That Dark Infinity by Kate Pentecost (Review)

Title: That Dark Infinity
Author: Kate Pentecost
Type: Fiction
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Horror
Publisher:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: October 19, 2021

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

By night, the Ankou is a legendary, permanently young mercenary. By day, a witch’s curse leaves him no more than bones. Caught in an unending cycle of death and resurrection, the Ankou wants only to find the death that has been prophesied for him, especially once he begins to rot while he’s still alive….

After the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked, Flora, loyal handmaiden to the princess, is assaulted and left for dead. As the sole survivor of the massacre, Flora wants desperately to find the princess she served. When the Ankou agrees to help her find the princess, and to train her in exchange for her help in breaking his curse, she accepts. But how can she kill an immortal? Especially one whom she is slowly growing to understand—and maybe even to love?

Together, they will solve mysteries, battle monsters, break curses, and race not only against time, but against fate itself.

⤖ My Review ⬻

I wasn’t sure what to expect from That Dark Infinity even after reading the synopsis but I knew that I was really drawn to it. And now, having read it, I’m happy to share that it turned out to be more epic than I was expecting, which was a very happy surprise.

I also wasn’t sure if I would connect with the characters, since I’ve had issues with YA books and not connecting with characters lately (probably because I’m at a different place in my life, not sure). And I wonder if part of the reason is that That Dark Infinity read more like an adult book to me due to the storytelling style, tone, as well as some of the topics. This is an observation, not criticism.

Long story short, I really felt for the characters and was invested in their wellbeing. I also strongly hoped for a romance between the two main characters! I enjoyed going on a journey full of magic and danger with the characters—the author did an excellent job of balancing action and character development, making for a well-rounded and engaging story.

I definitely enjoyed the blend of folklore, high fantasy, dark fantasy in That Dark Infinity. The world-building is intricate and immersive, and the different elements are seamlessly woven together. The result is a rich and complex world that feels both familiar and unique. I enjoyed it and hope to be able to read more books by this author in the future.

⤖ About the Author ⬻

Kate Pentecost was born and raised on the Texas/Louisiana border, where ghosts and rural legends lurk in the pines and nothing is completely as it seems. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She was recently nominated for a Rhysling award for her poem “Small Town Witches.” Her debut novel, Elysium Girls, is forthcoming from Disney Hyperion in 2020 in print and audio formats. She is obsessed with the Romantic Poets and can be identified by the enormous tattoo of Percy Bysshe Shelley on her arm. She lives in Houston.