The Moth Reborn

The Bone Season #6

by Samantha Shannon

The epic and heartbreaking penultimate novel in the million-copy bestselling Bone Season series from Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Samantha Shannon.

'Blazing a trail for a new generation of feminist fantasy authors' Grazia
'Truly extraordinary and thrilling' Andy Serkis

The world has been plunged into chaos. Beyond the Republic of Scion, humans now know that gods walk among them.

After months abroad, Paige Mahoney is ready to reunite with Arcturus and finish the fight they started together. Before returning to Scion, they accept an invitation from the Ranthen, who are choosing their new leader in Iceland – only for the night to end in violence.

Forced to go on the run through the unforgiving Alps, the labyrinths of Lyon and beyond, Paige must now solve the mystery of her own existence – and the origins of clairvoyance – to save the revolution. Alliances will be tested, hearts will be shattered, and ancient truths will be unearthed.

Sweeping, suspenseful and emotionally charged, the sixth instalment Bone Season novel cements Samantha Shannon as a master of epic storytelling as the series hurtles towards a breath-taking finale.

'Part fantasy, part dystopia, all intrigue. It's a world of impressive scope' Vogue
'A masterclass in page-turning prose' Saara El-Arifi

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Adult

368 pages, ebook

Expected publication February 23, 2027

About the author

Samantha Shannon is the New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Bone Season series. From 2010 to 2013 she studied English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. Her fourth novel, The Priory of the Orange Tree (2019), was her first outside of the series. It has sold over a million copies in English alone, and was a finalist in the Lambda Literary Awards 2020. Its standalone prequel, A Day of Fallen Night (2023), won the gold medal in the Fantasy category at the Ippy Awards 2024.

Samantha's work has been translated into twenty-seven languages. Her most recent book is The Dark Mirror (2025), the fifth instalment in the Bone Season series.

Reviews

[Samantha Shannon]

With almost two months to go until The Dark Mirror comes out, I think I'll start my update diary for TBS6 . . .

14 December 2024: I've officially started the first draft. Very excited for this one. I can't believe I'm on the penultimate instalment of the series.

17 March 2025: Had to postpone work on the draft while I was touring for The Dark Mirror – I find it difficult to write on tours with a stop almost every day – but I made sure I'd done the prologue and two more chapters before leaving for my tour, as I find openings the hardest part of a draft, so now I'm jumping straight into Chapter 3. I have a lot of threads to draw together in these last two instalments, which I know is going to push my abilities to the limit; it's daunting, but I find I'm looking forward to the challenge. My current deadline for the first draft is mid-July, and if I hit this, it would allow for a late 2026 release. However, for safety, I'm giving 2026/2027 as my estimation for this Bone Season instalment, as I really don't want such a pivotal book in the series to feel rushed or undercooked. I really can't see any reason there would be a longer gap than two years this time. As ever, I'm very grateful for your patience.

22 July 2025: It's been difficult to find time to work solidly on the draft over the last few months. This is my first ever time publishing two books in a year, and there's been a lot to juggle – I recently had to sign more than 60K tip-ins (mostly for Among the Burning Flowers), for example – but I have made slow and steady progress on TBS6 and am now well into Part 2. To my enormous relief, I looked at my calendar yesterday and realised that I finally have some uninterrupted weeks to write before I go on tour again in September – almost the whole rest of the summer. I'm going to do my utmost to protect this time, as I’m the kind of writer who ideally needs to get deeply immersed in order to make big, fast chunks of progress. Fingers crossed I can finish a zero draft by autumn.

14 November 2025: About two weeks after I wrote my last update, I was hit by a health issue that forced me to request a deadline extension from Bloomsbury. A second health issue struck a month later, just as I was going on my tour for Among the Burning Flowers. Although I'm still dealing with both issues, I'm proud and relieved to report that the first draft of TBS6 has (almost) been handed in. I say (almost) because I've sent the first 165K words, but just need an extra few days to write the finale. I'll let you know the complete word count in a few days, but safe to say . . . she's a big one

25 November 2025: The entire first draft is now with my editor at 190K words, making it the longest Bone Season draft I've ever submitted. I'm sure I'll whittle it down a bit during the edits, but this one is going to be a chunk. Thank you for your patience while I work on fine-tuning it.

1 February 2026: Almost done with the structural edit!

28 March 2026: Almost done with the line edit. I've knocked it down to about 168K, so just a touch longer than The Dark Mirror. I absolutely love this book.

