Oh wow Samantha has done it again!
This book has everything you could ever need in a book! I love the characters, their journeys, I love that i have no idea what's going to happen next . I just love it !

A wonderful read from start to finish, just as I expected from Samantha Shannon. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

paige aiofe mahoney. my moth QUEEN 🧎🏽‍♀️ this book demonstrated beyond belief how essential she is to the revolution, it would fall apart without her and i LOVE it. she has been through the ringer and still come out on top. i will say her ‘amnesia’ trope didn’t play out the way i expected but i did love the way samantha shannon approached it.

arcturus mesarthim. i simply love him, your honor. god my heart ached for him and what he had gone through throughout this book! i can’t wait to see his journey in the next book.

i adored the way he just wanted to protect her from being tortured and she felt guilty for him being tortured— the intrinsic way they care for each other 👀 i fear no one will ever beat them!

seeing nick and maria return had me SQUEALING because god i missed them so bad. them & paige are simply my favourite trio in this universe and i hope we see them reunited in the next book!!!

this book has left me with theories to contemplate as we await the next book!!! i simply cannot wait to see what’s next for paige, how the overarching plot develops and not to mention, how the romance will continue in the next two books! samantha shannon DID NOT let us done in this book because i loved it <3

I don't know what Samantha Shannon is putting in these books but I want more more more. I think it's so clever how Shannon has slowly expanded the world she has been building since book 1 and though I do think it is all getting a bit convoluted I can't deny that I had a great time and I'm sad that it's over. The slow burn romance throughout this whole series has been so expertly done and finally it felt like in The Dark Mirror we get some well-earned relief from the onslaught of horror! The action always had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down, and I'll be on tenterhooks until the next instalment arrives.

A brilliant addition to The Bone Season series, drawing further upon Greek mythology and the history of ancient Rome as the series begins to reach its conclusion. Very well plotted with intricate world building, this story is a bit slower paced than the previous four novels, which allows for more humour and romance as the central characters continue their efforts to overthrow the Republic of Scion. The characters are so complex and vivid, and as always, the reader is left with more questions than what is revealed throughout the course of the novel.

The Bone Season books have been on my tbr for longer than I’d like to admit so when I was approved for an arc of The Dark Mirror I was a little apprehensive at needing to catch up!

I needn’t have worried, I have just raced through all five books in the space of a week and can’t believe I now need to wait for the next instalment! I’m not sure how readers who were up to date before this point have coped with the four year wait since the last book.

In the Dark Mirror Samantha Shannon continues to weave her magic and keep the readers guessing with all the twists and turns in the ongoing story of the fight against Scion. I both love the characters and find them infuriating at the same time and can’t wait to see how they and their relationships develop in the final two books.

I would highly recommend this series-

This series keeps getting better and better. This was a hell of a ride. I honestly didn't know what was gonna happen from one chapter to the next and I could not stop reading. It started surprising me in chapter one and never stopped. I loved it so much, I love Paige and the side characters and this was just too good. This series keeps going in new directions and they're all more exciting than the last. I couldn't recommend it more and I cannot wait for book 6!

Probably my favourite book of the year, and also the one that will ruin most fantasies that I’ve yet to read.

The previous books in this series have all been 4.5 or 5 stars for me (except for the song rising, solid 4). So you can imagine, my expectations were high for this one. And boy, this book made them all come true and did even so much more! The plot, the characters, the travelling, the twists and betrayal, all these layers upon layers creating a complex whole. Loved every second of it. I’ve been laughing, smiling, holding my breath, screaming, almost crying even. The writing style is superb and keeps you glued to this book. The pacing was perfect, I’ve never lost focus, nor gotten bored while reading. On top of all that, this book, and the series as a whole, is unique and original in ways I haven’t seen before.

