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lotta3_rsl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sarah_beth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kristenbooks's review against another edition
5.0
3/16/21-- I've been wanting to reread this & The Mime Order & then FINALLY read books 3&4, but admittedly I wasn't super in the mood for this when I finally picked it up. And it took me a little while to get back into the mood for it. So I'm not sure I'm fully as 100% in love and obsessed as I have been in the past, but once I hit about the midpoint, I was fully engrossed again in this world and these characters. Listening via audiobook definitely helped me pick up more things than I have in the past (this is my 3rd read & there were scenes I forgot & some intricacies of the magic system that I didn't remember). Overall, still really loved it, still a 5 star read (but like I said, it's not *quite* the same full-on obsession rn), and I'm v hype to hop into The Mime Order bc I have a much foggier memory of it, due to only reading it once.
Also!! this was a very good audiobook as well! I really enjoyed how the voice actor changed their voice/accent for the respective characters.
After reading! (the first time)
I need The Mime Order YESTERDAY. This book was so absolutely incredible. I loved every second of it. The world was so wonderfully developed and I loved learning everything about the different types of voyants and I absolutely loved both Paige and Warden and I honestly cannot think of a single bad thing to say about this book. I mentioned in the "before reading" bit that I'd seen some criticisms and honestly, I didn't even notice half of the stuff that people complained about. I was really impressed by the immense world-building, not turned off! I was so incredibly intrigued by the world and the characters and I can't wait until I get my hands on the next book.
The one question that I never did figure out, though, was... how old do the Rephs look? I mean, it's mentioned that a couple are attractive, but attractiveness doesn't necessarily mean that they look the same age as our main character. Not that it's important, it was just something I was curious about. 'Cause, you know, Magnus Bane looks like he's in his late teens/early 20s, and Edward looks like he's 17, etc.
10/10 GIMMIE THE NEXT BOOK NAOOOOO.
Before reading...
I was revisiting some of Regan's (PeruseProject) videos and saw her haul this book. When she said dystopian and fantasy within the same breath, I immediately went to Goodreads to see what people thought of it. When I saw that some reviewers I really trust had enjoyed it, I got really excited. I've read a few reviews and watched a few videos discussing the book, and nearly all the complaints are things that I actually really enjoy. Intense world-building? That's my favorite part of dystopian novels! No backstory 'til halfway through? Yay! I love being confused and trying to figure things out! Maps and charts and lots of info to remember? Lovely! Everyone knows that many of the best fantasy books have maps! Basically, it sounds like this book forces you to be an active reader and get really invested in it and I'm probably going to pick it up immediately after finishing my horror marathon at the end of October. Needless to say, I watched Regan's video less than half an hour ago and have already purchased the book. SO EXCITE.
Also!! this was a very good audiobook as well! I really enjoyed how the voice actor changed their voice/accent for the respective characters.
After reading! (the first time)
I need The Mime Order YESTERDAY. This book was so absolutely incredible. I loved every second of it. The world was so wonderfully developed and I loved learning everything about the different types of voyants and I absolutely loved both Paige and Warden and I honestly cannot think of a single bad thing to say about this book. I mentioned in the "before reading" bit that I'd seen some criticisms and honestly, I didn't even notice half of the stuff that people complained about. I was really impressed by the immense world-building, not turned off! I was so incredibly intrigued by the world and the characters and I can't wait until I get my hands on the next book.
The one question that I never did figure out, though, was... how old do the Rephs look? I mean, it's mentioned that a couple are attractive, but attractiveness doesn't necessarily mean that they look the same age as our main character. Not that it's important, it was just something I was curious about. 'Cause, you know, Magnus Bane looks like he's in his late teens/early 20s, and Edward looks like he's 17, etc.
10/10 GIMMIE THE NEXT BOOK NAOOOOO.
Before reading...
I was revisiting some of Regan's (PeruseProject) videos and saw her haul this book. When she said dystopian and fantasy within the same breath, I immediately went to Goodreads to see what people thought of it. When I saw that some reviewers I really trust had enjoyed it, I got really excited. I've read a few reviews and watched a few videos discussing the book, and nearly all the complaints are things that I actually really enjoy. Intense world-building? That's my favorite part of dystopian novels! No backstory 'til halfway through? Yay! I love being confused and trying to figure things out! Maps and charts and lots of info to remember? Lovely! Everyone knows that many of the best fantasy books have maps! Basically, it sounds like this book forces you to be an active reader and get really invested in it and I'm probably going to pick it up immediately after finishing my horror marathon at the end of October. Needless to say, I watched Regan's video less than half an hour ago and have already purchased the book. SO EXCITE.
ldubbs04's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rebekca3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alexngaire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Samantha Shannon is a god. i worship at the altar of her writing. i will read anything she puts out—i’m honestly angry at myself for not reading this sooner.
The Bone Season does not apply to any of my tastes as a reader. i do not like paranormal. i do not like magical boarding school/training. i do not particularly likesize difference, immortal being + human mortal romances. i do not like overly British books. (lol) and yet, i fucking loved this book.
after 50 pages—the typical slow, world-building rising action that Shannon is known for—i was absolutely hooked. thank god for the glossary, because i had a lot of questions, but i probably still would have survived without it. the world is so intricate, complicated, and structured. there is room for expansion, twists & turns, but limited enough to feel secure as a new reader. i loved that in this book, the reader was thrown into the magic without feeling too vulnerable OR belittled by the text. Paige, though an expert in her own world, was new to Oxford and was the perfect stand-in for the audience as she learned more and more about the Rephs, the politics of Scion, and about her own power.
