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The Bone Season #0.5
The Pale Dreamer
A dreamer is born – the exhilarating prequel to the ground-breaking, extraordinary Bone Season series
'Truly extraordinary and thrilling' Andy Serkis
In the perilous heart of Scion London, a dangerous and valuable poltergeist is on the loose – and it must be caught before chaos erupts on the streets of the capital. Here, the clairvoyant underworld plays by its own rules, and rival gangs will stop at nothing to win such a magnificent prize.
Sixteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working for Jaxon Hall, the most notorious mime-lord in the city. He thinks she is hiding a powerful gift, but it refuses to surface. Maybe this is the opportunity she needs to secure her position in his gang, the Seven Seals…
'Truly extraordinary and thrilling' Andy Serkis
In the perilous heart of Scion London, a dangerous and valuable poltergeist is on the loose – and it must be caught before chaos erupts on the streets of the capital. Here, the clairvoyant underworld plays by its own rules, and rival gangs will stop at nothing to win such a magnificent prize.
Sixteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working for Jaxon Hall, the most notorious mime-lord in the city. He thinks she is hiding a powerful gift, but it refuses to surface. Maybe this is the opportunity she needs to secure her position in his gang, the Seven Seals…
78 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2016
372 people are currently reading
18274 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Shannon
37 books30.5k followersSamantha 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,420 reviews
March 17, 2017
I'm not so big on novellas so I didn't really find this one special but it did help on clarifying concepts that I was a bit confused about in The Bone Season. I probably should've read The Pale Dreamer before TBS because the whole Seven Seals and what they do definitely made a lot more sense in this novella!
Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of The Bone Season or if you're planning on reading the series. I highly recommend reading this one beforehand!
Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of The Bone Season or if you're planning on reading the series. I highly recommend reading this one beforehand!
July 1, 2020
This is a prequel short story to The Bone Season series. It does a great job of clarifying some of the intricacies of clairvoyance, the Seven Seals, and the central characters' back-stories to those new to this world, as well as being an interesting story in its own right. I adore these characters and so I wasn't surprised to find myself loving every second I got to spend with them, here.
February 20, 2018
If you haven’t yet started reading this series, I highly recommend you read this book first! It’s a very interesting novella and I actually think it can really help understand some of the things that are mentioned in “The Bone Season” and the other books in the series.
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September 30, 2024I definitely think I enjoyed this more on reread, very intrigued to reread the Bone Season and see if that's better now too 🤞
February 6, 2024
3.5
“Well, I think it’s time to find ourselves a poltergeist”.
Bendito sea el momento que la autora decidió crear este mini relato antes de los acontecimientos del primer libro. Muchas gracias, de verdad.
“A Little advise for you, Pale Dreamer. From one stranger in this country to another. You seem like a nice enough kid, but you are also from the highest order of clairboyance, which means people will put you on a pedestal. Not everyone in this syndicate gets that luxury. There’s a hyerarchy. An order to things”.
Esta precuela me ha ayudado bastante, al menos en mi caso para la relectura del primer libro y para poder entender como funciona “The Mime Order” o en español “La Orden de los Mimos”. Puede parecer una tontería, pero cuando llegas al libro principal, te das cuenta que había momentos que te falta información o contexto, algo que este mini relato ha sabido llenar.
“When you have her, I will bind her once and for all.
Ahora, argumentalmente me ha gustado, me hubiera gustado un poco más de extensión, pero bueno, como dice el refrán “a caballo regalado no le mires el diente”. Me hubiera gustado hacer una reseña más completa porque se lo merece pero al mismo tiempo siento que la he pospuesto demasiado tiempo y mi cerebro no está para mucho últimamente.
“I am Paige Mahoney. I am the Pale Dreamer”.
“Well, I think it’s time to find ourselves a poltergeist”.
Bendito sea el momento que la autora decidió crear este mini relato antes de los acontecimientos del primer libro. Muchas gracias, de verdad.
“A Little advise for you, Pale Dreamer. From one stranger in this country to another. You seem like a nice enough kid, but you are also from the highest order of clairboyance, which means people will put you on a pedestal. Not everyone in this syndicate gets that luxury. There’s a hyerarchy. An order to things”.
