Upgrade

Upgrade

  • Downloads:2608
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-07-14 08:51:44
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Blake Crouch
  • ISBN:0593500946
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

“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。

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Reviews

Keni Herman

As usual I love Blake Crouch。 Not quite as many twists and turns as Dark Matter or Recursion but I enjoyed it all the same。

Jessica (booksterjess)

*Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the free review copy!* As a huge fan of Dark Matter and Recursion, I was really looking forward to Blake Crouch's latest sci-fi suspense thriller。 Though it didn't disappoint in the science and thrills, I will say that Upgrade took me longer to read because of the subject matter (genetics)。 If you're new to Blake Crouch's writing and you like smart, cinematic sci-fi thrillers, I recommend Upgrade。 It isn't as easy as his previous works to skim to fin *Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the free review copy!* As a huge fan of Dark Matter and Recursion, I was really looking forward to Blake Crouch's latest sci-fi suspense thriller。 Though it didn't disappoint in the science and thrills, I will say that Upgrade took me longer to read because of the subject matter (genetics)。 If you're new to Blake Crouch's writing and you like smart, cinematic sci-fi thrillers, I recommend Upgrade。 It isn't as easy as his previous works to skim to find out what happens next, but it's worth slowing down and taking your time to absorb each and every word。 。。。more

Elizabeth Mellen

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC of this! I continue to be absolutely obsessed with this author! High energy science fiction thriller, this kept me sucked in from beginning to end! I don’t know much about the possibility of gene mutations, but the idea that it could be spread like a virus was uniquely horrifying。 I will read anything Blake Crouch puts out。

Noriko Percifield

Fantastic and terrifying knowing it could happen in the real future。He has become one of my favorite authors。 I need to read “Recursion”!

Meg

Upgrade is my first Blake Crouch book and I was not disappointed! A perfect blend of dystopian sci-fi and thriller。 Set in the not-too-distant future where lower Manhattan in under water and a famine has killed millions, Logan Ramsay works for the GPA, a government agency tasked with monitoring scientists whose work has been in gene modification, which is now illegal。 Ramsay’s past and his family are directly linked to one of the world’s worst gene modifying disasters。 After a raid on a potentia Upgrade is my first Blake Crouch book and I was not disappointed! A perfect blend of dystopian sci-fi and thriller。 Set in the not-too-distant future where lower Manhattan in under water and a famine has killed millions, Logan Ramsay works for the GPA, a government agency tasked with monitoring scientists whose work has been in gene modification, which is now illegal。 Ramsay’s past and his family are directly linked to one of the world’s worst gene modifying disasters。 After a raid on a potential lab leaves his injured, he begins to realize that his DNA has been modified and upgraded。 Ramsay must find out who did this to him and what their plans are all the while running from the very agency he worked for and navigating his upgrade and what really makes us human。 。。。more

Adam Clark

What a whirlwind。 Upgrade is the first novel in recent memory that I read in one sitting。 I couldn’t put it down。 To be fair, it’s an easy read。 But that’s what I love about Blake Crouch — he writes with surgical precision and efficiency。 That could be a negative in certain circumstances, but it’s perfect for the genre-bending techno-thrillers that he does so well。 All of these qualities are on display in Upgrade。 That said, I found the twists and turns to be a little less twisty and turny than What a whirlwind。 Upgrade is the first novel in recent memory that I read in one sitting。 I couldn’t put it down。 To be fair, it’s an easy read。 But that’s what I love about Blake Crouch — he writes with surgical precision and efficiency。 That could be a negative in certain circumstances, but it’s perfect for the genre-bending techno-thrillers that he does so well。 All of these qualities are on display in Upgrade。 That said, I found the twists and turns to be a little less twisty and turny than I have come expect from Crouch。 But because he sets such a high bar to begin with, even his double plays feel like home runs。 Dark Matter is a special book to me, and I don’t think it will ever be supplanted as my favorite Blake Crouch novel。 But Upgrade is a fun bullet train of a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed。 Highly recommended。 。。。more

