Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel! I finished this one with a smile on my face and a burning desire for the next one. Set on a mysterious island with a mysterious "boarding school", this book oozes dark cozy aesthetic. If you liked The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynne Barnes, you'll like this one. Except this one is even better because its time travel fantasy Theres action, theres romance, there's power dynamics and social politics. (not to mention some very intriguing young men) Alyson Noel is a master at a fun story. And I think we will all forgive her for that brilliantly frustrating ending!!!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a long-time fan of Alyson Noël's books and The Immortals saga was one of my favorite, hence why I was thrilled when I heard about her new book Stealing Infinity.
As always, her writing style is immaculate, easy to read and easily immersing you in the story.
The idea of time traveling and the Gray Wolf academy – a secret place created by a famous billionaire tech innovator, where carefully selected students learn everything so that they can blend in the specific time they are sent with missions.
But behind the facade of luxury life they are provided with, there's a lot more at stake and the truth is much darker and dangerous.
Our female lead character Natasha have trouble at school, gets arrested and that troubled life she lives, leads to her decision to accept the life at Gray Wolf Academy.
Soon she starts to question this new life and discover secrets that only leads to more questions and maybe that she wasn't chosen for the academy like the other students there and there is something more.
To top all her confusion and questions, she meets Braxton – despite him being partially at fault that she ended up there, she can't deny the attraction she feels for him…
Step after step, one mystery after another that keeps you interested and trying to connect the dots too.
To be honest, the character that intrigued me a lot and made the story all the more interesting was when Killian arrived in the picture.
He is such a mystery but such a captivating character at the same time, and I would love to learn more about him.
Wonderful read and I would love to see where the story goes from here.

Stealing Infinity is intriguing, and I could not put it down. There are a lot of books where a "troublesome" girl has her life upended and is sent to a new mysterious school which looks like a foreboding castle set in the middle of nowhere, but Alyson Noël makes it somehow feel new. The characters felt relatable and real. There are a lot of mysterious layers throughout the book, and I like how they were slowly answered but not everything is tied up in a neat little bow which is a good lead into a sequel and made me want more.

Overall, Stealing Infinity is a great sci-fi time-travel adventure that made me want to read more of Alyson Noël's books. I recommend it to anyone that likes the time-travel genre.

Thank you to Entangled: Teen for granting my wish for the NetGalley ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Teen for granting my wish to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have so many questions!
I'm hoping they will all be answered in the sequel, Ruling Destiny coming out in February.

Natasha is swept away to Gray Wolf Academy where a large group of people can time travel and they are expected to steal artifacts here and there for Arthur Blackstone, the headmaster of Gray Wolf Academy. Natasha has a gift and she's been experiencing episodes of Unravelling: seeing, sometimes unexplained, visions through time and memories of her past. While learning about history, sword fighting, numerology, and how to blend into whichever time she is sent to, Natasha feels a connection with the handsome Braxton, the person who guided her to Gray Wolf. The students at Gray Wolf are hiding secrets from Natasha and she beings to realize nothing is what it seems living at the Academy...

At first I wasn't a big fan of reading from Natasha's POV. She is not the most relatable character in YA but when it hit the 30% mark I started to like her more with every chapter. She knows there are things wrong at the Academy. No one ever wants to give a straight answer and that's why I have so many unanswered questions! I wanted to learn more about her father and his connection to the Academy and Arthur Blackstone. There is definitely history there. I want to know more about why Arthur is so insistent that Natasha has to find the pieces of the Antikythera Mechanism.

There is A LOT of unexplained plot lines and hints in book one. We don't know a lot about Braxton and so I'm very suspicious of him and that prologue in the beginning. We do get some answers but they are vague and create more questions.

I do love that Alyson Noel put the numerology piece in front of her book. It doesn't have much to do with the story itself so if you're not interested in it you can skip it but it was a fun add-on. Side note: I'm an 8!

At the end of the e-ARC there is a chapter/piece in Braxton's POV and it made me wish he had some chapters in the finish copy. I'm crossing my fingers we will get an extra chapter or two from Braxton in Ruling Destiny. He is a very interesting and mysterious character and so is Elodie. They both were at the Academy the longest, besides Arthur, and have so much experience in time travelling and have a lot of secrets. If not Braxton, I would love to read a chapter from Elodie. She is not my favorite character and honestly I don't like many of the characters in this book. I couldn't form a connection with any of them except for Natasha, Braxton, Elodie, and Arthur. I thought I would like Song more but then she ends up disappearing and no one cares where she went. I was hoping Natasha would find a friend in Song but before she could be developed, she's gone.

I love history, time travelling, and the idea of studying up on the period you are tasked to visit. We don't get a lot of showing and reading about Natasha's time at the Academy and her studies. Instead of letting us experience that with her it's passed off as "a month goes by..." The book is already long at 400 pages but I wish it were longer so we could get more of a picture of what the Academy is like and the classes Natasha has to take to better her gift and what she needs to do while in a different time period.