Esta precuela me ha ayudado bastante, al menos en mi caso para la relectura del primer libro y para poder entender como funciona “The Mime Order” o en español “La Orden de los Mimos”. Puede parecer una tontería, pero cuando llegas al libro principal, te das cuenta que había momentos que te falta información o contexto, algo que este mini relato ha sabido llenar.
“When you have her, I will bind her once and for all.
Ahora, argumentalmente me ha gustado, me hubiera gustado un poco más de extensión, pero bueno, como dice el refrán “a caballo regalado no le mires el diente”. Me hubiera gustado hacer una reseña más completa porque se lo merece pero al mismo tiempo siento que la he pospuesto demasiado tiempo y mi cerebro no está para mucho últimamente.
“I am Paige Mahoney. I am the Pale Dreamer”.
April 9, 2018
it still amused me that criminals had laws.
I love when series bring out novellas because it gives you a bigger insight into the world and characters that you are reading in the main series. This one was no different and i would love to see some more novellas come out for this series in the future.
Plot: This novella is set before the main events of the series and we see a young 16 year old Paige Mahoney just starting out with Jaxon Hall and the rest of the other seven seals in London. She is still new to being with a group and still learning the ropes of the syndicate and Samantha gives you some information how things work within the syndicate and it definitely cleared up all the things that i wanted answered that the main series sometimes doesn't get the chance to do.
I loved how different the dynamic was between Paige, Jaxon, Nick and Eliza because there relationship was all still pretty new at this point and it was good to see were it all started and how strong there bond become before we meet paige in the first book of the series. Paige also doesn't have a grasp on the full potential of her clairvoyant gift and it was good to see her start to realise what she can do.
I listened to this one via audiobook and it was only 2 hours so i managed to finished this one super quick and i loved every moment, i would highly recommend this one for anyone who is a fan of the bone season series and loves to learn more about this world and the characters in it!
I love when series bring out novellas because it gives you a bigger insight into the world and characters that you are reading in the main series. This one was no different and i would love to see some more novellas come out for this series in the future.
Plot: This novella is set before the main events of the series and we see a young 16 year old Paige Mahoney just starting out with Jaxon Hall and the rest of the other seven seals in London. She is still new to being with a group and still learning the ropes of the syndicate and Samantha gives you some information how things work within the syndicate and it definitely cleared up all the things that i wanted answered that the main series sometimes doesn't get the chance to do.
I loved how different the dynamic was between Paige, Jaxon, Nick and Eliza because there relationship was all still pretty new at this point and it was good to see were it all started and how strong there bond become before we meet paige in the first book of the series. Paige also doesn't have a grasp on the full potential of her clairvoyant gift and it was good to see her start to realise what she can do.
I listened to this one via audiobook and it was only 2 hours so i managed to finished this one super quick and i loved every moment, i would highly recommend this one for anyone who is a fan of the bone season series and loves to learn more about this world and the characters in it!
April 21, 2020
The Pale Dreamer is a short novella set as a prequel to The Bone Season. The edition I read was actually published at the back of The Bone Season as an add on.
I only 3 star this basically because it is not a full book and it doesn't have the action-packed quality of the novel. Interestingly I feel although this is a prequel I was better off reading The Bone Season first, as I did. I got the impression that if I had read this first then I may have been a bit lost as to what was going on because it is so short and therefore does not contain as much depth to the characters.
The Pale Dreamer deals with the period where Paige joins the brethren of Jaxon as the fourth member. It walks you through the her first real assignment and her promotion to Mollisher. In reality, I feel it is just Shannon's way of clearing up why we find Paige as the Mollisher, 2nd in charge, at the start of The Bone Season, where she has been with Jaxon for considerably less time than others.
A very short read and an entertaining one. By no means does this need to be read to understand the story line of The Bone Season but if you can get your hands on this it is a fun tale.
I only 3 star this basically because it is not a full book and it doesn't have the action-packed quality of the novel. Interestingly I feel although this is a prequel I was better off reading The Bone Season first, as I did. I got the impression that if I had read this first then I may have been a bit lost as to what was going on because it is so short and therefore does not contain as much depth to the characters.
The Pale Dreamer deals with the period where Paige joins the brethren of Jaxon as the fourth member. It walks you through the her first real assignment and her promotion to Mollisher. In reality, I feel it is just Shannon's way of clearing up why we find Paige as the Mollisher, 2nd in charge, at the start of The Bone Season, where she has been with Jaxon for considerably less time than others.
