This book was fantastic. I've been a fan of the Bone Season series from the beginning and this book was worth the long wait. The book starts directly from where the last one left off, so I definitely recommend re-reading the first 3 before reading this one.

As this book mainly takes place in Paris, we get a whole new host of characters, while also getting to see quite a few characters from the other 3 books. It was great to see how Paige's relationships with these characters evolve, and how Paige evolves herself. I feel like out of all of the books, Paige has the most character development in this book. Although it was hard to read at times, I feel that the author did a great job at showing Paige's struggle with PTSD, and how she uses her struggles to grow as a person. It was also really nice to finally get some answers to some burning questions from the first 3 books. Yet at the same time, some revelations led to even more questions.

4 stars because while it was fantastic, it did have some pacing issues. I felt like the book was 90% action. I also had issues keeping all of the characters straight, because there were so many new ones in this book, on top of the characters from the first 3 books. I'm also not sure how I feel about some of the decisions the author made (no spoilers!), but it really depends on how those choices affect the rest of the series. I'm already waiting on the next book to come out to see where the story goes!

Wonderfully dense and thrilling to read - I only began reading this series this year, specifically so I could review this book and it's one of the best choices I've made in a while. Great characters, dense worldbuilding and thrilling stakes make this impossible to put down.

Full review on Culturess.com closer to the release date!

The Mask Falling is the fourth book of the Bone Season series, which started in 2013 with plans for seven novels. It begins immediately where the third volume ended, with Paige and Warden escaping London for Paris. But Paige is reeling from weeks of torture and is surrounded by multiple new factions, each with their own conflicting interests— the mysterious Domino Syndicate currently providing shelter, the Parisian underworld, and the French government. And for the first time, Paige and Warden are something close to equal footing.

The Bone Season originally struck me as an odd novel. It had a ton of backstory, an alternate history to puzzle through, and a dizzying hierarchy of psychic powers that I originally felt detracted from the plot. But all of the careful work built in prior books— the complex personal histories, the mess of assorted secret networks, the mass of psychic powers— comes together magnificently here. The drama, the reveals, the reveals ON TOP of reveals…! I'm rating this 4.5 stars, rounded to 5, for that planning and payoff.

To sum up, this was fantastic, and I am rather traumatized. Not just by this volume, but the prospective wait for the fifth!

Note: I had no issue returning to the series after a lengthy break, but there is a handy guide in the back of the book with character names and summaries.

She’s been called many names: Paige Mahoney, the Pale Dreamer, the Black Moth, dream walker, voyant, Underqueen and revolutionary. In this novel Paige struggles to know who she is anymore because she is broken after enduring brutal torture at the hands of the Sargas. She is rescued by Warden Arcturus from her captivity and this story begins with them fleeing to Paris. There, Paige tries to rebuild herself and the fight against Scion and the Rephaim. The world of these novels grows vastly in “The Mask Falling”, encompassing much of the globe and so many plots. Shannon sets the stage for an impressive epic battle.

What I loved was that Paige and Arcturus spent almost the entire story together- I love their story and every time she resists that relationship I just want to scream at her. But, maybe it’s an inevitable part of her journey that she needs to grow into the ability to have a relationship. After all, despite the fact that she’s a queen and warrior, she is also a twenty year girl who has never been in a relationship, let alone, one with an immortal ,otherworldly, gloriously hot being.

Where I was frustrated was with the bleakness of this part of the story. In every other installment, while there are tragedies and setbacks there are also fist-pumping moments of victory. When I reached the last page of this novel I was literally flipping back and forth looking for more, thinking I must have somehow skipped over something because I couldn’t believe that was how it was ending! I really do love so much about this book and this series but where it stopped this time was painful and unsatisfying to the reader. Also, because of the gap between the last novel and this one, It was difficult at the beginning to get into it and remember what had happened previously. I desperately hope that it is not another four years in between novels. I remain hopeful and look forward to more exciting Bone Season stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bloomsbury for allowing me to read and review an ARC.

I screwed up and didn’t realize this was in the middle of a series. So confusion aside the writing was well done and I now need to go back to read from the beginning

“Years I had dreamed of leaving England, but never as contraband. Damaged contraband.”

The Mask Falling picks up where Shannon’s previous installment, The Song Rising, left off. Paige Mahoney has escaped the Scion Citadel of London and now finds herself in France, with Arcturus Mesarthim at her side. They are both fugitives, on the run from Scion. In France, Paige is forced to reconcile the after-effects of the torture she endured in The Song Rising. Furthermore, she must also continue her work to strengthen the Mime Order and in order to defeat Scion and the Rephaite. In her quest to defeat Scion, Paige finds herself entwined in the Domino Programme, an active spy ring, and the Court of Miracles, the French equivalent of the Mime Order.

