I am catching up on old reviews I should have submitted long ago. While the details of some of those books have faded, this book is one I cleary remember. I know it was a Goodreads Choice selection - but I did not care for it. I thought it was a tough read. I question the Stockholm Syndrome portion of the story. I want there to be a least a glimmer of hope on a story and this one lacked that - at least by the time it became a (very rare) DNF.

"The Bone Season" by Samantha Shannon emerges as an ambitiously crafted narrative set in a dystopian future where clairvoyants are hunted and oppression is rife. Shannon crafts a world that is both terrifyingly alien and intimately familiar, taking readers on a journey through the streets of a shadow-laden London to the enigmatic and perilous realm of Sheol I. The protagonist, Paige Mahoney, is a refreshingly complex character—her clairvoyant abilities make her a target in this society, yet her strength and resilience make her an emblem of hope.

Shannon's prose is evocative and rich, weaving a tapestry of tension and revelation that keeps the reader engrossed. The book's pace is a carefully constructed crescendo, with moments of heart-pounding action balanced by periods of reflection that delve into the relationships between characters, thus offering a multifaceted look at the bonds that tether people to each other. Romance is a subtle undercurrent that never overwhelms the narrative but adds depth to the characters' interactions.

"The Bone Season" is a book that not only entertains but also provokes thought about the nature of power, the price of freedom, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of crushing odds.