I really liked Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, and was interested in picking up more of his novels. I was only able to get through half of Upgrade, but think many Sci-Fi or Blake Crouch fans would still enjoy this book. There was a lot of action in the first half of the book and when I think about where the novel is going in the second half of the book it sounds interesting, but at this time it is not holding my attention. I plan on revisiting the book at a later date, but wanted to provide feedback closer to publication date. I think part of the reason Dark Matter was much more successful, and attention grabbing was because of the alternate universe plot, which always interests me. I think my problem with Upgrade is that it feels more virus-related with the way the story deals with altering people's DNA coding. I have always been anti-virus/germs in the stories I consume. I do still think there is an audience for this book and hope to finish it eventually.

I'm a huge fan of Recursion so I was looking forward to Crouch's next book! I enjoyed this one a lot and will continue to read his books even though Sci Fi isn't my usual genre.

Y’ALL………

If you’ve been following for even a month you will know that Blake Crouch is my new favorite author and this book was my most anticipated read of the summer.

AND IT DELIVERED. Literally Blake can do no wrong. He has this unique way of blending dystopian sci-fi with mystery that is fantastic. UPGRADE takes on genetic engineering vs his others books that focus on time travel. He always has an overarching theme of “What If?” present in his books. The settings he create are so real and force us to think carefully about what our futures hold. It’s like realistic fiction.

I loved the way he made the science of this book understandable and fascinating. 5 stars. Read it. Buy it. Give Blake your coin.

This was my first Blake Crouch book but it will not be my last. I loved all of this book and I flew through it and did not want to put it down.

I couldn’t wait to read this book, so I didn’t and raced through it. I’ll post my full review closer to the publication date and update my review here.

July update:
Having read this book some months ago, I found it has stayed with me. While part of the premise of the book may be similar to “Flowers for Algernon” it is a vastly different book. One may say the question this book is attempting to answer is: what happens when humans become super-intelligent?

The book is fast-paced, and I read it quickly. There is a bit more “preachiness” than one would want, and there are some similar tropes, or formula to the overall arc of the book. Yet, there are a couple of themes that can be pulled out and are concepts worthy of deeper consideration.

The obvious one, yes, what if humans become super smart, would we lose our humanity, our emotional connection to others? This may be pertinent as we approach technological advances, with computer AI and possible integrating humans with computers. Also, one could ask: why allow something to happen to others that would vastly change their life without their consent? Even if it is for the better? And ultimately, is it better?

The end may leave an opening for a sequel, but we shall see. If there is one, I will definitely grab that book.

Summer reading, for me, has become synonymous with Blake Crouch sci-fi books. Based on his previous gems that I read in the summer - specifically Recursion and Dark Matter - mere talk of a new Crouch narrative in the late winter got me into must-have mode. Not wanting to wait, I was thankful for Net Galley for releasing an advanced copy. And while I started it right away, life had other plans, as it so often does, and I ended up fittingly finishing it in the summer.

Upgrade is a solid sci-fi book. A true rating would be 3.5 stars but I rounded up for the Goodreads scale. Though I’ll admit I didn’t read this book day in and day out, part of that was because I was busy and part of that was because this plot lacked the urgency of Crouch’s other stories I came to love.

In Upgrade, a story about a future world and time where gene augmentation is an actuality, it’s easy to get lost and/or overwhelmed with some of the scientific terminology. Spending time trying to figure out complex terms took away from the flow and enjoyment of the storyline. The story could have also benefited from more character development. We spend the entire book with our hero/antihero Logan, but I don’t know if we ever got to truly know him. I found myself wondering if I should be rooting for him and the decisions he was making vs. the other characters.

With all that said, how the story ultimately unfolded was satisfying. Crouch is a terrific storyteller, complexities aside, and as such it would be intriguing to see this story played out in a sequel (or told through a different perspective). Though I wouldn’t rank this at the top of Crouch’s books, I’ll still look forward to his next foray.

Blake Crouch is at his best in Upgrade - and I don't say that lightly, because Dark Matter and Recursion were both 5-star reads for me, but Upgrade just feels elevated somehow. Upgrade follows Dark Matter's lead where the story feels at once personal to our main character, Logan Ramsey, but also wide in scope with seemingly the fate of the entire future resting on Logan's shoulders. The story is fast-paced and riveting, and accessible for sci-fi newbies and veterans alike. I'll recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed Dark Matter or wants to test the waters of sci-fi.

