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A review by ruthypoo2
The Pale Dreamer by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This novella was a quick read and good introduction into the series The Bone Season. Although this is a fantasy thriller set a few decades into the future, the world described is easily relatable to the current. The primary character is Paige Mahoney, originally from Ireland but now living in London. Paige is learning to accept her gift of being a clairvoyant, but the problem is that people identified as unnaturals by the government known as Scion are outlawed, and this includes clairvoyants.
Luckily, Paige has been given an opportunity to prove herself through the employment offered to her by Jaxon Hall, who holds a very powerful position of authority in a district of London called the Seven Dials. As part of Jaxon's crew, the Seven Seals, Paige will develop her powerful clairvoyance skill and in this short story she will learn to use it as a tool to hunt down and capture a dangerous poltergeist.
Other primary characters are integral to this story, including Nick and Eliza who are also members of the Seven Seals. There's a bit of backstory on most of the main characters, but it really focuses on and is told from the POV of Paige. This is a nicely written, fast paced story with action and intrigue. While the reader will not completely understand the world and dynamics of The Bone Season series, this fast read is a good place to start.
Luckily, Paige has been given an opportunity to prove herself through the employment offered to her by Jaxon Hall, who holds a very powerful position of authority in a district of London called the Seven Dials. As part of Jaxon's crew, the Seven Seals, Paige will develop her powerful clairvoyance skill and in this short story she will learn to use it as a tool to hunt down and capture a dangerous poltergeist.
Other primary characters are integral to this story, including Nick and Eliza who are also members of the Seven Seals. There's a bit of backstory on most of the main characters, but it really focuses on and is told from the POV of Paige. This is a nicely written, fast paced story with action and intrigue. While the reader will not completely understand the world and dynamics of The Bone Season series, this fast read is a good place to start.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death