Defying the Odds: Read our Review of Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera

Infinity Reaper is the gripping sequel to the New York Times’ bestselling Infinity Son. In this second instalment, Emil and Brighton defied the odds. They beat the Blood Casters and escaped with their lives – or so they thought. When Brighton drank the Reaper’s blood, he believed it would make him invincible, but instead the potion is killing him.

Meanwhile, Ness is being abused by Senator Iron for political gain – his rare shift making him a dangerous weapon. As much as Ness longs to send Emil a signal, he knows the best way to keep Emil safe from his corrupt father is to keep him at a distance.

In Emil’s race to find an antidote that will not only save his brother but also rid him of his own unwanted phoenix powers, he will have to dig deep into the very past lives he’s trying to outrun. Though he needs the help of the Spell Walkers now more than ever, their ranks are fracturing, with Maribelle’s thirst for revenge sending her down a dangerous path.

Having worked in the publishing industry as a children’s bookseller, and a book reviewer of children’s and young adult novels, it is clear that Silvera’s books, including the Infinity series, are targeted at an audience he has expert knowledge in. His talent for writing YA was clear from the outset, with his debut young adult novel More Happy Than Not receiving multiple starred reviews and a place on the New York Times bestseller list.

I was drawn in from the very first page – a consistent page-turner. Silvera creates a complexly built fantasy world, with an alternate New York landscape, constructed in a way that seems distinct to his vivid writing style.

The characters are a diverse cast of heroes and villains where some people are born with powers, while others steal them from the blood of endangered magical creatures. And while this may be set in an alternate reality, the diversity of characters and situations represents the good and bad aspects of life in a way that readers aged 14+ can comprehend.

For fans of Silvera and Infinity Son, Infinity Reaper shows the battle for peace is playing out like an intricate game of chess, and as the pieces on the board move into place, Emil starts to realise that he may have been competing against the wrong enemy all along.