This was such an intriguing book, which is not surprising since it's by Black Crouch. I absolutely loved Dark Matter and this book was just as great! The character development was excellent and I enjoyed following the journey of Logan. I don't really know how to describe the plot without giving too much away. It was written so well! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC copy.

It pains me to write this review, but I just didn’t love Upgrade as much as I adored Dark Matter and Recursion!

To my friends who have the ARC teed up or will ultimately read it this summer when it’s released, I promise the writing is still amazing. Proof: I read it in 24 hours; could hardly put it down!

I also very much appreciate the story Crouch came up with: it’s timely and resonant. The best sci-fi books are able to deftly and naturally weave in commentary on social/ethics/global issues; however, Upgrade felt too heavy-handed at times.

Also- despite being able to get through the book quickly, the first half read slow to me. Granted, that’s a v subjective opinion from someone who prefers plot- vs. character-driven stories…just word to the wise that it felt different than his previous 2 books.

Overall I enjoyed the ride - I mean I binged the shit out of it - but comparisons to his other, absolutely *epic* books are going to have some people feeling a bit less enthused about this one.

Thanks to @netgalley @randomhouse for the chance to read and review this much-anticipated release! Out July 12, 2022.

I loved the sci-fi, mind-bendy thrillers Dark Matter and Recursion by this author and couldn’t wait to dive into Upgrade, the latest book from Blake Crouch.

This book focuses on genetic engineering and is definitely fascinating. The story moves very fast and makes it easy to just sit down and consume quickly. But the story, or narrative of the main character, in this book is just pretty straight-forward without a lot of the twists and turns I was expecting after reading previous books from this author. Which maybe that’s my mistake of comparing it to his previous work, but you can’t help not to at the same time. 😅 There are some action sequences in here that weren’t as interesting to me and a lot of the story felt a bit simplistic. But I enjoyed the discussion of how the planet is faring in the near future and how/why humans seem to care, but not care at the same time. Even not being my favorite Blake Crouch read, I still enjoyed this story as a whole and will continue to pick up future books from this author.

3.5 stars/rounded up on GR. Thank you to the publisher (Ballantine Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. Upgrade has a publish date of July 12, 2022.

This book is set in a future where gene modification nearly wiped out humanity. Logan works for a government department investigation cases of gene modification. During a raid an explosion launches a virus into Logan's body which changes and enhances his genes. When the changes begin to manifest, his coworkers place him in a black site location to test and monitor the modifications. Logan's sister, who has also been modified, breaks him out of the black site. Together, they learn that their mother is behind the changes, with a plan to change the entire world.

I like Blake Crouch and his storytelling, but I did not enjoy this particular book. I am not a fan of "super" humans, and do not enjoy this type of book. The author did a good job with the subject matter, it just wasn't for me. I am looking forward to the author's next book, he is definitely one of the greats!

Years after going to jail for his part in genetically altering a food source, leading to the death of millions, Logan Ramsey finds himself again thrust into a situation where someone wants to genetically alter humans to be better versions of themselves. When Logan himself is upgraded he soon learns that sometimes better is not best for the whole.

Just like this authors previous novels he does a wonderful job of mixing some sci-fi in with world problems in a book that reads as an action film. This book was hard to put down and had such a great finish.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

Upgrade was an awesome book. This was provided to me as an ARC from Netgalley and I have to say, I was blown away at the story, the depth of character, the action, the message (compassion is key), and the writing style. I truly loved the story and the journey of Logan Ramsey. I can go on and 0n on how cool the story was, but there are some big potential spoilers and whatnot, so I am going to say this... If you like SF, if you like genetic types of lit (I can't stop thinking of Greg Bear and Darwin's Radio), if you like engrossing storylines, a little heartbreak, some serious action, and a pleasant conclusion, then you should definitely read this book. You'll love it.

Let me start off by saying I love Black Crouch. He is one of my favorite authrs and will buy anything he has written or will write in the future. Thank you so much for this early copy. I was flabbergasted when I saw the e-mail go through and immediately pushed all other books to the side.

