“The past is a ghost, the future a dream, and all we ever have is now.”
— Nick Gautier's internal reflection on time and his struggles.
Archivist's Choice
Infinity
Sherrilyn Kenyon (2010)
Genre
Thriller / Fantasy / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
580 min
Key Themes
See below
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A sarcastic fourteen-year-old's world shatters when his friends try to kill him, thrusting him into a hidden war of immortal vampire slayers, werewolves, and zombie outbreaks, all while trying to survive high school without getting grounded.
Synopsis
Fourteen-year-old Nick Gautier's world shatters when his best friends attempt to murder him. Rescued by a warrior, Nick is thrust into the hidden world of the Dark-Hunters, immortal vampire slayers battling supernatural threats. He quickly discovers that his high school is a hotbed of paranormal activity, with werewolves, vampire slayers, and other creatures lurking beneath the surface. Just as Nick begins to navigate this new reality, a zombie outbreak transforms his fellow students into flesh-eating monsters, and he becomes their next target. He must balance the mundane challenges of high school—avoiding grounding, hiding a chainsaw from the principal—with the urgent need to protect his new supernatural allies from his mother, and himself from zombies and a powerful demon named Simi. Nick uncovers a betrayal, learns the true source of the infection, and ultimately confronts the mastermind behind the chaos, leading to a new understanding of his place in this dangerous, magical world.
Reading time
580 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Action-packed, Humorous, Suspenseful, Adventurous
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy fast-paced urban fantasy with a snarky protagonist, a mix of supernatural creatures, and a strong sense of humor.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer gritty, dark fantasy without comedic elements or are looking for a purely adult-oriented narrative.
Plot Summary
The Betrayal and the Rescue
Fourteen-year-old Nick Gautier, known for his sarcastic wit, is lured into a trap by his supposed best friends, Bubba and Mark. They attempt to drown him in the bayou, revealing they are under the influence of a sinister force. Just as Nick is about to succumb, he is rescued by a mysterious, powerful man named Kyrian of Thrace. Kyrian, a Dark-Hunter, quickly dispatches the shadowy creatures controlling Bubba and Mark, but not before Nick is exposed to the supernatural world. Kyrian takes Nick under his wing, revealing that Nick is now a target for various supernatural entities and must learn to defend himself.
A New Mentor and a New Reality
Kyrian brings Nick to the Dark-Hunter sanctuary, where he meets other immortals like Acheron and Simi, a demon who develops an immediate, quirky affection for Nick. Nick struggles to grasp the reality of vampires, werewolves, and other mythical creatures existing in his world. Kyrian begins to train Nick, teaching him combat techniques and the rules of the supernatural. Nick also learns that his own past is more intertwined with this hidden world than he ever imagined, with his mother, Cherise, having a mysterious connection to Acheron and the Dark-Hunters, hinting at a larger destiny for Nick.
High School Horrors
Nick starts a new high school, feeling like an outsider but also more aware of the hidden world around him. He quickly realizes that many of his classmates are not what they seem: the football captain, Caleb, is a werewolf, and the seemingly ordinary girl he's attracted to, Maeve, is a vampire slayer. His attempts to navigate typical high school drama are constantly interrupted by supernatural occurrences. Nick tries to balance his mundane life, hiding his new training and friends from his mother, with the increasing demands of the supernatural world, which seems determined to pull him deeper into its conflicts.
The Zombie Outbreak
A terrifying epidemic sweeps through Nick's school: students begin transforming into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies. This outbreak is not random; it is a targeted attack orchestrated by an unknown entity. Nick, along with Caleb and Maeve, finds himself on the front lines, fighting to protect their classmates and themselves. The school becomes a battleground, forcing Nick to quickly apply the combat skills Kyrian has taught him. He realizes that the threats are escalating rapidly and that he is directly in the crosshairs of a powerful enemy, making his everyday life impossible.
The Chainsaw and the Principal
Desperate to combat the growing zombie horde, Nick acquires a chainsaw, much to the dismay of his principal and the further complication of his already bizarre life. He struggles to keep the weapon hidden from school authorities while using it to dispatch the undead. These scenes blend intense action with comedic relief, as Nick tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos. The principal's exasperation with Nick's antics, unaware of the true nature of the 'disruptions,' highlights the stark contrast between the human and supernatural worlds Nick inhabits, making his situation both perilous and absurd.
The Source of the Infection
Working with Caleb and Maeve, Nick investigates the source of the zombie outbreak. They uncover clues suggesting that a powerful demon or magical entity is behind the infection, using the students as pawns in a larger scheme. Their search leads them to dark corners of the school and surrounding areas, where they face more dangerous supernatural creatures. Nick's quick thinking and growing combat prowess are crucial as they piece together the puzzle, realizing the attack is more personal than they initially thought and targets him directly.
