Scan barcode
rhinote's review
Lost interest and wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style. I would be willing to try again later
swissroll's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I received a digital ARC of this book from a StoryGraph giveaway, which I very much appreciate.
The book description really is just the beginning of where this wild story goes. It's written exclusively in a style of short chapters that are 2-7 pages each (there are over 100 of them!) that mostly swap between the perspectives of our two main characters, neither of whom really knows what's going on most of the time.
I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the story unfold, though I was not a fan of a lot of the twists/reveals. Given that time travel is a core element of the story, there are naturally some predictions about the future that the author needs to make. Most of them are unnoteworthy, a couple are pretty cool, and some are laughable. Pretty par for the course, I'd imagine.
This was a long book that I don't think would have suffered much at all from cutting a bunch of the storybuilding content. Unfortunately, I found the last two chapters pretty weak and unconvincing. It doesn't make for an enjoyable ending when a couple convenient, this-explains-everything bombs are dropped and we're just supposed to accept it. Though I suppose the whole previous hundred chapters are meant to predispose the reader to be willing to accept wild claims and situations as the truth.
The book description really is just the beginning of where this wild story goes. It's written exclusively in a style of short chapters that are 2-7 pages each (there are over 100 of them!) that mostly swap between the perspectives of our two main characters, neither of whom really knows what's going on most of the time.
I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the story unfold, though I was not a fan of a lot of the twists/reveals. Given that time travel is a core element of the story, there are naturally some predictions about the future that the author needs to make. Most of them are unnoteworthy, a couple are pretty cool, and some are laughable. Pretty par for the course, I'd imagine.
This was a long book that I don't think would have suffered much at all from cutting a bunch of the storybuilding content. Unfortunately, I found the last two chapters pretty weak and unconvincing. It doesn't make for an enjoyable ending when a couple convenient, this-explains-everything bombs are dropped and we're just supposed to accept it. Though I suppose the whole previous hundred chapters are meant to predispose the reader to be willing to accept wild claims and situations as the truth.
mayahanson's review
The writing style wasn’t really for me. There were errors that took me out of the story, and some moments that made me cringe or didn’t seem necessary (a reference to memes being irrelevant in the future, specifically). Overall, it was okay, but the overarching idea didn’t intrigue me enough to outweigh the cons.
smm081's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Infinitude was a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure. I loved all the little history chapters that explained major events and how it related to when in time the MCs would be thrust next. Every new destination in time was an interesting, fun mini adventure, at least for the reader, no matter if it was relaxing, stressful, or dangerous for the MCs. Each character had their own important role and some sort of growth that ultimately led up to nice, finished endings that left me satisfied.
mrsb86's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
_tycho_'s review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Note: I received this book as an ARC, with the author's request to leave an honest review afterward.
When I first began reading Infinitude, I must admit, I was a bit put off by the protagonist's early and sole drive to procure futuristic narcotics as being the motivating force behind his actions. It seemed like a flimsy premise, and I was ready to dismiss the book if that was going to remain so for its entirety.
Fortunately, I kept reading, and what quickly unfolded was a much deeper and more interesting story than I initially gave it credit. The drug element quickly fell by the wayside, and what you find is an exciting and gripping narrative that essentially flips between the two male protagonists as they search for each other -- not only across different locales, but also different *times*. Spanning literal centuries, it's fun to see how they navigate being thrust into different countries at various points in history. Of course, what they expect to be true turns out to be something entirely different, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship change once they realize what's actually happening behind the scenes.
Infinitude tries its best to be more than just an action story, and I would say it largely succeeds. The characters are well fleshed out, with friendships and romance that build along the way. There is an important female character, although she certainly takes a back seat to the two male leads. Also, be prepared for some fairly detailed descriptions of violence, although nothing seemed to overly focus on the gore.
One choice that confused me was the unnecessary number of chapters. This 400-page book has 100+ chapters, with many of them bridging the POV of the same character across the same period of time. I didn't see the need to split the narrative across so many chapters, when I feel that the story would have better flowed together had a number of the chapters been combined, with perhaps a section break between them.
Ultimately, I feel like that's a relatively small niggle in what is overall an exciting and well-told story, and it culminates in an ending that is both satisfying and wraps up any lingering questions. As far as I can tell, Infinitude is author JT Rath's third novel, and I think it bodes well for what he has in store for us in the future.
When I first began reading Infinitude, I must admit, I was a bit put off by the protagonist's early and sole drive to procure futuristic narcotics as being the motivating force behind his actions. It seemed like a flimsy premise, and I was ready to dismiss the book if that was going to remain so for its entirety.
