Book ReviewInfinity Son follows two brothers—Emil and Brighton Reyes—in a fantasy world with celestials (those born with powers) and spectors (those who take powers violently from endangered magical creatures). While they both dreamed of developing powers and becoming part of a Celestial group called the Spell Walkers that tries to save others, when one brother develops powers only a spector should have and the other has to try to take condolence in being around his lifelong idols, it’s far from the dreams they once had. On my last book haul before quarantine, I found Infinity Son in one of my all-time favorite bookstores, Changing Hands. It was on a featured shelf because it was signed by the author at one of their events, and I eagerly put it in my little shopping cart. Twenty books in the shopping cart later, an argument with Mr. Purrfect on whether or not I needed so many books, and a hard process of putting books back, and Infinity Son came home with me. It was an easy read with a plot that was engaging enough that I got through the novel pretty quickly. This book is filled with diversity, with both POC characters and LGBTQ characters. Five years ago, a book written by a gay Latino would not be getting the hype this book has gotten so far—especially since one of the main characters is also a gay Latino. I loved Emil and his pacifist ways; he is what kept me intrigued in the story. However, this is where most of my likes end. I have two major negatives for Infinity Son: the world building and the lack of character development. When writing a fantasy novel, good world building is a must. Unfortunately, readers get thrown in and are kind of expected to just keep up. Things are never well defined (I still don’t actually understand what a celestial is… they’re like the main point of the novel), we don’t get history between any of the magical elements and the human world. Honestly, if this book were to be published as a prequel to an already existing series, I could understand it more. Because this book is definitely designed to set up for a sequel (major pet peeve) and it would make the lack of explanations okay. It felt very amateurish, so to learn this is Silvera’s 5th book was highly disappointing. When I say lack of character development… I don’t mean the characters don’t change, but they are never developed. The only character with any type of unique voice was Brighton, and I found him really annoying. We get introduced to tons of characters with diverse backgrounds, upbringings and potential personalities, but have no time to actually know any of them. But I have to give Silvera MAJOR props for his scene where Emil is discussing body image issues as a guy. And it was with another guy. I don’t know guys, maybe I’m just reading the wrong types of books, but I don’t really ever see this and representation is important! (I have read while researching Silvera a little more that body image is like one of his causes and it only makes me love all of this even more.) Overall, this was an average YA fantasy novel with a 🔥2/5 fire blasts rating. I had to take away stars for characters, worldbuilding, and over cliched plot points. I will probably read the sequel because I believe this was really just a set up for it, and I need to see it will redeem anything done here. Feminist Analysis I am so torn on this one, guys! I don’t know. I think I’m leaving this analysis with more questions on feminism and gender performative theory than anything, but I also kind of love it. So, characters had a 50/50 split on their feminist roles. Iris, fucking feminist badass. Breaks gender norms left and right and I am here for it! Eva, falls directly into angel-at-home trope. The female antagonist felt like a different version of Lilith. (For those that don’t know the Jewish lore on Lilith, please read here, it’s so intriguing and fits in with the angel versus demon theory). I loved how smart and determined she was, but I couldn’t move past her demon status. And the main character Emil. Oh, this boy is causing me problems so let me share my thoughts and you all tell me your opinions! Emil is gay and is flawlessly written. There aren’t major stereotypes that he falls into, he is just so him and I love it. But, my questions start here. When looking at gender performative theory and needing to break norms to create a lack of gender, where do people from LGBTQ fall? Is a gay man who fits the stereotypes of super fashionable, into make-up, “soft”, and “feminine” breaking norms because he is a man? Or since we have created these stereotypes and norms of what society expects of a gay man, does being stereotypically masculine break the norms? Have we created too many norms for people to break? I have no answers but definitely need them! Overall, I mean, I enjoyed this book for its awareness of diversity and its inclusion of so many different characters, and their unapologetic way of being themselves makes me lean more towards feminist because that’s what I’m all about with breaking gender norms. I also have to love this book for making me aware of issues within feminist/gender theory ideas that I don’t have enough information on. If through my continued studies I come up with a better answer, I will update this review, but please feel free to share your thoughts with me! Let’s discuss and share ideas!
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Hello, love! Please, don't mind the cat hair. I'm a lover of all genres (except romance, ironic, I know), and potentially --accidentally-- obsessed with feminist literary theory. Feel free to scroll around, hopefully see a few cats, and find a good new book or two!
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