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It took me a little to be interested. Overall, I liked the book. There were good characters, good worldbuilding, and engaging plot.

This might be my fifth time reading The Bone Season since its initial publication back in 2013, but it's my first time reading the 10th Anniversary Edition (or, to be more precise, listening to the audiobook for it, which we'll touch upon a little later). It's possible to fall even more in love with a book when you reread it; that's how I feel after having completed this latest reread, which is how I know for sure.

I have been such a big fan of this series from the very start of its time in publication, so it's no surprise to me that I still loved this updated version with my whole heart! Getting to experience a story that I already loved, that already had impressive bones to it in the form of lore, characters and plot, as if it was the first time was a priceless experience. Seeing how Samantha Shannon took the story she'd already shared, using her current skillset as a writer to refine it even further - well, like a fine wine, it certainly aged very well and just made for an even more delicious reading experience, even to an already established fan of the series. 

A lot of what I said in my original glowing review of The Bone Season still remains true about this updated version. I admire Samantha Shannon's ability to weave such an interesting, complex world that combines the fantastical with the real. I loved following the turns the plot takes, how the intense action sequences, calmer introspective moments and conversational exchanges are woven into a narrative that kept me reading. And, of course, I adore our main character Paige Mahoney, with her stubbornness & compassion, her (occasionally reckless) bravery & good heart, and the very real way that she struggles with both her voyant abilities, life circumstances and choices. All of these elements are still very much present, but somehow finessed in a way that had me in awe - I genuinely now can say that I fully appreciate the author's unique opportunity to rework this story given how much stronger it now reads (even though I've always thought it a strong debut novel).

The Bone Season remains one of my all-time favorites. Each time I reread it, I'm reminded just how clever, complex and compelling this series starter is - and this time was clearly no exception. I loved this book so much, and I genuinely would recommend it as something for other readers interested in picking up a dystopian fantasy!

Additionally, on the audiobook, Alana Kerr Collins did an excellent job. I was completely swept up in her narration, and enjoyed the way she brought Paige to life with her voice.

Been a minute since I read a Samantha Shannon book! Forgot how intense the world-building is (I mean any book that has a glossary and character list...there's levels). This is the only place I have to deduct half a point because there was something I was confused about which seemed fundamental to how this, in reality, alternate timeline of our world functions. I thought I'd missed something, but I think it just wasn't explained until towards the end of the book? Since this is supposed to be a long series maybe that's intentional for the long haul as it were, but it wasn't like a big reveal.

Anyway that aside I really loved this and I am super excited to continue the series!! I really enjoyed Paige as a main character, she's feisty, tough and inquisitive. Can't wait to see where the story takes us...

All my reviews live at https://deedireads.com/.

Y’all. I am so mad at myself for waiting this long to read The Bone Season. It was exactly the kind of fantasy I was craving — a series that starts with a banger with a rich world and great plot and promises a good, long journey with a set of beloved characters over many books.

The Bone Season feels like an urban fantasy because our introduction to its world starts in London. The population is split into “normal” people and clairvoyants — a word that encompasses a huge range of abilities to leverage aether for different purposes. That said, there is a LOT of worldbuilding in the first few chapters, so just know that there’s a bit more work involved than your typical low fantasy would require. In fact, while I think the majority of this book worked well on audio, I would recommend making sure you have a print or ebook copy for the beginning so you can go slow and make sure you’re taking in all the info.

That intense worldbuilding process (to the point of almost feeling info-dumpy) is probably my only “criticism,” although I put that in air quotes because in this case, I really didn’t mind at all. I was just having too good of a time, and I was happy to give it the time and attention it required. After all, there are going to be 7 books (the 5th comes out next month) — if the world wasn’t rich and deep, it wouldn’t sustain itself. Plus, it was worth it! After a few chapters, I was IN and by the end, I was recommending it to everyone and sure this will be a new favorite series even though I was only one book in.

On to book two!!

what was that romanceeeeeee girlll its a choiceeeee /neg

this books pacing is insane - I couldn't put it down bcs shit was happening on every page in every scene and it was almost too intense like girl let me breathe
the writings really gooood
I had to get used to the dark themes of the book and the constant violence - I even had a nightmare after the first day of reading this and I woke up scared of the dark mskdfjdms
I'm interested in reading the second book for sure but I am slightly worried that I'll be less into it bcs I did NOT care for Jaxon Hall - he's a really annoying character and I just don't care if he lives or dies and it seems like in the second book he might appear alot moreeeee so yikes to thattt

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 like

size 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 this

escape 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 him

terrible 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!!! 

C'est un livre qui a de gros défauts, mais qui reste une lecture très plaisante !

Je pense que je plus gros point négatif est la temporalité. Elle n'est pas très claire et ça m'a un peu mélangée au fil de ma lecture. Par exemple, Paige, le personnage principal, affirme que ça fait plusieurs jours, voire plusieurs semaines qu'elle est captive, mais l'écriture me donnait l'impression qu'elle l'était depuis peu. 3 jours au maximum. Puis elle parle de toutes ses séances d'entraînement avec Warden, des vestes qu'elle gagne, etc. mais on ne voit que comme 3-4 séances d'entraînement. Bref, il y a beaucoup de temps et d'action qui se passent sans que ça ne soit clair, ce que je trouve étrange. Aussi, plusieurs faits sont simplement dits sans être réellement expliqués, ce qui fait que le world building est moins cohérent, surtout en ce qui a trait au fonctionnement de la société rephaim et à la famille Sargas (qui sont les Sargas, vraiment ? Pourquoi sont-ils au pouvoir ? Combien sont-ils ?

Pourquoi introduire le personnage de Kraz s'il meurt genre 2 pages plus loin et qu'il ne sert pas à grand chose dans l'histoire ?

) Je pense que Shannon voulait mettre trop d'informations, d'éléments et de rebondissements dans un tome, ce qui rend le tout un peu confus, mais prévisible. C'était assez facile d'anticiper ce qui allait se passer malgré tout.

Par contre, le système de magie / voyance est très intéressant ! Il est détaillé, bien construit et plutôt unique. Ça donne envie d'en découvrir plus et de plonger dans l'univers du livre et de la série. Les personnages sont intéressants eux aussi, humains avec leurs qualités et leurs défauts, leurs secrets et la confiance qu'ils s'accordent plus ou moins facilement. Ces éléments sont vraiment ce qui ont gardé mon intérêt tout au long de la lecture ! 

Je vais lire le deuxième tome, me disant que même si ce n'est pas la série du siècle, je vais passer un moment agréable à lire la suite.

I liked this book, but the pacing was so so strange. It was hard to grasp the depth of the story, relationships, and characters sometimes because it was always hard to tell how much time had passed. That being said, I hit a point in the book where I couldn't really put it down so I will read the next few in the series for sure.