I really enjoyed the start of this book but by the time we got to whatever the snow planet was called, I was struggling. Our MC made some interesting decisions and I was frustrated by a certain continuity error - we’re told Orius can’t communicate with Ash when she uses the bangle to travel yet when she choses to go to Ezra orius appears?? It just made it infuriating when certain things were happening and if you know he can show up he should’ve been showing up and advising.

There was also the fact that at one point it was clear she needed to transport back asap but she just chose not to. It was clear the author obviously wanted certain things to happen so needed to bend the rules or change the way our character acts to make it happen and it was infuriating.

I won’t be continuing the series, but it was enjoyable enough that I kept reading.

2.5 stars

Ash Yang's home-world is at war, and she has been working towards becoming a starfighter pilot to help.
When Ash fails the final test, her dream is left in tatters.
However, Ash is offered the unique position of Guardian of the Infinity Files. As Guardian, Ash travels to distant planets, returning or taking important objects that could change the future of worlds.
Will Ash be happy being Guardian?

The premise for this book intrigued me, but it ended up falling a bit flat, unfortunately.
Ash was a likeable and relatable protagonist who hadn't had an easy life. At times it did seem like Ash was a bit of a bull in a China shop with the way she didn't think before she acted, but I liked that she wanted to help people.
The concept of the Library and Guardians was interesting, and I wouldn't mind finding out more about previous Guardians.
The plot was enjoyable to begin with, but I did lose interest in the second half. I didn't feel particularly invested in what was happening. I was surprised by one plot point, but nothing else really caught me off guard.
I'm a little disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more, but it didn't reach its potential for me.

Overall, this was a mixed read.

I really enjoyed the Extinction Trials so was excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint. Set in space it tells the story of Ash, a girl who dreamed of becoming a pilot until she crashed in her test. Broken and disappointed she ends up with a much more important role to play. I'll be looking out for the next one in the series.

If there's a sci fi ya book that actually takes place in space, I'm on it. I loved how fast paced it was, though I was a bit confused that it wasn't as intense as I anticipated.. The start was to be expected, so many space ya books start at an academy, it took a while for the story to pick up but it eventually did aroudn the middle,.

I liked Ash, she felt like a good character to me, felt real. She questioned things which I feel is different, a lot of ya books have characters either fall completely in line or just go against the 'boss' immediately, because of a single thing.

What I didn't like was the ending, it felt like it wasn't fleshed out as much as it could have been, honestly I just wanted more.

Thoroughly enjoyed this space adventure. I love the idea of the Library and the moral dilemma of removing and returning artefacts to influence people's choices and lives. Very curious to see what happens in book 2.

I enjoyed this twisty space adventure! Loved the idea of the Library and the meaning behind it. I can easily imagine losing myself there for hours on end!

The Infinity files is a YA Sci-fi action-adventure.

S.M Wilson has created a really interesting premise with The Library at the end of the Universe. I love the idea of a Library with an artefact from every planet and universe.  The Infinity files have lots of action from fights in spaceships to stealing crowns. Wilson has fitted in a lot within the 416 pages.  There are times where I thought the plot was a little rush. Especially regarding U62 as everything happens very quickly and moved on from it even quicker. 

Ash Yang is the leading lady in The Infinity files, as a character I liked her. She is smart, hard-working and is trying to do the right thing even if she comes across hard-headed. 

Overall The Infinity Files is a fun entertaining YA Sci-Fi book. 

My Rating for Infinity Files is 4 out of 5.

The author did a fantastic job of creating rich worlds across which the story quickly spanned. The concept of the Library at the End of the Universe was the part I liked best. The protagonist's character was well developed, but some of the other characters were a bit superficial. Also, the focus on what the protagonist was thinking and feeling sometimes got in the way of enjoying the action. I would recommend this book for readers who aren't too hung up on the science part of science fiction and want a fast-paced narrative packed with action and adventure.

Amazingly face paced book that is perfect for Sci-Fi lovers!

Ash, the protagonist is so easy to get along with, she's very relatable and headstrong. It's easy to fall in love with the universe.

The author gives us amazing world building descriptions, making this book fully immersible. Plus a library?! Yes please!