A very short read and an entertaining one. By no means does this need to be read to understand the story line of The Bone Season but if you can get your hands on this it is a fun tale.
January 10, 2021
A small glimpse into the world of Scion and the Seven Dials, this prequel to The Bone Season serves as a great introduction into Paige and her crew. Having not read The Bone Season yet I will say that it offers a nice insight into the supernatural work the gangs do, and how ugly things can get in order to secure a poltergeist on the loose. I felt I really connected with our Pale Dreamer from very early on, and the constant action and high stakes really pulled me into the story.
I'm desperate to start the series properly now.
I'm desperate to start the series properly now.
May 20, 2021
An excellent backstory to the first book. Nothing particularly mind-blowing, but it is an interesting story.
November 4, 2020
This is a good introduction to Paige and the series as a whole. The Bone Season has a ton of world-building, especially in the first 150 pages, so this eases you into it while giving you a bit of background on the characters. Plus it's a fun story that is hinted at at the start of the first book. Nothing mind-blowing but a good way to get started on this series!
July 18, 2025
This was just a novella, but I found it such a valuable addition! It both felt "a day in the life" and an origin story. The Victorian-ghost vibes were especially strong here, and it was so cool!
Only neutral thing I can say is that I'm confused on how much we are supposed to imagine it Victorianish and how Modernish. Most of the time it feels like they wear Victorian clothing, but there was a remark about a character with a too Victorian-like clothing style? I'm confused 😅
March 16, 2026
Samantha Shannon is such a a talented storyteller
April 4, 2025
Jaxon is everything to me idc
this series should include him as a love interest and i’m so mad that it doesn’t. can you imagine the devastation. my heart hurts just thinking about it
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original review 4/13/20:
I've been missing The Bone Season world lately, and when I saw this available free on Kindle I finally decided to read the novella to one of my favorite series!
I think this is a good novella to read either right before you start The Bone Season series or just after the first book. Personally, I think this would do best after the first book, as it clears up some things that are mentioned in The Bone Season but aren't necessarily integral to the plot. I feel like if I tried reading this before anything else I would be a little confused. But maybe that's just me!
I think this might be my least favorite installment of The Bone Season series, just because I felt like Samantha Shannon's writing was a little less impressive with this. I understand why, as this is sort of just meant to be a supplement to the actual books' plots, but still. This also follows Paige at the beginning of her career in the syndicate, and seeing her being so unsure of herself felt out of character since I've been with her strong personality for 3 books.
Basically, all my gripes really have to do with the fact that this is a novella and I probably would have appreciated it more if I read it earlier in my experience with the series. However, I think this is a great supplement to Paige's story and can definitely clear things up that may have been confusing for people in this first book or so.
this series should include him as a love interest and i’m so mad that it doesn’t. can you imagine the devastation. my heart hurts just thinking about it
—————————
original review 4/13/20:
I've been missing The Bone Season world lately, and when I saw this available free on Kindle I finally decided to read the novella to one of my favorite series!
I think this is a good novella to read either right before you start The Bone Season series or just after the first book. Personally, I think this would do best after the first book, as it clears up some things that are mentioned in The Bone Season but aren't necessarily integral to the plot. I feel like if I tried reading this before anything else I would be a little confused. But maybe that's just me!
I think this might be my least favorite installment of The Bone Season series, just because I felt like Samantha Shannon's writing was a little less impressive with this. I understand why, as this is sort of just meant to be a supplement to the actual books' plots, but still. This also follows Paige at the beginning of her career in the syndicate, and seeing her being so unsure of herself felt out of character since I've been with her strong personality for 3 books.
Basically, all my gripes really have to do with the fact that this is a novella and I probably would have appreciated it more if I read it earlier in my experience with the series. However, I think this is a great supplement to Paige's story and can definitely clear things up that may have been confusing for people in this first book or so.
