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bookspaperink's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
herbivorehaunts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
So far this has been my favorite installation in this series. Plenty of time to change around my order, but since the last three books aren't out yet this is my current order from favorite to least favorite:
1. The Mask Falling
2. The Mime Order
3. The Bone Season
4. The Song Rising
The Song Rising was still a near perfect read though, so it being in last place isn't saying much.
((General spoilers for themes if you haven't read the previous 3 books in series))
((General spoilers for themes if you haven't read the previous 3 books in series))
Blown away by the amount of world building revealed in this one, as well as the sheer emotional impact of this installation. Four books into a series, the stakes are higher than ever and you are so invested in the characters that every mission is nerve wracking. Shannon doesn't shy away from character deaths, character injuries, or putting her main characters through emotional trauma, so be prepared going into this one.
I enjoyed the blend of new concepts (Paris as a setting, new world building and lore, lots of new characters) as well as beats that have been in the series from the beginning (exploring emotional trauma as a result from the events of previous novels, Paige's relationships with other people and her own PTSD, and a heavy spy thriller atmosphere). I was nervous going into this one because of the different setting and the fact that the cast would be changing up quite a bit, but I thought this was really well executed.
I kept finding myself holding my breath as I watched Paige GO THROUGH IT. Both mentally and physically. The ending had so many genuinely shocking twists and turns that were all very effective, once you had finally acclimated to a twist, the next one was thrown upon you.
That ending. :( Not so patiently waiting for the next one. In terms of writing quality, this series just keeps getting better and better with every book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Bone Season is an incredibly ambitious series, combining not only a steampunk/dystopian/not-so-distant-future United Kingdom but also a complex “magic” system with many fantasy elements. I admit, I feel like there are some pacing issues with the first two books. These were resolved in the 3rd book and we were absolutely flying in the 4th book!
The Mask Falling picks up almost immediately after the events of The Song Rising, with Paige being spirited (see what I did there?) to Paris to recover from her brush with Scion and begin her new role as an agent for the mysterious Domino program. The narrative balances some excellent character-based story with Paige finally being able to slow down and heal herself and think about what she wants from this life rather than just the constant fight for Unnaturals.
When we do start getting into the plot-driven elements, it’s like Shannon has taken the best parts of all her previous books and slipped them seamlessly into this one; there’s heist, political gang intrigue, a prison-break and heart-break!
I thoroughly look forward to the next three instalments of the series, whenever they may be published!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
vendottie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sarahholliday's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
She's done it again!
Samantha Shannon writes poignant, lyrical fantasy with first-rate world building and characters who are so nuanced they seem to leap of the page. It's what makes her novels such a joy to read.
As a standalone work, I think The Mask Falling has a cohesive feel to it, as well as a compelling self-contained plot. Within the series, this installment is a beautiful combination of slower, more character-driven story and white-knuckle moments of action & tension. More than ever, it's clear that Shannon still has a wealth of information and secrets to reveal when it comes to the Bone Series universe.
The ending of TMF felt a little overly-full to me. Some of the really fascinating nuance of Paris' criminal syndicate gets lost in the back-to-back action sequences, but perhaps that relentlessness is meant to reflect the never-ending chaos of life in the midst of totalitarianism & rebellion.
If you have yet to pick up this series, I can't recommend it enough. It grabs you from the beginning and, as The Mask Falling shows, never fails to dazzle.
Samantha Shannon writes poignant, lyrical fantasy with first-rate world building and characters who are so nuanced they seem to leap of the page. It's what makes her novels such a joy to read.
As a standalone work, I think The Mask Falling has a cohesive feel to it, as well as a compelling self-contained plot. Within the series, this installment is a beautiful combination of slower, more character-driven story and white-knuckle moments of action & tension. More than ever, it's clear that Shannon still has a wealth of information and secrets to reveal when it comes to the Bone Series universe.
The ending of TMF felt a little overly-full to me. Some of the really fascinating nuance of Paris' criminal syndicate gets lost in the back-to-back action sequences, but perhaps that relentlessness is meant to reflect the never-ending chaos of life in the midst of totalitarianism & rebellion.
If you have yet to pick up this series, I can't recommend it enough. It grabs you from the beginning and, as The Mask Falling shows, never fails to dazzle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Torture and Vomit
esuchyta's review
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Very enjoyable, as are the other Bone Season novels. Shannon always make great use of language and argot, and we get depended psychological aspects in this one. Looking forward to book five.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
terezsch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
I do not know what I just read. Obviously, it's another amazing book in the Bone Season series, stunningly written with a brilliant plot. But I am now broken and I might never be okay again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Violence, and Kidnapping
sabrinz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very good continuiation of this series!
Although I had my problems with the French (I can just about speak/understand a few rudimentary words, so most of the sentences went over my head), it was still realistic in the way people who speak more than one language switch back and forth.
I don't really know what I expected but I sure as hell did not expect where this book went and was going in the end. I am still in shock about the last two chapters and the twist and turns thrown our way - some of which I almost thought may happen but never really predicted head on.
Now my only question is: what did I just read?!
Although I had my problems with the French (I can just about speak/understand a few rudimentary words, so most of the sentences went over my head), it was still realistic in the way people who speak more than one language switch back and forth.
I don't really know what I expected but I sure as hell did not expect where this book went and was going in the end. I am still in shock about the last two chapters and the twist and turns thrown our way - some of which I almost thought may happen but never really predicted head on.
Now my only question is: what did I just read?!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
forthesanityof1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
This book.
Holy shit.
This fucking book held me by the throat and made me beg for scraps of happiness. This book was so achingly, painfully raw and human it physically hurt me. I had to pause so many times to take a deep breath because I knew what was coming was going to hurt. Samantha Shannon is master at what she creates with this series. The prose was engaging and moving the entire time. The plot held my interest like a vice through the book with no pacing issues, even with the revelations at the last hundred or so pages (*cries*). It flowed well with the set up from the previous books and built Paige and Arcturus in exquisite ways that felt natural. The way Shannon illustrated the growth of the characters is something I'm still trying to put into words; the forward momentum is obvious in the best way-there is still potential to be wrought and revelations to be made. I literally don't know what to say because it was. Just. That. Good. This was already one of my favorite series that I push whenever someone asks for recommendations, but I will be SHOVING this series down everyone's throats whenever possible. Wow.
Holy shit.
This fucking book held me by the throat and made me beg for scraps of happiness. This book was so achingly, painfully raw and human it physically hurt me. I had to pause so many times to take a deep breath because I knew what was coming was going to hurt. Samantha Shannon is master at what she creates with this series. The prose was engaging and moving the entire time. The plot held my interest like a vice through the book with no pacing issues, even with the revelations at the last hundred or so pages (*cries*). It flowed well with the set up from the previous books and built Paige and Arcturus in exquisite ways that felt natural. The way Shannon illustrated the growth of the characters is something I'm still trying to put into words; the forward momentum is obvious in the best way-there is still potential to be wrought and revelations to be made. I literally don't know what to say because it was. Just. That. Good. This was already one of my favorite series that I push whenever someone asks for recommendations, but I will be SHOVING this series down everyone's throats whenever possible. Wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder