The Mime Order Book Review: A Powerful Dive into Chaos

Title: The Mime Order
Author: Samantha Shannon
Published: 2015 (January 27)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Pages: 528
Format: Hardcover / Paperback / eBook / Audiobook
Genres: Fantasy, Dystopian, Paranormal, Adventure, Young Adult
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About Author

Samantha Shannon, born in Hammersmith, London, in November 1991, grew up in Ruislip with a love for English Language and Literature that shaped her storytelling voice. At fifteen, she wrote her first novel, Aurora, which remains unpublished, yet it marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Having studied at St Anne’s College, Oxford, and graduated in 2013, Shannon’s background reflects both creative discipline and deep literary roots. Her Irish descent through her father, whose ancestors came from County Roscommon before emigrating to England, adds another layer to her narrative sensitivity—a fusion of myth, migration, and memory that subtly echoes through her fictional universe.

Her career took off in 2012 when she landed a six-figure book deal with Bloomsbury Publishing at the London Book Fair, paving the way for The Bone Season, the first in a seven-book series set in 2059. This story follows Paige Mahoney, a bold dreamwalker resisting the Republic of Scion and its oppressive campaign against clairvoyants, a conflict spanning two centuries. With its publication, Shannon was compared to J. K. Rowling, and soon Film and TV rights were secured by The Imaginarium Studios in November 2012, with Andy Serkis as producer, alongside British studio Lunar Park. Her later works, including The Priory of the Orange Tree (a standalone, high fantasy published in February 2019), expanded her series, The Roots of Chaos, through a prequel, A Day of Fallen Night (February 2023). Drawing from legend, Saint George, and the Dragon, she crafted sapphic books praised by Collider as worthy of a show or movie, continuing to tell timeless stories that blend myth and power in extraordinary worlds.

Book summary

In The Mime Order, Samantha Shannon continues the series that began with The Bone Season, delivering a second novel that’s as gripping as ever. Set in London in 2059, the story follows Paige Mahoney, the fierce protagonist, as she faces the aftermath of escaping Sheol I and becomes caught in new events that keep readers white-knuckled from start to finish. The storyline feels easier to slip into than the first book, free from feeling info-dumped, and showcases Shannon’s masterful writing style that makes this second book stand proudly on any favourites shelf. Published by Bloomsbury and Bloomsbury Australia, this fast, fast paced adventure proves that SEVEN BOOKS might not be enough to say goodbye to Paige’s world. As one early reader, Laura137, noted on Sat 22 Nov 2014, the novel is unforgettable — a seamless continuation of courage, chaos, and character that deepens with every page.

Plot

The story of The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon is as gripping and fast paced as any fantasy worlds I’ve explored in my reading journey. Much like a discovery of witches book review or the city of brass review, Shannon builds a rich and vivid universe that captures both reality and imagination. Set in London in 2059, the protagonist, Paige Mahoney, continues her journey after escaping from Sheol I, diving back into the dangerous underworld of Scion London. As a dreamwalker, Paige finds herself among mime-lords, mime-queens, and the clairvoyant community, struggling to survive amid corruption, betrayal, and fate.

When I first read The Bone Season, I was amazed by Shannon’s writing and her ability to balance action, magic, and emotional depth. Now, in this second novel of the series, the stakes rise even higher. The second book often risks the dreaded second book syndrome, but Shannon avoids it beautifully with intense, action filled moments and complex characters. Her world-building is intricate, from the Cohort Districts and Cohorts to Rephaim VS SciLo VS clairvoyants, all interwoven with elements of suspense and danger.

Bloomsbury and Bloomsbury Australia have once again published a fabulous sequel that doesn’t just continue the tale but deepens the storyline. It’s no wonder Laura137, in her Sat 22 Nov 2014 review, added this book to her favourites shelf. Even after the first book, it feels easier to dive into the reality of this world — it’s no longer info-dumped but organically handled, with each chapter header and cover carrying deeper meaning.

The underworld society of Scion thrives beneath the surface, filled with mollishers, protégées, and lackeys serving powerful mime-lords and Underlords. Paige, now a Mollisher of I-4, must prove her strength in the Scrimmage, an Unnatural Assembly that determines leadership in this brutal world. Her allies, including Nick, Zeke, Eliza, and Ivy, form a twisted family of sorts, bound by loyalty and danger. Their relationships and friendships give the book a heartbeat, with bittersweet moments of love, betrayal, and secrecy.

One of my favorite parts is the Warden relationship — the slow-burn bond between Paige and Warden, built on trust, tension, and mutual respect. It’s a Beauty and the Beast-like partnership, filled with protective and vulnerable emotions. Their chemistry adds an intimate layer to an otherwise intense plot, making their reunion truly heartbreaking. Shannon’s writing makes it feel both real and magical, blending adulthood, teenager uncertainty, and mystery into something unforgettable.

The Seven Seals, led by Jaxon Hall, play a crucial role again. His charm, ambition, and morally ambiguous personality mirror Fagin from Oliver Twist — manipulative yet magnetic. As Paige’s mentor, his manipulation and control over her are both frustrating and fascinating. Through him, Shannon explores themes of power, choice, and corruption, exposing the darker side of leadership in the clairvoyant underworld.

Much like in the night circus review, where imagination dances with reality, The Mime Order pulls readers into a vivid maze of Rephaim, SciLo, and human politics. The Rephaim puppet-masters, the Scion government, and the fight for freedom are beautifully interwoven, revealing centuries of Rephaim history, fault lines, and revolutions. The world-building feels alive, filled with orders, languages, maps, glossaries, and character lists that help the reader find their footing in this complicated underworld.

Throughout the novel, I found echoes of the hobbit book talk — that sense of being part of something bigger, a hero facing impossible odds. Paige’s history, her journey from Sheol I to Scion London, and her evolution from fugitive to gang leader make her one of the most perfect heroines in modern fantasy worlds. She is a strong heroine and an intelligent heroine, fighting with courage while showing moments of vulnerability that make her human.

The plot moves with an incredible pace, especially through the middle of the book, where murders, rescues, and reluctant allies keep readers hooked. The Scrimmage, where Mime-Lords and Mime-Queens compete, is written with intense energy and poetic justice, showing Paige’s power as both physical and emotional — the voice of justice that the clairvoyants desperately need.

Samantha Shannon’s writing style reminded me why she’s often compared to J. K. Rowling. Her fantasy worlds feel limitless, her characters unforgettable. Each scene, from flashbacks to action sequences, is crafted with care and detail. Chiara from Books for a Delicate Eternity once described it perfectly in her copyright 2015 review — every page feels like a bang, a buildup toward the third installment.

By the end, the ending leaves you breathless, full of suspense and anticipation. Paige’s power, her leadership, and the threats surrounding her make it clear that a war has begun. The mysterious human, the Nashira, and Jaxon’s old friend hint at even greater challenges to come. For me, it’s a 5/5 stars rating, not just for the story, but for how deeply it connects emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually — truly one of my all time favourites.

Overall Conclusion

Overall, The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon is a fabulous, gripping, and fast paced continuation of The Bone Season series, blending fantasy worlds, mystery, and raw human emotion with extraordinary depth. Shannon’s writing shines through her vivid world-building, powerful characters, and intricate underworld society of Scion London. From Paige Mahoney’s growth as a strong heroine to the emotional pull of her relationship with Warden, every moment feels purposeful and intense. The story keeps readers hooked until the very last line, leaving behind a sense of awe, anticipation, and admiration for Shannon’s unmatched storytelling talent.