Priory of the Orange Tree is one of my favourite stories which opened me up to the world of Samantha Shannon. I saw that her Bone Season was popular, and that the tenth anniversary edition was being released, so I thought when better to dive into a new (to me) series?

The story is beautifully written. The character development has you connecting and feeling every single one. I don’t really care for master/lover tropes… but this was done, differently- allowing me to not get angry and losing interest in the story itself. The world building is brilliant. I am eager to continue further into the rest of the series.

I never read the original version of The Bone Season so I cannot make comparisons, but I can review this revised edition and am happy to do so.

There is something that sets Samantha Shannon's writing apart from her peers. Everything that I have read by her has been incredibly impressive. Where I think a lot of authors in modern fantasy tend to lean into tropes, similar elements, and similar plot points and formulas, Samantha Shannon has been able to create original characters in original settings with original conflicts and original abilities. While her stories do tend to be long, I don't ever feel that it hinders my enjoyment because the story is substantial and satisfying.

With The Bone Season, I didn't really know what to expect going into it. I went into it as blind as possible for a book that's been out 10 years. I liked Paige a lot as a character, and I found myself really intrigued by this sort of alternate future she exists in. I found myself thinking that the first third of the book is set up like the first act of an rpg video game, where you really learn a lot a about the world through her conversations with other characters and how she interacts with her surroundings. There isn't a whole lot of fluff or prose and it really sets a certain tone. The introduction of the rephs kind of blew my mind because they're like aliens, and I was just so curious about their history and why they came to be in the human world. I thought that magic/ability system was really interesting and can't wait to see it explored and explained more in the sequels. I did also enjoy how Paige and Warden's relationship developed and that the plot in this first installment was not bogged down with a flowery romance. So refreshing.

This book surpassed my expectations. I really enjoyed the way Shannon twisted alternative history and combined it with the paranormal fantastical science fiction aspect. Unfortunately, I waited too long after reading the book to write a more detailed review.

With her 2 recent books being bestsellers I think I shouldn't have expected any less. An amazing complex and rich fantasy story for avid readers! Without having to get into long series this delivers perfectly!

I originally read this over a decade ago so being able to read an updated version has brought me back into this world. I can’t wait to get rereading the rest of the series in anticipation for a new instalment in the series!

I loved this one! The world building was incredible and the story was layered. Shannon's writing is exquisite.

As it's been a decade since I read the original release of The Bone Season, it's hard for me to pick out what changed, but I will say that I really enjoyed reading this updated version! I originally thought this was a 3-star read, but this update gets 4 stars from me! I'm looking forward to continuing the series now.

An absolute classic! I truly love this author - and The Bone Season was the start of it all. Shannon writes characters and fantastical worlds so well. I do enjoy her new works a bit more, but this book is still better than most fantasies.

This book started out very confusing for me. You are thrown into a complex world divided by hate and with a complex magic system. After about 20% or so, I started to fully grasp the nuances and was able to enjoy the story.

It is set in an alternate universe, post-war England, where Scion has taken over. Once I got settled into the world, the overall writing was wonderful and completely immersive. Paige as the main character was perfect. She had strengths and flaws and a compelling backstory that really wins the reader to her side.

The captor/captive trope isn't particularly my favorite, but this book did it very well. I am excited to continue this series.

Samantha Shannon's skills are aging like a fine wine, and she knows it. This was my first venure into this cycle, and I'm writing this review as I'm 90% of the way through the second book. The Bone Season is expertly crafted, with a main character who is sure to frustrate and empower in equal measure.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

The perfect edit of a fantastic series.

I absolutely adored The Bone Season in its original form, but I was delighted by how much more I enjoyed it in the new edited version.

You can really see the skill and development of craft that 10 years have given Samantha Shannon, and it helps this already fabulous story to truly shine.

Whether you’re a long standing fan of the series, or someone who has yet to enter the world of The Bone Season, you absolutely must read this book! I cannot wait for the next (much more lightly edited) book in the series!

WELCOME TO SCION. NO SAFER PLACE.

First, thank you so much to Bloomsbury and Samantha Shannon for my review copy. I first read The Bone Season in 2021 when I binged the whole series in under a week. When I finished the first book, I gave it five stars as a promising debut. Revisiting the 10 anniersary edition, I can happily give it five stars once more, but not as a promising debut. Now, it is overall, a five star book.

Samantha Shannon has accomplished what she endeavored to do with these revisions: Have the state of the writing in her debut book measure up to her current caliber as an author. I don't just mean in terms of prose, but certain scenes from the first version have been VASTLY revised to improve both pacing and exposition.

For those of you teetering on reading the revised edition, I must, must MUST encourage you to do so. Most especially if you have already read the first edition. Scenes that had me on the edge of my seat have been heightened, exchanges between Paige and Warden are fraught with delicious tension, and the Rephaim are scarier than ever.

I hosted a read-along on my IG (@readthesefics) and if you missed it, you can still follow along by visiting my highlights. I am so so very excited for her to release the remainder of the revised editions: most specifically The Mime Order.

