[REVIEW] The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

*Note: This review contains spoilers for book 1 + 2 in the Bone Season series, The Bone Season and The Mime Order.

Book: The Song Rising (Bone Season #3)
Author: Samantha Shannon
Pages: 350 (Paperback)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 7th March 2017

Synopsis:

On the eve of a new decade, after two hundred years of Scion rule, a revolution is beginning. Its unlikely cradle is the clairvoyant underworld in London, and even an old ally’s betrayal cannot stop it.
But an enemy from Paige Mahoney’s past is about to return – an enemy that could quench the flame of hope for good . . .

Source: Goodreads

My opinion:

Wow. wow. wow. After reading The Bone Season, I was really unsure if I should go on with this series. But since I had Mime Order on my shelf already, I picked it up. And I am so happy I did. I flew through its pages and right into book three.
Without a break, the reader gets thrown back into the story immediately. Senshield, a device to detect voyants, has been installed all over the citadel of London, endangering every clairvoyant. It also endangeres Paige’s plans to go against Scion extremely. But Paige won’t give up. With the help of her syndicate she tries to destroy Senshield, which turns out much harder than they originally thought.
The whole book evolves around Senshield and its destruction. It also shows Paige making mistakes, huge mistakes as well. And that’s one thing I loved especially. Even though Paige is kind of superhuman, her gift of dreamwalking being rather strong, she still makes mistakes, she is still human, still able to be hurt. And more than able to hurt others. She has been strong, especially in mind, but she grows and develops so much, becoming smarter, training body and mind. And if possible, she becomes more sassy. The sass is probably my favourite thing about her. And I love how she throws it at everyone, especially at the Ranthen, the Rephaim she works with to bring Nashira and her gang down. What I also love is how independet she is despite being so damn dependent of the Ranthen and her Syndicate. She realizes that there are things she wants and has to do alone. She does not need a man to help her.
Though of course that man wants to help her anyways and does so. Warden seems a bit softer, more laid back. He is very focused on Paige and on keeping her safe. In everything he does, the reader is able to notice how much he really cares about Paige.

Though the book focuses on Senshield, it is also important to note, that the Emim are back. The ancient enemies of the Rephaim who came from the aether with them. They have appearances here and there. Emim are slowly creeping all over Scion already, undetected. And people don’t really know how to fight them. I have a feeling that they will be a big danger very, very soon.

But while those two are amazing as ever, the other characters are pretty awesome as well. I really liked how the other members of The Seven Seals get more page time, some of their stories are finally going deeper, they get more of a face and character. Especially Eliza, who is one of Paige’s mollishers, the other being Nick.
But we also see more of the mime lords and Paige’s commanders. Maria has a big role in this book and she is so cool! She is witty and fast with her weapons. And always wants to blow things up. She has been one of my favourites since I read The Mime Order. Maria is essential to Paige and very loyal and capable commander. I have a feeling that she will be important in the future. But the other commanders are important as well. Now we finally get to see what Paige can do as underqueen, who becomes her enemy, who becomes her friend. And we see how everyone copes with it.

To be honest, I don’t know what else I can say about this book except that I loved it, absolutely loved it. Every single page. Fast-paced, full of drama and plot twists. I never would have thought to love this series as much as I do. And this third book was just so perfect. Characters, plot, everything.

Rating:

★★★★★/5