October 26, 2020
This was a really good novella. It packed a fair bit in, while also showing off an interesting and fairly unique world and also introduces the characters in seen The Bone Season. I’ve read the first book in the series, though I have yet to continue the series and I found this to be a good short story that shows a bit into the main character’s backstory. I would say, that most people would be better off reading book 1 first, though I don’t see the harm in starting here if you want a taste of what these books are like. The characters were well written and the plot was solid, though there wasn’t anything that really blew me away, hence the three star, meaning that it was good, though not necessarily amazing. 6.5/10
February 18, 2025
Reread Thoughts (2025): 4.5 stars. The Pale Dreamer allows readers to get another glimpse at who Paige Mahoney is, and how she wound up earning her moniker and place in the Seven Seals. It has action, it has lore and world details and, best of all, it gives us time with some of the big players in this series (and personal favorites of mine). A tidy, well-told, entertaining novella that adds color to the tapestry of this series, I can certainly recommend it.
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Reread Thoughts: I started off my reread of the series with this novella, and I'm honestly quite pleased I did so! It's nice to be revisiting a world that I had found so interesting the first time around, and to hang out with a few characters I do really like (or find fascinating, at the very least). Can't wait to keep going!
Original Thoughts: I miss this world and these characters, so I’m a little glad that I saved this novella to read this year. It was fun to see Paige’s origins as the Pale Dreamer!
—
Reread Thoughts: I started off my reread of the series with this novella, and I'm honestly quite pleased I did so! It's nice to be revisiting a world that I had found so interesting the first time around, and to hang out with a few characters I do really like (or find fascinating, at the very least). Can't wait to keep going!
Original Thoughts: I miss this world and these characters, so I’m a little glad that I saved this novella to read this year. It was fun to see Paige’s origins as the Pale Dreamer!
March 14, 2021
this was part of my copy of The Bone Season, and I honestly had such a good time reading it! it's interesting to see how Paige became part of the Seven Seals and proved herself.
December 1, 2021
Bez rewelacji. Trochę zbędne krótkie opowiadanie.
December 30, 2022
tęskniłam
March 1, 2017
"Being in this syndicate will toughen you up, but don't let it turn you to stone. Don't get too big for your boots. And always question what you're told. Remember what it's like to be an outsider, a nobody. Don't look down on the people who end up at the bottom. Give a bit of coin to thew gutterlings. Stay humble. And keep your mind open. You might find it repays you one day."
4 stars
It's so, so great to back in the world that Samantha Shannon created in The Bone Season with this prequel. This is just a short novella about how Paige started out in the Seven Seals. We learn about her backstory and get a glimpse into how the gang worked then. There's only Nick and Eliza there for the moment, with Jaxon Hall, who is still mime-lord of I-4, of course.
You also learn a bit about poltergeists and how they are in this world. I'm glad that I took the time to download and read this before really digging into my re-read of the series.
Would recommend to anyone who is a fan of this series
4 stars
It's so, so great to back in the world that Samantha Shannon created in The Bone Season with this prequel. This is just a short novella about how Paige started out in the Seven Seals. We learn about her backstory and get a glimpse into how the gang worked then. There's only Nick and Eliza there for the moment, with Jaxon Hall, who is still mime-lord of I-4, of course.
You also learn a bit about poltergeists and how they are in this world. I'm glad that I took the time to download and read this before really digging into my re-read of the series.
Would recommend to anyone who is a fan of this series
December 19, 2016
That awesome feeling of jumping back into a familiar world and the comforting style of an author's writing. It's been a while.
A wonderful short novella about Paige's beginning in the Seven Seals. Her character development continues to show her resistance to authority, her acceptance of her vulnerability and her belief that she is someone to remember with something to offer - even without her clairvoyant gift. It also provided a perspective on the growth between the friendships of Nick, Eliza & Paige. It was great to see the methods used by Jaxon Hall to encourage The Pale Dreamer to become an individual and for her gift to reveal itself.
1. An excellent pun
‘Does he always dress like he’s fallen out of an eighteenth-century novel?’
Nick laughed, warming me to my bones. ‘He’s a character, I’ll give you that.’
2. Advice for life
"Don’t get too big for your boots. And always question what you’re told. Remember what it’s like to be an outsider, a nobody. Don’t look down on the people who end up at the bottom. Give a bit of coin to the gutterlings. Stay humble. And keep your mind open. You might find it repays you one day."
Thoroughly enjoyable read! Just waiting for The Song Rising.
Highly recommend this for those who've enjoyed The Bone Season series so far.
A wonderful short novella about Paige's beginning in the Seven Seals. Her character development continues to show her resistance to authority, her acceptance of her vulnerability and her belief that she is someone to remember with something to offer - even without her clairvoyant gift. It also provided a perspective on the growth between the friendships of Nick, Eliza & Paige. It was great to see the methods used by Jaxon Hall to encourage The Pale Dreamer to become an individual and for her gift to reveal itself.
