What do you think?
Rate this book
The Method to Infinite Things: A Gripping Dystopian Adventure
A GRIPPING DYSTOPIAN ADVENTURE
Welcome to Meridian, the luxurious capital of the future where opulence reigns supreme. Amidst this lavish backdrop, sixteen-year-old Cassiopeia Atwater resides, an outsider from the outer sectors who struggles to navigate inner-sector society.
Placed under her cold-hearted grandmother’s care, Cass feels like a misfit. However, her dreams of acceptance and belonging seem within reach when she is granted an opportunity to showcase her groundbreaking invention at the prestigious World’s Fair.
Just as a brighter future begins to appear, tragedy strikes. Witnessing a deadly explosion that claims the lives of Senator Sagittarius Seymour and his wife, Cass unwittingly becomes entangled in the web of a political conspiracy.
As Cass seeks refuge in the outer sectors, secrets unravel and the pieces of a complex puzzle fall into place. With help from her newfound friends Cass gradually unveils the dark truth about the conspiracy, who’s behind it, and their sinister agenda. With the fate of the future hanging in the balance, Cass must set aside her personal desires to try and save the day.
Welcome to Meridian, the luxurious capital of the future where opulence reigns supreme. Amidst this lavish backdrop, sixteen-year-old Cassiopeia Atwater resides, an outsider from the outer sectors who struggles to navigate inner-sector society.
Placed under her cold-hearted grandmother’s care, Cass feels like a misfit. However, her dreams of acceptance and belonging seem within reach when she is granted an opportunity to showcase her groundbreaking invention at the prestigious World’s Fair.
Just as a brighter future begins to appear, tragedy strikes. Witnessing a deadly explosion that claims the lives of Senator Sagittarius Seymour and his wife, Cass unwittingly becomes entangled in the web of a political conspiracy.
As Cass seeks refuge in the outer sectors, secrets unravel and the pieces of a complex puzzle fall into place. With help from her newfound friends Cass gradually unveils the dark truth about the conspiracy, who’s behind it, and their sinister agenda. With the fate of the future hanging in the balance, Cass must set aside her personal desires to try and save the day.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2023
4 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 11, 2023
I'm probably a little biased about this book because Madi is one of the most amazing people I know, but Cass is my favorite type of character. smart, shy, tender but absolutely brave and beautiful. Madison, my dearest, you blew me away.🥹
September 9, 2023
An amazing story written by such a wonderful human being! I was unable to put it down and was not ready for it to end. A great book for anyone!!
Read
December 9, 2024Cass Atwater is a sixteen year old girl who lives with her grandmother, but unlike most loving grannys, Cass' grandmother despises her. In their society there are the Haves and the Have Nots, or the Inner sectors and the Outer sectors. While granny comes from the Inner sector, Cass grew up in the Outer sector and life with Grandma wasn't the easiest. While most kids' parents paid for their college tuition and lived on Easy Street, Cass spent every opportunity she had at the college laboratory she rented to be the best chemist she could to be good enough, and the rest of her time was spent working at the local theater to save up for school. Having to grow up fast wasn't easy, but it provided her some unique opportunities that her peers had never been offered. One of which was speaking with the newly elected senator's wife, moments before she and her husband were assassinated. As an eye witness to the event, Cass' life changed forever, but some individuals cautioned her about what this new life would entail. Trying to figure out what to do, Cass runs away to find out what she missed out on living in the Inner sector. Unfortunately for Cass, her "new life" posed a threat to the lives of everyone she loved and forced her to return. Now she is doing what she loves, but will it be enough to keep her quiet about the secrets she has learned about her new life?
Personally, I enjoyed the beginning of the story. The descriptions of her technology were simple to understand and the relationship between Cass and her grandmother were very clear and presented in a realistic manner. While it was meant to be a bad relationship, I did enjoy seeing it because it made Cass' positive relationships with the maid and school custodian more impactful. I felt bad for the girl, but was rooting for her the whole time. When the assassination occurred, I didn't want to put it down.
Additionally, I enjoyed seeing Cass experience a normal life when she ran away. The relationships and connections she made during that time made my heart happy and I couldn't stop gushing when sparks began to ignite (and it takes a lot for me to do that)! It was so sweet and innocent, I couldn't help but "Awwww!"
One major thing I didn't enjoy was how slow the plot was. Perhaps it was meant to slowly build to its climax, but I felt the climax occurred at the time of the assassination, but that wasn't it. Despite the warnings Cass received, she debated believing them for most of the story even when she had the evidence in front of her. And while I liked seeing the poor girl have a teen-hood, it distracted from the issue at hand until someone was killed by it. That seemed to be the climax and everything after it was very rushed. I, personally, would have liked to have seen her accept the truth earlier and come up with and execute her plan for the rest of the story, just for pacing's sake.
If anyone likes the genres of Dystopia, Science-y (there is a hint of sci-fi, but I think the science facts are legit), Drama, or plots with hints of Romance, you might want to check out this story. It isn't like your other stories. In this one, you may think you know what is causing something, but here your assumptions will be challenged; it'll keep you guessing what will happen next.
Personally, I enjoyed the beginning of the story. The descriptions of her technology were simple to understand and the relationship between Cass and her grandmother were very clear and presented in a realistic manner. While it was meant to be a bad relationship, I did enjoy seeing it because it made Cass' positive relationships with the maid and school custodian more impactful. I felt bad for the girl, but was rooting for her the whole time. When the assassination occurred, I didn't want to put it down.
Additionally, I enjoyed seeing Cass experience a normal life when she ran away. The relationships and connections she made during that time made my heart happy and I couldn't stop gushing when sparks began to ignite (and it takes a lot for me to do that)! It was so sweet and innocent, I couldn't help but "Awwww!"
