Thanks so much to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are from the ARC and subject to change.
Warning: If you have not read The Bone Season or The Mime Order I strongly suggest not looking at this review because it will spoil the first and second book for you.
You can check out my reviews for The Bone Season and The Mime Order by clicking the links.
Title: The Song Rising (The Bone Season #3)Author: Samantha Shannon
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia, Paranormal
Format: eARC
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…
It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of The Bone Season. So, you can imagine, after over a two year wait, how thrilled I was to finally dive into the third installment. Now that I’ve turned the final page of the book I’m a bit speechless. I had some high expectations going into this after the whirlwind that was the first two books. Guess what? Samantha Shannon took those high expectations and blew the roof completely off of them! The Song Rising left me breathless and wanting more. It’s quite possible that I’ve already found my top read of 2017.
The Mime Order concluded with a jaw dropping, gasp worthy cliffhanger. Paige, who had just won the crown for Underqueen, finds out that her ex-mime-lord Jaxon Hall had a little secret up his sleeve. The first Ranthen rebellion that was quenched all those years ago by a human betrayal? That was Jaxon’s doing. The Song Rising begins on the tremulous notes of that shocking reveal and the consequences of Paige’s actions in the scrimmage as well as Jaxon’s betrayal make themselves obvious pretty quickly. Due to the fact that Paige turned against her mime-lord to win the title of Underqueen a lot of the syndicate, London’s voyant criminal underworld, don’t exactly accept her as their leader. Not to mention the fact that the Ranthen, the Rephaim who turned against Nashira, are questioning her loyalty and ability to lead because of her past connection with Jaxon. Paige’s reign as Underqueen is definitely off to a rocky start as she rebuilds the syndicate from the ground up to prepare them to take action against Scion by joining with the Ranthen. However, a threat lies fast approaching as Scion implements Senshield, a technology that can detect clairvoyance, forcing Paige to make the choice of putting her people into hiding to save them. Senshield is the one thing that could not only spell death for all voyants but ruin their revolution before it even begins so it has to be destroyed at any cost. The Song Rising starts with a bang as you dive head first into a story full of uncertainty, suspense, unexpected plot twists, and so much more as new allies are gained and new enemies rise up.
“That’s what humans do. We make. We remake. We build, we rebuild. And yes, sometimes we paint with blood, and we tear down our own civilizations, and it might never stop. But if we’re ever to unlearn our darker instincts, we have to be free to learn better ones. Take away the chance for us to change, and I promise you, we never will. I’m willing to fight for that chance.”
Hands down, one of my favorite things about The Bone Season so far has been the characters. They’ve become so memorable for me. Samantha Shannon has created these characters with so much depth, they’re not one-dimensional they’re complex and flawed. I mean most of the voyants are criminals turned revolutionaries after all (some reluctantly so). And then aside from the voyants there’s the Rephaim who are still shrouded in so much mystery, but that’s what makes them interesting. Both have characters that are working for Scion and Nashira while both also have characters that are working against them. I won’t go into a lot of detail about all of the characters but that’s mainly because certain things are revealed that I don’t want to spoil. I will say that we do learn a bit about both Nick’s past as well as Warden’s.
“You have risin from the ashes before. The only way to survive,” he said, “is to believe you always will.”
From The Bone Season to The Song Rising, Paige has gone through a lot of changes. Seriously, her character development has been on point! One thing I’ve loved is seeing her step out of that role of reluctant leader and into embracing it and how much she wants to change the world she lives in. She’s someone who is headstrong, stubborn, ambitious, and just cares so much for her fellow voyants. She’s willing to sacrifice anything to make sure that there is a day where they don’t have to worry about whether their clairvoyance will lead them to their deaths. Is she perfect? Absolutely not. In fact, Paige can be a bit impulsive at times which almost always turns out bad. But at heart, everything she does is fueled by good intentions. Going into The Song Rising she has a lot of doubt about who she can trust because of Jaxon’s betrayal, which is something she has to overcome. There’s also so much revealed about her past that I won’t even go into. All I’m going to say is that this book has cemented the fact that Paige is my top favorite female character.
Beyond the familiar faces from previous books, The Song Rising brings with it a full introduction to so many other great characters. One of them, Maria, who we see briefly in The Mime Order has quickly become a favorite of mine. I love her.
“As we watched each other, linked by the barest touch of his fingertips, I didn’t know what I wanted to do; what I wanted him to do. Leave me. Talk to me. Stay with me.”
And don’t even get me started on the romance! I’ve said this in previous reviews so I’m probably becoming repetitive but I love how Samantha Shannon has crafted this incredible, slow burn romance and not made it the main focal point of the books. Warden and Paige, I love them. There’s just something so unique about their connection and with each book I love them more and more. I can’t even really explain it but I can’t get enough of the two of them. The Song Rising definitely played with my emotions where they are concerned. Yes, I’m being purposely vague.
Something else I would like to point out as notable is the fact that almost every single character in power or in a leadership position is female. From the good guys to the enemies it’s the women running the show. The Song Rising, in particular, is rocking some serious girl power! I loved it.
Also, once again, Samantha Shannon has blown me away with her writing and world building! Each book has delved more and more into this horrific and shocking world while peeling away layers that I never saw coming. The Song Rising goes more into the internal workings of Scion, we get to see more of London and other voyant communities outside of London, and there’s so much heartbreaking character backstory revealed. Plus, there is a plot twist that I’m still picking my jaw up off of the floor over.
This book was engaging, suspenseful, and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen the rug was ripped right out from under me. Be prepared to shed some tears and be left on the edge of your seat breathlessly anticipating the fourth book. I for one need said book in my hands right now.
