From the Bookshelf of Action/Adventure Aficionados…

Upgrade

Blake Crouch

Start date: December 1, 2022

Finish date: December 31, 2022

Discussion: Group Reads

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Group Reads

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* Group Read Selection Cycle Nine: *Nominations period ends on February 21st*
By Danielle The… , Literary Adrenaline Junkie · 8 posts · 17 views

last updated Feb 05, 2025 11:19AM

* Group Read Selection Cycle Eight: *Nomination Period Closed on June 2nd* *
By Danielle The… , Literary Adrenaline Junkie · 16 posts · 18 views

last updated Jun 02, 2024 02:03PM

What Members Thought

Jan 14, 2023 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2023-dhasg-general-challenge, futuristic, audiobook, genetically-enhanced-dna-manipulati, nerd-prof-scientist-genius-geek, brothers-and-sisters, library-checkout, family, family-legacy, science-fiction-thriller

This felt a lot like a blockbuster sci-fi action movie, and I'm not mad about it. I really liked the scientific foundations for everything and how there is credible science behind the plotting. I know that some of the changes induced by genetic modification are probably a bit far-fetched, but it doesn't feel like it when I was reading the book. It felt very plausible. My career background is science, so I like a story that has some good science foundations, if it's supposed to be a science ficti This felt a lot like a blockbuster sci-fi action movie, and I'm not mad about it. I really liked the scientific foundations for everything and how there is credible science behind the plotting. I know that some of the changes induced by genetic modification are probably a bit far-fetched, but it doesn't feel like it when I was reading the book. It felt very plausible. My career background is science, so I like a story that has some good science foundations, if it's supposed to be a science fiction book. I get the impression that Crouch did his homework.

I liked that Logan was a bit of an unlikely hero who has to step up to the plate when the occasion and his unique identity puts him in that situation. If I had a few qualms, I feel like the secondary characters, even pivotal ones, feel a tad under-developed. I definitely think Crouch put more thought process into the science and the plotting than the characterizations. In my mind, a very crucial character had so many opportunities to be so much more than what they were, especially considering the situation they were in and the deeper motivations the characters struggled through. To me, the best villains are the ones who and layered and complex, giving me more opportunities to ponder their POV, at least a little. Honestly, I ended up putting this down for a week or three because I got less involved after a fairly good start. I'm glad I picked it up. It was great listening to this as I tromped around my neighborhood through the foot of snow that fell a few days earlier. I wasn't previously that enamored with the narrator, but he grew on me as I got move involved with the story.

I think this story says some pretty profound things in an unassuming package. This would make a really good popcorn movie, but also give the viewers a lot to think about at the same time. I gave this four stars for that reason, but I would have liked deeper characterizations to go along with the very interesting science and overall involving storytelling.

I have heard from others that this isn't his best book, which makes me enthused to check out his other sci-fi books, if they are better liked. ...more

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Jul 21, 2022 Tad rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller, sci-fi, arc

Blake Crouch keeps getting better with every book he writes. His latest, Upgrade, continues that trend. Logan Ramsay works for the Gene Protection Agency. The agency tracks genetic scientists who may be doing illegal work. Much genetic research was outlawed after the Great Starvation, a worldwide phenomenon that devastated crops, an unintentional side effect of gene manipulation caused by Logan's mother. While on a raid, Logan is exposed to something. Soon he finds himself with improved memory a Blake Crouch keeps getting better with every book he writes. His latest, Upgrade, continues that trend. Logan Ramsay works for the Gene Protection Agency. The agency tracks genetic scientists who may be doing illegal work. Much genetic research was outlawed after the Great Starvation, a worldwide phenomenon that devastated crops, an unintentional side effect of gene manipulation caused by Logan's mother. While on a raid, Logan is exposed to something. Soon he finds himself with improved memory and other mental and physical improvements. Government agents lock him up at a black site and begin running test after test on him. When someone unexpectedly breaks Logan out of the facility, he learns that his mother had plans for improving humanity and the human condition. Plans that only he can move forward or halt.
Blake Crouch is always asking the big questions about the intersection of technology and humanity. He makes it easy to understand the temptations that technological advances represent both on an individual as well as a global scale.

Upgrade presents great moral dilemmas and plays them out in thrilling fashion. Logan is on the run from a government seeking to capture him while he is also trying to stop a plan that could result in an untold number of deaths. He also has to wrestle with whether the changes he is undergoing are destroying his own humanity and ultimately put his own dangerous plan in motion.

No one is better than Crouch at portraying the moral complexity of science and technological possibilities. He does this against the backdrop of a thrilling action story that not only keeps you guessing every step of the way but creates the nagging question of whether or not you want him to succeed.

Great characters, thrilling action, and a brilliant concept make this one of the best books of the year. One that will have you thinking long after you close the book. We need more stories like this. Upgrade is Blake Crouch at his best.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. ...more

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Dec 13, 2022 Georgann rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi

This story moved fast. I could certainly empathize with Logan's emotions. He was easy to root for! I did get rather lost in all the technical jargon about DNA and guns, having never had an upgrade. I skimmed those bits and got back to the nonstop action. ...more

1 like · Like · see review