I can't write a review because I'm too excited to start the next one!! Wow!! Sooo good! Move over ACOTAR!!

I am so happy I got a chance to read the newly edited by the author version of this book. It was a longer read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't crazy confusing as some books are. It is reminiscent of Leigh Bardugo's crow series. Not copying at all, but the same magical feel where I really want to see this book turned into a TV series. I can't wait to read the revised next book.

I am a huge fan of Shannon's Roots of Chaos series and have been curious about her other work. I found The Bone Season incredibly impressive. The world-building is top-notch and the story is so meticulously mapped out. I enjoyed it so much!

Paige Mahoney is a Dreamwalker, a rare form of clairvoyant who uses her powers in the service of The White Binder, one of the most powerful clairvoyants in London. But being a clairvoyant is a crime in the eyes of Scion. Life in the criminal underworld suits Paige, but soon she finds herself in Scion’s clutches. She is sent to a clairvoyant prison at Oxford watched over by the otherworldly Rephaim, creatures that feed on the auras of clairvoyants. Paige is assigned to Warden, an enigmatic Rephaim who does not appear like the rest.
In the Bone Season Tenth Anniversary Edition Samantha Shannon refines the her world, enriching her debut to a stunning new edition that old readers and new readers alike will love.

Being a seasoned veteran of The Bone Season - I have read all of the books at least twice and am very excited for the reimagined series. With Samantha Shannon being a well-published author she is going back and cleaning up the first 4 novels in the series and re-releasing them with some serious updates.

I've been wanting to reread the series again - but now I guess I will do it old-school style and wait until all of the revised novels launch. Although, I'm not going to be able to stop myself from reading #5, hopefully, the revised #2, #3, and #4 come out before #5 does.

Welcome (back) to Scion.

It's very, very obvious just looking at my previous posts on this that The Bone Season is one of my all time favorite books and series. I've reread the original publication actually even more than just four times. So, I am extremely familiar with this book especially, can quote multiple scenes familiar, and was a little hesitant (though optimistically excited) at a new revised anniversary edition being published. I didn't even have to worry because I loved every minute of it.

Diving into this edition was like coming home with a bit of differences and new material added here and there but still very much the same heart and soul of the original. And the majority of my previous review still stands. Though, I will say in comparison to the original you could absolutely tell how much Samantha has grown as a writer and it was one of my favorite aspects about this edition. It made it even better and made me love The Bone Season even more, if that's possible.

I actually struggled with how I would write this as I am a long time fan of the series and have already written a pretty detailed review previously so this review is short and to the point.

If you're looking for a unique mix of dystopia and fantasy, a story with a wide range of incredible female characters (most notably our main character Paige who you will root for time and time again), just an incredibly diverse cast of characters in general, one of the best slow-burn romances ever, a story that will have you on the edge of your seat every single time, and far-reaching historical, political, and futuristic world building that sucks you in then this book and series are for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for this ARC e-copy of The Bone Season Tenth Anniversary Edition by Samantha Shannon!

Ever since I picked up The Priory of the Orange Tree last year, I have been a Samantha Shannon warrior. The Roots of Chaos series has some of the best and most engaging writing I’ve ever encountered, and because I enjoyed those books so much, I was excited to read the original edition of “The Bone Season.” While I didn’t dislike it, I felt that it left something to be desired, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if it had been written by the experienced Ms. Shannon of today. So naturally, when The Bone Season Tenth Anniversary (revised) Edition was announced, I wanted more than anything to give it a shot.

With that being said, this is truly every improvement that Ms. Shannon wanted it to be. The world of The Bone Season has been reimagined here in new detail while still remaining loyal to the original text. It’s so much easier to picture the world and events of the novel, and you’re much more likely to care about the characters that the author so clearly cares greatly for herself. The main romance seems less spontaneous and more developed, and I’m now more excited than ever to pick up the rest of the series.

This edition is one of those rare novels that I’ll highly recommend to new readers AND to those who have already read the book. This is a fresh revisiting of a cult sci-fi hit that is sure to please old and new fans alike.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ - GREAT

I struggled with this book at first. It's the type of story that drops you in the middle of the a new world and you pick up pieces of understanding as you go (as opposed to info dumping up front). Once you make some sense of the world, its a much better read. I recommend taking a look at the glossary before beginning to help you understand things more quickly.

This is is an urban dystopian/fantasy set in a dark, gritty version of London. The magic system is based in clairvoyance and paranormal powers. I thought this was a unique and a nice break from the more common elemental magic systems. There are some good tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, high stakes, training sequence, self discovery etc.

It's a bit long... but not as long as Priory for those who already enjoy Samantha Shannon's work. I hope she revises the other books in this series!

A note on the actual ARC itself, there were some formatting issues (sentences being cut off in the middle and restarting in a new paragraph for example) that made it jarring to read. I assume the published version wont have formatting issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing an eARC of this book.