Overall, The Song Rising was not only everything I hoped for but also exactly what I’ve come to expect from this author. It was completely worth the two year wait!
Now I’m off to wallow in my massive book hangover and wish for book four… Are you excited for The Song Rising? Have you read it already? What did you think?
BookNerdMomo 
I guess I need to read these books -great review
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You should! It’s really been a fantastic series so far. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks so much. 😁
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I have to take heed of your warning and skip this review. I have yet to read the other two books (thank you for the heads up!). I am however, sharing for those who have 🙂
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Of course! And I’m glad you did because I spoiled the end of the second book in my overview. 😂
Thanks so much for sharing, Danielle!! 💕
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Great review for this book Melissa, and be prepared because this is going to be a long comment.
I finished reading The Song Rising today, and will be posting my review tomorrow, and I LOVED it, it was everything I wanted from this book and more and I still have so many feelings about it. I can’t wait for the fourth book now and it feels like so long away because the third book hadn’t been officially released yet. I need to know what happens to Paige and Warden next.
I loved how The Song Rising moves outside of London and I’m guessing the fourth book is going to move even further out of the capital city. Paige is an incredible character. I agree her development in this series has been beyond amazing hasn’t it? And I loved her in this book. She makes some really tough decisions and makes a lot of enemies out of the syndicate but it’s clear she cares about them.
Warden and Paige in this book pretty much broke my heart. I want more of them together but they kept being pulled apart by their different people. That needs to be fixed in the next book right.
Also Jaxon. I know you said Paige is pretty much your favourite character but Jaxon is mine. He’s so hard to read and you never know where you are with him but that scene near the end between him and Paige was brilliant. I definitely don’t think the two of them are done with each other and I can’t wait to see where they go next.
Also the whole of the last part of the book had me on the edge of the seat. I did not see it coming and honestly there were times I did wonder how it would end positively for Paige.
We got more information on Ireland which was great (I totally think Paige’s cousin is still alive, especially considering they never had a body to bury). It was just an amazing book and we need to talk about it! 😀 ❤
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Thanks so much, Beth!! And yay for long comments! I have feeling mine is going to be pretty long also. 😂🙈 I so can’t wait to read your review! I’m so happy that you ended up loving it too. I’ve been drowning in feels over it for the past two days! I can’t wait for the fourth book either! I have this horrible feeling we’ll be waiting another two years though. I realized that TBS released in 2013 while TMO released in 2015 and now TSR in 2017. I’m not prepared to wait two years. 😣
I loved that TSR showed us what was going on outside of London too. Seeing a few of the different voyant communities was so awesome. Before that I sort of never thought about the fact that there were other voyant communities even though I knew there was. My favorite was Edinburgh though because of the connection to Liss! I’ve always thought so much about Liss and the card reading scene from TBS so seeing that come back up was incredible. And the fourth book is going to be in Paris so that will most definitely be interesting to see.
She really is! Given how much her character has already developed I can only imagine how much more she will by the end of the series. I was actually so frustrated with the syndicate for not realizing Paige just wanted to make sure they survived. And I love that no matter the fact that she was making enemies she continued making those tough decisions.
Warden and Paige kept breaking my heart too! I think I actually might have screamed at the book at one point. I have a feeling it will definitely be fixed in the next book because they’re going to Paris alone. I’m cheering for that fact! Although, I’ve noticed that the carding reading from TBS seems to coincide with each book and the fourth card was The Lovers which pointed to a lot of external influences. And the ending where Paige makes him promise they’ll stay together feels like such an ominous piece of foreshadowing that I’m a little worried. 😶
And yes! I loved that scene between Jaxon and Paige. I feel like he has something up his sleeves that is going to surprise us even more than TMO’s ending did. I don’t think the two of them are done with each other either. Especially with Paige being in Paris because I think Jaxon is also going to be there at the new colony Nashira set up.
I was on the edge of my seat towards the end too and wondering the same thing! The whole plot twist with Burnish had my jaw dropping though. I couldn’t believe it! And I was sad about Alsafi, I kind of grew to like him. But that whole part with the poltergeist putting words on Paige’s hand. I feel like that was really important. Did you cry at the whole Paige and Nick scene? I was in tears. And I really did love how we got more info on Ireland too. And yes Paige’s cousin so has to be alive! I have a feeling there might be some connection with this new group and that. We’ll see though lol. I have a few theories but this comment is already so long that I’ll share them later. 😂
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That’s all right, and I’m glad you feel that way about long comments because you’re going to have a lot of them from me regarding this book, and this whole series actually! I’ll be posting my review shortly which is essentially a more ordered and coherent version of my comment to you! 😀
This book was beyond amazing, and I know the feeling because I’m drowning in feels as well. Oh my god I don’t know what I’ll do if I have to wait two years. I read The Mime Order at the end of 2015 and it was too long a wait. Still the books are amazing so it’s going to be well worth the wait no matter how long it is.
There was so much to explore in this book, and honestly none of it felt shallow or underdeveloped either. Despite how Paige wasn’t in Manchester of Edinburgh that long comparatively there was still so much information on the voyants there. Oh yes Liss, I literally squealed when her name was mentioned again.
Paris is where they’re planning Sheol II so I’m guessing it will have something to do with that. It seems that’s what they’re working to the amount of times it’s come up in conversation.
God going back to looking at book one Paige compared to what she’ll be in book seven will be like two completely different characters. She was a great leader, just the wrong time for her to be a leader if that makes sense?
Was it the part where they went their separate ways? I nearly screamed at that part as well. After everything they’ve been through together how could they leave it like that. Still it makes sense for where their characters were at the time. I didn’t notice that about the cards, but I am going to go back and re-read the first three books to catch up on things I may have missed.
