Bake Crouch's new novel sets the tone of the novel quickly with a raid-gone-bad of an illegal Gene Editing Lab. Faced with the reality that humanity's time is limited, a world renowned scientist has made it her life work to create an "upgrade" for homo sapiens. Her son, Logan Ramsay, is the first (unwilling) recipient of this upgrade. Crouch's high-stakes novel is must read for any lover of science fiction.

3.25 stars.

I enjoyed this book. While a little less thrilling than Dark Matter, it was still a fun ride. I was not incredibly invested in the characters and thought the thrills were few and far between, but I still enjoyed the premise and the adventures the reader goes on. I do wish that the story was a bit more cohesive. I felt like it was a little all over the place. I would recommend this to Crouch fans, but not before his others.

Blake Crouch has done it again! He is able to weave a tale so intriguing that it is difficult to step away! The story and characters came alive for me as I read and I found myself thinking about the possibilities when I wasn’t reading. Thank you for another fantastic story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a free e-copy of Upgrade in exchange for an honest review.

Blake Crouch books feel like the type of book I shouldn't like, but I end up devouring every one of them. Upgrade follows in the same vein as Crouch's previous books. Super smart science stuff with a good amount of action and plot, and ultimately, a lesson about what it means to be human.

Upgrade takes place in the future when it's now possible and illegal to rewrite genetic code. The planet is on its way to becoming inhabitable to humans, and Crouch explores whether or not increased human intelligence is the solution. And are you still human when your genetic code has been altered?

Much like his other books, character development is not Crouch's strength. The characters have loved ones and connections, but I didn't feel connected or emotionally invested to them. However, I was super invested in the plot and what would happen in the end. It made me really struggle with whose side I was on and what felt like the "right" thing to do. I really appreciate the comments around compassion and empathy even if they come at the very end.

Overall, this one is probably 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up since it was the one book that's managed to keep my focus this month. If you're a Crouch fan, you'll enjoy this one.

Upgrade is an interesting book and a bit confusing; what I mean by that is there is so much technical bit in the book to confuse unless your a geneticist. Beyond that the book is interesting and reminded me of my Physiology
final exam were I had to write a story about a human that aged 1 year per day. I liked the book very much it's was not only interesting in a scientific .form ,but also in a unique story.

Upgrade follows the story of a brother and sister, Logan and Kara Ramsay, both unwittingly enhanced with genetically engineered upgrades, who square off against each other in a dangerous battle of conflicting schemes to save humanity from itself. In Logan especially, Crouch gives us a flawed by likeable character the reader engages with effortlessly.

After a stint in prison, Logan received a pardon and eventually went to work as a special agent for a federal law enforcement agency called the Gene Protection Agency (GPA). The GPA enforces federal laws that prohibit gene editing and goes after rogue scientists still attempting to do gene editing research in clandestine labs and those trafficking in high-end genetic elements.

Logan is the son of Miriam Ramsay, a brilliant geneticist who pioneered and patented a cutting-edge biological DNA modifier system since declared extremely illegal by the government. Miriam Ramsay became almost universally hated and ostracized when one of her gene editing experiments caused a worldwide famine and the largest accidental mass killing in human history. Logan, a college student at the time, had been working for his mother during the experiment, and that’s why the authorities sent him to prison.

During a raid on what was believed a dark lab, Logan sustains serious injuries from an IED left behind at the site. As he recovers, he notices biological changes that make him suspect the bomb contained some type of DNA modifier. While Logan tries to investigate the changes happening to him on his own, his agency discovers what has happened and confines him to a black site while studying him to determine whether he poses a threat. Couch then introduces Kara, Logan’s sister, when she breaks him out of the GPA prison. They discover that both of them have recently experienced the same genetic editing, transforming them into “super humans.”

Upgrade introduces the reader to a new futuristic world in the classic dystopian view. Couch hits all the high notes for the sci-fi genre, not a surprise to anyone who has read his previous works. The setting is at once familiar to those of us living in the 21st century with things like climate change, electric vehicles, and species ending environmental disasters, but fresh at the same with Couch’s unique takes on some standard ideas. The story’s specifics are fascinating, though at times Upgrade wanders into long asides on explanations of genetics and DNA that grow a little tiresome. Still, the action sequences are well-placed and exciting. The novel is perfect for sci-fans looking for a book with a unique take on saving humanity from itself. Those who don’t usually read sci-fi but enjoy a good thriller and can put aside the futuristic setting should also find Upgrade an entertaining read.

Blake Crouch's sci-fi thrillers never disappoint. UPGRADE is an edge-of-your-seat thinker. Part science, part philosophy, all entertaining. I couldn't put it down.

