When I first started The Bone Season, we had a rocky relationship. Until I was about twenty pages in, I absolutely loathed it. There was a huge info dump and I found it so confusing to keep up with all the terms and I wasn’t sure how I’d manage to read through it all. Thankfully, things picked up and I then loved it.
The Bone Season is set in alternate version of Earth, where the government, Scion, monitor the population for those people with extraordinary powers: clairvoyants. A member of one of London’s clairvoyant circles, Paige Mahoney spends her life trying to act normal to her father, whilst hiding from Scion. Just by breathing, she is committing high treason. Just by breathing, Scion has an excuse to kill her.
Once the plot starts running, The Bone Season will be constantly glued to your hand. Its charms are irresistible! The overall plot is intricately planned and flows really well. There were so many twists and turns, I think I got whiplash. You couldn’t say that this was predictable in any way because I was constantly sat on the edge of my seat.
I liked Paige, but I didn’t love her. She got better as the book went on but at the start I felt like I didn’t know her well enough. I did, however, admire her determination and will because she certainly didn’t give up.
Warden. What can I say about Warden that will make him sound as amazing as he actually is? He was so intense and passionate. I really liked seeing him develop as the novel went on and as we got to know him better. I need the second book now just so I can read more about him!
I did like the secondary characters and am looking forward to seeing them develop further in the coming novels. There was more of a focus on Nick and Jaxon and the other members of the clairvoyant group rather than the people in Oxford. I’d like to see more characterisation given to the Oxford dwellers in the second novel because I don’t feel as attached to them as I probably should at the moment.
I loved the writing style of The Bone Season. It really allows the reader to see into Paige’s mind and see how she’s feeling. This definitely wouldn’t have had the same effect were it written in third person.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series and it’s certainly not a novel I’m going to forget in a hurry. A highly recommended book by a debut author I can’t wait to see more from.
12 Comments
Francoise
19 August, 2013 at 6:26 amI’m so glad you liked this novel! Bloomsbury is holding an event in Sydney tomorrow and they giving them out for free!!! I sadly can’t go but Sunny said she’ll try her hardest to get me one. The summary sounded amazing and now your review makes me so excited to read it.
Brilliant review as always.
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Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
19 August, 2013 at 12:14 pmI absolutely loved this novel, the start was difficult for me but from then on- everything was epic. WARDEN <33
Fantastic review, hon! <33
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Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***
19 August, 2013 at 4:44 pmAhh you liked this one so much better than I did! I feel like such a black sheep, though, for not liking it as much as everybody obviously has. I agree, the beginning was really info-dumpy, but unfortunately for me it didn’t get any better D: I can see why you really loved Warden, though.
Fantastic review, Lucy! <33
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Caitlin
19 August, 2013 at 10:53 pmI’m totally in 2 minds about whether to read this! I’ve heard a lot about how info-dumpy it is, but it sounds like it does actually redeem itself and I am intrigued by Warden…may have to read it. Thanks for the review 🙂
Cait x
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Annette
20 August, 2013 at 3:47 amI agree about the not being able to forget — I read this a while back, and it has really stuck with me. Can’t wait for the next book! Great review!
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Zoe @ Bookhi
20 August, 2013 at 5:32 pmI marked this one as a DNF… but after your brilliant review, I feel disappointed that I don’t feel the same way. I have a feeling that this book is going to be huge, but I couldn’t slip into the world and enjoy the story. Glad you enjoyed it though 🙂 Great review, as always.
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Rebekah @ Reflections of a Bookworm
20 August, 2013 at 8:14 pmEeeeek! Imagine if you’d given up 20 pages in?! So so happy you liked Bone Season 😀 Warden sounds pretty awesome too 😉 Can’t wait to read it! Great review, Lucy 🙂
(Just realised how much I like smiley faces) :S
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Danielle
21 August, 2013 at 11:37 pmDelighted you enjoyed this one, it sounds so good! So looking forward to trying it!
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Cicely
24 August, 2013 at 2:00 pmI’ve heard a lot of mixed things about this book, but I think reading your review has made me really want to read it now. It sounds really good. Great review!
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August Wrap Up (2013) - Queen of Contemporary
1 September, 2013 at 4:00 am[…] The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon; The Elites by Natasha Ngan; The Duff by Kody Keplinger; The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa; The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa; Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire; The Distance Between Us by Kasie West; Losing It by Cora Carmack; Faking It by Cora Carmack; The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle; All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill; The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan; Keeping Her by Cora Carmack; All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry; Shadowhunter’s Guide: City of Bones by Mimi O’Connor; Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett; Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein; United We Spy by Ally Carter. […]
Gina Callaway
22 September, 2013 at 3:49 amI won this one in a giveaway. I’ve read mixed reviews. Yours happens to be the MOST positive one I’ve read. In fact you’ve given me a renewed passion to read this one sooner than later. I wish there was more time in the day. I’m going to remember this one has a bit of a slow start so I don’t get disappointed.
Lucy Powrie
22 September, 2013 at 4:42 pmIt took me around 20 pages to get into it, but after that it’s really good. Don’t give up!
I hope you enjoy it, Gina!