Review: "Run" by Blake Crouch

"Run" is the novel equivalent of a 3-D movie. Things constantly jump out at you at every turn. While this kept me reading, I couldn't help but feel that the action became almost too overblown. There was a show stopper every 10 pages or so. That can be fun, but it doesn't allow a lot of time to build on the plot. Fans of zombie survival movies will find this novel suited to their tastes, since "Run" borrows heavily from the tropes of those films.

Also like a 3-D movie, there's a emphasis of style over substance, action over character. There's some nice development within the MCs family unit, but it took a back seat to the almost constant bombardment of action. By the novel's end, I felt as worn out as the characters.

It's a fun read, though. Perfect for lazy summer days or for a quick action pick-me-up. Author Crouch deserves much credit for creating a feeling of dread with each turn of the page. He knows how to use words efficiently and to great effect.

You can get "Run" as an e-book from Amazon here or from Barnes & Noble here.