One major thing I didn't enjoy was how slow the plot was. Perhaps it was meant to slowly build to its climax, but I felt the climax occurred at the time of the assassination, but that wasn't it. Despite the warnings Cass received, she debated believing them for most of the story even when she had the evidence in front of her. And while I liked seeing the poor girl have a teen-hood, it distracted from the issue at hand until someone was killed by it. That seemed to be the climax and everything after it was very rushed. I, personally, would have liked to have seen her accept the truth earlier and come up with and execute her plan for the rest of the story, just for pacing's sake.
If anyone likes the genres of Dystopia, Science-y (there is a hint of sci-fi, but I think the science facts are legit), Drama, or plots with hints of Romance, you might want to check out this story. It isn't like your other stories. In this one, you may think you know what is causing something, but here your assumptions will be challenged; it'll keep you guessing what will happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2024
In world rebuilt following a major climate collapse, a new order finds science at the forefront of evolution, but Cass soon learns that old greed for power can corrupt anything and anyone no matter the age.
The dystopian world Boyer creates is both familiar and unfamiliar as geographical and socio-political lines are re-drawn to lead the reader and Cass into a false sense of security. An explosion on the night of senatorial elections promptly destroys any notion of safety as we are set into a world full of political intrigue, battles for power, and a girl who just wants to be recognized by her own merits.
Cass, short for Cassiopeia, is everything one wants from their MC: intelligent, compassionate, and born with a spine of steel. The more I learned about her story, the more I wanted to jump right into the story and offer her a word of encouragement or a shoulder to cry on. Her relationships with those in the outer sectors was carefully built to repair the damage done to her sense of self-worth in the Meridian, and the author displayed an expert level of development in Cass’s character as she learned there was more to life than just science.
The world itself was fascinating as it was just familiar enough for me to easily pick up the new order being created but still unfamiliar that I could enjoy learning about the new dynamics. Cass’s placement as coming from both the outer sector and Meridian was a great way to introduce the reader to both sides of the social order while also establishing how integral this is to the major problem of the story.
My favorite aspect of this book was the science component that really came through in Cass’s way of thinking and the overall creation of the world. Nothing ever felt beyond my ability to comprehend but it also didn’t feel overly simplified. I especially loved watching Cass move from a place where science was an escape and passion of hers to something that can be taken advantage of and that must be carefully monitored. Her movement from a place of ignorance of the larger forces at play to one where she becomes deeply enmeshed in all the ways science can go wrong really demonstrates character growth on her part and a willingness to rectify the wrongs that have been committed.
I’m excited to see where our unwitting hero goes and how she will learn to forgive herself for her own mistakes. This story was an easy read to lose myself in with some really fun ideas about what the future could hold.
The dystopian world Boyer creates is both familiar and unfamiliar as geographical and socio-political lines are re-drawn to lead the reader and Cass into a false sense of security. An explosion on the night of senatorial elections promptly destroys any notion of safety as we are set into a world full of political intrigue, battles for power, and a girl who just wants to be recognized by her own merits.
Cass, short for Cassiopeia, is everything one wants from their MC: intelligent, compassionate, and born with a spine of steel. The more I learned about her story, the more I wanted to jump right into the story and offer her a word of encouragement or a shoulder to cry on. Her relationships with those in the outer sectors was carefully built to repair the damage done to her sense of self-worth in the Meridian, and the author displayed an expert level of development in Cass’s character as she learned there was more to life than just science.
The world itself was fascinating as it was just familiar enough for me to easily pick up the new order being created but still unfamiliar that I could enjoy learning about the new dynamics. Cass’s placement as coming from both the outer sector and Meridian was a great way to introduce the reader to both sides of the social order while also establishing how integral this is to the major problem of the story.
My favorite aspect of this book was the science component that really came through in Cass’s way of thinking and the overall creation of the world. Nothing ever felt beyond my ability to comprehend but it also didn’t feel overly simplified. I especially loved watching Cass move from a place where science was an escape and passion of hers to something that can be taken advantage of and that must be carefully monitored. Her movement from a place of ignorance of the larger forces at play to one where she becomes deeply enmeshed in all the ways science can go wrong really demonstrates character growth on her part and a willingness to rectify the wrongs that have been committed.
I’m excited to see where our unwitting hero goes and how she will learn to forgive herself for her own mistakes. This story was an easy read to lose myself in with some really fun ideas about what the future could hold.
December 11, 2024
Official rating: 2.5 stars.
Right away, I could tell that the author of this novel was heavily inspired by The Hunger Games; specifically, there were a lot of similarities with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in regards to the general plot, names of the characters, and underlying moral dilemma. Is it better to work within/for a corrupt system that is far more powerful than you are, or do whatever you can to combat its injustices, even if it means risking your and your loved ones' personal safety?
While the content presented in The Method to Infinite Things is by no means original, it is still a highly entertaining and compelling read. As a main character, Cass's inner dialogue feels natural and relatable, and her interactions with her sister and new friends in Loyala are among my favorite scenes. Each sentence flows into the next with a practiced ease, and it is easy to imagine all of the action playing out due to the incredible amount of detail put into describing each moment.
My main criticisms fall with the worldbuilding—it doesn't quite feel dystopian enough. I definitely needed more of an explanation as to how the various outer sectors differ from one another. Additionally, the divide between the inner and outer sectors doesn't seem all that dramatic. The inner sectors have better access to technology, medicine, and education, sure, but life in the outer sectors is simple, but good. No one in Loyala was particularly unhappy or subjugated. I cannot help but compare this to the districts in The Hunger Games, which were all clearly meant to serve the Capitol in different ways while still falling under a distinct hierarchy. Life in District 12 was flat out miserable; Katniss had to hunt in the wild just so she wouldn't starve. Meanwhile here, Cass is able to have dinner every night, get an (albeit worse) education, and spend time with her friends. The stakes weren't really high enough for me to get emotionally invested.
