I bumped this 3.5 to 4 because it really, IMO, deserves more than 3. It got a bit confusing at times, but was ultimately enjoyable and I look forward to more. Apparently a LOT more as there are supposed to be 7 books.

I may be at the start of being too old to enjoy these series that will take me into my 60's. I may back up and start re-reading some past series for a while--maybe that will get me thru a few years. I can't take the waiting anymore.

Anyway--its a good book and recommended if you don't mind the wait. ( )

In an alternate Britain, clairvoyants are classified as 'unnaturals' and are therefore in constant danger of arrest; those who commit mime-crime, like Paige Mahoney, are committing treason by the simple act of breathing. When a journey on the Tube goes disastrously wrong, she is arrested and taken to a prison camp in Oxford, where those in charge want her to use her abilities for their own benefit.

I agree with another reviewer that the author throws the reader in at the deep end in terms of unfamiliar vocabulary and, by extension, the worldbuilding; I had to look up a few terms in the glossary after the first chapter and then re-read it, which was very worthwhile because after that I was fully immersed in the world Samantha Shannon creates. Despite some reservations, for example some well-worn YA tropes where I caught myself rolling my eyes, I found the story surprisingly gripping, and I finished the book in what counts for me as record time. I definitely want to find out how the story continues after that cliffhanger ending.

** I was reading the 10th Anniversary Edition. ( )

3.5ish.
This is very different from what I was expecting to read, yet the whole thing had me continually intrigued about what was going to happened next and I ended up pretty absorbed by the overall plot of "The Bone Season". Shannon really just throws the reader right into the thick of things and the first few chapters feels like running a race to try and keep up with what’s happening, but if given a chance I think there is a lot to enjoy about this book, like the cool magic/power system and the layers of scheming that is happening at every turn.

However, the worldbuilding is a bit underdeveloped, and I was struggling to understand how this world operates. There is also quite a lack of vibes (for lack of a better word) between the two main characters; I wasn't really believing the romance even at the close of the book.

I do think this feels very much like a debut novel, so reading it after “The Priory of the Orange Tree” (where Shannon’s writing is MUCH more mature and consistent) was a bit odd. However, I really wanna know how things end so I’ll be reading the rest of the series! ( )

I really give this 3.5 stars. I started out with 4 but had to remove a star.

I don't even know how to start this review...

I guess I'll start with the subject matter...ghosts, parapsychology, 'giests, it's got it! That was what brought me to the book in the first place. But, I felt like I was just throw into this world too quickly w/out enough explanation.

But, I got through it and figured out what most of the new terms meant not realizing there was a glossary at the back of the book since I was reading the Kindle edition.

That said, I'm still confused. Can someone tell me...how does throwing a "spooled" ghost at someone hurt them? Why would that ghost want to hurt them unless it was one your ghosts?
There's never really much or any talking to ghosts in this book but there they are all the time. So, do people talk to ghosts or just use them to hurt other people?

And, can we have authors stop writing books as if they are movies? I just want a book that ends with an ending and not with a cliffhanger that makes me wait a year or two for another book and that is written completely for a movie from the get go. Ugh!

But, again, I liked the essence of the story. I thought a bit too much time (at least 3/4) of the book was spent on Paige's hatred of what was so clearly a "warden" that wasn't going to do her harm and who didn't hate her.

What did you guys think? ( )

This was more of a 3.5 star book for me. It had a great beginning and a great ending but it really lost me in the middle. I almost didn't finish because the book took such an unusual turn after the fantastic start. I am not going to lie, I thought the story about a girl who could control ghosts in a twisted version of London was way more interesting than what happens after she is captured. I finished but honestly don't know if I will read the next one.

( )