As much as I don't miss school at all, I don't pass up on books set in a boarding school on top of time travel (that actually sounds much more fun than essays, though, not gonna lie). Plus I'm a glutton for pretty covers and Stealing Infinity is very very pretty. I'd totally take a poster of that.

What didn't work out for me, and ultimately led to a DNF @ 51%:
- The chapters were short and quick, easy to read. Quite frankly, I think I would've flown through this one, but the transitions between chapters just weren't it for me. There were a lot of times the chapter seemed to end when it probably could've ended a little later on, or the next chapter fell flat when it did end well (which pretty much blew off the transition). Overall it felt awkward with the transition a lot of the time.

- The characters felt one-dimensional. Most of them felt like they were the same across the board with maybe 1-2 things different; although given the entire premise of Grey Wolf Academy searching for students that won't be missed (seems ominous), I suppose that's probably a given but I figured it would be relatively similar background stories and not so much with almost no depth to them. If I got asked to name the key characters in the story in a few days and one thing I know about them, I don't think I'd be able to name them.

- The pacing was off, or more accurately, too slow. This may very well be on top of the awkward transitions between chapters, but nothing much actually happens in the 51% I did read. I personally don't mind slow pacing because oftentimes there's a focus on world-building (which I really liked the concept of Tarot cards and Numerology along with time travel) and character development instead, but the latter was lacking by a pretty long shot.

This was not the worst debut I have ever read, but it wasn't that great either. The book follows Nat, as she is forced to attend Grey Wolf Academy, a school that trains time travellers to steal relics from the past. The overall concept was interesting, but the story was more focused on teenage drama than the actual time travel, the reason I wanted to read this book. I didn't really care about the characters, they were very one dimensional with little to none character growth. The mystery portion left something to be desired; everyone kept secrets from Nat but I wasn't that invested in the story to be interested about that.

The jury is still out on whether I will be reading the next installment or not.

Nat's life has dramatically changed since her father disappeared. She no longer cares about her friends, her appearance, or her grades. After a crazy night she cannot remember, she finds herself kicked out of school and arrested for something she knows she would never do. To save herself she agrees to enroll in the Gray Wolf Academy. As a part of Nat's enrollment agreement her mother's house will be renovated, her mom will receive a brand new car and a generous monthly stipend. Who wouldn't do all they could to save their remaining struggling parent?

Nat soon discover's that Gray Wolf Academy is not all the it appears to be and her education is one she never would have received at her old school. Not to mention a mysterious young man named Baxter. Nat isn't sure who she can trust or what she can believe. As she learns more and more about her new purpose she finds old memories of her father surfacing.

I find that I cannot stop thinking about this story and where it will go in the next installment. I usually need a few days to process a book but I just need to know what will happen next at Gray Wolf Academy. Alyson Noel's Stealing Infinity is a unique twist on the time traveling genre. Her writing is clean, clear, and with purpose. The story has a slow build that kept me engaged and wondering where she would take me next. Noel created an 'edge of my seat' feeling as I wondered what the school's founder was up to and how Nat's father played a role in the storyline. Not to mention that History is one of my favorite subjects and I was excited to see the different era's and historical figures incorporated into the time travels. Nat is a well rounded, nicely developed character who has become the angsty teenager she is due to her father's disappearance and the life challenges that presented to her at such a young age. The other students at the school are questionable, Nat doesn't know who she can trust and neither did I, which to me makes for great mystery and is great writing by Noel. This story is not a stand alone and is the first in a series I am looking forward to continuing.

Wow, what a wild ride of a book! I loved the time traveling aspect and secluded school setting is so interesting. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Natasha and Braxton! I loved the romance between them but I’m also still questioning who is keeping secrets and who isn’t!?! The historical settings are really neat and the concept of the Trips is really fun. I’m hoping to learn more about Killian and what happened to him. In the next book because he seems really interesting and he’s lived in the past for who knows how long! There are still so many questions and mysteries left to be revealed and I cannot wait for book 2!