Huge thanks to Penguin/Random House for sending me that ARC.

Blake Crouch is always a solid read, and you know you'll get a cool and unique premise to start things off. Really enjoy his consistency as an author. This one wasn't my all-time favorite of his but again, they're all great.

Upgrade is a sci-fi thriller that forces the reader to take a look at the things we continue to do that harm the world for the generations to come and if there are solutions to be had for such an issue. This is a fast paced book, that I read quickly and was interested in throughout except for what I felt was a bit of a slog near the very end. I wasn't particularly attached to any of the characters in the book. However, I did find that I cared about what they were doing, would to or had done in the past. This is an usual experience for me, as I generally don't like books where I do not connect with at least the main character, but this other level of care, kept me connected to the story. I really liked that a book that talked about people being upgraded via changes in DNA, could also speak so eloquently about the world we live in and what this world will become if changes are not make. I so appreciated that about this novel and it has really increased my thinking on this topic and the thoughts the author discussed about our limits in compassion, which while not true for all of us, is certainly true for many, and something worth a lot more discussion and literature about. While I believe this is the first Blake Crouch book I have read, I expect it will not be my last! I would give it 3.5 stars if I was able.
I appreciate Netgalley and Ballantine books for the opportunity to read this e-galley, in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Recursion and Dark Matter but this sadly fell flat to me. It didn't feel as complete as the other two and the ending felt rushed and disappointing.

LOVED this book. I am a huge Blake Crouch fan and this book was great. I was hooked after the first few pages.

Logan Ramsey is an agent for the Gene Protection Agency charged with bringing in black marketer, Henrik Soren, who is believed to have had dealings with an illegal gene lab in Denver. Logan and his partner need to find the lab and shut it down. Upgrade, A Novel is set sometime in the not too distant future where genetic manipulation is outlawed internationally. Logan is well versed in this subject as he is the son of renown geneticist, Mariam Ramsey, who unintentionally let loose on the world a mutation that caused the destruction of much of the world’s food supply. The Great Starvation followed, killing millions of people. Subsequent to that event, Mariam committed suicide and Logan was jailed for participating in the work that caused the famine. Now pardoned, he works for the government agency that attempts to shut down any illegal activity involving genetic or bio engineering.

Once the lab in Denver is located, Logan and his team, attired in protective gear, enter the building. But nothing is found – nothing except a padlocked door. Breaking in, Logan enters a dark basement. An explosion follows, sending shards of ice into the air that penetrate Logan’s suit and, subsequently, his body. The ice melts inside of him, bringing with it what could be a genetic nightmare.

This novel started off great. Logan is beset by dangers – the government agency he works turns against him, wanting to study what is happening to him; the motive of the unknown person who engineered the attack which targeted him and him alone; and the riddle about what has been done to his genetic code. In the first third of the book, the pace was fast, a real page-turner. However, at a certain point the author gets bogged down in detailing genetic code and sequencing which left this reader cold. A little of this scientific jargon goes a long way, but I think Crouch overdid it, causing the plot to drag. I found myself skimming chapters, wanting to get back to the action and Logan’s plight. The novel has a satisfying ending, however, I did think some of what happens in the later stages was a bit too far-fetched. If you’re a techno-science junkie, you’ll probably love this book. I, however, was left with mixed feelings.

I want to thank the publisher, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy of Upgrade.

Let me first say, I normally don’t read sci-fi but the description intrigued it and so I took a chance. Boy, am I glad I did. This book was fast paced, intriguing, I was pulled in from the moment I started reading and the motion never stopped. I could see the possibilities as described in the book actually happening which is a bit terrifying, I could see how humans can do both wonderful and horrible things as we are flawed.

Logan Ramsey has had a sorted past, part of a horrible plot his mother unleashed, he paid the price by going to prison for it. Now he is part of a government agency trying to prevent those same types of plots from happening. However, after a botched mission, Logan begins to change, he is evolving, his mind is sharper, his senses are keener, his genes have been hacked. When he starts to uncover the who, why and what of the plot, things really take off.

If you enjoy mind boggling possibilities, fact paced action, intrigue and mystery then this book is for you. I really enjoyed this book, the story had me from the first chapter. I could see the struggle, the main character had, understand his choices and feel for his dilemma. The author did a good job of describing how genetics work, how they can affect or change humanity and painted a thoroughly scary future world.

Logan Ramsay is just doing his job, tracking down scientists and criminals trading illegal gene editing technology, when he's lured into a trap and infected with an unknown virus. At first it seems everything is fine, but soon he begins to notice changes - his memory is sharper, his brain is quicker, his muscles seem strong. Ramsay has been upgraded, and now he needs to know who is behind this, and why.

