Scan barcode
jackobotts's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
clarablackink's review
3.0
*I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
The vibe of the book is a bit like a scientific Adams family. The book details give a fair overview of the story which centers on Isaac's Severy's death and the search by various people to obtain his last Equation. It was an engaging and easy read, Nova Jacobs keeps the pace going without stumbling in the middle which makes it a book I recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining read. I did feel that the book has dark aspects to it that are taken a bit lightly which contributes to an Adams family vibe but I wasn't always sold on it. Because the book is a light exploration into the idea that life can be stripped down to a formula I think it worked but I wouldn't have minded a darker, more serious exploration. That said, I recommend this to anyone looking for a character driven, slightly philosophical read. The characters are quirky and charming, the atmosphere draws you in and I could see myself reading it a second time.
The vibe of the book is a bit like a scientific Adams family. The book details give a fair overview of the story which centers on Isaac's Severy's death and the search by various people to obtain his last Equation. It was an engaging and easy read, Nova Jacobs keeps the pace going without stumbling in the middle which makes it a book I recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining read. I did feel that the book has dark aspects to it that are taken a bit lightly which contributes to an Adams family vibe but I wasn't always sold on it. Because the book is a light exploration into the idea that life can be stripped down to a formula I think it worked but I wouldn't have minded a darker, more serious exploration. That said, I recommend this to anyone looking for a character driven, slightly philosophical read. The characters are quirky and charming, the atmosphere draws you in and I could see myself reading it a second time.
sherylk's review
2.0
This book was described as "an adult [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832]" so I jumped at the chance to choose it as my Book of the Month. Meh. It was a combination between a puzzle from a last will and testament that the characters are trying to solve, and a family psychodrama. I didn't think it did either of those things particularly well. The characters were not very well-developed, and the plot was reasonably predictable. Not a fan.
justsophi's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
janey's review
4.0
A fun, light read, despite all the talk about mathematics. I think you'll like this one if you liked [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345089845s/13538873.jpg|6736543]
mariab27's review
3.0
I was looking for a light, easy read written in The Da Vinci Code-esque style. While I enjoyed trying to solve the puzzle at the heart of this novel, I found the light-hearted take on mental illness, suicide, and incest off-putting.
jenpaul13's review
4.0
Solving some mysteries may require mostly curiosity and determination while others, such as the one in The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs, require a keen sense of logic to accurately deduce the solution.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
When Isaac Severy, a mathematical genius family patriarch, dies of an apparent suicide he leaves behind a coveted equation that those who know of it believe is able to predict the times and locations of murders. Trusting few with the reality of his work, Isaac leaves behind a note for his struggling bookstore-owning adopted granddaughter Hazel that's sprinkled with clues on how she can find and protect this equation from falling into the hands of those who would exploit the equation's possibility. As Hazel seeks to solve the clues Isaac gave her, she reluctantly takes on the help of a mathematically-inclined cousin she never met, realizing that he might have been killed for his equation and that she's probably not the only one looking for it.
Following a dysfunctional family that places a focus on genius, particularly of the mathematical variety, this novel was entertaining as the obscured secrets of the titular Isaac Severy were slowly revealed. Tackling more cerebral concepts surrounding death and the larger workings of the universe, the narrative was bolstered by Hazel's mundane issues and her liveliness to solve the mystery presented to her. There was a vast cast of characters to follow as the narrative shifted between them to provide pieces of the puzzle to come together into a larger, interconnected whole, which at times was a bit overwhelming to remember the background and details for specific characters.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
When Isaac Severy, a mathematical genius family patriarch, dies of an apparent suicide he leaves behind a coveted equation that those who know of it believe is able to predict the times and locations of murders. Trusting few with the reality of his work, Isaac leaves behind a note for his struggling bookstore-owning adopted granddaughter Hazel that's sprinkled with clues on how she can find and protect this equation from falling into the hands of those who would exploit the equation's possibility. As Hazel seeks to solve the clues Isaac gave her, she reluctantly takes on the help of a mathematically-inclined cousin she never met, realizing that he might have been killed for his equation and that she's probably not the only one looking for it.
Following a dysfunctional family that places a focus on genius, particularly of the mathematical variety, this novel was entertaining as the obscured secrets of the titular Isaac Severy were slowly revealed. Tackling more cerebral concepts surrounding death and the larger workings of the universe, the narrative was bolstered by Hazel's mundane issues and her liveliness to solve the mystery presented to her. There was a vast cast of characters to follow as the narrative shifted between them to provide pieces of the puzzle to come together into a larger, interconnected whole, which at times was a bit overwhelming to remember the background and details for specific characters.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
emmabeckman's review
4.0
This book was pretty slow at the beginning and it took me a while to really get into it. For a long time, it felt like there were too many characters and it was difficult to keep track of how they were all related to one another. However, the second half really grabbed my attention once the premise was all squared away! It was definitely an enjoyable read.
Now, I must admit that [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832] is one of my favorite books of all-time so I had very high expectations when I heard that this book was being billed as the adult version of that story. I definitely don't think it's THAT good. But it certainly has a similar vibe to that story and I liked that a lot.
Now, I must admit that [b:The Westing Game|902|The Westing Game|Ellen Raskin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356850909s/902.jpg|869832] is one of my favorite books of all-time so I had very high expectations when I heard that this book was being billed as the adult version of that story. I definitely don't think it's THAT good. But it certainly has a similar vibe to that story and I liked that a lot.
laurenisallbooked's review
3.0
An unexpectedly dark, page-turning read. This book is a four star mystery novel but a two and a half star literary fiction.
I really enjoyed the mystery element of this novel. The clues and red herrings were great, and I thought the main character was the perfect narrator to make this math-heavy hunt digestible for right-brained readers.
I wish there had been more time spent developing the relationships between Isaac and his family members. We got really deep glimpses into one facet, but I would have liked more storytelling to round out the relationships.
I really enjoyed the mystery element of this novel. The clues and red herrings were great, and I thought the main character was the perfect narrator to make this math-heavy hunt digestible for right-brained readers.
I wish there had been more time spent developing the relationships between Isaac and his family members. We got really deep glimpses into one facet, but I would have liked more storytelling to round out the relationships.