I'll end on this: I've never been so excited to re-enter a dystopian dictatorship

Um, I hit the request button too fast that I don't know that this book was existed long before my bookstagram era. So, yeah, this was a good book. Good writing and the world building were extraordinary. Although I feel like this book not as good as her recent works, but, I saw the development.

And also, the cover! OMG so stunning!

This is a review of the new and revised edition of The Bone Season! However, I haven’t read the original version so I won’t be comparing the two here.

There were a few things I enjoyed about this book, but overall I didn’t have a great experience with it.

I liked the concept of the different types of powers that the characters had (very X-Men, very fun) and I thought the near-futuristic setting was also interesting and enjoyable to read about.

Where this book lost me was the pacing and the plot, particularly the speed and order that the worldbuilding was introduced. I felt like at least half of the book was spent explaining terms and titles and new characters. It was quite slow and tedious, and somehow felt both repetitive and confusing at the same time. By the time there was actually some plot and conflict, I had almost completely lost interest. I also was frustrated because there were moments that could have been very suspenseful and exciting, but their pacing was so off that the impact was lost.

I fully expected to love this book, so I’m sad that my experience wasn’t great. I probably won’t read the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc to read in exchange for an honest review!

It's hard to review this as this book technically has already existed. I never read the orignal The Bone Season, but while I'm sure there was improvements in the writing quality, the main problem is simply the plot. I felt bored reading it and it's not Shannon's strongest work.

I read the original version of The Bone Season a handful of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Rereading a revised, reimagined version of the same story was so much more rewarding than I could've even imagined! These beloved characters feel even more real and fleshed-out, and the story feels more thoughtful than before. I am so pleased that Shannon has revisions of books 2-4 planned in the near future and I can't wait to add the new versions to my collection. If you've read and enjoyed The Bone Season previously, I encourage you to reread this updated edition - Shannon really delivers!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon!

Samantha Shannon has masterfully crafted a fantasy world in "The Bone Season" that left me utterly entranced. This book paints a dark, gritty, and highly atmospheric backdrop that feels both hauntingly real and fantastical. As I delved into its pages, I could vividly imagine our characters navigating the treacherous streets of the city, each step heavy with tension and purpose.

One of the standout elements of this book is the author's gift for conjuring striking imagery. Shannon's descriptive prowess pulled me deep into the story, allowing me to immerse myself fully in this intricately woven world. It's a testament to her storytelling that I found myself not only rooting for our main character but also contemplating how terribly I would fare in this unforgiving realm. Moments of defiance from the protagonist, which sometimes made me want to shout advice at her, served to solidify her character and bring her personality vividly to life. This complexity adds depth to her portrayal and keeps the reader engaged throughout.

I found our main character to be a likable and authentic presence in the story. Shannon skillfully maintains her character's integrity, ensuring she remains true to her original design. This consistency enhances the reader's connection with her and invests us deeply in her journey.

As for the plot, "The Bone Season" weaves a compelling narrative of resistance, rebellion, and survival against all odds. The story unfolds at a steady pace, gradually revealing the intricacies of a world rife with secrets and danger. Without revealing too much, it's a tale that explores the power of found family, as bonds form and strengthen in the crucible of adversity.

I read the 10th-anniversary edition and the author states has had significant edits and some alterations to the original storyline. Although I read an ARC of the anniversary edition, I was surprised by how rough the first few chapters still felt. They made it hard to, at first, connect to the story and made me question how the rest of the writing of the book would hold up.

In conclusion, "The Bone Season" is a gripping and evocative fantasy novel that transports readers to a world unlike any other. With its dark allure and complex characters, it's a journey well worth taking. I eagerly anticipate continuing this thrilling series to uncover the many secrets it holds.

I did not know how The Bone Season: Tenth Anniversary Revised Edition could make this story even better, but I should have never doubted Samantha's prowess as a writer. I was BAFFLED at so many changes to this story. I compared The Atlas Six Indie and Tor versions last year for content, and while I had the same intention for this book, there was SO MANY changes that I couldn't write every single one down. Just know Samantha tightened and elaborated on this world in such a beautiful way.

Here are the main differences I saw:
✧ Succinct yet lush world building.
✧ Completely new chapter titles.
✧ Sharper dialogue that fits character personalities better.
✧ More realistic reactions, particularly between the humans and Rephs, as well as when characters are injured.
✧ Rephaite are more ruthless!!!!! Killing a human within the first few minutes in Oxford was terrifying!!!
✧ Warden’s interactions with humans (ie: feeding) and obviously Paige.
✧ Flashbacks include lots of these writing changes and have significantly more impact—meeting Jaxon, Nick finding Paige in the poppies, Molly riots, etc.
✧ Mission to London and interaction between Warden, Paige, and Nick.
✧ Ending/whole last act is VERY different (Seven Seals!!).

Immediately upon finishing, I wanted to dive into The Mime Order and do another reread of it, but I'm holding myself back because I want to refresh my mind with these revised versions. So I'm holding off until next year when revised TMO releases.

I believe any fan of The Roots of Chaos or Samantha in general will love this new version of her debut. It warmed my heart to have new content. Thank you Bloomsbury for believing in her to write a better book and publish it to all of us. I'll always be cheering in the background because this series means the world to me. I love knowing that Paige and Arcturus are getting the story they deserve.