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A review by charfield
The Bone Season: Author's Preferred Text by Samantha Shannon
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**3.5 stars, rounded up
Will I read the next book: NO?
Half of this rating isn't the books fault. I picked up this book since it was on clearance, my friend and I had just finished buddy reading ADOFN and PotOT, and I figured, what the hell? We know we like Samantha Shannon, so might as well go for it. Anyone who pays particular attention to what I read knows that I almost NEVER read YA or romance books anymore. I just find that I'm over them and honestly, had I known Shannon's Bone Season series was a YA fantasy romance, I likely would have never picked it up.
Was the plot predictable? Yes. By the first couple of chapters, I knew And once you factor in those things, I've just explained like 80% of the plot of this book without having really needed to read any of it. Classic YA fantasy novel shit.
On the main character, I do have some qualms.
Despite all this complaining I'm doing, one of the things that I've always admired about Shannon is her ability to world build, and The Bone Season is no different. The reason it's rounded up is because it is truly one of the most unique hierarchical magic systems I've ever read, and I can practically feel the hours upon hours that went into developing everything that went into this. And despite the fact I was just complaining about Paige, the magic system is such that I don't feel like she's particularly overpowered.
Plus, this is her debut novel, and clearly she has only gotten better with the years. On a second, edited thought, I think I'm going to leave it here. YA and romance don't really jive with me anymore, and I don't really feel a need to see this through.
Will I read the next book: NO?
Half of this rating isn't the books fault. I picked up this book since it was on clearance, my friend and I had just finished buddy reading ADOFN and PotOT, and I figured, what the hell? We know we like Samantha Shannon, so might as well go for it. Anyone who pays particular attention to what I read knows that I almost NEVER read YA or romance books anymore. I just find that I'm over them and honestly, had I known Shannon's Bone Season series was a YA fantasy romance, I likely would have never picked it up.
Was the plot predictable? Yes. By the first couple of chapters, I knew
Spoiler
that Warden and Paige were going to end up in a romantic relationship by the end of it, and I didn't love that aspect of the book because it's very Stockholm, WILD age gap sort of activities I have given up on caring about. I knew that eventually they would force her to fight the syndicate. I knew from the moment Jaxon got screentime he was going to end up being an abusive asshole and everyone was going to turn on him, because he had too many controlling red flags going on.On the main character, I do have some qualms.
Spoiler
In a memory in chapter 25, we learn that Paige hesitates to speak up against Jaxon, and one of the characters even calls her a mouse and a coward. This is nothing like the Paige we have known, who, since arriving into Warden's arms, has been nothing but sassy and totally reckless with her opinion. I would have LOVED for the novel to develop Paige from that meek girl into the sassy woman that she is, because as of right now, I really don't think she does a lot of character developing, other than she learns to hold her tongue a little bit instead of mouthing off all the time. She also, towards the beginning especially, was giving off MS, 'I'm so special and not like other girls', although I do think this gets rectified.Despite all this complaining I'm doing, one of the things that I've always admired about Shannon is her ability to world build, and The Bone Season is no different. The reason it's rounded up is because it is truly one of the most unique hierarchical magic systems I've ever read, and I can practically feel the hours upon hours that went into developing everything that went into this. And despite the fact I was just complaining about Paige, the magic system is such that I don't feel like she's particularly overpowered.
Plus, this is her debut novel, and clearly she has only gotten better with the years. On a second, edited thought, I think I'm going to leave it here. YA and romance don't really jive with me anymore, and I don't really feel a need to see this through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder