Bonnie Boring has a big secret. Twenty-four years old with no direction in life, she spends her days as a cashier at The Big Box in Queens with her best friend, Lisa Lin. But there is more to her than meets the eye. She and her mother are really super-powered alien refugees from a distant planet. For years, her mother has made her hide her powers, insisting that they live as ordinary humans. But now, America is falling under the influence of the tyrannical billionaire Johnny Gunn. As freedoms begin to slip away, Bonnie decides it’s time to act. After painstakingly getting her mother’s blessing, she creates a new alter-ego as the superhero Ms. Infinity. Her first appearance, saving a school bus from a deadly accident, causes a stir all over New York. Yet as soon as she appears on the scene, she is verbally attacked by Gunn, and her identity pursued by a reporter. Meanwhile, her double life creates tension with Lisa. Gunn ruthlessly spreads his influence over all of America, and will soon take shocking measures to become its sole ruler. Only Ms. Infinity can stop him, but he is also determined to destroy her. And he might just have the weapons to do it. Presenting a youthful update on classic superheroes, Where Infinity Begins mixes science fiction with humor and social satire, and a female lead with power, sass, and personality.
Andrew Kirschner published the superhero novel "Ms Infinity: Earth's Greatest Hero" in 2015. Like Bonnie Boring, the hero of his stories, he lives in Queens and struggles with careers and wears nifty glasses. Unlike her, he doesn't have superpowers. He does have a car, though. A Chevy.
He's an educated fella, with two Masters Degrees, in Secondary Education and Urban Planning, He has worked in many different fields, including advertising, government, manufacturing, and education. He currently works as a New York City social studies teacher and lives with his wife and three children.
No one has as much infinite power as Ms. Infinity. She is the equivalent to superman, yet rather than being hindered by kryptonite, she is instead hindered by her own stubbornness, inexperience, and pride. Kirschner introduces Ms. Infinity to us – A.K.A. Bonnie Boring – through an origin story controlled solely by Ms. Infinity’s own cunning and guile, than by pure accident and luck.
It is rare to see a female character as strong as Ms. Infinity. She has everything that superman has, and more, addressing issues of injustice and sexism along the way. But she is not the only super hero in the story. We’re introduced to the average superheroes of the world to, through Lisa Lin, Hal Holstein, and Jenna Storm. In this story, Kirschner does not only tell the tale of a super human…but of humans who are also super.
Ms. Infinity, especially under her alterego of Bonnie, has a strong personality: she is stubborn, but kind; smart, but not wise; a superhero, but vulnerable. Yet, while the characterization of Ms. Infinity is amazing, the rest of the characters fall a bit more flat. Yet, perhaps, that’s the essence of a superhero based story: all the focus is on the heroes, while the side cast is there as support and not much else.
Throughout the book there were some novice grammatical errors that could have been avoided, but they do not take away from the overall story. The story, as a whole, was relatively predictable, but you don’t typically go into a super hero story expecting a twist. The characters, with names like Bonnie Boring, Betty Boring, Lisa Lin, Hal Holstein, Jenna Storm, and Johnny Gunn are suited for a comic book, with similar scenes to follow.
In times like today, sheltering in place under a pandemic, I think we all need a little bit of Ms. Infinity.
I look forward to picking up the next book in the series Ms Infinity: Earth’s Greatest Hero in the near future.
This is a prequel to the first book. I gotta say, I wish this one was first. It is a good origin story for this hero. Bonnie Boring decides to come out as Ms. Infinity in the midst of disturbing changes in New York. Checkpoints are everywhere reminding Bonnie of her time on her home planet. Johnny Gunn, a real estate mogul ala Trump is trying to take over the city, the country, and the world. It's touch and go for our hero as she learns more about who she is and how to use her powers for good, and to not go down to this bully's level.
What I liked: I always enjoy the author's exposition. It's heartfelt, profound, and it makes me think about the world I live in and how I can do better. I really enjoyed Hal's storyline. I really felt for him, and it was great to dive deeper into his story. Lisa Lin, Bonnie's best friend, also is fleshed out in a more satisfying way. It explains a lot about her role in the first book and the arrangement she and Bonnie's mom have. Bonnie has a couple of PTSD episodes, and I thought they were handled thoughtfully and respectfully. Even the most powerful being on Earth has challenges, and that made her all the more relatable.
What I didn't like: It still needs more polish, but from the first book to this book, I've seen a lot of growth in the author's writing. This is definitely a better overall product compared to the first book. I love seeing the growth.