The writing is easy to read and will keep readers hooked from start to finish. I can't wait till the next one!

So I’m not usually a huge sci-fi reader but S M Wilson never fails to please me!

The world building was great, I felt like I was there whilst reading the book and it gave me some fantastic imagery while I was reading which I LOVE about books.

The book itself was quite fast-paced which, in my opinion, suited the story really well, however I do think some parts could have been expanded to add to the story just slightly.

I went into this book with high expectations after reading ‘The Extinction Trials’, and I have to say I was no disappointed! I cannot wait to read more from this author.

It has been quite a while since I last read a sci-fi, even though it is one of my favourite genres. So, I was extremely excited to read The Infinity Files as soon as I had the chance. I was first intrigued by this story when there was mention of a library at the end of the world being involved in the premise. As a librarian, that was all I needed to be hooked on the story.

I adored the world building in this book. S. M. Wilson has done an incredible job of creating an in-depth and expansive world. I thought that I might get confused with all the planets and solar systems, but that did not happen once. We get unique descriptions for each area of the world and also a look into the history of each area. It is certainly easy to follow no matter how much experience of sci-fi books you have. I actually think that if you had never read a sci-fi book before, then this would be a great place to start.

I am a big fan of the characters in The Infinity Files. Ash in particular is confident and knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it. We get to see Ash grow as a person throughout the book and I loved seeing her character growth as the book progresses. Sci-fi books always manage to find a way to make the AI may favourite character and The Infinity Files is no different. Orius is sarcastic and even though he is a hologram he is much more than that and I loved him a lot. There are a whole host of characters in this book!
The plot and pacing of this book is quite a rollercoaster. The pacing starts out very very quickly and then it dips and slows down quite a lot. Then, towards the end of the book the pacing of the book picks back up very quickly and speeds towards the end. I did not mind this all too much and it did not stop my enjoyment of the book.

I could not write this review without mentioning the team-working aspect of the book. Ash’s role as the guardian is quite isolating and she works alone most of the time. Ash does discuss this and because of this we get to see her work with her original ‘team’ which I loved seeing. It has me excited to see what the team will do in the future books.

S. M. Wilson’s writing captivated me and it made me so excited for the next book in this series and you bet I will be reading that as soon as I can! I am also going to get reading The Extinction Trails as soon as I get the chance!

Overall, if you are looking for a sci-fi book with action, drama, ancient and secret artefacts and excellent characters, then this is the book for you! I will be recommending The Infinity Files to as many people as I can. Go and pick up this book, you will not regret it!

It's the mashup of Star Trek and The Librarians that I never dared to dream I'd get to read!

Ash Yang, orphaned in a bombing run in her planet's never ending war with another in their solar system, wants nothing more than to become a starfighter pilot and get her revenge. Things go sideways in her final test, though, and she finds herself seconded to a job no one knows about, in a place no one has ever heard of, far from everything she knows. Her new purpose is to protect important artefacts from planets all over the galaxy. But as she visits more planets and meets more people, a disturbing pattern starts to emerge, and she has to decide what she's willing to fight for.


This is the start of a fabulous series. I've read the author's first series and this one promises to be even better. (Maybe that's just because I prefer sci fi to dinosaurs, who knows. :D ) The descriptions are brilliant here, really giving you the feel for all Ash's various surroundings and companions. The pace could have been smoothed a bit - large periods of time occasionally elapsed in the turning of a page, which is a bit startling - but I really enjoyed the read overall.

I believe this is to be a trilogy like the first series. Most of the big story threads are tied up neatly at the end of this book, so if you wanted to you could stop here. However, the overall story is still to come, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what gets thrown at us in the next volume. It should be really fun.

A great adventure read. (And if you haven't watched The Librarians, you really should!)

Characters

Ash and Orius are two very different characters that dominate the pages. Ash is our protagonist, our eyes into this world and don’t be too alarmed if you feel very invested in her from the outset. There’s something about those first few chapters that will allow Ash to trigger all of your emotions. There’ll be so much about her that you will see in yourself. I certainly found that empowering and I’ll be surprised if others don’t either.