Simi's Intervention
As the situation at the school spirals out of control, Simi, Acheron's companion demon, becomes more involved. While often a source of comedic relief with her obsession with food and her childlike demeanor, Simi also possesses immense power. She intervenes in critical moments, using her abilities to protect Nick and his friends from overwhelming threats. Her unique perspective and unpredictable actions often turn the tide of battle, though sometimes creating more chaos in the process. Simi's presence shows the extraordinary nature of Nick's new life and the formidable allies he has gained.
The Betrayal and the Revelation
Nick discovers a shocking betrayal: one of the people he had come to trust or rely on is actually working for the enemy responsible for the zombie plague. This revelation shatters Nick's sense of security and forces him to question everyone around him. The betrayer's motives are revealed to be rooted in a desire for power or revenge, directly impacting Nick's destiny. This moment forces Nick to mature rapidly, understanding that the supernatural world is full of cunning deceptions and that not all allies are true.
Confronting the Mastermind
Nick, alongside Kyrian, Acheron, Simi, Caleb, and Maeve, confronts the mastermind behind the zombie attacks. This powerful demon or magical entity, whose identity is revealed to be a significant threat, seeks to exploit Nick's nascent powers or his unique lineage for its own nefarious purposes. The confrontation is a climactic battle, testing Nick's newly acquired skills and his courage. He must overcome not only physical threats but also psychological manipulation, fighting for his life and the lives of his friends and family.
The Aftermath and New Beginnings
The mastermind is defeated, and the zombie plague is brought to an end, though not without significant consequences and lingering questions. Nick's school life is irrevocably altered, and he can no longer pretend to be a normal teenager. He has fully embraced his role in the supernatural world, understanding the immense responsibilities and dangers that come with it. While the immediate crisis is over, Nick knows this is only the beginning of his journey, leaving him with a new sense of purpose and a deeper connection to his supernatural allies and his own emerging powers.
Principal Figures
Nick Gautier
The Protagonist
Nick transforms from a normal, albeit jaded, teenager into a nascent hero, accepting his role in the supernatural world and embracing his growing powers and responsibilities.
Kyrian of Thrace
The Supporting
Kyrian deepens his commitment to protecting humanity and guiding the next generation, finding renewed purpose in mentoring Nick.
Acheron
The Supporting
Acheron continues his eternal vigil, his past and future intertwining with Nick's emerging destiny.
Simi
The Supporting
Simi finds a new 'plaything' and friend in Nick, expanding her protective instincts beyond Acheron.
Cherise Gautier
The Supporting
Cherise's past connections to the supernatural world begin to resurface, drawing her closer to the truth about her son's destiny.
Caleb Malphas
The Supporting
Caleb forms an unlikely alliance with Nick, expanding his understanding of the supernatural community beyond his pack.
Maeve
The Supporting
Maeve finds a new partner and friend in Nick, expanding her solitary fight against the supernatural.
Bubba and Mark
The Mentioned
Their betrayal serves as the inciting incident for Nick's journey, though their individual arcs are not deeply explored.
Themes & Insights
The Veil Between Worlds
The novel explores the theme of a hidden supernatural world existing just beneath the surface of ordinary human life. Nick's journey forces him to see beyond the mundane, realizing that mythical creatures and ancient conflicts are a secret reality. This theme is evident from the moment his friends turn into monstrous figures in the bayou, shattering his perception of reality, and continues as he discovers his classmates are werewolves and vampire slayers. The constant tension of keeping this hidden world secret from his mother and school authorities shows the fragility of this 'veil'.
“The human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one.”
Identity and Belonging
Nick struggles with his identity as he is torn between his old life and his new, supernatural reality. He is no longer just a sarcastic teenager; he is a potential hero, a target, and someone with a mysterious destiny. This theme is explored through his attempts to fit in at a new school while simultaneously fighting zombies, and his discomfort with his emerging powers. He finds a sense of belonging not with his former human friends, but with the unlikely allies like Kyrian, Caleb, and Maeve, who understand his new reality.
“As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended.”
Betrayal and Trust
The story opens with an act of betrayal when Nick's best friends try to kill him, setting the tone for the dangers of misplaced trust. As Nick enters the supernatural world, he must learn whom to trust among the various factions and individuals he encounters. This theme is further highlighted by the eventual revelation of a trusted figure working for the enemy, forcing Nick to constantly evaluate allegiances and the true intentions of those around him. Trust becomes a valuable commodity, hard-earned and easily shattered.
