and truly over my head and comprehension, but he writes in such a way that it's easy to follow along and I respect that! Upgrade is a very scientific, high-stakes story with twists and turns and sentimental beats, which is pretty much on par with all of the books that I've read so far by Crouch.

Ultimately, I liked this book, but I do have to say that it lacked the emotional charge that I got from Dark Matter and Recursion. Somehow this book kept me at a distance all the way through. I wanted to be more attached to Logan, but I just did not feel that same connection that I need in the previous novels. Maybe I would have been more affected if I was able to spend more time with his immediate family.

I loved the questions this novel posed and the ethics and morality of it all. Does saving humankind justify the brutal means to get there? I thought that some of the answers the book posed were very poignant and probably my favorite aspect of the story. It's especially wild to me that this book feels legitimately plausible in the future--terrifying! All in all, Upgrade is a solid thriller that will keep you invested enough to read late into the night.

3.5 stars! I'm looking forward to the next Crouch book, as always!

Such a wonderful book! I loved the plot, and the characters. The idea felt original and exciting, and was well executed by the author.

Taking place in the future, this sci-fi story was an enjoyable read for me!
I love the topics of genetics /genetic engineering and microbiology explained throughout the book. We also see the author touch on the ethics of genome alteration. The plot and decision-making moments that the main character, Logan, goes through helped keep me invested in the story. Some parts were a little slow but they eventually pick up with the bits of action spread throughout the book! I really appreciated the epilogue which made me emotional!

Another great book by Blake Crouch, he is an automatic read every time he releases a book...the suspense, the science, the twists...I'm here for it!

I received an ARC of Upgrade from Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.

Having previously read only his Wayward Pines trilogy, I’m something of a latecomer to Blake Crouch’s new wave of post-Dark Matter popularity, but hey, better late than never. I’m here! Hi! Crouch’s latest speculative thriller, Upgrade, takes place in a near-future world in which genetic hacking is common but illegal after a scientist named Miriam Ramsay attempted to modify crops in China and accidentally created an international incident which resulted in mass starvation.

Upgrade crystallized for me how I feel about the work of Blake Crouch: he does what he does very well (breezy commercial fiction with a scientific angle, like a less-dense Michael Crichton), but what he does is not for me. I found myself craving a meatier story that was more willing to sacrifice action and thrills in exchange for ethics and philosophy. I will fully admit, though, that this is in no way a failing on Crouch’s part. He’s just aiming for an audience that isn’t me.

Upgrade concerns Miriam Ramsay’s son, Logan. His mother is dead by suicide following The Great Starvation, and he now works for the government, hunting down those who tamper with genetic code. An explosion during a raid infects him with something that changes his genome, and he soon becomes a sort of superhuman—faster, smarter, speed reader, perfect memory, etc. These upgrades implicate him in a devious plan in which the future of humanity is at stake.

Upgrade is light and readable. Honestly, it’s a bit too readable for my preferences. It moves at a quick clip, there’s plenty of action, and if you choose to experience this story in print or ebook format, frequent line-breaks (often after individual words) will draw your eye down the page. I personally want more friction in my prose, but if the writing style I’m describing works for you, Crouch handles it well and you will likely have a good time with Upgrade. Frankly, it’s fun!

The characters are sympathetic and feel appropriately complex for this story. Logan could step comfortably into the shoes of any generic action hero; he’s not particularly memorable, but I didn’t mind spending several hundred pages with him, which is ultimately how I would frame the book as a whole. His foil, the antagonist, was suitably compelling, with a motivation that made sense. (Anyone else find themselves relating more to villains as they get older? Just me?)

I thought the twist—as in, the devious plan that Logan eventually tries to stop—was actually quite clever, and unlike anything I’ve encountered before. It raises all sorts of questions about the nature of humanity and how best to confront the most pressing problems of our time. I don’t know if it makes sense from a scientific perspective, nor do I care; it works from a narrative and thematic perspective, and that’s what matters to me. Upgrade has ideas that pop off the page.

Your appreciation of Upgrade will depend more upon how you like your stories told than what you like your stories to contain. I was interested in much of the content here, but this feels only a few degrees removed from a script for an action movie, and that doesn’t appeal to me as a reader. Your mileage may vary! I will certainly check out Crouch again, but my expectations will be in alignment with popcorn entertainment, and I will happily recommend him to the right reader.

Upgrade is another intense science fiction thriller by Blake Crouch. This time, his focus is on gene modification and its ethics. As you would expect from Mr. Crouch, the action is intense and near-constant. The science is also fierce, as he tackles genes, genomes, and the science of modifying them. I enjoy and gravitate toward stories that force you to answer tough ethical questions, and I love a story that uses plausible science. Upgrade has both. I ripped through its pages and finished the story with the satisfaction of experiencing a well-written, well-plotted book.

Logan Ramsey works for the Gene Protection Agency, a part of the government dedicated to ensuring genes are not being manipulated after the "Great Starvation".

When Logan is caught in an explosion, it seems like there is nothing wrong at first. Then, he begins to notice the changes. He is smarter, stronger, faster, better, and multi-tasking. In short, his genes have been hacked and he has been upgraded.

It is not a coincidence that Logan was chosen. His family has a horrible legacy and now, he is the only one that can stop the plan that will change humanity forever.

I have loved all of Couch's books and this one did not disappoint. I could not stop reading this book that has non-stop action and really makes you think

In theory, I should have loved this one just as much as the others.

But alas. I was bored.

I don’t mind science in sci-if. I mean, real science. So long as it’s told in a way that is relevant and interesting and that I, a humanities major till the end, can understand, it’s perfectly fine. But every time the MC would start talking about DNA and start naming DNA sequences and specific genes I would die a little inside. We the reader don’t need to know the specific genes being altered. We don’t need to know every scientific process being done unless knowing it is going to impact the plot or or understanding of it. Unless you are a biologist or geneticist, all the combinations of AGCT mentioned in this book aren’t going to mean anything.

Another issue I had was that I simply didn’t like the main character. He felt bland. The most compelling thing about him was his love for his family. Crouch’s characters always have very strong bonds with their families and I love that. Unfortunately, everything else about the MC bored me. Lastly, the whole book felt like a movie. A cheap action thriller whose plot I won’t remember much later.

Overall, this isn’t a bad book, despite all I’ve said. Many will like it, especially people that are already fans of Crouch’s work. I am just not one of those people.

This book Started out with a great premise, a genetic modification to “upgrade” the human species. Unfortunately it ended up feeling like a bad action movie where the upgraded main character just fights off bad dudes left and right.

Upgrade is an excellent sci-fi thriller with tons oof action dark secrets and huge ramifications for choices made. Overall it’s everything a good sci-fi thriller should be. This is my first book from Blake Crouch but it won’t be my last. I loved the taught storyline, characters and well done world building. Overall just fantastic!