5 August 2026: Copyedit done! The Moth Reborn is off to be typeset. The next and final stage is proofreading.

27 October 2026: All done! I've officially finished my nitpicking and tinkering and sent The Moth Reborn back to Bloomsbury for the final time. I hope you enjoy Paige's sixth adventure when it hits shelves in February 2027.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MOTH WAS INDEED REBORN and it was to such a degree that I am a shell of my former self!! in many ways much like Paige herself!!!

To anyone out there wondering why I need intense therapy, I would like to present into evidence this entire book.

Call this installment: woman with an ancient, mysterious power and her strange creature from another world embark on a quest à la National Treasure while waging war against an empire. Samantha Shannon’s dystopian fantasy epic makes its penultimate ascent in The Moth Reborn, and like moths drawn endlessly to the light, we answer the eternal call. In this sixth Bone Season novel, Shannon masterfully unearths the forgotten origins of clairvoyance and the truth to heroine Paige Mahoney’s place within an accord laid down centuries prior, all while furthering a revolution against the Scion Republic. This sixth novel feels, in every sense of the word, penultimate. The Moth Reborn is where this series calls upon something ancient and powerful that buries into your bones and aches to be restored. Where the entire world stage is being redefined, we, the reader, are part of the remaking. The Moth Reborn is a book of revelations, conversations, and thwarted assassination attempts as our favorite duo uncover a truth that will transform their world. For Paige and Arcturus, the romance lies in the conversations, in challenging each other to see beyond their perspectives, and in remaining steadfast in their devotion. The Moth Reborn asks us to stare into the eyes of revolution—the toll it takes on those who further it, die for it, and survive it by remaking themselves. This sixth chapter is its own chrysalis for Paige, who must step into the light of her inheritance and embrace her gifts. Across this novel's course, Samantha Shannon had me rejoicing, yearning, hoping, and raging all in equal measure—emerging in my own way, reborn. To read The Moth Reborn is to be unmade and recreated, and to do so readily. Consider it the Samantha Shannon promise.

Samantha Shannon is a master and I am eagerly anticipating her next disturbing plot twist like some kind of rabid animal

Thank you to edelweiss for graciously allowing me to be humbled by this book in advance of publication. you all can anticipate a full review from me soon

For now…in the Black Moth we trust!! and in scion we will meet again🫡

Bookstagram | Blog

[hailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.

samantha shannon, i am so happy to exist at the same time as you <3

this, easily, is my favorite installment in the bone season series thus far. this book just feels penultimate and you might be saying “well, yes” but it really is a culmination of character development and intricate plot lines and every little thing coming together in the most satisfying of ways. as the characters have said, this truly is the beginning of the end (and the start of the final stand against scion).

samantha, as usual, does not shy from reality. she doesn’t shelter her characters (or us) from the horrors and casualties of war, she doesn’t hide from grief and suffering, and she doesn’t downplay medical situations that cause lasting impacts on characters.

and maybe bearing witness to these dark aspects is what makes the other side of this book (and this series, as a whole) so special. we have each other and we have hope and we have love and kindness that can still endure during even the bleakest of times.

one of the recurring messages/themes that stood out to me was that you need to look for the good, whether it be dreaming of the future and better days or leaning on one another in times of despair. either way, we cannot give up hope. these books remind me that you can’t appreciate life’s goodness without facing the horrors and that it is imperative we keep the light in our grasp.

and a perfect example of this is the way arcturus and paige’s relationship has developed and solidified. they are written in such a real, genuine way. their love for each other, throughout the series, remained a steady presence and a guiding light ;) for each other. i appreciate how samantha handles their characters, especially their flaws, and the way you can see their growth so clearly in this installment. their banter is still my favorite and their tender moments cut to the bone (complimentary, of course) like no other fictional couple. they are the only two to ever exist, ever.

arcturus has quickly become one of my all time favorite characters the moth reborn has only emphasized that to me. and paige mahoney, they could never make me hate you. i truly adore her and really feel as if i have grown alongside her. she is so resilient and strong and courageous and selfless. even though i adore how much she cares about others, i really loved seeing her (finally!!!!) take care of herself in this book. her growth is unmatched.

also, the lore and world building and plot twists/reveals were absolutely incredible. this is such a rich world and i loved getting to learn more about certain things and seeing which of my theories came to fruition. of course, i still have questions that i cannot wait to see answered in the final book.

i also really enjoyed the commentary on religion in this one. it was fascinating to see paige and arcturus discuss faith and devotion and challenge each other in that way. as always with these books, the commentary on tyranny and oppression was also so well done.

this was absolutely fantastic and again, i feel so lucky to be able to read this series and fall in love with these characters.

