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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This book did a lot of things well. But it’ll be a better movie than book. Sometimes it just felt too detailed to follow and took away from the fun/entertainment of the read. I needed more humanity from the MMC. The story focused more on his abilities, upgrades, and the science behind everything. With his interactions and family feelings like an afterthought.
I’ve enjoyed other works from this author more.
I’ve enjoyed other works from this author more.
4.5 ⭐
After reading Dark Matter and Recursion, I knew that Upgrade was going to be the next Crouch book I wanted to tackle. While I really enjoyed it, Recursion and Dark Matter are a bit more compelling.
Not to say that this book wasn't good, it was still one of the best books that I have read in the past few months. I mentioned this in an update, but Crouch is an expert in making a fictional scenario feel like a reality. It is not farfetched to think that we will eventually get to a time where we are modifying our DNA to create super-intelligent versions of ourselves.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to others.
After reading Dark Matter and Recursion, I knew that Upgrade was going to be the next Crouch book I wanted to tackle. While I really enjoyed it, Recursion and Dark Matter are a bit more compelling.
Not to say that this book wasn't good, it was still one of the best books that I have read in the past few months. I mentioned this in an update, but Crouch is an expert in making a fictional scenario feel like a reality. It is not farfetched to think that we will eventually get to a time where we are modifying our DNA to create super-intelligent versions of ourselves.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to others.
3.5 stars rounded down
Upgrade is a highly interesting look at the science behind genetics and how DNA can be manipulated for good and evil. Our protagonist receives a genetic upgrade against his will and must grapple with these changes while trying to save the planet from ultimate destruction. I wish this had been much longer so the characters and urgency of the planet’s demise could have been fleshed out more. I felt like I was reading cliff notes of all the big moments. Despite that, I was still engaged and invested in the outcome. This was my first Blake Crouch novel and I’ll definitely be moving his precious novels up my TBR list.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Upgrade is a highly interesting look at the science behind genetics and how DNA can be manipulated for good and evil. Our protagonist receives a genetic upgrade against his will and must grapple with these changes while trying to save the planet from ultimate destruction. I wish this had been much longer so the characters and urgency of the planet’s demise could have been fleshed out more. I felt like I was reading cliff notes of all the big moments. Despite that, I was still engaged and invested in the outcome. This was my first Blake Crouch novel and I’ll definitely be moving his precious novels up my TBR list.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars rounded down
Upgrade is a highly interesting look at the science behind genetics and how DNA can be manipulated for good and evil. Our protagonist receives a genetic upgrade against his will and must grapple with these changes while trying to save the planet from ultimate destruction. I wish this had been much longer so the characters and urgency of the planet’s demise could have been fleshed out more. I felt like I was reading cliff notes of all the big moments. Despite that, I was still engaged and invested in the outcome. This was my first Blake Crouch novel and I’ll definitely be moving his precious novels up my TBR list.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Upgrade is a highly interesting look at the science behind genetics and how DNA can be manipulated for good and evil. Our protagonist receives a genetic upgrade against his will and must grapple with these changes while trying to save the planet from ultimate destruction. I wish this had been much longer so the characters and urgency of the planet’s demise could have been fleshed out more. I felt like I was reading cliff notes of all the big moments. Despite that, I was still engaged and invested in the outcome. This was my first Blake Crouch novel and I’ll definitely be moving his precious novels up my TBR list.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Perfect book. Philosophical, tight pacing, and believable characters (developments and struggles). I didn't support the protagonist's decision in the end, but I respect it as hell.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another fantastic Sci-fi book by Crouch. He’s definitely one of my go to authors. When this book came out, I didn’t even read the synopsis, it just went into my cart.
This book is about DNA manipulation and per usual Crouch tackles Science like Pac-Man eating dots and ghosts- with aplomb. I realized in reading this book that Crouch has a gift for introducing these highly complex ideas to the reader, but then teaching us about it through the text of the book, but in a way that is natural and that doesn’t stop the flow of the story. In this case our main character works through the science stuff as he is evolving and we as his ride or dies learn right along with him.