Overall, quality writing cannot totally override what is ultimately a story full of what I will call borrowed ideas. Madison Boyer clearly has talent, and I'd be interested in reading another one of her books that comes off as more original.
Right away, I could tell that the author of this novel was heavily inspired by The Hunger Games; specifically, there were a lot of similarities with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in regards to the general plot, names of the characters, and underlying moral dilemma. Is it better to work within/for a corrupt system that is far more powerful than you are, or do whatever you can to combat its injustices, even if it means risking your and your loved ones' personal safety?
While the content presented in The Method to Infinite Things is by no means original, it is still a highly entertaining and compelling read. As a main character, Cass's inner dialogue feels natural and relatable, and her interactions with her sister and new friends in Loyala are among my favorite scenes. Each sentence flows into the next with a practiced ease, and it is easy to imagine all of the action playing out due to the incredible amount of detail put into describing each moment.
My main criticisms fall with the worldbuilding—it doesn't quite feel dystopian enough. I definitely needed more of an explanation as to how the various outer sectors differ from one another. Additionally, the divide between the inner and outer sectors doesn't seem all that dramatic. The inner sectors have better access to technology, medicine, and education, sure, but life in the outer sectors is simple, but good. No one in Loyala was particularly unhappy or subjugated. I cannot help but compare this to the districts in The Hunger Games, which were all clearly meant to serve the Capitol in different ways while still falling under a distinct hierarchy. Life in District 12 was flat out miserable; Katniss had to hunt in the wild just so she wouldn't starve. Meanwhile here, Cass is able to have dinner every night, get an (albeit worse) education, and spend time with her friends. The stakes weren't really high enough for me to get emotionally invested.
Overall, quality writing cannot totally override what is ultimately a story full of what I will call borrowed ideas. Madison Boyer clearly has talent, and I'd be interested in reading another one of her books that comes off as more original.
March 1, 2024
This book was a classic dystopian novel, complete with all of the political turmoil and class divide one might expect in a novel. These things always have the potential to be surface-level and cliche, but the author did a really good job of painting an engaging world and conflict.
Readers are dropped in the middle of the life of Cassiopeia Atwater, a sixteen-year-old genius. That might sound overdone, but Cass is a genuine and engaging main character. She loves science and the author brings that out in Cass's thought processes and how she sees the world, but Cass doesn't harp on it as being the thing that makes her unique. It isn't exhausting; it's refreshing.
Cass's internal dialogue can be a bit on the nose sometimes, making it hard for the reader to engage with the novel by drawing their own conclusions and painting the world in their head, but it isn't to the point of making the novel boring. Cass as a character and the people around her are distinct and interesting. The world is classically dystopian but perhaps not as grungy as typical dystopia, which I think is a strength of the novel. There are class divides, but they aren't so egregious as to be hopeless, which some dystopian novels can do ad nauseam. Cass's America seems to have recovered geographically and socially, to an extent. There's enough reference to the familiar that readers don't get lost, but there's enough new to keep them interested.
The conflict, like in any dystopia, is a political one, which I really love as a reader. Perhaps it is a little cliche, but it is always interesting when an author explores what happens when the person in power has captivated their audience to the point that what they do goes unquestioned.
The Method to Infinite Things is a fascinating story with good pacing and wonderful characters that any fans of dystopian novels will love.
Readers are dropped in the middle of the life of Cassiopeia Atwater, a sixteen-year-old genius. That might sound overdone, but Cass is a genuine and engaging main character. She loves science and the author brings that out in Cass's thought processes and how she sees the world, but Cass doesn't harp on it as being the thing that makes her unique. It isn't exhausting; it's refreshing.
Cass's internal dialogue can be a bit on the nose sometimes, making it hard for the reader to engage with the novel by drawing their own conclusions and painting the world in their head, but it isn't to the point of making the novel boring. Cass as a character and the people around her are distinct and interesting. The world is classically dystopian but perhaps not as grungy as typical dystopia, which I think is a strength of the novel. There are class divides, but they aren't so egregious as to be hopeless, which some dystopian novels can do ad nauseam. Cass's America seems to have recovered geographically and socially, to an extent. There's enough reference to the familiar that readers don't get lost, but there's enough new to keep them interested.
The conflict, like in any dystopia, is a political one, which I really love as a reader. Perhaps it is a little cliche, but it is always interesting when an author explores what happens when the person in power has captivated their audience to the point that what they do goes unquestioned.
The Method to Infinite Things is a fascinating story with good pacing and wonderful characters that any fans of dystopian novels will love.
March 4, 2024
Approaching a female character in a dystopian novel can be daunting, as they fall into either one of two categories: a crossbow wielding warrior without emotion or a damsel in distress with little to no personal flaws.
Cass is neither, but a scientist. I think it's interesting for a dystopian hero to be in STEM. It isn't tucked away until it's convenient to the plot, but an essential part of who she is, how she thinks and approaches situations. Nor is it her only remarkable feature; she's resourceful, quick-witted and observant.
The story is delicately paced, creating a great balance of exposition and intrigue. The worldbuilding was fantastic, creating familiar parallels with our world yet offering something new and exciting. The futuristic setting was not too unknown and overwhelming, using concepts the reader can understand.
I found Cass's actions and responses to situations very realistic, I loved that she took things in before jumping in headfirst. Her interactions and relationships with other characters were heartwarming, especially her friendship with Harlow, who felt like a real and conscious entity.
