Sue Wyshynski

Aeris Thorne is a genetically modified human, but she's fighting against that, trying to return normal to save those she cares about. She knows she and Hunter can't make a life together, not in their current forms and not if she wants him to stay alive. Powerful forces are coming to check on them, to verify that an agreement they made decades ago still stands true. Aeris would leave, would hide if she could, but now a child is involved and she feels an obligation to help her, despite the danger her father is willing to inflict on Aeris, Hunter, and the others. Changes are happening within Aeris though and she can only keep them a secret for so long.

"I have to become normal again. I just have to."

The Infinity Gene is the sequel to The Butterfly Code from the Girl on Fire series by Sue Wyshynski. It's a long addition to the series, with the first released in 2015. It took me a minute to get back into the series, to find myself in the trans-humanistic world again, but once I jumped in I was hooked. Aeris is a compelling character, full of strength, naivety, love, and determination. During the first book she was thrust into a new world, one that she thought would give her answers about her mother, but instead left her with more questions. In book two we see even more so how she has embraced this new version of the world she has found and how there's a place for her in it, even if it wasn't truly meant to be. Hunter is back, of course, and as lovely as ever. We don't get enough of him, though we do see the lengths he is willing to go for Aeris. We also revisit with several of the other genetically modified humans, as well as meet the others that we have only known of by title, The Winterborn Survivors.

"I'll be that girl of yours who never gave up. The one you were proud of. And I won't stop until this is over."

As far as storylines go, The Infinity Gene follows immediately after The Butterfly Code and is packed full of mystery, suspense, emotions, and a bit of action too. There were handful of time where the role of science fiction in the novel felt stretched, like our imagination needed to work overtime to really see how this could work. The world has also shrunk, the novel's characters are so closely tied together and interactions with others is so small that it's hard to imagine the rest of the world outside of the lab and the areas the survivors inhabit. I did love the twists though and really enjoyed Aeris coming into her own, she's a standalone character in this novel, showing just how powerful she can be, both as a woman and as a modified human. The twist of having the villain role in King also be for a good reason was intriguing and really lent itself to the idea that ultimately these characters are trying to save the world.

"I will not go down like this. I will not let this end."

The Infinity Gene is a solid new release in the Girl on Fire series and I already cannot wait to get my hands on book the, The Modified Girl. Sue Wyshynski has created a world that is just like our own, only with transhuman alterations that make it both sci-fi and a bit dystopian. I really enjoyed how much knowledge about the modifications was shared in this book and can't wait to see how it pans out for the characters. The Infinity Gene is a must read, so pick up The Butterfly Code ASAP if you haven't read it yet and get caught up on this mysterious and engaging read.… (meer)

Find this review and associate book tour on my blog, Carlene Inspired, tomorrow 12/4.


Aeris is home with her dad for the summer after accepting a prestigious role as a concert violinist. She's hanging out with her old friends, spending time with her over-cautious father, and getting some seriously odd looks from the handsome Dr. Hunter Cayman. After a night out at the local nightclub, things are changing and quickly. What is behind the gates of the Phoenix Research Lab for Highly Contagious Diseases, why is her dad so against the company, and why does everything seem so familiar? As her curiosity increases, she finds herself learning about the mother she lost as a child and her father's desperation to protect her. It may not be enough to keep her away from Hunter though, something about him just keeps drawing her in despite the warnings and the secrets he seems to be hiding. What she finds will change everything.

I went into this book with the basic blurb every other reader gets, so I didn't expect anything when I opened up to the first chapter. The Butterfly Code stole my attention away from the very start. Not only are we immediately introduced to Aeris' old friends and the enigmatic Hunter Cayman with his flashing eyes, but Sue Wyshynski does an amazing job of setting the scene, the relationships, and giving you a glimpse of what's to come. You see, Hunter is older and her father has warned her to avoid his research lab at all costs, but Aeris seems to lose all common sense when it comes to him. I was obsessed as soon as I knew we had a forbidden relationship plot. Not only that, it's a completely new story line, because there is a scifi mix in this book. There's romance, action, suspense, and a twist you won't ever see coming. I loved the characters, every single one of them. Aeris is always curious, for a classic violinist she sure seems interested in adventure. She's a brave character whose POV is super entertaining to read from. I loved her thought process and her individuality. On the other hand, our two main men, Gage and Hunter, are super intriguing as well. Gage, one of Aeris' best friends, is the brooding type and his role in this book is so much more than just a friend. He's got quite a history, a huge secret, and I really liked his relationship with Aeris. Hunter is mysterious, dangerous, and about the hottest thing any of our characters have ever seen. The entire town seems to despise him, every woman lusts for him, and his attitude is that of a bad boy. He had a lot more depth to him that I expected him to and as the story grows he brings a lot to the table. He seemed to have new secrets after every page turn and even once I closed the book I felt like I had more to know about him. Every character is not what they seem and no plot line is ever what you are expecting as a reader.

I loved the use of symbolism in this book and the futuristic elements of transhumanism, that is the creation of superhumans. She successfully takes humanity into the future, mixing it with romance, drama, and action. Wyshynski's descriptions are vivid, everything we saw as the reader means something later on, from names to just small conversations between characters. The foreshadowing kept me curious, on my toes the entire time, and when the twists happened I was shocked to find it opposite of what I thought would happen. Everything flowed so well and at a swift pace. There was no over complication and I felt like this book could easily reach across many demographics.

I might have loved this book, can you tell? I have pulled away from the paranormal/scifi books I used to love, but this transhuman story might have pulled me right back in. This is a book that readers of all ages and all genre preferences could read and enjoy. I loved the well-developed characters, the realistic near-future story line, and the intrigue of the mystery that Aeris is so desperate to figure out. I cannot wait for a sequel and really hope this novel has the popularity it deserves.

Many thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and Sue Wyshynski for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.… (meer)

Aeris has found the man of her dreams in Hunter who is like no other handsome, fast, strong and immortal, a product of the Genetic manipulation her mother was working so hard to reverse before her death. But then there are those who would do terrible things with the gifts that Hunter and the other Winterborn Survivors have and now Aeris has those gifts too. Hunter might have created a cure but can they keep Aeris safe long enough for it to work. A great start to a beautifully written series full of action, adventure and romance I look forward to reading more.… (meer)