When I received an email notifying me that the publisher had granted me access to a digital ARC, I literally jumped for joy. I have been a big fan of the Bone Season books, oftentimes finding myself devouring these books or constantly thinking about the characters, plot, and world when I was not able to read. The Mask Falling is no exception. Once again, I found myself engrossed by Samantha Shannon’s writing and world-building. Shannon continues to develop her robust universe by allowing the reader a glimpse into the Republic of Scion France and the development of Sheol II.

In addition to continuing to develop a robust world, Shannon also writes some amazing character development for Paige and Arcturus. I love where Shannon took the relationship between Paige and Arcturus in The Mask Falling and I don’t think other fans of the series will be disappointed. Shannon also introduces new characters, who I quickly grew to love (or love-hate). Of course, Shannon also brings back several characters from previous books. Two of those reintroductions were surprising for me, but they blend nicely into the plot of The Mask Falling so they did not feel jarring or out of place.

Ultimately, The Mask Falling is a note-worthy installment in the Bone Season series. The book concludes with a substantial cliff-hanger. Be prepared for an ending that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the next installment hits stores in (what I am assuming will be) several years. However, given Shannon’s skill as a writer, I firmly believe the wait will be worth it.

The Mask Falling is the next installment in The Bone Season series, and probably my favorite one yet. The book picks up following Paige Mahoney's escape to Scion-controlled Paris. Samantha Shannon once again does a brilliant job at world-building, crafting a magnificent dystopian Paris that you have no choice but to be pulled in. While this book mainly follows the journey of Paige and Warden as they continue their path towards the revolution, we are introduced to new characters and see the return of some familiar faces (some that are more welcome than others). This installment provided a rollercoaster of emotions that keep the reader guessing at every turn. Readers will be thrilled to finally receive some much needed moments between Paige and Warden, and revelations that may change their relationship forever. If you have not read the entire Bone Season series recently, I definitely recommend a refresher read as this book really builds on everything we have learned so far.

This book is the much needed (and heartbreakingly so) middle book that has set the pace for the rest of the series. As soon as I finished the book all I could say was - what. just. happened. Plot twists, revelations, betrayals, redemption, love, heartbreak, and uncertainty for the future of Paige, Warden, and the revolution leave us hanging at the end of the book. I can't wait for the next book and I can not BELIEVE that we were left with that ending. I am on the edge of my seat hoping that the next book comes out quickly and answers all of my outstanding questions! Reader beware - there is quite a large glossary at the end of the novel which leads you to believe you are not actually at the end of the book until you suddenly are.

Heart-wrenching. Raw. Quiet. Visceral. Shattering. Tender. An absolute roller coaster of emotions in this brilliant installment of the Bone Season series. For all who have been waiting so patiently for Paige and Warden's story to continue, you will not be disappointed, on the contrary, your dreamscape will be left as cracked as Paige's. The story picks up immediately after Paige & Warden have left England for Paris to hide and recover in a safe house. The rawness with which Samantha takes you through Paige's journey of trying to heal from not only the physical wounds, but most importantly, the psychological scars of her torture at the hands of Scion, is authentic and heart breaking. With Warden steadfast at her side, Paige struggles to cope with the fear and panic as she works with the Domino Programme as an intelligence agent. The assignments that the Domino Programme sends her on lead her to revelations that will shake her relationship with Warden and her understanding of the greater threat to all of Europe under Scion. The story brings in new characters and allies for Paige while reuniting us with some from the past, all while upping the stakes and danger for Paige and the revolution. The descriptions of the underground world of Paris are remarkable and unsettling all at the same time.
Throughout the series, the moments between Paige and Warden have always been some of the most anticipated and for those wanting more of the two of them together in those quiet moments, this book delivers in spades. The starts, stops, steps forward, and backwards in their relationship have all lead to the moments of truth. and clarity that pervade the story from the beginning to the end. This book left me absolutely reeling at the end with all the twists, revelations, betrayals and a shattering conclusion that will leave you stunned. What the future now holds for Paige and Warden is so unknown that the wait for the next book will be excruciating A truly brilliant continuation of this series that I cannot recommend enough.

This might be my favorite of the series so far. As others have mentioned this one has more of a spy novel feel which is super enjoyable. It was great to get to know Paige more as she grows both as an individual and as the Black Moth. The author did a great job of leveraging the deep and vibrant history of Paris and weaving it into this new world of Scion, Rephs and Voyants. My only complaint was every now and then Paige would do something that was so obviously stupid that I wanted to scream at her, but I guess that's the curse of the reader. Overall enjoyed and recommend.

I received an ARC from NetGalley of this book. It was thrilling, and I couldn’t stop reading. I loved it.

The mask falling is like a shot of adrenaline, mixed a cocktail of heartache, twists, turns, and betrayals. The fourth book In the bone season series plants you in the heart of the citadel of Scion Paris, and is as much an ode to the city of light as it is to Paige’s story. This instalment will have fans screaming for the next.

