Emily (Books with Emily Fox on Youtube)'s Reviews > Upgrade

Can't wait to hear your thoughts about this book!

I think he was getting paid to use the word vivarium....jeez. I loved Recursion and Dark Matter but this one was blah

Blimey only 3.5 thats seems low somehow, cant wait for your review.

Who gave Blake Crouch a biology ensyklopedia? This is looking like a one star read for me...

Follow your YouTube channel ❤ I also felt this a 3* but I did really enjoy the first several chapters.

This one was a disappointment for me, even though I really liked Dark Matter and especially Recursion... I had so many issues with this one and I was so ready for it to be over towards the end... It was a two star for me :/

So. Much. Science. And not accessible to the average reader. It really slowed the story down. And I agree with Aran, the end was a mess. I just pushed thru to the end. The scenes around morality are the best part of the book.

Yeah, the ending fell flat!!! I hated the ending!

Did you finish it? I can't believe I am having trouble finishing a Blake Crouch novel

Should be titled Downgrade. It was so disappointing.

I was bored out of my mind for most of this book! ⭐️⭐️ for me.

There was also no character development at all. I found myself not caring about any of the characters. This one was really disappointing.

Same! I was so underwhelmed and thought maybe I hyped it too much in my mind… guess I’m not the only one who thought it was lackluster.

I agree! I couldn’t even finish it.

I felt the exact same way with your comparison to Bourne!! So mediocre

Terri wrote: "I agree! I couldn’t even finish it."

I wouldn't have if it weren't for his name on the cover :/
His ending was quite... hopeful but it's not why I read his books, you know? lol

May be not the place to ask, but what’s the thing with Matt Daemon?

Jahidul wrote: "May be not the place to ask, but what’s the thing with Matt Daemon?"

Oh it's not very serious. You know how some people you just don't like them for no real reason? Yeah that's how I feel about his face. Also my copy of The Martian is the movie tie-in (so his face) and I've had a few videos that would be partially out of focus because my lenses would focus on it.... so now it's personal lol

I actually liked it but not as good as Dark Matter for sure. This one was more science heavy which I liked but I could see it being too much for many.

You nailed it ! This is precisely how I felt when I was reading this book !
No big surprises or Mind bending concepts as it were in "Recursion" or "Dark Matter"

Agree completely. I wanted to like it more but found myself bored.

Same! I really wanted to like it more but did not feel connected at all to the characters. I did get caught up in the end but not enough for me to live it. I feel like a traitor saying that because I loved Dark Matter and Recursion!

I agree! I would love to see these scientific elements and characters play out in a different story. I stopped caring about Logan about 2 thirds in.

Recursion and Dark Matter are far superior!

I feel like losing the personal connection to Logan kind of works because he isn't really existing on the same plane as we are and the struggle with his family wouldn't make sense if we were able to keep an emotional connection with him.

That said, its definitely one of Blake's weaker books. The ending felt kind of campy and unsatisfying. Not a bad book, just not quite the quality I've come to expect.

I loved Dark Matter and Recursion but I think the pace that I read this says it all. I read the first third quickly, spent weeks feeling compelled to read the middle (and not that interested in the science dump), and finished the last quarter in a day (as it was already long overdue at the library). I found this very much like a Jason Bourne type novel (good action but no personality or depth). The “science” felt over-researched and crammed into every chapter which took away a lot of the humanity and character development. I wish I could have liked this more but I don’t. He’s one of my handful of favourite authors so this was a bit of a letdown.

Yep, was not a hitter from Crouch like his past works. Felt like he was trying do perform some social commentary but it did not feel too genuine. The plot and story were predictable, dry, and not particularly unique aside from the basic concept of advanced genetic modification.

Underwhelming is an excellent word indeed. The premise could ahve gone far, but I couldn't care less by the last hour of audio

Brooke wrote: "So. Much. Science. And not accessible to the average reader. It really slowed the story down. And I agree with Aran, the end was a mess. I just pushed thru to the end. The scenes around morality ar..."

The science was a major element of the book. If you didn't like it, you may not be the target audience. Not every book has to appeal to "the average reader"

It somehow felt a bit dated a la Jason Bourne

What do you mean? I think I have an idea, but I've never seen any of those movies :P

Who doesn’t like matt Damon? Agreed with the review

Absolutely get the Bourne comparison. I had that in mind too.

This was the exact sentiment I had with this book. I really love Crouch’s other work and couldn’t quite get into this one. Forced myself to finish it. There were moments but didn’t quite land for me.

I wonder what your 'vendetta' is about, I have an issue with MD as well. But I think that Blake Crouch is a tad misogynistic, there's usually the women at fault somehow or killed, etc., it's like he can't help himself. He is a good writer otherwise, but not sure if I'll read any more of his work.

Yeah! I coudn't agree more

Agreed. Enjoyed the first third or so but then lost interest. Was kind of a chore to finish.