The Bone Season (Scion #1)

How do I begin?  Let me start by saying that often times some of my favorite reads are the hardest to review and put down on paper (eh, paper/type/computer...you get it).  Samantha Shannon has hit a home-run with her first published work of fiction, The Bone Season (Scion #1).  This is the first in a seven book series that is set to debut Fall of 2013 and if the remaining books follow suit, this will be a knock-out series already with film rights optioned by The Imaginarium Studios, a film company led by Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings; The Hobbit) and Jonathan Cavendish (producer of Bridget Jones’s Diary). Definitely a budding author and series to keep your eye on!

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing. 

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army. 

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives. 

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine—a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

While I do feel that The Bone Season started out a little slower than I typically like, Shannon definitely made up for any lost momentum in the second half.  I could not put this book down.  I absolutely fell in love with stubborn heroine, Paige and her actions and reactions all felt completely organic throughout the entire ride - and what a ride this was!  Action packed!  The novel played out like an on screen production and I can easily see this translating to the big screen.  Shannon's writing style is fast-paced, the content is original and well thought out and her characters are well developed with plenty of depth.  Of course, as the true master of dreamscapes, she has sprinkled in twists and gut wrenching turns and leaves you with an ending that has you wanting more...so much more!  This is one of those reads that you really wish did not have to come to an end.  This is one to put on your wish lists and watch out for!