There are 3 things that I’d like to highlight in my review:

The found family in this book is a masterpiece. I love all these characters, both as individuals and as a group. How they interact with each other, complement each other, yet are completely different. I’d sell a kidney to be part of this crew (although I’m not sure I would survive in a Scion-ruled London…)

Jaxon: I don’t know whether to hate him or love him… maybe I can love to hate him? He’s one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read, and I’m in awe. Don’t get me wrong, I still disagree with most of his actions and reasoning… But he keeps surprising me in different ways, yet none of this feels out of character for him. It just… fits…

I’m still silently daydreaming about certain scenes (plural, not just one) Samantha Shannon has written in this book. I won’t tell which but I think you’ll know when I tell you I’m a sucker for duets. How she captures all the emotions, how she phrases certain things, and leaves other things to be read between the lines, … *sigh*

While some of my questions have been answered in this book, and some fears were subdued, a lot of angst and questions remain. I honestly can’t wait to find out what the next two books will bring (even when I know that they will possibly break me). I’d do anything for an advanced reader copy, just saying…

If you’ve read my review, and you’ve already read the Mask Falling: stop stalling and go get yourself a copy of the Dark Mirror, you won’t regret it (be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions).
If you haven’t read any books of this series yet: welcome and please join us, this is one of the best fantasy/dystopian books I’ve ever read. But beware, once you’ve read the Bone Season, I won’t be held responsible for the consequences…

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This book is everything I could have possibly wanted and more. Ever since finishing The Mask Falling, I’ve desperately wanted to know what comes next for the characters that have buried themselves in my heart and mind. I never had any doubt but somehow Samantha has taken this series to another level!

‘Everything is about to change’ so perfectly captures the fifth instalment of The Bone Season. The Dark Mirror feels like a step into the final part of this series. Many seeds have been planted early in the series and we see these come to fruition in The Dark Mirror alongside hints of what’s to come.

As the blurb suggests, Paige finds herself outside of Scion for the first time since she was a young girl. Moving the plot into the free world allows for an expansion of the series in ways that Paige doesn’t expect. There’s even more strategy, political intrigue and action in this instalment.

The emotions felt by the characters are so visceral. I felt every ounce of their anger, fear, fury, sadness and heartbreak. My emotions were all over the place for most of this book but there were particular chapters where my stress levels were through the roof (you’ll know which ones I’m talking about).

Samantha herself said this book isn’t as soul-destroying as The Mask Falling but I respectfully disagree. There were some truly heartbreaking and devastating scenes but scenes that will also mend your heart.

I felt there was a real shift and growth in Paige’s character. Her determination to get things done has often come at a cost to her own wellbeing. In The Dark Mirror, we see Paige reflect on the last year and her limits. She has endured so much and puts an incredible amount of pressure on herself. I loved to see Paige allow herself to have the things she wants in life.

I would truly urge anyone who has yet to start this series to do it. You will absolutely not regret it!

In The Dark Mirror, the fifth installment of The Bone Season series, Paige Mahoney awakens to find herself captured and far from Scion-controlled territory for the first time since childhood. Suffering from memory loss induced by the White Aster plant, Paige must fight to regain her identity and uncover the events of the past six months. Escaping captivity, she travels to Venice, where she reunites with allies who believed her dead and confronts the betrayal of Arcturus Mesarthim.

As Paige and her clairvoyant companions unravel Scion’s new plot, Operation Ventriloquist, they face a desperate struggle to prevent Scion from seizing control of Europe. Along the way, Paige must also confront the trauma of her past, her complicated bond with Arcturus, and the lingering effects of her torture and memory suppression.

Set across Italy, the novel dives deep into themes of identity, trauma, and resistance, with Paige’s journey reflecting her personal growth and unwavering determination. The story culminates in a climactic battle in Rome, as Paige and her allies confront new enemies and unearth shocking revelations about the Rephaim and Scion’s plans.

The Dark Mirror is an emotionally charged, action-packed continuation of Shannon’s groundbreaking series. It masterfully blends character development, intense relationships, and thrilling confrontations, making it the most powerful and mature installment yet.

I love The Bone Season series and was very excited to receive an ARC of The Dark Mirror. This is the fifth installment and as always Samantha created an intriguing, complex story with relatable characters. It was also interesting to see more of the outside world. Plus, Paige and Arcturus own my heart, I just love them so much! It will be very hard to wait for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy to read.