Overall: Should you read them in order? Normally, I would say yes, but in this case, reading the second book before the first, I think would flow better. You get a better feel for Bonnie and the people she holds most dear in her life. Either way, the story, and the characters are good. I'm definitely adding the third book to my reading list, and you should add this one to yours.
Ms. Infinity: Where Infinity Begins takes us into Bonnie’s past. In this book we find out how Bonnie became Miss Infinity and start understanding why she and her mother fled to Earth to begin with.
The origin story in here reminded me of a comic book. I could almost see it play out in panels in my mind. The author even included some original artwork at the end of the book.
If you’re a fan of science fiction, strong willed female characters, and authors who are willing to challenge gender norms, pick up this book. You won’t regret it.
A Thrilling Masterpiece for any Superhero(ine) Fan Prepare to be captivated from the very first chapter! Ms. Infinity: Where Infinity Begins, the exhilarating prequel to Earth's Greatest Hero, takes listeners on an unforgettable journey into the life of Bonnie Boring, a seemingly ordinary underachieving cashier who is about to discover her extraordinary destiny. This audiobook delivers a perfect blend of action, humor, suspense, and an empowering female lead, making it an absolute must-listen for fans of the superhero genre.
From the moment Bonnie embraces her superhero identity as Ms. Infinity, the narrative grips you tightly and doesn't let go. With every twist and turn, author Andrew Kirschner skillfully weaves a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the next development. The pacing is impeccable, balancing intense action sequences with moments of introspection, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging experience. Nikki Lynch does a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life as well.
What sets Ms. Infinity apart from other superhero tales is its compelling exploration of Bonnie's character. Her journey from a suppressed individual to a powerful force for justice is inspiring and relatable. Her resilience and determination make her a heroine we can't help but root for, as she battles both external threats and her own internal struggles. This audiobook effortlessly breaks the mold by presenting a refreshing update on classic superheroes, giving a much-needed spotlight to a strong and unforgettable female lead.
The narration of Ms. Infinity Unleashed is nothing short of exceptional. Nikki Lynch brings the story to life with her incredible range of voices, expertly capturing the essence of each character. Her ability to infuse emotion and personality into the dialogue further enhances the overall listening experience. It truly feels like the characters are speaking directly to you, immersing you in this thrilling world of superpowers and epic showdowns.
One of the audiobook's greatest strengths lies in the vivid and imaginative descriptions. From the breathtaking battle scenes to the intricate details of Bonnie's transformation, every scene paints a vivid picture in your mind's eye. The author's ability to transport you into this alternate reality is a testament to their exceptional storytelling skills.
Ms. Infinity: Where Infinity Begins also delves into deeper themes such as power, identity, and the struggle against tyranny. Through Bonnie's journey, we are reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right and the strength we possess within ourselves. These thought-provoking elements elevate the audiobook beyond mere entertainment, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
This audiobook is a tour de force in the world of superhero storytelling. With its thrilling plot, well-developed characters, and powerful themes, it exceeds all expectations. If you're a fan of action-packed adventures, strong female protagonists, and a narrative that keeps you hooked until the very end, then this audiobook is an absolute gem. Prepare to be enthralled, inspired, and thoroughly entertained by the gripping tale of Ms. Infinity's origin story. Highly recommended!
The prequel to Ms Infinity: Earth's Greatest Hero is about - like the title suggests - Bonnie Boring deciding she wants to become Ms Infinity. Unfortunately, there's hardly any build up to this decision so it seems to come out of nowhere. I missed a strong need for her to make such a life-changing decision.
The baddy of the story, Johnny Gunn, also lacked depth: a power hungry misogynist whose sole motivation is to become the most powerful person in the world, but we never learn what made him this way. His assistant Pam has the potential for an interesting twist to the story, but it seems like she's solely there for the sake of convenience. Perhaps she will return in a future novel and this was just a teaser, but for this book her story felt unfinished.
Hal Holstein's character arc, however, was much more developed and I felt for him during the scenes in his toxic home environment.
One of the themes of the story is women's place in society. Since the book is telling more than it is showing, it often felt like it was put on too thickly, thereby losing power.
Overall, the story was alright, although it would've distinguished itself better if Johnny Gunn was more developed and if Bonnie had stronger motivations than simply 'wanting to do good'. If you like easy-going super hero novels it's still a fun read though!