sarahtownsend527's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
5.0
apoorvamate517's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ellieanor's review
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
forsakenfates's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great novella to bridge the time between books 3 and 4. It was really well done in terms of how Paige dealt with the trauma and pain she went through in the previous book. However, I didn't like the flashbacks as much as the present time in Paris with Warden.
mugglebornofoz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
blogan27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
3.75
naiapard's review against another edition
3.0
It has been a long time since I have read any of the books from the Bone Season series. I wanted this novella. I needed it. I have been following this series since the release of the first book.
I loved Page and Warden.
This seemed a sensible choice of a read. But,
I must take into consideration that this was a novella. You do not have that much of a page space to have some heavy characterization done. Maybe that is why Paige`s inner voiced seemed a bit off. Her dialogue with Warden fell flat. The tension with which I was used was absent.
I gathered that this piece of writing was about Page and how she was copping with her memories of being tortured. It did not seem to be a lean evolution, a followed progress of somebody trying to come out of a trauma. It was more of an experienced lived for the sake of the plot. The book felt like a sketch of events. It was like a diary filled with annotations. There were passages from The Bones Season and then, some from the present (the present of the fourth book to come, The Mask Falling) woven in a manner that would give us some insight in the relationship between the lead and her “custodian”.
Maybe it was me and not the novella.
There was this passage (from the present) in which Paige, as underqueen, told Warden that she would not force his hand into anything. It reminded me so much of [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531922609l/33590260._SY75_.jpg|25272014]:
An understanding that is sensibile, promising one not to use one as a subject to her own wants is always something of a relief to hear, but why would you introduce such a passage when Paige was barely holding some ounce of sanity? She was on her knees, crawling in her new reality. Surely one of the first things that would come to her is her power in the criminal world (and, being a criminal world, would not it be very likely that in her absence someone else would take that title and so, nullifying Page`s claim?).
Another part of which I was not a fan was that entire discussion about touching. That because of what has been done to Paige she was no longer able to withstand anybody's touch, especially that of Warden. Yes, all right, I understood that for the first time, but why sprinkle this for several passages in the story as if they had to touch no matter what, as if everything is being prepared for those two to have an intimate relationship.
Anyways, parts that I liked where the depictions of aquaphobia: how Paige washed her hair in the tube by trying to avoid the water splashing her skin. Or that part when she was relapsing from all the drugs that were induced to her during her imprisonment.
Well, I see that, generally, it is a well received novella. I do not want to hinder anyone`s experience in reading it.
I loved Page and Warden.
This seemed a sensible choice of a read. But,
I must take into consideration that this was a novella. You do not have that much of a page space to have some heavy characterization done. Maybe that is why Paige`s inner voiced seemed a bit off. Her dialogue with Warden fell flat. The tension with which I was used was absent.
I gathered that this piece of writing was about Page and how she was copping with her memories of being tortured. It did not seem to be a lean evolution, a followed progress of somebody trying to come out of a trauma. It was more of an experienced lived for the sake of the plot. The book felt like a sketch of events. It was like a diary filled with annotations. There were passages from The Bones Season and then, some from the present (the present of the fourth book to come, The Mask Falling) woven in a manner that would give us some insight in the relationship between the lead and her “custodian”.
Maybe it was me and not the novella.
There was this passage (from the present) in which Paige, as underqueen, told Warden that she would not force his hand into anything. It reminded me so much of [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531922609l/33590260._SY75_.jpg|25272014]:
“I just want to make sure you don’t feel beholden to me. I made you promise we’d stay together, but I meant what I said just now. You’re not my subject. If you ever want to leave, just say the word.”
An understanding that is sensibile, promising one not to use one as a subject to her own wants is always something of a relief to hear, but why would you introduce such a passage when Paige was barely holding some ounce of sanity? She was on her knees, crawling in her new reality. Surely one of the first things that would come to her is her power in the criminal world (and, being a criminal world, would not it be very likely that in her absence someone else would take that title and so, nullifying Page`s claim?).
Another part of which I was not a fan was that entire discussion about touching. That because of what has been done to Paige she was no longer able to withstand anybody's touch, especially that of Warden. Yes, all right, I understood that for the first time, but why sprinkle this for several passages in the story as if they had to touch no matter what, as if everything is being prepared for those two to have an intimate relationship.
Anyways, parts that I liked where the depictions of aquaphobia: how Paige washed her hair in the tube by trying to avoid the water splashing her skin. Or that part when she was relapsing from all the drugs that were induced to her during her imprisonment.
Well, I see that, generally, it is a well received novella. I do not want to hinder anyone`s experience in reading it.
youcancallmefi's review against another edition
5.0
Urgh, I love these two so much it physically hurts.
This novella is so beautiful whilst navigating the themes of trauma, grief and PTSD. It is something so refreshing to read pages upon pages about the process of healing and the accurate depiction of what trauma does not only to a person, but her surrounding relationships.
It’s written with such gentles and respect. If you’re not a fan of Warden, this will be your undoing, I tell you that.
I already worshiped Samantha Shannon but this masterpiece of 78 pages had me ripping my heart out to a golden platter for her and Paige and Arcturus.