[val · Rating 5 out of 5]

paige mahoney is my underqueen, my mother, my sister, my best friend, my doctor, my engineer, my pilot, my savior. everything i do is for paige mahoney!!!!

when reading THE DARK MIRROR i was incoherently screaming at the book (every time i reread niente i grieve all over again). in THE MOTH REBORN i was rendered speechless more times than i can count. i spent my friday night spiraling at 2 am. thank you very much samantha shannon!

im never left wanting more in terms of plot and characterization because TRUST samantha always delivers. the revelations were fucking insane. the pacing was on point. paige went everywhere but it never felt rushed. the rephs were batshit crazy. and paige and arcturus were INDEED a power couple🙂‍↕️ look how far they’ve come😭 soulmateism and earnestness wins🤟

so grateful to have received an early copy of this masterpiece. and now i am scared for the last book…the elusive 7th card😵‍💫

i’m not ready to say goodbye to paige and arcturus.

oh well time to reread books 1-5 !!!!

[layan (semi-hiatus?)]

10.03.2026
I GOT THE ARCCCCCC 😻🤘🤘🤘

08.25.2026
Lmao i kinda begged for this on edelweiss+, let’s see if I get the arc! :)))

06.17.2026
that cover. my godddd. the red poppies are so back :D

05.14.2026
YESS

05.10.2026
title reveal in three days :))

09.2025
i can’t believe i have to wait two more years to return to this world. i literally think about this series twice a day. 🫩

[leidi · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

this is such an extraordinary continuation, and once again Samantha Shannon demonstrates how much emotional weight she can put into her writing. she has a particular way with words that makes you feel things. her characters stop feeling like characters and start feeling like people you know, people you have spent enough time with that their choices, fears, and relationships carry a kind of personal weight.

one of the things I admire most about samantha’s writing is her sense of time. Paige goes to many places, encounters so much, and so much changes around her, but the narrative gives individual moments enough space to settle. conversations matter. small discoveries matter. a look, a decision, a moment between characters can linger, there is so much emotional and narrative substance packed into it.

Paige remains one of my favorite characters I’ve ever read. she is extraordinarily strong, but what makes her compelling to me is that her strength has never required her to become hard. she is kind, emotionally intelligent, and constantly trying to do the right thing, even when the right thing is difficult or when she has every reason to become bitter. more importantly, she is always trying to become a better person. after everything she has endured, that quality feels more significant than any of her supernatural abilities.

Arcturus was another particular pleasure in this book. his devotion to Paige has always been one of the most moving aspects of their relationship, but it was good to see him develop further and, especially, to see him stand his ground more firmly and fight for what he loves. his love for Paige is remarkably selfless without making him passive, and their relationship continues to be one of my favorite depictions of love in the series. they protect each other, challenge each other, and give each other room to be vulnerable. their intimacy is often found less in grand declarations than in conversations and in the quiet certainty that neither of them will abandon the other.

the expansion of the Ranthen was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. learning more about their history, politics, beliefs, and origins gives the world a much deeper sense of history than simply being a backdrop for Paige’s story. Shannon continues to uncover pieces of Paige’s past while simultaneously revealing how much of the present was shaped by things that happened centuries before she was born. the revelations surrounding the forgotten origins of clairvoyance and Paige’s place within an accord laid down long before her time make the mythology feel increasingly interconnected. I especially hope the final book gives us even more of the Ranthen, because there is still so much there that I want to understand.

and that is where the book’s position in the series becomes particularly effective. The Moth Reborn feels unmistakably penultimate. the world is being rearranged on a fundamental level, old assumptions are collapsing, and the characters are beginning to understand how much larger the conflict really is. the revolution against the Scion Republic continues, but the book is also reaching much further back, toward the origins of clairvoyance and the forgotten agreements that have shaped the world for generations.

we are witnessing the world being remade alongside Paige and Arcturus, and because we have spent so much time with these characters, the changes actually feel consequential.

for me, that is ultimately what makes this book work so well. the mythology and politics are fascinating, but they matter because Shannon has spent so much time making the people at the center of them matter. Paige and Arcturus feel like people I have known for years, and watching them navigate everything that comes their way carries an emotional weight that goes beyond the plot.

now I just have to deal with the fact that there is only one book left.😭

[Melissa (bookishmelissa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury and Edelweiss for the eARC in exchange for a honest review!

Is it a surprise that I rated this 5 stars? No, no it's not! As a long time Bone Season reader (10+ years!) I am continuously blown away by how each book in this series just gets better and better. Samantha Shannon never misses! The Moth Reborn took me on the wildest, most intense, edge of my seat emotional roller coaster of a ride from page one and didn't let up until the very end. There was one mind blowing reveal after another to the point where I spent many chapters in a row with my jaw dropped trying to take in the fact that theories I've had for years were finally coming to fruition in the most unexpected and twisty ways. I'm actually still reeling over some of those reveals to be honest.

