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katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Medical content, Trafficking, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Addiction, Torture, Vomit, and Death of parent
barda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
*This is a review of the 10th Anniversary Revised Edition*
I already liked the first book, but the revisions fix many of the mis-steps in the book to elevate it to something even better.
The Bone Season came out of nowhere to become one of my favourite book series, and the first book sets it on very strong foundations. The "magic" system is very interesting, being based around using spirits and the dead as opposed to being traditional magic. The setting of a dystopian England is a bit more out-of-focus in this book compared to the future books, but still has a great set-up of a hellish dictatorship. The Rephs are fascinating villians/allies, and the characters are very likeable.
One particular highlight of the book is, of course, Paige and Arcturus. It takes what is usually a very cliche (and problematic) female main character imprisoned but slowly falling for her captor and makes it better than it has any right to be. Arcturus subverts basically every trope of the male love interest in modern New Adult fantasy novels (apart from being ridiculously tall, but in this case his species is all very tall!). Paige is also a stand-out as the main character, she has realistic emotions while being brave and kind (and her insults are absolutely hilarious). I have not had a ship I shipped this hard in a long time.
It's still not a perfect book - I think it's let down a bit by the lack of development of some of the minor characters, and there's a bit too much of a timeskip in the middle of it where a lot of interesting things happen off-screen. However, these don't detract by how much of a joy this book was to read and by how much I adore Paige and Arcturus as characters.
I already liked the first book, but the revisions fix many of the mis-steps in the book to elevate it to something even better.
The Bone Season came out of nowhere to become one of my favourite book series, and the first book sets it on very strong foundations. The "magic" system is very interesting, being based around using spirits and the dead as opposed to being traditional magic. The setting of a dystopian England is a bit more out-of-focus in this book compared to the future books, but still has a great set-up of a hellish dictatorship. The Rephs are fascinating villians/allies, and the characters are very likeable.
One particular highlight of the book is, of course, Paige and Arcturus. It takes what is usually a very cliche (and problematic) female main character imprisoned but slowly falling for her captor and makes it better than it has any right to be. Arcturus subverts basically every trope of the male love interest in modern New Adult fantasy novels (apart from being ridiculously tall, but in this case his species is all very tall!). Paige is also a stand-out as the main character, she has realistic emotions while being brave and kind (and her insults are absolutely hilarious). I have not had a ship I shipped this hard in a long time.
It's still not a perfect book - I think it's let down a bit by the lack of development of some of the minor characters, and there's a bit too much of a timeskip in the middle of it where a lot of interesting things happen off-screen. However, these don't detract by how much of a joy this book was to read and by how much I adore Paige and Arcturus as characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Drug use and Racism
readwithsophsx's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, and Alcohol
nolalee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, and Trafficking
electraheart05's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Wow… just wow…
4.5 rounded up to 5
I will write a review tomorrow.
01/08/2023
<Spoiler> involved!!
The first book of 2023 has been read. ‘The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. It’s a dystopian and urban fantasy novel the first in a seven-book series, currently, there are 4 out right now and the 10th anniversary of this book comes out sometime this summer. I loved this book, the magic system and the world-building were so well written. The one critique I will give it is at times it felt like a lot happened and was sometimes confusing. I recommend reading the prequel ‘The Pale Dreamer’ before diving into the main story. It gives context to who the main character is and a little bit of the magic and history of the world. I can't wait to read the next three books.
I love how we do get to see a little bit of enemies to friends to what is hinted at lovers. Warden is such a complex character especially since he is Rephaim, meaning he should be the main enemy but we see him gain the trust of Paige towards the last couple hundred pages of the book. Also, I enjoyed the whole “golden cord” that now connects Paige and Warden together. It reminds me of the red string of fate that is seen in Asian mythology. It’s also reveled that before Paige was even kidnapped that Warden had been watching her and rooting for her.
As a debut novel that was released in 2013 you do see quite a bit of the tropes that became quite popular around that time, especially in books such as ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘A Court of Thrones and Roses’. I do not see it as a negative in The Bone Season I think it really pushes and deepens the world. It is clear to me this was a debut novel it shows in the writing but I actually loved it.
Can’t wait to read the next 3 books!!
P.S.
David’s character is a mystery to me and I don’t know who he really is and if he will be important later on.
4.5 rounded up to 5
I will write a review tomorrow.
01/08/2023
<Spoiler> involved!!
The first book of 2023 has been read. ‘The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. It’s a dystopian and urban fantasy novel the first in a seven-book series, currently, there are 4 out right now and the 10th anniversary of this book comes out sometime this summer. I loved this book, the magic system and the world-building were so well written. The one critique I will give it is at times it felt like a lot happened and was sometimes confusing. I recommend reading the prequel ‘The Pale Dreamer’ before diving into the main story. It gives context to who the main character is and a little bit of the magic and history of the world. I can't wait to read the next three books.
I love how we do get to see a little bit of enemies to friends to what is hinted at lovers. Warden is such a complex character especially since he is Rephaim, meaning he should be the main enemy but we see him gain the trust of Paige towards the last couple hundred pages of the book. Also, I enjoyed the whole “golden cord” that now connects Paige and Warden together. It reminds me of the red string of fate that is seen in Asian mythology. It’s also reveled that before Paige was even kidnapped that Warden had been watching her and rooting for her.
