Romancing the Null (The Outlier Prophecies #1)
by Tina Gower
Blurb:
There are three kinds of lies.
Lies the fates spin as half truths.
Lies of destined love.
And statistics.As a fateless, Kate Hale is immune to the first two, but the third kind of lie is her profession. After spending years as an actuary for the Traffic Department, Kate is promoted to Accidental Death Predictions. It’s all she’s worked toward, and her career is finally on track. But when an oracle delivers an impossible death prediction and insists on her help to solve the case, she might lose any chance of impressing the brass.
Her only hope comes in the form of the police liaison assigned to her department, latent werewolf Ian Becker. Becker can grant her the clearance to find answers, but he’s a wild card with a shady past who doesn’t play well with others.
Every prediction has a loophole, but if Kate can’t solve the case before the crime is fated to occur she won’t just lose her job–she’ll have the blood of an oracle on her hands.
My Review:
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Urban Fantasy and statistics? Yes please! The original concept of this one made me curious and I knew I had to read to read it. I have grown quite fond of statistics thanks to my psychology study and was curious how the author would combine those two things in a book. Romancing the Null was a fun read. It takes place in a world with oracles and predictions and statistics. But when an oracle is predicted to die things turn serious. Due to a bit of a coincidence Kate gets involved and then Becker and they are determined to solve this thing. It’s like solving a murder mystery that hasn’t taken place yet and it was really interesting.
This book started right off with the main plot line. It is very story driven and it’s quite fast paced. The whole story took place in a few days time. Which does make sense due to the time sensitive nature of the problem they’re dealing with. But at the same time it felt a bit rushed almost. Due to that it seemed there was less time for side plots or character development. And it also felt a bit slow at first as we’re missing some pieces of information and it felt for a while like they sat around doing paperwork and calculations and I couldn’t fully grasp what exactly they were doing as it was mostly summed up. Luckily after that things picked up when they leave the house. And then at the end when everything comes together it all speeds up and then slows down again when things wrap up.
I can’t fully explain why, but while I enjoyed this book something was missing that could’ve bumped it up to a 4 star. So it’s more like a 3.5 star rating, except I don’t do half star ratings. It just felt like tiny pieces or details were missing. A few scenes were just a tad confusing, but not so much you didn’t know what was going on. More like these tiny things were missing and I can’t even say what exactly. It just felt it didn’t quite flow right in some places or could’ve used a bit more explanation or clarification in some parts.
Kate is the main character in this book. And while the story was told from her point of view at the end of the book I still felt like I didn’t fully got a grasp on her personality. We do learn some things about her, but there wasn’t as much time for character depth and development and I think that’s one of the things that I felt was a bit lacking in this book. I did like Kate well enough, but I just want to get to know her better. Then there are some side characters; Becker, Mica, Ali and Jack who play a role and anyone besides that only plays a small part. The focus is very narrow due to the way the story is told, but it worked. There is a bit of a hint of a possible romance, but it’s only a hint at this point. Becker was quite interesting and I look forward to see more of him and Kate in the next book.
The world building was probably my favorite part of this book. The concept and the world is so original. I liked the concept of the oracles and how they made these predictions and how the government worked with that and prevented some of these things. The whole society was changed and build upon these predictions. It was really thought through and felt realistic. I liked how this concept of oracles and predictions influenced the whole world and how these people lived and the society functioned. And I just wanted to know more and see more of how this society works.
But there is more than just oracles and at times it felt like there was a bit too much. Every fantasy creature seemed to be real in some sort of another and magic is real too, but very little of that gets explored and because of that it felt difficult to get a grip on the complete world. Then again that’s also a good thing, because I think it would’ve been too much to fit all in one book. So we mostly get the oracles and their predictions with a bit of magic and werewolves on the side.
