Logan Ramsey is a member of the GPA (Gene Protection Agency) which tracks the development and application of genetic research. When he is caught in an explosion at a botched raid, his DNA is changed. Initially unaware of what's happening to his body, he notices more and more changes are occurring. He discovers his mother is responsible to what is happening to him and that his sister's DNA has also been changed. Not all the changes are good - what will it mean for the human race if others are also infected? Food for thought.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

After just recently really enjoying re-reading Recursion by Blake Crouch, I was so excited to get an advance copy of Upgrade to read and review!
Upgrade has Blake Crouch's signature blend of sci-fi and action PLUS a huge dose of messy family drama. This book will be perfect for readers who gravitate toward stories about family dynamics. He truly has a knack for putting his characters in impossible situations that involve loved ones and family. Seeing as the plot revolves around genetics, having family be such a large aspect is a perfect fit.
The futuristic setting felt like a mix of Total Recall, Blade Runner, and Minority Report with some haunting Station Eleven vibes. Especially intriguing to me were the detailed descriptions of transportation and vehicles! I also loved some of the unique scientific side characters.
While I was expecting Upgrade to be fast-paced, the story instead takes its time and really builds to an entertaining and gut-wrenching finale. In fact, the last 10% of the book was my favorite part. I even found myself tearing up!
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, and the author for this e-arc. Reviews are my own.

Techno thrillers are always great, until you start wondering WHAT IF in the middle of the night! The science was a bit much for me, and I found myself skimming through the complicated DNA bits. I found Logan to be a wonderful character who struggles with the eternal concept of should I just because I can.
Perfect for anyone who likes a fast paced , science driven novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance reader copy.

Part thriller, part modern sci-fi, taking place slightly in our future in a time when most work with genetics is outlawed because of the terrible consequences of prior genetic experimentation. Logan is part of a federal agency which tracks down and shuts down those suspected of genetic research, yet he becomes "upgraded" in a lab accident with improved genetics in an attempt to....sorry, no spoilers here. This book focuses on Logan's search for the truth and his struggle with what to do with the information he uncovers. Logan's struggle really resonated with me and I turned page after page with anticipation as to what he would do next, who he would trust, and what plan he would devise. This was my first Blake Crouch book and considering the number of reviewers who said "Dark Matter" was even better, I'm running to get a copy of that book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review! Advanced copy from Netgalley.

As a fan of Blake Crouch's other books I had very high hopes for this book. It did not disappoint.
The story is mostly fast paced, combining a solid sci-fi plot with an underlying question of 'what is the correct balance of intelligence and emotion that makes us human and does advanced intelligence take away our humanity'.

Enjoyed this very thought provoking read.

I need to start by saying that I'm the biggest Blake Crouch fan. I loved Dark Matter and Recursion with all my heart. That said...

My initial impression was that Blake's writing is very simplified and even a little shallow in this one. Skinny writing, sometimes with just the basics, with no flesh around the bone. In the other books I was convinced from the start, very engaged. Not here, the beginning didn't catch my interest in the same way. The idea of a future where they can madly mess with DNA is very interesting, but poorly executed.

The pace is very fast as usual and you can even finish the book in one sitting. But, for me, the story fell flat, felt uninspired, cartoonish and very 2015. It is definitely Blake Crouch's weakest book, and I was only held by the mini curiosity to see how it would end and because of the fact that you can read the book super fast, so it's not even worth giving up.

Zero attachment, not caring about the characters at all. It also throws made up cientific information at you that simply doesn't add to anything, it just looks fancy. Eventually it became annoying. It was like trying to hit the word goal. In the big picture, the conflicts seemed so pointless, silly and clichés.

It pains me to write this review, because I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunatelly it didn't match with my expectations.

Blake Crouch is so incredibly talented. I'm always dying to read what he writes next because his brain works in such a fascinating way to weave a pretty incredible story.