1. An excellent pun
‘Does he always dress like he’s fallen out of an eighteenth-century novel?’
Nick laughed, warming me to my bones. ‘He’s a character, I’ll give you that.’
2. Advice for life
"Don’t get too big for your boots. And always question what you’re told. Remember what it’s like to be an outsider, a nobody. Don’t look down on the people who end up at the bottom. Give a bit of coin to the gutterlings. Stay humble. And keep your mind open. You might find it repays you one day."
Thoroughly enjoyable read! Just waiting for The Song Rising.
Highly recommend this for those who've enjoyed The Bone Season series so far.
March 25, 2017
I really liked this little novella and thought it was a great addition to The Bone Season series. In this book, we go back to when Paige was 16, shortly after she joins Jaxon's little gang, compromised of only three members before her. We see into her teenage mind, as well as a little more into her past. It took me several pages to get back into the writing style; I think there was something different about this novella compared to the full-length novels, and I wonder if it has something to do with Shannon trying to give the story a slightly younger voice.
But it wouldn't be a good story without a plot, and we get taken along on Paige's first mission out as the Pale Dreamer. She has yet to prove herself a worthy member of the group, deserving of her new codename. It doesn't quite go the way she wants it to, but poltergeists are tricky things!
What I really loved about the novella that not everyone will be able to relate to is that it partly takes place in in and around Farringdon station. Funnily enough, Farringdon is one of the three Underground stations near my university, and I actually took a train or two from the station while reading this. It was fun walking through the station thinking of Paige and Nick doing the same thing.
You'll want to read this one after reading at least the first book in the series, as, even though this is a prequel, I think this would have been too confusing for anyone who doesn't have prior knowledge of the world and Unnaturalness. As it was, it had been a while since I'd read the first two books, and I found myself trying to remember details. I could have read the third book, The Song Rising, before getting into this one, as I do have it, but I was in the middle of assignment hell and just wanted something short and easy to take my mind off marketing plans and sustainable business.
All in all, a short and sweet story, great for when you don't have a lot of time to read, but only pick this one up if you already know and love the series!
But it wouldn't be a good story without a plot, and we get taken along on Paige's first mission out as the Pale Dreamer. She has yet to prove herself a worthy member of the group, deserving of her new codename. It doesn't quite go the way she wants it to, but poltergeists are tricky things!
What I really loved about the novella that not everyone will be able to relate to is that it partly takes place in in and around Farringdon station. Funnily enough, Farringdon is one of the three Underground stations near my university, and I actually took a train or two from the station while reading this. It was fun walking through the station thinking of Paige and Nick doing the same thing.
You'll want to read this one after reading at least the first book in the series, as, even though this is a prequel, I think this would have been too confusing for anyone who doesn't have prior knowledge of the world and Unnaturalness. As it was, it had been a while since I'd read the first two books, and I found myself trying to remember details. I could have read the third book, The Song Rising, before getting into this one, as I do have it, but I was in the middle of assignment hell and just wanted something short and easy to take my mind off marketing plans and sustainable business.
All in all, a short and sweet story, great for when you don't have a lot of time to read, but only pick this one up if you already know and love the series!
See this review in its natural environment, Dani Reviews Things.
July 3, 2019
Powrót do świata wykreowanego w tej serii był czymś cudownym. Podczas czytania przechodził prze mnie dreszczyk emocji i podekscytowania. Wspomnienia tej genialnej serii wracały a ja utwierdzałem się w fakcie jak bardzo kocham pióro Samanthy Shannon. Książkę przeczytałem jednym ciągiem bo nie mogłem się oderwać. Fajnie było się dowiedzieć czegoś więcej o początkach Page w ‚Siedmiu tarczach’ bo zawsze byłem ciekawy jak to wyglądało na samym starcie przygody głównej bohaterki. Czy warto siegnąć? Moim zdaniem zdecydowanie tak! Jest to fajny wstęp jak i uzupełnienie historii! Dlatego mega polecam! 5/5 gwiazdek!!
August 5, 2019
2.95 stars
“Some people you meet in life, and they just click with you. It doesn’t matter how much you have in common you just work, somehow.”
