Infinity Son

When I think of Adam Silvera I think contemporary books so when I saw this I was definitely curious... When I was lucky enough to receive an e-arc I was THRILLED 🔥

This urban fantasy is brilliant! I was captivated from the first chapter and ended up reading the whole book in 48 hours (and that's with caring for a 2 month old baby!) 🙈

Infinity Son follows the story of two brothers caught in a magical war spreading across generations set in dystopian New York City 💪 one brother wants power to join the fight and live a life of glory. The other wants to stay in the background and for the fighting to end. Both brothers end up drawn into the middle of the war and a famed vigilante group when one brother accidentally manifests powers 😈

The ensuing story is fast paced and thrilling. Silvera really is the master of showing not telling when it comes to storytelling and he masterfully weaves background information and world building into dialogue and other small character reactions 👌

The characters are all heart breakingly relateable as friends, siblings, lovers and family and I felt a piece of me in each of them ❤ there is some wonderful LGBTIQ representation with a family that doesn't even question sexuality (FUCKING THANK YOU) and multiple tragic relationship stories be it friendship, family or romantic 😭

I'll definitely be buying a hard-copy when this beauty comes out January 14th 2020 😍

Wow. What an incredible way to end a book! I need the next book, yesterday!

I found Infinity Son a little slow to start, but once I got a feel for the writing style and tje world setting, the pacing picked up and I really got lost in this original plot of celestials and magical creatures.

I haven't read a book like this before, it feels like a grown up Harry Potter. It has wands, Phoenix's, magical powers, hydra's and so much more!

Well written and thought provoking, this book is refreshing and action packed. I am a little sad about the whole Ness situation. Because who doesn't love a bad(ish) boy!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the review copy!
All thoughts are my own.

Adam Silvera has built a strong following of fans due to his diverse characters and strong writing. His gay boys express feelings, have genuine complicated lives, and his plots are original. So far, they have all been mostly situated in contemporary settings, although the magic realism aspects of They Both Die at the End should have clued us into his interest in writing a broader range of genres.

There is no doubt that Infinity Son is fantasy, superhero and magical. Readers are dropped straight into this alternate world and have to do the hard work figuring out the rules and the state of the nation (hint: it’s not good). There are many elements that will be familiar – social media platforms are integral, as are the boroughs of New York, and the political manipulation of the public to allow those in power to retain and increase their control.

However, once terms like, ‘celestials’, ‘spectres’ and ‘The Blackout’ are thrown around, we quickly realise we aren’t in Kansas anymore, Dorothy! Silvera has created a world where people can come into their powers, usually because of a genetic family line, and manifest in recognizable ways—telekinesis, flight or healing—but they can also be in the form of magical creatures’ powers—hydras, phoenixes, or dragons—and the range of ability and power is explored with great detail.

But of course humans once again prove we can’t have nice things because ordinary jealous people decided to experiment with actual magical creatures’ blood and created the ability to become powerful through consuming these ingredients, and the world is divided between those who believe it’s okay to kill these beautiful being for their own desires, and those that don’t.

Emil and Brighton, twin brothers, very different, both longed for powers when they were young, but now, turning 18, it’s only Brighton who still wishes and believes they will manifest. Emil just wants to survive a world that is increasingly violent and uncertain. He observes the disintegrating society with disquiet and fear, while Brighton uses every opportunity of chaos to build his social media influence. Silvera sneakily comments on our growing addiction to everything virtual, and it’s not a pleasant reflection on us at all.

The narrative drive develops quickly and we have barely come to come up for air, as Email and Brighton are continually pushed to their limits, and most telling of all, is the growing divide between their reaction to the events that consume them. It transpires that they look at the world through completely different lenses, and it’s also very clear that they do have each other’s backs and continue to rally for each other, even when everything descends into even more madness.

The concluding chapters are very thrilling and not everyone is safe. Another aspect to this novel is the large number of secondary characters who become important and all who have their own personalities and agendas. This means it’s difficult to tell who we should be cheering for, and who will live, but this also serves to create a real community who may or may not survive. If we invest in these people, we might find ourselves not very happy at all. Be warned, the cliff hanger ending will infuriate. I don’t know why I believed this was a duology, but it’s not. There will be (at least?) three books.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy. I found it compelling, but also a bit confusing. Everything happens quickly, and I kept hoping for more downtime to reflect on events and wanted them to have more time to plan. But alas, not to be. Also, the romance elements are small, but of course, who has time to fall in love with the fate of the whole world nearing crisis point. Recommended for readers who love LGBTQIA characters fitting into the world order, and who can help save the world. There are a lot of magical and mystical elements and gorgeous creatures who need rescuing. The brothers’ love for each other is highly visible, but that also foreshadows a darker conclusion that will be spotted by keen speculators. Infinity Son is due out today.