Reviews

Recursion by Blake Crouch

lordking's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

huntingforagoodread's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was a Bookstagram suggestion. I have been wanting to venture back into Sci-Fi for some time now, and the review I read on this book really hooked me so I decided to give it a try. Go figure it wasn’t on KU and it was a $15 purchase so I got a library card to read this book!

I loved it. I absorbed the first 75% percent of the book in my first reading sitting. When I paused reading to return to the real world, I experienced a book hangover of epic portions. I questioned everything. Memory, life, time travel, quantum physics. I was What If’ing for the remainder of the night, could not sleep, and work was a nightmare. Thank Goodness I was able to finish it as soon as I got home from work!

The last 25% was just as good as the first 75% and the ending…. It just left my wheels spinning with more What Ifs. I love it when books do this - when they make my mind spin and ask questions, usually that don’t have answers. It’s the unknown of it all that pulls me to it.

If you want a book that keeps you on your toes and will leave you wondering about your reality and the world we live in, then reading this is a must. If you are a science fiction or dystopian fiction fan, then this may be right up your alley!

ryann2011's review against another edition

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5.0

“My souls knows your soul. In any time”

Remember that scene in back to the future when Doc Brown is explaining to Marty McFly how new timelines are created and why messing with it could cause a break down in the fabric of the universe?! This whole book was like that and I LOVED IT.

This book was so intricate and mind-bendy with a splash of Romance! A perfect blend of Back to the Future and the Time Traveler’s wife. It explores the human experience through memory and how our memories create the reality we know today. Messing with memory and time is a dangerous game and I absolutely loved how the book broke it down.

Barry and Helena were such Badass characters. You can’t help but root for them on their journey. They endured so much and really fought for humanity.

This was so much fun to read. If you like Dark Matter you’ll probably be totally absorbed by this book as well!

elisevman's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

brettpet's review against another edition

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4.0

Much like Crouch's previous novel Dark Matter , Recursion falls into the "guilty pleasure" sci-fi thriller wheelhouse. I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster that was Matter, and this book is just as (if not more) enjoyable and unpredictable as its predecessor. I was particularly thrilled that Jon Lindstrom narrated the audiobook adaptation once again, joined by Abby Craden--making this the first audiobook I've ever listened to that had multiple narrators.

Thinking back on it, the scene with Barry entering the hotel and first experiencing
Spoilermemory travel
was one of the coolest things I've seen in a book in some time--the writing in that section was near perfect, as well as the chapter where Barry and Helena
Spoilerinfiltrate the hotel after combining forces
. I also found the setting of Slade's laboratory on the aircraft carrier really interesting in a supervillain-type way. But similarly to Matter, one major issue I had was with the romance element. The relationship
Spoilerbetween Barry and Helena
felt forced, and took the story into a less compelling direction (especially the
Spoiler government contract
parts). However, I do think the ending sticks the landing, and I could picture the "roll credits" scene for the inevitable adaptation of this book.

I don't think I enjoyed Recursion quite as much as Dark Matter, but I do find it a better written book--I'm glad it won the annual Goodreads Sci Fi award. Because this book was so riveting and unpredictable in its own unique way, I'm breaking from my usual ratings scale to give it an 8.8/10.

krakenite's review against another edition

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5.0

Gaaahhhh. I can't remember the last time a book made me both hyperventilate and cry. ALL the feelings with this one.

rainpunk's review against another edition

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5.0

What a great mind warp. Can't say much about it without spoiling where it goes, but it's got elements of other modern greats like Arrival, The Martian/Project Hail Mary, Primer... Complex situations, problem-solving, and repercussions. A really exciting, fun mind bender.

mooreamyd's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

remiluna's review against another edition

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5.0

Just WOW. I absolutely loved this one. Had me hooked from beginning to end. So well written and such an amazing story. This one had me feeling all the things. Exciting, thrilling, heartbreaking and beautiful. I cannot recommend this book enough.

hairband_dude's review against another edition

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4.0

Good book if you don't think too much about it or just take stuff at face value. I still didnt comprehend how everyone's memory is reset when the memories of only one person (ie the person in the tank) are replayed. The subject is the only one who will experience a different timeline, whereas the others will see that the subject is lying dead in the water. Of course, the author must have done more research on this than I have, so its safe to assume that I'm a dum dum.