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Member Reviews

This book just solidified for me that I love this author. The mix of post apocalyptic and sci-fi with real relationships was just amazing. I flew thru this book because I was constantly wanting to know what happened next. The way he writes people and their conversations is so real nothing forced just for plot or to move the story along. I was praying for everyone throughout the entire book.

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This apocalyptic thriller is a fast read and entertaining. This book was first published in 2011 and I’ve found I like Crouch’s later works much better. Dark Matter, first published in 2016, is one of my favorites. While Run is high energy, as a family races to find a way to survive and there is plenty of horrific moments, it is missing the finesse of Crouch’s later works. It’s not bad, more like a low budget streaming movie, I would recommend to fans of apocalypse themed horror.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing, Ballantine for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

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I became a Blake Crouch fan back in 2016 with Dark Matter. Ever since, I've eagerly devoured each of his releases, captivated by his knack for blending high-concept thrillers with deeply developed characters. So, when I received a copy of Run from his publisher, I was quick to dive in. Only after some research did I realize this was actually a reissue of one of his earlier novels from 2011, predating most of the breakout hits that first drew me to his work. I was curious to see how this early book would stack up against the Crouch novels I've come to know and love.

The country has spiraled into utter chaos. Each day, violence spreads like wildfire, with people turning on each other in a frenzy, and no one is safe. Jack huddles in his powerless home, surrounded by his family, listening to the ominous voice of the Emergency Broadcast System announcing the names of those targeted for death. His blood runs cold when his own name is read. Now marked for death with a family to protect, Jack has no choice. He doesn’t know why he’s been targeted, but only one option remains—to run for their lives.

I went into Run expecting one of Blake Crouch’s trademark high-concept sci-fi thrillers but was immersed in a tense, post-apocalyptic survival story instead. Unlike his recent books, this one doesn’t rely on significant twists or reveals. Instead, it dives into the raw, unflinching experience of a family on the run as civilization crumbles around them. While it’s undeniably gripping—a fast-paced and often brutal journey—it feels more like an intense thrill ride than a story with lasting depth. Run is a quick, captivating read, but one that probably won’t leave a lasting impact once the final page is turned.

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I greatly enjoyed the premise of this book. This was a unique take on the apocalypse and gives readers an inside look at some of the obstacles one might face when trying to survive such an event. I understand this is an older book of Blake Crouch's and has just recently been re-published. I think the book would have benefitted from further editing before re-publishing. Several areas are choppy and flow poorly, and there are many points in the book where I found myself skimming because nothing important was really happening. All-in-all, a great premise, but the execution was off. This certainly does not compare to some of the author's more recent works!

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Thank you to the publisher for this early release copy of Run by Blake Crouch. I loved Recursion and Dark Matter so I was excited to read this one. I enjoyed reading this and thought the story was fast paced. It did feel different from his 2 more recent books. I found out at the end in his afterword that this was a previous novel of his that had only been self published. This made more sense to me as I believe he has grown as a writer since writing this. I would have preferred knowing this going in so I would have managed my expectations better. I did like the story and it is worth the read.

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3.5 stars! I enjoyed this book, but I was hoping to learn more about the WHY. We're essentially thrown into this chaotic world with no understanding of what's going on (which, I understand in us learning with the characters). At some point, additional context/background would've been helpful.

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This book was a wild ride—suspenseful, thrilling, and deeply impactful! It perfectly illustrates the lengths people will go to in order to protect their families and survive against all odds. I found myself on the edge of my seat, fully immersed in the fast-paced storyline and captivating concept. Blake Crouch really knows how to pull you in!

Even though it’s based on his debut novel, this version felt fresh and exciting, compelling me to read it in one sitting. I can’t wait to share it with my friends who love thrillers and suspense as much as I do. I received this ARC from NetGalley and Ballantine Books, and I genuinely loved every moment of it!

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My husband loved this book and really enjoyed how immersed he got in the story. He couldn’t put it down! Blake Crouch is an auto buy author for him.

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I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on October 22, 2024.

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This narrative presents an engaging and swift reading experience, characterized as a gripping apocalyptic thriller that can be unsettling at times. Each chapter is replete with intense action sequences that effectively showcase the resilience and bravery of the characters as they navigate a world filled with peril. The emphasis on their determination to overcome adversity is a central theme that resonates throughout the story.

However, despite my admiration for Blake Crouch and his previous works, I must express that this book ranks as my least favorite among his offerings. Several aspects of the plot felt disjointed, leaving me with lingering questions even after I finished reading. Certain narrative threads appeared unresolved, contributing to a sense of confusion regarding the overall storyline.

Moreover, the pacing began to feel repetitive, as the structure of the plot followed a predictable cycle: characters would run from danger, seek shelter, scavenge for food and water, and confront various threats, only to repeat these actions. This cyclical nature ultimately diminished the suspense, making the story feel formulaic and less engaging as I progressed. As the tension waned, I found myself less invested in the characters’ fates.