The story is classic dystopian, hitting all the marks of the genre without feeling cliché. Extreme class distinction, different sectors, government conspiracy and corruption. The different themes don't clash, but complement each other. For instance, scientific development used as a political tool. The story ends on a satisfying note, although the reader hopes for more.
Cass is neither, but a scientist. I think it's interesting for a dystopian hero to be in STEM. It isn't tucked away until it's convenient to the plot, but an essential part of who she is, how she thinks and approaches situations. Nor is it her only remarkable feature; she's resourceful, quick-witted and observant.
The story is delicately paced, creating a great balance of exposition and intrigue. The worldbuilding was fantastic, creating familiar parallels with our world yet offering something new and exciting. The futuristic setting was not too unknown and overwhelming, using concepts the reader can understand.
I found Cass's actions and responses to situations very realistic, I loved that she took things in before jumping in headfirst. Her interactions and relationships with other characters were heartwarming, especially her friendship with Harlow, who felt like a real and conscious entity.
The story is classic dystopian, hitting all the marks of the genre without feeling cliché. Extreme class distinction, different sectors, government conspiracy and corruption. The different themes don't clash, but complement each other. For instance, scientific development used as a political tool. The story ends on a satisfying note, although the reader hopes for more.
March 4, 2024
Overall, I wouldn't say there's anything inherently wrong with this novel. I thought the writing style was good, and I liked our main character Cass a lot. I thought Cass and her science brain was really cool, and I liked how she often related experiences to science. However, it took me a while to place why I didn't LOVE this book. I realised that there is nothing unique about this story. Because it's a dystopian, I expected some really futuristic technology, which was not the case. There was nothing very important that was that different from our world. I believe it could have pretty much been set in our world with a few tweaks, and then it wouldn't have to be a dystopian or a sci-fi. Because of this, I felt I didn't really connect to the book or its "originiality". But the novel did have a satisfying story arc and ending.
However, I did like how real life political problems and schemes were shown in this novel, like fake news. I felt Cass and Rollie's relationship was well written, and I remininsced about having a crush for the first time. I loved the school dance scene as well.
In regards to the characters, the perspective jump to Leo was very random and jarring, and I don't think it was needed. I also felt that many characters were described as handsome, so I wasn't sure who our potential love interest was going to be. Cass also felt a little older than 16 years.
I just felt like there could have been more futuristic elements and slightly more dystopia and the novel would have been better.
However, I did like how real life political problems and schemes were shown in this novel, like fake news. I felt Cass and Rollie's relationship was well written, and I remininsced about having a crush for the first time. I loved the school dance scene as well.
In regards to the characters, the perspective jump to Leo was very random and jarring, and I don't think it was needed. I also felt that many characters were described as handsome, so I wasn't sure who our potential love interest was going to be. Cass also felt a little older than 16 years.
I just felt like there could have been more futuristic elements and slightly more dystopia and the novel would have been better.
March 4, 2024
Immersing myself in dystopia books is always very exciting because I get to experience an entirely different world with different laws and ways of living involved for these characters. Learning about different political views in these dystopian books is often the most engaging because it describes different ways people live.
This book in particular had a world that mimicked our real-world issues. I was not able to experience enough imagination in this book as I would usually hope because the language was not as descriptive for a fantasy book. If I had one critique, it would be that. I did not feel connected with the protagonist, Cass, which made it hard for me to understand the journey they were taking and their thought process for certain plots of the book.
I would have loved to see better relationship progression between her and Rollie, it felt as though it was simply thrown out for the readers to figure out on their own and I am a sucker for romance so I would have preferred to see a slow progression, but still in a way that does not distract from the main plot point.
Overall, this was a fun and quick read, I would recommend this for middle school students and young adult readers. "The Method to Infinite Things" does a good job of pacing the story so it does not feel too rushed for readers or drawn out, a great read to get people back into fantasy.
This book in particular had a world that mimicked our real-world issues. I was not able to experience enough imagination in this book as I would usually hope because the language was not as descriptive for a fantasy book. If I had one critique, it would be that. I did not feel connected with the protagonist, Cass, which made it hard for me to understand the journey they were taking and their thought process for certain plots of the book.
I would have loved to see better relationship progression between her and Rollie, it felt as though it was simply thrown out for the readers to figure out on their own and I am a sucker for romance so I would have preferred to see a slow progression, but still in a way that does not distract from the main plot point.
Overall, this was a fun and quick read, I would recommend this for middle school students and young adult readers. "The Method to Infinite Things" does a good job of pacing the story so it does not feel too rushed for readers or drawn out, a great read to get people back into fantasy.
March 6, 2024
The character work in this book is fantastic. Cass has relatable motives and attitudes and all of her actions feel very understandable and sensical. The pressure applied on her by the plot all feels natural. The secondary characters are also all fantastic; I especially love how the culture divide between Meridian and Loyala is set up and portrayed. Grandam is a great source of personal antagonism, Cass' relationship with Andie is so sweet, and the romance with Rollie is cute. Day is also a powerful villain, even if she's somewhat predicable/cliche in my mind.
Stemming from Day's cliche role, the entire plot structure of the book feels rather predictable to me, too, which would be one of my bigger critiques. At the same time, though, if you like stories about a talented underdog who feels trapped by the machinations of an evil corporation, well... this narrative structure is popular for a reason. This is an excellent delivery of this common premise. I would say that the worldbuilding does add just enough newness into the equation that I wouldn't harp too much on this point--I'm very fascinated by the setting that's just far enough in the future to give rise to foreign cultural components and technologies while still being close enought to today's world that I can easily see where these parts of the culture came from.
