Recursion by Blake Crouch – Book Review

The 2016 release of Dark Matter completely blew me away, but I think Blake Crouch topped that novel with Recursion. (And not just because he over-scienced my brain in Dark Matter.) Read on to find out why! Thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review. This post also contains affiliate links. My coffee habit thanks you.

Recursion by Blake Crouch
Published by Crown/Archetype on June 11, 2019
Genres: Fiction, Thrillers, Technological, Suspense, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure
Pages: 336
Buy on Amazon
Buy from your local independent bookstore via Bookshop.org
Goodreads

From the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter and the Wayward Pines trilogy comes a relentless thriller about time, identity, and memory—his most ambitious, mind-boggling, irresistible work to date.

“An action-packed, brilliantly unique ride that had me up late and shirking responsibilities until I had devoured the last page . . . a fantastic read.”—Andy Weir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian

Memory makes reality. That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

Neuroscientist Helena Smith already understands the power of memory. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious moments of our pasts. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent. 

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them? Advance praise for Recursion

“Blake Crouch has invented his own brand of page-turner—fearlessly genre-bending, consistently surprising, and determined to explode the boundaries of what a thriller can be.”—Karin Slaughter, #1 internationally bestselling author of Pieces of Her “Brilliant. Crouch’s innovative novels never fail to grip!”—Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of The Wife Between Us and An Anonymous Girl “A masterful mind-bender of a novel. Crouch brilliantly infuses his story with dire repercussions and unexpected moral upheaval, and leaves you wondering what you would do if you had the chance to turn back the clock.”—Mark Sullivan, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Private series and author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky 

Recursion is a wild ride by the one author who makes me feel like I nearly grasp quantum physics. Knowing that there is usually some sort of actual technology/emerging sciencey-thing that sparks the idea for his unique blend of scifi/thriller/mystery novel is mind-bending in its own right.

This is a tale about memory, time, as well as the repercussions of science and messing with both of the former. Admittedly, the science of it was tricky and fascinating. This was nearly unputdownable. I say nearly because sometimes you have to stop and THINK about the timeline, about what the hell just happened, and everything you think you knew. Then, just when you think you know where it might be headed, he dropped another twist on you. Blake Crouch really throws in some sharp twists, turns, and then doubles back around with this one.

It’s a pretty fabulous premise and a roller coaster of a read, highly entertaining and full of surprises.

The trick with reviewing his books is telling you about it without giving too much away. He has a wildly imaginative way of taking an what is a seemingly simple premise, throwing enough explanation of the science to make you think you nearly get it, and twist your reality upside down. As mentioned earlier, it’s just a little quantum physics, so PLEASE pay attention in the first part of the book. You’ll thank me later.

Sound intriguing? You can get your own copy from Amazon here, or you can find an indie bookstore carrying Recursion here.

If you want to geek out and learn a bit more behind the scenes, Blake was interviewed by Goodreads. It’s fascinating!

Is this your kind of read? If so, check out my review of Blake Crouch’s mind-bending novel Dark Matter here.