Jeff Sexton
Written on Mar 21, 2023
Why?
Because it is quite possibly *THE* unique novel in all of human history. Certainly in my own expansive, yet *very* tiny relative to all novels, few thousand book reading history. Here, Robinson openly takes inspiration from the "event" form comic books have taken for decades and which movies finally got a taste of with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and brings this structure into novels - hence, the Infinite Timeline itself.
SINGULARITY, this book, is its "Avengers: Endgame", and Robinson is able to execute on the things that Endgame does well *even better* than it did... *and* add several instances of depth, fan service, and meta commentary that Endgame could never have attempted, let alone fit in.
The darkness in this book is intense. The world is about to end, and our ragtag group of simple humans, enhanced humans, and outright Greek Gods has to come together to stop it... with enough humor to make one think your favorite group of comedians had somehow written a dark and gritty scifi action epic. You're going to *feel* the world ending, the threat growing and becoming impossible to defeat. Even through this, you're going to laugh your ass off at the antics of our heroes as they fight with all the (considerable) might and talent they can bring to bear.
Are there any outright "Avengers! Assemble." moments here? For me, there was in fact one. The moment we encounter the titular Singularity. The moment the MCU could never hope to replicate (even though it has tried, post-Endgame).
This is quite possibly *the* unique novel in all of human existence.
It will very likely be *quite* some time - if ever - that I encounter a *better* novel.
Do yourself a favor. Read the Infinite Timeline. Just so you can experience this particular OHMYGODAMAZEBALLSAWESOMESAUCE novel yourself.
Very much recommended.