Infinity Son: The much-loved hit from the author of No.1 bestselling blockbuster THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END! (Infinity Cycle)

Product Information

He worked in the publishing industry as a children’s bookseller, community manager at a content development company, and book reviewer of children’s and young adult novels. Brighton, an ambitious social media whiz and influencer, uses his platform for good, but he has a darker side, influenced by his bitterness about being non-magical. The first book in the Infinity Cycle series, Adam Silvera’s young adult LGBT fantasy novel Infinity Son (2020) follows two brothers who find themselves at the heart of a magical war and the strain that this conflict puts on their relationship.

Infinity Son – HarperCollins Infinity Son – HarperCollins

He doesn’t want magical people turning New York City into a warzone; he just wants to get on with his life. Most major characters are people of color, and several characters are queer, including Emil, whose being gay is an important part of his identity, but it's not central to the story.

I’m working on the second Infinity Cycle book, another sequel to a different book of mine, and my next solo contemporary!

Infinity Cycle Series by Adam Silvera - Goodreads Infinity Cycle Series by Adam Silvera - Goodreads

Main characters kiss, make out, and have sex with same-gender and opposite-gender characters, though there are no graphic descriptions of sex. The book ends with a magical confrontation between Luna, the leader of the specters, and her second-in-command, Ness. Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers--a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. Maribelle allies with Tala, a powerful non-magic guardian of phoenixkind, to avenge the murders of their parents and Maribelle's beloved partner by Blood Casters.

The commentary on social media and its positive uses versus its toxic aspects is also another well thought out aspect of this novel. Emil and Brighton Rey, 18-year-old brothers, escape a battle with the Blood Casters, an illicit gang of specters (people who acquire powers from the blood of endangered mythical creatures). 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. Emil and his Spell Walker friends must use their powers to save Brighton and the world, before both are irreparably damaged. The polarising characteristics of Brighton and Emil further this discussion, and create authentic conflict between the two, while also opening up a conversation on power and how it affects those striving for it, along their loved ones surrounding them.

Infinity Son - Adam Silvera - Google Books

Given all Silvera gets right, brief moments of confusion amidst the multiple storylines and Brighton's ongoing unlikability can be forgiven. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures. There are certain instances where Brighton comments on the amount of hits and views he could be getting from certain fight scenes between celestials, which prompts the reader to question his character.

Infinity Son has leads who are people of color, queer, and from various class backgrounds, so the cast is realistic and relatable. I never intended to fully mirror any marginalized community’s experiences, but for anyone who has ever been oppressed for just being, or been blamed for what someone else who shares their identity may or may not have done, I imagine they may relate to what the magical people within this novel are going through.