The Infinity Particle

by Wendy Xu, Wendy Xu (Illustrator)

Overview

In this gorgeous graphic novel by Wendy Xu, co-creator of the award-winning Mooncakes, a young inventor falls for a lifelike AI and confronts questions of freedom and autonomy.

Clementine Chang moves from Earth to Mars for a new start and is lucky enough to land her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an Artificial Intelligence pioneer. On her first day of work, Clem meets Dr. Lin’s assistant, a humanoid AI named Kye. Clem is no stranger to robots—she built herself a cute moth-shaped companion named SENA. Still, there’s something about Kye that feels almost too human.

When Clem and Kye begin to collaborate, their chemistry sets off sparks. The only downside? Dr. Lin is enraged by Kye’s growing independence and won’t allow him more freedom. Plus, their relationship throws into question everything Clem thought she knew about AI. After all, if Kye is sentient enough to have feelings, shouldn’t he be able to control his own actions? Where is the line between AI and human?

As her past and Kye’s future weigh down on her, Clem becomes determined to help him break free—even if it means risking everything she came to Mars for.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062955760
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/29/2023
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	149,326
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Wendy Xu is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and comics artist with several upcoming graphic novels from HarperCollins. She is the cocreator of Mooncakes, a young adult fantasy graphic novel published in 2019 from Lion Forge Comics/Oni Press, which has been nominated for Hugo, Ignatz, and GoodReads Choice Awards. Her work has been featured on Catapult, B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog, and Tor.com, among other places. Visit her online at artofwendyxu.com.

Wendy Xu is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and comics artist with several upcoming graphic novels from HarperCollins. She is the cocreator of Mooncakes, a young adult fantasy graphic novel published in 2019 from Lion Forge Comics/Oni Press, which has been nominated for Hugo, Ignatz, and GoodReads Choice Awards. Her work has been featured on Catapult, B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog, and Tor.com, among other places. Visit her online at artofwendyxu.com.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2023

Gr 8 Up—Clementine leaves Earth to study robotics and engineering at a university on Mars where the renowned Dr. Marcella Lin has her lab. Dr. Lin's premiere Artificial Intelligence build is Kye, who, unlike most robots on Mars, looks like a human man. He serves as her data processor and personal assistant. Clem has her own AI build, the bunny-like SENA (Sentient Empathic Neurobonded Animatronic). Creations like Kye and SENA should be able to communicate with each other, but Dr. Lin installed firewalls and encryption in Kye to keep him isolated. Clem and Kye connect over his interest in learning about Earth. Clem manages to transfer some images to Kye, which somehow changes him. He begins to experience emotions beyond his programming; he and Clem grow closer, infuriating Dr. Lin. As Clem and Kye learn more about Dr. Lin and the things she's hidden in Kye, they are shocked to realize they have surprisingly similar origin stories. Xu's narrative raises intriguing questions about AI consciousness and the effect of capitalism on the direction of AI development. The vibrant art, illustrated in blues and pinks, works well with the story, especially in conveying the characters' emotions. The infinity particle is a single electron whose actions can cause dramatic change. This graphic novel shows how small gestures can have powerful impacts. VERDICT With so much attention being paid to the rapid pace of advancement in AI, this graphic novel will attract readers interested in AI development as well as the broader ethical issues.—Carla Riemer

School Library Journal

2023-05-24
AI and human meet—and love blossoms.

Clementine Chang has been working with her SENA, or Sentient Emphatic Neurobonded Animatronic, a small robot companion, since she was a child. Now, she has finally landed a job with the famed Dr. Lin and moved to Mars. It’s a dream come true for Clementine, especially when she meets Kye, Dr. Lin’s assistant, who was custom built in the shape of an attractive young human man. Clementine relishes the opportunity to work with this sort of technology and use it to help others. While Dr. Lin might not live up to all of Clementine’s expectations, she can’t help but be drawn to Kye, sensing a similarity between them. When Kye reveals that he needs her help, Clementine and SENA readily agree. A hopeful future incorporating both technology and heart is depicted through clean, simple panels in blue and pink that expressively impart not only Clementine’s thoughts and emotions, but also a sense of warmth and undeniable cuteness inherent in Clementine’s world. Some darker themes are threaded throughout the story, but ultimately, it seems, good will prevail. Clementine’s surname implies Chinese descent, and Kye’s dashing appearance is reminiscent of Chinese dramas. They live in a vibrant, clearly East Asian–influenced world.

A delightful tale that brings optimism back to science fiction. (Graphic science fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews

06/05/2023

Teenage Clementine Chang is an engineer in a future society where robotic assistants and cuddly children’s companions running on artificial intelligence are commonplace. After she creates her own personal pal, Clem is invited to travel from Earth to Mars to work for her idol, AI pioneer Dr. Marcella Lin. On Mars she meets Kye, Dr. Lin’s humanoid robot assistant, with whom Clem is instantly fascinated. Soon, mysterious glitches begin emerging in Kye’s programming, prompting a cold shift in Dr. Lin’s personality that triggers memories of Clem’s own traumatic past. As the glitches persist, and as Dr. Lin grows more agitated at Kye’s burgeoning independence, Clem and Kye seek to understand the inconsistencies in his code as well as navigate their growing mutual attraction. Mooncakes cocreator Xu employs a subdued pastel pink and blue palette that subtly emphasizes the narrative’s contemplative and romantic aspects, and balances the simultaneously uplifting and melancholic tone. While the supporting cast and the exploration of themes surrounding identity and humanity sometimes feel underutilized, the central romance develops in a natural and languorous fashion that culminates in a sweeping read that raises questions about what it means to be human. Characters read as East Asian. Ages 13–up. Agent: Linda Camacho, Gallt and Zacker Literary. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"A sweet romance wrapped in Xu's thoughtful vision of a future where technology offers hope and joy amidst its challenges and questions." — Kay O’Neill, award-winning creator of The Tea Dragon Society

"Charming, romantic, and unafraid of asking big questions, it fits on the shelf next to classics like Fruits Basket." — Gina Chen, New York Times bestselling author of Violet Made of Thorns

"A story about love, autonomy, and technology, crafting both a beautiful vision of the future and a bittersweet reminder that centuries from now, we'll still be human." — Margaret Owen, international bestselling author of The Merciful Crow

“Enticing. This thoughtful, genre-blending comic deserves a prominent spot on the shelves of libraries serving young adults.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)

“A delightful tale that brings optimism back to science fiction.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Contemplative and romantic. A sweeping read that raises questions about what it means to be human.” — Publishers Weekly

“Vibrant. This graphic novel shows how small gestures can have powerful impacts.”  — School Library Journal

“Poignant. Share this graphic novel with readers to start in-depth discussions about the connection between humans and technology.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Stunning. A hopeful vision of life alongside technology.” — BookPage

From the Publisher