Jaxon definitely has something up his sleeves, and I can’t wait to see what it is as strange as that sounds. They’re definitely not done and I can’t wait to see more of their interactions in the next book. The whole of the last part was insane when it came to plot twists and everything, I think I was reading with my mouth hanging open the whole time
I didn’t cry but I think I knew they’d find their way back to one another at some point. Paige and Nick have always been such a strong unit I can’t imagine them being separated for too long.
I kept hoping to see Finn in this book, but maybe in book four. He’s definitely alive though, like I’m 100% sure of that!
I think my comment ended up being even longer, but definitely share your theories when you have a chance, I can’t wait to read them! 😀 ❤
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Yay! I’ll definitely be going to check out your review in a minute. Be prepared because I’ll probably leave a long comment on it too. 😂😂 But yes! I really don’t know what I’ll do if there’s a two year wait either. I can’t imagine having to wait until 2019 for TBS4. They really are worth the wait though and if TSR is anything to stand by then it’ll probably be worth it again in the end. Torture but worth it lol. 🙈
There really was and it definitely didn’t feel shallow or underdeveloped. I’m actually blown away with how much Samantha Shannon managed to fit into this book considering it’s shorter than the first two. I think just under 400 pages? And it never felt rushed or anything. I did the same! Liss being brought back up also made me think about how Julian is still alive out there somewhere. I hope we see him in future books.
Oh yeah, it’ll definitely have something to do with Sheol II. Also, this new group that has come up, Burnish’s “sponsors”. I reread TBS again straight after TSR because I was book hangover central. Do you remember David? The Oracle from Sheol I that went by 12 who gave Paige the information about the Ranthen? Well I remember him mentioning an alternative plan (the whole stage bomb) and he always seemed to know more than he should have known. I have this feeling that he’s a part of that new group. I think we’ll see him in the fourth book. I also think Julian might be with him but that’s just me hoping we’ll see him again. 😂
I’m betting it will! So much is going to happen from then up to book seven. And I can’t wait! She definitely was but that does make sense. And at least now, I hope, the syndicate realizes how great of a leader she was.
Yes! That was the part where I screamed at it. I was like “Samantha Shannon, what are you doing to me!?”. It did make sense though and honestly there was so much going on in this book that I’m not surprised everything with Warden and Paige was put more on the backseat than the first two. But they really did break my heart. Especially when Paige turned herself over to Vance in Edinburgh and Warden actually says please to her. I honestly think I ship them way too much at this point lol.
I can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeves either! Even if it does possibly break my heart. I get the feeling that he isn’t completely happy being back with Nashira though that’s for sure. Same! I was definitely reading the whole last part with my jaw dropped.
I think I’m just an easier crier. I can’t imagine them being separated for too long either. Nick and Paige’s friendship is probably one of my favorite fictional friendships ever. And same about Finn! He’s mentioned or thought about so much he has to be alive.
As far as other theories go I have two I think will come up in TBS4. One of them is about Nick’s vision from TMO, the waterboard and cuckoo clock from his childhood. TSR made me think he was seeing Paige because of what happens but now that he’s going home to Sweden I’m thinking it was himself that he was seeing. Then the whole flower in the bell jar from TBS that blooms before Nashira catches Paige and Warden? Warden says he doesn’t know why but I have a feeling that he is hiding something big. Especially after the conversation in TSR where he doesn’t answer the part of why he kissed Paige in TBS. One of these days I just need to make a post about all of my TBS theories. 😂🙈
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I saw your comment and replied, we just have long chains of comments about this series but it’s to be expected based on how amazing it is! 😀 I’ll be keeping an eye on Goodreads on the series page waiting for the information about the fourth book to become available. If there’s another two year wait I may just die, and it will only get worse as the series goes on. No matter how worth the wait is it’s too long sometimes.
Oh she really did, I was surprised how much happened in the book. When I first received my copy and saw it was only around 400 pages I wondered how much could actually happen but I was so surprised by what did. I kind of need to see Julian and Finn (I completely forgot Julian was alive until you mentioned him! I wonder if he’s still in Sheol I and we’ll see him in Paris in Sheol II, it was never 100% specified that he made it out was it?)
I vaguely remember David and ohh that’s a great theory, I’m definitely interested in Burnish’s sponsors. It seems like there are a lot of mysterious forces with a hand in this battle; Terebell with The Mime Order, Nashira with Scion, no one seems to be completely free to make their own choices no matter what side they’re on.
There are still four books to go, and based on what happened in this book that is a lot of potential for everything to go wrong and right before the big finale. Paige is definitely not done with the syndicate in London, she will return there to them one day I’m sure of that.
Oh Warden and Paige broke my heart, but I think it was something that needed to happen for both characters to continue down the path they were on. They were definitely put on the backseat in this book but I’m sure they’ll be back up front in a later book. I can’t imagine those two being apart for too much longer, though I don’t think it will be in the next book.
He’s definitely not happy with Nashira, I think he may have something planned against her. Jaxon seems happy when he has power, and the only reason he went back to Nashira was because he lost his power in The Mime Order. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up double crossing her somehow while in Sheol II.
We need to see Nick in the fourth book, despite the fact he isn’t with Paige, and yes the fact that Finn and Ireland was mentioned so much in this book means I am sure he is alive and I really really want to see him soon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a reveal in TBS 4.
I could get behind both theories, I really really want to know why Warden kissed Paige, it didn’t escape my notice that he never answered that question either. I need to read TBS again to fully understand them, but yes you definitely need to write a post with all your TBS theories. I would definitely read and love it! 😀 ❤
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Yes! Definitely expected, because of the wait and how amazing it was. 😊 Me too! And I’ll be keeping an eye on Samantha Shannon’s twitter. I wish her blog had an email subscribe option but it doesn’t for some weird reason. Either that or I couldn’t find it. Right? I’m pretty sure the two year wait for TMO is the longest I’ve ever had to wait for a book. Not including this one series starter I read back in 2013 that still doesn’t have a sequel. I’ve pretty much stopped checking because the release date changes every year for it.
I think it also helped that the time span in the book was shorter. It didn’t feel that way but I think the time span was only a few weeks, maybe less. But yeah, the fact that she could fit so much into it was incredible. Me too! Julian and Finn are two characters I need to appear ASAP. I feel like it’s weird how Finn has become one of my favorites yet we’ve never actually met him in the story beyond Paige’s memories. I’m actually not sure if Julian got out of Sheol I. I think I vaguely remember something about his face appearing on the Scion wanted screens but I can’t remember for sure. It would be interesting if he happens to be in Sheol II though.
Same, her sponsors seem to be this ominous force that I’m wondering if they’ll have the voyants interest at heart or will just be like Terebell and want to use them to be rid of Nashira. There really does seem to be a lot of mysterious forces with their own interest, controlling forces. And then there’s Paige who definitely doesn’t do well with being told what to do or being controlled.
Yep! And I feel like more is going to way wrong before it even begins to go even a little right. I don’t think I’m prepared for that. 😂
Definitely, I think it was something that needed to happen too. Paige and Warden, while caring for each other, really are on such different paths at the moment. I also think that Warden has to figure out how much he’s actually willing to share with her because she’s laid a lot of herself out there but he hasn’t. Plus, with the Ranthen and voyants being such a shaky alliance one small thing could tip it over and that small thing is the two of them. Part of me hopes that they’ll be on more solid ground in TBS4 (or by the end of it) but with everything I don’t think it will happen either. I do think we’ll get some great scenes/interaction between the two of them though.
Oh I think he definitely has to be planning something against Nashira. And considering Jaxon does seem happy when he has power I think one of the ultimate ways of him getting power would be to destroy Nashira. I wonder if he might be the only one who could actually succeed. But even with Nashira gone there’s still Gomeisha.
We do! I think I’ll be sad if we don’t at least see Nick once. And I really want to see Finn soon too. If he is alive I’m wondering what Samantha Shannon has up her sleeves as far as his character is concerned. Same! That’s one of the unsolved mysteries from TBS that continues to bother me. It’s like I need to know why he first kissed her! I’ll definitely post my theories sometime between now and the next books release. 😁💕
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I will also be keeping an eye on Samantha Shannon’s Twitter and blog and everything for even the smallest hint of news about the fourth book. I’ll see if I can find something to follow her blog but I don’t know if author blogs allow that, they’re not on WordPress or Blogger or anything so I guess the same rules don’t apply.
Not the longest for me. There is a book series that I have been waiting for for 18 years. The last book was supposed to come out in 1999 and now in 2017 it still hasn’t been released.
Oh yes, especially compared to the first book where she was likely in Sheol I for months (correct me if I’m wrong here). Everything happened in this one so quickly. I’d settle for at least one of them in the next book, but we definitely need to see one of them soon. I don’t know if I can handle the wait. I think it’s likely Finn will appear first for some reason, simply because of all the history we got behind him and Ireland in this book. It seems to be building up to something. I remember Julian’s face appearing on the wanted screens in the second book but that’s the only mention we’ve got of him. And there’s nothing to say between then and now he hasn’t been recaptured and shipped off to Paris.
Pretty soon someone is going to have to come out from the dark so to speak, be it Terebell or the mysterious sponsors. There are so many people pulling the strings from behind the scenes sooner or later they’ll be revealed.
Well we have four books left. That’s a lot of time for things to go wrong. 🙂
I think it’s going to take more than one book for Paige and Warden to sort out their differences and come together again. There is a lot both of them need to work though, Warden has the most of it but Paige still has her own issues as well doesn’t she. Plus they have more than themselves to take into account and they wouldn’t work so well together as a couple if they put themselves before the good of the voyants and Ranthen.
At the moment Jaxon is my favourite character just because I can’t wait to see where his story goes. The only side he seems to be on is his own so it will be interesting to see if he does something to betray Nashira for his own interests.
See I almost wouldn’t mind not seeing Nick in the next book if it means we got to see Finn (I wonder if maybe a reveal like that and Finn being alive could be part of the big twist Samantha Shannon mentioned at the end of the fourth book. Maybe Finn is working with Nashira as well!)
I’ll keep an eye out for your theories then! 😀 ❤
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Let me know if you do! I think her blog is a blogspot one and I could have sworn they had email subscribe buttons but for some reason there isn’t one on hers. Oh wow! 😱 And I thought two years was long! What book series is the one you’ve been waiting for the next book from?
Yeah, I think she was in Sheol I for months. I can’t remember for sure but it had to have been a while. Same! I want at least one of them to appear soon and I agree it has to be Finn. He’s been coming up more and more frequently in the books so it definitely has to mean something. That’s what I was thinking. There wasn’t any more talk of him after his face appeared so I’m thinking there is a good chance he was recaptured. And since we never actually figured out what his clairvoyance is I’m betting it’s something that will end up being important later. I also keep wondering if Finn was voyant or not. It’s not talked about but it is mentioned that he knew Paige was voyant, that he could tell, so I think he is. And if that’s the case it could make sense why there was no body and lead to being the reason he is alive.
