Quick summary: This is the first book I've DNF in over a year. I know the author put a lot of time and care into this story, but "Stealing Infinity" was not a good fit for me.

Full review: I DNF this story at 33%, so take this review with a grain of salt.

My main problem lies with the protagonist, Natasha. She made numerous poor decisions and lacked the strength to stand up for herself and face the consequences of her actions. I'm not sure why she was admitted into this elite boarding school—and to be honest, I don't really care—but I'm convinced we couldn't have had a more naive and clueless character.

The plot itself bordered on ridiculous. I don't want to spoil anything for potential readers, but I can summarize it by saying it was one unrealistic event after another. The transitions between scenes were choppy, and the time travel element was practically nonexistent. I made it a third of the way into the book before I decided to DNF, so it might have gotten better, but I was too frustrated to stick around and find out.

This story is definitely on the younger side of YA. Between the juvenile protagonist, bland love interest (trust me, it's insta-love at its finest), and endless descriptions of clothes, I couldn't take it any longer.

Concluding thoughts: I feel bad for giving this book a low rating because I know how hard it is to write a book. I'm sure "Stealing Infinity" will find an enthusiastic audience among readers in the YA genre, but unfortunately, this story isn't for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amazing story and plot! I loved reading this. Engaging from the start that keeps you hooked and wanting to know what happens next. Lots of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. So much happens in this book that you want to read it straight through in one sitting. Sooooo good!! I need to know what happens next and can’t wait until the next book comes out!!! Great book - highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

Stealing Infinity checks off so many boxes for me in what I love in YA fantasy! When Natasha is accused of a crime she didn't commit, she is sent off to Gray Wolf Academy. From this moment the story takes off and you will meet interesting characters in a world that will have you totally immersed while trying to figure out who is friend and who is foe. The time travelling aspect of the story was fantastic. There is so much to this book, and I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just say be sure to check it out. I can't wait for the sequel!!

I really enjoyed Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel. This book goes a bit deeper than your traditional YA novel, combining magik, time travel, all with your standard teenage drama. The book is very layered and I found myself guessing and second guessing my assumptions of every character between chapters.

I can see it being a book that not all YA fans are going to enjoy because it is of it's depth and it's a little bit plodding at time because there is so much mythology and world building needed. However, if you are a fan of the mythology building you will enjoy the book. I am looking forward to part two when I get a chance to read it.

Alyson Noël did not disappoint, this story is about love, time travel, betrayals, and a coming of age story. Beautifully written and a definite page turner. I didn't want the story to end and I done want to wait for the next book to come out!

I went into Stealing Infinity reading for myself (Hogwarts for time travelers? yes please!), and also preview reading for my 12 year old daughter who loves YA fantasy. The cover art was beautiful, the blurb was intriguing, and I had high hopes. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations, and I don't see myself recommending it to my daughter. Too many words spent on material things, designer this and expensive that, people who are the most beautiful people ever, insta-rags-to-riches, insta-love... it's all a major turn off for me, especially in YA. Let the magical mystical elements drive the fantasy world, but give me believable, relatable characters within that context.

This will be a series, and any first book in a series should world-build and get you primed for the longer story arcs. A good first book will leave you excited for more, and a great one will have you obsessing and re-reading until the next book is released. While I'm mildly curious about the long game of the time traveling, the characters and plot weren't compelling enough for me to continue to read this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for this honest review.

This fast-paced book has so many great qualities making it a must-read: adventure, mystery, love, time travel. Natasha finds herself in a new school and unsure of who she can trust. Certain aspects of her past begin to make more sense and help her with the present day challenges she finds herself facing. The book ends with a promise of much more mystery and adventure to come!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Stealing infinity is a fast paced book in a dark academia setting. The MC Natasha ends up at Gray Wolf Academy under mysterious circumstances and has to earn her place among the other students. The academy is dark and full of secrets that are slowly revealed as the story progresses. You’re not sure who is friend or foe, what’s real or simulation, or what the purpose of everything is. This story kept me hooked from start to finish and the time travel aspect of the story was really well done.

stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.


I thoroughly enjoy Alyson Nöel’s books. I read the Immortals series a long time ago and was transfixed by her ability to vividly carry a reader into another world. She has done it again with Stealing Infinity.