To summarize: This was a good story driven book where the characters try and solve a murder that hasn’t taken place yet. I enjoyed it and thought the concept was very original with the focus on oracles and their predictions. It just felt that at times something was missing, not sure what. It feels almost rushed with how much happens in so little time and slow at first when they mostly do paperwork. I liked the characters well enough, but would’ve liked a bit more focus on the characters and getting to know them. There is a hint of a possible romance, which seemed promising. The world building was probably my favorite aspect with how unique this world was. It’s really thought through and the oracles and prediction influence how society works. It just felt like there was a bit too much at times, as there’s also magic and paranormal creatures and there’s hardly time to explore that. Which is also a good thing as else it probably would’ve been too much for one book. All in all this was a promising start to the series and I am looking forward to continuing this series!
Links:
This book is free on all vendor sites!
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo
I love how excited you are by the combination of urban fantasy and statistics lol. And I like how there are little statistics references in the title and series. I actually got the highest score possible on my stat exam that counted as college credit, but, despite being good at math, I never actually *liked* it. So I’ve now forgotten everything except how to add and subtract and whatnot, haha.
Anyway, “solving a murder mystery that hasn’t taken place yet” is a really interesting description. I’m glad you liked that aspect and the world-building, though it’s a shame you didn’t get to know the characters very well. Maybe that’ll get better in the next book 🙂
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Discussion: Have You Ever Enjoyed a Textbook?
I always liked statistics and it’s fun to see it get combined with urban fantasy. I mean it’s such a unlikely combination on the one hand, but at the same time the author totally makes it work.
And I like the statistics references in the title as well and throughout the whole book there are mentions of statistics or the type of sentences you see in statistics, it was fun.
I never really liked math, but I kinda liked statistics, I always picked it up relatively easily. Then again about 25% of my first psychology year was statistics, so it also could be due to that.
It was quite fun how they were trying to solve a future murder, it threw things in a whole different perspective. I hope we get to see more of the characters in the next book.
This one was on my radar too – I love unique worlds and concepts and it sounds like that part delivered. I’m a little bummed that the character development wasn’t better though 🙁
Berls recently posted…It’s so nice to spend time with Shelby again! Hidden Deception #review
I hope the character development will be better in the next book, but overall I would still recommend this one. The world was really unique and well thought out. Also it’s free last time I checked, so it’s a good moment to pick it up if you haven’t yet 🙂
I never thought I would read about urban fantasy and statistics in the same sentence and be excited by it — very cool find! Definitely one of the most original combinations out there, I think.
Verushka recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: The Next
I saw Urban Fantasy and Statistics and knew immediately I had to read this one and I am glad I did. Definitely one of the most original combinations out there and I am looking forward to continue the series.
That does sound like a good story and I love the premise for the book.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Review: Son of No One by Sherrilyn Kenyon
It was a good one and the premise was great.
That is such a neat set up for the book! I love when authors do something really unique. It does sound good even if not entirely perfect. I hope the next one falls into place a little better for ya 🙂
anna@herding cats & burning soup recently posted…Bites & Nibbles: Sacking the Quarterback by Samantha Towle & The Mating Season by Laurie Horowitz
Yes the set-up was so unique and I loved that part of the book. I hope the next one is even better.
Ooh, this is like Minority Report gone right (?).
Braine recently posted…Loved It: Deja Who by MaryJanice Davidson
I never heard of minority report, but I assume it has a similar set-up?
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #195
This does sound very interesting and that’s great that the world building was well done. I love that in books! Sorry something was missing for you though. Fantastic review!
AngelErin recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday- Unnatural Deeds By: Cyn Balog
The world building was one of my favorite parts of this one, it was such an unique concept and well thought out too. It was a shame something was missing, but I hope the next book is even better!
I got this book recently when I saw it on your blog. I think it was free? After reading your review I am not sure I want to read it. Statistics are not a favorite of mine, and I don’t like that the characters aren’t fully explored. Very thought out and honest review! Thank you 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Torn World by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
Yes it’s still free. I don’t think that any of it would be confusing if you don’t like statistics. It’s more that they talk about a lot of calculations, but you don’t actually have follow any of the statistics along and there are some statistics terms. I hope that in the next book the characters are more explored, there definitely is potential, it just felt like there wasn’t enough time to explore their personalities in this one. I hope the next book is even better :).
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Kitchen: Oreo Cream Cheese Balls with Chocolate recipe