Right? I think so too. I mean with so many people in the game and so many different intentions. It’s becoming a guessing game over who can actually be trusted that’s for sure. 😂
That’s what worries me! Too much time and too many books for things to go more wrong. I just hope there is a happy ending at the end of everything lol. Or at the very least something bittersweet that doesn’t break my heart too much.
Yeah, even though I hope, you’re right it will definitely take more than one book for Warden and Paige to sort everything out – with each other and with themselves. And I completely agree about how they wouldn’t work so well together if they put themselves first. I think that’s another reason why they’re one of my favorites.
I can never choose who is my favorite – Jaxon or Warden. Both of them are enigmas in very different ways and interest me for different reasons. I have a lot of favorites but as far as top in this series those two are tied for me. But yea, Jaxon does seem to be very much on his own side and it will be interesting if that does happen. I also really hope he wasn’t lying about Nadine and Zeke being safe.
That’s actually one of my theories, Finn working with Nashira! You remember the Rag and Bone Man from TMO? His identity is never revealed but one thing is for sure is that he’s masking his aura with eimm blood. He has to come back up at one point and I think a fantastic twist would be that he’s Finn. It would be amazing if that is what is revealed as this twist at the end of TBS4. 😂
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I definitely will, and there’s got to be a way of following blogs on Blogspot, guess it’s just one we need to look a little harder to actually find.
Well in the grand scheme of things two years is a long time to wait. The series is called The Night World by L.J. Smith. I read it ages ago when I was in high school and really loved the books, and although I kind of would like to see the last one released I’ve kind of given up all hope of it actually happening.
I kind of expected Finn to appear in this one. He was mentioned a lot and all the references to Dublin and the riots seemed to be foreshadowing a reveal kind of like that Maybe in the next book, or maybe to completely throw us off our game she’ll reintroduce Julian instead. I feel like if he was still on the large it would have been mentioned, even if it was just in casual conversation between Nashira and Jaxon or something like that, but they didn’t mention his name once did they? At least that I can remember in TSR.
It’s never been mentioned whether Finn was voyant but the series is told from Paige’s POV and she was young at that time so maybe he could of been but she just didn’t know, anything is possible in this series isn’t it?
It means you can never really guess what direction it will go in and I kind of love that about this series.
Oh so much potential for it to go wrong but I’m sure there will be a happy ending, I’m desperately hoping for it either way. 😀
I think given the way things ended between them in this book it can’t be resolved too quickly. The issues separating them are still separating them and probably will be for a little while more at the very least. I’m sure they’ll be together again soon though either way.
Jaxon is definitely my favourite, Warden a close second though! 😀 I think maybe Nadine and Zeke will be in Sheol II as well. I don’t think Jaxon was lying about them being alive but I think he was lying about them being safe a free. Or maybe only one of them is in Sheol II and is used to threaten the other one. May not seem like something Jaxon will do but I’m guessing Nashira would.
Ohh that would be a fantastic twist, I’d be interested in seeing the Rag and Bone Man but it would be even more amazing if he was actually Finn! 😀
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I’ve actually read the first three books in The Night World series! My friend gave me the 1-3 collection that was republished together back in 2008 for my birthday and I adored it but never continued with the series for some reason. That sucks that the last book still hasn’t been published. I used to love L.J Smith’s books. Her Dark Visions series is my favorite. 😊
Me too! Honestly when it was mentioned that Vance favors phycological warfare I thought she would introduce Finn by recreating all of that including Finn since Paige cared for her cousin so much. But we got the Dublin reenactment minus Finn instead. Maybe. I’m hoping the next book because I need to know for sure if he is alive or not. I feel like it would have been too or he would have found a way to contact Paige but nope neither of them mentioned his name once. I actually wouldn’t mind if we did see Julian in the next one even if it means no Finn reveal.
Definitely. I just think it’s a huge possibility considering he seemed to know, from Paige’s memories, that she was voyant. She was so young she her voyance wasn’t even known to her and it makes me wonder how he knew.
That’s definitely what I love about this series too. It always surprises me!
Same, I need there to be happy ending. 😊
I agree and I mean I’ve seen where Samantha Shannons talks about how she created the relationship between Paige and Warden to be a slow-burn, complex, and to have it problems so that it could grow and change over the full seven books. I love that aspect even if it does break my heart like it did in TSR. 😂
I was thinking that too! That gives the potential for us to see them both again in TBS4. Out of the two the one I think is in the most danger is Zeke since he’s unreadable and I vaguely remember something being said about things going wrong if Nashira got her hands on an unreadable. I could also see that being the thing that changes everything. And right? Either way if it’s Finn or not I really think the Rag and Bone Man is someone Paige knows or they wouldn’t have masked their aura, you know?
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Yeah, they republished all the books but never published the last one! To be honest I’m kind of done with the series. Like I said I really enjoyed it but coming in 20 years is too long to wait for a sequel! I can’t remember if I’ve read Her Dark Visions (probably) but did love The Forbidden Game.
I wonder if maybe Vance though Paige was too young back The to remember Finn, or maybe if she knew where Paige was from but didn’t know of her family in Ireland. Who knows? I feel like maybe just to be extra cruel he’ll be introduced in book seven!
I definitely want to see one of them soon. I don’t care if it’s Julian or Finn, I just need answers about one of them soon! 🙂
It could even explain how he escaped Dublin and was able to hide for so long as well. Maybe he has his own community of voyants somewhere, maybe he’s still in Ireland.
Well she’s definitely created an amazing relationship in that case. Just in the first three books they’ve been through so much together and had so many problems. I kind of wonder how it could get worse than it already is!
I think if either of them are in Sheol II it would be Zeke. He may have been too close to Nick for Jaxon’s liking. I do hope Zeke is OK, I want him and Nick to be happy!