Going into this novella I was pretty curious to see what this was gonna add to the world that we are presented and how it was gonna add to the story and move it. In retrospective, I should have paid a lot more attention to the fact that this is, in fact, a prequel to The Bone Season and, therefore, it was not gonna move the story forward in any way.
The fact that my expectations were not met really hindered my overall enjoyment of the book.
The novella in and of itself was not bad. It stays true to the world created and expands in a moment that gets hinted and already referenced in a book that was published previously - The Mime Order - it gives us a little more of insight in Paige's life before everything went down.
It's cute.
But it is not something that I'll call indispensable.
“They were ordinary moments in my newly extraordinary life – and they, in turn, became extraordinary.”
The characters are great and the story has enough mystery to not be completely flat or boring in any sense. Really, is a good story, but it did nothing for me.
Maybe it was the fact that I read it right after reading The Bone Season and I wanted to find answers or, at least, hints of answers in it. Or maybe it was the fact that I was not completely enamored with the world yet. Whichever the case, I enjoyed this story little.
The fact that al the plot of what happens is actually mentioned, and explain enough to be understandable, in The Mome Order, a book that was published before this came out, makes it seem to me that this was all a little pointless.
"Being in this syndicate will toughen you up, but don't let it turn you to stone. Don't get too big for your boots. And always question what you're told. Remember what it's like to be an outsider, a nobody. Don't look down on the people who end up at the bottom. Give a bit of coin to thew gutterlings. Stay humble. And keep your mind open. You might find it repays you one day."
If somebody asked me when to read this I would strongly suggest they do before reading anything else. It will help them understand the world a bit better before really getting into it and be a good introduction.
I'm just sad I couldn't enjoy it.
______________________________
As I dreaded, this was unnecessary.
RTC.
______________________________
Following in The Bone Season buddy read with the amazing Mer we have this prequel.
I'm curious to see what this is about, but I hope is something really shocking because I feel like we covered Paige's, overall, past really well on the first book.
Starting a book mildly unamused is not ideal, but that's exactly how I'm feeling right now. I do want to see more of the world, it fascinates me to no end, but everything else is a bit meh right now.
Hopefully, I'll change my mind by the end of the book.
“Some people you meet in life, and they just click with you. It doesn’t matter how much you have in common you just work, somehow.”
Going into this novella I was pretty curious to see what this was gonna add to the world that we are presented and how it was gonna add to the story and move it. In retrospective, I should have paid a lot more attention to the fact that this is, in fact, a prequel to The Bone Season and, therefore, it was not gonna move the story forward in any way.
The fact that my expectations were not met really hindered my overall enjoyment of the book.
The novella in and of itself was not bad. It stays true to the world created and expands in a moment that gets hinted and already referenced in a book that was published previously - The Mime Order - it gives us a little more of insight in Paige's life before everything went down.
It's cute.
But it is not something that I'll call indispensable.
“They were ordinary moments in my newly extraordinary life – and they, in turn, became extraordinary.”
The characters are great and the story has enough mystery to not be completely flat or boring in any sense. Really, is a good story, but it did nothing for me.
Maybe it was the fact that I read it right after reading The Bone Season and I wanted to find answers or, at least, hints of answers in it. Or maybe it was the fact that I was not completely enamored with the world yet. Whichever the case, I enjoyed this story little.
The fact that al the plot of what happens is actually mentioned, and explain enough to be understandable, in The Mome Order, a book that was published before this came out, makes it seem to me that this was all a little pointless.
"Being in this syndicate will toughen you up, but don't let it turn you to stone. Don't get too big for your boots. And always question what you're told. Remember what it's like to be an outsider, a nobody. Don't look down on the people who end up at the bottom. Give a bit of coin to thew gutterlings. Stay humble. And keep your mind open. You might find it repays you one day."
If somebody asked me when to read this I would strongly suggest they do before reading anything else. It will help them understand the world a bit better before really getting into it and be a good introduction.
I'm just sad I couldn't enjoy it.
______________________________
As I dreaded, this was unnecessary.
RTC.
______________________________
Following in The Bone Season buddy read with the amazing Mer we have this prequel.
I'm curious to see what this is about, but I hope is something really shocking because I feel like we covered Paige's, overall, past really well on the first book.
Starting a book mildly unamused is not ideal, but that's exactly how I'm feeling right now. I do want to see more of the world, it fascinates me to no end, but everything else is a bit meh right now.