Stemming from Day's cliche role, the entire plot structure of the book feels rather predictable to me, too, which would be one of my bigger critiques. At the same time, though, if you like stories about a talented underdog who feels trapped by the machinations of an evil corporation, well... this narrative structure is popular for a reason. This is an excellent delivery of this common premise. I would say that the worldbuilding does add just enough newness into the equation that I wouldn't harp too much on this point--I'm very fascinated by the setting that's just far enough in the future to give rise to foreign cultural components and technologies while still being close enought to today's world that I can easily see where these parts of the culture came from.
April 26, 2024
A thrilling dystopian adventure. In the dazzling world of Meridian, where wealth, power, and privilege reign supreme, Cass is the fish out of water, yearning for acceptance within inner sector society. However, fate has other plans for Cass. When tragedy strikes, Cass is pushed into the perilous web of political conspiracy, forcing her to flee to the outer sectors, where she uncovers sinister truths and secrets of her world. With this newly found purpose and reliable allies Cass sets off on a tedious journey to destroy the dark forces and find solace in her decisions. The plot is adventurous and keeps the reader invested in the book. The author does a great job at world-building, although I did find it a little bit generic for a dystopia. The world is dystopian for sure, but I was expecting it to be something that really set it apart from other dystopias, which unfortunately it did not cater to. The story however is quite gripping and explores ambition, betrayal and resilience, throughout. We can actively see Cass develop as a character, which I really enjoyed, even though she was a bit annoying at times, but that’s just me. Overall, the book has great plot twists and relatable characters, which keep the readers invested till the end.
December 4, 2024
I recently finished "The Method to Infinite Things" by Madison Boyer, and from the moment I stepped into Meridian’s sharply divided society, I was hooked.
The protagonist, Cassiopeia Atwater, really resonated with me. Her struggle to navigate life as an outsider in an unwelcoming world felt so raw and relatable. When she gets her big break—an invitation to the World’s Fair—it feels like her moment to shine. But then, the explosion changes everything, plunging her into a tangled web of conspiracies. Watching Cass grow, question the system, and find her place in the chaos was inspiring.
What stood out most to me was the rich world-building. Meridian is painted so vividly, I could almost feel its stark class divides and oppressive grandeur. The story also makes you think—about privilege, resilience, and the lengths we go to when seeking the truth.
If you love a dystopian adventure that balances action, mystery, and a touch of heart, this book is for you. Cass’s journey isn’t just about solving a political mystery—it’s about finding her voice and deciding who she wants to be. It’s one of those rare stories that entertains and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
I highly recommend it, and I would love to hear your thoughts if you have read it!
The protagonist, Cassiopeia Atwater, really resonated with me. Her struggle to navigate life as an outsider in an unwelcoming world felt so raw and relatable. When she gets her big break—an invitation to the World’s Fair—it feels like her moment to shine. But then, the explosion changes everything, plunging her into a tangled web of conspiracies. Watching Cass grow, question the system, and find her place in the chaos was inspiring.
What stood out most to me was the rich world-building. Meridian is painted so vividly, I could almost feel its stark class divides and oppressive grandeur. The story also makes you think—about privilege, resilience, and the lengths we go to when seeking the truth.
If you love a dystopian adventure that balances action, mystery, and a touch of heart, this book is for you. Cass’s journey isn’t just about solving a political mystery—it’s about finding her voice and deciding who she wants to be. It’s one of those rare stories that entertains and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
I highly recommend it, and I would love to hear your thoughts if you have read it!
March 11, 2024
The Method to Infinite Things has some of the ingredients of a dystopian adventure novel: political turmoil and class divide, which Boyer depicts with much depth and realism. However, it lacks a little of the adventure I hoped it would have.
First off, there was a lot I enjoyed about the book, apart from its premise and world.I particularly enjoyed its main character, Cass, who is as socially awkward as she is intelligent. I resonated a lot with Cass being closed off and at times emotionally stunted, as a result of her upbringing and enjoyed seeing her character development as she learns to form friendships and act like a normal teenager again. (Her relationship with Rollie was especially cute!!) The portrayal of the world's social divide and Cass's inability to fit into either side was beautifully portrayed.
This book certainly lays the foundation for an interesting story, with an intriguing world, a likeable character, and the potential for an interesting conflict. However, the book felt oddly hallow to me. I felt like there wasn't much of a plot. The story sets the foundation for conflict, but the main conflict, as I see it, only begins towards the end of the book. This isn't something I completely disliked because once again I liked that we are given the chance to understand the societal and personal issues that Cass must navigate, but I would have liked for the novel to be just a bit longer so that it doesn't end just as things are getting exciting.
Still, I think this series has a lot of potential and look forward to the next instalment.
First off, there was a lot I enjoyed about the book, apart from its premise and world.I particularly enjoyed its main character, Cass, who is as socially awkward as she is intelligent. I resonated a lot with Cass being closed off and at times emotionally stunted, as a result of her upbringing and enjoyed seeing her character development as she learns to form friendships and act like a normal teenager again. (Her relationship with Rollie was especially cute!!) The portrayal of the world's social divide and Cass's inability to fit into either side was beautifully portrayed.
This book certainly lays the foundation for an interesting story, with an intriguing world, a likeable character, and the potential for an interesting conflict. However, the book felt oddly hallow to me. I felt like there wasn't much of a plot. The story sets the foundation for conflict, but the main conflict, as I see it, only begins towards the end of the book. This isn't something I completely disliked because once again I liked that we are given the chance to understand the societal and personal issues that Cass must navigate, but I would have liked for the novel to be just a bit longer so that it doesn't end just as things are getting exciting.
Still, I think this series has a lot of potential and look forward to the next instalment.