Good point. I guess that’s another reveal we have to look forwards to in one of the future books then! 😀
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I get that, sometimes the wait for a book is just too long. That’s me with the one sequel I’ve been waiting for since 2013, even if it hasn’t been as long. My reading preferences have changed since then so I’m not even sure if I would still enjoy it.
Yeah, that’s what I’m wondering too. I find it interesting how Gomeisa was in Dublin when all of that happened and that he saw Paige but didn’t take her. But then again that’s most likely how Vance knew Paige had been in Dublin when it all went down. Given the general chaos that happened and her hiding it could be likely that Vance nor Gomeisa know her connection to Finn. Right? Oh man that would suck if he didn’t get introduced until book seven. Not enough time to know everything that has happened between Dublin and then. Same here. I need answers!! 🙈
It could! And I really hope they end up in Dublin in one of the books or even just in Ireland because I would love to see if there is a voyant community there. Ever since the mention of Ireland in book one I’ve been waiting for them to go there. It would be interesting if Finn is still in Ireland. And then there’s that voyant lady from TBS that took down a Rephaite with her powers. She has to come up again!
Right? I’m wondering them same. But yeah, she’s definitely created an amazing relationship with Paige and Warden. I can’t imagine where they’ll be by book seven.
That’s what I was thinking soon. I think on principle Jaxon would have taken Zeke to Sheol II. If not because of Nashira. I hope he’s okay too because if anything happens Nick will be heartbroken and then I will be too.
Yes! Definitely another one. 😁
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Exactly, if you leave it too long people’s reading preferences change and by the time it is released, if it ever is, people have moved on and you no longer have an audience for it.
I hope we see more of Gomeisa at some point. It seems like he may be foreshadowed as playing a larger role in Paige’s life and maybe the rebellion as well having been in Dublin at the same time. I imagine it was hard to keep track of people during the riot, I still think her relationship with Finn is kind of secret from most people on that side of things.
That would definitely suck, and I really hope it isn’t the case.
Ohh that would be interesting. I think eventually they’ll go to Ireland, it would be great if Paige could see some people she would have known back then. I think I remember that Ireland is now Scion controlled isn’t it? Like they were trying to do with London in this book, maybe that means Paige will try and free Ireland as part of this series who knows.
Hopefully by book seven they’ll have a happy ending right?
A happy ending needed for Nick and Zeke as well. Here’s hoping right, I’d like to see Zeke again in the next book, would have been nice to see more of him in this one but I guess he kind of needed to be out the picture in a way.
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Yep, especially when a book is released during a fad reading wise. Kind of how vampires were all over fantasy for a while and when dystopia novels were huge. Not that dystopia isn’t still successful but I know I look for different things in them than I used to.
I hope we see more of him too and it definitely seems like it’s foreshadowing that he has a bigger role in all of that. I know with what happened in TBS toward the end when Warden, Terebell, and the other Ranthen fight him that it seems like he’s even more powerful than Nashira. I think he’s another snake in the grass so to speak and he’s just bidding his time. I think so too, they would have used it against her somehow if they knew.
I think so too and it really would be great if Paige could see some of the people she knew. Like her grandparents! Even with everything that was revealed in TSR I really hope they’re okay. Yeah, Ireland is Scion controlled. I finally got my copy of TSR today and I noticed that the map of Ireland only shows Dublin and Belfast as being Scion cities. Either the rest of it lacks those details on purpose or they don’t have them which I find interesting considering there are so many in Scion England. Even with the camps that they talk about in TSR you would think there would be other cities. If they succeed in taking down Scion I think Ireland will be free by the end of the series.
I hope! I need them to have a happy ending. Though I think it’ll be more bittersweet than happy since Warden is immortal. And yes a happy ending for Nick and Zeke too! For all of them really.
Same. I kept expecting him to appear again and was a little sad when he didn’t but yeah it made sense.
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Vampire and dystopia books were huge, kind of makes me wonder if that’s why I tend to avoid books featuring them now, because they were so oversaturated a little while back in the YA market.
It feels like there was so much foreshadowing so I’ll be really disappointed if it turns out he isn’t a bigger part of the series and Paige’s story than just in the background. I’m sure Samantha Shannon won’t do that but I guess you just never know do you. Maybe he’s not working for Nashira but working against her in a way, another player in the game that seems to have so many of them.
Well after losing her father it would be nice if she could connect with more of her family, and especially after losing Nick as well in being separated from him. I feel like she needs more people she has a connection to other than Warden. I haven’t had a chance to check out the map yet but I definitely will soon. I kind of hope Scion is dismantled by the end of the series.
I can deal with bittersweet as long as there’s some kind of sweet in there, and yes Nick and Zeke having a happy ending is a definite for me.
We still have four more books so you never know! 😀
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Oh I know that’s why I tend to avoid books that feature them. More so vampires than dystopia but aside from TBS dystopia was something I was really avoiding until last year. Now I’m slowly starting to give the genre a chance again.
Definitely, I’ll be disappointed if he isn’t too. Maybe. It would be really interesting if he was working against Nashira in some way. Though I think he would do it more for his own gain and power. I could see him doing away with Nashira and then trying to take control of everything.
Yeah, it would be nice if she could connect more with her family after all of that. And I completely agree I feel like she needs other connections beyond Warden too. With everything going on Paige needs a lot more people on her side than she has. Me too. Either that or if Scion isn’t dismantled than the way it’s run needs to be. A new government built from the ground up that isn’t anti-voyance.
Right? There has to be some sweet.