Katie

Blake Crouch’s novel is exemplary and terrifying and the same time。 In the near distant future, Logan is infected with a gene-changing virus。 At first, he thinks he dodged a bullet, but then the tests come back and the GPA (Government Protection Agency) is terrified。 He’s been noticing differences。 He can finally beat his daughter at chess。 He can do two things at once。 He reads at light speed and comprehends everything。 He’s somehow stronger than he’s ever been。 Yet, he’s also able to compartme Blake Crouch’s novel is exemplary and terrifying and the same time。 In the near distant future, Logan is infected with a gene-changing virus。 At first, he thinks he dodged a bullet, but then the tests come back and the GPA (Government Protection Agency) is terrified。 He’s been noticing differences。 He can finally beat his daughter at chess。 He can do two things at once。 He reads at light speed and comprehends everything。 He’s somehow stronger than he’s ever been。 Yet, he’s also able to compartmentalize his feelings。 He doesn’t really have to feel if he doesn’t want to。 Gene editing is illegal and he is now considered dangerous。However, he’s not the only once with this upgrade。 There’s one more and they will decide the future of the human race。 With climate change endangering the planet, they disagree with how to proceed, because are you really saving humanity of you alter them all? What is the true cost of saving the world?Ethical questions abound as Logan and Kara both fight the government from opposite sides as they both battle for their beliefs。 。。。more

Reading Our Shelves

Full review at: https://readingourshelves。wordpress。c。。。The story takes place in the mid twenty-first century, so only a few decades from now。 Logan’s mother used to be a leading geneticist, and she used her knowledge to try to stop a crop failure in China… but it all went awry, and billions died。 Since then, genetic modifications have been outlawed。 Logan Ramsay, our main character, works for the GPA – Gene Protection Agency – which watches out for any potential genetic work being done “under t Full review at: https://readingourshelves。wordpress。c。。。The story takes place in the mid twenty-first century, so only a few decades from now。 Logan’s mother used to be a leading geneticist, and she used her knowledge to try to stop a crop failure in China… but it all went awry, and billions died。 Since then, genetic modifications have been outlawed。 Logan Ramsay, our main character, works for the GPA – Gene Protection Agency – which watches out for any potential genetic work being done “under the radar。”Needless to say, there are definitely still scientists working on genetic modifications。 And there are still consumers interested in buying their work for various reasons。What Logan doesn’t anticipate is that his own mother, who supposedly died years ago, is still alive and still working on an intense set of modifications… to humans。 After he is unwittingly modified, he finds out that his older sister was also given this same “upgrade。” They find their mother’s suicide note (video, in this case), and learn that she wants to enhance humanity’s intelligence so that humans have a shot at stopping climate change before it’s too late。His sister, Kara, sides with their mother。 Logan does not。 Seeing as they are both enhanced – both mentally and physically – this sets the scene for some hard-fought battles。In addition to all the action, there are various ethical questions at play。 There is the obvious one of free will, and people being modified who didn’t necessarily want to。 But also, the modifications don’t work on some people, and instead they become ill。 So, how many people’s deaths are an acceptable amount of “collateral damage?” And do humans really need more intelligence, or do they need more empathy? 。。。more

Jennifer Nazario

Loved this book from the very beginning, so far my favorite of his works (I've read 3) getting addicted to his style of writing; thought-provoking, entertaining, and immediately grips you with his ability to make you love and feel for his protagonists。 Loved this book from the very beginning, so far my favorite of his works (I've read 3) getting addicted to his style of writing; thought-provoking, entertaining, and immediately grips you with his ability to make you love and feel for his protagonists。 。。。more

Tanja Berg

This was a really great sci-if thriller, a page turner reminiscent of Michael Crichton’s work in his heyday。 Logan is an average guy, leading an average life catching scientists that are playing with genetic material to create new and/or improved species。 Genetic research has been forbidden after a disaster that caused the starvation of the world。 Caused by Logan’s own mother。 At a job, Logan is hurt by an ice bomb and after a few weeks, he starts to change。 At the cusp of becoming homo deus, th This was a really great sci-if thriller, a page turner reminiscent of Michael Crichton’s work in his heyday。 Logan is an average guy, leading an average life catching scientists that are playing with genetic material to create new and/or improved species。 Genetic research has been forbidden after a disaster that caused the starvation of the world。 Caused by Logan’s own mother。 At a job, Logan is hurt by an ice bomb and after a few weeks, he starts to change。 At the cusp of becoming homo deus, this is an interesting book。 It reads like the brilliant thriller it is, but there is an underlying thesis of ethics - and what makes us truly human。 。。。more

Lauren Roberson

I loved this。 The science is sometimes (often) beyond my ability to understand but it’s still so interesting!!