Plus, when I say this series has become the blueprint for a world spanning, complex, dystopian fantasy with paranormal aspects that I hold all other world spanning series to I mean it. The Moth Reborn made that even more clear for me as Paige traversed many parts of this world in the sixth installment. Within that journey you learn so much more about certain intricacies behind clairvoyance and the Ranthen and Rephiate history and culture. I enjoyed every single moment of it.

Paige. She has been with me as a character since we were the same age, and she will forever be one of my favorites. Her journey in this one is heart-wrenching at times, but the way I loved seeing her become the badass she always was and forever will be in The Moth Reborn. Incredible.

Plus, her and Arcturus! The way those two have had a chokehold on me for so long. They are particularly swoon worthy in this one. I won't say much, but wow Arcturus really looked at me and said put me back in the number one spot because I was always number one and no one can replace me.

SO MUCH happens in The Moth Reborn to set up the beginning of the end of The Bone Season series, and damn if the ending isn't so emotionally intense it will leave you staring at a wall wondering what you'll do with your life while you wait for book 7. Or the double edged sword of wondering how you could possibly wait, but also how you'll move on once this series is over. I for one can't wait to see how Samantha wraps it all up!

-----
8/24/2026: ARCS HAVE DROPPED ON EDELWEISS!! *insert me running around in circles in excitement* I will be reading this as soon as I finish a few other arcs I have that publish sooner. 🙈
---
5/13/2026: WE HAVE A TITLE!! The Moth Reborn! Don't mind me I'll be here freaking out and counting down the days until February 2027. 🙃
---
12/17/2024: I'll officially be hibernating until TBS6... ._.

---
12/13/2024: To think I first marked this for my TBR back in 2015 right after I read The Mime Order 🥺

[pages._.turned]

I think about this book at least twice a day

[Katherine]

maybe this is the one where Paige fixes her sleep schedule (unlikely but I can hope)

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Shannon. I don’t like you anymore.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My army of outcasts, orphans and rogues, ready to stand against the might of an empire.”