And true we do still have four more books all of which I can’t wait to read! 😁
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I wouldn’t say I tend to avoid books that feature vampires but I had been doing that with dystopia ones until recently. Actually come to think of it I haven’t seen many new books on vampires released recently. Could just be that I’m not looking for them though.
There is definitely more to him than meets the eye, there’s got to be when you consider Paige saw him in Ireland during the rebellion. I doubt Samantha Shannon would have included that of it wasn’t some kind of foreshadowing you know? I kind of see him being more like Jaxon a little; in it for his own gain and as soon as the opportunities with Nashira end he’ll strike out on his own again.
Even if it’s just her grandparents it would be nice seeing more of where Paige comes from, both in terms of Ireland the country and in terms of her family as well. Maybe a new government that’s half aromatics and half voyants or something; change the way Scion is run from the inside.
They’ll probably be four heartbreaking books though won’t they?
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I have to correct myself on the vampire front as I realized RoseBlood was, in an odd way, playing on vampires and demon mythology with the whole psychic vampire/incubus/succubus thing it had going on. 😂 But, yeah, beyond RoseBlood I don’t think I’ve seen many new vampire releases recently either.
Definitely, that whole memory and her having seen him in Ireland was too specific to not have meant something. I feel like Samantha Shannon is very meticulous with her foreshadowing. You can tell something means more than let on but not what it actually means. I love it. Yes! I can kind of see that similarity between him and Jaxon. Can you imagine if the two of them decided to team up? Oh man that would be bad.
It really would. And it would be nice to know a bit more of Paige’s past or mostly more about her mom. I’ve always felt there was more to the story between her mom and her dad than meets the eye. Going back to Ireland and her grandparents being alive has the potential to reveal a lot. Yeah, maybe. I think rebuilding to be run by both auromatics and voyants would be great.
Most likely. You should check some of her recent tweets about it. She keeps going on about how heartbreaking book four will be and how her playlist for it is full of pain. Then there’s me sitting here feeling a tad bit more anxious. 😂🙈
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I don’t really see RoseBlood as a vampire book, not the same species and they didn’t drink blood so it’s far enough removed for me to not count it I feel. But either way other than RoseBlood I can’t even think of any books with vampires in that have been released in the last few years. Correct me if I’m wrong on this count.
Everything does seem to be really well planned out and I highly doubt she included him for no reason. It’s just trying to guess what that reason is now isn’t it? See part of me would love to see him and Jaxon team up but on the other hand I think if they did the two would play so many mind games on each other for the position of power they’d never get to stand again Nashira or Scion. Jaxon strikes me as the kind of person who isn’t happy unless he’s got someone to manipulate.
We know pretty much nothing about her story, I mean yeah we saw the rebellion she was a part of but other than that what else do we know about her and her family. Pretty much nothing so I think that’s a hole that will need to be filled at some point.
I’ve seen the tweet but not the playlist, I’ll have to download it by the time book four comes out so I can listen and read at the same time, double the pain almost!
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The only other vampire books I can think of is Richelle Meads’ Bloodlines series but that ended back in 2015 so, yeah, it’s been a few years. I haven’t seen a single vampire book since then.
Yep! Among trying to guess about everything else that’s going on lol. True, I could definitely see them spending most of their time playing mind games on each other rather than trying to stand against Nashira 😂. That and the fact that Gomeisa is more powerful than Jaxon. And I agree, Jaxon does seem like someone who isn’t happy unless he’s got someone to manipulate – he likes having power. Gomeisa definitely doesn’t strike me as someone who would give up power. They would end up being too alike to work together.
Right? We really don’t know much about her story. Definitely a hole that will have to be filled.
I actually don’t think she has the playlist up yet, she was just teasing at it being full of painful songs. She does have The Song Rising playlist up though and you should so check it out if you haven’t. I’m currently obsessed with one of the songs from it called The Whisperer. It’s Warden and Paige’s theme for TSR and during my book hangover I listened to it on repeat. 🙈
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Actually yes that’s one I remember as well but other than that there aren’t that many, and I certainly can’t think of any that were released this year or last for that matter.
I kind of think it would be interesting seeing a book solely made up of Jaxon and Gomeisa playing games with one another, or a book where you have Paige and Nashira fighting the big battles but Jaxon and Gomeisa fighting a petty battle amongst themselves kind of ignorant of the bigger picture (can’t ever see it happening but it makes me laugh to think of it in my head.) Still I’m sure wherever their characters go it will be a story well worth reading right?
Hopefully soon, we seem to learn more about her in each book so I’m guessing we’ll get more of her story in TBS4. Well either way I’m trying to prepare myself for the pain so maybe I should create my own playlist of heartbreaking songs to listen to in the meantime. Ohh, thanks for the rec, I’ll be sure to check that out. Maybe I’ll listen to it during my re-read of TSR! 😀
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Oh man that would be great! 😂 I could so picture Paige and Nashira off fighting the big battles while you have Jaxon and Gomeisa in the background fighting amongst themselves. I remember back when parody videos for characters were big on YouTube and I wish they were now and that someone would create one based on that because it would crack me up. Definitely, whatever happens with all of them it will be worth reading. 😊
Yeah, most likely we’ll get to see more of her story in TBS4. Right? I actually made my own Warden and Paige playlist but have yet to add any sad songs to it (even after TSR). Maybe I should do that lol.
I might have to do that when I reread TSR too. I listened to it afterwards but it’s gotta be fun listening to it while reading the book. 😊
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And you know both Jaxon and Gomeisa will think they’re fighting the big battle when really they’re not. They’ll just appear at the end all superior and not realise what’s happened without them.
Any parody video for this book would crack me up. There needs to be one I think! 😀
If they keep revealing more then I guess that’s to be expected, maybe we’ll even see someone else from Ireland or something.
