Title: The Bone Season
Author: Samantha Shannon
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Synopsis: In 2059, Scion has taken over most of the world's cities, promising safety for all the citizens it deems worthy and wiping out clairvoyants wherever it can find them. Paige Mahoney, though, is a clairvoyant--and a criminal just for existing. Paige is determined to fight Scion's power, and as part of the Seven Seals, Paige has found a use for her powers: she scouts for information by breaking into others' minds as they dream. But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city, 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.
Review: What a wild ride! I didn’t read the synopsis before diving into this book, so I did not know what to expect. At first, I struggled with the complexity of world building. Trying to keep up with the different voyants left my eyes glazed over with confusion, but after a few chapters, things fell into place.
Connecting with Paige Mahoney was a simple task. Her vulnerability and internal flaws made her a relatable character. She’s no Mary Sue. Paige is a girl who doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty to defend those she loves.
The slower pacing sped up once Paige arrived at the prison. The vibe of said prison gave me the creeps, in a good way. I love when an author transports you to another world. The mysterious Rephaim made me quite uncomfortable. Where do they come from? Why do they feed on voyants? As soon as Warden walked onto the page, I knew we had an ‘enemies to lovers’ troupe. The unveiling of his double life was the best part of the book.
The Bone Season is a wonderful debut and a solid start to a series I plan on continuing.
Triggers/Warnings: some adult language, scary imagery
Plot: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Escapism Factor: 4/5
Emotional Connection: 5/5
Character Development: 4/5
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Completed Read: February 2021
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