Blake Crouch's Upgrade has garnered praise for its engaging, fast-paced storytelling and thought-provoking exploration of genetic engineering. Readers appreciate the dynamic plot and the ethical dilemmas presented. However, some criticisms highlight a lack of character depth and predictable twists. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of speculative fiction.

A reader who would enjoy Upgrade by Blake Crouch is likely a fan of fast-paced, thought-provoking science fiction with a focus on genetic engineering and ethical dilemmas. Comparable to fans of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park and Daniel Suarez's Daemon. Engaging for those who appreciate speculative fiction with a tech twist.

Set in a near-future world facing catastrophic climate change, Blake Crouch's Upgrade follows law-enforcement official Logan Ramsay as a genetic enhancement mishap leaves him with heightened abilities. Logan grapples with ethical dilemmas and personal loss while confronting his own past and attempting to stop a global genetic engineering disaster from his mother's legacy. The source material includes discussion of suicide.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Dark / Challenging / Emotional

- Upgrade by Blake Crouch delves into futuristic themes that explore the ethical boundaries of genetic modification, reflecting the author's ongoing interest in the intersection of technology and human evolution.
- Before gaining fame as a novelist, Blake Crouch faced numerous rejections, with his persistence finally paying off when his earlier works were adapted into the successful TV series Wayward Pines.
- The book continues Crouch's tradition of involving intense scientific concepts, drawing upon his research collaborations with experts in genetics and bioengineering to ground the sci-fi elements in reality.

**Logan Ramsay**  
The first-person narrator of the novel, Logan is a loving father and husband who wrestles with the legacy of his genius mother and navigates ethical challenges that test his values and beliefs.

**Kara Ramsay**  
Logan's sister, who chooses a military career path and is characterized by a cynical worldview, often clashing with Logan over their differing responses to past traumas.

**Edwin Rogers**  
Logan's boss at the GPA, involved in government operations with questionable ethics, who eventually seeks redemption and aligns himself with Logan in a crucial turning point of the plot.

**Miriam Ramsay**  
Logan's mother, whose groundbreaking but devastating work on genetic modification drives much of the narrative and whose complex relationship with Logan underscores his internal struggles.

**Beth Ramsay**  
Logan's wife, providing him with emotional stability and serving as a contrast to the upheaval in his life, though not deeply explored in the novel.

**Ava Ramsay**  
Logan's daughter, who shares a love of chess with him and represents a key emotional connection and source of motivation for Logan.

**Nadine Nettmann**  
Logan's partner at the GPA, initially a trusted colleague who later plays a pivotal role in the storyline, challenging Logan's commitment to his ethical principles.

Blake Crouch

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Upgrade reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Upgrade | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Upgrade and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Upgrade Summary and Study Guide

Background

Upgrade Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

Upgrade Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Upgrade Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 7-9

Upgrade Part 2, Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 10-12

Upgrade Part 2, Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapter 13-Epilogue

Upgrade Part 3, Chapter 13-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Upgrade Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Upgrade Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Upgrade Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Upgrade Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Upgrade Essay Topics

Upgrade

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Upgrade?

Reading Age

Book Details