There’s a line where sci-fi, suspense, and speculative fiction intermingle. A world that’s not ours now, but if certain events lined up just so maybe it could be. Blake Crouch’s newest release, Upgrade, thrusts us into such a reality. I binge read this in less then a day, so block off some serious time reader friends. It’s a page turner you’re not going to want to put down! Upgrade was a selection in the 2022 Modern Mrs Darcy Summer Reading Guide, so you know it’s highly recommended!
It is the era after The Great Starvation, a mass famine caused by DNA interference with unexpected consequences. Research and development is now illegal, scientists either imprisoned or monitored by government agencies such as GPA, Gene Protection Agency. During a raid Logan Ramsay, a GPA agent, is exposed to a contagion. Initially he is cleared but slowly he realizes everything has changed. He’s reading and comprehending at unimaginable speed, recalling everything he’s ever experienced and learned. He’s able to recognize and anticipate others intentions and protect himself better. Was he targeted, set up, and by whom? Can he get answers he needs without drawing attention to himself and putting his family at risk?
Thus begins an extensive game of cat and mouse, who do you trust. Overlapping all of this Blake asks the philosophical questions: What is acceptable collateral damage to save the greater good, and who decides what that is? Are there traits to be selectively eliminated from humanity, that are detrimental at this stage of our species? Again, who decides?
I recommend Upgrade for current fans of Blake Crouch, you’re going to be really happy with this one! Also for lovers of fast paced sci-fi suspense. I think there’s a lot to discuss here so this is a fantastic pick for Bookclubs that read this gene.
I received a review copy from the publisher William Marrow via Netgalley.

Freaking Blake Crouch does it again. I promptly bought a hard copy of this one after finishing the digital ARC. It was especially awesome for me because there are several pivotal scenes that take place very close to where I live, and that was excellent. I'm really hoping this is one I can get my husband to pick up. I think he'll love it!

Imagine being upgraded, to this super human, who knows not just everything, but is an all around genius. Sounds awesome, but in this book Logans life changed and it was not for the better. Logan comes from a family of science, and his past comes back to haunt him. I loved the family mystery, and the drama, even the use of scientific terms, I didn’t think I would enjoy the book THIS much. It was easy to understand, and it flowed so easy and got straight to the point and I loved that. I understand now why this author is a fave in its genre. This is a Gene War I don’t think anyone would want to miss.

I devour Blake Crouch novels, and this one was no different. It might be my favorite since the Wayward Pines trilogy.

Timely and so interesting even as a non SciFi type of reader. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this cleaver read we are following Logan , our main character, as he begins to change. He has been given an upgrade and notices changes in his senses. This sets off a chain reaction that only he can stop? I really can’t say more, I think going in blind is best, don’t read too much of the blurb, let the story unfold.
This is science fiction at its best!! It even reads like a thriller at times. So give it a try if you haven’t done science fiction before, the author is great at writing in such a way that it’s meant for everyone.
Such a talented writer, you really are riding along with Logan, and it’s a grand journey! Highly recommend this one!

*4-4.5 stars

Set in a near-future world where genetic tinkering is monitored by the GPA--Gene Protection Agency. One of their agents, Logan Ramsey, gets caught in a trap and is infected by a new virus. He finds both his mind and body changing. He is shocked to learn who is the mastermind behind this plot and what they hope to achieve. Logan finds himself with a hard choice--to join them or fight to stop them.

A fusion of scifi and thriller that kept this reader turning pages. Blake Crouch never disappoints.

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

BOOK REVIEW: Upgrade by Blake Crouch
2022 Publication Date: July 12

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️

T.I.M.E. Favorite Books To Read
T.I.M.E. Best Book Club Books
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Science Fiction
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CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
Whatever you choose to do... Choose with compassion...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW: It is rare that you find a book that checks all the boxes. Highly entertaining, check. Thrilling, check. Insightful, check. Informative, check … Leaves you both feeling hopeful and inspired to raise the bar on your own expectations for what one person can do to change the course of destiny… Check. Check. Check.

And can I just take a moment to acknowledge and applaud the considerable effort it must have taken to research this book? Not to mention the masterful skill it takes to combine complicated scientific data and theories while maintaining a blistering page-turning read? Bravo, bravo, bravo!

Perfect for readers who are looking for a thrilling adventure on the page and inspiration to take an adventurous step in their own life as well.

This is my first Blake Crouch read and I left tread marks running off to grab my next one!

Thank you, Blake Crouch — and all the talented authors — who remain committed to writing stories that urge us forward to a better world.

As you close the final page of this story, it is my sincere hope you will embrace the courage to take action for yourself in support of a better world... A kind world... A sustainable world.

In the words of our protagonist… “You can’t do nothing.”...✨😎✨

Pages: 341
Genre: Science Fiction
Sub-Genre: Fantasy Thriller
Time Period: Present Day Future
Location: Multiple US Locations

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Recursion by Blake Crouch
Movie: Lucy

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Day One... Logan Ramsay doesn't know if anything is different...

Yes, he feels sharper, and better able to concentrate and do things faster.

But when he notices he can now read entire books in one day, recall every detail, function at a higher level with little to no sleep... He soon realizes that something is very different.

Something is happening to his brain and body.

He's starting to see the world in new ways. And every word, memory, and experience is ready to be accessed in a snap.

The truth is, "Logan" has been hacked. His genome, DNA, chromosomes, physical and mental abilities... all upgraded.

And there's a reason why he's been targeted for this upgrade.

There's a dark family legacy behind it all. And Logan's upgrade is just the first step in a larger plan that will affect all of humanity -- but at what cost?

Logan is the only person who can stop it. But he will need to choose... Let go of everything and everyone he has ever loved? Go all-in with his upgrade?

And decide... What does it mean to be human?

