Sci-fi 4.5*

I fell in love with Blake Crouch's novels after reading Dark Matter. That book was a mind f*ck in the best way. Crouch has a way of taking a very possible near future and twisting it in a way that is both scary and compelling.

In Upgrade, Logan Ramsay has been given an injection that has altered his genetic make-up. It has made him stronger and smarter. So much so that he becomes a wanted man. His mother caused a worldwide catastrophe that killed millions and he has been being watched ever since.

Turns out he wasn't the only one given an injection and now Logan must battle to save humanity. But that is how the other party feels as well? What is the best course? Who is to know? Who decides? Is it the truth or do our own perceptions color that logic?

It was fascinating! Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.

Another science fiction book that really surprised me! I am not the biggest fan of this genre, but this one kept me guessing.

When the MC experiences an explosion, I was rapt. Then when we discover what happened with his mother and tracked her location...heartbreaking.

The journals to his family. Ugh. This book is so intense!

Such a quick read for me! I'm not the biggest fan of science fiction, but I liked this one! This is my second from this author, and I found it to be really enjoyable.

I would definitely read more from this author. I cannot believe how atmospheric this was and how the author was able to take something I know absolutely nothing about and have me fully invested.

This book was really interesting. I had a hard time following some of the science and DNA elements, but I really enjoyed the storyline and the character's backstory and family problems.

I didn't love this quite as much as Recursion, but it is evident this author is super talented!

Thank you to Netgalley and PRHAUdio for the ARC of this insane book. I read Recursion last year and loved it, so I was so excited to get my hands on this one!

This was truly a wild ride. I wasn’t quite as invested as I was in Recursion, but I really enjoyed it.

I loved the MC’s family drama and challenges, but the science piece was a little difficult for me, as someone who has very limited knowledge of DNA and how it works.

If you like sci-fi, you’ll love this one!

A 5-star, mindblowing sci-fi thriller

I didn’t read science fiction until some friends recommended a few authors to me. One of those authors is Blake Crouch. He had me mesmerized. By science stuff I’m not interested in! I’m still not a sci-fi lover but I’ll read any book that has his name on it!

Most of the medical terminology made my head spin and I can’t tell you if one word of it is possible but it is captivating!

Logan’s mother, a genetic engineer, is famous for her extraordinary mind and scientific accomplishments until one of her experiments goes horribly wrong. Then she killed herself, leaving Logan to face the consequences.

Years later, genetic engineering is illegal and the government has formed the GPA (Gene Protection Agency), which is responsible for apprehending genetic scientists operating unlawfully. And they employ Logan. During a raid on an illegal lab, there is an explosion that infects him with a virus designed to modify his genetic makeup.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in this amazing read!

Sincere thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch is another mind-bending scientific thriller! This time it is about DNA and genomes and what happens when people can "hack" into other people's DNA. I very much enjoyed this story, as I have all of his books. It paints a horrifying picture of what could happen in the future. Some readers may be turned off by the scientific explanations. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes science fiction and thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I think I like the futuristic setting of this book more than the actual story itself. I like the idea of genetic changes being regulated by a special police and electric cars and face detection surveillance, but the upgrade story through gene mutation was kind of not so interesting.

Upgrade is set in the near-future and the future isn't looking great for humans. Or the planet. This book is full of suspense, science and great characters. Once I started reading, I couldn't put this down and for me, I found Upgrade to be a bit easier to read as far as the science aspect of the book. I loved this book as much as I loved Dark Matter and Recursion and I found Logan to be a very relatable character. Much of this book was frightening to me because I kept thinking, "you know, this COULD happen." And that was terrifying.

I also think Blake Crouch's books are fantastic for readers who don't like sci-fi or who have never read sci-fi. There are so many aspects to the characters and the storyline. At its heart, Upgrade asks the reader to ponder what it means to be human, how we need to care about one another and care about our planet.

I've always thoroughly enjoyed anything by Blake Crouch - especially Dark Matter (one of my all-time favorites) and Recursion. Obviously Crouch has set the bar pretty high for any new releases so I was expecting the same. with Upgrade, it fell a little short compared to the last two but was still a solid book overall. Great concept, interesting characters, and a lot of action. The action/adventure was laid on a little thick at times but did not take away from the overall direction of the plot. 4 stars

T'hanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I’m a huge Blake Crouch fan so this one was eagerly anticipated. While not as compelling as “Dark Matter,” I enjoyed it nonetheless. One of the things I like about Crouch is the detailed science that makes the story plausible. This one did not disappoint in that regard. The characters were a bit one-dimensional, but I don’t read Crouch for his characters. When I want a page-turner thriller, Blake’s the man. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC for me to read.

This is a good book, but not as enjoyable for those who have read Blake Crouch's previous works.

3+.