Everything in Stealing Infinity is a huge mystery. The characters and the world building needed more developing. I wish Noel had given Natasha more places to visit instead of only visiting the same time period and party during her first Trip.

Though a lot is unexplained or ventured I do love the book and the short chapters, think of Crave by Tracy Wolff. There is a great amount of history and I wanted to learn more. The pace is flawless and kept me hooked on my kindle until the last page.

I'm looking forward to reading Ruling Destiny in the future.

4 stars

A secret school for time travelers tasked with stealing things through history. Natasha has a pretty dull life, and yearns for more.. so when she is invited to a party to meet a handsome boy with her rich friend, she thinks why not? Except soon she is facing a gravestone with her name on it and the next thing she knows she’s blacked out and awakened to find that she’s been charged with theft and bailed out... to said handsome boy who takes her to Gray Wolf Academy, a remote off-the-grid school owned by a billionaire tech guru. Said handsome boy is named Braxton and he’s gloomy, secretive, and super mysterious. Soon Natasha is forced to go to school here, forced to participate in time travel thievery, and realizes that the only way she can leave is going through the past and hoping she doesn’t get stuck... but she is stuck at this school and with the hallways full of secrets and people who all want to throw her under the bus how will she make it out. Natasha does not adapt well to her situation and for a high schooler with little skills and experiences it does make sense. She’s freaked out, panicking, and naive in who she can trust. Then there’s the insta-love with Braxton. who is a pretty dull love interest if I’m being real honest. Guy was sent to “recruit” aka has been stalking her. and whenever she ask him stuff about his past or himself he deflects or gives extremely vague answers while just resorting to kissing her and telling her she’s the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. Then there is Killian who comes in halfway through the book, a handsome time traveler who is definitely the third love interest, but oh my gosh he was ten times more interesting and had a much more fun storyline and character arc to him. The story is the first book in the series and it definitely felt like a first book, setting up a ton of the school, background, and characters. The premise was interesting and I was expecting a bit more from it but overall it was okay. If you like time traveling stories with boarding school elements and a bit of romance then this is for you.

*Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

2.5

I really love the concept of time travel, and I liked how this book had a concept of all time existing alongside each other. However, it wasn't explained particularly well, and at times the explanations/terminology felt very half-assed. Time travellers, or "Trippers", are sent back for valuable objects in history, such as original paintings. And these objects/missions are literally just referred to as "Gets". It just feels like lazy writing; there's got to be a better term for that, surely.

It is very easy to read, but the pacing is just all over the place. At times, like in the beginning, it was incredibly slow-paced, despite being interesting, while towards the end, it was incredibly fast-paced, but with not much plot advancement happening. There was a lot of filler that could easily have been cut, and you wouldn't have lost any of the story.

The characters are very one-dimensional. You have the cliche mean girl, who is mad at the main character over a boy. Speaking of the boy, he is one of the most boring love interests I have ever read. There was no chemistry there. His only personality trait were his "lapis lazuli eyes". There was more chemistry between the mean girl, Elodie, and our main character, Natasha. Like just make it sapphic, at this point!

Speaking of our main character, she has a strong "not like other girls attitude". There was one scene where she talks about how she feels like she's the only girl who enjoys eating food and refuses to eat it daintily "like other girls", and I just don't think there's any need for this trope in 2022. This is a core part of her personality up until about two thirds of the way through, at which point she drops pretty much all personality to become very wishy-washy and does whatever anyone says, especially whatever her boyfriend Braxton says. This book also gave me Wattpad vibes, because her mum literally signs her daughter away to a trillionaire, without ever discussing it with her daughter or speaking to her ever again, pretty much just so she can renovate her house.

There were lots of other elements that were frustrating, such as an interesting prologue that is never addressed again, a ridiculous school hierarchy system based on the colour of your sweatshirts, and the way the story could easily have taken place over several years, rather than having Natasha be some special case where she is on the fast track to become a time traveller, despite everyone else at the school having had to learn for their whole lives how to become one, when it is brought up time and time again that you should not time travel when you are not fully prepared?

Sadly, this book just didn't work for me, but if you're looking for a quick and easy read that has elements of time travel and a hidden academy, you might like it!

I really wanted to love this book. This author filled up so much of my childhood, so it was really nostalgic getting to read something from her again. I just think I expected different things going in from the blurb and the author's previous work I was really intrigued, but ultimately it just sort of fell a bit short of those expectations. I thought that overall the idea was pretty unique, I personally just haven't read a lot out the same exact topic, but the execution was not very good. I think that the biggest thing was the pacing, the plot felt kind of meandering and really slow. Nothing was really happening that was pushing the plot along. I also think that the way it was written didn't really serve it that much. I think it would have done a lot better had it been a third person perspective, and also if it had been shortened a bit. I think the length had a lot to do with the meandering plotless feeling. Amazing cover design, super nostalgic read, but I do wish I got a bit more from this book.