This action packed 4th installment in this series is just as enthralling and entertaining as the books that came before it.

I always love returning to a series where you already love so many of the characters and get to meet new ones. The series is brilliant in the way it builds the worlds and characters. I was hooked from the start of this book and found that I couldn't put it down. I raced through the chapters to find out where it was going to end.

I am already waiting desperately for the next installment now!

Well.. I started this series on 31st January and after finishing up The Bone Season, immediately requested this eARC as I’d fallen in love and knew I would devour this series. I swear Samantha Shannon put crack in these books or something, they’re so addictive! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this eARC, it's an honour to read and review it.

This series wasn’t really on my radar until a couple of friends highly recommended it to me, because I’m not particularly drawn to dystopian fiction. I tend to find it quite depressing so if you’ve also been putting it off for this reason, I urge you to reconsider as yes it can be dark at times but there are so many moments of humour, hope, light, and some swoon-worthy romance.

It’s 2059 and we join plucky FMC Paige in her fight against the Republic of Scion: an oppressive campaign against ‘unnaturalness’ in Europe. We begin the series in an alternative London where Paige is a member of the criminal underworld that exists in defiance of Scion.

The series is a bit of a mash up of paranormal & urban fantasy with a complex magic system and crossed over with epic fantasy as the scope of the worldbuilding grows with each instalment. It throws you in from the jump but manages to be simultaneously action packed and character driven.

It truly takes you on such a ride, I’ve spent February on an absolute rollercoaster of emotions with these characters who are such a highlight as they feel sooo very real. Paige can be frustrating at times but I wouldn’t have her any other way! Her actions can seem irrational but that just makes her feel that much more human and so many times I’ve put myself in her shoes and thought… yeah actually that’s probably how I’d react

The Dark Mirror was fantastic and like its predecessors had me hanging on a thread. It featured some great growth for characters new and old, plot developments that had me gasping and other moments that had me absolutely CHOKED. 5 books and 2 novellas later, I am a firm Samantha Shannon stan and will join the many fans of this series as we yearn for more!

Book review: The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So grateful I was able to read the 5th book in the Bone Season series early this year!
This series has truly become something of a cosy read? Don't get me wrong.. nothing about this series is cosy fantasy🤣 It deals with heavy topics on opressions, imperialism, abuse and segregation. However, our main character and reading about her journey feels so familiar with every instalment you root for her crew and hope for the happy ending... that is still not here.

The Bone Season starts off feeling like the hunger games, an urban fantasy setting with the criminal underworld of London where our character is swept away to a different place where she must prove herself, hone her skills and be confronted with a whole new species.
Is Arcturus and angel👼, an alien👽? Who knows.
After the first book the world opens up, you learn more about other countries that are part of the Replublic of Scion, and the ones that are trying really hard to resist the opression.🔥
In the latest installment page has been kidnapped to Poland and goes on an adventure to safe Italy.
I wont spoil anything but the characters will keep surprising you and I need the last two books in this series really bad!!

If you love this series as much as I do dont forget to pick this one up on release day Tuesay February 25th!

The Dark Mirror is an excellent continuation of the series! I decided to reread book 4 to refresh my memory, and I'm so glad I did—it made the action-packed opening chapters easy to dive right into, knowing exactly what was happening.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster that answers some lingering questions while leaving you craving more. I loved seeing both familiar and new characters come together, and exploring more of the world they inhabit. There were so many moments I couldn't put it down, desperate to find out what would happen next! The tension throughout the story was palpable, and to me, that's the mark of a truly great book—when you're so invested in the characters' fates that you can't help but care deeply about their journey.

I already can't wait to see how the story unfolds in the next instalment!

Thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for this eARC.

After revisiting the first four BONE SEASON books, I was finally ready to dive into THE DARK MIRROR—and what a return to the world of clairvoyance!

The cliffhanger that closed THE MASK FALLING left me desperate to know what happened next, so l was incredibly grateful to be able to continue the story almost immediately after my audiobook ended. And what an opening it was! From the very first page, we're thrown straight into the action, and I found this impossible to put down once I started reading.