I always know when a book will be great because I will devour it. This was not the case with this book. I wanted to love it but I didn’t. This was my first book with this author so I had high hopes. The problem was the first half of the book. It really dragged on for me and i felt the story was all over the place. However, the second half of the book picked up and I flew through the pages. It took me awhile to like the main character Tasha but I immediately liked Braxton. I’m looking forward to reading his story. All the other characters were ok. This book left me with so many questions that for that Reason I will read the next book. Thank you Net galley for ARC. Im sorry it took me so long to read it.

Thank you so much Entangled Publishing for my #gifted copy of Stealing Infinity by. Alyson Noèl! 🗡️

𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬: This was a really great, exciting, well written young adult book about time travelling! Time travel can be "make it or break it" in a book for me, and fortunately this was a good one. Do you like ya Romance? Fantasy? A little mystery? Art history? Time travel??? Then ojcm this gem up.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮:
• ya stories
• highschool drama
• time travel
• mystery / history
• cute "boy next door"
• short chapters

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel
Stolen Beauty series book 1. YA/NA fantasy. Time travel. Cliffhanger.
Natasha’s home and school life has taken a turn for the worst. She follows a friend, cutting school and ends up on a remote island boarding school training for the unimaginable. Nat must travel back in history and steal a specific item and make it back to the door before is closes and she’s stuck.

School type cliques and isolation. A friendly boy you fear has an ulterior agenda. A strict father figure that cares only about the end results. Stealing priceless items from history. Threats and manipulative behaviors.
The story starts slowly and becomes interesting after 25% and more intense as it progresses.
But bottom line I do not like the premise of approved stealing. Even when its cloaked in subterfuge and possibly altruistic sharing.
The writing does flow and keeps the reader immersed in the second half with twists and turns.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

I really wanted to love this book but I wasn't able to finish and did not finish early on due to loss of interest. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing chance to read and review. Sadly it wasn't for me but others will enjoy it.

WOW!!!

"A word of advice?" I can hardly breathe, but I'm still capable of nodding. "Don't assume anything here, about anyone or anything. Understand?" I swallow. Hold for the punch line. When it doesn't arrive, I say, "Well, that sound ominous."

I was excited when I saw Alyson Noel had a new book coming out and this one didn't disappoint!! This has the dark academia entourage mixed with the sci-fi of time travel! Alyson's writing is smooth and the pacing is great! It completely sucked me in! I read this in less than 24 hrs - I couldn't put it down! I had to know what was going to happen next!

We get to follow Natasha to a mysterious school. You don't know who to trust and everyone seems to be versed in half truths. The characters are diverse but I felt we barely scratched the surface of Song, Finn, Oliver, and Jago. Hopefully in the next book we get to see them fleshed out a little more! Natasha, Braxton, and Elodie are very distinct and interesting characters. Their relationships and history are complicated and intricate. There is a little romance sprinkled in but it's not the main focus which I enjoyed! I loved watching Natasha grow and find her footing. Her self confidence changes so much from the beginning to the end.

I love all the art, history, and numerology that's in here! It was really interesting to me to read about it all!! And I love that every few chapters there's an intriguing quote that leads you into the next little mystery. This book is twisty and captivating!! Some questions are answered but there's so much left unexplained that I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!!! Somehow though it doesn't end on a cliff hanger which I appreciate. I truly enjoyed every min of it!!

What an intriguing take on Oliver Twist and time traveling. I was drawn immediately into this fantastical story which is infused with suspense, numerology, treachery, and a slow-burn romance.

Natasha is no longer the person she used to be. Grades and the future are no longer important and her popular but untrustworthy girlfriend leaves a lot to be desired. It's that "friend" whom she follows down the rabbit hole and ends up at Gray Wolf Academy where nothing is as it seems. Apparently, Natasha has a gift that makes her a dangerous target.

Natasha's new life at Gray Wolf Academy is tenuous at best. It appears someone wants to use her for his own personal nefarious gains, and someone wants her to disappear. The fun part is trying to figure out who she can trust and find out what her special gift is. Each time Natasha time-travelled I was more nervous than she was as she works hard for her Gets (treasures to steal) while trying to stay unscathed in a past era and, more importantly, to return in one piece. There are not many obvious good guys in this story, but there is a shitload of nasty backstabbers and liars that make it all the more interesting and I can't wait for them to get their just desserts.  There is a romance here when Natasha falls for the handsome and kind Braxton. He's an enigma who holds a lot of secrets that may be closer to home than she thought. However, I'll have to wait for the next book in the series to find out. Sigh....

I am blown away by this incredible fantasy full of gripping subterfuge and compelling characters. Give this exciting book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Noël for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.

the way that in the beginning of the novel she included the numerology thingy was super cool
(though mine didn't seem SUPER accurate, it was still a super fun engaging way to include the reader)

this book was so epic

if you know me, I LOVE time travel books

so like this- just yes

anyways umm its out haha (awkward laugh, I totally finished it before the release date...)

4 stars because in the beginning, it was kind of hard to get into the book, but then it picked up and wow like the mystery aspect was so intriguing and I needed to know what happened but then at the end of the book it kinda started to slow down again

but aside from that, it's a yes from me!

Words cannot express how much I adored this book! I loved it right from the start and I had forgotten how I lived for this author's writing. It had been some time since I have read Noel but oh my stars, my heart was fully engulfed with this story. The concept, the build, just everything about it. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

If you ask any of my friends, they will tell you that there are two two tropes that I hate more than most other tropes: zombies and time traveling. So when I heard about this book, saw the cover, and knew I had to read it, you can imagine the confusion on everyone's face - because time traveling. Not zombies, I can spoil that for you, there are no zombies in this book. But let me tell you, as someone who truly hates 99% of the time traveling things that I encounter, I absolutely adored this book and now I am going to impatiently wait for the second one.

Alyson created something great here. It is a way for time travel to make sense (to me), and have people going through time for reasons that us as the reader do not understand for a significant amount of time, which just draws you in further. Each character has depth, and there is so much deceit and deception running rampant through this book, to an almost frustrating point truly, that half the time you are trying to figure out who is lying and the other half the time you are trying to figure out why everyone is time traveling.

This book is witty and kind of dark. It is more than just time travel and I think that is why I am okay with it. It truly draws you in and doesn't rush things. And now I want the second one. Easily 5/5

3.75/5 stars

Okay I wanted to LOVE this book, the premise sounded amazing, and I liked the campaign that Entangled Teen put together.

However, there are a couple of things that I have to get off my chest.
1. I apparently REALLY don't like short chapters - like I get having a couple of short chapters scattered into a book for emphasis, but having all of the chapters be 3 to 5 pages was a massive turn off. It made the story choppy and made me lose interest a couple different times. (This is a personal opinion, others may like the short chapter format)
2. The characters seem to be way more superficial than actual teens really are. There is a lot of discussions/descriptions of clothing than are not needed.

This book talks about numerology (but isn't really a major factor in the book that I noticed) and about tarot - which does show up at a couple of different points and plays a role in advancing the storyline.

The pluses of the book:
1. The discussions about art and time travel are interesting.
2. Discussions about the implications with changing history - less the butterfly effect, and more like the stream of time effect.

Overall, it was a decent book - the first 25% of the book drags, the story really starts picking up by about the halfway mark. And the ending sets up for the sequel Ruling Destiny for which the title was just announced. (Just before the release date for this book).

The book left me with a lot of questions that hopefully the next book answers.

Thank you to Entangled Teen, NetGalley and Alyson Noel for the opportunity to review this book. I received a free e-book Advanced Reader Copy and then also won a free swag box via an IG giveaway which contained a physical ARC. I am freely leaving my review.

Stealing Infinity is an atmospheric YA/NA fantasy/romance, and the first in a series, by Alyson Noël. Released 28th June 2022, it's 497 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is an engaging and well written romance/fantasy with time travel. It's a sort of treasure hunt (in time) with coming-of-age elements. It's not derivative, and the author does a good job with the world building, but it reminded me in a way of Da Vinci Code meets Novik's Scholomance. Protagonist Natasha winds up in a special academy after a events in her life get a bit out of control and she's suddenly surrounded by people who want to exploit her, control her, or just frustrate her. Oh, and she can travel in time, if nobody kills her first.

The character development and plotting were a bit two dimensional and linear in most places. There weren't a lot of deviations or alternative subplot stories to explore. The antagonists were -completely- irredeemable and the protagonists were paragons. The dialogue was often overwrought (not cringe-worthy, but definitely stilted) and I found myself being yanked out of my suspension of disbelief not infrequently. On the other hand, I'm not the target audience (I found my way in via the "time travel-fantasy" door, not the clearly marked romance one). Readers who appreciate fresh, well written YA/NA romance will find a lot to like here; especially readers who really enjoy a healthy dose of draaama and don't mind enemies-to-lovers plots in their stories. I, on the other hand, found myself wanting to shake some of the characters.

Three and a half stars, rounded up for technically adept writing and an engaging premise.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I juggled between a 3.5 and 4 but decided on the 4. The beginning of the book was a tad slow and I’m not much Interested in the high school fashion that it started with but once we got to the academy I got in to it! I wish we would have seen more of the process of Tasha taking classses she needed and getting to know more of then personalities of the characters. But it is a first book and I understand it takes time. i can’t wait for the next book to discover more of this time traveling mystery!

Stealing Infinity features, but is not limited to, the following themes:
○ YA fantasy
○ YA romance
○ Time travel
○ Academy
○ Enemies to lovers
○ Historical

My overall rating for Stealing Infinity is...

4.5 Stars

What an incredible and individual story! Stealing Infinity was such a unique and complex concept that kept me riveted throughout the book! An academy for time travelling? Sign me up! I loved Natasha! She is the kind of character a reader craves to bond with, which is especially important in a YA book. The author behind the story is simply a genius! How she crafted each little detail was a work of art! Overall, an exotic and exciting start to a brand new YA fantasy series.

Time Travel Romance?? Sign me up! Stealing Infinity is definitely a new and unique twist on time travel. It did drag quite a bit for me the first 75% of the book. I really like Natasha and Braxton, they have great chemistry. Elodie was infuriating which I think was the point so the author wrote her well. I kind of really hate that Arthur is so nefarious. I think I personally would have liked him more as a father figure and have the conflict come from somewhere else. Maybe the slightly mentioned timekeeper? The last 25% of the book was extremely interesting and I hope the next book follows with more of that pacing. The romance isn't too heavy in this one but there is enough to satisfy this romance reader! Looking forward to the next book!

I really wanted to love Stealing Infinity, but in the end I feel that it was just okay. I was so confused the whole time.

I was intrigued by the idea of this book - a time travel story set in an isolated academy with a deceitful group of characters. But I think what threw me off the most about Stealing Infinity was just the pacing of the whole book. It started off kind of slow and I really didn't get any sense of what was going on even a little bit until 30% into the book, and even then I just got a tiny bit of information. It was aggravating as the reader for every single character in the book to give so little information that you really just stay confused. It took until 75% into the book for the head of the academy to finally let us *slightly* in on why he invited our main character, Natasha, to the academy. Way late in the game for the reader to finally get a glimpse into what is even going on.
Other things that bothered me:
-Insta love: Literally 2 days. Even less than that for one party.
-Aaaaand back to the pacing: There was a whole month of this story that just got skipped over. The entirety of Natasha's training happened in that one month and we didn't see any of it.

I will say that I finally did feel entertained by the storyline towards the end of the book, but it took until 85%. I was left with even more questions and confusion in the end, but it pulled me in just enough to make me want to know where it will go in book 2.


Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to entangledteen for providing an eARC for this book. It was a lot of fun to read, I love books that deal with time and timetravel. While I really enjoyed the story, I did feel like it was too fast paced at times, for me anyway. The chapters were short so maybe that contributed to how quickly we moved from scene to scene.

But I liked the characters and plot so I will definitely read the sequel!

(3.5 rating)