This story moves quickly with a plot that keeps the reader guessing and anticipating what could be next. Friendships, romance, memory, time, secrets, and morality add to the intrigue of the story and give the reader some deeper topics to consider. Memory is a particularly slippery concept in this book, as others frequently lie, and hypnosis is used as a tool to alter perspectives...;Natasha experiences what she calls Unraveling....
"We are always writing our own stories - all day, every day. It's the ones you choose to play on repeat that determine your destiny. You alone are the alchemist of the reality you create."

Stealing Infinity is a fast-paced YA novel that will take your breath away!

Natasha is convicted of a crime she did not commit and is whisked away to Gray Wolf Academy. In exchange for her all expenses paid tuition, she can never go home. Her mother is more than willing to sign on the dotted line.

All is not as it seems at the private school, and she needs to determine who is looking out for themselves and who is really her friend. Students tend to go on trips and never return, why is this? Although she asks a lot of questions, she is never given a straight answer.

During her time at the academy, Natasha draws closer to Braxton but is he worthy of her trust? I have a feeling that Braxton is not as trustworthy as he seems to be.

With carefully placed flashbacks highlighting conversations with her father, Natasha is drawn further into the web of deceit, and she finally unravels the mystery of Gray Wolf Academy. The ending will leave you wanting more.

If you like adventure, betrayal, mystery, love, and time travel all in one awesome YA novel, then this is the book for you!

Thank you to Net Galley and Entangled Teen for my eArc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An exciting puzzle-piece adventure like a Young Adult version of National Treasure except with time travel and a global scale.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

DNF at 31%

The prolog was so great and strong but what comes after didn't really meet my expectations.
It was slow, so slow and most of it was just the inner monologue of the MC who was starting to really annoy me with the repetitive thoughts. There were just one or two mentions of the thing that actually interested me in the 31% I read. The mystery that was supposed to keep me going felt so drawn out. There were no crumbs or any allusions to it to keep me interested.
The writing style was also very heavy-handed and left no space for the reader to think on their own which did make reading it very easy, I was reading it really fast but I don't really like heavy-handed writing styles. Plus the attempts to make the writing style lyrical when the parts except for those tries weren't even any close to being lyrical felt very underwhelming.
I'm sure there is an audience for this book who would enjoy it more than I did so if none of the above points are dealbreakers for you, you should absolutely go for it and see for yourself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the e-ARC. Pub date - June 28, 2022.

Natasha is a high school student whose life has been on a downward spiral, partly under the bad influence of new student Elodie. Through a series of events, Nat ends up being sent to Gray Wolf Academy, an exclusive, private school on a remote island run by the very wealthy tech executive Arthur Blackwell. As it turns out Blackwell is running a time travel operation, for which Natasha has been recruited. What follows is intrigue, backstabbing and not knowing who to trust as Natasha's knowledge and talents have Blackwell choosing her for special, secret missions. Just what is he really up to, though? And why does Nat suddenly start remembering conversations with her long-missing father?

Alyson Noel is a new author to me, so I wasn't sure what to expect going in to Stealing Infinity. Even though pieces of the story which haven't been revealed yet are fairly obvious to the reader, I couldn't put this down and was left disappointed at the cliffhanger ending because I don't have the next book in the series! This was a fun, fast-paced, adventure-filled YA book with time travel, teen drama, numerology and a little history thrown in for good measure. I'll be looking for the sequel to this one.

The Artful Dodger meets Robin Hood in a time travelling thievery masterpiece.
This story hooked me from the get go, and I need more.
But the un answered questions need to be answered, Who was Natashas Dad, was he part of ADD, do I still trust Braxton, or is Killian now my favourite? And Elodie needs taking down a peg or too!!! I need the next book.

DNF @50%
I liked the idea of this book, or at least what I thought this book would be. For me it did focus a bit too much on the details, which meant it wasn't fully grasping my attention. And I didn't really feel like picking up the book.

I don't believe that "Stealing Infinity" is a book that was written with me in mind. While I found that pieces of the plot were certainly interesting (re: time travel, young adults time traveling, in particular), I found most of the story to be hollow, and rather frustrating in places. The lack of upfront answers soon felt like the author herself simply didn't know, and thus, decided not to have any of her characters explain what was going on either.

There was also the issue of the main character, who I'm not sure was entirely likable enough for me to be cheering her on, or hoping that her relationships succeed at any point. This is a series I doubt I'll be continuing with, and while I hope the rest of the books get better, the plot feels flimsy, over complicated, and not entirely enjoyable.

