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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
4.0
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: Violence and War
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.
bookaddictpenny's review
4.0
I gratefully received an ARC of this book Infinitude by J.T. Rath.
Within this time traveling read, I really enjoyed the story development. So much action and also mystery from the very start. At first I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep my interest as I am not normally a lover of time travel books, however that quickly changed upon starting this. I was able to finish it fast once I had the time to sit down and read it and thoroughly enjoyed every second.
I read quite a few mysteries and some fantasies, I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting this book was. This read overall was a fun, exciting read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Within this time traveling read, I really enjoyed the story development. So much action and also mystery from the very start. At first I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep my interest as I am not normally a lover of time travel books, however that quickly changed upon starting this. I was able to finish it fast once I had the time to sit down and read it and thoroughly enjoyed every second.
I read quite a few mysteries and some fantasies, I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting this book was. This read overall was a fun, exciting read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
faloneran's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
jjm3233's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
riverave's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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