Orius on the other hand is all mystery and something that I loved and hated in equal measure. Orius is someone I do not think you’re meant to figure out and I love that we’re never get anything more than what Ash knows.

Story

This universe is awesome. As a child of Star Trek, Stargate, Doctor Who and Quantum Leap this story is all the best bits of the franchises and so much more. For a first outing of a series, it’s sometimes difficult to create a full story that doesn’t feel like world building or exposition. At no point does this feel like that. You are thrown into the adventure, with a thread of mystery running alongside. Its perfect.

Writing

Wilson’s writing makes her reads a comfort. I feel like I am reading a book made of Doctor Who’s Psychic Paper whenever I fall into her worlds. The way characters, action and reveals are dealt with reminds me of Michael Crichton’s work. It reads to me like it would be a dream to translate into film.

Final Thoughts

Its an amazing read and I cannot wait for more.

Ash has always dreamed on being a fighter pilot to serve her planet in their ongoing way against neighbouring planet Corinez. However, on her final exam shes faced with a choice, save a rouge ship rather or carry out the task she needs to. Whilst her four friends and fellow trainees pass and become pilots Ash is left going home to her war torn planet of Astoria. However, at the last minute she gets a reprieve when shes offered a permanent and elusive role. Ash learns she has been offered the role of guardian, keeper of The Library at the End of the Universe. Filled with artefacts of far and forgotten places the library takes and gives items when planets need them most. However, when Ash take on a particular mission she discovers something that throws a whole new perspective on the war raging between Corinez and Astoria. Ash has to act to try and restore peace but, to do so she’s going to need the help of her old friends.

I was so excited for this book and I feel I have been waiting ages for it! I first read a chapter sampler back in July 2019 at YALC so it been very anticipated. I adored S.M.Wilson’s previous YA series The Extinction Trial, its probably my favourite YA book series of all time. Therefore my expectations were high but also tentative. This book is a space adventure, something I hadn’t read much and despite a slow art, I really warmed up to this story and the genre.

I felt like this book was a real rollercoaster in terms of pacing. It started big as we were introduced to Ash in the midst of her pilot exam. We at this point, get quite a lot of information around the planets in the solar system, who is waring with who and who were allies. I wont lie, I had to sketch myself a little diagram to capture this information which isn’t unusual for me as I often do this when introduced to me worlds. We then see her discovering and taking up her role as the guardian. Throughout Ash’s first mission, I didn’t feel as invested as I thought I would and wasn’t feeling that urge to pick the book up. However, as her missions escalated and become more high stakes I really got into the story. This continued to a really action packed end. At one point we were nearing the end of the book with so much unresolved I thought we were going to be left hanging for book two. That however wasn’t the case, which in some ways I was please about but it did make it feel a little convenient and tidy at the end. I almost wanted to be left a little on a nice edge so I would be busting to read book two. I think there were so many exciting moments but there were lulls where I wasn’t as keen to return to the story.

One thing that struck me about this story was how Ash’s role was quite isolated. Despite having a keeper at the library and a friend to aid each mission she worked alone most of the time. I tend to really like books where the character come together to make a team or a unit. This is something I loved like in The Extinction Trials and in books like The Hunger Games. I really liked that around the half way through the book Ash addresses this and talks about missing her team she trained with. For me, these were the parts I really liked, when Ezra joined her on a mission and when she did reunite with the team as situations escalated. I guess I just like books with the ‘team bound together’ dynamic something I never realised until now and I am hoping e may see more of this in the next book.

I think S.M.Wilson did a marvellous job at creating an imaginative and expansive world. There were so many planets and solar systems mentioned with great distinctive descriptions and histories. I love the parts where Ash learnt about the artefacts in the library and we saw insights into this, It really was a really well created world. That said, I also think this would be a great starting point if you haven’t read much Sci-fi and want to dip your toe in the water. I am very new having only read one YA sci-fi book before this. I didn’t find it confusing and felt that although the world was detailed and expansive it was really digestible. Essentially I think it could be a great starting point to new readers of the genre.