Nat’s father disappeared a long time ago, taking with him her mother’s happiness and Nat’s childhood. Her mom now works to keep them afloat but is not the mom that Nat needs. Nat herself works part time as well, with her best friend Mason. Other than her job, and her friendship with Mason, Nat has pretty much given up. Her grades have plummeted and she is now relegated to eating lunch at one of the ‘lesser’ tables with Mason.

Mason is her best friend, but even Mason can’t convince Nat to pull herself up and try harder. Then Elodie comes along. Elodie is glamorous and daring and magical. Mason thinks she’s trouble, but Elodie gravitates toward despondent Nat and gets Nat all caught up in her world. Mason warns Nat about Elodie over and over, but Nat just can’t see it.

Until the day that Nat is suddenly accused of shoplifting when her locker is found to be stuffed with clothes. Clothes that she had been trying on while Elodie was giving her a makeover to visit a secret club. Expelled from school and in jail, Nat’s options are very limited. Until Brax, a boy she met at the club, offers to bail her out. He explains to her that her mother essentially has given Nat over to a very wealthy billionaire to keep her out of trouble. In exchange, this wealthy billionaire is going to provide everything Nat’s mom could ever need.

This is how Natasha ends up at Grey Wold Academy. A rather different kind of school for different kids. Each one has been hand picked for certain skills to do the bidding of this billionaire. And as Natasha finds out more and more about her new ‘home’, she wonders if maybe jail would have been the better choice.

LOVED this book so much and cannot wait for the next installment. Just as with her previous series, Alyson Nöel wraps up enough of the story to satisfy, but leaves you wanting to know what is going to happen next. Grey Wolf Academy is a unique locale for a private boarding school. Plus what actually is happening at the school is amazing and incredible and such a fantasy with danger and intrigue.

You can’t go wrong reading any of this author’s books, but I found this one to be just what I needed.

This is one of those instances where I have to go, “It’s not you, it’s me.” The premise of this story was really neat—a remote boarding school on island for time travelers. Yeah, neat as hell. But it was the execution of the story that left me feeling very…meh.

I felt like we didn’t have enough time with Natasha pre-her getting swept away and off to boarding school. I didn’t know enough about Eloise through Natasha for there to be animosity between them. I grew tired of pitting girls against girls in this scenario but also throw in a handsome boy that the previous girl may have dated or have a crush on but now he’s with someone else and said girl is…jealous? I don’t know.

I didn’t feel fully immersed in the setting as well, especially in trying to grasp how big this place actually was. There are supposedly hundreds of people but Natasha is in such a niche environment and group. It also didn’t help that Natasha is supposed to (and does?) learn how to act in mid-1700s France and even speak French fully in a manner of months. I would have love to have followed her in her classes—any one of them because there are so many!—and see her fumble or falter or get confused here.

I wasn’t really into her relationship with Braxton either. It felt like of forced and just too obvious. I feel like I don’t really know any of the characters, and Natasha wants to paint Arthur in a bad light but even I’m not getting “bad” vibes from him. I simply don’t know enough to feel invested.

Also, we “learn” about the (real?) reason Natasha is there and it isn’t explored and Natasha doesn’t seem to give it any thought. I also found it rather surprising that she was able to remember many of the things her Father taught her even though he disappeared when she was around 9 years old. I mean, you’re talking some pretty complex things for a 9-year-old.

I also found the chapter breaks rather annoying. I usually don’t particularly complain about formatting but the way the chapters ended when they easily could she continued going for more pages threw me off a lot. It made the story seem choppy.

This book was very much intriguing, and very compelling. I however, didn’t enjoy the little romance subplot. I love elite school settings, and Noëls imagery made it all the better for me.

3,5 stars!

First off, that cover is GORGEOUS. Absolutely stunning. Stealing Infinity dives right into the story. It’s super fast paced, exciting and adventurous. You want to keep knowing what comes next while also trying to unravel the mysteries as Nat does.

Even though they are time traveling, I love that Alyson weaves quotes and philosophy throughout the book as well. The story had a super exciting premise and I love the direction that time-traveling takes in Stealing Infinity.

With the start of the book, I feel like the prologue gave away a lot more than is let on and I’m surprised it didn’t necessarily come to light in this book. I honestly expected the book to end with that bombshell. I’ll be very curious if we see it in future books with Nat and Braxton.

On the other side, I will say the ending wasn’t what I expected, however I also didn’t hate it. It’s not a cliff-hanger but it does leave you with lots of questions and wanting more. Super excited to see where Tasha and her journey goes!