So this starts as your basic techno-sci-fi-thriller - quite enjoyably so!- and towards the end takes a philosophical turn. Do the ends justify the means? Is it ok to sacrifice some of humanity to save the rest of it? And if so, where is that line - 100 lives, 1000, 1 million? What do we owe each other as siblings, as parents, as members of the human race? And he does this without being preachy about the discussion - always careful to include multiple points of view and sides to the debate.

Crouch also does a great job of integrating the philosophy into the thriller, so we're listening to characters debate while engaging in fight scenes, chases, and building invasions The science is a bit heavy, but in a way that I totally enjoyed (I love getting a little science or math class when I read). An all-around enjoyable read.

I might have a new favorite author.... I loved Recursion (and still highly recommend!) so it amazes me that this book could be so completely different and yet just as good. I read a lot of books and am always looking for something original and engaging. This is both.

For Upgrade, it incorporates two very timely themes: climate change and gene modifications. This book is set far enough in the future that both have advanced enough for it to be realistic. Combine those two things and you get an incredible ethics dilemma. However, don't worry that this is too heavy and academic because the action draws you in immediately. Even at 90% through the book, I wasn't sure how it would be resolved.

Some of the book was technical but not in a way that made it unmanageable. It all felt necessary to the plot and understanding. The most meaningful piece to me was how we have evolved as humans and how what was important to our species when we were just starting out are hampering us now in dealing with climate change.

Another Blake Crouch masterpiece. Upgrade is a fascinating blend of suspense thriller, clandestine spy novel and high-tech joy ride. One of the things I appreciate most about Blake Crouch is how he's able to completely immerse the reader in an enthralling, fast-paced story all while effortlessly weaving in a complex backstory AND scientific details to make the impossible seem perfectly plausible. Not to mention his ability to keep you just enough off balance that you'll never see the jaw dropping plot twists he throws in on the regular. Trust me, just hit the Amazon "BUY NOW" button and you can thank me later.

Blake Crouch is truly a master of modern scifi and while it’s not my normal genre - he is an auto-buy for me. This one is one of the best I’ve read by him thus far.

When it comes to writing a story that will both blow your mind and get your pulse moving, with a lot of deeply interesting science thrown in, there's no one like Blake Crouch.

We're in a dystopian world where the study of gene science is not allowed by scientists. In fact, all the scientists are rounded up by the government for even trying. This is due to an apocalyptic event that went wrong where thousands of lives were lost. Logan Ramsay works for a government organization that finds illegal gene labs/activity and shuts it down.

As a result of a raid gone-bad, Logan Ramsay is now a super-human. He got the brain he always wanted and his body is operating at an extremely high level on all counts. He's strong, smart and fast. But, like all good things, all this comes with plenty of caveats. And his live soon turns into a cat and mouse chase on multiple levels.

I loved Logan Ramsay the moment I started reading the book. As with all Crouch books, the pace at which things happen here is fantastic, it's fast-moving, exciting and there's so much twisting and turning that you're not always sure who to root for. And of course there's a deeply-interesting social discourse underlying this whole plot. I won't give it away here, but there's a lot to think about and no clear answers as with all of life's big questions.

Another great read from Crouch!

with gratitude to netgalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch does for novels what Don't Look Up did for movies. It takes the world we live in and will live in and places us in the crisis. Here we are living in this world. Climate change is right before our eyes and what we are doing to combat it is simply not enough.

In Upgrade the waters have already risen and the world keeps moving forward. The smartest people in the world have decided to combat climate change by upgrading the intelligence of the world. By taking it upon themselves to illegally modify the population’s DNA. After all, if everyone was smart enough to get it then we wouldn’t be in this situation, right?

Upgrade once again delivers for Blake Crouch on the action and a future more terrifying than my worst nightmares and I loved every second of it. If I could complain about one thing it would be its length. I would read what I felt like was just a little bit and my kindle jumped from 10% to 20% to 30%. Was this a novella? No, it’s 352 pages of pure pleasure that basically absorb into your brain as if you have been upgraded yourself. I can’t wait to talk about this one with fellow readers. If I wasn’t already, this one for sure would make me a Blake Crouch fan for life.

Upgrade is a story about the need for technology and the dangers of technology as the population increases and resources decrease. I liked the premise of the story and the character development was sufficient but found myself skimming the sections that got bogged down in the science and biogenetics. Crouch constructs an entertaining, fast-paced thriller with a sci-fi movie vibe.

Three stars - I liked it, just not over the top awesome. Crouch continues to hold a spot on my auto-buy/read list.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Blake Crouch for the electronic ARC.
Expected publish date: July 2022
#NetGalley #Upgrade