The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon... Mind Blowing!

The Bone Season The Bone Season Book One
Written by Samantha Shannon
Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Published August 2013
480 Pages
Purchased. Published by Bloomsbury Australia
★★★★☆
The year is 2059. Nineteen year old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job, to scout for information by breaking into people's minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.

It is raining the day her life changes for ever. Attacked, drugged and kidnapped, Paige is transported to Oxford, a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die.
Paige Mahoney lives in a world where the unique are feared and eradicated, where on her nineteenth birthday, her life would be irrevocably changed forever. Paige is a Dreamwalker, she can sense the intricate landscape of an opponents mind, pushing the boundaries with the ability to end a life with a single thought. Even among the small pockets of clairvoyant community, her gift is considered rare and for who are classed as unnatural, there are only two ways to survive against Scion. To scrounge the streets to survive in the shadows of London or affiliate yourself with a Mime Lord, the latter being Paige's only means for survival.

She's known as The Pale Dreamer, the most prized possession in Jaxon's band of Seven Seals. Until Paige is captured and imprisoned in Sheol, a city where Voyants are sold by the capital into slavery to a race known as the Rephaim, while fighting off an enemy that that feeds on human flesh. Paige is claimed by a Rephaim she must only refer to as Warden, a man who has never shown an interest in humans. But ruler Nashira has plans for The Pale Dreamer, with those taken into slavery must train and show they are worthy of the opportunity, while succumbing to hunger and the fight to survive. If living on the streets of Scion has taught Paige anything, is to fight back for not only herself, but the teens enslaved by their cruel and unforgiving captors.

But the Warden isn't the brutal and callus imprisoner that Paige had believed and the two form a somewhat tentative bond, despite Nashira having laid claim upon him. With her rare and valuable status and her bond with Warden having not gone unnoticed, her only chance to survive is to escape and free as many Voyants from the Rephaim imprisonmen.

Kelly's Thoughts

Oh good lord. Why did I wait so long to immerse myself in Samantha Shannon's world of The Bone Season? It was absolutely incredible, so intricate and vividly imagined. I adored it. I must admit that I was hesitant to start the series especially seeing I'm not an avid fantasy reader, but within the first few chapters I was completely captivated. It follows the storyline of Paige or The Pale Dreamer as she's known within her sector. Paige is a Dreamwalker, able to access the mind and dreamscape of those around her, making her Jaxon's most prized possession. Jaxon is a flamboyant wolf in the guise of a lamb but seeing her only alternative is to live on the streets and beg, Paige sees her work for the The Binder as the lessor of two evils and works alongside Jaxon as his heir. Scion London is segregated into two groups, Amaurotics who are natural and solely human and the Voyant community, those with Clairvoyant abilities who are deemed as illegal by a ruthless and oppressive government. The Voyants pay with their lives or in a new revelation, sent into slavery with a race of dangerous and cruel captors

It was so refreshing to see a fantasy series not based on kingdoms but rather feature a syndicate or organised crime rivalry throughout the districts of London. There are varying levels of clairvoyance among the Voyant community, from tarot readers to those who can bind spirits of the dead to use as weapons and none more revered than Paige. The hierarchy between the characters is delicious. I really enjoyed seeing the personalities beyond their abilities, with each character not only distinctive but wonderfully crafted.

Paige isn't your average heroine. She doesn't harbour feelings of grandeur or self importance, nor does she live in luxury with material possessions and given her rare gift, she certainly could be living the high life. She's insecure, in love with man who doesn't reciprocate her feelings and works for a man she is beginning to despise. The barely there romance was slow burning, yet incredibly intense similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Warden is an unusual love interest. Distant and gruff, Paige may be able to forgive his past deeds but the streetwise girl is reluctant to trust the Rephaim that keeps her captive. Although Warden shows signs of redemption, I can't help but wonder if Paige's interest is little more than a form of Stockholm Syndrome.

