Infinity Son

The first book in the Infinity Cycle series, Adam Silvera’s young adult LGBT fantasy novel Infinity Son (2020) follows two brothers who find themselves at the heart of a magical war and the strain that this conflict puts on their relationship. Critics praise the book for its engaging plot, its complex characters, and its treatment of sibling relationships. Silvera, a New York Times bestselling author, writes for children and teenagers. Speaking openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety, he explores mental health in his books. He is best known for his contemporary novel, They Both Die at the End.

Infinity Son takes place in an alternate New York City. Some people, known as celestials, are born with magical powers. The strongest celestials, Spell Walkers, uphold the law of the magical world. It’s their job to protect celestials from magic thieves known as specters. Specters kill celestials and endangered magical creatures to steal their power, claiming it as their own.

Terrified of the specters, celestials and other gifted people are afraid to reveal their powers to anyone because they don’t want to die. They no longer use their powers to help people or to support their local communities. They also worry about what will happen to the most endangered magical species, the phoenix, if the specters get their hands on the remaining firebirds.



Although they don’t have any magical powers, brothers Emil and Brighton are both obsessed with Spell Walkers and the work they do. Brighton wishes he had a magical ability because he is sure that he could stop the specters for good. He recently set up a blog to stalk the celestials and the Spell Walkers so he can keep tabs on their every move. Despite Emil reminding him that he has no power, Brighton feels that he has a role to play in the conflict that’s worsening every day.

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.

Brighton can’t believe what is happening. Planning to live vicariously through Emil, he wants Emil to take control of the magical war brewing in the city. Emil, who doesn’t want magical powers, resents Brighton’s meddling. Brighton reminds him that he must learn how to wield his power because it could destroy him otherwise. Reluctantly, Emil agrees to learn how to control his abilities so that he can shield himself from detection by the specters. If the specters find out that Emil exists, they will kill him before he has a chance to understand his abilities.



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.

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.

Emil goes on a quest to learn more about his heritage. He meets Maribelle, the leader of the Spell Walkers. She tells him that he is meant to be a Spell Walker like her and that he is the key to ending the war. Emil works with Maribelle and her sister, Iris, to harness his magical powers. They show him the twisted things the specters do, such as performing blood sacrifices and casting wicked spells. If Emil can’t find a way to stop the specters for good, New York City will fall.



Brighton realizes that Emil has the power to save the phoenix from extinction. The phoenix isn’t just the most endangered species but the most important magical creature. Without the phoenix, magic will be corrupted and ruined. Although Brighton envies Emil’s power, he is proud of him and wants him to succeed.

The book ends with a magical confrontation between Luna, the leader of the specters, and her second-in-command, Ness. Luna tells Emil and the Spell Walkers that she won’t stop until she kills every magical creature to secure her own immortality. Gang war breaks out and it is unclear who is alive or dead. The story continues from this cliff hanger in book two.