Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clairvoyant quest stalls before intense finish.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Having escaped from the Sheol I, the penal colony run by the mysterious, otherworldly Rephaim, 19-year-old "dreamwalker" Paige Mahoney finds herself suddenly the most-wanted fugitive in London. She depends on the assistance of her manipulative mentor, Jaxson Hall, but the deadly intrigues that roil through the city's criminal gangs threaten to eclipse an even more pressing danger. Paige finds herself accused of murder, and she must turn to her former Rephaim captor, Warden, for help before considering the ultimate sacrifice.
Is It Any Good?
Picking up directly from the aftermath of The Bone Season, Book 2 gets off to an action-packed start, as Paige returns to London and tries to reassemble the pieces of her life. She interacts with a colorful cast of characters with conflicting, often deadly agendas, and faces constant danger.
Gradually, however, the pace of the novel slackens, and much time is spent on heated conversations that seem to lead nowhere. Everything falls into place in the final chapters, however, when Paige and her enemies confront each other, with surprising results. This series makes significant demands on its readers, but many will find the effort worthwhile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dystopian fiction and why it's so popular. Why do you think author Samantha Shannon chose to depict a disaster with a supernatural origin rather than a scientific one?
What makes a good mentor? How much do you owe someone who has taught you important lessons about life?
Why are readers fascinated by the notion of psychic powers? Would it be a good thing if people were able to read each other's thoughts?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Bloomsbury USA
- Publication date : January 27, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 15 - 18
- Number of pages : 528
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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