The Dark Mirror - (Bone Season) by Samantha Shannon

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The epic and spellbinding fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling Bone Season series - from the million-copy bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.

"This series is the best . . . Paige Mahoney has my whole heart . . . Nobody writes like Samantha Shannon!" -Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes series

Everything is about to change.

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade - but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.

Her journey back to the revolution takes her to Venice, where the Domino Programme has uncovered evidence of a secret Scion plan. Before Paige can return to London, she must help the network unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist, which threatens to bring Europe to its knees in weeks.
And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories - Arcturus Mesarthim - might also hold the key to thwarting Scion, allowing the revolution to strike an unprecedented blow . . .

With its intricate worldbuilding, slow burn romance, and "complex, ever evolving, scrappy yet touching" (NPR) heroine, the Bone Season series shows Samantha Shannon at the height of her considerable powers.

Review Quotes

"Real entertainment. Shannon has continued to build on this imagined world with intricacy, and Paige's voice comes through to deliver a suspenseful story." --The Washington Post

"Intoxicating . . . Fans will be calling for more." --NPR.org

"This series is the best . . . Paige Mahoney has my whole heart . . . Nobody writes like Samantha Shannon!" --Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series

"Stunning and exciting . . . The Dark Mirror is a masterpiece of a fantasy/thriller, a dark and inventive addition to a series that will go down as an all-time classic." --Bookreporter

"Shannon expands the world of her Bone Season series in this pedal-to-the-metal fifth installment . . . The stakes are high, the pace is rapid, and Shannon's gift for evocative prose makes the shadowy streets of Venice come alive . . . Series fans will be thrilled." --Publishers Weekly

"Impressively multilayered." --Kirkus Reviews

"A road map for resistance, an ode to perseverance, and a bright shining ball of hope in a bleak time, The Dark Mirror is both a fantastic next step in the larger story of Shannon's Bone Season universe and a necessary reminder that everyone has a role to play in saving the world-or, at the very least, making it a less overtly dark and frightening place than it is at the present moment . . . A deeply satisfying read on an emotional level." --Paste Magazine

"Epic, riveting, emotional and devastating. The Dark Mirror is a remarkable continuation to the incredible series, masterfully crafted, deeply romantic and heart-wrenching. You will lose yourself in this magnificent world, and hold these characters close to your heart." --Sue Lynn Tan, USA Today bestselling author of DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS

"Richly imagined . . . Once again, Shannon makes lavish use of spectacular and storied settings . . . In complex scenes of healing, strategizing, death-defying action, delicate negotiations, and passionate love, Shannon's powers remain at full impact in this brilliantly realized, keenly relevant freedom-fighter saga." --Booklist

"A compelling and atmospheric novel set in a world where reality and illusion intertwine . . . Shannon brings her signature world-building and intricate storytelling to this new story." --Glamour

"Good news: Paige Mahoney, the voyant Mime Queen, is back . . . Crackles with action and Samantha Shannon's trademark lush prose and high-stakes emotion." --Daily Mail

"I can't wait to see where the journey takes her next and what the final showdown will look like." --British Fantasy Society

"Transports readers to a world of intrigue and danger." --Woman's World

"The Dark Mirror ups the ante on Shannon's dystopian fantasy series, separating Paige from the Republic of Scion-but also leaving her with no memories and a massive undertaking to contend with. Shannon handles this brilliantly, weaving a narrative full of heart and wit." --Screen Rant, "10 Best Fantasy Books Of 2025 (So Far)"

About the Author