The final verdict

The characters, the world building and the vividly imagined London were breathtaking. Not since Throne of Glass has a series captured, enthralled and enchanted me so. I simply adored it. Samantha Shannon is a phenomenal author who's has crafted one of the best fantasy fusion series I've read to date.

33 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you ended up really liking this one, since you don't read a ton of fantasy. I don't either, so it makes me think I might like this one! :)

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    1. If you're anything like me Lauren and fantasy isn't your favourite genre, you'll still love this one. The world building is immaculate, but it's not overly complicated and takes elements from dystopians and paranormal as well. It's an incredible read.

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  2. Wow. WOW. wow. Basically, wow in all the forms of capitals and lowercase. This review is incredibly, Kelly, and I’m so glad that the blog tour for the second book is going around and people are reviewing the first, because I haven’t read it and don’t remember, really, the reviews first time around. BUT IT SOUNDS AMAZING. I’m totally in love with TOG, too, so the world captivating me is something I’m really looking for more of. It sounds incredibly unique and fascinating and just so darn good, and I’m all aboard. Two reviews read of it today and that’s it. There is no chance I’m not going to give this a try, now!

    xx

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    1. Thanks Romi. It's phenomenal, it truly is. Absolutely blew me away with how vividly imagined it is. The romance is basically non existant for the most part, so you're able to fully immerse yourself without the romance complicating the storyline. I absolutely loved it. And book two The Mime Order is even better!

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  3. I saw this book on a few blogs and YouTube channels back when it first came out but wasn't too sure if it would be something I might like. Reading your post though, I feel like I might really enjoy this book. Thanks for the review :)

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    1. I felt the same too Soudha, but my goodness! I now regret not having picked it up sooner. It was nothing short of incredible. It reminded me of a cross between Throne of Glass, The Darkest Minds series and the romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses. Now that I've also read The Mime Order, I don't know what I'll do with myself while I wait for book three in the series. I do hope you pick this one up.

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  4. I have definitely waited too long it seems to get my hands on this book. It was on my radar when it was first released but then I just didn't get to it. HOWEVER I have a feeling after reading your brilliant review that I'll be getting to it sooner rather than later! I love the sound of the dreamscape and vividly portrayed concept, it sounds like an astounding read. Thanks for sharing Kelly :)

    Eugenia @ Genie In A Book

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    1. I remember buying a copy, then it had just been sitting on my shelf. Why didn't I pick this up sooner! It was incredible. I loved it passionately. You definitely need to grab a copy, I can almost guarantee you'll absolutely adore this one too.

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  5. Oh gosh, this sounds so fabulous. The sheer intrigue of the premise -- CRIME SYNDICATE HELLO -- and also Inception-like dreaming. Just, GIVE IT TO ME ALREADY. Although I was leery of the romance in ACOTAR, so perhaps I won't enjoy the shipping here either. I'll certainly keep an eye on this one, though -- fab review!

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    1. Thanks Alyssa. The romance definitely takes a back seat and barely makes an appearance, so it won't impact on the storyline at all. Oh yes, you definitely need to buy a copy.

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  6. SOLD SOLD SOLD. All my fantasy seem to be filled with royalties these days, I need a world that is as intricate as this one, but more based on another social system - and crime syndicates? Sounds bloody amazing. I have this book waiting to be read as soon as I conquer my Netgalley pile and regain a decent response percentage lmao. I am so excited to read this as both you and Jeann seem to love it, and I trust your tastes 100%.

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    1. Mine too Aentee. Every. Single. One. The sections of London and the rivalry between the Voyant districts was cutthroat and reminded me of a paranormal gang warfare. I loved it. So vivid and intricate. It's been one of the best fantasies I've read to date.

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  7. Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did, Kelly. I had so much fun reading it as well although I'm intimidated by the length of the series. I thought the world was fascinating too and I'm looking forward to watching it unfold even more in the next books.
    Lovely reviews, Kelly!

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    1. I was at first too Nick, seven books is a huge series isn't it. But when you think about it, it's no longer than the Throne of Glass series if you include all the novellas. The Mime Order was even better. I already can't wait to get my hands on book three. I'm so glad you loved this one too.