This new book was a bit lackluster for me. It tells the Story of Logan Ramsay who gets his genes altered when he and his team go to investigate an illegal lab. He gets advanced human cognition and memory and strength, etc. but who did this to him and why?
This book had my attention for about the first 60% and then it kind of dragged on. I felt my self scanning large portions cause it was pretty dull. The science lingo was a little overdone in the book. I found myself skipping alot of the math/science jargonor portions where he would talk about his upgrade because it was just too much. The story didn’t have the mind bending qualities of Dark Matter or Recursion. It was a little more straightforward of a story and I feel like it didn't offer much into the scifi genre that has not been done before (I was reminded a lot of the movie upgrade) Idk I just didn’t like it all that much? But will I still buy a physical copy? Probably.
I did like the ending. The epilogue was the saving grace for me. It was, like most of his stuff emotional and questions the value of life and our experiences. I like Logan too! He was a great character! Do I think people will love this book?! Absolutely. It just wasn’t for me.

Here is my review on bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbsNSnRL6Ph/

This is the first book by the author that I read. I found the story to be very intriguing and caught my attention early on. I plan to read more by the author

This new thriller takes us into the world of genetic engineering. Even though the author uses a great deal of scientific terminology he still simplifies it so that the reader can easily follow the story.
There are strong undertones of moral issues as we are enlightened to the assets and liabilities of man manipulating the genetics of nature.
Although Logan, our main character never wanted to be involved in his mother’s work again he involuntarily finds himself right in the center of her latest project. Torn by emotions from his past, and the realization of what he will lose Logan must make a difficult decision. Whether he want to or not, he knows he is the only one who stop this evolution that has begun.
I found this novel to be an emotional book as well as a thriller. I was deeply saddened for Logan and the things that he had to experience. It was also a terrifying book as I contemplated the seriousness of this issue and how very easily it could happen today.
The ending was a little inconclusive for me, so I am wondering is another book coming to close out the story.

Crouch hits the ground running with this sci-fi thriller in the likes of Michael Crichton. Crouch writing is crisp fast and character driven. If you like sci fi read Crouch. Fun stuff.

This book was action packed! I’ve only previously read Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, but this one was just as good!

I enjoyed the suspense of not knowing how things would end and whether or not humanity was doomed. The ending was totally unexpected in the best way!

Another brilliant, blockbuster piece of science fiction writing from Blake Crouch. I ate this one up. What I love about his writing that there’s a lot of heavy science in it but he never loses the humanity, the soul and the emotion. You won’t be able to put down this story of a man whose genes get upgraded setting off an action packed race against time and impossible odds that will find him confronting his past, his future and the future of mankind. I highlighted a bunch in this because there’s so many wonderfully compelling thoughts. I’m a huge fan of his writing style. He just knows how to tell a compelling story that you can’t walk away from. Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you thank you thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Upgrade! This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and it lived up to all of my expectations. Blake is an auto buy author of mine and one of the few sci-fi authors I read. I love all of his books and Upgrade is no different. As always, Upgrade is filled with a bunch of scientific information that makes it feel like a non fiction yet so much action that keeps me on the edge of my seat and constantly turning pages to see what happens next. I enjoyed so much of this book but hands down the epilogue was the best part. Learning all about genetics makes me want to go take a course on it and learn even more. I will say that I could’ve used more story about Logan and his mother and sister, I’m all about family drama and it sounds like we could’ve had a lot more. Also I will say, I’m gonna need a different word than ‘sheeting’ for the only descriptive word for the rain and blood throughout the book. I can’t wait for Blake’s next book!

Wow! Sci-fi is not my normal genre, but Blake Crouch always has me coming back for more. I really liked Dark Matter and Recursion, but Upgrade is definitely that, an upgrade.

This book is about genetic engineering, which presented in the wrong manner could be boring and/or over my head. Luckily, this book delivered it perfectly.

If you knew the human race was dying out what would you do to save it? How far would you be willing to go? Especially if you had the means to do the unthinkable?

Thank you to the author and Ballentine Bookd for the gifted copy to review through NetGalley.

When I learned I was granted access to Blake Crouch’s newest book, I sincerely felt I had “made it!” Crouch’s Dark Matter is one of my favorite books, and is the book I most frequently recommend to my friends and family (or anyone who asks for a recommendation). So, how did Upgrade fare? It was wonderful!