Blake Crouch's Upgrade is a tension-filled, action-packed novel that explores the idea of what it means to be human. With lightning-fast narrative and intrigue surrounding every page turn, this book will leave you on edge until its conclusion!

--------------------

All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Holy. WOW.

Blake Crouch first completely captivated my attention and imagination with Dark Matter, which I read basically nonstop from start to finish and thought about for weeks afterwards.

With Upgrade, he gives us a glimpse into what our future may look like: technology having progressed in a realistic way, electric vehicles are the norm, hyperloops connecting the country, genetic editing being not just possible but all too "easily" achieved--and, after an inadvertent mistake that decimated grain crops and directly killed two hundred million people, totally illegal. The world is also slowly destroying itself: climate change has basically flooded Miami and lower Manhattan, the Rockies are barren of snow in January, more of the world is a desert than ever, and natural food is in ever-shortening supply.

Logan, our protagonist, works for the Gene Protection Agency (GPA), a new agency that cracks down on illegal genetic tampering. On a raid of a possible lab for work, he gets blasted with a mystery device, leaving him in the hospital. In the weeks after the accident, he notices that some things are changing about him: he can read faster and comprehend better, he can finally beat his teenage daughter at chess, and his doctor said his bones are denser. This kicks off a high octane adventure to save the world, typical of a Blake Crouch novel. The science is fascinating, the stakes are high, and humanity itself hangs in the balance.

As has become typical in Blake Crouch novels, this one is expertly crafted. Without getting deeper into the plot, this book has the perfect mix of action, sci-fi, and surprising emotional punch. It offers an unsparing look at where humanity currently is, where we could be going, and presents its own ideas about how we may be able to fix it. I haven't read a book that made me think about these issues without coming off as preachy, which Crouch manages to avoid by slipping the philosophy in amongst action, suspense, and cool science. I don't want to know what kind of research he had to do for this novel to sound plausible to my (admittedly far less involved) biology/chemistry background, but I am impressed. I'll let a true biochemist type break down the nitty gritty; to a layperson, the science is grounded but also well explained.

There are also some beautiful bits of prose, such as (best example that doesn't give anything away) "Never before had I seen Homo sapiens so clearly -- a species, at its most fundamental level, of storytellers."

In case my gushing and the stars didn't make it clear, I cannot recommend this book enough. You'll have fun while thinking!

CW: violence, death, suicide, implied sexual assault

This book was simply amazing. I could not put it down! Crouch obviously thinks deeply about our world and our humanity. What a wonderful book.

I haven’t read Blake Crouch before but I have seen his books everywhere. I took a chance on his newest novel, Upgrade, and I was not disappointed. Upgrade is a sci-fi thriller about a world where gene editing is illegal after a well-intended plan to improve food supply results in a mass starvation episode. The main character, Logan Ramsay, is an agent for the Gene Protection Act when his genes are hacked and a new plan for the world is set in motion.

I really like this fast-paced novel. I found this world where gene editing is illegal fascinating, and although there is a futuristic feel to this book, it actually doesn’t seem that far into the future from our current state. Half of this book was great because I liked imagining the possibilities of gene editing while the other half was a lot of action and mystery that kept me guessing. It is a page turner that develops very quickly and will have you on the edge of your seat.

My only complaint is that it all moved too fast. There is a lot that happens in the span of this book and no time is wasted with extra detail. I feel like I didn’t have enough time to empathize with these characters because I was just trying to keep up with the commotion of it all. There is some intense family dynamics in this book but there really isn’t a chance to process it because the stunts never stop.

Overall, it was still a very good read and I found it to be very realistic and therefore that much scarier. I definitely plan to read more by Crouch very soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book.

Pros: Blake Crouch is such a dependable author in the sci fi/thriller genre. Just like with Dark Matter, Upgrade is a fast-paced, plot-driven read that also touches on deeper ethical issues. I appreciated this book’s examination of compassion as it is a very timely topic.

Cons: None really. I think this book does exactly what it sets out to do.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this book.

What a wild ride! You never know exactly what you're going to get with Blake Crouch. There will always be something twisty and speculative going on and you will see humans pushed to their limits of their physical and mental abilities. In this book, humans are literally redesigned and upgraded to be the best of the best, but of course there will be major consequences.

This book grapples with topics that are recent and relevant like viral spread, humanity fighting over limited resources, and genetic manipulation. Everything seems so plausible and within reach that I found myself being more uncomfortable with the possible technology presented. It's easier to feel entertained by topics like cloning and memory manipulation presented in other books. When looking at a world when viruses can be created and spread that affect the global population... it feels so real.

I enjoyed this adventure. It was fast paced, well developed without being overly "science-y", raw and intellectual. Definitely recommend!

Blake Crouch is quickly becoming a new favorite author. This book explores what could happen if humanity was able to alter genomes. Logan the main character was exposed to something that altered his DNA and made him into a super human. I love how Blake crouch manages to incorporate science so realistically that it really makes you think about what could happen if things like this were really possible. I love the action scenes and felt like the science jargon was well placed throughout the story. I look forward to reading many books in the future by Blake Crouch.