The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon Review: A Hidden World of Clairvoyance

September 16, 2015 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 4 stars, Books, Reviews

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon Review: A Hidden World of ClairvoyanceThe Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
Series: The Bone Season #2
Published by Bloomsbury Australia on January 27, 2015
Source: Publisher
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Amazon | Book Depository | Publisher | Angus & Robertson
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Paige Mahoney has escaped the brutal prison camp of Sheol I, but her problems have only just begun: many of the survivors are missing and she is the most wanted person in London...

As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on the dreamwalker, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city's gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner. Then the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided.

Seven orders of clairvoyance. A hidden world of magic in a corrupt alternate London. An alien race with opposing factions. Scion London split up into six districts, each ruled by a different Mime Lord/Queen with different clairvoyant powers. The Mime Order is a highly detailed, descriptive and imaginative world, featuring another glossary, three maps and a syndicate list.

The Mime Order builds upon the foundation set by the first book, opening up the world of Scion London, the competing agendas between Mime Lords/Queens, clairvoyant powers and the inner workings of the Syndicates. Once I scanned the Recaptains summary and Samantha Shannon’s Character Summary, I was ready to immerse myself into this world.

“Hope is the lifeblood of revolution. Without it, we are nothing but ash, waiting for the wind to take us.” 

It picks up where The Bone Season left off, as Paige begrudgingly resumes her position as her Mime Lord’s mollisher (or heir). As Jaxon prepares to take the underworld for his own, issuing orders to Paige and his Seven Seals to investigate other gangs and compete errands, Paige also has an agenda of her own – to build her own influence within the clairvoyant underworld and aligning herself with Warden and the Rephaites.

This is a world with constant, competing priorities and struggles: unexplained gang murders, Paige on the Wanted list, opposing Rephaite alliances, magic, death, betrayal and a brewing revolution. It’s a completely immersive, dark and gritty world filled with hidden powers and competing agendas. As much as I loved how richly imagined and detailed the world was, there were times when the plot stalled in favour of the world building, making it a rather slow and ardous read.

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Paige has undergone a fair amount of character development since the first book, which had me totally rooting for her in this one. With the escape from Sheol I under her belt, she’s on the tide of power and revolution, and she’ll stop at nothing to be the change in the corrupt world of Scion. I admire Paige for her drive to succeed, her influence, self belief and tenacity. This is a girl who leads with her head, knowing how to achieve what’s in her heart. Seeing someone like Paige being suppressed by the flamboyant, arrogant and cocky Jaxon Hall was a pain that needed to be endured, however temporary it was. I’m looking forward to Paige’s development in the next few books, as a force to be reckoned with.

‘Love didn’t come into this, and we both knew it. Arcturus Mesarthim was of the veil, not the world, and I was a daughter of the streets. If the Ranthen discovered anything between us, the fragile alliance we’d forged would be broken.’

I was hesitant to support the romance in the first book, as it was reminiscent of stockholm syndrome. However, seeing the irrefutable chemistry between Warden and Paige in this book, and how they just cared for and complemented each other so well, I’m convinced that the two would make a great pair. They’re both intelligent, purposeful and driven, both focused on a similar agenda – to make a better London. It’s a slow burning and tantalising romance, which never takes over the plot of the story.

The last quarter of the book moves at a frantic pace, as everything that is built upon in the early half of the book finally arises. It will all be worth it just for these pages, as the scale of the clairvoyant powers are revealed and demonstrated in the most epic psychic battle I’ve ever read. Dreamscapes, auras, reaching out with your mind will all come to play, making it an epic and thrilling experience.

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The Mime Order is a stunning sequel, expanding the world of Scion London, showing us more of the seven orders of clairvoyance and laying out a gritty, corrupt and richly imaginative world run by Mime Lords and otherworldly Rephaites. Although it’s a bit slow at times, it features more world building, character development and a epic ending. Fantasy readers who love to immerse themselves into a richly built world would love this series.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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Read my review for The Bone Season here.

Check out The Mime Order’s character biographies here.

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Twitter @happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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33 responses to “The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon Review: A Hidden World of Clairvoyance

  1. I have yet to read the Bone Season, but these books sound so unique and absolutely fantastic. I'm really looking forward to picking them up in the near future. Wonderful review, Jeann!!!!

