The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Song Rising

Author: Samantha Shannon

Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy

Series: The Bone Season # 3

Publication: May 14, 2024, 384 pages

Source: Personal Library 

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Following a fierce battle for the Rose Crown, Paige Mahoney has risen to the dangerous position of Underqueen, ruling over the clairvoyant syndicate of London. But with vengeful enemies still at large, the task of stabilizing the fractured underworld has never seemed so challenging.

As Paige rallies her army of criminals, she continues to meet in secret with her former enemy, Arcturus Mesarthim. Should they be discovered, the fragile alliance with the Ranthen will fail.

But all bets are off when Scion introduces Senshield, a deadly technology that spells doom for clairvoyants. Now Paige must race against the clock to stop her reign ending in blood.

MY THOUGHTS

Now that Paige is Underqueen of the London Citadel, she must contend not only with Scion and Nashira but also with the possibility of her own people turning against her, all while racing against time to destroy Senshield before it takes effect. The Song Rising is the third installment in The Bone Season series, and it continues to surprise me and keep me on the edge of my seat.

Shannon’s world is incredibly complex and multifaceted. Just when I think I’ve grasped its workings, I realize I’ve only seen a fraction of its scope. In the first book, we came face-to-face with the Rephaim; in the second, we delved into the hierarchy of the criminal underground; and in the third, we are introduced to Scion’s military. I never thought the military could be made fascinating, yet Shannon achieves it brilliantly. I also loved that the journey took us to Edinburgh, where we experience a new side of the conflict and see how the voyant there differ from those in London. The deeper we go into this world, the more intricate it becomes, and I relish discovering every moment.

Paige’s transformation from the first book to the third is remarkable. At times, I forget she is barely twenty years old, because she shows more maturity, depth, intelligence, and heart than many older characters I’ve read. The trials she endures in The Song Rising would break most people, yet she rises from the ashes, and Shannon makes her journey both realistic and believable. Every character in The Bone Season is so well-developed they feel real, like flesh and blood, and it’s impossible not to feel everything they experience. I didn’t realize how much some of the secondary characters meant to me until one pivotal moment in this book left me sobbing. Though this character wasn’t prominent in earlier books, their role here was pivotal, and their loss hit me deeply.

Though The Song Rising is shorter than the first two books, it still packs a powerful punch. The ending left me reeling, and I cannot wait to see what happens next in Paris! I highly, highly recommend this series. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read, and I’m surprised it hasn’t received more attention. Add this series to the very top of your list, you won’t regret it.

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Mime Order

Author: Samantha Shannon

Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy

Series: The Bone Season # 2

Publication: May 14, 2024, 560 pages

Source: Personal Library 

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Paige Mahoney has escaped the clandestine prison city of Oxford. Now a fugitive in London, she nurtures a new taste for revolution.

Oxford may be behind her, but the Republic of Scion is undefeated. As it turns its all-seeing eye on Paige, she is forced to return to Jaxon Hall, her charismatic and brutal employer, to keep her foothold in the underworld.

But Paige will bow to no one now, and not even Jaxon will stop her exposing the corruption in the syndicate. As she plots to win the fabled Rose Crown, both sides of an ancient conflict seek her talents for themselves.

MY THOUGHTS

It’s been years since I read The Bone Season, and after finally rereading it in the author’s preferred edition, I jumped straight into The Mime Order. I honestly don’t know why I waited so long to continue this series; The Bone Season was incredible, and The Mime Order shines just as brightly as its predecessor. The Mime Order picks up exactly where the first book left off, with Paige, her syndicate, and the other prisoners escaping Oxford and heading toward the Tower of London. The book starts with a bang, and I immediately felt the same tension and suspense that I loved in the first installment.

In The Bone Season, Shannon did an amazing job setting up the world and introducing the main characters. Most of the first book takes place in Oxford, where we learn about the Rephaim, the history of Scion, and the various levels of clairvoyance. In the sequel, Shannon brings us back to London to explore the criminal underworld; its different cohorts and the inner workings of the London syndicate, introducing the underlord, mime-lords, and mime-queens. Except this time, Paige is no longer a prisoner; she’s a wanted fugitive, and now everyone is gunning for her.

I felt like I had a good grasp of the Seven Seals in the first book, but I loved how we got a deeper look into Paige’s found family and the other divisions. Seeing how the syndicate operates day-to-day was fascinating. While some readers have said this book is slower than the first, I thought it was brilliant. Shannon weaves an intricate mystery and builds it to a phenomenal, dare I say one of the best, climactic endings I’ve ever read. The scrimmage scene was so well-written and intense, it had me on the edge of my seat! And that ending… it gave me literal chills. I was completely shocked. I love when a book can still surprise me and keep me on my toes.

