That Dark Infinity

by Kate Pentecost

Overview

An immortal monster hunter and a royal handmaiden embark on an epic journey to change their fates in this soul-stirring young adult fantasy novel for fans of The Witcher and The Last Unicorn.

By night, the Ankou is a legendary, permanently young mercenary—the most fearsome sword for hire in all of the Five Lands, and its most abiding mystery. But when the sun rises, a dark magic leaves him no more than bones. Cursed with this cycle of death and resurrection, the Ankou wants only to find the final rest that has been prophesied for him, no matter the cost.

When the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked, Flora, handmaiden to the royal family, is assaulted and left for dead. Wounded, heartbroken, and the sole survivor of the massacre, Flora wants desperately to be reunited with the princess she served and loved. She and the Ankou make a deal: He will help Flora find her princess, and train Flora in combat, in exchange for her aid in breaking his curse. But it isn't easy to kill an immortal, especially when their bond begins to deepen into something more . . .

Together, they will solve mysteries, battle monsters, and race against time in this fantasy novel about sacrifice, love, and healing by Elysium Girls author Kate Pentecost.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759557833
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/19/2021
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.50(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Kate Pentecost was born and raised on the Texas/Louisiana border, but has lived in many different places. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She currently lives in Houston with her dog, Stevie Nyx, and has plans to build her own black caravan, just for the fun of it. Elysium Girls was her debut young adult fantasy novel.

Editorial Reviews

08/23/2021

For 300 years, “deathless death” the Ankou, known as Lazarus, has traveled the Five Lands as a mercenary, killing monsters. A lover’s curse makes his immortality a prison wherein each day he becomes a skeleton that haunts the space between life and death. When Lazarus, eternally 19, rescues brutalized 19-year-old Florelle Tannett, handmaiden to the royal princess of Kaer-Ise, she becomes his apprentice—and the potential key to a foretelling that could break his curse. Together, the two travel in search of the Kaer-Iseroyal family and a prophesied temple, meeting with extraordinary beasts, automatons, and a lightning mage, and outrunning an ominous disease that threatens to consume Lazarus. Pentecost (Elysium Girls) crafts a robust world with mythological and Oz-evoking influences. Switching points of view between meticulously drawn characterizations of Florelle, assumed white, and olive-skinned Lazarus, Pentecost’s absorbing plot moves swiftly as the two meet a series of otherworldly challenges. Instances of sexual violence and mental illness are found in the novel alongside prominent themes of healing and friendship. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for That Dark Infinity:

“Unique, haunting, magical!”—Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter

"Original and intriguing.... Discussions of trauma, self-worth, and found family add realistic elements to Flora’s fantastical journey.... This dark romp filled with gruesome imagery is a gripping adventure."—Kirkus Reviews

"Pentecost (Elysium Girls) crafts a robust world with mythological and Oz-evoking influences.... Pentecost’s absorbing plot moves swiftly."—Publishers Weekly

"The premise of the story is interesting, unique, and will draw fantasy fans into the world.... Action and character-driven dialogue will keep readers interested in what happens in this quest."—SLC

"Pentecost, author of the thrilling Elysium Girls (2020), shows her prowess in her sophomore novel, adeptly telling a tale of unusual circumstances. A must-have for fantasy collections."—Booklist

Praise for Elysium Girls:

"Pentecost's ambitious Dust Bowl-inspired dystopia pulses with dramatic scenes.... Captivating."—Publishers Weekly

"Readers who enjoy apocalypse-infused danger will enjoy this neo-Westernized dystopian world filled with the good and evil magic of witches and demons, LGBTQ romance, steampunked mechanics, and hero moments."—SLJ

"The dystopian Western setting is enticing, the girl power is undeniable, and this high-concept adventure has all the right ingredients."—Booklist

From the Publisher

10/01/2021

Gr 6–10—Ankou can't be killed. He suffers a kind of death each day when he decays to skeletal remains before awakening again to his 300-year-old teen body, ready to fight monsters. During his waking hours, Lazarus, as he calls himself, easily heals from mortal wounds caused by the various horrors he vanquishes as he travels the five kingdoms. It is a witch's curse that makes death impossible. Flora is a handmaiden to a princess, brutally raped and left for dead when the kingdom she serves is invaded and annihilated. Ankou finds her and teaches her to survive with a sword and hunting skills. They pick up a third outcast, Dr. Atonais, master of lightning, as Lazarus tries to fulfill the elements of a riddle that could save him from the immortality he suffers. This is an adventure with trials and riddles, battles and tests, as well as a love story. Pentecost has a fine rhythm with descriptions and worldbuilding that make this a satisfying and engaging read with characters worthy of the empathy they evoke. VERDICT Purchase where the author's previous works circulate well and dark fantasy has a following.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago P.L.

School Library Journal

2021-07-27
Saved following the destruction of her home, Flora meets the mysterious Ankou.

Florelle Tanett is handmaiden to Princess Betheara Ilurosa and lives peacefully on their island nation of Kaer-Ise. When Skaardmen raiders destroy Kaer-Ise, Flora is sexually assaulted, barely escapes with her life, and is saved by the young man who is the Ankou, or legendary monster killer. While recuperating and dealing with her trauma by training with him, Flora learns that he has been cursed with immortality. Exhausted after having been a mercenary for 300 years, the Ankou has forgotten his original name and tells her to call him Lazarus. Fighting alongside him and pledging to help break his curse, Flora hopes to find not only the princess, rumored to have escaped, but also the Temple of Fates, which could restore Kaer-Ise. While the magic lacks a detailed system, the story is original and intriguing, as it contrasts unstable witchcraft with elemental magic, inner darkness with belief in various deities, and grotesque monsters with demons and also shows the tumultuous relationship between magic and fledgling scientific discoveries. Discussions of trauma, self-worth, and found family add realistic elements to Flora’s fantastical journey. While the slow-burn romance is predictable, it focuses on character development and Flora and Lazarus’ growing relationship. Main characters read as White; there is diversity in skin tone and sexuality in this fantasy world (Flora is bisexual).

This dark romp filled with gruesome imagery is a gripping adventure. (Fantasy. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews