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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.

I really enjoyed this book overall. The latter half read much faster and was much stronger then the first half in my opinion. I know that a glossary is provided in the back of the book, but I wish the world building had been a bit clearer, as it took a long time to grasp the intricacies of the clairevoyant world, and as I have never visited London/Oxford, I wanted a clearer description of Paige's world. I feel that the author assumes a lot of knowledge of her readers. I'm still eager to continue the series. 

Joa, war gar nicht mal so gut. Zwischen extrem vorhersehbarer Handlung, extrem undurchsichtigem Magiesystem und einer absolut unzusammenhangslos handelnden Hauptperson gab es auch noch ne Menge Nebencharaktere, die mir egal waren, und eine Lovestory, die keine war und es trotzdem geschafft hat, das ganze Buch instantly schlechter zu machen. Hard read, aber 2.5 Sterne weil ich trotzdem zwischenzeitlich weirdly invested war.

The plot concept was interesting but the world is so complex and I am not super big on glossaries in books (they take me out of the narrative a bit) and info dumping through constant flashbacks. It also just felt needlessly long at points and it took me a bit to get back into it after setting it down between reading sessions.

That being said, I did enjoy and found this story interesting and worth exploring. Now that I understand a bit more about the world I think I may continue in the series at some point.

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...

Great world building. Fairly well paced, did hit a bit of a lull in the middle. Well rounded ending but clearly set up for book 2. 

I picked this up having zero ideas on the storyline or world that it was written in. I wanted to go in blind and give myself a blank slate that wasn’t leaning on how much I loved Priory of the Orange Tree. I was surprised when I saw it was set in the future, London, AND had a group of clairvoyants as the main characters. Sign. Me. Up. Now, just as her other work required some time to world-build, this one does too. And it’s slightly confusing, however there’s a handy chart at the beginning that I found myself referring back to frequently. I think a lot of readers were sidelined with the world-building, assuming that a future-state of London wouldn’t require it. But it absolutely does and it is necessary to understand the structures by which this society functions. I found myself wrapped up in new world order doing whatever they could to rid society of “unnaturals”. It was startlingly to see the  extreme measures they were willing to engage it to achieve it. I won’t go into detail on the plot devices given the high spoiler possibilities, though. The detail given to world and the characters operating within it is unmatched. I’m convinced Samantha Shannon sold her soul to write these incredible stories. And for a first novel, too. Well… hot damn, it was worth it. I can’t wait to get the next book!

Je pense qu'avec les livres de Samantha Shannon, c'est quitte ou double. Soit vous appréciez, soit vous détestez. Si j'ai énormément apprécié ma lecture, je dois avouer que j'ai fini par décrocher vers le dernier tiers du roman. Pas parce que l'intrigue devenait pauvre, parce que ce n'est pas le cas, mais par lassitude. J'ai eu l'impression que Paige faisait plus ou moins la même chose durant tout le livre, et au bout d'en moment, j'en ai eu un peu marre.

Le worldbuilding est conséquent, mais j'ai l'impression qu'il était plus facile à appréhender que dans l'ancienne version. Je trouve que les termes spécifiques à l'univers sont plus faciles à retenir. Ou alors, c'est juste parce qu'il s'agit d'une relecture...

L'intrigue est intéressante, j'ai aussi beaucoup aimé l'atmosphère. En revanche, je n'ai pas vraiment réussi à m'attacher aux personnages.

J'apprécie la répartie de Paige, mais parfois il faut savoir garder le silence. Je ne suis pas non plus convaincue par la romance, même si elle n'est que très très secondaire et n'émerge que vers la fin. J'ai aussi trouvé le personnage d'Arcturus assez stéréotypé : grand, brun, beau, mystérieux. Je pourrais certainement davantage l'apprécier s'il était plus développé.

Quoiqu'il en soit, The Bone Season était une bonne lecture et j'ai hâte de lire la suite.