I was looking forward to Infinity, because I believed this book was about modern Valkyries, and Norse mythology has always intrigued me. I soon learnt, this book had none of what I was expecting and a whole host of things that didn’t intrigue me in the slightest!

I can’t quite believe I just read a book that spent 3/4 ‘s of it’ s pages describing clothes and asses. I’m still in quite a bit of shock at my own fortitude! I actually feel slightly bad for reviewing this novel, because I honestly had no interest in it after the first chapter (but I did promise, so you are kind of stuck with it!). I felt like I was dropped into a book full of characters that are akin to those that surround and trap me in my nightmares (and I’m not talking about the fact they are paranormal) so it had me on the wrong foot pretty quickly.

Infinity is a hot mess of contradictions. At first I thought she was going to a strong, independent woman, proud and defiant, because she is presented as such. She ended up coming off whiny, self absorbed, insecure and with a volatile temper. She really adores her friends, and who wouldn’t if all they did was stand around and praise you to the nth degree and don’t have a problem with you taking the drug you have supposedly spent so long on kicking the habit for. Irritated the socks off me. Every man gets an erection for her, every woman wishes they had her ass. After the first chapter (which I actually really liked!) I couldn’t get away from her quick enough.

Every male character is stunningly handsome and is either a man whore or simply a claimant on Infinity’s body. I thought the caveman attraction went out a long time a go. “Right, I claim you. We’ll do the nasty.” Sadder, Infinity gets wet panties (literally!) for nearly all of them. Lucky she keeps mentioning her virginity card over and over, or she might’ve started confusing me! Really not romantic or sexy in the slightest. And there’s got to be another word for a tall, well built man than Viking. I get the Norse connection, but it was used.. 28 times! I have read historical fiction about Vikings, that haven’t used it so prolifically!

The storyline and pacing were displeasing. The first two thirds probably could’ve been totally erased and it would’ve made no difference to the plot whatsoever. I point you to the scene comprised of Infinity texting in the car and talking to her friends about her fine ass, other people’s ugly asses, and clothing styles. The scanty POV changes were unnecessary, they didn’t add anything to the overall storyline that couldn’t have been worked in to the main plot. I think the real plot, which kicks in at the end could’ve been really well done if a good editor was on hand to enhance that, and scrub out the inane filler at the start. And never have I seen a cliff hanger quite so badly placed. It’s one thing if it’s used to lead you into the next novel, another if you just chop off a story so you can make it into a series.

I am just disappointed that the concept was really exciting , but not handled well enough to pull it off successfully.

I will give it 2 stars: 1 for the bitching cover, and 1 because it does have a version of a Valkyrie in it.

Hardcopy Worthy? No. Sorry.

This review was originally posted on Book Frivolity ( )

Infinity is a singer, a super star, rich and influential – and burned out. After getting hooked badly on the cure-all-pills Rejuvenators and a very public break down, she’s pulling herself back into the limelight with grand concert – a concert that is aimed at bringing down the predatory Collective Corporation that exploits people with its pills

A collective run by vampires, who are not happy. But that is the tip of the iceberg. Unknown to Infinity, she is the keystone in the master plans of many supernatural factions and she’s suddenly very much on their radar;

This book comes with a lot of potential.

We have a world with vampires controlling a vast pharmaceutical empire with deeply nefarious goals. We have complicated issues of class and exploitation. We have a hyper-rich, powerful singer both enjoying vast wealth but also being discounted for her attempts of philanthrophy. We have not just numerous supernatural beings, but each of these groups is split into factions with a myriad of goals – all of which with crafty cover stories for the greater human society. Underneath it all we have strong hints of dark powers and a central protagonist pulling herself out of addiction and with great big powers and secrets to be revealed

It has immense potential. Immortals and gods and vampires and wereanimals and Valkyries and ravens and big corporations and magic and so much more. Immense potential indeed

People who have read a lot of my reviews will realise that when I start a review talking about potential, I’m going to now say how it completely failed to deliver that potential

And oh, yes did this book fail to reach that

First of all, there’s our introduction to the supernatural elements of the show. Or lack thereof, because the main character we follow, Infinity, is rather indifferent about the whole thing. She has scary prophetic dreams with being that call themselves various wonderful things and she doesn’t do anything about them. Her mother tells her that werewolves and vampires exist…. And she has no follow up questions. Really, it’s like “VAMPIRES ARE REAL!” “Really?! Hey, it’s really cold, let’s go inside.”

I am less than impressed with her reaction to the supernatural – and the fact we’re following a protagonist who shows little interest in and has little involvement with the supernatural factions driving this world we never really delve into much of anything. Worse, her indifference doesn’t man everyone is indifferent to her – she is involved in all of this plotting as an object to be obtained

Because we do get some viewpoints from the various supernatural elements in the world – wereanimals, vampires et al and it’s clear they’re involved in some very heavy politics and competition with multiple factions on every side plotting to do various nefarious things – all of which tends to involve one element. Infinity

Or, rather, having sex with Infinity. While it’s clear they are plotting various political shenanigans, it’s far far far far more clear that these plot will be realised by having sex with Infinity or are threatened by their want to have sex with Infinity, or are distracted by their wish to have sex with Infinity or generally just want to have sex with Infinity

Like the werewolves who are seeking acceptance in their pack which is threatened by their aging population needing officialdom in order to find partners – whose quest is threatened and their prejudices challenged by the Pack’s two leaders having a passionate desire to have sex with Infinity

Or the vampire rogue who is plotting no doubt many kinds of intricate cunning plans but the main one we see is his wish to have sex with Infinity

Or the weretiger whose family is finally making a play for power while occupying a complicated and privileged position in the supernatural world that promises for lots of complicated politics. Maybe. Of course their plan involves their guy having sex with Infinity.

Or there’s the rock star who is… actually, he’s a complete and utter nobody but he’s dropped in because there weren’t nearly enough men in this book who wanted to have sex with Infinity. Apparently.

About the only ones who don’t want to have sex with Infinity are actual relatives who want to protect/preserve/use her for nefarious schemes that are just not all that clear which just goes further to making Infinity a weak, helpless pawn to be fought over by just about every other (almost entirely male) faction in the book.

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