Logan has always carried the guilty from what his mother did, spreading a lethal virus that was almost the end of humanity and that became the reason why geneticists were humbled and ostracized. However, while going after another illegal scientific activity, Logan is hit with something unknown that makes him an improved version of himself. He's faster, smarter, better. However, he was only the beginning of something greater and probably more lethal than any pandemic ever whenever the process goes wrong. Is the improvement worth the losses?

The plot was very obviously inspired in the Covid pandemic; and I'm not sure I enjoyed reading about it this soon. However, although this would already be a problem for me, this isn't what made this book lose points with me. It lacked what Crouch's previous works had, the way it went beyond without fear of being too much. Or maybe we are just living such a complex, surreal experience that he couldn't overcome reality? In any case, the development was underwhelming for a theme that was already explored enough in other books (and in the real world too).

It is a good thriller with enough plot twists and emotional moments, but just a little bit better than the usual thriller out there.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Logan Ramsey feels “on point”. He is laser focused, his senses are sharper, memories are crystal clear. Once he realizes he is part of an experiment to evolve the human race, he is in for the fight of his life.

While seeking out who he can trust, it quickly becomes apparent that he is on his own. He can trust no one but himself. Does he follow his moral instinct? Or opt for the greater good?

This is a fast paced, brilliantly crafted sci-fi thriller; which kept me engaged. I read it because of the great reviews, but have rated it three stars because it truly isn’t a genre I enjoy.

#upgrade

I really enjoyed this book. For someone that doesn’t love science fiction. This author does a really good job and I would love to read more by him. Some of the topics and phrases used were a little above my head, but over and all I found the story, engaging and very thought-provoking.

Blake Crouch can do no wrong in my eyes. Dark Matter and Recursion rocked my world and literally made my mind into jello. To say I've been excited about Upgrade is an understatement. I needed a book that was going to keep me 100% hooked and have me gasping at the plotline. I needed the book with phenomenal structure and fleshed out characters. Blake Crouch delivered like always! Upgrade is a wild ride and fascinating to read. You would think with all the world building, info dumps, and scifi that it would get a little boring or too much to read. Crouch knows how to write a book thats full of information, but never make it dull or slow.

I know I haven't summarized the book at all, but honestly the more blind you go in the better!

I've read a few of Blake Crouch's novels over the years and this one did not disappoint. Super basic premise: scientists tinkering with genes to 'improve' them might not always be a good thing. And oh how Mother Nature can backfire. Fast-paced and exciting, I speed read this one, although stumbled somewhat through the deeper scientific mumbo-jumbo. Fortunately, you don't have to be a scientist to appreciate a good story!

I have been a huge Blake Crouch fan since his Wayward Pines series. His books take well-known sci-fi concepts and add in an intense and thrilling twist to it that makes his books impossible to put down. He's just got this way with making you fascinated by the possible science behind a thing, while also keeping you completely enthralled because of whoever (or whatever) may be about to harm our MC. This book did not disappoint, it was just as fantastic as his other novels that I have read. I honestly feel like I can't talk about the book properly without potentially revealing spoilers, so I'm going to just say that I really love his writing style and his way of making sci-fi so incredibly captivating.

So many perspectives of dna editing at is pertains to social class and morality weaved together with a suspenseful mystery in a thriller that only Blake Crouch could articulate! Science is FUN!

"Upgrade" by Blake Crouch is a science fiction thriller that answers "what would happen if we could upgrade our DNA?" Logan Ramsey works for the NSA, a federal organization that polices the intentional genetic modification of DNA. Ironic, given that his mother created the technology for humans to do so. But when investigating a case, Logan finds that both he and his sister have had their own DNA modified, in an "upgrade," that allows them to think, see, hear, speak and perform better. But fearful of unintended side effects, Logan goes on a mission to stop the upgrade from spreading, protecting the welfare of all mankind.
After reading the total and complete mind f**ks that were Dark Matter and Recursion (in the best way possible) I was pretty underwhelmed by Upgrade. This didn't push the limits of my thinking like Crouch's previous novels, and the plotline just felt to me like it had been done before (reminded me of the movie "Limitless.") The book was still enjoyable, but not what I'd recommend from this otherwise stellar author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing, Ballentine Books, for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback.

#Upgrade #BlakeCrouch #NetGalley #RandomHouse #BallentineBooks #bookreview #booknerd #fiction #sciencefiction #thriller #readwithme #bookstagram #readwithsee #bookshelf

This tale of gene manipulation from bestselling author Blake Crouch places the protagonist, Logan Ramsey, in a genetically modified body — even though his job is stop rogue geneticists — and finds himself trying to figure out how and why he’s become a GMO superhero.

This book explores some dark places, but ultimately is a winning, thrilling read. My first Blake Crouch book and now I’m ready for his back catalog.