Upgrade

Upgrade

  • Downloads:7125
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-08-16 00:18:05
  • Update Date:2025-09-24
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Blake Crouch
  • ISBN:0593157532
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

The mind-blowing new thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter and Recursion

“You are the next step in human evolution。”

At first, Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different。 He just feels a little 。 。 。 sharper。 Better able to concentrate。 Better at multitasking。 Reading a bit faster, memorizing better, needing less sleep。

But before long, he can’t deny it: Something’s happening to his brain。 To his body。 He’s starting to see the world, and those around him—even those he loves most—in whole new ways。

The truth is, Logan’s genome has been hacked。 And there’s a reason he’s been targeted for this upgrade。 A reason that goes back decades to the darkest part of his past, and a horrific family legacy。

Worse still, what’s happening to him is just the first step in a much larger plan, one that will inflict the same changes on humanity at large—at a terrifying cost。

Because of his new abilities, Logan’s the one person in the world capable of stopping what’s been set in motion。 But to have a chance at winning this war, he’ll have to become something other than himself。 Maybe even something other than human。

And even as he’s fighting, he can’t help wondering: what if humanity’s only hope for a future really does lie in engineering our own evolution?

Intimate in scale yet epic in scope, Upgrade is an intricately plotted, lightning-fast tale that charts one man’s thrilling transformation, even as it asks us to ponder the limits of our humanity—and our boundless potential。

Download

Reviews

Emilee (emileereadsbooks)

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the gifted book。Whatever Blake Crouch writes, I wanna read! He sucks you in。 I read this in almost one sitting on my first night of vacation and only because I could no longer keep my eyes open。 And the next morning I immediately grabbed it up and finished it。 Logan works for the government's Gene Protection Agency。 He seeks to find and arrest those who are gene editing。 But his relationship with the science is complicated because of a horrific family Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the gifted book。Whatever Blake Crouch writes, I wanna read! He sucks you in。 I read this in almost one sitting on my first night of vacation and only because I could no longer keep my eyes open。 And the next morning I immediately grabbed it up and finished it。 Logan works for the government's Gene Protection Agency。 He seeks to find and arrest those who are gene editing。 But his relationship with the science is complicated because of a horrific family legacy。After a raid of a dark gene lab goes awry, Logan starts to notice changes in himself, and realizes he's been。。。 upgraded?! His genome has been hacked。 And once again he has to face that complicated family legacy, as well as his morality。 This upgrade has set a sequence of events in motion that Logan has no choice but to engage in。 And he has to decide if the evolution of humanity is his to engineer or not。A thrilling ride that is full of science and broad concepts, but is also a character study on the purpose of life and the power one man can hold。 I was enthralled from beginning to end。 。。。more

Meghann Bromley

3。5 stars。 Entertaining but didn’t live up to my love for his other books。 Still one of my favorite authors though。

Bill Weaver

This is the third sci-fi thriller I've read by Blake Crouch。 If you're well-versed in sci-fi, it is not good。 Crouch generally brings new takes to classic sci-fi tropes, but here he's well short of the good examples of this novel's chosen trope: the upgraded human brain。 I'm not sure why Crouch thought this book would be good。 Because he includes more genetic background about how scientists could upgrade our genes to make us smarter? Who cares? We want to see what the 400 IQ human does, not how This is the third sci-fi thriller I've read by Blake Crouch。 If you're well-versed in sci-fi, it is not good。 Crouch generally brings new takes to classic sci-fi tropes, but here he's well short of the good examples of this novel's chosen trope: the upgraded human brain。 I'm not sure why Crouch thought this book would be good。 Because he includes more genetic background about how scientists could upgrade our genes to make us smarter? Who cares? We want to see what the 400 IQ human does, not how they got there。 The point of the trope is for the reader to put themself in the protagonist's shoes。 What would I do if I were exponentially smarter than everyone? Spoiler: I wouldn't fight my sister。 Crouch also spends a lot of time with his hero planning and thinking, grinding his usual fast-pace plots to a relative crawl。 This book was short but felt long as a result。 "Just get to it," was a common thought while reading。 Anyway, Limitless, the Nth Degree, the Brilliance series, and even Ghost in the Shell are all much better takes on this trope。 But that's okay。 Crouch is still really good, but this was a miss。 。。。more

