Social media is an integral part of this story, both as a tool and as a weapon. Why did you decide to make it such an important aspect of Infinity Son ? It’s an uneasy situation with an added threat coming from the Spell Walkers – a Celestial vigilante group dedicated to clearing “unclean” Spectres from the city’s streets. Infinity Son is the first fantasy offering from YA author Adam Silvera, whose several popular books include More Happy Than Not and They Both Die at the End. While those novels involve fantastical elements, those elements take second stage to his exploration of the relationships they make possible. (In They Both Die at the End, for example, a service called Death-Cast alerts two teens that they each have only one day left to live. The focus of the story, however, isn’t on trying to thwart fate or uncover how Death-Cast is made possible but on the bond that develops between them during the course of the day.) In Infinity Son, Silvera offers a full-fledged epic fantasy universe, complete with intricate politics, dark secrets, and of course, magic. I never intended to fully mirror any marginalized community’s experiences, but for anyone who has ever been oppressed for just being, or been blamed for what someone else who shares their identity may or may not have done, I imagine they may relate to what the magical people within this novel are going through. As you said, both characters have their own idea of what it means to be a hero. What do you think it means?

INFINITY SON — ADAM SILVERA

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own--one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be. Unfortunately, working out how Emil’s abilities will affect their relationship is the least of their problems. His phoenix fire is a type of power that should be possible only for “specters,” individuals who emulate the abilities of celestials through stealing the essence of magical creatures. But Emil finds specters’ cruelty abhorrent and has no idea how he could have ended up with this ability. On top of everything else, both the Spell Walkers (an Avengers-like group of celestials) and a powerful gang of specters with more nefarious intentions are hunting for him. With any hope of a normal life vanishing before his eyes, Emil must decide where his loyalties lie. I’m working on the second Infinity Cycle book, another sequel to a different book of mine, and my next solo contemporary! Busy!Emil wants peace between the various communities. He doesn’t think that violence or magical conflict is the answer, and the growing tensions make him uneasy. He doesn’t want magical people turning New York City into a warzone; he just wants to get on with his life. Fate has other plans for him. One day, he manifests powerful magic abilities of his own: He can fly.

Infinity Son’ review: An exciting fantasy novel in a magical ‘Infinity Son’ review: An exciting fantasy novel in a magical

And then the unthinkable happens. Emil suddenly develops superpowers, and the whole dynamic between the brothers changes dramatically. Can you tell us anything about the They Both Die At The End and What If It’s Us TV and film adaptations? Emil and his brother Brighton have always dreamed of discovering that they are celestials, people born with supernatural abilities. With their 18th birthday on the horizon, time is running out for any such powers to emerge, and while Emil has made peace with being “normal,” Brighton is determined that he will never be any such thing – with or without powers. So when Emil suddenly manifests a phoenix fire ability, both brothers are thrown for a loop. Confused and angry, Emil feels that he doesn’t belong in the family and that he’s endangering their lives. Brighton feels betrayed. He can’t believe that Ma kept such a huge secret from him, and he doesn’t understand why he wasn’t enough for Ma. Emil’s heritage threatens to destroy his close relationship with Brighton forever.One of your inspirations for this story is X-Men , and similar to X-Men, the treatment of celestials and specters often serves as a metaphor. Can you talk about the process of weaving real injustices into your fantasy world? As the brothers work on Emil’s magic, Emil feels Brighton’s resentment. Brighton admits that he is jealous because he wants magical powers of his own. He doesn’t understand why Emil has them and he doesn’t. When they ask their mother, Ma, about it, she reveals a family secret—Emil isn’t Brighton’s biological brother. Ma adopted him when he was a baby; she didn’t plan to ever reveal the truth. Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Infinity Son: Infinity Cycle, Book 1 - Common Sense Media

I plot pretty extensively to begin with, but that’s especially true for this series because I want to make sure I’m setting myself up for success with the sequels. As for inspiration, the book is a combination of my belief in reincarnation and my love for phoenixes and what life looks like when you discover that your past lives have been villainous and heroic. The polarising characteristics of Brighton and Emil further this discussion, and create authentic conflict between the two, while also opening up a conversation on power and how it affects those striving for it, along their loved ones surrounding them. Unfortunately, this book was not without its faults, the main issues being with the world building and pacing.

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For me being a hero means putting yourself out there for the betterment of another. Being there for a friend in need, private charity contributions, defending a stranger.

ADAM SILVERA About — ADAM SILVERA

The book follows twin brothers Emil and Brighton. Emil is very much a reluctant hero, while Brighton wants the glory of being a savior. What drew you to explore these two different heroic tropes through twins? Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, bestselling author Adam Silvera's Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making.

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There are certain instances where Brighton comments on the amount of hits and views he could be getting from certain fight scenes between celestials, which prompts the reader to question his character. This opens up the conversation of someone’s own safety versus their online success, and whether getting the views for a video or post is more important than having a healthy mind set and being present in the moment. Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, the New York Times bestselling Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making.