Scott

Pulled me along, twist after twist, deep themes about the nature of family and genius and ability to change the future。 A grim near-future caused by playing God with genes。 Military action, government deception, humans being upgraded physically and mentally -- a delight。

Daniel Eady

Heavy on the science but heavy on the heart too。 After Dark Matter and Recursion, Crouch succeeds again in making complex ideas into a well paced story。 This one feels both personal and world encompassing, as it basically says “as a species we are fucked, if you could fix that - would you?”As it was announced that this has been optioned for a movie by Amblin Ent, I look forward to hopefully watching it one day

Chitrak Mitra

I read this entire book in one night, deeply engrossed from the first page。it was a great read but I can't give this book a 5。 As always, Blake Crouch stuns me with his ability to take a sci-fi premise and build an entirely plausible and deeply humanist world out of it。 At its best, the book sparked a rage of emotions in me and deeply increased my interest in synbio and its potential。 On the downside, the book focused a bit too much on the action and didn't deeply explore many of the most intere I read this entire book in one night, deeply engrossed from the first page。it was a great read but I can't give this book a 5。 As always, Blake Crouch stuns me with his ability to take a sci-fi premise and build an entirely plausible and deeply humanist world out of it。 At its best, the book sparked a rage of emotions in me and deeply increased my interest in synbio and its potential。 On the downside, the book focused a bit too much on the action and didn't deeply explore many of the most interesting ideas Crouch brings forward, using them more as window dressing around a thriller rather than a deeper exploration of the consequences of the new paradigm widespread synbio will bring。 I often found myself wishing he gave those ideas a bit more room to breathe, rather than rushing past it to get to the next action setpiece。 I couldn't help but compare the book unfavorably to Neon Leviathan, which did a much better job at deeply exploring the unintended consequences of a new technology。 Because of this, this book was not as deeply affecting to me as Recursion, but i still consider it a great read and miles beyond a lot of other Sci-fi I read。 Note: Blake Crouch is one of my favorite authors, so I grade him on a more difficult curve than most。 。。。more

Annie

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader。 Upgrade is a biotech thriller set in the near future written by Blake Crouch。 Released 12th July by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats。 It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout。 I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately。 This is a biotech thril Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader。 Upgrade is a biotech thriller set in the near future written by Blake Crouch。 Released 12th July by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats。 It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout。 I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately。 This is a biotech thriller in the tradition of Crichton, M。 R。 Carey, and J。 A。 Konrath。 It's not derivative at all, but fans of the aforementioned will fiind lots to like here。 The story is fast paced, action driven, and engaging from the start。 It's set in the near might-as-well-be-right-now future and readers will have no problems orienting themselves in the setting and story。 There is some technical jargon and basic biology/tech concepts, but readers probably won't encounter problems with the terminology in context。 The language is occasionally rough, R-rated, and there are disturbing descriptions and story elements included in the story。 The entire basic storyline - what is the essence of humanity and what can, and more importantly, should science do to and for mankind is thoroughly examined。 I felt a deep sense of melancholy throughout much of the book。 The denouement and resolution come as inevitable but satisfying。 It's well written and engaging and well based in the science as we currently understand it。Four stars。 Definitely highly recommended for fans of SF/speculative biotech fiction。 Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes。 。。。more