June

Wow。 What I enjoyed about this book is that it is frightening to realize that this could happen。 It is not unbelievable that there could be a virus thta causes a gene upgrade Whoa

Evan Lakes

Not as good as Dark Matter or Recursion, but still worth the read。 Blake Crouch is the syfy master。

Conner

Another great book from Blake Crouch。 I'm curious if he was influenced by Michael Crichton, as his writing matches pretty similarly with some adventure and science fiction。 Upgrade takes place in a futuristic setting where parts of New York are underwater, Google has created its own vehicle, Musk's (probably Musk's) hyperloop has come to fruition, animal meat is limited, and biotechnology has advanced to a point where the human genome can be "upgraded。" The Upgrade being gene modifications that Another great book from Blake Crouch。 I'm curious if he was influenced by Michael Crichton, as his writing matches pretty similarly with some adventure and science fiction。 Upgrade takes place in a futuristic setting where parts of New York are underwater, Google has created its own vehicle, Musk's (probably Musk's) hyperloop has come to fruition, animal meat is limited, and biotechnology has advanced to a point where the human genome can be "upgraded。" The Upgrade being gene modifications that make people superhuman。 Logan Ramsay is a detective working for the Gene Protection Agency (GPA) and investigates circumstances of gene misuse。 His mother, Miriam Ramsay, was a world-renowned scientist that had a mission to save the human species, but through a stroke of bad luck, she ended up killing hundreds of millions of people。 In an era of climate change and famine, her intentions were to ensure the longevity of the human species。 Her final breakthrough was to develop a human "upgrade" that allows human genes to mutate to top performance。 The goal of the mutation is to change the way humans think about our situation on earth - to focus on what may need to be done to ensure our survival。 It's a work of fiction and a fun read。 Crouch definitely plugged other items throughout the book that are current such as references to murder hornets and the cell mutation that is similar to a virus that affects the entire population (similar to the Coronavirus)。 I also appreciate his references to the Northwest, and most notably, Spokane, WA and Walla Walla, WA。 His reference to Walla Walla was entertaining。 Logan Ramsay refers to his enjoying a bottle of cabernet sauvignon from one of his favorite regions before it burned - Walla Walla, WA。 Being from Walla Walla - it definitely gets hot down there and of course is a great region for wine。 He also must have done a lot of research when it comes to biotechnology and cell technology。 This is another reason why I think he was influenced by Crichton - who was a master at inserting expert knowledge of science in his books (DNA for Jurassic Park, Physics for Timeline, Nanotechnology for Prey, and many others)。 。。。more

CJ

Blake Crouch has delivered another gem。 Not quite as mind-bendingly twisty-turny as one of my all-time favourites, Dark Matter, but still a slick action-packed thriller that will keep you glued to the page。 Some might criticise the scientific-heavy jargon, but for me it added rather than detracted from the story and I feel smarter after reading it。 Ahhh。。 books。。。 the original way to upgrade ones intelligence, albeit a wee bit slower than nanobots。 I have already recommended and purchased this b Blake Crouch has delivered another gem。 Not quite as mind-bendingly twisty-turny as one of my all-time favourites, Dark Matter, but still a slick action-packed thriller that will keep you glued to the page。 Some might criticise the scientific-heavy jargon, but for me it added rather than detracted from the story and I feel smarter after reading it。 Ahhh。。 books。。。 the original way to upgrade ones intelligence, albeit a wee bit slower than nanobots。 I have already recommended and purchased this book for friends and relatives。 It was good!Recommended for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky, John Scalzi, Stuart Turton, The Genius Plague, Blackfish City, Salvaged, AutonomousThank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC。 。。。more