Stealing Infinity is a mysterious and spellbinding YA fantasy. It's giving Legacies, Katmere Academy (Crave Series), and Charmed vibes. It will definitely be a YA fantasy series that's a staple for many readers.

Natasha is a young adult in her teens who is lost. She grew up trying to deal with loss and grief and now that she is getting older she is finding it harder and harder to find her place in the world. It seems like one way or another she is letting people down. But when she is with friends it seems like she can escape even if only for a brief period of time.

One night, her friend Elodie invites her to a club called Arcana. It's got a mystical vibe to it. Natasha feels like something is off but tells herself to give in for one night and try to have a good time. And it's a bonus when she meets a cute boy named Braxton. But fate has other plans. It turns out that her instincts were correct and her life is about to be turned upside down. Natasha is blamed for a crime she didn't commit and feels her back is against the wall.

On to Gray Wolf Academy, she goes. The rich tech genius, Arthur Blackstone, recruited her because of her special gift. Yes, Natasha has always known that she has a gift but has no idea about the exact specifics. Is this the place that will reveal her truth?

I thought that this book is so captivating. The choice of the author to make frequent chapters helped the story move along really well without feeling overwhelming. I mean it is a 400+ page book but I promise that you will get through it pretty quickly. That's because of the story and great world-building. As I was reading, I got super excited because it felt like the time I read the 'Crave series' by Tracy Wolff. It's one of those books that you just know is going to be one of your favorites that you recommend to everyone so that you can talk about it. It really had it all. There's mystery, romance, suspense, action, magic, fantasy, and likable characters. It does leave with a bit of unfinished business but thank goodness there will be more in the series. I think readers will enjoy the time travel aspect because it's done in a unique way.

I give Stealing Infinity 5 stars. It's a mesmerizing YA fantasy. Yes, it's over 400 pages but don't let that overwhelm you. Every single chapter is exciting until the very end. The characters will become some of your faves and this book along with the rest of the series will have a special place in your heart and bookshelf. I really hope that this series ends up becoming a movie or is adapted on screen in some way.

Stealing Infinity is the break-out start for a time-traveling young adult novel set to come out late in June of 2022. A foster child whose life is altered when she is tricked into joining a group of time-traveling thieves. Little does she know that she is wanted for a much broader underhanded scheme than stealing more miniature art. The in-depth mystery that unfolds in this novel is exceptional, this is my first book from this author, and I was pretty entertained. I knew it was a time travel story but the twist on time travel and what they do with it and why is unique. I am a fan of novels where I know as much as the main character does, which means I get to uncover clues and figure things out right. I am dying to see how this plays out in the rest of the books

*thank you Entangled Teen and Alyson Noel for the eARC.

Natasha Clarke was once a popular, star student. But she barely makes it through school these days, working overtime to help her mom make ends meet after her father’s disappearance years ago. When her new friend Elodie Blue invites her to ditch school one day, Natasha jumps at the chance, not knowing her life is about to change forever.
*********************
So, I haven’t read a book by Alyson Noel in A WHILE. But she has this way of writing that just draws you in. The perfect mix of mean girls and drama and just the right kind of good moments that teenagers face. Wow. The characters are so relatable, I love them.

Natasha is such a likable character. She has a lot of struggles but never feels whiny or drowning in them. Girl takes life as it is and HANDLES IT. From the reasonable every day to the over the top, she never breaks down. I have read a lot of stories where the main character gets so overwhelmed it becomes difficult to read, but Natasha is such an easy character to follow along with,

Braxton is dreamy. I love him. He is a little shady and isn’t 100% open with his motivation, but I love him so much. If this book was 100% all about him, I wouldn’t be upset.

The story feels unique and fresh. Natasha is selected from her public school to enter a private Academy that isn’t what it seems. Things are confusing and dark and messy. Suddenly, Natasha is thrown into a magical world of time travel and thievery and betrayal and mysterious friends and frenemies and nothing is as it seems. The reader figures out the twists and turns along with Natasha, which keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next.

This book was an un-put-downable wild ride from one end to the next. I have so many unanswered questions and I cannot wait to read book two.

Wow, what a ride! This book was action packed and left me on the edge of my seat!

We follow Natasha while she is in high school, living a life of supporting her mother. Her life is basic except for her glamorous friend Elodie. However, little does Natasha know that Elodie has bigger plans in store for her.

I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, but this was an incredible read! We have a love triangle, time travel, and mystery. I also loved that the majority of the book took place in a time traveling school! Natasha was an outstanding female lead and I am SO excited to see the role that Killian takes on in the sequel.

The only reason I docked a star from this read was that some of the time travel terms got a little too complicated and I had to go back and reread some of the information.

Can’t wait to purchase the hard back to add to my collection!