While the action sequences are undeniably compelling, the repetitive nature of the storyline detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. Crouch's ability to craft thrilling scenarios is evident, but a more varied approach to the narrative could have significantly enhanced the reading experience. In summary, while the book has its merits, it ultimately fell short of the expectations set by Crouch's earlier works.

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I feel like this is false advertising and not a new release. This is a very old book by Blake Crouch.

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Oh my gosh what a read! I was hooked and couldn't stop reading. Loved this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Blake Crouch!

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I didn’t realize until after I finished this book that it is a re-release of Crouch’s first novel. With that in mind, a lot of my issues with it make sense. His more recent books are quite good, particularly Dark Matter (go watch the Apple+ series!), which was the main reason I jumped at the chance to read this one.

I also think my timing in reading an apocalyptic, extremely violent, heart-pounding book a week before an already anxiety-inducing election was probably not a great idea. I could feel my heart thumping away every time I started reading, and it definitely wasn’t great for my mental health, though I did still keep reading…

The overall premise is intriguing, but the amount of violence felt heavy handed and the story became extremely repetitive and boring the more I read. Shelter, sleep, food and water, shooting/other violence, escape, deal with injuries, transportation/gas, etc. Repeat for many pages. I wasn’t convinced about the changes that occured in the relationships between the main characters. And, what exactly happened at the end? And why? Quite unsatisfying.

I will still seek out Blake Crouch novels, but this one wasn’t a great one for me.

Please note: I received a digital copy from Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

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Bookish thoughts: This is my 4th book by author Blake Crouch and this explosive apocalyptic thriller about a man and his family running for their lives packed a huge punch. My heart was pounding from start to finish. This story reminded me of the movie The Purge. I found it hard to put down and wanted to keep reading late into the night to see how it ended. This action filled story was scary at times… a perfect book for spooky season. Fun fact: Run was his first novel; first self published novel in 2011; first speculative story that helped to define Blake Crouch as a writer. Run was re-released in October 2024.

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one of the most boring books i've read in my life, i would rather stare at a blank wall than have read another page.

i do wanna give blake crouch a fair shot since he's so loved so im going to completely ignore i ever read this. i just wouldn't personally recommend this to anyone at all.

thank you to netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review

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Thank you Ballantine and PRH audio for review copies! *my apologies for a late review, I thought I had submitted this one, I really liked it!

TLDR: This is classic intense action Blake Crouch. Apocalyptic action, end of world doomsday vibes blended with walking dead like horror.
Run is a suspenseful, high-stakes thriller that combines sci-fi elements with horror, making it a compelling Halloween or October read. It’s an intense and often unsettling exploration of survival, following a regular suburban family as they navigate the terrifying unknown. The relentless pace and dark atmosphere create a near-constant tension, while its imaginative sci-fi aspects are both intriguing and, at times, stretch the bounds of believability. The characters are well-developed, each bringing emotional depth to the story, and the action is punctuated by unexpected twists that keep readers on edge. The story doesn’t shy away from depicting cruelty and horror, adding a haunting layer that makes it truly memorable. While the ending may feel a bit convenient, the journey is gripping and raises thought-provoking questions about one’s ability to survive in an apocalyptic scenario. If you’re looking for a short but intense read that blends mystery, suspense, and horror, this book is a fantastic choice

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I've been a superfan of Blake Crouch since my mind was blown by Dark Matter, which is still my favorite if his. But Run gave Dark Matter a run for its money. I love books with a countdown theme and loved that it takes place in the west, where I live. This was an excellent addition to Blake Crouch's library.

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I have read many of Blake Crouch’s previous novels and was so excited to get my hands on one I’ve yet to get to. This story was originally released in 2011 so this is a re-release. However, I’m so glad that they brought it back again. With Crouch’s more recent success, this novel deserved some attention.

Intense, smart, and utterly bingeable. This was a fantastic read!

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A book dripping in blood. This is my first Blake Crouch book and I loved his writing style. The pacing, plot and characters all flowed together making this such an easy quick read. This book was such a journey where you felt like you were with this family each step of the way. That being said this story was bordering on a little too much for me. There's a lot of bodies, which you could probably figure from the summary. But that's just me discovering that I don't like extremely violent stories that at various points felt so hopeless. It was a similar feeling watching the first season of AOT.
That being said I look forward to reading more from this author. Might just be a little pickier in the future on which of his books I read.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc! I really appreciated it!

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Harrowing and tense speculative fiction from Crouch rereleased and still just as timely. A mass extinction event befalls humanity when people turn on one another, culling the population with a sweep of brutality that is cosmic and cataclysmic, but still deeply personal. I loved the cinematic feel, the rich characters and the heart stopping pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

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