Of all the books in the series so far, The Dark Mirror feels like the most steeped in political intrigue, and this shift pays off spectacularly well. the tangled web of the Rephaim's civil war, the ever-present threat of Scion, the shadowy operations of Domino, the machinations of the Unnatural Assembly, and even more factions that complicate this already intricate world. This, for me, has quickly become one of the most compelling entries in the BONE SEASON series.

One of the things I love most about this series is how linguistically layered it is, and THE DARK MIRROR continues this phenomenally. Different languages aren’t just for flavor; they shape power dynamics, secrecy, and identity, making the world feel even more alive. As someone who only recognizes a handful of words from the many languages used, I often felt just as lost as Paige as she flies across borders—one of the many ways Samantha Shannon pulls you right into her perspective.

THE DARK MIRROR is a fantastic return to the series, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it when it releases next week!

I want to say thank you to @say_shannon for not just giving us this series but also for not finishing this book on a cliffhanger. I swear my heart wouldn't have been able to handle that!

This series keeps on getting better. Paige suffers everywhere she goes. This book is no exception. We get to visit Poland, Czechia, cross the Alps, Italy, and as we learn more about the free world, we also see some old players back. Verča was a brilliant addition, and I loved seeing more of Maria in this instalment.

This book reads like a rollercoaster, when it slows down, you know there is heartbreak coming your way around the bend. I don't want to mention Arcturus, but how to not talk about him. Just listen to this song I added, and you'll know the vibe of this book. As always, Samantha Shannon uses love to beat me with it, and my masochistic bumbum enjoyed it.
And you know when the book is amazing? When you can not stand to even read the villain... and we get several of those, absolute hate...

I’m unwell. How can Sam make me so sick with tension BOTH over the incredibly fast paced, high stakes, secret mission action scenes AND the moments when TWO IDIOTS WON’T KISS

Thrillingly plotted and audaciously executed, the character and relationship work is once again supreme. The politics and spiritual warfare is also flawless, as is the excruciating exploration of tension and trauma. Sam does not miss a beat.

Exploring new spaces both in terms of relationships and countries, a disoriented Paige finds herself on a quest to recover her mysteriously stripped memory and find out who may have betrayed her. Moreover, she must recover Arcturus and the truth of what is between them in order to face down the might of Scion and the Sargas once again. And yet she can never forget there are more players on the board, both allies and enemies.

Samantha Shannon never misses. The Dark Mirror is perfectly crafted, from the pacing of the story, to the character development, loads of questions were finally answered and the installment is woven magnificently within the wider narrative. It's obvious Samantha has painstakingly plotted every chapter, with loads of twists, turns and revelations.

Scion is threatening to spread across Europe, somehow manipulating politicians to bow to them. I loved seeing what the world outside Scion looked like, that some people are just living normal lives. In past books, news has come from abroad, so Scion never felt it existed in isolation, but now we see the contrast between these two worlds.

Paige has been through a lot. In the current political environment, you might be wary of picking up a book where the protagonist has suffered through torture and betrayal, but I felt The Dark Mirror could be the start of a more hopeful tone for the series.

After the revelations at the end of The Mask Falling, I was desperate to know what happened next. While Paige is certain Arcturus betrayed her and that the safe houses will have fallen with the knowledge he holds, everyone else around her has doubts. It was such a deeply woven deception, and those that know Arcturus, and everything he believed in, aren’t so quick to believe. As a reader, I clutched to those doubts. None of us want to believe he was working for the bad guys all along.

Much of this felt like an espionage thriller, with secret identities and missions to uncover secrets. Paige has to cross mountains and visit ancient monuments, the action unfolding like a film. I feel like having the Alps and Venice features add to that feeling since they were common locations in Bond films.

The limits of first person narrative are starting to show though. There’s only so much of the continental threat that Paige can experience for herself, so a lot of information is recounted through dialogue. This isn’t the first series I’ve read, where the world grows outside the confines of its writing style. I’d love to read more first hand accounts of what’s going on, rather than so much being relayed.