Run

I can best describe this as a running-from-zombies journey without zombies, but with a much more dangerous opponent - regular people. People that are alive, with guns galore, and with a strange and sudden desire to kill discriminately. People that were your friend at a barbeque just a day earlier, now coming after you after disposing of their family first. The worst of human nature is explored, with other unaffected still posing a signicant threat as well.

Main dude is Jack Colclough. He isn't perfect, but he's a perfectly good hero. His family is falling apart, but when their names are suddenly read out on the radio as targets, he and his family have no choice but to band together and to try to survive as best as they can, in a world that is out to get them. I felt for him, rooted for him, and wished that he would remove his plot armour at a few points throughout the story.

His wife Dee is pretty Deecent overall. The kids, however, feel more like heavy luggage they have to carry around. Close to zero agency, standing around and simply existing as a motivation for their parents to keep on going. Cole had at least a little significance to what was happening, but I feel like whatever he had going on was not explained as elaborately as I would have liked.

There were some parts that dragged a bit - a bit too road-trippy, but hey, they are on the run so I can forgive them actually being on the run being told too. I just wish some of the more exciting locations they got to were explored a little more. I felt like every time they hit a milestone and actually got somewhere, they were only there for about five minutes and then it was back to being in a car; back on that endless road trip.

What I do love about this story is how full circle it is. It ends where it begins and begins where it ends, and only after reading it through, you can truly understand those first chapters properly. What I don't love is that I now need to find the time to read more Blake Crouch novels!

I'll start this review by saying Blake Crouch is one of my favorite authors. Wayward Pines is one of my top 5 series I've ever read. Also, apocalyptic and dystopian novels are my all time favorite genre... So to say I have a complicated relationship with Run by Blake Crouch is an understatement. This book has been on my TBR since 2011, so I was so excited to read this ARC of the re-release from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group. 

So why so complicated? Because I did not enjoy reading this book at all but also I can respect the artistry in that. This book is deeply uncomfortable to read. It's frantic the entire time. But at the same time that's the point, Crouch brings you a bit too much into the action. 

The first half is pure chaos, but again the point, and the second half almost makes me want to raise my rating because the story becomes beautiful. 

However, I have to stick to my 2.5/5 because though I almost DNF multiple times, I still wanted to see the end. Had it been another author? I never would have continued. 

I get what Crouch was doing with the frantic chaos, but I know him as an author so well I believe he could have conveyed that and still made it an enjoyable read. I was dying for a new apocalyptic read because I feel after 2020 they vanished because it feels a bit too real. This one wasn't an escape, it left me stressed in the pacing, no chapters, and chaotic writing. 

Maybe it will be for you, but unfortunately I'm just glad it is over and can't get a recommendation from me.  

A dystopian-esque thriller about survival and a family on the brink of ruin. Some fun sci-fi elements, and a compelling love story.

Apocalyptic story about a family who are the run for their lives. From what, no one seems to know for sure. Some people are affected, some aren't, but Jack will do whatever it takes to save his family.

I enjoyed this story for the most part, the ending just seemed hurried and rushed.