I had never read the initial release of this book when it was the Author’s debut, but I was eager to read it when I heard that it was being edited and re-released.

This book was intricately written, and beautifully wrapped up to lead us into the next book.

I will say, the world building and “magic” system was incredibly difficult for me to follow at times. I often found myself re-reading or completely skipping portions that I couldn’t visualize. However, that could just be a me problem.

I loved the romance portion of the book. It had me wanting more which I’m sure will (hopefully) be in the proceeding sequels.

Overall this book was long but enjoyable. I’m not one hundred percent sure if I will be finishing the series, but I will for sure be checking out the Author’s other works.

Title: The Bone Season - 10th Anniversary Edition
Author: Samantha Shannon
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publishing Date: Aug 22, 2023
Pages: 560
Genre: Adult Fiction, Sci-fi, Fantasy
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD.
I am a huge fan of Samantha Shannon, and I am so honoured to read the ARC for the Tenth Anniversary Edition of The Bone Season! It was so amazing and Shannon is SO good at worldbuilding, her writing literally makes me forget about reality.
I loved all the additional information in this edition. I’m a big fan of glossaries and history/lore, and any additional info that really adds to the world building of epic fantasy. Shannon includes all the necessary lore to her books and her worlds and it just completely immerses me!
I love these characters so much, and this amazing world. I would really love to see this on the big screen one day!
HIGHLY recommend to EVERYONE and especially this edition to those who love lore and immersive fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for sending this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

I really took my time with this 10th anniversary edition. Samantha Shannon has stated for some time that she would like to go back and edit her earlier works since she has grown as a writer in order to give this story the execution that she believed it deserved. And while at first, I didn’t know what to think because I have loved this story from the beginning, I didn’t know if I wanted it to change. However, Samantha has only made it better, especially for those who are new to The Bone Season series. She expounds not only in illuminating the terms that are used, but she has added scenes that allow her to build this world and it’s history in starker clarity for the reader. This anniversary addition is not only a beautiful new cover. I’m so thankful to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the opportunity to read one of my favorites books all over again, not entirely for the first time, but with a richer experience. Thank you Samantha for your time and care in revisiting this work and bringing the stories and characters that I love so much even more depth and personality.

With the success of Samantha Shannon’s Priory of the Orange Tree and its prequel A Day of Fallen Night, I was keen to see how this revisited edition of The Bone Season lived up to the success of her later work. And it did!

Having not read The Bone Season in its original state, I haven’t got that to compare to as some readers might, now that we’re getting the 10th anniversary edition - but this was a fresh, exciting introduction to an intriguing and all-too-possible dystopian world, Scion. The story follows Paige Mahoney, a ‘voyant’ dreamwalker who works in a criminal underworld set in 2059 London, under the employ of crime boss Jaxon Hall, and what happens to her when she is captured and taken to a place she never knew existed, and suddenly surrounded by a far-reaching peril.

The worldbuilding was laid out in a way that, though complex, was clear enough to understand and become immersed in once I adjusted to the terminology. There’s no doubt that Samantha Shannon is a pro when it comes to researching her books and relevant etymology to include, and that’s on display here as ever, but the handy glossary of terms - a new addition for the 10th anniversary edition - came in really useful and allowed for a much quicker immersion into the world. And what a world! Samantha’s imagining of Scion is a tense, brutal world where ‘voyants’ like the MC Paige Mahoney are hunted for their skills because clairvoyance is considered a crime. The Bone Season’s London, where we meet Paige, and in particular the area of Seven Dials is easy to become absorbed in, as too is the Oxford setting where Paige is taken and resides for much of the book. The worldbuilding is smooth, with much of the lush, richly-imagined detail that Samantha is now renowned for, but without the heaviness of ‘info-dumping’ at the beginning that some fantasy/dystopian books can have and that Samantha herself was keenly aware TBS had in its original state, when she announced this revised edition.

Now, the characters are where Samantha Shannon’s writing also shines! She creates a world where characters are not easily categorised into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, there is no two-dimensional goings-on here, and that’s really refreshing within the dystopian genre. There are notable antagonists, sure, but it’s Paige’s relationship with her employer Jaxon Hall and then captor Warden which calls into question who is trustworthy, and who is not. The uncertainty of who to trust, combined with Paige’s self-preserving nature and personality as a result of much of the trauma she’s experienced, makes for a really ambiguous narrative which is so well mixed with the tense world that Shannon has created!

Our first introduction to Paige is one that sets the tone immediately, and she is a fresh, exciting female protagonist who ticks many of the boxes. She’s the embodiment of a complex female MC, with a strong voice and a gutsy attitude required to survive not only in Scion London, but under the constant threat of discovery and death from the powers-that-be in Scion. She’s a heroine I can get behind!