The wait is finally over! I had the absolute honor of being able to read The Moth Reborn early, and to no one’s surprise, I had the time of my life.
If you know me, you know how excited I have been about this book – it feels like my life for the past year has just been a countdown until I could return to the world I’ve so long adored. So when the long-awaited copy finally hit my inbox, my expectations were just as high as my spirits – I had no doubt that Samantha Shannon would execute the next installment of this series flawlessly. And wouldn’t you believe it, she did.
Five books into this series, Shannon’s world-building remains an incredible feat of this series. We have explored the depths of countless places, learned their traditions, secrets, people, from the inside out. Yet with so much of the world already traversed, The Moth Reborn transcends those bounds. We’ve learned so much about not only the world outside of Scion, but the world outside the Earth itself, and its eerie presence is the perfect addition to this series.
Seeing the long-awaited enigmatic Rephaite culture slowly unfurl throughout this novel was intoxicating, I found myself in awe of how much there was still to discover even after all the time spent in this world.
I will always be astonished by how meticulously Shannon shapes each component of her stories. From religions, to doctrines, to even the simplest aspects of life, every detail is placed with intention, and it makes the story feel so much richer and profound to its readers.
With The Moth Reborn being the penultimate book in this series, the genesis of the story started becoming something entirely different. Age-old secrets were crumbling; the world was transforming, and so were its characters. Scion remains an oppressive, dystopian empire – yet, we get to see different angles of its rule in this installment that will make your blood run cold. Even so, it kept that same insurgent charm that made me fall in love with The Bone Season in the first place.
I couldn’t even begin to untangle the intricate web that this series was built upon, but once Shannon pulled that string, it unraveled flawlessly, leaving me in awe of the clues that were within our reach from the very beginning. Her masterful writing executed these revelations with grace – the decade-long planning made for some of the greatest reveals I’ve ever read.
While I can go on and on about the incredible scale of this world, the true heart of this story for me remains in its characters. Paige Mahoney; some know her as the Black Moth, some know her as Underqueen, but under her plethora of titles, she remains a survivor. Her character has evolved time and time again, but Paige’s life is brought into a whole new light in this installment. She finally gets to see more of the world she’s been fighting for, but she’s not sure if it’s as meritorious as she once believed it to be. This far into the revolution she set ablaze, the losses have been innumerable, and her faith is beginning to waiver. She is stepping back into her shoes as Underqueen, and finding them better fit than ever, but still doubting her reign. Paige is my favorite character of all time, and The Moth Reborn only cemented that fact for me. She goes through a lot in this installment, and she doesn’t always take it in stride. But Shannon doesn’t shy away from letting her jagged edges shape this story, she lets the pain and the grief be heard, creating a flawed, damaged character, but also creating one who the reader feels so much closer to.
Paige has taken many challenges head-on over the span of this series, but she wouldn’t be where she is today without the help of those around her – and Arcturus Mesarthim is certainly here to thank for that. Going into this book, I thought I knew Arcturus’ character from the inside out. I’ve spent so much time studying him that I thought I had a perfect grasp on who he was, and who he wanted to be. Yet, I find myself blown away once again by how much more there was to learn about him. Scenes from previous books were put in the spotlight, brief comments and glimpses of conversations that I paid no mind to took on completely different significances – unearthing new sides to his character that were previously unknown. I’ve always held Arcturus to a higher standard, but The Moth Reborn is the first time in the series where I’ve questioned his intent. It felt disconcerting to feel that way towards him, but that sentiment only furthered my trust in Shannon’s character work. She tackles conflict head on, handling it with care and using it to build upon parts of her characters that haven’t yet been brought to light. That practice was one of the many reasons Paige and Arcturus flourished in this book. Their relationship has always been complex – I could go on and on about the intricacies that their two lives hold in perspective with one another, but Shannon has truly outdone herself with this one.
The Moth Reborn is the first book in this series where we get to see them together from the beginning, and it was as comforting as it was frightening. We were on unfamiliar ground, the tension between human and Rephaite lives was a spark that slowly caught flame each step of the journey. It was calamitous, it was harrowing, yet the katharsis of its resolution remains the ultimate gift of these books.
There were times when I thought the strain between their reverence and the revolution would break them – the issues presented in this installment were by far the most grievous we’ve seen, yet the two characters navigated it in a way that can’t be described any other way but perfect, feeling nothing short of resolute.
I still get emotional when I think about how only one book remains in this series. I could spend the rest of my life counting down every day until I get to lose myself in another installment, but The Moth Reborn has done an incredible job at setting the stage for the series' long-awaited resolution. Samantha Shannon remains the only author who can take my otherworldly expectations, and still blow me away. So I have no doubt that whatever is to come, the Underqueen will be in good hands.
The Moth Reborn was a live-wire of a book. With reveals that will leave both new and old readers stunned, and the same dystopian charm that captured all of our hearts and our fervor, fans of The Bone Season series aren’t ready to see what our Underqueen has up her sleeves.

Thank you so so much to Bloomsbury for the early copy!!

[Alysha Fortune Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of revelations here, lots of character relationship buildings. I do feel this was a much slower paced than the other books, with it being the second to last I was expecting a more fast paced tale but once it picked up it picked UP.

Now I shall wait for the 7th and final one. If you haven’t read the bone season, you need to.

[khadijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moth Reborn rendered me speechless. Brilliant and unputdownable, this was an absolute masterclass of a novel. Every emotional beat landed and every revelation was breathtaking. This book felt penultimate. The scale and the stakes of this world have been building since The Bone Season, but The Moth Reborn took it to a level that made it feel like the beginning of the end, masterfully setting up the finale. Samantha excels in crafting a rich and expansive world that feels lived in, which shows more than ever in this instalment as Paige travels to new locations across the free world and more lore is revealed. With every twist and turn, getting to see all the pieces come together was an incredible experience.

A theme that is present throughout the series that especially shines in this book is that even when faced with hopelessness, there is always a light in the dark. It takes unimaginable strength to pick yourself up again and again, which is one of the things I love most about Paige. She really comes into her own here, in so many ways. I couldn’t help but feel proud of how far she has come from the start of her journey. I love her resilience, her heart, and her determination to fight for a better world.

The Moth Reborn is also the most romantic book in the series, where Paige and Arcturus navigate their new status together. They have grown so much since The Bone Season, both individually and as a pairing, and The Moth Reborn shows us that growth in every moment they spend together—especially in the ways they challenge each other, lift each other up, and navigate their struggles and fears, in both the quiet intimate moments and the life altering ones. Samantha has a talent for making her characters feel multifaceted and real. Everything about Paige and Arcturus’ relationship felt so earned and they are the emotional core of the series. There is such a gentleness to their love that I could not get enough of. Their moments together in this book had me swooning, yearning, laughing, and crying.

Without a doubt, The Moth Reborn is my favourite book in the series so far. Samantha’s storytelling is phenomenal and I feel so fortunate to be on this journey with these characters. As I try to process everything that happened in this book, I’ll be patiently waiting for the final instalment. It’ll take me a while to emotionally recover.

