The minute I read the synopsis for The Last Equation of Isaac Severy, I moved it all the way to the top of my to-read list. A death, a mystery to be solved, a solution with the potential of far-reaching consequences? It sounded like exactly what I felt like reading. I popped over to NetGalley to see if I could request it (despite the fact that it had JUST been published!) and lo and behold, not only was it available, my wish was granted almost immediately! So thank you, Touchstone, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Part of what attracted me to this novel was that it reminded me of others that I've loved - including Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, and possibly even Ready Player One, in terms of there being a race to solve a mystery, with an unlikely hero competing against more highly trained and resourced adversaries. However, Equation adds in a healthy dose of inter-generational family drama, which is also one of it's downfalls - for about the first third of the book, I had a difficult time tracking the family members and keeping them and their relationships to each other straight in my mind. That being said, it didn't keep me from enjoying the book. The characters are well developed, the twists and puzzles well thought out, and the solution of the final equation distinctly terrifying to consider. Additionally, author Nova Jacobs is an alum of USC (Go Trojans!) and her knowledge and love for Los Angeles is palpable in her descriptions of the city and it's various parts.
Very fun read, and would be a great book club selection, as there's lots of characters and relationships to dissect as well as themes relating to the pursuit of knowledge and the role of fate versus self-determination on large and small scales.
4/5 stars.
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