Upgrade: A Novel

Let me start by admitting to being a Blake Crouch fan--his more recent novels have been mind-blowing science fiction, but I don't know how he's going to top Upgrade, which was, quite simply, among the most brilliant, futuristic science fiction novels I've read since his novels, Dark Matter and Recursion, as well as every novel Arthur C. Clarke ever wrote. It more than earned a 5-star rating.I'll also warn prospective readers that you might find some, if not all of the medical/technological/biological jargon in this novel baffling, but stick with it, because this cautionary, dystopian, futuristic tale and it's message are all too possible about our future on this big blue marble spinning in space, its human inhabitants given, in this novel, a mere 150 years until extinction.Logan Ramsay is the son of Miriam Ramsay, perhaps the world's most brilliant geneticist, whose genetic editing attempt to control a specific insect species from devouring crops in the Far East led to 200 million deaths and what became known as the Great Starvation. It also led to the federal criminalization of all gene editing, and the formation of the Gene Protection Agency, for whom Logan works. All Logan ever wanted was to learn enough to someday join his mother in her work, but his IQ was no match for hers. and an encounter with another brilliant geneticist and a raid on a possible dark gene lab lead to Logan being infected with a genetic upgrade, which soon has him locked up and studied like a lab rat as the effects of the upgrade being to manifest themselves, and that's only the beginning of this fascinating and gripping read.As Logan's upgrade continues to improve his body and mind, an outbreak of some weird pathogen in the most remote town in the U.S. has him heading for middle-of-nowhere Montana, where he soon realizes that the inhabitants of this town have also been subjected to some sort of genetic upgrade, one that's turning some of them mad and eventually killing them. Someone is following in this mother's scientific footsteps and he believes he knows who that is. And so the chase is on to find and stop this mad scientist before they infect the entire world population, ignoring the fact that doing so will eventually result in at least one billion deaths.This cautionary tale is both a fast-paced action thriller, and a study of the human condition and conscience, both with deep psychological and sociological implications. It warns of our impending doom as a species unless we act soon to turn things around and strive to make vital changes that, if you follow the news, make our possible demise all too possible. It's a brilliant piece of writing, and Blake Crouch follows in the steps of such giants as Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison and Isaac Asimov, who saw what our possible future could be, and strove to warn us in time--if we only listened.This is a brilliant, emotional and frightening look at our near future, gives us much food for both thought and action, and it's final paragraph had me smiling through my tears. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

When "Dark Matter" blew my mind 5 years ago & then his next novel, "Recursion", had me seriously questioning my own reality (I don't do drugs --not even cannabis) I doubted that Blake Crouch could get any better."Upgrade" tops those two masterpieces. Like those books it takes current scientific thought/theory/advancement & puts it into a thrilling story. This is science fiction at its very best & rates with the best of Michael Crichton, Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Robert Silverberg. However, by the time I finished this novel I couldn't help but to think about Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhoods' End" (my all time favorite book of any genre). It isn't quite as epic as Clarke's classic (few books ever have been), but it shares the emotional impact of Clarke's best. I'll be thinking about this one for a very long time.

I've just finished reading Upgrade, in a single day. It's a compelling read, the writing taut and propulsive. In structure, it's a straightforward thriller but its events happen in a world beyond ours - but alarmingly in terms of its genetic tech and its implications, not far beyond. In a few years, its crises may not be science fiction. How do I critique it? It's a good thriller, and it's dense with science fact and information . . . but it could have dived much deeper into the implications of our suddenly having in our hands the basic machinery of life and the tools of biological evolution. Science nerd that I am, that would have enriched the book for me. I know Crouch did his homework researching this book; I'm guessing he felt he had to confine the science to the challenges of the story. One place deserving of great praise: the epilogue, which touches on the profoundest issues and the deepest regions of the heart.

I'm a big fan of Blake Crouch since I discovered his Wayward Pines series many years ago. When I read some of the pre-release reviews of this book, I had a few concerns. Several reviewers had somewhat negative things to say.Thank goodness I didn't listen to the naysayers!😁I was thoroughly engrossed. Read it in 2 days. The only mildly negative thing about it was I thought it was a little preachy at times, but that didn't deter me at all! I loved the details about genetics (a topic I know absolutely nothing about) and loved how Blake explained things in layman's terms.No spoilers when I say that to me the resolution of the story was satisfying.I would recommend it to anyone looking for a creative sci-fi read.

I’m a USA Today bestselling author on a technicality. I wrote a novella that was included in an anthology that hit the bestseller list. I like to think I’m a good writer, hardly big time, but my books have been read. So I know enough to tell you about Blake’s gift. He is my favorite contemporary author, and puts me to shame. Blake’s the kind of author whose books read like a movie at times. This book is no different: The tension he creates actually makes me nervous as much as a well done movie thriller. I can tell he’s a screenwriter. This book is fascinating and well researched from a scientific perspective (love that), but Blake doesn’t get bogged down in the science like some other writers, to the extent that the story suffers. And the emotional ending is so bittersweet it hurts, but is expertly executed after so much necessary lack of emotion throughout the novel. It’s cathartic. There is a meaning deeper here, more than an entertaining novel. We read about humanity’s response to climate change. Blake reminds us of the future —that if we don’t change the present—we will perish. The story is about humanity and what it means to be human, and asks what could we modify about ourselves if we modified our genes? What would happen? I hate when one of Blake’s books ends because I simply can’t wait for the next one. Bravo, Blake!

It's not bad, but it didn't grab me like Dark Matter or Recursion.It's probably the mix of first person about a guy turning into a superhero and the overcomplicated biotech talk as filler. Could have basically said he was bit by a radioactive spider and it would have been the same.Dark matter had humility, a traveler lost in a hopeless maze. This doesn't, it's a popcorn flick of a book to blast through and forget about after.

I read this in one sitting and wished it was longer. I have a real soft spot for this kind of enhancement story, from "Flowers for Algenon" to Ted Chiang's "Understand."The characters are good, the story flows well and the science is well researched enough so it doesn't interfere with my suspension of disbelief. For me it's probably a 4.5, but there were some down votes for stupid reasons and it deserves better than the current average score. Many thanks Mr Crouch, I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Blake Crouch set himself a high bar with his previous novels ‘Dark Matter’ and ‘Recursion,’ and ‘Upgrade’ does not disappoint: a relentlessly paced thriller that’s gripping, entertaining and moving, a novel I finished reading within a day. I suspect the film rights are being negotiated now, or very soon will be. He’s a great storyteller and his near future world building is plausible, with a thought-provoking scenario. Hugely enjoyable, readable and highly recommended.

As a fan of Blake's other books, I was extremely disappointed by this entry. The main character is so unlikeable and comes out with the most awful, cringe and pretentious dialogue. On so many occasions I rolled my eyes at the words coming out of his mouth. Perhaps if there was more initial character building to get to understand the main character before he becomes insufferable it would be readable. Stick to Blake's other books and you'll be fine.

Disappointed. Still enjoyed. The text at times becomes monotonous. Good plot idea, just could’ve been written better. If you’re a Blake Crouch fan buy it knowing it’s ‘so so’ and if the straight off the press current price stretches your budget suggest you wait a while (wish I had) til it becomes more affordable. I read this after Where the Crawdads Sing which was brilliantly written maybe this compounded my disappointment. If you’re looking for an excellent reasonably priced read look at The Stone Man or even better ‘All the light we cannot see’