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Lumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moth may have been reborn, but I was COMPLETELY ANNIHILATED. Samantha Shannon never fails to deliver.

The Bone Season is the flame, and I am the moth drawn directly to it.

Thank you, Bloomsbury, for giving a little dreamer (a devoted fan) access to an ARC copy. A big shout-out to Alex for granting me an early birthday wish! Thank you to the fellow fans and ARC readers I have met through Samantha Shannon’s work, who have allowed me to talk their ears off, share my sincere thoughts, wild theories (just wait for my next Q&A submission!), and my hatred for Jaxon effing Hall.

Had I known I would receive an ARC copy, I would have bought a ton of red yarn. Nothing in this series is an accident. Every single word is deeply intentional. Clearly, Samantha has more than one tarot card up her sleeve.

Paige’s character was previously sassy and quick with her words. In The Moth Reborn, the author doubled down on the main character’s sense of humor and made her even funnier than usual, which I was not expecting, nor did I think was possible.

I cannot wait for February so I can read the final product and be hurt ALL OVER AGAIN. Bring the Anchor down!

[Louise]

i’m going to be TWENTY by the time this comes out

[kiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the greatest joys of my life and my love of reading was picking up this series and following each new installment with bated breath, and once again I have been able to read an arc of the moth reborn <3 thank you val <3

This was another absolutely beautiful and heartbreakingly human story. Samantha shannon is such a master at conveying such truthful human existences, and does not shy away from the difficulties and grief that such huge responsibilities like paige's come with. paige is one of the greatest protagonists that has ever been written and i am already mourning the release of the last book. i gasped, i giggled, i cried and clutched at my chest in agony, and i would do it all over again.

this installment was the culmination of 5 other books worth of twists and plot lines, and of course, samantha will always deliver absolutely beautiful characterisation. this is such a rich and incredibly built world, i am always excited to learn more about the lore and let me tell you... the things we learn in this book about voyancy and the rephs.... well... prepare yourselves.

we see paige grappling with more than she ever has, and she keeps fighting.

i think it might be time to read the series from the beginning :D i live in london, so i very very frequently venture through soho and the seven dials and every single time i do i blow a kiss for paige and her family.

thank you thank you thank you, samantha. seriously... thank you.

[Hannah (The Book Snek)]

I need a good long session inside my glass case of emotions after finishing this absolute rollercoaster of a book.

When Samantha Shannon said on her socials that this was the most romantic installment of The Bone Season, she wasn’t lying. The Moth Reborn is deeply intimate. Everything from Arcturus and Paige’s relationship through to all the individual and shared character growth that makes them who they are, is just absolutely heart achingly beautiful to read. I feel like I've been put through the emotional wringer.

The moments of levity and dry humour throughout the seriousness of the plot made me chuckle. Honestly, I needed it and I will never pick up a box of tampons in a shop without thinking about this book now. (Don't worry, that will make sense when you read this book.)

​Of course, this installment includes a lot of sleuthing for Bone Season fans and fellow murder boarders like myself are going to love this as much as they have the rest of the series to date. SamShan excels at foreshadowing, and I enjoyed falling down multiple rabbit holes and pulling at theories along the way. The reveals were so satisfying, especially at this penultimate point in the series.

Another absolute worldy of a book in an epic series I'll be rereading for years to come. For now, I sit here, foetal, awaiting the next and final installment.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will need the next 5 months to recover please and thank you.

Samantha Shannon is the master at making me go “oh noooooooo” and then pulling things off so brilliantly that I can’t even be mad at the mental (and physical tbh) anguish that she causes me.

Review to come whenever I can think and breathe normally again.

[Molly Elyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Samantha Shannon has ruined both mine and Paige Mahoney’s lives (affectionate)

This is the best bone season book yet

Thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for the ARC, review to come nearer to release date

[Pam]

I guess I'm at the part where I get to review this now huh.

I first read The Bone Season in 2017 so it's been almost a decade since I started this journey with Paige. And now I get to read The Moth Reborn in advance thanks to my oomf and her oomf for giving me the chance!

Paige Mahoney, you are everything to me! The struggles you went through in this book, I felt it all. Every scene where she's hurt or crying, I feel her pain myself. I wish I was joking! She feels so real to me. Paige was Mr. Worldwide in this book but I never really felt like the pacing was rushed or the characters moved on from one place to another too quickly. Samantha Shannon did an excellent job! Not glaze, trust me.

