I read "The Bone Season" (the first book in the series) to kick off the new year, and even though it took me a little while to feel settled, I ended up really loving it. I couldn't stop thinking about it and really wanted to find out what happened to Paige, so I decided to go ahead and jump into the second book. I have to say, this is the perfect example of a second book in a series being even better than the first. It was packed with tension, action, and even deeper character development.

 

The book picks up right after the events of the first book. Paige, our fierce and determined protagonist, has narrowly escaped the horrifying penal colony of Sheol I, but freedom is fleeting. Now back in Scion London, Paige is a fugitive, branded a threat to society, and hunted by both the authorities and the Rephaim she left behind. But Paige isn't exactly safe at home with her section of Rebels. Jaxon, their leader, is a violent man who is hungry for power. When the ruler of the Underworld dies, it's time for a new leader. Jaxon decides he will fight for the title with Paige by his side. If he wins, he may be able to help keep Paige safe, but she fears what might happen to the others in the syndicate. Jaxon is a dangerous man - but Paige is two steps ahead of him.

 

The series - especially this book -  is structured like a political thriller mixed with an urban fantasy. The stakes keep escalating, and the mystery surrounding the Rephaim, Scion, and the syndicate deepens. The pacing is deliberate at times, allowing for rich world-building, but when the action kicks in, it really kicks in. The final act is a masterclass in tension and suspense, with a dramatic climax that flips everything on its head.

 

In this book, Shannon has expanded on her intricate, immersive world. This time around, the structure of Scion's criminal underbelly takes center stage, and we get a much deeper understanding of the syndicate's power dynamics. The clairvoyant community is divided into different mime-lords and mime-queens, each ruling over their own domains with ruthless cunning. This book gives readers a front-row seat to the political intrigue and cutthroat maneuvering of this underground society, culminating in a high-stakes battle for dominance.

 

"The Bone Season" introduced Paige as a resilient but uncertain young woman, and this novel sees her stepping into her own as a leader. Her character growth is one of the novel's most compelling aspects. She's no longer just a dreamwalker trying to survive - she's beginning to recognize the corruption within the syndicate and questioning whether Jaxon is truly the best person to hold power.

 

Speaking of Jaxon, we got a taste of him in the first novel, but his true character comes out in this book. Charismatic yet ruthless, he is both a protector and a manipulator, and his dynamic with Paige is captivating. The tension between them escalates as Paige starts to realize that she might not want to follow him blindly anymore. Watching her wrestle with difficult choices and ultimately take bold action is immensely satisfying.

 

And then there's Warden. I loved him in the first book, and while he is absent for much of the novel, his eventual return was more than welcome. The slow-burn tension between him and Paige continues to simmer, adding an emotional layer to the otherwise action-packed narrative.

 

And can we talk about that ending? The last few pages redefine everything that came before, leaving Paige (and the audience) at a crossroads that promises even more conflict and revolution in the books to come.

 

I found this to be a spectacular continuation of the Bone Season series. It expands on the world, deepens its characters, and sets the stage for even greater conflicts. Samantha Shannon's writing is immersive, her characters complex and compelling, and her plot full of twists and turns that keep you glued to the page. If you weren't sold on the first book, this sequel just might change your mind. It's a gripping, unpredictable, and richly detailed story that left me eager to dive into book three.