Book Review: The Mask Falling, Samantha Shannon

Synopsis:Dreamwalker Paige Mahoney has eluded death again. Snatched from the jaws of captivity and consigned to a safe house in the Scion Citadel of Paris, she finds herself caught between those factions that seek Scion's downfall and those who would kill to protect the Rephaim's puppet empire.

The mysterious Domino Program has plans for Paige, but she has ambitions of her own in this new citadel. With Arcturus Mesarthim-her former enemy-at her side, she embarks on an adventure that will lead her from the catacombs of Paris to the glittering hallways of Versailles. Her risks promise high reward: the Parisian underworld could yield the means to escalate her rebellion to outright war.

As Scion widens its bounds and the free world trembles in its shadow, Paige must fight her own memories after her ordeal at the hands of Scion. Meanwhile, she strives to understand her bond with Arcturus, which grows stronger by the day. But there are those who know the revolution began with them-and could end with them…

*Warning: The following review contains potential spoilers for both previous books in the series and book 4, so don’t keep scrolling if you haven’t read this series yet.

Trigger Warning: PTSD, depression, self harm

Review:

WOW!

After a 3.5 year wait for the fourth book in the Bone Season series, I can say that this beauty was definitely worth the wait and the hype that’s been surrounding it.

With each new book, Samantha Shannon’s writing and world building just seems to get even better. The size and scope of the world she has created in this series is just incredible and just draws you into the world these characters inhabit.

Paige’s journey in this book really pulled on my heartstrings. With all the horrible things she has had to endure over the course of the past three novels, she is struggling to come to terms with what has happened to her. I don’t think I’ve come across a novel where all I wanted to do was to reach through the pages and give a character a big freaking cake and a hug. Reading this book, I could tell that a lot of care was taken in writing about the effects of PTSD and it’s effects on Paige throughout her journey in this book and I found it very refreshing for a book to acknowledge issues like this.

Another aspect of the book I adored was the relationship between Paige and Arcturus/ Warden. I cannot get enough of these two. The relationship that has slowly been building between these two since the first book continues well into this book. I lived for the quieter moments between these two and as always I am looking forward to what happens going into book 5.

This book also introduces us to the underground syndicates of Paris along with new allies and of course new enemies. I loved the introduction of Paris and the expansion of the world. I won’t go into too much detail about the plot but this is probably one of my favourite settings.

And finally the last maybe 200 pages of this book just left me on the edge of my seat. I don’t think I’ve gone through this many emotions over a book’s ending in such a long time. Even after I finally finished it, I don’t think I could fully process what had happed. All I will say is this, Samantha Shannon sure does know who to take your heart and shatter it into a million pieces.

I normally don’t tend to have favourite books in a series, but I can safely say that The Mask Falling is by far my favourite book in this series so far. If you haven’t read this series yet, I don’t know what you’re doing with your life. I implore anybody who hasn’t picked up this series yet to do so now. You will not regret it.

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Bloomsbury

ISBN:9781408865569