Laura Icardi

I read Dark Matter in what felt like seconds。 Recursion: gobbled it up。 When I heard Crouch had a third book in this genre coming out, I got so excited! I put it on hold at my library before it was even published。 I read it in two days。 It was GOOD。 But… it wasn’t *as* good as those other two。 One thing I love about these books is that the main character really really loves his wife, and she loves him。 I feel like that is rare in modern books/movies/tv。 This one stayed true to that theme, though I read Dark Matter in what felt like seconds。 Recursion: gobbled it up。 When I heard Crouch had a third book in this genre coming out, I got so excited! I put it on hold at my library before it was even published。 I read it in two days。 It was GOOD。 But… it wasn’t *as* good as those other two。 One thing I love about these books is that the main character really really loves his wife, and she loves him。 I feel like that is rare in modern books/movies/tv。 This one stayed true to that theme, though if I shared spoilers, I would have some loose threads to pull on this。 But still: good job, Crouch。 This book was full of suspense and ethical dilemmas just like the others, but there was a bit too much gore for me at times。 A minor flaw, as I can handle gore when it’s “needed” for the plot… so I wasn’t turned off so much as felt it was surprising and unnecessary。 I also felt, at times, like the conflict or resolution of conflict was just a little too tidy。 You know on tv shows when the writers invent something for the characters to fight over, and you’re watching it like “this isn’t how real conflicts start - or end”? Parts of this book were kind of like that。 And with a book where you’re already having to press pause on some of your disbelief, it’s really crucial that the human interaction be as realistic as possible… otherwise you start reading the book like… well, a book… rather than being completely caught up in it and forgetting you’re even reading - you know? It’s like sleeping and dreaming, but you KNOW you’re asleep and dreaming。 The book was really good, but I KNEW I was reading the whole time。 Definitely worth the read, but falls short of what I’ve seen Crouch do。 。。。more

Melissa Walton

Love Blake Crouch's books! Always a good mix of sci-fi, mystery, and action。 He includes lots of references to physics theories and always has an interesting take on what it means to be human。 Love Blake Crouch's books! Always a good mix of sci-fi, mystery, and action。 He includes lots of references to physics theories and always has an interesting take on what it means to be human。 。。。more

Andrew Stahl

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 I LOVE reading Blake’s books。 Not only are they incredibly well-written, they never fail to disappoint with their action sequences and cerebral plot lines。 You usually see the main character take on impossible tasks where it seems like the odds are thoroughly stacked against them and only a series of strokes of luck would allow them to survive the mess their in。 Despite the plots soaring to pinnacle levels of science fiction, the Herculean, near unapproachably intelligent/cunning main characters I LOVE reading Blake’s books。 Not only are they incredibly well-written, they never fail to disappoint with their action sequences and cerebral plot lines。 You usually see the main character take on impossible tasks where it seems like the odds are thoroughly stacked against them and only a series of strokes of luck would allow them to survive the mess their in。 Despite the plots soaring to pinnacle levels of science fiction, the Herculean, near unapproachably intelligent/cunning main characters are still always relatable。 They are typically driven by strong emotional ties to family or loved ones, which helps them push past all of their unbreachable roadblocks。 They say there is only a 。2% genetic difference between our species, Homo Sapiens, and that of our ancestors, Homo Erectus。 Just 。2% upgrade in certain genes that oversee our bodily and neurological functions changed the entire course of humanity and the planet。 So what would happen if Homo Sapiens got a 。2% upgrade today? What would we become? What could we possibly do? This is something that seems thousands of years away, and yet for Logan Ramsay, this all happened in an instant。 This story brings to life the character of Logan Ramsay, a man with an inescapable past and an unimaginable destiny。 While working in a job he loathes but feels he must perform to repay a philosophical debt, Logan’s life changes in a way that some only dream about。 He receives a systemic upgrade to his genome which, by his calculations, turns him into a completely new species of human。 He can remember anything that’s ever happened to him with crystal clarity, can perform physical feats at a pinnacle levels, and can intuit even the most minute changes in blood pressure or BPM from a person he’s speaking with。 But there’s one big problem - genetic alteration has been banned across the globe。 He’s captured by the government agency he once worked for but is freed by someone who received a similar upgrade。 When he and his liberator come into possession of the upgrade formula, capable of changing humanity forever and likely killing off billions in the process, a cross roads of epic proportions lies ahead。 This upgrade can make or break a planet already on the verge of collapse。 Will Logan prevail in saving the world from its greatest threat yet? 。。。more

Mission Sidhu

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 I give this book a 5 star because an exciting read aside, Blake Crouch disguises his messaging very well。 This book isn't about a genetic upgrade that turn you onto a superhuman。 This book is about humanity。"we don't have an intelligence problem。 We have a compassion problem。 That, more than any other single factor is what's driving us towards extinction。 Our brains evolved to help in-group members for a very good reason but what we really need to survive as a species is the ability to care abou I give this book a 5 star because an exciting read aside, Blake Crouch disguises his messaging very well。 This book isn't about a genetic upgrade that turn you onto a superhuman。 This book is about humanity。"we don't have an intelligence problem。 We have a compassion problem。 That, more than any other single factor is what's driving us towards extinction。 Our brains evolved to help in-group members for a very good reason but what we really need to survive as a species is the ability to care about strangers" 。。。more