And where do I start with Paigewarden?? I love them dearly with all of my heart. MY FAMILY 😭
I don't wanna spoil anything about them so I'm just going to leave a quote that I think perfectly describes their dynamic in this book:

"I was him, I was me, I was both of us. It was impossible. It was sublime."

And now after reading the 6th book, I get to go back to waiting again. For the final book this time. Am I ready? No. It's never a good time to wait for the last book especially when it's your all time favorite. Samantha Shannon, I eagerly await what you have in store for us for TBS7. I know it's going to be excellent. Just don't make it too painful, alright? Please thank you

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I got the mail I got accepted for one of my most anticipated book ever I was out of my mind.
I won't write any kind of spoilers because this book needs to be read and enjoyed without any of it.
I was so happy to dive into this fantastic and rich worldbuilding yet again, so excited and scared to read this book and it was such a brilliant ride!
I cried, I giggled, I was shocked and surprised and scared while following Paige around the world and through twists and reveals, secrets and lies. Reading this book was such an emotional rollercoaster. I was so Happy to spend more time with Paige and Arcturus, Nick, Eliza, Zeke, Nadine, Maria, even Jaxon.

In this brilliant sixth installment Samantha Shannon wrote an unforgettable story, revealing more and more of Paige's past and Ranthen's history, more about their politics and beliefs, Scion and clairvoyance. We finally can enjoy Paige and Arcturus as a couple, treasuring their alone moments, while the war become more dire and as new and old allies prepare themselves for the final, surely brutal, act. Like the previous books, the reader follows Paige and her allies travelling the world, from America to Iceland to Paris and London, as we discover more and more about Scion, the rebellion and clairvoyance, forging alliances, meeting new and old characters and the scope of this installment becomes more and more wide and deep.

I loved reading this book. I love Paige with all my heart and it's a pleasure watching her becoming a formidable woman and her relationship with Arcturus is absolutely perfect, as they navigate their new status as a couple, while fighting prejudices and beliefs and the war against Scion.
The worldbuilding becomes ever more detailed and intriguing, the scope spanning cities and continents, following new and old characters, while secrets come to light, that could change everything we know about the world.
This sixth installment is incredible, a vicious, heartwrenching and brilliant emotional rollercoaster, adding more and more puzzle pieces, preparing the reader for this last book and the final act.

A brilliant masterpiece. I loved every single moment.

[Vel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been obsessed over the series and binged everything in days. I NEED THIS BOOK. MISS SAMANTHA PLEASE

[Phoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Shannon is truly at the top of her game. Never once in this series have I felt her suffer the drag of “sequel syndrome”, the mid-series lag - and perhaps that’s because of her conscious effort to make each book tonally different. This one is a globe-hopping thriller-mystery, as Paige must travel from place to place to not only secure her allies, but find the answers to a mysterious, prophetic secret that could topple her throne - or Scion’s.

Similarly the twists and turns of her relationships feel genuine and not forced. Many romances in the second sequence end up injecting spurious elements for why the lovers must be apart, or misunderstand each other. Shannon does this skilfully whilst staying true to the characters - no shoddy miscommunication trope or character assassination here. And I don’t just mean the love interest. The many people Paige must interact with to keep her fragile alliances alive all have their own unique relationships with her that feel genuine.

And because it’s Sam Shannon… there’s plenty of tugging on the heartstrings too. Tension and mystery and heartstopping thriller moments a-plenty - but also yearning, anguish, reconciliations, revelations, and deep emotional moments to keep the reader enticed.

We’re nearly there, Boners (uhhh, what’s our fandom name again? is this a Tomb crossover?) - get ready to keep the secrets and wait breathless for the end.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So shocked and excited I got an advance copy of this insanely gorgeous and heart wrenching book. Samantha really knows how to make me feel all the emotions and now I’ll be impatiently awaiting the final book for 2+ years 🫠 😭 💔

[celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. Full review soon.

[Lauren]

Nothing will prepare you, sorry (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)

[Salma Agroudy · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

thanks for crushing my heart, i guess?

[Ashleigh (ash_and_books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this ever gonna be anything other than a 5 star read? Knowing SamShan, no.

I don't really have words at the moment. I will add TWs and more thoughts once I've gone through my highlights. I need 3-250 business days to recover and I will be sending the invoice for my therapist to Samantha.

I can't believe the series I've loved for over a decade is almost over.

TW: death of loved ones, grief/loss, injury descriptions, blood & gore, corpse depictions, torture, aquaphobia, imprisonment, experimentation (inc on children), alcohol consumption, guns, knife violence, death, murder, attempted murder, suicide (brief, on page), imprisonment,

Tropes: Forbidden romance, yearning,

Rep: demi MC, pan love interest, gay SCs, sapphic SC, trans-lesbian SC

Nicknames: little dreamer, angel,

Trying to gather my thoughts and write a review without spoiling is very difficult.

