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electraheart05's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow… just wow…
4.5 rounded up to 5
I will write a review tomorrow.
01/08/2023
<Spoiler> involved!!
The first book of 2023 has been read. ‘The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. It’s a dystopian and urban fantasy novel the first in a seven-book series, currently, there are 4 out right now and the 10th anniversary of this book comes out sometime this summer. I loved this book, the magic system and the world-building were so well written. The one critique I will give it is at times it felt like a lot happened and was sometimes confusing. I recommend reading the prequel ‘The Pale Dreamer’ before diving into the main story. It gives context to who the main character is and a little bit of the magic and history of the world. I can't wait to read the next three books.
I love how we do get to see a little bit of enemies to friends to what is hinted at lovers. Warden is such a complex character especially since he is Rephaim, meaning he should be the main enemy but we see him gain the trust of Paige towards the last couple hundred pages of the book. Also, I enjoyed the whole “golden cord” that now connects Paige and Warden together. It reminds me of the red string of fate that is seen in Asian mythology. It’s also reveled that before Paige was even kidnapped that Warden had been watching her and rooting for her.
As a debut novel that was released in 2013 you do see quite a bit of the tropes that became quite popular around that time, especially in books such as ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘A Court of Thrones and Roses’. I do not see it as a negative in The Bone Season I think it really pushes and deepens the world. It is clear to me this was a debut novel it shows in the writing but I actually loved it.
Can’t wait to read the next 3 books!!
P.S.
David’s character is a mystery to me and I don’t know who he really is and if he will be important later on.
4.5 rounded up to 5
I will write a review tomorrow.
01/08/2023
<Spoiler> involved!!
The first book of 2023 has been read. ‘The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. It’s a dystopian and urban fantasy novel the first in a seven-book series, currently, there are 4 out right now and the 10th anniversary of this book comes out sometime this summer. I loved this book, the magic system and the world-building were so well written. The one critique I will give it is at times it felt like a lot happened and was sometimes confusing. I recommend reading the prequel ‘The Pale Dreamer’ before diving into the main story. It gives context to who the main character is and a little bit of the magic and history of the world. I can't wait to read the next three books.
I love how we do get to see a little bit of enemies to friends to what is hinted at lovers. Warden is such a complex character especially since he is Rephaim, meaning he should be the main enemy but we see him gain the trust of Paige towards the last couple hundred pages of the book. Also, I enjoyed the whole “golden cord” that now connects Paige and Warden together. It reminds me of the red string of fate that is seen in Asian mythology. It’s also reveled that before Paige was even kidnapped that Warden had been watching her and rooting for her.
As a debut novel that was released in 2013 you do see quite a bit of the tropes that became quite popular around that time, especially in books such as ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘A Court of Thrones and Roses’. I do not see it as a negative in The Bone Season I think it really pushes and deepens the world. It is clear to me this was a debut novel it shows in the writing but I actually loved it.
Can’t wait to read the next 3 books!!
P.S.
David’s character is a mystery to me and I don’t know who he really is and if he will be important later on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Slavery, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Torture
roisinmarie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Gore, Torture, and Violence
freyleong's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, and Physical abuse
thoughtsontomes's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The most enjoyable parts of this book were the flashbacks to the gang stuff. Otherwise it dragged. When things actually started to get interesting, it jumped in time and skipped all of those bits. Character motivations and actions didn’t make sense and were all covered in mystery to have us as the readers trust it when in reality it was flimsy. The villains were weak and almost every character was one dimensional. The idea of the magic was cool but not enough to make up for everything else. Maybe I would have liked this if I’d have read it when it first came out but my tastes have evolved a lot since then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault and Torture
Possession; ghostswhatjasread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
• was encouraged to read by a pal and was very scared but honestly all worked out
• I adore Paige and Arcturus and the entire gang
• I think I cried twice which surprised me
• bit info dumpy at the start but gradually improves once the action starts
• don’t know if or when I’ll get to the next book but I won’t rule it out!
TWs: blood, child death, vomiting, gore, gun violence, kidnapping, medical content (inc. needles), drugging, murder, sexual assault, slavery (inc. master/slave relationships), torture, violence, xenophobia
• I adore Paige and Arcturus and the entire gang
• I think I cried twice which surprised me
• bit info dumpy at the start but gradually improves once the action starts
• don’t know if or when I’ll get to the next book but I won’t rule it out!
TWs: blood, child death, vomiting, gore, gun violence, kidnapping, medical content (inc. needles), drugging, murder, sexual assault, slavery (inc. master/slave relationships), torture, violence, xenophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit, Torture, Violence, Physical abuse, Medical content, Sexual assault, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Xenophobia
karolinaz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Confinement, Blood, and Body horror
aseel_reads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
why in the WORLD WAS THIS PITCHED WRONG. the blurb was literally the first 3 chapters and then it pivoted so hard and i hated it. the plot was just icky and about halfway i noticed the urgent need for an editor because things just didn't make sense. the plot climax was not good and i hate the 'romance' please no. i definitely won't be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Torture, Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Violence
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, slavery, murder, sexual assault
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon is the first book in the Bone Season series. This book was not quite what I expected it to be, but I enjoyed it quite a lot anyway. It was fascinating learning about all the different types of clarivoyants.
We follow Paige Mahoney, a dreamwalker in the London underground clarivoyant gang, the Seven Seals. In this world, London has been taken over by the Scion regime, which has outlawed being a clarivoyant and has forced those who are to be extremely marginalized. The only voyants that seem to be doing okay in this world are the ones who work for Scion and arrest and attack other voyants. When Paige is captured, she is taken to Sheol I, a penal city for voyants run by otherworldly beings known as the Rephaite. What Paige finds is slavery and inhumane living conditions and horrific abuses.