I've strayed from YA lately, especially YA fantasy. Lacked the desire to read them, but always appreciate the gorgeous covers. That being said, I liked what was between the cover just as much!

Thanks to NetGalley for granting my wish to read this ARC, and this does not influence my review. Wow. Just wow. This was a paranormal dark academic book, with an enigmatic and mysterious academy containing many secrets. This enthralling book could be a sci-fi/dystopian blend. You guys. I’m serious when I say I’ve never read a book like this. The historical references, great quotes, and detailed writing about realistic objects, time, and reality that legit made me think the author was onto something. This was the first book I ever read that featured historical time traveling, was paranormal, and dark academic. The writing style was great, and I felt like I was actually the MC in the bad situations with time running out. Moving on to the romance, which was a fast burn (I don’t like those) but the mans was swoon worthy. I also absolutely adored the scene that <spoiler> contained sword fighting between both love interests </spoiler>. The tropes this book falls into are: guy falls first, time travel, and hate to love.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a fast paced, modern YA fantasy that I couldn’t put down! It contains time travel elements, which was really interesting! Natasha the main character was well written. She could be brave and cunning, yet at times maybe a little too naïve and trusting! I really liked Braxton as well! He was mysterious and kind to Natasha, but I’m worried he might be hiding too many secrets! After that ending, I can’t wait to see what will happen next in this exciting new series!!!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a fast paced, modern YA fantasy that I couldn’t put down! It contains time travel elements, which was really interesting! Natasha the main character was well written. She could be brave and cunning, yet at times maybe a little too naïve and trusting! I really liked Braxton as well! He was mysterious and kind to Natasha, but I’m worried he might be hiding too many secrets! After that ending, I can’t wait to see what will happen next in this exciting new series!!!

I want to start out with the fact that Alyson Noel is an amazing writer! I loved her other series that was out years ago and I thought I was going to love this one. With all the tarot and numerology aspects I thought I was going to dive into this one and not stop until I was done with the last page. But sadly that just didn't happen. I was so confused when this book started. I wish that it would have had a slower start where it wasn't just a lot of info dumping and me trying to figure out what in the world is going on. It was just far too much to start a book with in my opinion and it failed to grip me into wanting to read more.

Thank you Netgally & Entangled Teen for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Stealing Infinity is Crave+Dark+ El Internado. Set in a locked away boarding school, this deals with young adults with time traveling or what is called as Unraveling.

As much i loved the premise & the snarky bantered romance, the plot AND the romance kinda felt flat for me. Tossed into a world of fantasy, Natasha accepts the situation very quickly & starts figuring out what's happening like 10 seconds into it.

The side characters were not that interesting to be around & the "bad guy" felt pretty normal. I really like Braxton though! But his & Natasha's chemistry wasn't just enough.

I'm looking forward to the sequel & of course Killian and his backstory.

DNF @44%

The book started on a bad note (for me), with excessive info dumping on numerology and some "facts" which I honestly could not careless for. This was done even before the prologue. The prologue was decent but when the tarot card stuff came in- it became a huge turn off for me.

Another point that made me dnf it was the slow pace. I can handle slow pace paired with time travel (I thought it was going to be similar to Outlander- boy was I wrong) but the pacing and narrative was so boring and dull I could feel it sucking the life out of me. I could not keep forcing myself to read it any further.

It's also YA- which I have no problem with; but this one seemed like Wattpad writing; heavily focused on the kind of clothes, hairstyle, etc etc which again annoyed me. I also didn't like any of the characters- they have no personality and are bland to the core!

eARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Stealing Infinity is an all-around fantastic fantasy novel. To begin with, the characters are well-developed and the world building is epic. The characters are all a bit morally gray, which really allows the reader to connect with them. The story focuses on Natasha and her abrupt admittance into Gray Wolf Academy - a school for time travelers. Once at Gray Wolf, Natasha is kept busy with her unique school work (to include swordsmanship), her new set of friends (and rivals), and her blossoming relationship. Of course, this is all in addition to the fact that she is trying to comprehend that time travel is real and that she is soon to be taking her first "trip." The action-packed book dives into the concept that we all have choices to make and those choices all come with consequences. I cannot wait for book 2 in this series!!!!! I will be recommending Stealing Infinity to everyone I know!