My thanks to Random House/Ballantine, Blake Crouch and Netgalley.
I didn't like this book much.
That's an oddity for me, as I've loved darn near everything that I've read of Blake's since I discovered him back in 2013. I suppose it was bound to happen.
That's not to say that I wasn't interested in this story. I liked the story well enough. What I absolutely hated was all that DNA science. I was bored to death! I kept falling 😴 asleep! That has never happened with a Crouch story before.
Yeah. I'm giving this one a soft pass. I see other reviewer's think it's great. So, don't let my boredom deter you!

Honestly, Blake Crouch can do no wrong and I will read anything he ever writes!

Logan Ramsey undergoes an amazing upgrade that makes his kind sharper, his body stronger and his awareness more acute, he’s just not sure why he was the target of this transformation. With so many questions, Logan goes out in search of who’s plan this was and what does that mean for humanity.

Sometimes I wonder how Blake Crouch’s mind works. How does he come up with these concepts that sound so plausible on paper. Maybe he knows something we don’t…..🤔

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Yikes, it was such a struggle to get through this one. I really loved Dark Matter, then Recursion was good but not great, and now, this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. I couldn’t get into it so much because of all the science lingo. This book might be good for others but not for me.

I was given the NetGally kindle ARC, this is my honest review:

This is a very good novel that succeeds because the plot depends on the main character, and he's someone most of us can root for. Tension ramps up and certain aspects were hard to predict, which I always appreciate. Most importantly, the author stuck the landing. A lot of research went into this, but I didn't get bogged down in details. Those of us non-conversant in DNA or anatomy or biology can skim those parts and pick up enough to follow what's happening. I think at times the MC goes into irrelevant details, particularly when he's in distress. But the only real flaw I noticed was 5% in, when a strike team is surprised by their target building. They don't even have StreetView in the future? In a surveillance state, when these are government people?

Other than that, highly recommended.

Blake Crouch has wowed me again, producing yet another compulsively readable page-turner. I don't know how he does it, but he always manages to fuse science, speculation, and eerie plausibility together in such a way that my poor neurons can't do anything except explode at the effect. It'd be rude if I didn't love it, if I didn't care to have my mind stretched, bent, twisted, and blown so much--but I do.

I absolutely live for it!

I've come to expect mind-bending futuristic thrillers from Crouch at this point, and I'm so happy to say I wasn't disappointed. I flew through this book so fast it felt like it was MY genome that'd been upgraded, not Logan Ramsey, the protagonist's.

Logan works for the GPA, an organization that cracks down on genetic engineering, which has been deemed illegal for everyone in the near future.

The story starts when he's knocked unconscious by an explosion during a raid. After he wakes up in the hospital, he slowly begins to notice changes to his body and alterations in his DNA. His memory is sharper, almost photographic, his IQ is higher, his need for rest has diminished, and his muscle mass has increased exponentially. It isn't long before he uncovers the truth: that his genome has been hacked for a reason, that he's been targeted by someone he knows for a purpose, and that he's the first test subject in an experiment that's meant to institute an "upgrade" for all of humankind.

What follows is a smart, lightning-paced tale about genetic engineering. The good, the bad, the ugly. Plus all the moral and philosophical complexities that surround it. As a result, readers soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a genetic war that puts Logan, his family, the planet, and the future of the humanity at odds.

Upgrade was such an adrenalizing, science-y read! I loved it because it forced me to ponder big "save the earth, save humanity" scenarios that probably aren't that far off. (The future depicted in this book is almost here, my friends.) For instance, which is more beneficial to humanity's evolution: logic or empathy, intelligence or compassion? Could our only hope for survival truly lie in genetic manipulation? And what would happen if some viewed human beings as nothing more than "a means to an end?" What then? What next? Would you fight for the world we already have or for one that doesn't exist yet?

Unputdownable. This one certainly will be double helix-ing 'round my brain for a while yet!

So incredibly thankful to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for granting me early access to this ARC.

My rating (****) -- Excellently written and paced. I saw no copy editing errors. Since I broke my wrist, I took a few days before hunt-and-pecking these comments. What remained after the enjoyment of a thoroughly compelling story was that the themes of climate change and emotion-over-logic spoiled the memory of the book for me. They seemed obligatory rather than genuine.

Logan Ramsay works for a government agency tasked with apprehending criminals. Twenty years ago, is brilliant but misguided mother altered the DNA of a locust, and it led to millions and millions of deaths. She committed suicide while Logan went to prison because of his role in her research. Now, his guilt keeps him working for the Gene Protection Agency, a job that he does not love.
Another day, another mission, and unfortunately for Logan, someone has made sure that this one goes wrong. While his injuries heal, his genetic makeup starts to change, making him extremely focused, able to recall every tiny detail he has ever been involved in, and with a new ability to learn anything in record time. His employers think he may be a threat, and soon he is sequestered away from his wife and daughter will no hope of escape. Until someone breaks him out of the facility and the truth will mean he can never go home and will live his life on the run, trying to stop a genetic disaster.
There was quite a bit of science that went right over my head, but it didn't slow me down. The effects of climate change were catastrophic, and I am not going to get into every detail of what goes wrong and what goes right for Logan. I will say he is forced on a journey to save the world, and it really will cost him everything. I was quite surprised at the ending considering how much he went through. I am still not sure if he made a wise choice, but looking at the whole picture, perhaps it was honestly the only choice. This wasn't my favorite Black Crouch book, but it provided a lot to think about and made me wonder where our world will be in a hundred years. For the most part, this was a fast-paced thrill ride along with Logan.

