A year after releasing the bestselling novel What If It’s Us with Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera has returned (not that he ever really left), this time with his debut fantasy novel Infinity Son. Infinity Son is a grounded fantasy set in New York, in a world where people are sometimes born with powers (celestials), and creatures like phoenixes exist. Emil and Brighton Rey — brothers — grew up admiring celestials, especially the Spell Walkers, a vigilante group dedicated to bringing down specters, people who viciously steal their powers from magical creatures.
Brighton, also a YouTuber, uses his platform to highlight celestials, all the while wishing he had powers of his own, so he can fight alongside his heroes. Emil prefers to keep his head down and stay out of the fighting, wishing it would end. After the two get caught in brawl, Emil discovers he has powers, and gets thrown into the middle of the conflict between the Spell Walkers and specters. He and Brighton must quickly learn what it means to be heroes. Brotherhood, love, family, and loyalty will all be tested as each of the characters try to navigate the ever-growing conflict.
It comes as a surprise to no one that I loved this book. I was excited to read fantasy from Silvera, and to finally meet Emil and Brighton. I quickly became invested in their journey. I was intrigued by how Brighton’s ambition contrasted with Emil’s more subdued personality. Their dynamic with each other was wonderful to experience, even with all its ups and downs (but what siblings don’t have those). Even as their bond was tested, their love for one another remained steadfast.
One of my favorite qualities of the story is how it mirrors our current reality. Every character represents some little portion of our society. The ideas and issues the characters experience aren’t far off from what we also experience. The only major difference is that we don’t have magical powers (that we know of). It helped create a more relatable aspect, which is something I deeply admire about Silvera’s writing.
Overall, Infinity Son was a well-written, fast-paced story that was hard to put down. It’s full of twists and turns that will keep you hooked. It remains relevant to current times without losing its fantasy elements. You’ll fall for Emil and Brighton. And, in true Adam Silvera fashion, there are plenty of moments that will more than likely stress you out and break your heart.
Infinity Son hits the shelves January 14. It is available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Indie Bound. Signed copies, with the option to be personalized, are available through Book Soup.