In Crouch’s later book, particularly his last three including this one, I hate to say it, but this one is my least favorite. I mean it still gets 4 stars because it’s fantastic, but doesn’t hit the jackpot for me like the other two.
It seemed much shorter of a story than the other two. It told the story just fine, I am also ok that he didn’t drag it on to fill pages, but something about it seemed almost too fast. Maybe I wanted more story, but I don’t know what it would be and again if it would just act as filler on not meat.
We follow a single character and aren’t introduced to any other main character except for the antagonist of the story. There are a few minor characters, but this book feels lonely and solitary and it is purposeful as it brings us into the world of the main character and that in itself is a kind of writing genius.
There was a main issue that needed to be solved and it was huge, I will be honest, I kind of sided with the antagonist on the solution, but Crouch through the main character provides a solid reasoning that ultimately shot holes in the antagonist (and my) solution.
I guess where I felt the rush was in the ending. I wanted more time and more discussion. I wanted more details even about the early signs of the success or failure of the main character, it felt like slim pickings. Crouch tried to wrap everything up in an Epilogue and he did, I mean all the questions were answered at the minimum. However, realize this is where the story just felt cut off. I had an overwhelming desire for more details, just a little more time surveying the situation and a stronger sense of where the main character is, how he got there, and a stronger hint with some examples of where the story was going.
I guess at the end I was left unsatisfied and even though in all of Crouch’s books the future is unknown, the reader is satiated and ready to release the main character at that point into the wild, blue yonder. That just didn’t happen for me, I felt the main character was ripped away and I still had so many questions.
Still a huge recommend, definitely read the book. Everyone is different, the unsatisfied feeling may only be me or a few. It’s still a brilliant book by Blake.
This book is about DNA manipulation and per usual Crouch tackles Science like Pac-Man eating dots and ghosts- with aplomb. I realized in reading this book that Crouch has a gift for introducing these highly complex ideas to the reader, but then teaching us about it through the text of the book, but in a way that is natural and that doesn’t stop the flow of the story. In this case our main character works through the science stuff as he is evolving and we as his ride or dies learn right along with him.
In Crouch’s later book, particularly his last three including this one, I hate to say it, but this one is my least favorite. I mean it still gets 4 stars because it’s fantastic, but doesn’t hit the jackpot for me like the other two.
It seemed much shorter of a story than the other two. It told the story just fine, I am also ok that he didn’t drag it on to fill pages, but something about it seemed almost too fast. Maybe I wanted more story, but I don’t know what it would be and again if it would just act as filler on not meat.
We follow a single character and aren’t introduced to any other main character except for the antagonist of the story. There are a few minor characters, but this book feels lonely and solitary and it is purposeful as it brings us into the world of the main character and that in itself is a kind of writing genius.
There was a main issue that needed to be solved and it was huge, I will be honest, I kind of sided with the antagonist on the solution, but Crouch through the main character provides a solid reasoning that ultimately shot holes in the antagonist (and my) solution.
I guess where I felt the rush was in the ending. I wanted more time and more discussion. I wanted more details even about the early signs of the success or failure of the main character, it felt like slim pickings. Crouch tried to wrap everything up in an Epilogue and he did, I mean all the questions were answered at the minimum. However, realize this is where the story just felt cut off. I had an overwhelming desire for more details, just a little more time surveying the situation and a stronger sense of where the main character is, how he got there, and a stronger hint with some examples of where the story was going.
I guess at the end I was left unsatisfied and even though in all of Crouch’s books the future is unknown, the reader is satiated and ready to release the main character at that point into the wild, blue yonder. That just didn’t happen for me, I felt the main character was ripped away and I still had so many questions.
Still a huge recommend, definitely read the book. Everyone is different, the unsatisfied feeling may only be me or a few. It’s still a brilliant book by Blake.