Book Review: Outliers by Kate L. Mary


Publishing Date: March 2018

Publisher: Kate L. Mary


Genre: SciFi

Rating: 1.7/5

Publisher’s Description: In the dusty ruins of the world, three groups exist: the Sovereign, the Fortis, and the Outliers. Within their walled city, exclusive access to the only remaining technology gives the Sovereign an advantage that seems impossible to beat. In exchange for meager scraps and free reign outside the walls, they use the brawn of the Fortis to their advantage while the Outliers struggle to survive. Living on land that has not healed from the poison of the past, and surrounded by dangers too numerous to count, the Outliers have adapted – but to the Sovereign and the Fortis, they are nothing.

Review: This author in the afterword sounds like a nice person. Giving thanks to people whom she borrowed ideas from, editors, family etc. etc. But sadly, reviews are not based on the quality of the human writing it, but on the creation.

To me there was a gaping plot hole that the author tried to fill with some pitter patter nonsense. Why, when people on the outside of the city (Outliers) are obviously surviving in communities, that they feel the need to go into the city to work when their lives are always in forfeit? Getting a pittance in rations is worth being raped or beheaded especially when our hero’s husband brings game home every day and Indra eventually does the same? The idea that Indra needs to work for ruthless sovereigns to get some medicine for mum is ridiculous when there are people that know how to get into and out of the city undetected.

The author stated that she wanted to write about Robin Hood, when obviously this was patterned after Hunger Games. We see a lot of writers trying to capitalize on that franchise lately and this is no different. Ruthless overlords, check. Female reluctant and stalwart hero, great with a bow that takes down game and people, check. A plan to take down the overlords, check. Dual love interests, check. A person on the other side willing to risk their life for the hero, check. A main antagonist much like President Snow, check.

I still liked the overall movement and the basic story line, especially when Indra starts hunting Fortis soldiers. But, this action gets off the pot quickly and soon descends into her considerations for returning to the city based on weak justifications. I think this author has a lot of potential, so lets hope it shows up in the next installment.


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