I have to say, The Bone Season series has some of the richest, most well-thought-out, and downright smart worldbuilding I’ve encountered in a long time. I absolutely loved how Shannon incorporated the language of flowers and the important role it plays in shaping this world. Then there’s the metaphysical and spiritual aspect combined with clairvoyance; it’s so fascinating to see how she takes these fringe concepts and turn them into something uniquely her own.

This series is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites. I highly, highly recommend it if you're looking for a brilliant, well-written plot, immersive worldbuilding, and complex, multifaceted characters you can’t help but love or hate. And I have to add… I still find Jaxon fascinating, despite everything!

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

Title: Of Jade and Dragons

Author: Amber Chen

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Fall of the Dragons # 1

Hardcover, 480 pages 

Publication: June 18, 2024 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
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Eighteen-year-old Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a world-class engineer like her father, but after his sudden murder, her life falls apart. Left with only a journal of her father’s engineering secrets and a jade pendant snatched from the assassin, a heartbroken Ying follows the trail to the capital and the prestigious Engineers Guild—a place that harbors her father’s hidden past—determined to discover why anyone would threaten a man who ultimately chose a quiet life over fame and fortune.

Disguised as her brother, Ying manages to infiltrate the guild’s male-only apprenticeship trial with the help of an unlikely ally—Aogiya Ye-yang, the taciturn eighth prince of the High Command. With her father’s renown placing a target firmly on her back, Ying must stay one step ahead of her fellow competitors, the jealous guild masters, and the killer still hunting for her father’s journal. Complicating everything is her increasingly tangled relationship with the prince, who may have mysterious plans of his own.

The secrets concealed within the guild can be as deadly as the weapons they build—and with her life and the future of her homeland at stake, Ying doesn’t know who to trust. Can she avenge her father even if it means going against everything he stood for, or will she be next in the mastermind’s line of fire?

MY THOUGHTS

Of Jade and Dragons was promoted as a Mulan retelling with a dash of Dystopian Steampunk. However, the only similarity to Mulan was when our heroine, Ying disguises herself as her older brother to be admitted to the Engineering Guild Trials; one to fulfill her father's legacy and secondly to find his murderer.

The world building was a little hard to understand. Of course, there's a hierarchy within the Kingdoms as well as the Engineering Guild. But there were too many characters with similar names, that left me confused most of the time.

Readers were told that only heirs of the aristocratic were allowed admittance into the prestigious guild. But thanks to happenstance Ying crosses path with a young prince who was able to nominate anyone and bypass registrations, earning her a one-way ticket into the trials. Now Ying's job is to find out why the assassin wanted Ying father's journal, stay alive, and pass the trials. 

Sadly, I didn't find myself connecting with Ying or the love interest, Prince Yang. Ying was supposed to be a prodigy, daughter of the most famous engineer the guild has ever seen, and yet she caused problems wherever she went. Also, the Mulan similarity and the aspect I loved the most was the hidden identiy and disguise trope but unfortunately, that fell to the way side and must've been pretty terrible to be discovered early on in barely chapter 4. 

Ying's relationship with the prince felt very two-dimensional and unbelievable. The two barely knew each other and perhaps spent less than a handful of times together. It was such a short amount of time that it was impossible that they felt as they did. At least, in my opinion. There was no chemistry, no spark, nada. The only saving grace were Ying's friends. One of the most memorable scenes and the best, actually, was during the second trial of hearts. Ying abandoned logic and risked everything to save her friends' lives. 

I thought the overall writing was just okay but most importantly it was easy to read. Nothing fancy or complicated. The pacing of the book was quite slow, which made getting into the book hard. It wasn't until I was 60% into the book that I felt more invested in the story. But the action and payoff didn't truly come until we were near the end, the last three chapters of the book. To be honest, if this wasn't a review book that I asked to read, I probably would've DNF it earlier on. 

In the end, Of Jade and Dragons didn't live up to my expectations or synopsis. I feel like within the last couple of years, there's been a ton of Asian-inspired Fantasy and Of Jade and Dragons just doesn't stand out in all that. The market has become so saturated and I'm here still trying to find that one book that stands out from all the rest. The one that has the spark. With that said, would I recommend Of Jade and Dragons? Sadly, no. And I will not be continuing with this series.

Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

Title: Seven Faceless Saints

Author: M.K. Lobb

Genre: Fantasy YA

Series: Seven Faceless Saints #1

Hardcover, 400 pages 

Publication: February 7, 2023 by Little Brown BFYR

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for honest review.
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In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.