I think if all of Samantha Shannon’s songs are sad then yeah you may need to for sure! It’ll add to the experience I think. 😀
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They so would! And just imagine Narshira’s annoyance over that fact considering they’re supposed to be helping her. 😂😂
There really does! And speaking of videos I was thinking about how it’s been optioned for a movie today. You know who I think would be the perfect Paige? Saoirse Ronan.
I’m thinking we will eventually see someone else from Ireland. Maybe the voyant lady from book one whose name I can never remember lol.
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I know it probably won’t happen like that in the books, just because it would be a little too OOC for them all, but oh I’d kind of love to see it. It would be hilarious! 😀
Yes, I am so excited about it potentially being made into a movie one day, and Saoirse Ronan would be a brilliant Paige, I can definitely see that.
I almost feel like we’ll get Ireland in one of the later books, kind of bring Paige’s story back too where it began for the conclusion you know? 🙂
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Yeah, most likely it wouldn’t but it would be hilarious if it did. And it’s hilarious to picture either way. 😂
Same! Though I am worried how they would take the voyance and adapt it on screen. Mainly Paige’s since it’s so internal, you know?
Yeah, I could see getting Ireland in the later books to bring Paige’s story back to the beginning. One of the questions I asked for the Q&A was if we would see Paige in Ireland later in the series. 😂
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I am free to imagine it happening and it never fails to make me laugh so there’s that! 😀
I’m sure they’ll find a way. You see some of the things they do in movies now and they always look amazing, they’ll find something for TBS as well.
I really hope we do. It would kind of be a way of her journey coming full circle. Also, for some reason, if Finn is alive, I can see her ending the series in Ireland. 🙂
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Right? 😂
Very true, I think if they do end up adapting it for a movie it’s going to be interesting seeing how they do everything.
It really would and I could definitely see it ending in Ireland if Finn is alive. 😊
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It would be an epic movie wouldn’t it. Between the voyants, everything that happens in the books, and all the locations the series goes to there would be so much happening on the big screen! 🙂
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It so would be! And then even more people would know about the series which makes me happy because it deserves more recognition. I think it has the possibility to be a hit on screen if done right. 😊
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You do find books seem to increase in popularity after a film has been announced/released. I’m sure if TBS is released as a film it will gain tons of more fans. Come for the film stay for the books right! 😀
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Exactly, I know there have been plenty of books where the trailer was released for the movie and it made me curious enough to pick up the book. And I’ve even had it happen after seeing a movie. 😁
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Yeah same here actually. After seeing the Percy Jackson movie (which now I’ve read the books I can say for sure it was terrible) I was tempted to pick up the books. And it’s the same with other films like The Life of Pi and Cloud Atlas, which would normally never be my thing but because the movie was amazing I’ve added the books to my to-read list!
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I’ve still not finished the Percy Jackson books but I picked them up for the same reason, because of the movie. Which was definitely a terrible movie. My friends who were huge PJ fans when it was released were so mad. That movie is the movie that makes me worry about book to movie adaptations sometimes. 😂
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I hope you manage to finish them soon. I’ve read the first series Rick Riordan has done in the PJ world but not yet started on the second.
My friend was like that as well, I didn’t think the movie was so bad at first but she was telling me it was terrible and now I’ve read the series I have to agree with her! 🙂
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I’m a huge Bone Season fan, too! I’m sooo glad you loved TSR! It wasn’t my favorite installment (TMO is my favorite hands down), since it was more heisty and I like the more bizarre/whimsical clairvoyant world details (that TMO had), BUT I know that so many people are going to love this one — esp those who didn’t like all those details that I loved. It’s a great addition to the series!
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Yay!! A fellow TBS fan! 😁
See, I’m not sure which one has been my favorite since I’ve loved each one for the different aspect it brings in. I definitely adored TMO for the same reasons as you and then I was really into the heisty aspect of TSR. It made for this fast-paced, suspenseful read that I was completely immersed in. One thing is for sure though, I can’t wait until book four!
But yeah, TSR was a great addition. 😊
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I am a huge fan of the Bone Season, but I sadly haven’t gotten around to reading the Mime Order yet. I’ll definitely get around to reading it soon, and then i’ll come back and read this review so I won’t be spoiled. 🙂
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Aww, we’ll I hope you enjoy The Mime Order when you do read it! 😁
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Love your review Melissa! Your writing is beautiful and you express your feelings so well. Your review makes me so eager to read this series. I just cannot wait! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jasmine!! 💕
I so hope you end up enjoying this series whenever you do read it. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on it. 😁
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I will make time to read it this year, at least the first book 🙂
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[…] The Song Rising (The Bone Season #3) by Samantha Shannon [ARC REVIEW] […]
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I can’t spoil myself just yet, but I’m really looking forward to reading this series. I’ve read some really positive reviews for this book in particular, including yours, so I’ve just gotta bump this up on my list 🙂 I also love how this book has a lot of girl power 🙂 I’m always on the lookout for that! ❤
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Ahhh you so have to read it! I’m probably big time bias since I love the series so much but it’s really great. Especially if you’re big into fantasy. And yes the girl power in this series has been incredible, it’s of my favorite things about it. 😁
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I am really into fantasy so it sounds perfect lol. Girl power is always a plus 😉 And if you enjoy it, I’m pretty sure I will too. Looking forward to picking them up!
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I can’t believe I haven’t read this series yet. I will soon though, hopefully! Amazing review, as always, love!
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You so need to read it! I’m definitely bias since I love the series so much but I feel like you’d love it. Thanks so much, Megan!! 😊💕
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