The Infinity Particle
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