Laura

This story has a great concept which is executed well。 I'm always down for a sci-fi thriller book but this goes beyond the normal genre。 The plot pace is quick, witty and entertaining。 I Literally devoured this book like it was my favourite meal! (A traditional Sunday roast if anyone is interested) I loved our lead character Logan Ramsey, he is suffering the aftermath of his mothers impactful mistake in the past。 Millions upon millions died in great pain and discomfort because of a genetic error This story has a great concept which is executed well。 I'm always down for a sci-fi thriller book but this goes beyond the normal genre。 The plot pace is quick, witty and entertaining。 I Literally devoured this book like it was my favourite meal! (A traditional Sunday roast if anyone is interested) I loved our lead character Logan Ramsey, he is suffering the aftermath of his mothers impactful mistake in the past。 Millions upon millions died in great pain and discomfort because of a genetic error。This brings me to the actual plot point which explores genetic modification and hacking。 If you fancy something a little bit different that is outside of your comfort zone then you can’t go wrong with this book! This is one of those stories that you can’t help but warm to! Highly recommended!5 big ones!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟I was gifted a review copy of this book by @Blackcrow_PR, views and opinions expressed here are my own and have not been influenced by anyone。 。。。more

Mehrzad M。

Before reading this book, make sure you watch this video by the Economist。This book might be the victim of its author being way too good! This has happened with many of my favorite contemporary writers, e。g。 Andy Weir, Steve Toltz, etc; you publish incomprehensibly fascinating titles that are hard to top by even yourself。 The high expectation of the audience and the fans needs to be considered also。 The result at least for this one? A very fast-paced science fiction that keeps you up until 4 am Before reading this book, make sure you watch this video by the Economist。This book might be the victim of its author being way too good! This has happened with many of my favorite contemporary writers, e。g。 Andy Weir, Steve Toltz, etc; you publish incomprehensibly fascinating titles that are hard to top by even yourself。 The high expectation of the audience and the fans needs to be considered also。 The result at least for this one? A very fast-paced science fiction that keeps you up until 4 am to finish, but on many occasions, its events become linear and predictable。 Don't get me wrong though, I loved the book。// 。。。more

Thomas Ravenscroft

Blake Crouch knows how to write a good thriller! For obvious reasons I really appreciated the genetics in the story, it's not often the genes you work on make it into a sci-fi story! Blake Crouch knows how to write a good thriller! For obvious reasons I really appreciated the genetics in the story, it's not often the genes you work on make it into a sci-fi story! 。。。more

Jenna

This book was such a riveting page-turner! I found the main character easy to relate to, and the twists and turns of the drama in this book were simple yet absolutely wonderful。 My favorite thing about this book, though, is that like any good science fiction, it asks a very serious "what if", and does an excellent job portraying the possibilities。 This book was such a riveting page-turner! I found the main character easy to relate to, and the twists and turns of the drama in this book were simple yet absolutely wonderful。 My favorite thing about this book, though, is that like any good science fiction, it asks a very serious "what if", and does an excellent job portraying the possibilities。 。。。more

Cel

“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”If you are looking for an epic sci-fi read, UPGRADE is your book。 I feel like the intelligent and genius minds of the characters in this book is very contagious that I somehow understand all the combined alphabet, acronym, number sequencing and so fort during the reading experience。 The science is undeniably great and Blake Crou “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”If you are looking for an epic sci-fi read, UPGRADE is your book。 I feel like the intelligent and genius minds of the characters in this book is very contagious that I somehow understand all the combined alphabet, acronym, number sequencing and so fort during the reading experience。 The science is undeniably great and Blake Crouch has magically created it to a point where everyone who read this, regardless of scientific background are gathered into one convention of understanding。 The thriller-suspense factor was simmering right from the beginning making the book very hard to put down once started。 I was rooting for his success and my heart just breaks at everything he has to give up in order to save humanity。 My heart was racing, my tears are falling and my brain is at its full capacity of smartness just because reading this book gives you a front row seat of experiencing an UPGRADE! Is it mind blowing? Yes。 Definitely!Is it satisfying? Ha! I do not even want it to end。Is it worth my time reading? Sure。 I can, in fact say that this is going to be among my top reads for this year。 There is not a lot on that list so far, but UPGRADE is one。With fun and positivity considered and all that, I will be willing to be UPGRADED, provided that the genome I am getting will prevent me from gaining weight and making my brain think of many ways to be rich without working my ass off! Ha! Ha! Overall, this is one great read! Thank you Penguin Random House, Ballantine Books via Netgalley, and PRHAudio for the complimentary copy for review。 Henry Leyva on audio was wonderful! I highly recommend this book to all readers of any genre and ages! 。。。more

Megan

Loved this one。 It’s quite technical but that made me love it more。

Jacky

2 is probably harsh, but I was bored with throughout

Fruit Panda

Not well written, in many paragraphs he just dumped internet information, not fast paced on the plot, he is trying hard to invoke some emotions in readers but is failing due to these information dumps。 It is definitely not his best work。

Mikey

My takeaway from this book? Two people can be presented with the same problem, have the same resources, and come up with different solutions/reactions。 Sometimes it can be hard to determine who is right and who is wrong。 Do the ends justify the means? I can’t say。

Chelsey (a_novel_idea11)

It's official。 If Blake Crouch writes it, I will read it。Did I love this book as much as Dark Matter? Nope。Did I love this book as much as Recursion? Nope。Did I still love this book? ABSOLUTELY!Blake Crouch is a master at his craft and a true genius in my humble opinion。 He has this way of bringing sci-fi to the masses that I haven't seen in other authors。 In addition to writing a truly mind bending sci-fi novel, he's also sharing a STORY。 This is a remarkable talent and truly special。The premis It's official。 If Blake Crouch writes it, I will read it。Did I love this book as much as Dark Matter? Nope。Did I love this book as much as Recursion? Nope。Did I still love this book? ABSOLUTELY!Blake Crouch is a master at his craft and a true genius in my humble opinion。 He has this way of bringing sci-fi to the masses that I haven't seen in other authors。 In addition to writing a truly mind bending sci-fi novel, he's also sharing a STORY。 This is a remarkable talent and truly special。The premise of Upgrade isn't wholly original but it was still enthralling and Crouch found details and nuance that blew my mind。 Logan Ramsay has a sordid reputation being linked to his mother - the scientist who caused The Great Famine killing millions of people around the world。 When he gets attacked at a raid and begins to notice major enhancements to his self, it quickly becomes clear he was targeted for a DNA upgrade。 As Logan's strength, intelligence, memory, and entire self begin to transform into something nearly super human, Logan sets out to find answers to why he was selected for the upgrade and how to help save the human race from imploding。DNA alteration is fascinating and honestly doesn't even feel that far off。 I love books that are just a few clicks away from reality and Upgrade checks that box and then some。 Crouch really brings sci-fi to the masses。 There are definitely parts that went WAY over my head and were too science-y for me to actually understand (or probably fully appreciate), but it didn't take away from the meat or the heart of the story。 The research and care that went into crafting this story was impeccable and it was a true joy to read。 As with Crouch's other more recent sci-fi books Dark Matter and Recursion, I will definitely be recommending this to anyone willing to expand their mind and their bookshelves。Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for a copy of this novel。 。。。more

Kerri Gauna

What would you do if your genes were hijacked to make you better in any way, but at a terrible price? In a not too distant future, gene manipulation is outlawed and geneticists all over the world either find a new occupation or end up criminals and are apprehended by a new government agency。 Logan is an agent in this agency, but ends up on the run from his own bosses when he gets upgraded against his will from someone from his past。 Now he has to prevent the same upgrade from being released acro What would you do if your genes were hijacked to make you better in any way, but at a terrible price? In a not too distant future, gene manipulation is outlawed and geneticists all over the world either find a new occupation or end up criminals and are apprehended by a new government agency。 Logan is an agent in this agency, but ends up on the run from his own bosses when he gets upgraded against his will from someone from his past。 Now he has to prevent the same upgrade from being released across the globe and potentially killing millions。 And he has to do this against his own upgraded sister。 The newest book by Blake Crouch was not a disappointment。 Just like his previous books he thoroughly researches the topic, in this case genetics。 He goes in detail with gene manipulation, but also asks, with the world spiraling out of control, would genetic manipulation save humanity or doom it 。。。more

