The Bone Season - Book Review

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There have been a lot of pretty epic book series in the past. Dune. The Lord of the Rings. Harry Potter. And I'm pleased to announce that a new one has just started.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon is a pretty impressive first book in a seven-book series. Actually, it's a pretty impressive first book period. A little part of me is jealous that Samantha Shannon, who is younger than me, has made her literary debut with this novel. Also, she got to work with Andy Serkis (aka Gollum) because his film company optioned the film rights for this book series. (I wonder if she made him say, "My precious!" in her presence. I know I would have.)

So, let's get to the book, shall we?

In the year 2059, the city of London is kept safe by a security system called Scion. This system weeds out ordinary humans from humans with the ability to interact with spirits. Technically, being a clairvoyant is illegal, but that doesn't stop Paige Mahoney from using her clairvoyant power of dreamwalking to work for the criminal underground. When Paige's luck runs out and she is arrested because of her power, she finds herself not in a Scion prison, but in an area called Sheol I where Oxford, England used to be. In Sheol, her powers are accepted and the ones called Rephs will train her to use her power. But only because they want to use her and other clairvoyants as weapons to ultimately take control of the human world. Paige has to quickly discover who she can and cannot trust in Sheol if she means to save not only herself but the rest of the clairvoyants.

Wow. Just wow.

I love the world that Samantha Shannon has created. It's rich in characters, history, romance, and action. Plus, it's got an independent female lead who doesn't need a dude to save her, though she isn't going to pass up the opportunity to kiss him if it arises.

Can't wait for all the other books in the series. Can't wait to see this on the big screen.

The Bone Season is available to purchase now. It is published by Bloomsbury USA. I received a free Advance Review Copy when I attended Book Expo America in May.