The say I loved Dark Matter and Recursion would be an understatement, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to read and review Upgrade from the publisher.

Let's start by all humming the Kanye West tune "Stronger."

Work it, make it, do it
Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger
N-n-now that that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger....

That's basically the premise of this book. Guy comes into contact with a substance that essentially "upgrades" him to be better, faster, stronger. But why? And what is coming next?

This book explores human involvement in manipulating the human genome. How far is too far?

While I liked the book, there were parts that seemed a bit far fetched, even for a science fiction novel. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to Dark Matter or Recursion but it was still an enjoyable read overall.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Blake Crouch, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to review.

Another compulsively readable science-fiction thriller from Blake Crouch. This novel is set in a near-future world where gene editing has become illegal. Logan, an agent for a government organization that hunts down geneticists, has been targeted with a genetic weapon that alters his DNA and turns him into a next-level human. Thrillers are always more fun when you don't know much about the plot, so I'll leave it at that. There is a save-the-earth agenda throughout the story that felt a little tiring at times, and sometimes it gets a bit too science-y, but overall this is a fast, fun read and I loved the epilogue. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Ballantine Books for a digital review copy.

Thrilling science fiction Another wonderful book from Blake Crouch. I’m a huge fan and this didn’t disappoint me at all. This is an edge of your seat read all night book. Thank you for providing ARC copy

This is the first Blake Crouch book I have read, and I loved it! I am going to have to find other books by this author because I enjoyed this one a lot.

The book is the story of a man named Logan, who has been “upgraded” through genetic technology. It is set in the future where such technology is readily available, and laws govern its use. Logan Ramsey’s mother was a famous scientist who worked with this technology prior to her death. Logan has an accident at work and is exposed to a virus that begins to change him. I won’t give away more than that since it would be giving away spoilers.

The story is well-paced and moves along quickly. There is just enough detail about the technology to make it convincing. The changes Logan undergoes are gradual enough to make it believable. The characters are well-rounded and realistic.

As a thriller, this story works very well. It’s got some great elements of tension and the suspense builds as you go along. I loved how the author was able to keep some elements a surprise until just the right moment to reveal them. The writing is top-notch. I really have to seek out other books by this author.

I give it five stars. If you love a good thriller with sci-fi and suspense elements, this is a great book for you.

Upgrade is another winner from author Blake Crouch. It's a sci-fi thriller exploring the possibility of hacking someone's genome to make them stronger, faster, smarter...to super-human levels. It's not only a matter of how it can be done, but should it be done, and who decides? An exciting read for sci-fi and thriller fans. I will recommend to my patrons. I enjoyed it a lot.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

This is one of the best novels I have read in a very long time. I love everything that this author has written, and once again he did not disappoint. I am truly amazed how much research goes into writing a novel like this and can appreciate all that Crouch puts into his work. This was quite the thrill ride of fast paced, edge of your seat action. I give this novel a solid 5 stars.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59838811

Wow. Honestly, there are not enough words to express the joy I felt while reading "Upgrade".

First of all, I was shocked to receive the notification that I was selected for an ARC of this widely-anticipated novel. I'm a *huge* Blake Crouch fan and have read most of his works. Typically, I'm not a science fiction reader. I leave that genre to my husband; it's his favorite.

But when it comes to Crouch's writing? I'm instantly intrigued by the stories.

Dark Matter? Loved it.

Recursion? Couldn't put it down.

"Upgrade" was no different. A thrilling-ride and so well-paced. The perfect length, too. Easy to "snack on," so to speak - but the writing made you think... about quite a lot.

Family. Knowledge. Power. What would *you* do if your world were suddenly turned upside down by way of a virus changing your core genome? This is what Logan Ramsay faces without warning. He becomes smarter, more agile, can read people better than ever before. He can even (finally) win a game of chess against his daughter.

But this wasn't supposed to happen. Shouldn't *be* happening. The manhunt is on for Logan and his newly enhanced genome.