“The night when his best friends try to kill him.”
Responsibility and Destiny
Nick, a reluctant hero, is thrust into a world where he has significant, often dangerous, responsibilities. He quickly learns that his actions have consequences not just for himself, but for those around him and potentially for the balance between the human and supernatural worlds. This theme is evident as he trains with Kyrian, fights zombies, and ultimately confronts the mastermind. His destiny, hinted at through his connections to Acheron and his mother, suggests a larger role that he must eventually embrace, moving from a passive victim to an active participant in his own fate.
“He's next on the menu.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Inciting Incident: The Betrayal
Nick's friends attempting to kill him immediately plunges him into the supernatural.
The novel's inciting incident is Nick's supposed best friends, Bubba and Mark, attempting to drown him in the bayou. This brutal betrayal shatters Nick's perception of his normal life and directly leads to Kyrian's intervention, which in turn exposes Nick to the hidden world of Dark-Hunters and other supernatural beings. This event serves as the crucial catalyst, setting all subsequent plot points in motion and establishing the high stakes and dangerous nature of Nick's new reality.
Mentor Figure: Kyrian of Thrace
Kyrian guides Nick through the supernatural world and trains him.
Kyrian of Thrace functions as the classic mentor figure. He rescues Nick, explains the existence of the supernatural world, and begins to train him in combat and survival skills necessary to navigate this new reality. Kyrian provides exposition, protection, and a moral compass, helping Nick understand the rules and dangers. His presence allows for the gradual unveiling of the complex supernatural lore and gives Nick the tools he needs to fight back against the escalating threats.
The Hidden World
The existence of a secret supernatural society coexisting with the human world.
This device establishes that the world Nick knows is merely a facade for a much larger, more dangerous supernatural realm. Vampires, werewolves, and demons exist in secret, with their own rules and conflicts, hidden from the general human population. This creates constant tension as Nick must balance his normal high school life with his supernatural battles, and provides a rich backdrop for endless conflicts and character interactions. The 'veil' is a constant source of wonder, fear, and narrative possibility.
The MacGuffin: The Zombie Plague
The zombie outbreak serves as the central external conflict driving the plot.
The sudden transformation of Nick's classmates into flesh-eating zombies acts as the primary MacGuffin for much of the story. While the ultimate cause is a powerful entity, the immediate threat of the zombie plague forces Nick, Caleb, and Maeve to unite, develop their skills, and uncover the larger conspiracy. It provides a tangible, immediate danger that propels the plot forward, creating urgency and high stakes, and forcing Nick to fully engage with his new identity and responsibilities.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes the greatest battles are fought within the smallest of souls.”
— A general observation about the internal struggles of characters, particularly Nick.
“Fear isn’t real. It’s a choice. You can choose to be afraid, or you can choose to be brave.”
— A mentor figure offering advice to Nick about overcoming his fears.
“Destiny isn't something you wait for; it's something you create.”
— Nick realizing he has agency over his own future, despite prophecies.
“Evil isn't born. It's made. And sometimes, the making of it is by those who claim to fight it.”
— A cynical view on the origins of evil and the hypocrisy of some characters.
“There are no monsters under the bed, only the ones we carry inside ourselves.”
— Nick grappling with his inner demons and the dark aspects of his own nature.
“Love isn't about finding someone to live with. It's about finding someone you can't live without.”
— A romantic sentiment expressed in the context of burgeoning relationships.
“The greatest power isn’t in striking down your enemies, but in lifting up your friends.”
— A lesson learned about true strength and loyalty.
“Sometimes the hardest part of being a hero is knowing when to be a villain.”
— Nick contemplating the moral ambiguities of his role and decisions.
“The world isn't black and white, kid. It's a million shades of gray, and you're going to have to learn to navigate them.”
— An older, wiser character advising Nick on the complexities of life.
“Every choice has a consequence, and some consequences echo through eternity.”
— Reflecting on the far-reaching impact of decisions, especially those with supernatural implications.
“You can't outrun your past, but you can choose how it defines you.”
— Nick coming to terms with his lineage and the history he inherited.
“True strength isn't about how much you can lift, but how much you can endure.”
— A reflection on resilience and the importance of inner fortitude.
“Even in the darkest night, there is always a flicker of hope, if you only know where to look.”
— A message of optimism amidst dire circumstances.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
'Infinity' introduces Nick Gautier, a streetwise fourteen-year-old whose life is turned upside down when his best friends attempt to kill him. He is then thrust into the hidden world of Dark-Hunters, discovering that supernatural beings are real and that he is now entangled in their fight to protect humanity from demonic forces and the undead.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