This was such an in depth and complicated book. The world building was just so much. Luckily it came with its own glossary so I didn't have to Google words every five minutes lol. The beginning was a little slow at first, but things picked up once we got to Sheol I and we start learning about the Rephaite and the Emim. There is just a lot of information packed into the beginning.
I loved Paige's growth as a dreamwalker and learning about the different types of clarivoyants and their abilities. The character growth between Paige and Warden was excellent and complex. There were themes of don't judge someone just for what they are, instead get to know them and not assume. Survival is more important than defiance. Although romance wasn't the main point of the book, I though Shannon did a great job of depicting unrequited love and the experience aspecs have of trying to have sex but not really wanting it. Paige is definitely on the ace spectrum somewhere.
You all know I love a good revolution story, and this is just the beginning of a big one! Definitely looking forward to the rest of the books.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon is the first book in the Bone Season series. This book was not quite what I expected it to be, but I enjoyed it quite a lot anyway. It was fascinating learning about all the different types of clarivoyants.
We follow Paige Mahoney, a dreamwalker in the London underground clarivoyant gang, the Seven Seals. In this world, London has been taken over by the Scion regime, which has outlawed being a clarivoyant and has forced those who are to be extremely marginalized. The only voyants that seem to be doing okay in this world are the ones who work for Scion and arrest and attack other voyants. When Paige is captured, she is taken to Sheol I, a penal city for voyants run by otherworldly beings known as the Rephaite. What Paige finds is slavery and inhumane living conditions and horrific abuses.
This was such an in depth and complicated book. The world building was just so much. Luckily it came with its own glossary so I didn't have to Google words every five minutes lol. The beginning was a little slow at first, but things picked up once we got to Sheol I and we start learning about the Rephaite and the Emim. There is just a lot of information packed into the beginning.
I loved Paige's growth as a dreamwalker and learning about the different types of clarivoyants and their abilities. The character growth between Paige and Warden was excellent and complex. There were themes of don't judge someone just for what they are, instead get to know them and not assume. Survival is more important than defiance. Although romance wasn't the main point of the book, I though Shannon did a great job of depicting unrequited love and the experience aspecs have of trying to have sex but not really wanting it. Paige is definitely on the ace spectrum somewhere.
You all know I love a good revolution story, and this is just the beginning of a big one! Definitely looking forward to the rest of the books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content
bookishchef's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Okay. So.
Up until about 60-70% of this book, I was ready to give it five stars.
I absolutely loved it.
But then it slowly but steadily started shitting the bed.
1. The gold cord plot point thing came out of nowhere and was never really explained. It just seemed like a convenient plot device that did not feel like it belonged in the grim world the author has created.
2. The rebound turned SA scene was completely unnecessary, and seemed like a weird attempt to bestow the main character with more trauma than she already had (and make her be pitied by Warden and the reader).
3. Loss of virginity being described as "an uppercut to the stomach". I hate this trope so much. No, having sex for the first time does not feel like dying. It might hurt (for many people it does not even do that). But it won't feel like being torn in half god dammit.
The average period cramp feels way way way worse unless you have a medical condition like vaginismus.
4. The main character falling in love with her captor/slave master does not sit quite right with me. Even if he treated her nicely, that is still a weird power inbalance that should never lead to a relationship.
5. Teenagers falling for century old creatures just makes me roll my eyes at this point. It weirds me out a bit, and it has been done so so so many times at this point.
Maybe I could deal with it if both characters seemed to be at the same level mentally, but Warden is practically a deity compared to Paige. Not immortal, but infinitely more intelligent and quite obviously so so so much older (and not to forget, her literal owner). From the way he behaves, to the way he speaks: it has middle aged man dating teenager vibes.
So yeah. This was a fun but very mixed bag. I ordered book 2 when I was about 60% into the book because I was sure I would love it at that point. But now that love has become a begrudging like.
I enjoyed this book for the most part, but some things cannot be unseen once you see them.
Up until about 60-70% of this book, I was ready to give it five stars.
I absolutely loved it.
But then it slowly but steadily started shitting the bed.
2. The rebound turned SA scene was completely unnecessary, and seemed like a weird attempt to bestow the main character with more trauma than she already had (and make her be pitied by Warden and the reader).
3. Loss of virginity being described as "an uppercut to the stomach". I hate this trope so much. No, having sex for the first time does not feel like dying. It might hurt (for many people it does not even do that). But it won't feel like being torn in half god dammit.
The average period cramp feels way way way worse unless you have a medical condition like vaginismus.
4. The main character falling in love with her captor/slave master does not sit quite right with me. Even if he treated her nicely, that is still a weird power inbalance that should never lead to a relationship.
5. Teenagers falling for century old creatures just makes me roll my eyes at this point. It weirds me out a bit, and it has been done so so so many times at this point.
Maybe I could deal with it if both characters seemed to be at the same level mentally, but Warden is practically a deity compared to Paige. Not immortal, but infinitely more intelligent and quite obviously so so so much older (and not to forget, her literal owner). From the way he behaves, to the way he speaks: it has middle aged man dating teenager vibes.
So yeah. This was a fun but very mixed bag. I ordered book 2 when I was about 60% into the book because I was sure I would love it at that point. But now that love has become a begrudging like.
I enjoyed this book for the most part, but some things cannot be unseen once you see them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Classism, Cursing, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Torture
readandfindout's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.25
Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 2 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Themes: 2 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Physical abuse, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault and Gun violence