THE Bone Season
The first novel in the New York Times bestselling Bone Season series.
The year is 2059. For two centuries, the Republic of Scion has led an oppressive campaign against unnaturalness in Europe.
In London, Paige Mahoney holds a high rank in the criminal underworld. The right hand of the ruthless White Binder, Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare and formidable kind of clairvoyant. Under Scion law, she commits treason simply by breathing.
When Paige is arrested for murder, she meets the mysterious founders of Scion, who have designs on her uncommon abilities. If she is to survive and escape, Paige must use every skill at her disposal – and put her trust in someone who ought to be her enemy.
'A dazzlingly witty, brainy, and bewitching tale of outrageous courage, heroic compassion, transcendent love, and the quest for freedom' – Booklist ★
‘A masterclass in page-turning prose. The Bone Season has become a must-read staple in the fantasy genre. Samantha Shannon’s exceptional worldbuilding, riveting plot, and endearing characters prove to be a successful combination – and one only she could have pulled off quite so skilfully’ – Saara El-Arifi, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Faebound and The Final Strife
Epic, surprising, and impeccably imagined, The Bone Season seamlessly melds a near-future dystopian world, with high fantasy stakes, and a truly unique brand of magic. Perfect for those who enjoy intricate plots and eclectic casts of nuanced characters. Ten years on from its original release, Shannon's debut remains one of the most accomplished and original SFF novels I've ever read’ – Kate Dylan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Until We Shatter
‘A dark and exquisitely rendered fantasy unlike anything out there. The Bone Season is a must-read' – Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Beautiful Creatures and author of Unbreakable
‘The Bone Season is why fantasy exists. This is a hypnotic journey that crackles with dreamlike energy [...] I would linger in the æther forever if it meant spending longer with Paige Mahoney and Arcturus Mesarthim. Darkly thrilling, and dense with inventive detail, this lyrical dreamscape demands your presence. Come, dreamers – I dare you to lose yourselves in this one’ – London Shah, award-winning author of the Light the Abyss series
REVIEWS
‘A richly dramatic and unadulterated pleasure, filled with horrors, wonders and charm’ – Justina Robson, author of the Quantum Gravity series
The original version of The Bone Season was brilliant – but the new Author’s Preferred Text is incredible. Samantha Shannon is a master storyteller and wordsmith, and the care she has taken in the revision shines through on every page. It is a richly rewarding reading experience’ – Katherine Webber, Sunday Times bestselling co-author of Twin Crowns
'Slick and vivid . . . Gives the fantasy genre a refreshing lease of life. The Bone Season is enough to transport even hardened sceptics of the fantasy genre into its imaginative realm' – Metro
'A rapid-fire wonder of a book' – Marie Claire
'Dark, embattled, highly wrought fantasy' – Observer
Truly extraordinary and thrilling' – Andy Serkis
'Had me gripped as if in a vice, keeping me hostage among the 452 pages until the end, when I was left eager for the next book’ – Stylist
'Dynamic and direct [. . .] There is an exciting breadth to Shannon's world' – Evening Standard
'Intelligent, inventive, dark, and engrossing enough to keep me up late to finish' – NPR.org
'A dystopian thriller that delivers' – Salon
'Fabulous, epic fantasy thriller' – Times
'A massive, intricate story ... in [a] blisteringly paced plot' – New York Magazine
‘Shannon’s words jump off the page, painting a detailed portrait in the reader’s mind […] Beginning a seven-book series is daunting for any reader, but with Shannon’s imagination and knack for expressive characters, The Bone Season proves itself to be a delightful introductory book to the world of Scion’ – Loyola Phoenix
CONTENT GUIDE
Blood, branding, death, emotional abuse, hibernophobia, human trafficking, loss of freedom, massacre, needles, sex, tyranny, violence, vomiting