Series: The Bone Season #3
Published by Bloomsbury Australia on March 7, 2017
Source: Publisher
Genres: Fantasy
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The hotly anticipated third book in the bestselling Bone Season series – a ground-breaking, dystopian fantasy of extraordinary imagination
Following a bloody battle against foes on every side, Paige Mahoney has risen to the dangerous position of Underqueen, ruling over London's criminal population.
But, having turned her back on Jaxon Hall and with vengeful enemies still at large, the task of stabilising the fractured underworld has never seemed so challenging.
Little does Paige know that her reign may be cut short by the introduction of Senshield, a deadly technology that spells doom for the clairvoyant community and the world as they know it…
This review contains minor spoilers for The Bone Season and The Mime Order.
If you thought The Bone Season had too many new terms and The Mime Order was too slow, then you’re in for a treat with The Song Rising. With most of the world building out of the way about clairvoyance and the other worldly Rephaim, there’s nothing stopping Paige Mahoney as she begins her search for the Senshield that could end the world as they know it.
Compared to the other books in the series, The Song Rising was quite fast paced in comparison, as we see Paige travel from her beloved London, to the hidden underground and other places in wider England. As the ruling Underqueen of The Mime Order, she has come a long way from the numbered slave and doting mollisher (or second in command) that we’ve all seen. Despite her title, it’s not in her nature to sit back and let others take over her quests.
Paige struggles to shift between the role of ruler and operator, wanting to be a part of the action but also understanding the high stakes of putting herself in danger. As someone who has always been part of the action, it was refreshing having that role occasionally reprised from her. I liked how she made mistakes, and how she thrust herself into making tough decisions, even with potentially severe consequences. Paige isn’t perfect, but there’s nothing that she won’t do to minimise the threats to the Mime Order.
Without Jaxon’s rule, the Mime Order are also split apart, with many unsure of Paige’s leadership ability. She learns to put her trust into the people by her side, and delegating authority where it was needed. She is also pushed to gainfully build the trust of her syndicate, as her rule is on shaky grounds after the events of The Mime Order. I loved seeing the loyalty of the people by her side, including Nick, Eliza, Glym and newcomer Maria.
One day you will have to choose between your own desires, your own darkest impulses, and what you know to be right…and it will harden you. You will understand that all of us are devils in the skins of men. You will become the monster that lives inside us all.
Things have never been easy for Paige and Warden, particularly where one of them is a Rephaim and the other, a dreamwalker. But the plot thickens now that she’s an Underqueen, with responsibilities that can’t cross over into romance. They obviously care for one another, and they do have a few stolen moments during their time together. However, with Paige still unsure on Warden’s stance, and Warden needing to remain neutral to his fellow Rephaim, they definitely have a lot to work through before this ship sails. I love a good complex forbidden romance, particularly ones as slow burning as this one.
Central to the plot is the exciting heist story as the Mime Order searches for the Senshield, avoiding threats from Scion London and proving loyalty to Nashira and the Rephaim. I love how this series covers character and plot development which evolves naturally throughout the pages, along with the deep and complex world building of hidden clairvoyants.
But in the end, she must make her own choices, even when they hurt her. I am not her keeper.
The Song Rising was a thrilling, fast-paced heist adventure set in the world of Rephaims, Scion London and the Mime Order. With so many moving parts and deep, complex world-building and character development, I found myself completely engrossed in this world again with a strong, realistic heroine at it’s centre. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Thanks Bloomsbury Australia for sending me a review copy!
The Song Rising is out now in Australian bookstores for $24.99 RRP.
Giveaway – Australians only, ends 31 March 2017
Thanks to Bloomsbury Australia, we’re giving away a copy of the new Bone Season cover! Good luck to all entrants, the winner will be contacted by email. Verified entries only – we check!
Second chance giveaway on Twitter – RT and Follow @happyindulgence to win a copy!
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I have this series on my wishlist read, sounds really fantastic!
Glad you loved Song Rising 🙂
Gahh so looking forward to this book!
Loved your review, it makes even more keen to get my hands on this book!
Thanks so much for doing this giveaway ☺
Thank you, I hope you get your hands on the book and good luck!
I'm so glad you liked this one Jeann! I absolutely adored the first two books, and I'm sure it'll be the same with this one. Samantha Shannon's writing is just so magnetic and filled with fun. I'm not sure how well I'll jump into this one considering how long it's been since I've read the previous books, but hopefully it'll be quick to catch up on!
Oh my gosh, it was so good Aila! I didn't re-read the previous books in the series and was able to pick this one up fine, with the help of the glossary of course! I hope you end up enjoying it Aila!
The Bone Season has been sitting on my TBR for YEARS and I still haven't read it. I'm a bit ashamed about that haha. Hopefully I change it soon because this series sounds better and better the more I hear about it.
Oh my gosh why have you not read it yet? Now there are 3 amazing books out so you must just binge it soon.
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
Name: edye
You're welcome, and good luck!
This series has been on my TBR for ages, and I keep seeing more and more rave reviews so it's making me even more excited about it 😀 I'm so glad you loved this book! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
YIPPEEE! I hope you get the chance to read it Brittany, I love it so much!
I absolutely adored the first book, but when I found out just how long the series was going to be, I decided to wait. I'm a little nervous about spending so much time and money on a series, in case it disappoints. So I know I'll probably be old and crumbly by the time the last book releases, but I'd rather wait. I'm glad that this latest book was good though. I especially like that the romance isn't the focus, but we still get scenes here and there basically teasing readers. Paige sounds like a great character too.
Glad you enjoyed this, Jeann!
I know what you mean Nick, I always get sucked into a series but then it might be too late to get myself out even when i've given up (like ToG lol). So far this has only gotten better as the series has progressed, which is good news! Thank you lovely!
So happy to hear you loved Song Rising so much! My first copy has finally arrived in the mail, and as soon as I finish my re-read (I started so late, dammit) of Mime Order, I'm starting it!
Yay, I can't wait to hear what you think of it Pili! I didn't re-read but I had to catch up on recaptains lol. But Song Rising was surprisingly easy to pick up in comparison!