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onemorepagecrew's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Death, Torture, Self harm, and Grief
theoceanrose's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief
nerfie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Having read Recursion and Dark Matter and devoured both, I had high hopes for this book. Still regardless of how I didn't love it, I did end up devouring it similarly to the previous two (in two days).
The book is highly scientific, and because of a smaller scope, it's able to go into a lot of detail about how that science works. While it was fascinating, I found a lot of the book explanatory as to how the DNA things all worked. I was looking for more emotional hits than just action-based hits, but this book just isn't that.
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with Upgrade, and I would still recommend it, regardless of the reasons I didn't jump for joy over it. Crouch's writing is backed by science and the occasional line that will knock you off your feet. The only issue is that I was looking for more of those moments, but only had a few.
For new readers, if you're looking for a book that will keep your heart rate high, you've come to the right place. Old readers of Crouch may be missing some emotional impact, but will still enjoy the crazy ride that he always delivers.
Graphic: Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Death
Minor: Vomit
chambersaurusrx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
blackcatkai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
I don't think I liked this more than Crouch's Wayward Pines trilogy, but I DO think it's my fave of his more recent releases. scifi is not a big go-to overall for me, but I am all here for a scifi eco-thriller in Crouch's capable hands!
a lot of the book does essentially center on things like climate change, classism, environmentalism in general, and the downfall of humanity & humans as a species. SO if ANY of those topics turns you off, maybe skip this, or at least be aware ahead of time.
this book absolutely made me cry in a couple spots, laugh a lot, and I had a hard time putting it down to go to work & such. highly recommend, especially if you dig scifi/eco thrillers or crouch in general.
all the stars!
Graphic: Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
whatjasread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
- it wasn't bad, conceptually it was actually very interesting, but it definitely needed editing
- lots of introspection and not a lot of plot progression, plus the final 10% felt like a drag that i just wanted to get over with to the point where I skimmed it mostly
- a weird case of it needing to be shorter but also needing to be longer - cut the repetitive waffle, add more insight that isn't introspective
- thought provoking at times, but definitely one that you have to really think about, not really a book you can 'get lost in'
- confusing at times with the enhancements that worked in some scenarios but not in others
- i have only read one blake crouch (dark matter) but this doesn't come close to it, i'm afraid
TWs: vomiting, hospitalisation, explosion, violence, gunshot wounds, gun violence, death of father (past, suicide), death of mother, death of brother (past, leukemia), death of sister (murder), strained family relationships, murder, torture, needles, blood, gore, scarring, drug use, smoking, alcohol consumption, animal abuse/testing
Thank you to bookbreak and the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Torture, and Gore
Minor: Vomit, Cancer, Alcohol, Car accident, War, Drug use, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Child death, and Grief
marareading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We follow our main character Logan Ramsey in a dystopian future. He works for the GPA (Gene Protection Agency) and lives with guilt every day. The human race has survived, barely, what is called the "Great Starvation", and science has developed to a point where anyone can try to upgrade their DNA. The government of course has put a quick stop to it, whether it be the well meaning families trying to help their children, or large scale bio-weapon labs. Logan's job is to stop them. Even when it means stopping the "good" guys who are making real and meaningful advances for the world. He goes on a raid one night and everything goes wrong... more than anyone could have guessed.
This story had me on the edge of my seat. I love the way the science is part of the story, but doesn't feel like a barrier or something you feel you need to understand before reading.
I highly recommend you pick this up in July when it is published!
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Grief, Violence, Blood, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Medical content
rachelunabridged's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
~~~
At this point, I will read literally anything that Blake Crouch writes. He is incredible at coming up with high stakes scenarios that are not only enjoyable to read, but also give the reader some interesting concepts to think about along the way. I also find his works to be really accessible to those who are just getting into sci-fi so if that sounds like you, I'd recommend his books for sure.
~~~
Upgrade is the story of Logan Ramsay, an officer with the Gene Protection Agency. His job: identify and take out genetic engineering operations. Reconciling his work and personal identity with his family's legacy becomes the least of his worries when he finds himself compromised after a failed sting. It isn't long before the changes start, forcing Logan to face his family and the events that he's been running from his whole adult life. Who will he be once all is said and done?
~~~
The thing I loved most about this book were the philosophical undertones. This book asks some really interesting questions about humanity, identity, and the age-old debate of logic vs. emotion. I love reading books that give you something to chew on even after you've finished, and this book definitely delivered that for me.
The plot thoroughly captured me from the first chapter. There were some slumps in the middle, which is why it didn't quite make 5-stars, but it really picked up toward the end and wrapped up with quite a satisfying conclusion, regardless.
All things considered, I had a good time with this read and would recommend it to those who enjoy near-future sci-fi + thriller reads that leave you thinking, but also sort of terrify you with their relevance.
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Death of parent
Minor: Grief
emilylovesgoodbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Violence and Death
witbeyndmehsure's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Logan works for the Gene Protection Agency when, on a raid, his life is changed when he receives an upgrade to his own genes. Gene editing and even genetic research is illegal during this time after Logan’s mother’s failed experiment with locusts resulted in millions dead.
We’re taken in a journey through every step of Logan’s transformation, which is described in great detail with scientific accuracy. These parts take a lot of concentration for myself (a non scientist or doctor) and sometimes I skimmed over them a bit. Why did he receive this upgrade? Who gave it to him? And what is the end game?
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy!
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death and Police brutality