Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Bone Season
Author: Samantha Shannon
Genre: Fantasy, Speculative Fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date: August 2013
Hardcover: 280 Pages

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.

Personal view/review
WARNING: MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS

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Review

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.

“Not all of us know what we are. Some of us die without ever knowing. Some of us know, and
never get caught. But we're out there. Trust me.
-Samantha Shannon, The Bone Season

Approaching this book, and reading it, was probably the best thing I did in this month. Coming at it in the beginning was different because I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Prior to reading this amazing book, I had not even the slightest knowledge to what was stored inside. It was more of a “This seems/looks interesting. I think I'll give it a go” kind of book. Normally, in the past, I would rather know a small synopsis of the book before reading it. Which isn't a bad thing, but anyhow, I didn't do that with this one. But I regret nothing.

~Just want to say now that this book does include some language. So just fair warning and something to consider before reading.~

From the very beginning, Samantha Shannon puts no doubt in her reader. She does not start off explaining the story or whats happening. You just dive into this whole new world and have no interpretation to whats going on. I think that's really cleaver and keeps the wheels in your head turning as you try to venture your way through all the things unknown. Throughout the first few chapters you might fell a little bit lost, like you don't understand anything. (However, in the back of the book there is a glossary and it is extremely helpful.) After a while you will understand the strange terms she uses and soon enough you will understand and enjoy the story.

This brilliant novel takes place in 2059. Paige Mahoney, the main character, works for a man named Jaxon Hall, who is a mimelord in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based in Seven Dials. Paige is a dreamwalker. Someone who is capable of moving in and out of the minds of other people. Her job to Jaxon Hall is basically just that, to find useful information by breaking into peoples minds. Like some kind of hacker. Because she is a dreamwalker, she commits treason by just existing. One day, Paige is kidnapped and is transported to Oxford. Oxford is a secret city that has existed for two hundred years. While she is there, Arcturus, Warden of the Mesarthim, a rephaite, becomes her master. From the first day she is chosen by him, they become enemies. Paige can barely stand the sight of him, she hates him so much. If Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die. Her whole goal throughout the entire story is trying to find a way out and back home to Seven Dials. But over the course of time Paige learns more and more about this place she is imprisoned at. She makes a few friends and plans a way to find a way for her and her friends to escape. Nashira, who is Wardens betrothed, is planning on capturing mimelords. She wants to be unstoppable. Personally, I just hate her guts. I could not stand her. She is in a way “Raising” red coats. To become a red coat one must past two different kinds of tests. It will test both their skill (in Paige's case, her skill to unleash her spirit and jump into the minds of others) and their ability to survive. Everyone starts out as white coats. Then if they pass the first test they move on the a to pink coat. If the next one is passed they become a red coat. Thats all I can say. I don't want to say too much of her plans because I don't want to spoil anything.

It may take some time, but you will soon grow to love Warden. I actually started liking him and his mysterious character in the first chapter he gets introduced. You never fully quite know who this person is. But I really liked that about him. Something about him just sucked me in. And might I just say that I absolutely love the love story that unfolds. Yes, yes it will be no secret here that there is, indeed, a love interest. When I was not even half way through the book, I heard that there wasn't no romance. I think its only fair to tell you that there is, and its beautiful. Unlike so many books or movies out there where a couple falls in love after the first day, this story takes time for them to actually realize they are in love. Warden and Paige start out being pure enemies. Slowly, and I mean slowly, they begin to kinda understand one another. Then they become somewhat tolerable with one another. After some time they become allies. He begins to want to help her. Trust is something that they both hold highly, but soon enough that are able to trust each other. They become friends. Then of course find the love. I just think its a wonderful process.

Now, I do want to talk about Paige Mahoney. She is a very strong and determined young woman. She knows what she wants and will have nothing stop her from trying. Honestly, she is like a super hero. Not afraid of a fight or of pain. Seriously, though this girl is tough. It is, at times, some what “annoying” I guess you could say, to how perfect she is. To me it seems like at he beginning of the story she is this strong, epic character and even til the end she holds on to it. There isn't to much character development. Of course she changed in the fact that she learned how to love and how to use her “gift” with more control. But honestly besides that I do think there could have been a time when she was weak and thought everything was lost. She always seems to be powerful and full of ambition. She is amazing though, I just thought that she could have evolved a bit more. But then again there are six more books along the way, so who knows what could happened in those. Overall this story is fantastic and I give it a five out of five stars! Wonderfully written and puts a whole new twist on futurist novels. If you have ever questioned yourself about reading the Bone Season, know that if you do you will not be disappointed. Its has mystery, suspense, love, and awesome characters. I loved it and can not wait for the next one. Samantha Shannon stepped beyond just writing a good book. She carried it up and over excellent.

Review by Hannah Gibbons

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Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent (Divergent #1)

Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publishing Date: May 3rd 2011
Length: 496 pages
Genre: YA, dystopian novel

Summary: Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

(summary from Goodreads)
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Review

What first drew me to this book was the movie trailer. I know, I’m horrible. Totally going against readers rules.

I was in the movie theatre, watching The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and the trailer for Divergent played. I was intrigued but also, turned away. My first thought was "this is gonna be just like Hunger Games."   I have never been so wrong!

After hearing more about this book, I decided to pick it up and read it. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much. I expected some adventure, a futuristic time period and not much else. But, after the first few chapters, I was already obsessed with the book. The story revolves around Beatrice Prior and her struggles trying to find her place. In dystopian Chicago, at the age of 16, she must choose one of five factions to join for life. Being from Abnegation, which is the faction honoring selflessness, she is humble, kind and self-denying. But, even while you’re learning about her character, you detect this hint of wanting more. She does not hate being in Abnegation, but does not like it much either.

I thoroughly enjoy the character of Beatrice, mostly because I can relate to her. She is unlike most famous female characters in that she begins meek. She is a weak girl who is scared, and without courage. But, she chooses Dauntless, where doing insane daredevil things is the norm. Like her, if I’m put in a tense situation where I am out of my comfort zone, I will go through with what I am forced to do. Perhaps that’s what builds her courage; the fact that she is constantly put into situations where she has no other choice. Beatrice (Tris) is a totally wonderful character.

The whole concept of the book did still remind me of The Hunger Games. But, in no way does that make this book unoriginal. Veronica Roth definitely adds her own twist and spunk to the plot, which makes the book just as well done as Hunger Games.

Another character I’d like to point out is Four. I loved him. Of course, you can guess right away that there could be something between him and Beatrice. Her feelings for him are certainly strong. But the process of their relationship is told in a fantastic, clever way. Obviously, he takes particular interest in her from the beginning, and towards the end their relationship materializes into a strong, loving and protective relationship. It just makes me wonder what happens in the other two books in this series, Insurgent and Allegiant.  But, overall, Four was probably my most-liked character besides Tris.

Verdict

In conclusion, this book is to be considered as my new favorite.  The action, adventure and romance kept me going all the way to the end.  It left me wanting to read more, and luckily I can, with two more books after this.  Overall, the book was incredibly amazing and kept me on my toes, just waiting to turn the next page.  The only negative thing about this book for me was the fact that it was very tense at some moments and is not for the faint of heart.  From a scene describing a boy getting his eye stabbed with a knife to Beatrice jumping off of a thousand foot "zipline," I'd suggest that if you have a fear of pain, blood or hights, to maybe skip this book.
But, in conclusion, this book was fantastic and I would read it again in a heartbeat.

Review by Cari Frantz

Check out the author's blog here:  http://www.veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/