Overall,I really enjoyed this book, a book I put a lot of pressure on, probably too much because of my love for The Extinction Trials series. I think there was a real ebb and flow to this book in terms of action, enough that I was invested in the slower parts and enthralled by the action packed parts. I enjoyed learning about this rich, detailed world and watching Ash explore it and the planets histories. I particularly enjoyed watching Ash working with the pilots she trained with in space battles and the camaraderie that existed between them. I know there will be another book and I’m intrigued to see where it goes. I really hope we see more of Ash working with her team in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Usborne Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Extinction Trials by SM Wilson and her switch from dystopia to sci-fi did not disappoint.

I loved this book, it was such a good space romp and SM Wilsons writing style is so easy to read. I loved the characters, getting to know Ash was brilliant and the way she interacted with other characters was really interesting. I liked her curiosity and compassion esp considering her background. The whole set up of the world was great, it gave enough information to form a good picture without being info dumpy. Excited to see what happens next.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I don’t like sci-fi. I’m not into Star Trek, Star Wars or even Dr. Who since Tom Baker was the Doctor, but this book is brilliant! (And I LOVED The Extinction Trials, so knew it would be good!)
The first in a trilogy by the same author as the brilliant “Extinction Trials”, the “Infinity Files” is an adventure set in space where Ash comes from one of four planets in her solar system where three are continuously at war with one. Her dream is to be a starfighter pilot but when she fails the final test and recovers something important but as yet unknown to her, she thinks her life is over until she is sent to do an important job at the Library at the end of the Universe. Ash becomes the “Guardian” and planet hops to help solve problems on other planets, in other galaxies that really makes you wonder how many other solar systems and galaxies may be out there. She has to use her wits and intelligence to make decisions and solve problems as well as try to keep her friends safe.
I really did enjoy this space adventure and can’t wait for the second installment! A great read for anyone who enjoys adventure stories.

I absolutely loved this book. It was so immersive, I found myself immediately transported to the stars. Through Ash, it was easy to fall in love both with the universe as we might know it, and every possible universe beyond. I've found myself gazing up at the stars and wondering far more about what goes on up there since picking up this book than I ever have before.

The writing style is a fabulous balance between descriptive and easy to connect with, and as we follow Ash through her adventures and emotional turmoil, it's easy to find yourself so fully engaged that hours passed me by at a time without my noticing. It was so wonderful to read about whole new worlds and universes, so vivid that it's easy to believe they may be real. Ash's role - which I won't spoil for those of you who haven't read it yet! - gives her a unique insight to the whole of the universe, and pits her against such odds that it gives her far more of a challenge than any piloting ever would have.

And then as the book progresses, things become more difficult for Ash to make decisions between right and wrong, and for her to work out what really is for the best - for her, and for the universe...

5 Word Review: Responsibility, power, friendship, space, war.

I feel a bit sick at how good this book was. No, really. I have a massive book hangover and don't know how I can bring myself to pick up a book that isn't The Infinity Guardians (I have to wait how long?!).

The Infinity Files is amazing. It is tense and adventurous, and there is danger everywhere. It is exhilarating and heart-breaking, yet the hope in the story almost glows.

Ash is ballsy and confident and knows what she wants - and her journey as a character, the development? *chef's kiss* The story is a pretty even mix of being driven by plot and character - as much as sometimes thing are propelled along out of Ash's control, when she does take control it is one heck of a ride. I loved the way she matured as a person, how the responsibility thrust upon her changed her in small ways that were so subtle I didn't realise until the end.

This is the second sci-fi I've read recently where my favourite character is the AI. Orius is more than a hologram, and I loved his snark at the beginning. By the end, I'm not so sure I should trust him, but the growth? Amazing. Although I was left feeling a little bereft.

The only downside, the only negative I can think of, is Ash's response to a corset on one of the planets she is sent to. With the technology at her disposal and what I know of corsets from experience, it didn't make sense to me that a corset would be uncomfortable. I could understand her balking at the restrictions a corset and full skirts imposed upon her, she's never had long skirts tangling about her legs, but corsets are comfy, damnit!

The ending of The Infinity Files? Wow. I was on the edge of my seat, fidgeting, unable to sit still. It is INTENSE and breath-taking and I had to stop reading and do a little scream.

