Infinity by Andria Buchanan (Young Adult, 10/10E)

November 2013, Entangled Publishing, 304 pages, eBook, Review copy

Themes: being at war, losing friends, being selfish, acting out of character, making big mistakes, finding hope, having to be strong for others, battles, annoyed dragons, mercy, making the best of a bad situation, lots of twists and surprises,

Content: Minimal teen romance, lots of fighting/death/emotion filled scenes, tissues needed

Summary from Entangled Publishing

The kingdom of Nerissette is finally at peace. After multiple battles, Queen Allie just might have the time to start building a relationship with the dragon next door, Winston, before her sixteenth birthday. But unrest is forming at the borders and soon she realizes that it’s not just the Fate Maker who wants to take her crown, but her aunt, Queen Bavasama.

When Bavasama sends her troops over the border into Nerissette on a campaign of mass destruction, Allie has to decide whether or not she’s willing to bring her battle-scarred country back to war. She can’t take the chance of letting more people die, or letting those she’s lost disappear from memory.

She must survive long enough to save her country and, in the end, decide what she will do when faced with a final, horrible series of choices.

Nayuleska's thoughts 

It really should be a 9/10E review because some of the end was explained away a little too easily, but I'm captivated by Allie's tale which is for most part incredible, so it gets nearly full marks, 10/10E, instead. I didn't like who Allie was becoming for a good 3rd of the story - I did like how her friends protested against her ideas.

There is no getting around the fact that a lot of this story - and the rest of the series is rather grim and grisly. So much so in some places I skipped a few paragraphs as they were too much for me. I loved all the plot twists which left me breathless. I love the way Allie and her dad's relationship develops, and the acceptance of circumstances Mercedes finds and how Mercedes becomes a mine of advice. Minus a few points explained at the beginning of this review the end was almost perfect. I tried and failed to work out what would happen, which made what happened so wonderful and unexpected. It feels a fitting end to a series filled with spirit, friendship, heartache and a lot of growing up. 

Being a queen changed Allie in positive and negative ways - thankfully her friends help her deal with the negatives. Despite the tragedies this is a fun, humour filled read which you will want to read again and again. I will- although due to darker parts it will be a long time before that happens. Trust me - you don't want to be stupid like Allie's enemies and mess with full and half dragons!

You can find out more on Andria's website.

Suggested read

Be sure to read book one, Everlast (Young Adult, 10E/10E) 

 and book 2, Evanescent (Young Adult, 10E/10E)