Mary

This was a wild ride from start to finish。 It's classic Blake Crouch with great scientific and technological world-building, and a protagonist who's pushed into the unthinkable。 In a world where gene editing technology puts CRISPR to shame, Logan Ramsey is the disgraced son of Miriam Ramsey, a scientist whose genetic experiments inadvertently caused the death of millions。 Logan atones for his guilt for working for the Gene Protection Agency (GPA) while managing his complicated feelings around hi This was a wild ride from start to finish。 It's classic Blake Crouch with great scientific and technological world-building, and a protagonist who's pushed into the unthinkable。 In a world where gene editing technology puts CRISPR to shame, Logan Ramsey is the disgraced son of Miriam Ramsey, a scientist whose genetic experiments inadvertently caused the death of millions。 Logan atones for his guilt for working for the Gene Protection Agency (GPA) while managing his complicated feelings around his mother's legacy。When on a GPA raid, Logan is exposed to something new and different – some kind of pathogen? – and his body undergoes rapid changes。 As he struggles to make sense of these new abilities, he finds himself at the centre of questions around the ethics of genetic modification, the obligation of humans to act in response to global crises, and to what extent the ends justify the means。 Like other Blake Crouch books, this made my brain itch in the best way。 Part scientific page-turner, part philosophical reflection, I could not put this down。 。。。more

Sumeet Shah

4。5 stars

David

A thought provoking sci-fi thriller about a man who, not by his own choice, has his genetics upgraded which enables him to do things he never could do before。 And everyone lives happily ever after because, really, what could possibly go wrong?

JenWrenReads

(Audio)

Joe Mizrahi

This is like Crouch’s other books— Interesting, fast paced, entertaining while also being somewhat disposable after the fact。 I will simultaneously highly recommend this book and also never think about it again。

Christine

As someone who did poorly in science classes, I struggled with this book。 The never ending genetics information had my eyes glazing over more than once。 I'm sure people with more of a tolerance for scientific jargon will really love this book。 It's a clever story in a future I felt was realistic for how our species will end up。 I just couldn't connect with the main character (which I guess was Crouch's point) but I wasn't able to care about what happened to him。 As someone who did poorly in science classes, I struggled with this book。 The never ending genetics information had my eyes glazing over more than once。 I'm sure people with more of a tolerance for scientific jargon will really love this book。 It's a clever story in a future I felt was realistic for how our species will end up。 I just couldn't connect with the main character (which I guess was Crouch's point) but I wasn't able to care about what happened to him。 。。。more

Danielle | addingtonsofbooks

Blake Crouch is insanely creative writer in every book I’ve read of his so far。 With each new book of his, I have very high expectations。 Upgrade met ~most~ of those expectations, but I was hoping for just a little bit more craziness and/or a plot twist at the end like we saw with his previous works。Regardless, this was another fast paced book (for the most part) with lots of action, adventure, and science。 Would recommend 😊

Katie

4。75 stars! Honestly, the only reason this wasn't 5 stars was because there was some scientific terminology in here that went well over my head。 BUT THIS BOOK! I'm officially a fan of Blake Crouch and I'll tell you that it has to be how he perfectly blends the sci-fi genre with the thriller genre that really does it for me。 This book had everything - futuristic intrigue, mysterious discoveries, thrilling action sequences, and to top it all off - a deep dive into what it means to be human and how 4。75 stars! Honestly, the only reason this wasn't 5 stars was because there was some scientific terminology in here that went well over my head。 BUT THIS BOOK! I'm officially a fan of Blake Crouch and I'll tell you that it has to be how he perfectly blends the sci-fi genre with the thriller genre that really does it for me。 This book had everything - futuristic intrigue, mysterious discoveries, thrilling action sequences, and to top it all off - a deep dive into what it means to be human and how our emotions can both help - and hinder - our progression as a species。 I laughed, I cried, and I sat on the very edge of my seat until the end! 。。。more

