Note: This review is part of the 2016 Summer Reading Diversity Spotlight.
The Infinite by Lori M. Lee
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
Genre: Young Adult Sci-fi Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1477828267
Source: Received From Publisher
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The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.
Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.
To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.
In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known.
***
Having enjoyed Gates of Thread and Stone, I was curious about where the story would go in the sequel, even though the debut fully satisfied me. After reading the sequel, I can say that while it was underwhelming, it was still quite interesting to see the decisions that Kai made after the events of conclusion in Gates of Thread and Stone.
I kind of knew going into the sequel that my expectations weren’t going to be high because I wasn’t dedicated to following the story of the Infinite. I realize how that sounds given the title of the sequel. But what really drew me to the story in the first place were the characters, the more personal conflicts at home, and the sci-fi elements. The characters (old and new) deliver in the sequel but the personal conflicts are not as intimate here and the sci-fi elements are kind of tossed to the side, so that was disappointing.
As for the fantasy elements? While interesting, it was too overwhelming in the first book so I knew I was going to be in for more of the same in the sequel but I was willing to take that chance. And after reading, I’m quite neutral here. I didn’t love the fantasy elements nor was I disappointed. It kind of just is. But if you did like the fantasy elements of the first book, I think you will enjoy the developments here.
More intriguing for me were the relationship arcs between Kai and her brother, Reev as well as Kai and Avan, who is now one of the Infinite. That’s really what kept me turning the pages in the sequel and for me, that was enough. Forget the fantasy, forget the civil war conflict (this trope is stale to me so I might be biased at the moment), but the characters were what made this book for me. Was it enough?
After reading the first third of the book, I had a handle on the questions answered that I wanted answered after finishing the first book, so I didn’t really need to go on…so all that left for me was interest in the characters. And, while the characters themselves were solid, I didn’t get more than I wanted, so it still evens out on the overall underwhelming factor. The sequel peaked my interest but didn’t rise to the occasion for me in delivering more. So, if you’re in this for the fantasy and aren’t picky in regards to my points above, read book two. Otherwise, make this one a library read if you’re curious about life after Gates of Thread and Stone.
The Infinite by Lori M. Lee is available today.