Upon picking up where the last book ends, we see Paige Mahoney (Underqueen, Black Moth & bane of Scions existence) escaping to Scion Paris with Warden by her side. On a quest to find Shoal II, make new alliances & hunt old foes. The reader is taken on exciting journey though Scion France. This one will keep you up all night reading. ENJOY the ride!

Samantha Shannon, as always, is infuriatingly masterful. I cackle, cheer, weep, but ultimately cannot put the book down.

A Dystopian Paris and its underground of Carnival-esque anormaux (clairvoyants) is the perfect setting to let Paige take off in in this middle book in the series - because this is the TOUGH LOVE book that comes in the middle of a series (where her struggles abound internally and externally) and I needed that french eccentric flair to give some light in the darkness to this installment.

For longtime fans of the series, Shannon's finally going to answer some of the questions that have been lingering for a while (a couple of them some readers are probably already pretty sure about but will be happy to have confirmation on), and will get another layer of interest/understanding in terms of the "powers" that exist in this world, via new and returning characters...and for those wondering....Shannon does finally throw the romantic reader a bone - before heartlessly wresting it away (not going to lie, I wanted to throw my e-reader across the room at that point, but I got over it...sort of).

This is the kind of middle book in a series that I love to hate - its the kind where I need the whole series to be out already so I can immediately read the next one and get some good news - so its a little painful knowing I'm going to have to wait and not be able to immediately move on from my angst and sadness for Paige.

And finally even though I actually really like cliffhanger endings...I HATE the trope it embraced (and even though it was foreshadowed through out the book....I kept pleading, please don't use that please don't use that) I really hope the next book does not rely on that as the main concept of holding her back to buy more time in the series - everything is already out to get her...do we really need that too? (I know, I know - Kill Your Darlings!)

Final Verdict: Necessary to the Series but Cruel. Somewhere, around the end of book seven when I know things are going to be okay I will probably feel a lot better about this book in the series, at that point I will be able to wax glorious about how much I really loved Shannon's version of Paris and its underground and how I was really grateful about that romantic bone she tossed me....

The Bone Season is dystopian.
The Mime Order is a mystery.
The Song Rising is adventure.

This book is a spy thriller, and get ready... because it's the best of the bunch.

Paige Mahoney has been trapped and tortured, and has been smuggled out of the Scion Citadel of London to far away Paris. She knows the name of the group that rescued her, but she doesn't know what to expect from them. She's suffering from extreme PTSD (Shannon's amazing novella The Dawn Chorus works through much of this process, and I highly recommend reading it prior to this book. While TMF does cover this personal work extensively, it bridges the challenge of the initial days after trauma), but she isn't in Paris alone, she has her confidante, Warden with her.
Yes, you read that right.
We are finally getting another book with Warden as the other main character, and it was E X A C T L Y what I'd been craving (for years now. No exaggeration).

I don't want to risk spoiling any major plot points, but I will say this- the world building grows significantly here. Seeds that were dropped in the first few books do start to come to fruition, and most of them were not things I would have ever expected. Samantha Shannon's writing is tighter than ever before, and you can tell the care and effort that was put into this installment.

As for plot development and pacing... well, wow.
Things took a bit to get started, but the pacing worked well with what Paige was experiencing. She needed time to work through the trauma, and this book well highlights how trauma isn't something one just gets over.
It was a soft pace at first...
But then there was a certain cave, and an escape, and some things happened that actually made me scream out loud. And then I cried. And then I read for the next four hours without coming up for air, finished the book, and then screamed again (into the void, because I have nobody to talk to about THAT ENDING).

Just read it. It is so, SO good. I'm going to have a really hard time waiting for the next installment.

When the book physically comes out, my plan is to reread the first three over again and launch directly into this one (I've preordered the signed edition for my personal collection) for a second time to help round out my memory. This was a 5/5 experience for me.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the digital ARC of this title. Opinions are my own.

The world of The Bone Season series has expanded gradually and we start to gain a fuller picture of what Scion is up to in the latest book. The Mask Falling has enough twists and turns to make devoted fans question their footing, and enough squishy moments to make us happy. The best installment yet!

I picked up this eARC after handselling "Priory of the Orange Tree" - despite having read none of the previous titles in the series, I was able to understand the world, the story, and the characters' motivations. That's a fantastic talent to have as a writer!

This book was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Although I guessed a few things (Cordier), there was plenty of twists and turns I did not expect and I was left happily confused at the end (but also dying because THAT ENDING) in that I'm not sure where anyone stands for the last three books other than a couple of characters and I love how for this middle book to end middle books, Samantha Shannon really mixed up everything we knew and continued to heavily build on the mythos. Cade's character is an amazing 'addition' to the books. My non-spoilery review is just one big scream of excitement!

A cargo shop is sailing from Dover. Which is at the port Calais and it's year 2060. All the passengers of flight 16 have sold out loved ones marked them as traitors. Paige's father has been summoned to London. I like Calais as a name not just a place. I liked Paige.