I haven't read science fiction in a while and The Infinity Files is my most recent read in the genre. It was a really nice read and I quite liked the protagonist, Ash. The world-building was pretty well-done and it reminded me a little of the classic and new Star Trek. My only problem with this book was that it was a little too fast-paced for me and I really wished we could have gotten to know more about the planets that Ash visited. . But besides that, it's a nice and quick read, especially for days when you have nothing else to do and you'd like to sit down with a book.

What could've been a brilliant space-themed discussion on the repatriation of colonial artefacts is instead an empty void of memorable characters and settings. In a sandbox as vast as the universe, THE INFINITY FILES lacks both style and substance.

Another perfect example of a pretty cover does not a good book make. THE INFINITY FILES could've been the epic YA space opera of my dreams, but instead it implodes at launch.

At nearly a hundred thousand words, I not only hoped, but expected THE INFINITY FILES to go into intricate detail about its new worlds and the spaces between, but the biggest flaw of this story is that it feels so rushed and touch-and-go. Because we travel to so many places, none of them feel real, vivid, or memorable – that sadly includes the Library and Star Corp Academy, too. There's no atmosphere to places or planets; none of the five senses are utilised adequately to help us gain a better understanding of the alien lands that Ash visits.

It would be a stretch to say any of the characters were memorable either. Orius is a Dumbledore-Yoda stand-in with none of the mystery, wisdom or class; I did not care a wink about him. Then there are Ash's so-called 'friends', who are introduced in lump sum at the beginning where they all bitterly blame Ash for the exams going awry. We're expected to believe these people are her close companions? There's no chemistry between them, and no scenes on show to back up their friendship. They are all flat and uninteresting.

And whilst Ash has a little more substance to her, it would also be generous to say she was an interesting character to follow. The flimsy, repetitive dialogue didn't serve her character well in casting her as stubborn and fiery. She frequently made completely ill-begotten, logic-defying decisions only to then instantly regret it. She does this several times in the book. The first time, okay, that's cool, you made a mistake, but surely after the second and third you would take time to reflect and think, maybe if I didn't rush into stupid snap judgement decisions that were bad ideas in the first place, I would've avoided this mess? It was infuriating.

The internal logic in this book... was also severely lacking, and the cause of many headdesks. You're telling me there's been an intergalactic war against this one planet for five hundred years, the reasons of which no one really knows, and not a single person thought to ask why? Not a single person in Star Corp thought to send an emissary over with a peace treaty to get some answers? Infuriatingly one of Star Corp's commanders claims they haven't been able to contact said planet for over a hundred years... but this planet clearly has a capable and efficient space military if they've been able to hold their ground (or space) for so long. Military, but no comms?

At one point Ash steals a crown in the midst of a bloody coup on a medieval planet with developing technology. Yet later Orius tells her "Oh, it was great! Removing the crown wiped the conflict! Everyone's at peace now!" Does it really need to be said that it doesn't work like that? The opposite also works, in that when Ash returns a long, lost object into a planet's possession, a cease-fire immediately occurs and channels re-open to discuss peace. Come on. Does centuries of bad blood and bombings mean nothing? How am I supposed to suspend my disbelief for something so absurd?

There were smaller instances, too. Planets never had countries; they were just one big civilisation. Orius jabbers on and on about how the Library is meant to be a secret, but then when Ash brings along her friend on an adventure, he's totally fine with it! He doesn't even care!

This is not to ignore the crux of the matter: whether the Library has the right to squirrel away artefacts from the universe. Museums of modern day are constantly at dispute. One only has to Google 'British Museum controversies' to discover the spotty list of artefacts taken from other countries for display. I would've expected a book like THE INFINITY FILES to approach it with more nuance than it did, given that the whole premise of the book is a sci-fi museum not just removing objects from populations, but supposedly doing so for "the greater good", to prevent rising conflict. Who gets to decide that? Who makes the decisions at the Library? Ash questions this, but it's put on the backburner for the flimsy conflict in the story.

The more I think about THE INFINITY FILES, the more I'm disappointed. Even if it was surface-level fun, this could've been a halfway decent reading experience, but the messy inner workings of the book's world-building and the forgettable characters make this a read as empty as space itself.

WILL I READ ON? No.