Again, the pacing of this book was absolute perfection. You're in for a wild ride (in all the best ways).

Another wild Sci-fi ride from the mind of Blake Crouch. In future not too far from our own, genetic engineering is made illegal after a worldwide famine is triggered by a brilliant scientist. What does it mean for the world when one man is “upgraded” in a terroristic attack? Fast paced, thrilling, though provoking sci-fi.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Upgrade.

I enjoy the author's books because he blends science with a human story with relatable characters well.

Upgrade is no exception.

Yes, it's a bit more science-y than I expected; all the DNA jargon went right over my head so I skipped those parts.

The premise is a blend of the movies Limitless and Upgrade, nothing new but the author adds his familiar trademarks; a good main character with morals and values, the importance of love and family, fighting evil with compassion and love.

Logan Ramsey lives in a world of cutting edge DNA technology, the son of a disgraced, renowned scientist whose arrogance caused the death of over 2 billion people.

When an unforeseen accident at a raid gone wrong imbues Logan with new cognitive and physical abilities straight out of a comic book, he quickly learns that just because you're smart doesn't make you less evil.

One of the things I love about the author's books are the likable characters; I liked Logan, I liked his tone and his style, how much he loved his family and doing his job to the best of his ability.

There's a lot of action interspersed with quiet moments of introspection and solitude, plenty of shady characters, and lots of medical and science jargon, though some facts were super interesting.

Another thing I love about the author's books are the optimistic endings; it's neither entirely happy or sad, but hopeful, positive.

This would make a great series on NetFlix or any streaming channel.

Upgrade is Blake Crouch’s latest novel. It revolves around Logan Ramsay an agent from the Gene Protection Agency (GPA). The story takes place in an undetermined future. A future where the GPA has outlawed all gene editing and gene modification, so it tracks the development and use of all genetic research to prevent it from being used against humanity.

In this world, private and university-based research has been banned, so scientists who insist on following this line of research are forced to work illegally.

The book starts with Logan in the process of raiding an illegal lab when an explosion exposes him to a gene-modifying virus.

When Logan wakes up from the accident, he realizes that something is different in his body. His memory, cognition, and overall intelligence seem to have drastically improved. Under suspicion of having self-injected the gene-modifying virus and facing imprisonment, Logan sets out to look for answers.

I have read several of Blake Crouch’s books, but I have to admit that this one just didn’t do it for me. It is a very fast-paced thriller and the premise is interesting, however, the techno-jargon felt a little overdone and could potentially turn off some readers.

I want to thank Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

Think of this as a more violent version of the Bradley Cooper film Limitless. When gene editing is a reality, we find our hero "upgraded" to a new level of human achievement. He grapples with morality, the legacy of his family, and how to move forward.

Great writing, although a bit too focused on naming specific genes, scientific processes, and the like. Big fan of Crouch's work in general and I'll be back for the next one.

ARC from NetGalley. All opinions my own.

In a future where the world has been ravaged by the unintended consequences of gene editing, Logan Ramsay works for the Genetic Protection Agency, tracking down unauthorized gene editors to atone for his family's role in the disaster. When an explosion infects Logan with a virus, he undergoes a genetic transformation and now must use his new abilities to stop it from happening to anyone else.

I've enjoyed Crouch's smart sci fi thrillers previously, but Upgrade might be too smart for its own good. I was bored to tears throughout the entire book, which failed to make DNA science interesting, and I actually don't mind reading fat science books about genetics. Even the action scenes were putting me to sleep. I'm honestly ashamed to say I even finished the book because it was that dull.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for allowing me to receive this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

Blake Crouch is a master of Sci-Fi thrillers, and this book is no exception. It is cunning and keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting to flip each page. I love how Crouch combines complex science theories and twists them into probable future events. Each of his books feels like a glimpse into the future, which can be very unsettling at times. I have loved every second of this book and look forward to getting a copy for my shelves.