Book Report for Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: A Fine Line
Bonus Factors: Boarding School, Duckie, A Twist!
Relationship Status: The BFF I’m Slightly Afraid Of
The Deal:
So there’s this girl, Lenah, right? And she wakes up one morning feeling hella crappy– knees weak, excess saliva, weird goings on in general with her innards– and her best friend/sometimes lover is there, and he tells her she’s at her new home at a boarding school in Massachusetts! Not bad, right? Right! Except for the whole reason she feels hung. Because, ya see, Miss Lena has been asleep for almost 100 years, and that’s after being a vampire for the last couple of centuries– and a durn good one, too (If reign of terror, I’ll drink your milkshake, then your blood is your idea of a good vampire, anyway). And all she ever wanted was to be human again. And Rhode, her sire, BFF, often boyfriend (soul mate, if you will) made it happen. He’s just there to get her ready for the world, and then he’s dust. Because he sacrificed himself for Lenah to be human again.
Reeling from grief (she didn’t realize he’d have to sacrifice himself) and also kind of reeling from wonder, because hamburgers! Ice cream! Boarding school! Boys! Lenah begins her attempt to fit in as a normal 16-year old. And she’s only got so long to blend in, because her old coven of vampires might start coming to look for her soon, and they certainly won’t expect to find her breathing.
BFF Charm: Yay
Lenah Beaudonte seriously kicks ass. I really enjoyed her inner monologue throughout the first part of the book, when the instant she meets someone, she sizes up the quickest way to kill them (Old habits die hard). She’s the kind of girl I’d be afraid to be friends with in real life, because she’s a badass with a rough past (it apparently sucks to be a vampire). Yet, like all sociopaths, or vampires, she can be so sweet! (When he’s not hitting me, it’s just so good, you know?)
I loved a lot of the discoveries Lenah made, being a human for the first time in a few hundred years, and I really got a kick out of her analyzing her own feelings: from happiness to aggravation, and even embarrassment after her first run-in with the school’s mean kids. I also liked her dips into memory, showing us what it was like to be a vampire, and what she was like as a vampire. However, I did tire of hearing just how miserable being a blood sucking fiend actually was. I got it, Lenah, okay? I want you to be human, I do!
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Since this story jumps around Lenah’s past and present, you get more than one boy storyline to swoon over. My only issue was that I liked the guys from Lenah’s past better than Justin, the popular boy at boarding school who really makes her feel alive. (I’m gonna confess here, it may just be the fact that Justin is named Justin– I’ve known too many Justins, and the only Justin who saves the name is Timberlake– and that he’s described at first as having spikey blonde hair. And he’s a popular jock. WTF?!!!! HOW can that combination EVER be swoonworthy?) Surprisingly, Justin grew on me, (and simultaneously, his hair grew out- connection? I think so!!) so I was able to enjoy the romance as in unfolded.
Talky Talk: A Fine Line
Maizel balances having Lenah’s voice come from the perspective of someone who’s lived for centuries yet is still a 16-year old girl convincingly. BUT, Ms. Maizel, how did Lenah know instantly what a hamburger was?!!!!! I mean, obvs. if I was asleep for a hundred years, and saw one of those towers of deliciousness, I wouldn’t care what it was called, but she’s like, ‘oh yeah, a hamburger.’ Other than that, I found the way Maizel wrote the story perfectly believable.
Bonus Factor: Boarding School
You know how much we love a good boarding school around these parts, and Wickham’s up there with the best! It’s right near the ocean, and a little New England town, where, somehow, all the kids from the boarding school go drinking! (I’ve lived in small New England towns- all I’m sayin’ is those kids fake ids must be stellar!)
Bonus Factor: Duckie
I haven’t even mentioned Tony yet! Tony was one of my fave characters, despite his description as the ‘arty’ kid. (Tony, I know this makes me sound old, but son, you are gonna regret gauging your ears so much.) Anyway, despite his description making me feel like a granny, I really liked Tony, and, at least at first, wanted Lenah to choose him.
Bonus Factor: A Twist!
I’m totally making this a new category! And we can drink in honor of it! Hurray! So I don’t know about you, but I’m way tired of vampire stories. (I mean, unless someone can write a really good old-fashioned vampire story that’s dark and sexy and scary. I’m still down for that.)
Maizel brings a new twist to the genre, though, and it kept my interest throughout. Her vampire lore is believable enough, and she surprised me with her ending.