Wow, this was a rollercoaster of a ride. Started off with a flash-bang, and just kept on going. I absolutely loved it. What I especially liked about this book (and the author's previous works, Dark Matter and Recursion), is that the books are very heavy with science terminology, facts, ideas, etc. but the book never gets bogged down in them. The reader can still follow along without feeling inadequate.

I thought the storyline was extremely fast paced and overall, was really good. Very much enjoyed this. Solid 4 stars!

Fast paced thriller that's easy to read. Some of the "science" was a little overdone, eg, dont need page long lists of genes. Logan's characterization and introspection was good, rest of the characters were pretty flat though.

"Upgrade" presents a tough-to-put-down thriller that will most definitely keep you going to the end. Mr. Crouch clearly feels concern for the modern realities of self-destructive human behavior and provides a glimpse into some of the possibilities. For many of us, this novel probably won't seem like futuristic fiction or that far off from modern reality. With intriguing topics like climate change, bio-genetic engineering, human modifications, species survival, etc., this novel presents a creative and, dare I say, realistic version of what may emerge shortly. One of the sections begins with a quote from Harari's "Homo Deus" and seemed an appropriate introduction for the fictional account while balancing Harari's non-fictional predictions also. So, for a quick, intriguing, and engaging look into some futuristic fiction, I say yes to Mr. Crouch's "Upgrade".

Logan Ramsey always felt inferior to his brilliant mother. Then one day the unexpected happens he gets "Upgraded" after an accident. Now he can recall all details of memories on any given date, he can recall every article he has ever read, he is stronger, faster, and smarter than ever before. His mother had a plan but will he be able to finish the plan?

This is one of those books that long after finishing it you will be wondering what would you do if you were in Logan's shoes? At how many deaths is it worth the risk?

Blake Crouch has done it again with another intriguing story. This sci-fi thriller will make you wonder how close we as a human race are to coming to the way the characters in the book live. It's scary and enlightening of what could become our future. At times I was a little confused by all of the science but in the same token it was fascinating! I've really enjoyed his writing because it really makes you pause and think about what's to come in our life.

Blake Crouch has another winner on his hands. Upgrade will be another best seller and probably a major motion picture. Upgrade is a nightmarish glimpse into a possible future. This book is a warning of what might happen. Beware.

Another great story from Blake Crouch! Once again a lot of the science went over my head, but what a page turner! All of this seems entirely plausible which made this a bit of a scary read. Highly recommend!

I had really high hopes for this, but I think that the science outweighed the story here. There was too much detail of the genetics which took away from the overall flow. Still entertaining but not what I experienced from Crouch’s other books.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch tells the story of Logan in short version tries to save the world. .The story line is very creative. Taking place in the future with earth in a decline. I noticed the water level in Lower Manhattan and no snow in Denver. Promoting global warming?? Maybe. The family dynamics, brother against sister and living in mom’s shadow were intriguing. Along with The Starvation Event The science/ genetic research was amazing. A lot of work went into it. I liked that it was explained and then given a very simple explanation. The authors view of technology was incredible. Im not sure how close to the truth he is? I have not read this author before but would definitely read another one. I will recommend this book. Thank you for allowing me to review.

This book was fun! In fact, I want to write some technical review and sound somewhat high- brow, but I keep coming back to how enjoyable it was. I worried (reading the publicists info) that is would be a genetic version of "Limitless." Happily, I was wrong.

The story is told from the perspective of Logan Ramsey. A former geneticist son of a world renowned geneticist (Miriam Ramsey) who had to leave the field and now is essentially a genetics cops... investigating illegal use of gene editing technologies. And pretty much all gene editing is illegal. Something happens that again puts Logan on the wrong side of the law, and begins changing him. This is where the story instantly improves on other improvement stories.

Upgrade is not about how cool it is to be better than everyone else. It brings in the other side... if no one else is close to your abilities or intelligence, would you even care about them? Why? Do they even matter? Crouch not only looks at the side "yes," but also at the other side. Is it a given that everyone is as important as people who are "better" in some way?

The fast pace in this book makes it a very quick read... it would be a great book to read on a trip (or beach read). I have read each of Blake Crouch's works and I 100% believe this is the best yet.

Thank you to the publisher (Random House) and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

#upgrade #blakecouch #randomhouse

Another fast-paced page-turner from Crouch. A recommended purchase for collections where SF and his previous titles are popular.

Thanks Netgalley for the e-arc. Blake Crouch is one of my favorite authors. I was highly anticipating this one.

Overall it was thrilling and interesting. Crouch’s writing is amazing and he gives a lot of detail to form understanding for those who don’t understand a while lot about science aka me.

However, at times I honestly had no idea what was going on, and the ending felt very rushed? With so much info packed in the middle. I’d still recommend to Crouch fans- especially with the news that this will be a movie/tv series…. I think it’ll play very well on film as it seems written to be.

Overall, I’d still recommend! But if you’re only choosing one Blake Crouch book to read make it Dark Matter it’s still my fav

I love when sci-fi authors really get into the weeds explaining how the science works. It leaves me wanting to pause and start googling things to see how realistic the plot really is. Compared to the worlds built in the author's last two books, this reality seems much closer. I can't decide if that makes it scarier or if I should just look forward to my impending upgrade (I'll be happy to test out the tweak that allows me to eat whatever I want and metabolize it instantly).