Fortunately, I kept reading, and what quickly unfolded was a much deeper and more interesting story than I initially gave it credit. The drug element quickly fell by the wayside, and what you find is an exciting and gripping narrative that essentially flips between the two male protagonists as they search for each other -- not only across different locales, but also different *times*. Spanning literal centuries, it's fun to see how they navigate being thrust into different countries at various points in history. Of course, what they expect to be true turns out to be something entirely different, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship change once they realize what's actually happening behind the scenes.
Infinitude tries its best to be more than just an action story, and I would say it largely succeeds. The characters are well fleshed out, with friendships and romance that build along the way. There is an important female character, although she certainly takes a back seat to the two male leads. Also, be prepared for some fairly detailed descriptions of violence, although nothing seemed to overly focus on the gore.
One choice that confused me was the unnecessary number of chapters. This 400-page book has 100+ chapters, with many of them bridging the POV of the same character across the same period of time. I didn't see the need to split the narrative across so many chapters, when I feel that the story would have better flowed together had a number of the chapters been combined, with perhaps a section break between them.
Ultimately, I feel like that's a relatively small niggle in what is overall an exciting and well-told story, and it culminates in an ending that is both satisfying and wraps up any lingering questions. As far as I can tell, Infinitude is author JT Rath's third novel, and I think it bodes well for what he has in store for us in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Drug use and Gore
eliasaurus's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I received an ARC of this book through a StoryGraph giveaway. Thank you to the author for this copy.
This is a book that reads like a summer blockbuster. It would be perfect for a vacation read. It feels like the author wrote with the goal of having the story become a Michael Bay-esque silver screen romp. There's action, romance, and plenty of bullets and explosions.
With that said... The first third of the book is dreadfully slow. Readers are asked to make the same leap of faith into an almost 500 page book that the main character makes into the past, based entirely on his "gut feeling." This instinct will end up being the driving force for most of his actions, and it won't be explained until the story is half over, so if you, like me, find that deeply unsatisfying, well... good luck.
Also unsatisfying was the love story between our main character and his lady. The romance element of the plot felt forced and I didn't think there was any chemistry between the two star-crossed lovers.
There are several small grammatical errors throughout the story, and overall I felt the manuscript needed a tighter edit. There's a lot of telling and not enough showing.
On the whole, this is a fluffy read that's a lot of fun if you don't take it too seriously.
This is a book that reads like a summer blockbuster. It would be perfect for a vacation read. It feels like the author wrote with the goal of having the story become a Michael Bay-esque silver screen romp. There's action, romance, and plenty of bullets and explosions.
With that said... The first third of the book is dreadfully slow. Readers are asked to make the same leap of faith into an almost 500 page book that the main character makes into the past, based entirely on his "gut feeling." This instinct will end up being the driving force for most of his actions, and it won't be explained until the story is half over, so if you, like me, find that deeply unsatisfying, well... good luck.
Also unsatisfying was the love story between our main character and his lady. The romance element of the plot felt forced and I didn't think there was any chemistry between the two star-crossed lovers.
There are several small grammatical errors throughout the story, and overall I felt the manuscript needed a tighter edit. There's a lot of telling and not enough showing.
On the whole, this is a fluffy read that's a lot of fun if you don't take it too seriously.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: War and Vomit
scifistalker's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this story! The main plot was interesting & the mystery, once the main story is begun, is the kind that makes you want to discover the secret. When the truth is finally revealed, it’s comes with a really fun & crazy twist.
There are a variety of settings that allow the reader an opportunity to dip into several genres over the course of the book—add to that a time-spanning romance & you’ve got a great read.
I will say that, if l could give any constructive criticisms to the book—I’d like to have had more time getting to know some of the side-characters & see them developed. I’d also say that, at times I wanted more “show” & less “tell”. And—the start was a bit slow & I wasn’t fully hooked until a third of the way through.
Otherwise—I enjoyed this time-travel adventure!
There are a variety of settings that allow the reader an opportunity to dip into several genres over the course of the book—add to that a time-spanning romance & you’ve got a great read.
I will say that, if l could give any constructive criticisms to the book—I’d like to have had more time getting to know some of the side-characters & see them developed. I’d also say that, at times I wanted more “show” & less “tell”. And—the start was a bit slow & I wasn’t fully hooked until a third of the way through.
Otherwise—I enjoyed this time-travel adventure!
ikandree's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
I have to say that I enjoyed this book much better than I thought I was going to when I first started it. As with many sci-fi books, it was difficult to understand the who, what, when, where, and why of this story. Who and when being the most difficult. However, the historical events (some real and some imagined) were very interesting and I especially loved the "Hiscon" essays to really set the scene. I also feel that the character development was actually enhanced by the confusing beginning bc the reader is feeling what the narrator(s) are feeling. Overall, this is a very interesting and surprising sci-fi/time travel book.