asteriskpearl's book blog: ARC Review: The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2) by Lori M Lee

Release Date: March 10th, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Blurb:

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.

*I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review*

First Thoughts

There's going to be a third book, right? Because I seriously need it now! There are so many loose ends that need to be tied and I am dying of curiosity! What will the outcome of the war be? Which other characters are going to meet their unfortunate end? Will Kai embrace her role as an Infinite? What will become of Avan?

The Infinite saddened me-- but in a good way! I may have grown too attached to Avan in the first book, Gates of Thread and Stone. I was pleased that Lori M Lee found a way to bring him back, but I grieved because he's not the same Avan he once was. This Avan is empty inside. Almost a complete stranger, even. He has no memories of his life, of his history with Kai, or all the tender moments they shared. I yearn for the old Avan and I really hope that his memories can be restored.

What I Enjoyed

Lori M Lee's incredible world-building (again). I mentioned this in my review for Gates of Thread and Stone, but I have to mention it again because new locations were introduced in The Infinite and Ms Lee, as expected, did a marvelous job in describing them. The depiction of the mountain city of Vethe overwhelmed me! I loved imagining the glimmer glass lighting up the homes built from the mountain and the steamy fog from the warm waterfall drifting through the city. Gorgeous!

Glimpses of the old Avan.

But traces remained. Sometimes, he would say something or he would look at me a certain way or his mouth would twist into a crooked smile, and I could see him there--my Avan--just beneath the surface, battling to break through. Every time, it was like the air ripped from my lungs, like I was the one drowning.

Kai as a heroine. One of the most admirable things she did was risk her life to go back and rescue Mason from Vethe. She didn't have to. Why take a chance with her life for just one guy? That's just the person Kai is. She'd probably cut out her own heart to save her family and friends if she had to.

The betrayal (spoiler ahead). (Specifically the one in chapter 25.) I probably shouldn't have enjoyed this as much as I did, but it was just so emotional! I, like Kai, believed every lie Emryn and Cassia told. I was thoroughly confused when the hollows fell to the ground, motionless. I felt the terror in my heart as Emryn's soldiers raised their swords above each hollow's chest. I felt despair when I read of the slaughtered gargoyles. Those few chapters were story-telling at it's best!

Memorable Quote

I tucked the cloak tighter around my shoulders. I thought about Avan: the angles of his body fitted to mine, his arm a pleasant weight around my waist, and his body heat warding off the chill of the Void. Avan might not remember, but I didn't want to forget.