December 12, 2023
This book was so interesting. I was taken by the world building - functionally, both world’s building, really, as well as the differences between them and especially how they view each other. The main character’s struggles and how she responded felt so real, and the slowly heightening tension let her explore herself and her surroundings without feeling like she was indulging ignoring the problem. I loved how focused she stayed on her goal, even when bigger things were happening - it is such a genuinely teenager and in-character thing for her to do. I also love the relationships she built, the way the author wrote them broke my heart at times but also made me laugh out loud. Because of that, her time in the outer sectors was my favorite, but I can’t deny I like a little ‘character tries to fit into a world that doesn’t want her to fit in’ action. The romance, which is sometimes a little hamfisted in YA books, was done well and made me root for the characters even more. Overall, a wonderful story, although the ending - let’s just say I can’t wait for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
There were many wonderfully executed elements to The Method of Infinite Things. I found the integration of background through scenery to be done very well, and explosion in general felt seamlessly incorporated. Additionally the glimpses of PTSD symptoms brought a very realistic aspect to the narrative, which I really appreciated.
Withal, I found that the inner monologue felt disjointed and didn’t flow very fluidly. The way the protagonist constantly stated her revelations plainly, rather than showing the journey through the thought process that got us there, was off-putting. She would think things such as “I realized now what was bothering me” and “March picked up on my social cues and stopped trying to make conversation.” It shattered immersion completely, and made it hard to feel in tune with the character.
Correspondingly, her relationship with Rollie, the male love interest, felt very unearned. There is minimal relationship building between the two, and I finished the book with no idea as to why she liked him, or how they formed a connection to begin with.
Withal, I found that the inner monologue felt disjointed and didn’t flow very fluidly. The way the protagonist constantly stated her revelations plainly, rather than showing the journey through the thought process that got us there, was off-putting. She would think things such as “I realized now what was bothering me” and “March picked up on my social cues and stopped trying to make conversation.” It shattered immersion completely, and made it hard to feel in tune with the character.
Correspondingly, her relationship with Rollie, the male love interest, felt very unearned. There is minimal relationship building between the two, and I finished the book with no idea as to why she liked him, or how they formed a connection to begin with.
March 2, 2024
“The Method to Infinite Things” by Madison Boyer is a captivating dystopian novel about a world rebuilding from climate change. Cass stars as the fearless main character. She is painted well with empathy and with empathy and emotional scars that make you root for her throughout the novel. At first, I had a harder time connecting to the other characters, and sometimes found myself only caring about Cass. As the plot develops and her relationships evolve, however, I was much more engaged. The world-building is standard for a dystopian, but still very interesting. The inclusion of the science aspect makes the political intrigue all the more complex. It can be a bit hard to understand a world that is still reforming and reshaping amidst conflict. Boyer does a good job though of making it still interesting to learn about. The inner dialogue of Cass and some of the writing overall felt a bit showy and less demonstrative than I normally prefer, hence the 4 stars. It is still a truly enjoyable read and great dystopian novel that I would recommend completely.
March 3, 2024
This book is a captivating dystopian novel. The main conflict is a political power struggle, but it is done in a way that doesn’t bore the reader. While this felt like a classic dystopian novel, the author did a wonderful job at executing a unique and engaging world.
The main character Cassiopeia Atwater, Cass for short, is smart, passionate, and a true lover of science. The character development she goes through is well done in the sense that she is still flawed which makes her more believable. My only dislike with Cass is that her inner monologue feels very forward and doesn’t leave a lot of imagination for the reader. The mentions of PTSD helped make situations feel realistic and sucked me into the story more.
I often get lost in political dynamics in stories, but Boyer created a world that was complex yet easy to follow. I also enjoyed how we learned along with Cass as the secrets of their world began to unravel. The tension flowed throughout the story at a great pace and didn’t fall off at any point for me.
Overall fun read!
The main character Cassiopeia Atwater, Cass for short, is smart, passionate, and a true lover of science. The character development she goes through is well done in the sense that she is still flawed which makes her more believable. My only dislike with Cass is that her inner monologue feels very forward and doesn’t leave a lot of imagination for the reader. The mentions of PTSD helped make situations feel realistic and sucked me into the story more.
I often get lost in political dynamics in stories, but Boyer created a world that was complex yet easy to follow. I also enjoyed how we learned along with Cass as the secrets of their world began to unravel. The tension flowed throughout the story at a great pace and didn’t fall off at any point for me.
Overall fun read!
December 8, 2024
"I watched the words tumble like powder from her lips. Insubstantial, vanishing."
I really enjoyed reading this book. The world-building has similarities to The Hunger Games and Divergent, but what really stood out for me was the writing and voice, which is what made this book so engaging.
While I appreciated the scientific and political elements, I felt there was a lack of action, which left me wanting a bit more excitement.
The protagonist, though likeable, was a little young for my taste, but since this is a YA novel, it fits the genre well.
One aspect I especially loved was how the book subtly referenced Earth as we know it, providing a fascinating backdrop to the dystopian world. I thought these elements were well integrated into the story and gave the reader a clear explanation as to how the world differs from our own.
Overall, the book leans heavily on its political and scientific themes (something to bear in mind), but for young adult readers, it’s a well-written, enjoyable read with a likeable protagonist who is shy but brave, with a brilliant mind.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The world-building has similarities to The Hunger Games and Divergent, but what really stood out for me was the writing and voice, which is what made this book so engaging.
While I appreciated the scientific and political elements, I felt there was a lack of action, which left me wanting a bit more excitement.
The protagonist, though likeable, was a little young for my taste, but since this is a YA novel, it fits the genre well.
One aspect I especially loved was how the book subtly referenced Earth as we know it, providing a fascinating backdrop to the dystopian world. I thought these elements were well integrated into the story and gave the reader a clear explanation as to how the world differs from our own.