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  8. I've read two books set in London this month! Though both were not set in a repressive setting, it would be fascinating to see what such a world would feel and look like. I've added this series to my wishlist, and I truly hope to read it one day. I am determined to read The Rephaim first! ;)

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    1. I love books set in the UK, especially London Claudia. This series is phenomenal so far and it's going to be seven books long. Wow. But it's so vividly imaged that the author could easily write a ten book series from Scion London. Yes! Get onto that Rephaim series woman!

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  9. My gosh you're sending me broke making me want all these fantastical books :-P :-)

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    1. This one, you actually really do need it Sarah. It's one of the best books I've read this year. That oppressive rule, a strong heroine, revolutions, crime. Oh, it was delicious!

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  10. I'm sure I'll feel the same as you about waiting so long to read it. It sounds so good!

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    1. You will Christy. I'm not a big fantasy reader, I have to be really invested in the storyline and it's characters, but this series so far I haven't been able to put down. The world is so incredibly vivid! I can't wait for you to grab a copy and see what you think.

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  11. I'm glad I read your review Kelly (and did I mention how fantastic it was, you amazing reviewer you?) because I was considering getting this one again after DNFing it a year back. I tried the first chapter and couldn't get into it (I'm like that hahahaha) so I dropped it, but have been wanting to pick it up and give it a second chance. You cemented that resolve and put it on stone, so I'm definitely going to start reading it next month or next week!!! :D

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Flattery will get you everywhere my dear Faye.

      I've been like that lately too with whatever I pick up, but this is one you really need to stick to. It's pretty unassuming during the first few chapters, but holy shit is it incredible. It slowly builds until it blows your socks off. You must try this again Faye. I can almost guarantee you'll love it.

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  12. This has been on my shelf foreeeeever, I really need to just suck it up and read it lol wonderful review Kelly! I love fantasy books, but get weary of the genre sometimes, so I'm pleased to hear you say it's engaging when you were hesitant about it :)

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. This is unlike most fantasies I've come across Wattle, although I don't read a great deal of them. It's unique, where it mixes a seedy underworld type scenario with the gangs of London and the syndicates, but it was just this mixture of awesome and incredible. I couldn't put it down!

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  13. Yay, I am so glad you joined the dark side!!! Bwahahaha! *evil grin* I absolutely loved this book! One of the things I love about this dystopian is that it *is* unique to other dystopian series. I also love that it's set in futuristic London. Don't see nearly enough of that (or I haven't)!

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    1. I haven't either Sarah and it instantly had me hooked two. If anything, I think The Mime Order was even more explosive! I can't wait until book three now and so glad I decided to take a chance and pick the series up.

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  14. Right? Right? I'm so glad you finally got to read this! Still need to read the instalment, though.

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    1. I read The Mime Order and loved it even more Joy, you must read it. At once!

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  15. So glad to hear you stuck to the series Kelly! I thought it was incredible as well with how intelligent, fascinating and complex it was. Loved how got described Jaxon and Paige!

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    1. I absolutely loved it and The Mime Order was even more incredible. My goodness, book three just can't come soon enough!

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  16. WAIT A SEC. So its not about werewolves? I thought this is Paranormal-y type of book. Man I really have to read blurbs. This sounds amazing! You really know how to convince a girl ;) Haha! I hope I'm not too late, I wanna catch up in the series!

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  17. I recently bought this because it was on sale at the bookstore, and I'm glad that I have it because it's so much different than I expected (^^ lol at Paula thinking it's about werewolves). I don't know how I will feel about it being less on fantasy-worlds and more on crime, but I guess I will have to see for myself? I mean YOU liked it Kelly hahah.

    Awesome review! I see you've read The Mime Order already :)

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  18. I didn't know this was a fantasy! I'm not a huge fantasy reader but I've never hated it. This book has been sitting on my shelf, collecting dust since the launch date and now I feel guilty that I haven't read it yet. If this is anything like ACOTAR then I'm hooked. The question is whether to read this or Heir of Fire first?!

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