Okay can we talk about how incredible Samshan is at weaving this series together. These books are not short, the magic system and characters are intricate and complex. But the lore?! As a long time reader of the series, I'm still in awe of how SamShan makes her reveals and how she has literally laid the groundwork since book 1.

In the Bone Season Babes group chat, we theorise and with each reread, pick up on things we didn't before, especially when a new book has released. We become that Always Sunny Charlie Day Conspiracy board meme.

Whenever I read a new installment of the series, my body feels like it's filled with bees in anticipation. Honestly like on a roller coaster right before it drops.

The second to last installment feels bittersweet. We're close to the end of our journey and revolution with Paige and I could not give you a clue of how I think this truly amazing series will culminate.

Threads that have been left hanging for years, YEARS, are finally being answered and we can begin to see the final image being woven.

The series has always been a blend of genres, whether it be mystery, thriller, road trip-esque, a dash of romance. The Moth Reborn, feels like the most fantastical installment yet.

Regardless of how much you prepare yourself to read TMR, it won't be enough.
You will experience every emotion under the sun. Joy, relief, rage, grief, pain, love. You will feel it all.

As someone who reads lots of romance books and often kicks their feet in glee at romantic moments, I don't think any of it compares to how Samantha has written Paige and Arcturus' relationship. The yearning, the acceptance, neither of them being perfect. I will never not love their relationship.

[Throwaway21345 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance takes center stage in this sixth installment of The Bone Season. Samantha Shannon's writing is as pristine as ever, but the usual uprising against Scion is merely a backdrop against the burgeoning romance between Paige and Arcturus. Neither do I like the Chosen One shenanigans that seem to be a hallmark of seven-part British fantasy series.

But these are just quibbles, really. Anyone who has made it five books in knows what the series is like by now, and The Moth Reborn does its job well: we get old friends back, make new reveals, and lay the groundwork for the grand finale.

[Marianne · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This reminded me a lot of book three in terms of structure - lots of travelling around, and then an explosive ending!

It probably says a lot about how much I love this series that, so far, this is the instalment that I've liked the least, and I'd still give it a 4.5 stars out of 5. My feelings are definitely also, by and large, a matter of preference rather than a critique of the novel itself.

Basically, if the Rephs and the romance are your favourite part of this story, you're going to have a huge amount of fun with this book! We get some big lore drops for the Rephs, and Paige and Arcturus' relationship takes centre stage.

Personally, while I find the Rephs interesting, I'm much more interested in the human politics of this dystopian world. Furthermore, I find Paige's other relationships (with her friends and her enemies) much more interesting than her romantic relationship with Arcturus. With that in mind, getting a full 5*s from me was always going to be tricky with this particular instalment. However, there was still so much for me to love. I mean, I absolutely sped through this book - the pacing was fantastic! Even more so than the previous book, it's a real adventure across Europe. One of the highlights of the story was a visit a certain location which I honestly thought we'd only get to in book seven; I found that whole section particularly compelling. Then there was the ending - wow! It was incredible, and might have been even more so if we'd had more of a focus on specific other characters earlier on.

Here comes my one actual critique. In all the other books in this series, Paige gets to spend quality time with multiple characters. The focus on Paige and Arcturus isn't inherently a bad thing, but it dominated the story in a way that it never has before. In my opinion, with the ending that we got, we needed more time with the Seven Dials gang. We get some, and I loved what we got, but it was seriously not enough - and I'm not just saying that because I love them. Certain scenes would hit much harder if the novel had dedicated even half as much time to exploring Paige's relationships with her friends as it did the romance.

Going back to personal preferences, we also get criminally little Jaxon time. My favourite relationship in the series is the antagonistic one between Jaxon and Paige. For me, Jaxon is the perfect villain: scene-stealing, mysterious, the kind of evil that is sometimes right for all the wrong reasons, and the perfect foil for our hero. Also, not him setting off fireworks just for the hell of it while causing chaos in Paris - an evil asexual icon, for sure!. I wouldn't say he needed more time in this particular story, not in the same way the other members of the gang did, but god would I have loved more of his and Paige's verbal sparring. He's not the character I love the most (for obvious reasons; also, Nick and Maria have my heart), but he is my favourite.

Despite being slightly underwhelmed by this book (and mostly because the bar was set so high, this is literally one of my favourite series of all time!), I am SO hyped for the finale. This book ended in the most exciting possible place and there's so many ways that the story could end. Give me a 1000+ pages of dystopian chaos, please.