Warden is another character who presents, on the page, a challenge for Paige. He is her natural enemy, belonging to an otherworldly race called Rephaites and one of Paige’s captors in Oxford and in Sheol 1; the uncertain, dangerous prison that Paige finds herself in. Warden and Paige’s relationship brings a unique dynamic to the story, one that fans of slow, slow burn development will adore, for the promise it offers and the tense, snarling conversations that they have as Paige is forced to be tutored and nurtured by her assigned captor if she wants to regain her freedom.

The secondary characters Nick and Eliza are also notable for their complexity, and Samantha’s tertiary characters also don’t suffer that ‘flatness’ that some supporting characters can. Nick and Paige’s relationship in particular is one that really intrigued me, and the characters we meet in Oxford such as Julian and Terrebell, add layer upon layer of complexity to the very real-feeling, perilous world they inhabit. The Bone Season offers a rich cast of individuals who ended up being people I really rooted for, or even loved to hate!

The clairvoyant system of power, and the paranormal, otherworldly elements of the story are also really enjoyable to read and learn about, especially as Paige discovers more about dreamwalking, the race of Rephaites that Warden belongs to, and the far-reaching dangers that surrounds her and the human populations of Scion. I loved the idea of ‘dreamscapes’ and found that Shannon’s imagery, and writing talent, made these scenes really engaging. It’s complex - a lot more so than other YA dystopian-fanasies, but I think that’s part of the charm.

This revised edition is a great introduction to the world of Paige’s Scion! I can’t wait to read the rest…

This is definitely a case of "it's not the book, it's me." While I like a wide variety of fantasy, gritty, futuristic urban fantasy just isn't my thing, so I'm going to dnf for now. I could definitely see myself picking up the audiobook at some point though because I absolutely love Samantha Shannon's writing and there are some very interesting concepts, like dream-walking.

I will be honest: I have tried to get into The Bone Season books for years and never could. So many people love them. And I love Shannon’s Priory series, so I felt as though I were missing something. So when I had the chance to read the ARC of Shannon’s revised version, I figured it would be now or never for me to get into the series.

This time I successfully read the book—the edits have done a lot of heavy lifting to make it more accessible. And Paige is a great character! I’m glad I got to know her and her world. That being said, it is not my favourite book. I still found the world building difficult to understand and the pacing of the plot…odd, if not cumbersome.

Still I will likely try book 2 if Shannon does her updates on it as well, to see how Paige’s story continues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Ms. Shannon is an absolutely unparalleled author, the beginning always has a ton of information, but once you get past the rush of world building given to you, the adventure is unlike anything you've ever read. I did not have the pleasure of reading this series pre-revision, but I am so happy that I get to read it exactly as the author intended. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury!
As a lover of Samantha Shannon, I was so happy to see an anniversary edition of the Bone Season! I adored her previous books and couldn't wait to read her revised work. It is such a cool thought to go back and republish the older work in order to make it as amazing as it can be.
As always, she delivered a fantastically detailed world with tons of world-building. The info dump is a bit heavy, but I love that about her books. The lore is detailed and complex but still creative and interesting. I can definitely see this fitting in with the 2010s dystopian novels.

I had the immense pleasure and honor to be able to read an ARC of this magnificent book. I've been a fan of Samantha Shannon and this series since it came out ten years ago and it's so good and brilliant being able to read its revised edition.

After ten years of writing, Samantha Shannon comes back to her debut and edits it and what's comes out it's a more polished and strong version of the first book. If before there could have been some confusion about the worldbuilding or some info dump, this new edition leads the reader through the complexity of the unnaturalness, the colony, Sheol and a brilliantly layered dystopian London with a criminal underground and amazing and morally gray characters.
As before, Paige Mahoney stands out not only as main character, but for her stubborness, her bantering, courage and loyalty. Comparing the first and the revised edition results in new scenes, more explained and detailed moments, more bantering between Paige and Warden and gives the chance to places, characters and scenes to shine more.
The bones are there, the plot isn't changed much, but the writing, the worldbuilding and characterization are improved and if you loved the first edition you are gonna love this revised too.

I can't wait to hold this book in my hands!

This is the first book by Samantha Shannon and it will not be the last. She is a very talented writer her story, characters are just amazing.

This is peak 2013 YA fantasy and I would've fallen head over heels for it if I'd read it back then. The concept of clairvoyance as a magic system is inspired and I liked how many elements of the paranormal were incorporated. Going back and editing the book was another stroke of genius - allowing the new edition to appeal more to new readers, and just cleaning up some prose overall. Seeing Europe taken over by the Rephs was simultaneously terrifying and electrifying. I'm imagining that the syndicate and the Rephs are going to be entering an all out war after the events of this book and dang.

Will I pick up book 2? Unsure.

*Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

In true Samantha Shannon fashion, this was an absolute info dump but I couldn’t be happier. I love these books and this first one is an absolute treasure. The 10th anniversary edition is gorgeous and I’m sure to get a physical copy the moment I’m able. Thank you so much for the copy, it was an absolute pleasure to read again.