The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

The Song Rising (The Bone Season, #3)

by Samantha Shannon

A rebel who becomes a queen

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…

Reviewed by nightingalereads on

3 of 5 stars

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3.5 stars

Although parts of this book dragged a bit, I'm still completely committed to this series. Samantha Shannon has talked about this in interviews, but each of her books has a different structure; it's not just the same plot with different pieces. While I think this concept is cool, it does result in me not liking some books as much as the others. I LOVED the two settings of The Bone Season and The Mime Order, but the setting in this book was a little less solid, and consequently, I was less gripped by the narrative.

My feelings about the romance also changed. I used to be excited for scenes between Warden and Paige in The Bone Season, but I found myself less interested in their interactions in both The Mime Order and The Song Rising. Their romance began to feel predictable and a little flat, because the reader can easily see both of their inner feelings for one another. I like to be kept guessing.

The writing was still great - solid and immersive. And Jaxon remains my favorite character, despite his villainous ways. I just find him so interesting, and I sense a lot of depth in his character. I love characters who no one seems able to touch or fully understand. His wall of charisma fascinates me.

Overall, a solid installment, but probably my least favorite of the books so far.

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  • 14 December, 2016: Reviewed