Review: The Bone Season (The Bone Season #1) by Samantha Shannon

The Bone Season

(The Bone Season #1)

by Samantha Shannon

August 20, 2013

452 pages

Goodreads  Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

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.

Review

This book totally blew my mind away. The world is amazingly complex. I was definitely out of my mind at times but it was all truly fascinating! So much to absorb and digest. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did but wow I LOVED it! Why hadn't I read it sooner?!?!?

I know some people don't like charts and graphs (people seem to go wild for maps though) but I was super happy with the tools we were equipped with before the story even began. I studied the Seven Orders of Clairvoyance chart, the map of Sheol I and the glossary at the back like it was homework not that I studied very hard when I was still in school :P I went back to it excessively as I sank deeper and deeper into the world. It was like quick sand dragging me under but I didn't mind one bit!

My brain did not fully register the story until I started reading. I mean, I did read that blurb when I decided to buy the book, however, it in no way prepared me for the world hidden in those pages. It was unlike anything I've read before. From the streets of Scion London to the houses in Sheol I, they were unique and rich - masterfully-built. I craved for more!

Paige is a fighter. She can be cold yet so full of emotions. Her decisions to save Warden, multiple times, proves that. The alternating chapters where we got glimpses of her past really solidified her for me. I got to see how what she'd been through in her youth - encountering a poltergeist, witnessing her cousin's indirect death and getting rejected by Nick indirectly - shaped who she was at present. She challenged those who were merciless and stood up for what she believed. I may have a new favourite heroine ;)

Warden is an alien. A very rational and sophisticated one. He exudes calmness and civility which conceals his burning passion to overthrow the Sargas. I loved that! He's sexy without putting any effort into it if that makes any sense ;)

Now, let's talk about Paige and Warden. I wasn't sure if their relationship would be anything more than what was on the surface but I definitely held my breathe for it. I loved the tension between them. You just know there's something there but Shannon made us wait. It was agonizing but the build up was sweet and perfect. Paige and Warden were explosive in the too few pages they showed their desires. So worth the wait! So trust me when I say, you don't want to miss it! 

Every character formed a fundamental block to the plot. Whether it was Liss who helped Paige adjust to the cruelties inside the penal colony, Julian who trusted and fought alongside Paige, Finn who merely made appearances in Paige's memories or even Pleoine who was the first Rephaim Paige ever laid eyes on, they were all essential. The story wouldn't be the same without all these characters, including the vile Nashira. I look forward to seeing what else they can bring to this splendid curious world!

I can say that I was thoroughly addicted to every page of The Bone Season. I can also say that this book is not for everyone. Still, everyone should give it a chance. You could be wowed without even knowing it ;) There is a world of possibilities to the rest of this series and I cannot wait to see where it all leads. I know whatever happens next, I'm taking the front row seat!!

P.S. This was my first attempt at an adult novel and it was a total success~