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alexalovesbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Mime Order is a testament to how I personally prefer succeeding books in a series to be, as it enriches the reading experience of the series by fleshing out the world, lore and plot. I remember how it felt to read this installment the first time - it surprised me in many ways, but also cemented my regard for Samantha Shannon's storytelling. Getting to have that experience again with this preferred text version was uniquely satisfying; I still harbor the same feelings, though dialed up a notch given how cool it is that the author was able to take the bones of the already brilliant tale she's told and just make it (somehow) even better.
I'd prefer not to go into spoilers about the actual plot, though if I could, I'd certainly have plenty of moments to gush or scream about. But I find myself still feeling like it's best to dive into this book (and the rest of the series) without knowing too much about how things will play out. What I can confirm is that readers will get the following things from this sequel:
I'd prefer not to go into spoilers about the actual plot, though if I could, I'd certainly have plenty of moments to gush or scream about. But I find myself still feeling like it's best to dive into this book (and the rest of the series) without knowing too much about how things will play out. What I can confirm is that readers will get the following things from this sequel:
- additional world-building, centered primarily on the London Syndicate and its dealings;
- more intimate knowledge of Paige Mahoney, our heroine and narrator, as she makes sense of her recent experiences and decides what to do about her new new knowledge going forward;
- encounters with other characters we know and love (or love to hate) (or just plain hate)
- multi-layered plot (with one unique to this novel, and a few building on previously started threads) with a mix of action, mystery and romance (more on this in the next bullet point)
- a deeper development of a certain romantic (or leaning romantic, at this point) relationship that still got me deep in my feels with the slow burn/secrecy/strength of their mutual regard
No words I use will be adequate to express how incredible this installment is, though it does cement the fact that The Bone Season is an all-time favorite series of mine. The second act of Paige Mahoney's story - jumpstarted in Oxford, kindled in London - is thrilling from beginning to end, and I can't wait to dive into the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Trafficking, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Torture
beau_b_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I started reading the Bone Season series, like many probably did, after reading The Priory of the Orange Tree (and its prequel). Thirsting for more of Shannon's work. I wasn't expecting the series to be as good, it was her debut after all, but I'm still finding it quite enjoyable. No doubt the revisions helped it a lot, I'll make sure to keep reading the author's preferred text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Suicide, Vomit, and War
scgood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Police brutality
ceruleanshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
‘Hope is the lifeblood of revolution. Without it, we are nothing but ash, waiting for the wind to take us.’
even tho this was equally chonky as book 1, i found this to be a much faster read bc of the setting change and getting quite acquainted with the world in the previous book.
there was a faster pace to the actions as well, and i found myself very drawn in and intrigued by the mime crime rings and the underground world of the voyants in london.
‘Every revolution begins with breakfast, darling.’
i felt like this had very real challenges and downfalls this part of the story would lead to. there were some small twists and turns that i found surprising and interesting. in general, i think the worldbuilding of voyants and mimes is really what makes this series for me. it would be so cool to see how voyants are in "free worlds".
‘If I could choose anyone on Earth, it would still be you, Paige Mahoney.’
ARCTURUS MESARTHIM. YOU ARE EVERYTHING.
anyone who loves a good slowburn is going to die and wither away from the slow boil tension between him and paige. i love a mmc who recognizes a queen when he gets one
‘If I fear anything, it is not that I want you,’ he said quietly. ‘Only that I might want you too much. And for too long.’
‘You can never want too much. That’s how they silence us,’
i wasn't really as devastated by the end as i expected to be, but i'm not gonna lie i am scared for what might be coming in the next two books 😅
‘And words, my walker – well, words are everything. Words give wings even to those who have been stamped upon, broken beyond all hope of repair.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Drug abuse, Xenophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
barda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn't really like this one as much as the other entries in the series when I first read the original text, but she really elevated her writing and pulled everything together in a much more cohesive way in this new edited version.
Really I just love this series in general - the worldbuilding is wonderful, the characters are fantastic, and this book in particular has a really twisty murder mystery that is a ton of fun to read.
My only main complaint about this book is that Paige and Arcturus are separated for a great chunk of it (my shipper heart just wants them to be together 24/7).
Really I just love this series in general - the worldbuilding is wonderful, the characters are fantastic, and this book in particular has a really twisty murder mystery that is a ton of fun to read.
My only main complaint about this book is that Paige and Arcturus are separated for a great chunk of it (my shipper heart just wants them to be together 24/7).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, and Torture