Paige is an extremely compelling protagonist. she’s almost morally gray in that she is driven by a need to survive and to protect her own circle, but is willing to do whatever it takes. i loved the balance of selfishness and selflessness she held within her. she is cunning, but not arrogant. she is determined, but not ambitious. she is willing to step outside her comfort zone/expertise to do what needed to be done. she felt very realistic to me—her immediate rage and reactionary actions, and her later slow and methodical examination of her feelings (and the facts). i love her and i cannot wait to see how thisescape from Oxford and severing of ties with Jaxon impacts her life in London.
one of my favorite things about Samantha Shannon is her research. god, this woman is smart. the interwoven threads about Ireland (mirroring actual historical events, i assume) and Paige’s identity as an Irish person were sooooo delicious and fascinating. the pain of her family and how it resonated within her was magnificently depicted, and i know for certain that all of the inclusion of the Molly Riots was very intentional. i am excited to see how she can channel this revolutionary spirit in the next books.
also… damn, this book must have been born from a deep dive into paranormal and occult practices. i loved the familiar details of the tarot cards, scrying, ley lines, and the different orders of psychics and -mancers. the numa were particularly intriguing to me, and again, i was grateful for the glossary AND for the inclusion of the excerpt from Jaxon’s pamphlet. for once in my ENTIRE life i was interested in the communication between spirits and the spirit realm.
speaking of Jaxon! what a character. he reminds me of Niclays from Priory—a tough pill to swallow, but believable and compelling all the same. i am lowkey obsessed with this horrible man, and i can only imagine how he will be a wrench in Paige’s future plans. between Nick and Jaxon, i feel we have a Magneto and Professor X situation on our hands. time will tell. (sidenote: the whole seven orders thing is CRAZY AS HELL and the propaganda element was so believable to human nature. i want the full pamphlet NOW!)
Liss, Julian, Nadine, Zeke, Eliza, and Terebell are probably some of my favorite characters so far. i am totally entranced when i see them on the page. i love their gifts and how they all vary so widely despite feeling very similar in real-world terms. again, i look forward to seeing what lies ahead for each of them.
finally, i must touch on my favorite character: Arcturus Mesarthim. Warden. my beloved. as soon as Paige called himterrible and beautiful i knew i was personally done for. beyond the Beauty and the Beast-type romantic sub-plot, he is absolutely fascinating as a character. scarred and haunted, uniquely gifted, curious, gentle, quietly dangerous. he is exactly my type. we only got to see a glimpse of what he is capable of, and i wonder how Shannon will further establish and expand his oneiromancy in the future. i honestly can’t stop thinking about him and his collared tunics and his gloves and his golden eyes and his gramophone…. ugh
overall, 10/10 read. i will be immediately starting the rest of the series in anticipation of The Dark Mirror’s release in February 2025. now that I know Paige and Arcturus, i will not be letting them go!!!
The Bone Season does not apply to any of my tastes as a reader. i do not like paranormal. i do not like magical boarding school/training. i do not particularly like
after 50 pages—the typical slow, world-building rising action that Shannon is known for—i was absolutely hooked. thank god for the glossary, because i had a lot of questions, but i probably still would have survived without it. the world is so intricate, complicated, and structured. there is room for expansion, twists & turns, but limited enough to feel secure as a new reader. i loved that in this book, the reader was thrown into the magic without feeling too vulnerable OR belittled by the text. Paige, though an expert in her own world, was new to Oxford and was the perfect stand-in for the audience as she learned more and more about the Rephs, the politics of Scion, and about her own power.
Paige is an extremely compelling protagonist. she’s almost morally gray in that she is driven by a need to survive and to protect her own circle, but is willing to do whatever it takes. i loved the balance of selfishness and selflessness she held within her. she is cunning, but not arrogant. she is determined, but not ambitious. she is willing to step outside her comfort zone/expertise to do what needed to be done. she felt very realistic to me—her immediate rage and reactionary actions, and her later slow and methodical examination of her feelings (and the facts). i love her and i cannot wait to see how this
one of my favorite things about Samantha Shannon is her research. god, this woman is smart. the interwoven threads about Ireland (mirroring actual historical events, i assume) and Paige’s identity as an Irish person were sooooo delicious and fascinating. the pain of her family and how it resonated within her was magnificently depicted, and i know for certain that all of the inclusion of the Molly Riots was very intentional. i am excited to see how she can channel this revolutionary spirit in the next books.
also… damn, this book must have been born from a deep dive into paranormal and occult practices. i loved the familiar details of the tarot cards, scrying, ley lines, and the different orders of psychics and -mancers. the numa were particularly intriguing to me, and again, i was grateful for the glossary AND for the inclusion of the excerpt from Jaxon’s pamphlet. for once in my ENTIRE life i was interested in the communication between spirits and the spirit realm.
speaking of Jaxon! what a character. he reminds me of Niclays from Priory—a tough pill to swallow, but believable and compelling all the same. i am lowkey obsessed with this horrible man, and i can only imagine how he will be a wrench in Paige’s future plans. between Nick and Jaxon, i feel we have a Magneto and Professor X situation on our hands. time will tell. (sidenote: the whole seven orders thing is CRAZY AS HELL and the propaganda element was so believable to human nature. i want the full pamphlet NOW!)
Liss, Julian, Nadine, Zeke, Eliza, and Terebell are probably some of my favorite characters so far. i am totally entranced when i see them on the page. i love their gifts and how they all vary so widely despite feeling very similar in real-world terms. again, i look forward to seeing what lies ahead for each of them.
finally, i must touch on my favorite character: Arcturus Mesarthim. Warden. my beloved. as soon as Paige called him
overall, 10/10 read. i will be immediately starting the rest of the series in anticipation of The Dark Mirror’s release in February 2025. now that I know Paige and Arcturus, i will not be letting them go!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, and Colonisation
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking, and Fire/Fire injury
favouritekaren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5