  2. I'm glad you ended up liking this one, Jeann! Especially since you weren't a HUGE fan of it in some parts.

    I love the development that Paige is constantly undergoing. I love how it evolves, and isn't just a Paige A to Paige B kind of arc, and that it actually shows how a person can change over the course of time, and because of different events.

    Those last few chapters were SO AMAZING. I was just powering through them to see what happened and then it was all just completely mind blowing. I am so looking forward to more displays of clairvoyance in the next books 😀

    Lovely review as always <3
    My recent post Review: The Story of Kullervo by J.R.R. Tolkien

  3. Oh holy crap, how awesome was that ending! HOW AWESOME! I loved it. It was so much easier to get into the storyline in this one, I think starting The Bone Season, I was hesitant because I'd seen a lot of reviews saying how complex the storyline was and not being a massive fantasy reader, I was a bit scared to be honest. But bloody hell, the series so far has been incredible! I wasn't completely sold on the romance though too, it reminded me a little of ACOTAR, Stockholm but not quite because it felt more a connection and lust than anything deep. Time will tell. I can't wait for book three now. Hopefully they'll release some information about it soon. Awesome review Jeann, almost as kick as as Paige 😉 <3
    My recent post Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

    • I know right, it was really mind blowing in the end! It was definitely a complex book and yes, it did remind me of the whole ACOTAR thing in a way with the romance. But I did really enjoy it!

    • I totally know what you mean! It wasn't as complicated as Bone Season, because the first book did a lot of scene-setting and let-s be honest – info dumping. This one just went with it 🙂

  4. Great review Jeann 🙂 I still need to read the first book (I seem to be saying that a lot lately lol) I was thinking of waiting until ALL the books were released for the series, and then found out there was going to be seven of them o_O so I'll be reading them soon(ish).
    My recent post Bloggiesta: September 2015

  5. I've yet to start this series but I know SO MANY who love it, including Kelly (and you know how FABULOUS Kelly is ;D). I think I'll give it a try. You know how hesitant I am with this series as the first 20 pages didn't engage me >_< but I guess this is the kind of book you need to give time for it to reel you in!
    My recent post ARC Review: Sorcerer To The Crown

  6. YAY! So glad this book changed your mind about about Paige and Warden and now you're on board with them as a couple:) I love this series so much, though I do agree that it can be a tedious read at times with all the world-building and unfamiliar terminology. Can't wait to see what happens next Jeann!
    My recent post Review: Vengeance Road

    • I totally agree, it was a bit random in the first book because the whole time I thought of him as her captor, but his actions here definitely changed my mind on it. Me too Jenny!

  7. Grace @ RebelMommyBB

    I actually haven't heard of this series before. I will have to check out that first review. But it is always encouraging to know that the sequel is done well when starting a new series – Great review!
    My recent post Summer Binge Wrap Up

  8. aentee @ read at midnight

    One thing that put off me from reading this series was all the negative review about Warden and Paige's relationship – glad to see it improves in this book. I'll be starting this series later on in the month, so I am so happy to see you enjoy it!
    My recent post Book Review: Queen of Shadows

    • Oh man, I know you love fantasy so I know you\’d love this one Aentee, despite Warden/Paige (I wasn\’t a fan in the first book, but loved the world).

  9. Symphony of Words

    I haven't read this series yet, but I'm seeing it almost EVERYWHERE. Sounds really good and original, and I'll be sure to check this out. Lovely review, Jeann 🙂

  10. keionda

    Oohhh this seems like a book that I could dig into giirrlll. With the whole romance and all the action going on it seems like a good time. I can tell you really liked this one girl! Thanks for sharing this AWESOME review chica!♡♡

  11. Anne

    I'm glad you liked it! I have a library copy that I'm starting tonight, though the slow pacing worries me. I remember the first book was kind of hard to get through at points too. Also, I'm ready to see more of Paige & Warden.

    • Thanks Anne, it was really fantastic! It actually took me 2 weeks to read, I normally finish a book within a efw days! Anyway, it\’s great if you put your mind to it.

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