Trevor Waldman

4。75/5: easily my favorite of the three Blake Crouch books I have read。 A very interesting sci-fi theme of genetic enhancement with deep questions into what it means to be human, humanity’s March to extinction in the face of global warming and overpopulation, and what extremes we would be willing to go to to save our species。 As with most of Crouch’s books I wish it delved more into science, but he does a great job of writing characters with emotions in the sci-fi realities he creates。

Mercy Sakes

disappointed Too many scientific terms globbed together and I got tired of the endless violence。 I liked his previous one, but not so much on this one。

Tara Booth

This is worth reading if you don't expect it to be on the same level as Dark Matter and Recursion。 Overall, the book was good。 I definitely wanted more substance, but his previous books set the bar high。 This is worth reading if you don't expect it to be on the same level as Dark Matter and Recursion。 Overall, the book was good。 I definitely wanted more substance, but his previous books set the bar high。 。。。more

Carter

“What do you call a heart that is simultaneously full and breaking? Maybe there’s no word for it, but for some reason, it makes me think of rain falling through sunlight。”

Rupert

Genetic editing thrillerQuick read, fast paced and generally fun thriller。 I didn't find the plot that caused the tension in the second as well conceived as his previous books。 Also doesn't hold up to The Windup Girl as a story about the perils of genetic manipulation and climate change。 Genetic editing thrillerQuick read, fast paced and generally fun thriller。 I didn't find the plot that caused the tension in the second as well conceived as his previous books。 Also doesn't hold up to The Windup Girl as a story about the perils of genetic manipulation and climate change。 。。。more

Ankit Agrawal

This is what you expect from Blake Crouch, an amazing sci fi concept out of nowhere。 He is a true genius but this book isn't his greatest work。 The first half amazingly places an exciting premise for a blockbuster climax but 2nd half was weak I felt but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book。 This is what you expect from Blake Crouch, an amazing sci fi concept out of nowhere。 He is a true genius but this book isn't his greatest work。 The first half amazingly places an exciting premise for a blockbuster climax but 2nd half was weak I felt but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book。 。。。more

Jenny

Blake Crouch has an insanely amazing brain。 I’ll read everything he writes

Caitlin

I always appreciate a good sci-if thriller。 What happens when some humans realize they are facing their own extinction? This book has an interesting concept, full of ethical dilemmas revolving around gene-editing, the climate crisis, and our modern society。 But, it’s still a good story about familial bonds, duty vs love, and redemption。 My husband and I can always count on this author to keep us captivated through a round trip。

Amy

Made it to 35% but I just couldn't push myself to read any more。 I LOVED Dark Matter and Recursion from this author so I was SO stoked for this one。 Was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022! Safe to say I'm super bummed I can't even be bothered to finish this。 I hated the main character and the overall pace and plot was such a bore。 Couldn't care less about any aspect of this book。 Made it to 35% but I just couldn't push myself to read any more。 I LOVED Dark Matter and Recursion from this author so I was SO stoked for this one。 Was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022! Safe to say I'm super bummed I can't even be bothered to finish this。 I hated the main character and the overall pace and plot was such a bore。 Couldn't care less about any aspect of this book。 。。。more

Cosmictimetraveler

I was going to round up to 3 stars because the author is the only author to have responded to one of my emails, but there are so many undeserved 5 stars that I must fulfill my role as the balancer of justice in the cosmos and grant this a 2 star rating。 All of his other books are better。 I just finished the book an hour ago yet I cannot remember the main characters name (however I can remember the main character from his Wayward Pines series years later: Ethan Burke)。 The pacing is off, and the I was going to round up to 3 stars because the author is the only author to have responded to one of my emails, but there are so many undeserved 5 stars that I must fulfill my role as the balancer of justice in the cosmos and grant this a 2 star rating。 All of his other books are better。 I just finished the book an hour ago yet I cannot remember the main characters name (however I can remember the main character from his Wayward Pines series years later: Ethan Burke)。 The pacing is off, and the stakes feel low despite them ostensibly being the extinction of all humanity。 For interested readers I would rank Crouch's work from best to worst as follows:Wayward Pines seriesRunDark MatterRecursionPerfect Little Town (short story)AbandonUpgrade 。。。more

Matthew Werner

This book sucked me in right away and pulled me quickly along。 I read most of this in one day。 I couldn’t walk away。