Phoebe Kaplan

Read it in 24 hours, very entertaining。 Perfect blend of sci-fi and thriller。 Thought at times the technical aspects of the book, like when he lists specific types of DNA, were unnecessary and too hard to follow, although it does make the author more credible and protagonist more authentic。

Toni Wyatt

If you love Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Action, and Suspense, this is the book for you。 Well-written, fast paced, with action galore。 Logan Ramsey grew up with a highly intelligent mother who altered a species of locusts’ DNA, in order to preserve crops in China。 It backfired and killed two hundred million people in the Great Starvation。 Thinking his mother is dead, Logan finds himself the victim of her last DNA manipulation。 She wants to save humans, but her plan is diabolical。 I gave it 4 stars because If you love Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Action, and Suspense, this is the book for you。 Well-written, fast paced, with action galore。 Logan Ramsey grew up with a highly intelligent mother who altered a species of locusts’ DNA, in order to preserve crops in China。 It backfired and killed two hundred million people in the Great Starvation。 Thinking his mother is dead, Logan finds himself the victim of her last DNA manipulation。 She wants to save humans, but her plan is diabolical。 I gave it 4 stars because, for me, there tended to be too much scientific genome deep diving。 And even though the plot and story are riveting and worth reading, I found myself getting depressed over how close our real world could come or is coming to this。 I read to escape, and this felt like coming face to face with a monster that could actually jump out of the book。 。。。more

Zappadragon

Blake Crouch does it again! I finished this one late last night and enjoyed every minute of it。 If you are anything like me and have enjoyed any of Blake Crouch's other books, I feel you're going to like this one as well。 It does get a bit sciencey, but don't let that stop you from this amazing story。 I will warn you that if you have children the ending will get you! Well done Mr Crouch。 Looking forward to many more to come。 Blake Crouch does it again! I finished this one late last night and enjoyed every minute of it。 If you are anything like me and have enjoyed any of Blake Crouch's other books, I feel you're going to like this one as well。 It does get a bit sciencey, but don't let that stop you from this amazing story。 I will warn you that if you have children the ending will get you! Well done Mr Crouch。 Looking forward to many more to come。 。。。more

Kimball

If you loved Blake Crouch’s previous books (RECURSION and DARK MATTER are just two of his brilliant works), then you’re going to need to pick up a copy of UPGRADE。 These are science fiction books for even the most reluctant sci-fi readers。 UPGRADE reads like a thriller—it’s fast paced and utterly riveting。 I could not put it down and ended up finishing it in two days。 Like his previous books, Blake Crouch questions where technology will lead us as a people。 In particular, he is questioning the f If you loved Blake Crouch’s previous books (RECURSION and DARK MATTER are just two of his brilliant works), then you’re going to need to pick up a copy of UPGRADE。 These are science fiction books for even the most reluctant sci-fi readers。 UPGRADE reads like a thriller—it’s fast paced and utterly riveting。 I could not put it down and ended up finishing it in two days。 Like his previous books, Blake Crouch questions where technology will lead us as a people。 In particular, he is questioning the future of gene edition and what it could mean for society。 Throughout the book, the reader is in the shoes of the main character, understanding his choices, his pain and the difficulty of his dilemmas。 •In UPGRADE, Logan Ramsey is the grown up son of a defamed scientist whose genome editing scheme caused millions of people to die。 After spending three years in prison for his part in the failed editing scheme, Logan begins working for the Gene Protection Agency with the goal of stopping all gene modification。 During a raid, Logan is exposed to a virus。 Initially, the side effects seem mild but after a few days, Logan begins to notice that he can finally beat his daughter in chess, can recall entire conversations he had years ago in perfect detail, and can read incredibly complex books in just a few hours。 He isn’t the only one to notice。 Government agents lock him up and run tests on him。 As they run test after test, the stronger and more intelligent he gets。 He has had an entire genome upgrade。 It reminds Logan of the last conversation he had with his mom, a conversion which she promised to release “a viral gene drive” that would provide a significant upgrade to the human species。 When he gets broken out of the containment facility, Logan must decide whether he should allow the upgrade to spread through the human species, even though a percentage of the population would certainly die, or destroy the virus。 What would you do? 。。。more