Hopefully, I'll change my mind by the end of the book.
February 8, 2017
If you've already read The Bone Season Series:
Read this book to learn a bit about the back story of Paige Mahoney and how she becomes a part of the Seven Seals. Get a quick glimpse at your favorite gang, including a seemingly much less complicated Jaxon Hall, a younger Nick, and a less-tempermental Eliza. The gang is a lot smaller, and it functions differently. It's fun to see how it had its origins.
That all being said, this story revolves around poltergeists, so not only is it interesting to learn more about them and their role in the clairvoyant word, you get the very dark back story of these spirits.
If you haven't yet read The Bone Season Series:
Then this novella is for YOU!
I cannot think of a better way to introduce someone to this world: it's short, you get to meet some of the important characters without being overwhelmed by lots of new name, and you'll get exposure to some of the lingo and the workings of clairvoyant Syndicate without being so overwhelmed (**this point is huge! A lot of people get overwhelmed by The Bone Season initially. If you have already been that person or are worried you will be that person, just read this first!).
January 1, 2020
Really enjoyed this! Great introduction to the world and the characters!
March 19, 2021
4.5 Stars
An excellent introduction into the world and characters! I'm really excited for to start "The Bone Season" now :)
An excellent introduction into the world and characters! I'm really excited for to start "The Bone Season" now :)
January 23, 2026
I recently read The Bone Season and it's quickly becoming my new personality, so before diving deeper into the main series I decided to rewind and pick up The Pale Dreamer first. And wow, this is one hell of a good prequel novella!
It was such a fun experience getting to see my girl Paige Mahoney before everything changes for her, when she is still relatively new to the criminal underworld of Scion London and trying to prove herself within Jaxon Hall’s gang, the Seven Seals. Watching her navigate rival gangs, dangerous spirits, and Jaxon’s ever watchful eye added so much extra texture to her character for me.
And honestly, I almost wish I had read this before The Bone Season. It feels like a smoother, more approachable introduction to this alternate, dystopian version of our world and its clairvoyant magic system, and it also establishes more investment in side characters and relationships that play a key role in Paige’s life. I especially enjoyed seeing more of Nick, Eliza, and Jaxon, as they fade a bit into the background in book 1 when Paige's life is upturned.
While the central mystery and plot did not fully grab me, I did not really mind because I just enjoyed spending more time in this world with these characters. It is genuinely impressive how much Samantha Shannon manages to pack into such a short novella, and I think The Pale Dreamer is a fantastic little addition to the series. If you already love this world, it feels like a very satisfying bonus, and if you are new, it might just be the perfect place to test the waters.
It was such a fun experience getting to see my girl Paige Mahoney before everything changes for her, when she is still relatively new to the criminal underworld of Scion London and trying to prove herself within Jaxon Hall’s gang, the Seven Seals. Watching her navigate rival gangs, dangerous spirits, and Jaxon’s ever watchful eye added so much extra texture to her character for me.
And honestly, I almost wish I had read this before The Bone Season. It feels like a smoother, more approachable introduction to this alternate, dystopian version of our world and its clairvoyant magic system, and it also establishes more investment in side characters and relationships that play a key role in Paige’s life. I especially enjoyed seeing more of Nick, Eliza, and Jaxon, as they fade a bit into the background in book 1 when Paige's life is upturned.
While the central mystery and plot did not fully grab me, I did not really mind because I just enjoyed spending more time in this world with these characters. It is genuinely impressive how much Samantha Shannon manages to pack into such a short novella, and I think The Pale Dreamer is a fantastic little addition to the series. If you already love this world, it feels like a very satisfying bonus, and if you are new, it might just be the perfect place to test the waters.
June 27, 2020
Lovely little story that certainly wasn't a game-changer for the series, but offered a nice insight into Paige's beginnings in the mime-crime world regardless. I liked how her voice sounded younger in this than in The Bone Season, since she is 16 here instead of 19. And yes I still want to marry Nick. I'll be starting book 2 first thing tomorrow.
July 16, 2025
interesting, but too fast
January 8, 2021
I'm not usually one for novellas but I really enjoyed this. It gave some great insight into Paige's background but also fleshed out the other Seven Seals' characters and helped give a little more context as to what it is the gang actually do. Definitely worth the read!
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