Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine—a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut. 

When I got this for Christmas, I had two feelings: total excitement and a bit of wariness. From the reviews I read, I was scared I would just not get this book. Thankfully, this was not the case!

Paige was my favorite type of heroine. She is very headstrong and beyond loyal. She would risk her own life for her friends. She was hesitant to trust, but with good reason. She’s super stubborn and rebellious, not that I blame her, because it is her defense mechanism. She’s so dang kick-ass!

I’ll admit I was extremely hesitant about Warden. He’s immediately portrayed as the enemy but I always knew there was something more to him. He’s multilayed, and he’s at his best when he is vulnerable and completely honest. He did make some mistakes, but I forgave him pretty quickly. I completely adored him, especially at the end of the book.

There were a lot of secondary characters but my favorite was Nick. He always helped Paige out when she needed it and he was super sweet. I had mixed feelings about Jaxon, Paige’s ‘boss’. I don’t know if he wants to help Paige or take advantage of her powers. And I hate Nashira with a burning passion. I hope she gets what is coming for her.

The plot was very unique. I thought, from the review I read, that I would be super confused because there is a lot of world building. I can see how it would be confusing but I kept up pretty well. The writing was exquisitely beautiful. ‘Nuff said. I knew the romance was coming, but it was still unexpected for me. There was no insta-love, like, or even tolerability; it was insta-hate. But it developed so slowly and wonderfully that I loved every second of it. You will too!

There isn’t a title or even a release date for this book! I am so excited for book 2, whenever it should come out.

Favorite Swoon-worthy Quote: His breath was hot. The kiss was slow. Don’t stop, don’t stop. I couldn’t think of anything but those words: don’t stop. His hands ran up my sides, my back, and clasped me. He lifted me onto a crate. I placed my hand against his neck. I felt the thick beat of him. His rhythm. My rhythm.

Rating: 5/5 Tar Heels!