Logan Ramsay has a deep distrust for the science of gene modification. He values that mistrust for the lessons it taught him and for the help it provides every day in his job stopping criminals from illegally modifying genes. His attitude and career have both stemmed from a very specific place - his mother, the greatest gene scientist of modern times.

Now Logan Ramsay’s mother is deceased, but she left a package for her estranged son. And that package blew up in his face, quite literally. Waking up in the hospital, Logan did not immediately notice anything different. Over the next few days, though, he can tell that something has shifted. At first, he simply seems more aware of his environment. Then as the changes evolve more swiftly it becomes clear that Ramsay’s mental acuity is rapidly rising in many various ways. He can multitask with ease even when he is working on difficult problems. People’s intentions become clear as Logan gains the ability to read body language and understand what conclusion someone will come to almost before they know themselves. He can look at a problem and see the answer dozens of steps ahead. Logan has upgraded.

Becoming the very thing he abhors, Logan despairs of finding hope. He knows the protocol in these situations and he realizes running is his only option. As he attempts to clear his own name and get his life back, Logan finds a darker secret, though. His mother has left behind the game plan to upgrade the entire human race - whether they want it or not. This upgrade will not be gentle, killing those not ready to evolve in such a fashion. And it may end up wiping out all of humanity.

Logan Ramsay cannot hide from what he has become or what he must do. The only question is will his own upgrade be enough to save the world.

Crouch does it again. Gripping and exciting, this is just what I signed up for. I recommend it to Crouch fans everywhere!

I'll be forever upset at myself for not reading this sooner and diving into the incredible worlds Blake Crouch Creates. I'm always slightly worried that the learning curve for sci-fi novels will take more of my focus than the plot itself. Thankfully, Crouch explains everything with ease, never sounding like a textbook and instead painting a compelling picture that is kind of terrifying when compared to the state of our current world.

The sibling relationship in upgrade hit home for me. It was easy to empathize with both Logan and Cara as they fought for what they thought was right, even when it meant being at odds with each other. It really makes you wonder what you would do if you found yourself in the same situation.

It was easy to sink into this world and go with the flow, never trying to think ahead and figure out what was happening. I enjoyed the ride and was sad when it ended. Not only because it was over but also because of the bittersweet ending we're left with. But it wouldn't have felt right for it to end any other way.

I loved everything about this novel and cannot wait to read more of his work!

If you are a fan of science fiction thrillers, then I highly recommend Upgrade. It is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and thought-provoking novel that will keep you guessing until the very end! I loved the novel's exploration of the nature of humanity and the future of technology.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

I don’t know why but I always feel smarter when I’m reading a Blake Crouch book. It took me way too long to pick this one up.

If you could make everyone different, Improved genetically, what would you want to alter.

In this book humanity is dropping off and a geneticist thinks she can save humanity with her genetic upgrade. The catch, based on test there is going to be a huge loss of life. But is it worth it to save the majority?

This book engages your brain and takes you for a crazy ride. Highly Recommend. I read this one in a day so be prepared to be sucked in.

3.5 stars

Logan Ramsay is an agent for the Gene Protection Agency, an organization that hunts down scientists engaged in illegal genetic manipulation. In a way Logan is just paying his dues. It was his mother, the brilliant geneticist Miriam Ramsay, who perfected a ground-breaking DNA modifier system called Scythe. Using Scythe, Miriam attempted to enhance the blight resistance of indica rice plants, which are a staple food for over half the world's population.

To make a long story short, things went wrong, there was a worldwide famine, and 200 million people died. Miriam committed suicide and Logan - who was a college graduate working in his mother's lab - went to prison for three years. Legislation was passed to restrict gene tampering, and Logan now works to capture people who flout the law.

After Logan helps raid a suspected gene-tampering lab, an explosion lands him in the hospital. Logan learns that the blast injected modified genes into his body.....genes bioengineered to enhance human abilities. Over the next several weeks Logan finds that he's getting smarter, his bones are getting denser, his muscles are becoming stronger, his reflexes are improving, he has a photographic memory of his entire life, he can recall the contents of every book and article he's ever read, etc. In brief, Logan has been 'upgraded.'

Logan determines that the lab explosion and upgrade weren't random events, but a plan engineered by his mother before she committed suicide. Irregardless, Logan is arrested and quarantined at a black site by the GPA, who accuse him of fiddling with his own genome.

Logan is sprung from the black site, and learns that his mother's long-term plan was to 'upgrade' all of humanity. Miriam believed that making people more intelligent would result in better stewardship of the Earth, with attention to environmental concerns like global warming, ocean pollution, and so on. Thus, Miriam planned for a cabal, led by Logan's 'upgraded' sister Kara, that would spread the 'enhancement' virus to every person on the globe.

Logan is strongly opposed to changing the genome of the entire human race, and takes steps to stop the cabal. Thus much of the story is an action thriller, with Logan and his sister maneuvering to destroy each other. There's plenty of shooting, fighting, death, and destruction, enhanced by the superior abilities of the combatants. It's fascinating to watch Logan's thinking processes, and the manner in which he tracks down and battles his enemies.

The story would make a good movie, and has been optioned for a Hollywood film.

I love this author, so I was disappointed to find myself less than enthused with this title. The subject matter was interesting, but the execution and the writing didn't seem up to the usual standards I've come to expect from this author. This is one that seems to have a wide range of opinions in the reviews, so the reader will have to draw their own conclusions.

Though DARK MATTER still remains my favorite Crouch novel, UPGRADE delivered with the thrills and chills. Even though technothrillers are a new subgenre for me, I loved the way the author contstructed the story in a way that is part science fiction and part suspense. The pace was perfection and I was pulled in right away.

I received an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

I've really enjoyed two of Crouch's previous works, Recursion and Dark Matter. I was looking forward to Upgrade, but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It may have been my misunderstanding, but I was expecting something different from the "upgraded human" aspect of this novel. Instead, it was a bit too action-packed thriller for my taste, with too many fight scenes. What I enjoyed more were the main character's emotional conflicts surrounding his old and new self and how he related to his friends and family.

What struck me most overall is that this is by far and away Crouch's most blunt statement on humankind and the future thus far. I quite enjoyed the ending of the book and appreciated that the author had a higher purpose that served his writing. All that to say, action and suspense isn't normally my genre, but I look forward to seeing what Crouch does next.

Blake Crouch’s thrillers rarely fail to do just that—thrill, and Upgrade is no exception. With a timely scenario and breathtaking narrative, we are driven to a satisfying resolution. I must say that as Logan, the protagonist, increasingly evolves, his first-person narrative becomes increasingly tedious, but that’s because it reflects his state of mind. If you’re a fan of techno sci-fi, this should be your cup of tea.

I’ve enjoyed all of the Blake Crouch novels I’ve read and I’m happy to say that the streak continues. I love the cinematic quality his writing brings. I’m also thankful that the “science” didn’t get in the way of my enjoyment or understanding of the story!

I will always pick up a Blake Crouch book, but sadly this one didn't do it for me. However, my husband and most of the folks in my book club devoured it, so I think that was more personal on my end.

This was an interesting premise and I was compelled to finish. I liked how it ended. A solid offering by Blake Crouch.

Super intriguing premise that started off soooo strong that I flew through Part One in a single sitting. Unfortunately it began to lose me a bit after that, and I realized somewhere along the way that it was because the more Logan slipped into "new Logan," the less I cared about him. That said, I don't know that the author could have done anything differently--it was absolutely true to the story he was writing and made the conclusion that much more poignant. Definitely a thought-provoking read that I'm glad I stuck with to the end!

Another fantastic book by Mr. Crouch. This upgrade is not mechanical or electronic. This is a human upgrade. Kind of cool kind of scary upgrade, but great book withe way.

After reading and loving Blake Crouch's novel Recursion, I knew I had to get my hands on his latest. I was NOT disappointed.

What I really love about this author is that he explores the "what ifs" relating to science and everything we know to be true, whether it's time travel, genetic mutations, viruses, you name it. He does so in such a way that keeps you absolutely glued to your seat and anxiously awaiting more.

If you're looking for a novel to hold you in suspense while also making you think completely outside the box and question everything you think you know, then this one is for you.

Blake Crouch had me hooked with Dark Matter; so much so that I couldn't wait to get my hands on anything he has written. I am a big fan of sci-fi via plausible future reality (Dark Matter, Recursion) so I couldn't wait to read Upgrade. Unfortunately, Upgrade fell flat for me. I struggled to connect with Logan and the story just didn't have a smooth flow.

This was my first Blake Crouch book but it won't be my last. Logan was working with SWAT when an explosion happened. Not long after he notices drastic changes. His boys are stronger and the biggest change, his mind. He remembers ever word he ever saw. He remembers articles and books he read years ago. He learns that his life will never be the same and now he's on the run.

Upgrade is a scary book about what happens to our society and how "upgrading" will change the world.

I absolutely loved Upgrade! It’s an excellent and very timely science fiction thriller dealing with some interesting socioeconomic and environmental issues, as well as the fact that humans are unable to truly care about more than a certain number of people in their circle. Of course it wouldn’t be Blake Crouch, if he didn’t throw in some mind-bending science fiction concept into the mix, and let me tell you that - it’s a fascinating one to explore!

I very rarely read sci-fi books, but Crouch has always been an auto read author for me. And Upgrade didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the concept and how the main character and his sister interacted, grew, fought, and orbited around each other. And the book poses some very interesting questions about what one would do to save humanity.