Upgrade is a realistic sci-fi set in a not-too-distant future where humanity is on the brink of collapse due to the over exploitation of earth’s resources (see:climate change, over-fishing, etc.). The protagonist works for a covert governmental agency called the Gene Protection Agency which seeks out and punishes those who seek to edit/experiment with genetic alterations. Without giving anything else away, this book delves deep into the consequences, benefits, and potential repercussions of changing the human genetic sequence in the effort to maximize potential.

This book was such a fun ride. The science seems really well thought out (although I will disclose that I know nothing about genetics). I loved the settings used in the book—somehow I had a connection to almost everywhere mentioned in the book, which was cool. The protagonist was really likable, the message was on-point, and the pacing was exceptional. I found it to be a page-turner until the end. The book wasn’t perfect, but it was really well done.

Huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I picked up this title because I enjoyed Dark Matter immensely, and this book did not disappoint. It's fast-paced right from the first few pages and it was fascinating to see the exploration of what might in a society where gene editing becomes accessible to almost anyone with the right resources. Along with the action, you get to follow along with Logan's changing personality as the changes to his genome manifest. I almost wish the book were longer so that we could learn more about this! The ending was satisfying and did not feel contrived or obvious. I read it in just a couple of days because it was so riveting, and I've been recommending it to others.

I have one tiny gripe with the author's writing style, which is his tendency to write sentences without nouns. (e.g. "Kara knelt down, flipped the three latches. Carefully opened the lid." Maybe this is a literary thing I don't know about. It just kept throwing me out "the zone" while reading.

The other nitpicky thing which I'm putting here only because this is an advance copy, is that when Logan gets a hug from Nadine toward the end of the book, Logan thinks about how it was "the first nonviolent physical touch I'd experienced since being kidnapped from this building almost fourteen months ago". But Logan met a kind woman in a restaurant at one point and she gave him a hug, which he shouldn't have forgotten about since his memory is perfect.

In any case, definitely a 5-start read. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

As per usual, Blake Crouch does not disappoint. He's one of my instant read authors (as he likely is for plenty others, too), but I'm always so impressed by how imaginative he is, how he weaves worlds that draw you in so quickly and completely, and how well-researched all aspects of the narrative are.

In his most recent work, the protagonist unknowingly receives a genetic upgrade, making him a superhuman of sorts. There's lots of questions raised about the future of humanity, what humans have done to our world, what "human nature" really is, etc.

I didn't completely love the ending (thought it was a bit too sweet), but it's a 5-star book nonetheless.

Upgrade is a fun sci-fi novel that examines what might happen if we could genetically alter our DNA to be "better" - stronger, smarter, faster. Would these changes actually improve us, as a species?

Logan works in a future world where gene splicing and DNA alteration is a reality and there are laws against certain actions. Logan works as a member of a SWAT team keeping DNA alterations in check, in part to assuage his guilt from the the fact that his mother 's work in genesplicing (and his assistance) creating a worldwide famine.

Curing a routine op, Logan becomes infected with a virus that begins to transform him into a smarter and stronger version of himself...but he realizes that who he is begins to slip away as his brain changes. He escapes being a lab rat and then goes on a journey of self-discovery, revenge and redemption.

As usual, Blake Crouch meshes sci-fi with philosophy in an engaging and fun story to read.

Would recommend.

Thank you to @netgalley for my first ever ARC!

30-50 years from now, genetic changes are the new science frontier drastically changing the world. A man finds himself the subject of an experiment that involves changes to his DNA.

Blake Crouch hive rise up. "Dark Matter" is my oft-most recommended book to friends. This book is a soft second to DM. The world building was all too realistic, the author dropping hints to where humanity is as things progress. There was also a thriller aspect as the reader entangles what is happening with the narrator. Pre-order or get on the list from the lib, readers!

Every time I read a book by Blake Crouch I am blown away by the way he combines knowledge with imagination to create such an engaging story, and "Upgrade is no exception." There were wonderful quotes in the book that I just don't typically find in reading science fiction. Crouch elevated the genre by creating these intimate relationships in the midst of whatever chaos he is also creating. And while so many things worked for me when reading this book, the things that didn't were hard to ignore. Most frustrating, would be the way perspective is used in "Upgrade". For most of the book the suspense is created by following the main character and wondering how he is going to get out of a seemingly impossible situation. But then, when it is beneficial for suspense, it will turn out that the main character did x thing and we just didn't know about it? It felt like a cheap writing trick that was both confusing and unsatisfying as a reader.