After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit… and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.

Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?

 

MY THOUGHTS

Seven Faceless Saints was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023, and it certainly didn't disappoint! Within the first few pages, readers were thrust head-first into a murder mystery. A Disciple (those with power) of Death was found murdered in his room and Damian, The Head Security of the Plazzo was tasked with finding the person who committed the crime. What initially looked like a isolated incident turned into a serial killer on the loose. With the assistance of another Disciple and Damian's former flame, the two set out to solve the murders...only to discover a more sinister plot that can destroy both of their world.

The novel takes place in the city of Ombrazia where Disciples rule with an iron hand. The next group in the hierarchy are the guards that protect the city, despite being born without powers. And finally, at the bottom are the unfavored, those without gifts/abilities, mortals that the city deems disposable and are often drafted off to the army to fight a never ending war.

I found the world building very interesting and well-done. Lobb's detailed description and explanation was straightforward and easy to understand.
Like the title says, there are seven saints, with each Disciple specializing in an ability to help serve the city. For example The Cunning Disciples specializes in poison, and Patience's Disciples deals with black smith metal work. I liked the dual narration, with each chapter alternating between Roz and Damian. We get to see each perspective on the situation and what they're feeling. Each alternating chapters connects and continues the dual narrating flawlessly, its like experiencing the character's emotions in real-time. I found it refreshing.

I thought Roz and Damien were great leading characters. Despite being somewhat polar opposite, they really complement one another. Roz was an impulsive big fireball of rage but ultimately wants equal rights for the citizens of Ombrazia. Damien is the opposite, always calm, composed and does everything by the book. His purpose is to serve, protect and find justice no matter a person's background.

I enjoyed Seven Faceless Saints, it kept me on edge and guessing all the way till the end. The plot was full of action and suspense, twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I loved that the villain was so unpredictable. I was shocked when it was revealed. And that ending...Superb! Seven Faceless Saints is the start to what I predict to be an amazing series. I can't wait to see what Lobb has in store for us in the the next book!

 

 

During-The-Event by Roger Wall

Title: During-The-Event
Author: Roger Wall
Genre: Young-Adult
Series: N/A

Paperback, 200 pages
Publication: May 15, 2019 by University of Alaska Press

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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For D.E., only two certainties exist: his grandfather is dead and life will never be the same.

In the near future, climate change has ravaged the United States, leading the government to overcorrect through culls and relocation. Those who survive the mandated destruction are herded into “habitable production zones,” trading their freedom for illusions of security. The few who escape learn quickly that the key to survival is to stay hidden in the corners of the country. For seventeen years, During-the-Event, or D.E., has lived free in a pastoral life with his grandfather in North Dakota. But when death reaches their outpost. D.E. is forced on a journey that will change his life—and reveal surprises about his past.

During-The-Event takes places in a post-apocalyptic ravaged America where climate change wiped out more than half the population, while those that are left are indentured or in hiding. D.E and his grandfather, Otis are in the later camp; hiding in the obscured nooks of North Dakota.

Unlike many of the mainstream Young Adult Dystopian on the market today, During-The-Event doesn’t involve characters pitted against one another, a rebellion, or a deadly virus or A.I tech threatening humanity. Instead the novel focuses on a handful of characters and the protagonist, D.E.’s personal growth. It’s all about looking inwards; self-discovery and reflection.

During-The-Event is a short book, approximately 200 pages. Wall wasted no time setting up the world and introducing readers to the characters, and their beliefs and actions. Our protagonist, During-The-Event A.K.A D.E grew up in the aftermath of the climate change, he never met or knew his parents, and was raised solely by his grandfather. Everything D.E. knew was predicated off what was told by his grandfather. Due to a life-changing circumstance earlier in the novel, D.E is left to fend for himself as he journeys across the U.S. and discovers life outside the butte for the first time and how it challenges the beliefs ingrained in him his entire life.

D. E. is only seventeen-years-old and has many skills to help him survive the rough terrain of the U.S. but outside of that D.E. doesn’t know much else. Especially interacting with strangers/society. Wall pens a story of growing up and getting out into the real world, which I’m sure resonates with all of us in some way. Readers follow alongside D.E. as he navigates the world, finds himself and learns to adapt to his new reality all while dealing with foreign emotions such as loneliness and loss.

During-The-Event is a well-written coming of age story. D.E. is as pure as it comes, unaffected by the world and having little to no interaction besides his family. I enjoyed reading his experiences through a new lens and seeing how he reacts to all his ‘firsts’. I highly recommend checking out During-The-Event if you’re looking for a more introspective character driven story, a story with substance without all the loud and unnecessary noise.