Overall, the book leans heavily on its political and scientific themes (something to bear in mind), but for young adult readers, it’s a well-written, enjoyable read with a likeable protagonist who is shy but brave, with a brilliant mind.
December 9, 2024
The Method to Infinite Things is a great read for teen and young adult dystopian sci-fi fanatics. Following the story of Cass, an Outlander who was sent to live in the wealthy inner sectors with her cold and unloving grandmother after her parents’ divorce, as she uncovers government corruption after witnessing the assassinations of Sagittarius and Amalthea Seymour on the night of an election. A scientific genius, recently accepted to the World’s Fair at only sixteen, Cass quickly learns to use her knowledge to gain access to the secrets of Empress Industries and escape with information not only vital to her future but also to the lives of her new family and friends.
The action comes quickly and keeps readers hooked, but a good dose of teenage life, complete with a handsome farm boy, mean girls, and a high school dance, gives the story the warmth that it might have otherwise lacked. The side characters are quirky and fun to get to know, and Cass’s discoveries, both scientific and of the heart, give her character the much needed development readers crave.
The action comes quickly and keeps readers hooked, but a good dose of teenage life, complete with a handsome farm boy, mean girls, and a high school dance, gives the story the warmth that it might have otherwise lacked. The side characters are quirky and fun to get to know, and Cass’s discoveries, both scientific and of the heart, give her character the much needed development readers crave.
March 1, 2024
The Method to Infinite Things was a unique read as although this is a dystopian novel, it doesn't really start off like many of the dystopian novels I've read. The worldbuilding was great, as we slowly get introduced to Cass, our main character, who dapples with chemical inventions. She's intelligent and passionate about what she does and I really love how she developed into a stronger person as the novel progresses.
I feel like every interaction Cass has really helped build up or foreshadow what was coming, including her traveling to the outer sectors for refuge. I really enjoyed watching Cass realizing that there's more to life than science without actually giving up her passion as well. Using it as an advantage to help the outer sectors was something I really enjoyed reading about as well! This was a pretty fun and quick read with a unique worldbuilding that will quickly suck you in as well as a relatable character we can see grow as she sees more of the world around her.
I feel like every interaction Cass has really helped build up or foreshadow what was coming, including her traveling to the outer sectors for refuge. I really enjoyed watching Cass realizing that there's more to life than science without actually giving up her passion as well. Using it as an advantage to help the outer sectors was something I really enjoyed reading about as well! This was a pretty fun and quick read with a unique worldbuilding that will quickly suck you in as well as a relatable character we can see grow as she sees more of the world around her.
March 7, 2024
A true dystopian novel. Those can be tricky sometimes, as the author doesn't dig in deep enough and doesn't give enough detail to the reader.
This is not the case with "The Method to Infinite Things". The world building is done very well with some vivid descriptions. The socio-political situation is quite interesting and incorporated well into the story. The world of Cassiopeia Atwater, a sixteen-year-old, is full of battles for power, which were not that apparent at first, as the reader doesn't know much (but still knows enough) of its system. It was interesting seeing how the plot unfolded, learning more and more world. And there we have Cass - smart, stubborn, compassionate, interested in science. She is very likable, but also has flaws which makes her more relatable. The character development was done well - seeing how the main character's thought processes went really helped understand her better. However, I think that adding a bit more up there would have improved the flow. I really enjoyed the tense relationship she and her grandmother had, which made me want to know more. There were a few things here and there that needed to be more clearer earlier in the story. Still, I enjoyed the story very much and would love to see what comes next.
I recommend "The Method to Infinite Things" to everyone who enjoys dystopian novels.
This is not the case with "The Method to Infinite Things". The world building is done very well with some vivid descriptions. The socio-political situation is quite interesting and incorporated well into the story. The world of Cassiopeia Atwater, a sixteen-year-old, is full of battles for power, which were not that apparent at first, as the reader doesn't know much (but still knows enough) of its system. It was interesting seeing how the plot unfolded, learning more and more world. And there we have Cass - smart, stubborn, compassionate, interested in science. She is very likable, but also has flaws which makes her more relatable. The character development was done well - seeing how the main character's thought processes went really helped understand her better. However, I think that adding a bit more up there would have improved the flow. I really enjoyed the tense relationship she and her grandmother had, which made me want to know more. There were a few things here and there that needed to be more clearer earlier in the story. Still, I enjoyed the story very much and would love to see what comes next.
I recommend "The Method to Infinite Things" to everyone who enjoys dystopian novels.
March 4, 2024
“The Method of Infinite Things” is set in a dystopian world that is unique and complex, yet there is some familiarity that is craftily integrated to make the story and setting easier to understand. Though the story has a lot of political turmoil and typical class differentiations, this is done in a way that doesn’t seem overly clichéd.
The main character, Cass, is a scientific genius, but not in a “shove it in everyone’s face” kind of genius. She is a genuine character that is thrown into the middle of this world of science. She is kind, empathetic, caring, and above all, she is a teenager. Despite being a genius, Cass is still susceptible to making mistakes. This makes her character relatable. The reader will want to cheer Cass on from start to finish.
There is a perfect amount of suspense as the story unfolds. And with the pace of the story, you will not want to put the book down. I look forward to seeing where this trilogy goes.
The main character, Cass, is a scientific genius, but not in a “shove it in everyone’s face” kind of genius. She is a genuine character that is thrown into the middle of this world of science. She is kind, empathetic, caring, and above all, she is a teenager. Despite being a genius, Cass is still susceptible to making mistakes. This makes her character relatable. The reader will want to cheer Cass on from start to finish.
There is a perfect amount of suspense as the story unfolds. And with the pace of the story, you will not want to put the book down. I look forward to seeing where this trilogy goes.
