Infinity Son: Infinity Cycle, Book 1
By Mandie Caroll,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Diverse cast, complex characters shine in superhero fantasy.
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What's the Story?
Told primarily in Emil and Brighton's alternating perspectives, INFINITY SON follows the twins as their lives get upended by a long-held secret about Emil's identity. They always dreamed of being celestials, or people with superhero abilities, but as their 18th birthday winds down, neither appears to have latent magical powers. When they're attacked by specters, Emil discovers he has phoenix fire, but this is not a celestial power; only specters gain this kind of magic by stealing it from magical creatures. Emil would never consume phoenix blood, but before they can unravel that mystery, Brighton, who hopes that his social media channels will make him famous, uploads a video of the fight online to his "Celestials of New York" platform, and Emil is launched into superstardom. The brothers find themselves caught in a generations-long war between the Spell Walkers, a superhero vigilante group fighting for the end of celestial persecution, and the Blood Casters, a group of specters who are seeking to create immortality. Emil, with the help of the Spell Walkers and support of his brother, might be the only person who can stop the Blood Casters from achieving their nefarious goal. A cliffhanger ending with a twist threatens Emil and Brighton's bond, as well as the safety of the world.
Is It Any Good?
This fast-paced, compelling story is a refreshing contribution to the superhero fantasy genre. Infinity Son has leads who are people of color, queer, and from various class backgrounds, so the cast is realistic and relatable. Emil is particularly compelling. His journey toward courage and self-love is captivating, especially contrasted to his brother's spiraling resentments that take him further away from Emil. This magic-heavy tale is grounded in a futuristic New York City that never feels far from reality. The constant use of social media and the political mess of the book means readers will be able to draw parallels to real life. Themes including the trauma of war, loss and grief, revenge, and the complexity of family relationships don't underestimate the teen reader's ability to handle hard realities. There is a fair amount of violence, but its fantasy context means that even high body count battles don't feel too gory. The death of a key character (and its aftermath) will be an emotional gut-punch, but a familiar one for anyone who has read Silvera's other books. The cliffhanger ending will keep readers on the lookout for the next book in this promising new series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what the Spell Walkers and the Specters are fighting for in Infinity Son. How do Emil and Ness fit into their respective "sides"? How do they rebel against the roles they're expected to play?
How does the world of Infinity Son compare with other superhero worlds you've read about in books or seen in movies? How is the world of this book like our own? How is it different?
What did you think of Brighton's decision at the end? How do you think Emil and Brighton's relationship will change as a result of Brighton's choice in the following books of this series?
Book Details
- Author: Adam Silvera
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Activism , Magic and Fantasy , Superheroes , Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Publication date: January 14, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 368
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 29, 2022
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