Casting Call:
Emily Browning as Lenah
Emily has that other-worldly beauty that transcends era, so I think she’d be perfect for Lenah. Plus, I love the fact that when I saw Lemony Snicket, I totally predicted that Ms. Browning was going to be a real knockout when she grew up!
Freddie Stroma as Justin
I know, I know! This is the last time, I swear! But thinking of Justin as Freddie just made me like him so much more!
Ken Leung as Tony
What?! This is fantasy casting, so in my fantasy, Miles is high school-aged, and if Lenah doesn’t want to date him, I will!
Relationship Status: The BFF I’m Slightly Afraid Of
So I think this book is waaaay cooler than me, but it’s also got its issues, you know? I was so surprised when it wanted to be my friend that I didn’t hesitate to jump headfirst into the books life. But now, I have to be honest, it’s done some pretty shitty things to some of the people outside our circle of friends. But I don’t think it’s totally a lost cause, because since I met this book, it’s really grown as a person. So, I guess I’m going to hang in there with it, but I’m trying to be careful, because sometimes it scares me a little.
FTC Full Disclosure: My review copy was a free ARC I received from St. Martin’s Griffin. I received neither money nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). Infinite Days will be available this month.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the idea of Ken Leung as a teenager…heck I just love the idea of Ken Leung. Adding to my “to-read” list and will blame you when I fall in love with the character of Tony.
Oh yeah, Ken Leung… sighs.
dude, i am seriously surprised. when the editor lady was pushing this book at the BEA ya buzz panel, i was like, “yeah, sure this vampire book is ‘different.’ suuuure.” but hey, it actually sounds good! and fun! and BOARDING SCHOOL!
also HAMBURGERS.
Right? I had thought the same thing, because so far, their other picks? Not so much.
MILES!
Ah, I miss Lost.
This actually sounds pretty good! And I am tired of vamps, too. She seems like the opposite of Bella – kick ass and doesn’t want to be a vampire – which seems like a good thing.
I somehow ended up with two copies of this book. Which means I can’t wait to give one away and make someone else read it.
A friend connected me to this review and HANDS DOWN this is the best review yet. You are so funny. I am posting on my blog.
Thanks so much!
- Rebecca
AKA. Lenah prefers veggie burgers. IT HAD BLOOD COMING OUT OF IT, DUH.
Ha! Excellent! I suppose that would make it obvious!
So glad you enjoyed the review!
Well, she never says directly – but seriously, you made my day with this review. Awesomesauce.
When I read the bit about Justin Timberlake, I literally went “True dat!” Out loud. Haha. I love that boy. (But I agree that no other Justin has ever given me cause to like him. They’re all so… well, spike-haired and jockish.)
Fabulous review as always.
MIIIIIIIIIILES.
Ooh, I love a book with a good twist! And, frankly, I’m ready for someone to save vampires from my eternal hatred (see what I did there?). I used to love them before youknowwhat happened. So I’m going to give this book a read!
Great review! There is an insane amount of vampire books out anymore, but this one definitely looks like it’s worth a read.
i really thought i’d never read another vampire book again, but look what you did. ok, maybe it’s just to meet tony (if i can get the image of his gauged ears out of my head — i’ve always thought that was grodie to the MAX, and i have 7 piercings so it’s not like i’m all squicky about them in general).
Yay, *great* review! I honestly never ever thought I’d read about another vampire book on this site and think, “I want to read that!” but you made it happen! This sounds like an excellent and intriguing twist on the genre, and I also love twist as a new bonus factor. (drink!) Also, Jenny, you always have my favorite relationship statuses. You’re so good at that!
Also, I know this is super weird, but I find ear gauging crazy hot. WHY? I don’t know.
Finally, I GET TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEKEND!!!
I just finished this book today on my lunch break, which is a bad time to read those last few chapters, and I have to say, Justin totally did not grow on me enough. I never swooned for him. Tony, on the other hand, was awesomeness personified. Why must we stomp on Tony’s heart? What does Justin have that he doesn’t besides blonde spikes and huge biceps? Seriously sick of hearing about Justin’s biceps. Oh well. It was really great to see the new twist on the YA vamps though. I’m so glad they’re actually bad and a bit scary again!
I read this book and thought Tabor Academy anyone else?
I just finished this book, and here’s my question: we’re told at the outset (and then several times through the book) that Lenah is 592 years old, but then at the end she keeps insisting she can’t do the ritual because she’s not at least 500 years old. What?! Is she lying? Is she stupid? Is this a set-up for the next book in the series? Is this a typo in my ARC?