September 9, 2024
Madison Boyer has created an interesting and exciting dystopian world. I see it as a science-fiction Panem from "The Hunger Games." The main character, Cass, is a smart young girl, but all-too-relatable with her teenage emotions and multiple battles, inside and out, that she faces in the story.
With three-dimensional characters, great pacing, and a thrilling climax, I genuinely enjoyed reading every page and I can't wait for book two.
Throughout the whole story, my only complaint/disappointment was one chapter near the end that changed perspectives. The narration switched from first person to third person, giving us the view of another character. It revealed a big secret that would be found out by Cass in the last few pages. So the chapter felt out of place, but also made the climax a little less exciting for the reader (only a little).
Other than that, "The Method to Infinite Things" is a five star. I would highly recommend to anyone who loves dystopian adventures!
With three-dimensional characters, great pacing, and a thrilling climax, I genuinely enjoyed reading every page and I can't wait for book two.
Throughout the whole story, my only complaint/disappointment was one chapter near the end that changed perspectives. The narration switched from first person to third person, giving us the view of another character. It revealed a big secret that would be found out by Cass in the last few pages. So the chapter felt out of place, but also made the climax a little less exciting for the reader (only a little).
Other than that, "The Method to Infinite Things" is a five star. I would highly recommend to anyone who loves dystopian adventures!
March 10, 2024
Madison Boyer's The Method to Infinite Things is a classic dystopian novel focusing on the life of Cassiopeia Atwater, our sixteen-year-old genius. Cass loves nothing but science, and her world turns upside down when science itself turns dangerous in the hands of the wrong person.
The plot was well-paced, with enough spark to continue reading. Boyer showcases the class divide among the people in the Meridian in a splendid way. Boyer showcases how dangerous power is in the hands of the wrong person.
I liked Cass. She is intelligent, sensible, and caring. I loved her friendship with Tahlia, Rollie, Dangelo, and Evie. I loved Cass's bonding with her sister Andie. I wish we could see more of that in the next book. I would like to see how her relationship develops with Rollie.
This novel kept reminding me of Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games, with the class divide showing the rich vs the poor. I would rate this book 4/5. I would recommend it to readers who love dystopian novels with Adventure, Science and Power. I can't wait to see what happens next.
December 8, 2024
Plot Development: The plot of "The Method to Infinite Things" is interesting and progresses well. The opening mysteries of the bombing at the theatre and the events that lead to Cassiopeia's involvement with Empress Industries keep the reader engaged while unfolding the tale with well-timed reveals and plot twists that maintain a steady flow of suspense.
Character Development: While the protagonist, Cassiopeia, boasts intelligence and resourcefulness, the first installment does not delve deeply into her character. The supporting characters, Rollie and John Brown are multi-dimensional and add depth to the narrative.
Overall Story: "The Method to Infinite Things" gives an appealing story with a riveting discourse on the ethics of scientific progress. It remains engaging through its plot, and the ending should leave the reader eager for more in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2023
This story has good world building and pacing. Tension is kept up throughout and I kept wanting to know more about Cassiopeia. The main character is a consistent, stubborn, and intelligent young girl. The world building is done very well with vivid and accurate descriptions. I liked the tension between her and her grandmother. I only wish the situation with her parents was explain sooner so we could understand their dynamics better. The importance of friendship is a really big theme in this book, which I think is such an important lesson to learn. Madison is a very talented writer, I cannot wait to see what comes next!
December 23, 2023
As someone who isn’t a die-hard fan of dystopian novels, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself fully intrigued with this story from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style. The story was paced well, which made it easy to read/understand. Everything from the setting to the characters was well thought out and described. It was nice to be able to picture the world, characters, and events taking place with ease. Cassiopeia was a good protagonist and easy to root for. The characters and their interactions felt real and added to my enjoyment of the story. Boyer’s writing is great and I look forward to reading more of their works in the future.
Read
March 5, 2024Dystopian narratives are not exactly easy to get right. There are a few set of rules to follow that make a good dystopian book and – more importantly – the way that these are followed show a lot about the author's intention surrounding the piece.
With this being said, I did not quite enjoy the dystopian nature in The Method to Infinite Things. This is well written, the author does a good job when it comes to character development, and the use of language is on point. Yet, I missed the dystopian side of it. Possibly more conflict within the created world and added momentum/ tension could have been beneficial.
Still, this is a good book and the plot is coherent and entertaining.
With this being said, I did not quite enjoy the dystopian nature in The Method to Infinite Things. This is well written, the author does a good job when it comes to character development, and the use of language is on point. Yet, I missed the dystopian side of it. Possibly more conflict within the created world and added momentum/ tension could have been beneficial.
Still, this is a good book and the plot is coherent and entertaining.
December 6, 2024
This book has a really strong writer’s voice and writing style, which effectively engages the reader throughout the piece. Despite the many terminologies and concepts that are being introduced, the writer effectively explains and details them clearly, allowing for good world building and comprehension. The characters in the book are extremely well developed, giving the reader insight into their thoughts and feelings. The political and social conflicts that arise in the piece are drawn from scenarios that we see in society today, making them realistic and relevant.
Overall a good read, with the only issue being that the storyline felt a little commonplace.
Overall a good read, with the only issue being that the storyline felt a little commonplace.
December 8, 2024
I enjoyed reading The Method to Infinite Things. Cassiopeia is an interesting protagonist to follow, but it took me a while to connect with and understand her. The plot progresses smoothly and works for what the story is going for. However, I wish there was just a little more to it. It seemed like the average story of its type, and I just wanted there to be more done with its world. But despite that, it is strong in the way that it is like other dystopian stories, which is why I'm more in the middle for my rating. It's not a terrible story; it's quite enjoyable. I just wanted more from some aspects.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews