A rebel who becomes a queen
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…
Review by Tanaya Lowden
The third instalment in the Bone Season series is finally here!
After becoming Underqueen to the London syndicate, Paige is struggling. Struggling to prove her worth of the Underqueen title. Struggling to unite the clairvoyants and the Rephaim. Struggling to make progress in the fight against Scion. But her reign as Underqueen may be cut short with the introduction of Senshield, a deadly technology that spells doom for the clairvoyant community, and the world as they know it.
The strongest part of this book is the continued character development. Paige, in particular, went from being somewhat uncertain and doubtful of herself, to being a strong, fierce and ruthless character, well deserving of her Underqueen title. We get to see her at her lowest, and see how she rises above it all to come out on top again. We also get development with the band of characters we’ve come to love, and it’s heartbreaking and exciting all in one.
Samantha Shannon has outdone herself in expanding on the intricate and distinctive world she has created. This series is quite unlike any other I have read, and I particularly enjoyed that The Song Rising took us outside of the London setting we know and love. It was exciting to get to explore more of this gritty, detailed world, and to see the effects that Scion has had in other cities.
Fans of the series will also be happy to know that this book answers a lot of questions. Things that were left unanswered in the first two books are finally revealed, and it made my appreciation of this world increase infinitely. I loved seeing how all the threads of plot from the first two books have been woven together to create added twists in this instalment.
Although a slow building series, with each book I feel content with knowing that this is all building up to something explosive. Twists and turns that cause shock and excitement are now minor in what is to come in the series. I am excited to see just how far this world, these characters and this story is going to go.
The Song Rising is as intricate and compelling as the rest of the series. With never a dull moment, this book will leave you feeling a rollercoaster of emotions, and will have you desperately turning the pages to find out how it will end.
This is fastly becoming one of my favourite series ever, and I would highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed with The Bone Season series!
About the Author
Samantha Shannon was born in west London in 1991. She started writing at the age of fifteen. Between 2010 and 2013 she studied English Language and Literature at St Anne's College, Oxford. In 2013 she published The Bone Season, the first in a seven book series. The Mime Order followed in 2015. Both were international bestsellers and have been translated into twenty-six languages. The film rights have been optioned by the Imaginarium Studios and 20th Century Fox. In 2014, Samantha Shannon was included on the Evening Standard's Power 1000 list. The Song Rising is her third novel.
Industry Reviews
An ebullient, gloriously complicated fantasy ... The characters feel grippingly real. Shannon unravels her tangled tale in galloping prose ***** * Daily Telegraph *
Like treasures unearthed by mudlarks, Samantha Shannon's alternative world is studded with fabulous language ...With a sharp eye on the politics of identity, Shannon transports us into a world where the oppressed are pitted against one another in the struggle for survival ... Explosive * Daily Mail *
Easily the most politically engaged of any of the contemporary dystopian fantasies ... Ever since HG Wells' The War Of The Worlds there has been a slight aversion to looking at the global consequences of such dystopias and Shannon seems to be taking that wider view ... There is so much intrigue and escapade, character development and imagination here ... We have four books to go. I am more than willing to wait * Scotland on Sunday *
A whopper of a denouement ... Shannon's brilliance is that she is not afraid of change, both for her characters and her setting ... The 25-year-old remains a name to watch * Independent *
The third book sees feisty heroine Paige Mahoney take on the dangerous role of Underqueen, ruling over London's criminal population * Daily Express *
My recent shore-side reads have included Samantha Shannon's The Song Rising * Red *
PRAISE FOR THE MIME ORDER: "A riveting page-turner ... She creates a convincing world defined by its own invented logic * Mail on Sunday *
It goes hell-for-leather, all poltergeists and grisly murders and pitched battles in the catacombs of Camden * Sunday Times *
Thrusting readers back into the world of Paige and a more detailed journey through future London. The novels are hugely imaginative ... Part Hunger Games dystopia, part urban fantasy * Independent on Sunday *
A triumphant blend of Orwellian dystopia and China Mieville nonconformity ... Shannon's ability to take classic tropes, such as forbidden love and dystopian societies, and give them a well-knuckled twist is to be admired ... Set to become a trailblazer for young talent * Independent *
Shannon has continued to build on this imagined world with intricacy, and Paige's voice comes through to deliver a suspenseful story * Washington Post *
