The Infinity Guardians

The fate of the universe is once more in peril; welcome back to The Infinity Guardians! The second in S.M.Wilson's enjoyable duology, it works as a stand alone but really you do need to circle back and read The Infinity Files, the first book, to fully benefit. That way you can see Ash's journey from angry girl at the Academy driven by revenge and carrying a crushing sense of failure to a worthy Guardian of the Infinity Files in the Library at the End of the Universe...which you'll also know is a huge cavernous place on an outpost that no-one would find, enclosed inside a dome with stars for neighbours. A lonely position indeed.

By reading that first book you'll already understand that the task of the Guardian is to retrieve or return artefacts, powerful and dangerous artefacts, from (or to) their planets as and when the Library deems pertinent, often at times pivotal to the future of that planet.

What can we expect from The Infinity Guardians? For starters there's more high octane intergalactic action and adventure with S.M.Wilson clearly having an enormous amount of fun expanding her world building and inventing new planets. Joining Ash again in the second book, we can see she has handpicked a team to assist her in her role; surrounding herself with trusted friends and a sense of family. Together they must face a fearful foe.

If I were to share this with a book group I'd hope discussions would include debate on who or what the Library is; the role of museums; observation without interference (Ash jeopardises a mission by attempting to help citizens); and teamwork, the value of each member. Just a few things for starters!

320 pages / Reviewed by Catherine Purcell, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+

Ash Yang is the youngest ever Guardian of the Infinity Files and is responsible for the most powerful and dangerous artefacts in the universe. They are stored in the Library, and Ash, along with her friends Ezra, Trik and Amara, are charged with visiting different planets to retrieve, protect and ultimately return artefacts to and from different civilizations. As many of the artefacts have the power to stop or start wars, their role is a vitally important one.

When Ash is sent to Quisquilla to retrieve a stolen crystal, a chain of events is set in motion which will lead her to many beautiful and amazing lands, and, ultimately, to a confrontation with her arch-enemy Aldus Dexter. This exciting sequel to The Infinity Files is a fast-paced, thrilling read. Ash is the perfect heroine, brave and principled, but with flaws - she still follows her heart instead of her head, which often leads her into difficult situations. She is starting to question the ethics behind the Library's missions, wondering why she is asked to save objects at the expense of people. She is very loyal to her friends - when Vedis, the new Keeper of the Library, says that Trik, Ezra and Amara have no part to play in her role, and are not needed, Ash fights to keep them at the Library. By the end of the novel, she proves to Vedis that teamwork is vital to the continued success of her missions. Indeed, we are introduced to a new member of the team in the final chapter!

This dystopian /science fiction novel is really well written, the descriptions of the planets and civilizations Ash visits are mesmerising and convincing. I felt that there was a strong theme of conservation running through the book; Ash is keen to protect and preserve the beautiful environments she finds herself in, and is devastated when she does not always succeed. The evil Aldus Dexter is dealt with in a most satisfactory manner. Just when the reader feels that the action has died down, the creepy, robotic Byroneans reappear and the climax to the story is thrilling as Ash speeds through space in a desperate attempt to outwit their plans.

I see that this series is advertised by Usborne as a 'duology', so this may be the last we hear of Ash and her group of friends. This seems to be a shame - I am sure there are many more planets she could explore - but she has certainly gone out on a high! Highly recommended.

320 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+