As a debut novel that was released in 2013 you do see quite a bit of the tropes that became quite popular around that time, especially in books such as ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘A Court of Thrones and Roses’. I do not see it as a negative in The Bone Season I think it really pushes and deepens the world. It is clear to me this was a debut novel it shows in the writing but I actually loved it.
Can’t wait to read the next 3 books!!
P.S.
David’s character is a mystery to me and I don’t know who he really is and if he will be important later on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
whatjasread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
• was encouraged to read by a pal and was very scared but honestly all worked out
• I adore Paige and Arcturus and the entire gang
• I think I cried twice which surprised me
• bit info dumpy at the start but gradually improves once the action starts
• don’t know if or when I’ll get to the next book but I won’t rule it out!
TWs: blood, child death, vomiting, gore, gun violence, kidnapping, medical content (inc. needles), drugging, murder, sexual assault, slavery (inc. master/slave relationships), torture, violence, xenophobia
• I adore Paige and Arcturus and the entire gang
• I think I cried twice which surprised me
• bit info dumpy at the start but gradually improves once the action starts
• don’t know if or when I’ll get to the next book but I won’t rule it out!
TWs: blood, child death, vomiting, gore, gun violence, kidnapping, medical content (inc. needles), drugging, murder, sexual assault, slavery (inc. master/slave relationships), torture, violence, xenophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Xenophobia
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"i can die when i want, become a spirit when i want. it makes people afraid of me. it makes me afraid of them."
i really liked the premise of this book. clairvoyants, avoiding the law, criminals, it seemed right up my alley, and the first chapters were; i was hooked almost instantly. i did enjoy this book, but i feel like i would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't set in sheol i and actually set in london and following paige's whereabouts and the gang. they were so much more interesting than the actual plot of the book, which is why i'm glad that the pale dreamer novella prequel is part of this book, because i found that so much more interesting. i also didn't like the romantic turn this book took toward the end. i didn't feel like paige and the love interest really had much chemistry at all and it kind of made me a little uncomfortable, because i just didn't feel like they fit. that's my one critique, i suppose. also that it was a little tiny bit predictable and cliche
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use
lauramcc7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Okay I didn't know what to expect from this book, but wow it delivered! Can't wait to read more about Paige and her friends!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body horror
bookishchef's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.25
Okay. So.
Up until about 60-70% of this book, I was ready to give it five stars.
I absolutely loved it.
But then it slowly but steadily started shitting the bed.
1. The gold cord plot point thing came out of nowhere and was never really explained. It just seemed like a convenient plot device that did not feel like it belonged in the grim world the author has created.
2. The rebound turned SA scene was completely unnecessary, and seemed like a weird attempt to bestow the main character with more trauma than she already had (and make her be pitied by Warden and the reader).
3. Loss of virginity being described as "an uppercut to the stomach". I hate this trope so much. No, having sex for the first time does not feel like dying. It might hurt (for many people it does not even do that). But it won't feel like being torn in half god dammit.
The average period cramp feels way way way worse unless you have a medical condition like vaginismus.
4. The main character falling in love with her captor/slave master does not sit quite right with me. Even if he treated her nicely, that is still a weird power inbalance that should never lead to a relationship.
5. Teenagers falling for century old creatures just makes me roll my eyes at this point. It weirds me out a bit, and it has been done so so so many times at this point.
Maybe I could deal with it if both characters seemed to be at the same level mentally, but Warden is practically a deity compared to Paige. Not immortal, but infinitely more intelligent and quite obviously so so so much older (and not to forget, her literal owner). From the way he behaves, to the way he speaks: it has middle aged man dating teenager vibes.
So yeah. This was a fun but very mixed bag. I ordered book 2 when I was about 60% into the book because I was sure I would love it at that point. But now that love has become a begrudging like.
I enjoyed this book for the most part, but some things cannot be unseen once you see them.
Up until about 60-70% of this book, I was ready to give it five stars.
I absolutely loved it.
But then it slowly but steadily started shitting the bed.
2. The rebound turned SA scene was completely unnecessary, and seemed like a weird attempt to bestow the main character with more trauma than she already had (and make her be pitied by Warden and the reader).
3. Loss of virginity being described as "an uppercut to the stomach". I hate this trope so much. No, having sex for the first time does not feel like dying. It might hurt (for many people it does not even do that). But it won't feel like being torn in half god dammit.
The average period cramp feels way way way worse unless you have a medical condition like vaginismus.
4. The main character falling in love with her captor/slave master does not sit quite right with me. Even if he treated her nicely, that is still a weird power inbalance that should never lead to a relationship.
5. Teenagers falling for century old creatures just makes me roll my eyes at this point. It weirds me out a bit, and it has been done so so so many times at this point.
Maybe I could deal with it if both characters seemed to be at the same level mentally, but Warden is practically a deity compared to Paige. Not immortal, but infinitely more intelligent and quite obviously so so so much older (and not to forget, her literal owner). From the way he behaves, to the way he speaks: it has middle aged man dating teenager vibes.
So yeah. This was a fun but very mixed bag. I ordered book 2 when I was about 60% into the book because I was sure I would love it at that point. But now that love has become a begrudging like.
I enjoyed this book for the most part, but some things cannot be unseen once you see them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Slavery, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Torture, and Police brutality