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The Bone Season #2.5
On the Merits of Unnaturalness
Be aware, my good Reader, that this Pamphlet, no matter how controversial its content, must never fall into enemy Hands.
The most important piece of clairvoyant literature written in the twenty-first century, On the Merits of Unnaturalness is a pamphlet first published anonymously in 2031 by Jaxon Hall, the voyant who would later become the mime-lord known as the White Binder.
Hall was the first to index both known and supposed forms of Unnaturalness, resulting in the classification of the Seven Orders. This controversial piece of literature spread across the voyant underworld like a plague, revolutionising the syndicate but also creating discord in the form of brutal gang wars between the newly divided categories, the scars of which can still be seen today.
Revelatory and subversive, On the Merits of Unnaturalness is a must-read for any reader with a desire to further immerse themselves in the incredible world of Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season.
The most important piece of clairvoyant literature written in the twenty-first century, On the Merits of Unnaturalness is a pamphlet first published anonymously in 2031 by Jaxon Hall, the voyant who would later become the mime-lord known as the White Binder.
Hall was the first to index both known and supposed forms of Unnaturalness, resulting in the classification of the Seven Orders. This controversial piece of literature spread across the voyant underworld like a plague, revolutionising the syndicate but also creating discord in the form of brutal gang wars between the newly divided categories, the scars of which can still be seen today.
Revelatory and subversive, On the Merits of Unnaturalness is a must-read for any reader with a desire to further immerse themselves in the incredible world of Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season.
40 pages, ebook
First published January 27, 2015
107 people are currently reading
3617 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Shannon
35 books29.1k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
May 30, 2015
This pamphlet is a stunning work of modern genius and cut-glass wit; in fact, I would go so far as to say that it is the most original and well-written piece of literature to have come out of the Republic of Scion in its entire history. It boldly sets forth one obscure writer's theory on the Seven Orders of Clairvoyance, backed up by meticulous research and framed by insightful and humorous footnotes. Beautifully presented by the Spiritus Club, it is the only pamphlet you need ever own, and I should add, with brutal honesty – however much it hurts to admit – that it is significantly better than anything I have ever written, or will write, in my literary career*.
* I was not coerced by Jaxon Hall into giving this pamphlet five stars or writing this review
* I was not coerced by Jaxon Hall into giving this pamphlet five stars or writing this review
July 18, 2021
This small volume was produced to go alongside The Bone Season series and "details all known Types of Unnaturalness, divides them into seven Orders, and details the Merits of each. The Types are listed in such a way as to express their Rarity, with the first Order containing the most common Types of Clairvoyance."
This explanation was taken directly from the text and also showcases the slightly dry yet totally appropriate and informative writing style used. I loved learning more about the seven Orders and fully appreciate the work Shannon has put into making her world well-rounded and authentic.
This explanation was taken directly from the text and also showcases the slightly dry yet totally appropriate and informative writing style used. I loved learning more about the seven Orders and fully appreciate the work Shannon has put into making her world well-rounded and authentic.
February 20, 2018
This is very informative and really helped me understand the world of this book series a little better!
January 21, 2021
A rather dry look at the categories of clairvoyants in Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season series. I just wish this information had been present in the first book so I wasn't completely lost for 90% of the story. There are a lot of long names and various talents.
I might not be so clueless going into The Mime Order now anyway.
I might not be so clueless going into The Mime Order now anyway.
March 1, 2017
This is a super helpful guide to anyone with some interest in The Bone Season series. I'm glad that this has been made available as an Ebook.
It provides you with tons of details about the orders of clairvoyance and the many types of voyants in this series, not to mention has little side notes throughout that are straight from the mind of Jaxon Hall.
Would recommend this companion to anyone who has read or is planning to read The Bone Season, because it can be a confusing series at the beginning.
It provides you with tons of details about the orders of clairvoyance and the many types of voyants in this series, not to mention has little side notes throughout that are straight from the mind of Jaxon Hall.
Would recommend this companion to anyone who has read or is planning to read The Bone Season, because it can be a confusing series at the beginning.
August 5, 2019
“They are right to fear. They are wise to oppress. For are we not vastly superior to them, we Unnaturals?”
This was so much fun to read! And so informative too.
The concept is pretty simple. We have a description of the "magic" system that is very prominent and important through the story.
The best part? Is an in-world description.
Meaning that this little pamphlet is mentioned several times through the various books that form part of this series.
It's not just a great way to get to know the world and grasp it better but is also a great way to get a better grasp of who, exactly, is Jaxon Hall. Since he's the author we really get a good view of his thinking process and what is really inside him.
The part on the Binders is a really good example of who he is.
Really worthy to read as well as easy.
For me, it was just delightful.
“I have raised you to Roles of great importance, so you shall be the Lords and Queens of these wretched folk; yet see that I have humbled you anew with a prefix, MIME. For though you are a monarch, remember that you are only a mimic. The spirits of the dead have granted us their knowledge so that we may whore it on the streets for coin, sacrificing their secrets for the sake of our continued existence. You, the unnatural, can only ever imitate their greatness.”
__________________________
I, actually, finished this a couple of days ago and just completely forgot to update it... life has sure been crazy.
RTC.
__________________________
Last but not least in this quest to read The Bone Season series with Mer we have this little one.
To be honest I'm really excited to read it because it has been reference through the books a lot and it seems quite informative.
Of course, it's also one of those things that you just read when you are quite the fan... good thing that now I am quite the fan.
This was so much fun to read! And so informative too.
The concept is pretty simple. We have a description of the "magic" system that is very prominent and important through the story.
The best part? Is an in-world description.
Meaning that this little pamphlet is mentioned several times through the various books that form part of this series.
It's not just a great way to get to know the world and grasp it better but is also a great way to get a better grasp of who, exactly, is Jaxon Hall. Since he's the author we really get a good view of his thinking process and what is really inside him.
The part on the Binders is a really good example of who he is.
Really worthy to read as well as easy.
For me, it was just delightful.
“I have raised you to Roles of great importance, so you shall be the Lords and Queens of these wretched folk; yet see that I have humbled you anew with a prefix, MIME. For though you are a monarch, remember that you are only a mimic. The spirits of the dead have granted us their knowledge so that we may whore it on the streets for coin, sacrificing their secrets for the sake of our continued existence. You, the unnatural, can only ever imitate their greatness.”
__________________________
I, actually, finished this a couple of days ago and just completely forgot to update it... life has sure been crazy.
RTC.
__________________________
Last but not least in this quest to read The Bone Season series with Mer we have this little one.
To be honest I'm really excited to read it because it has been reference through the books a lot and it seems quite informative.
Of course, it's also one of those things that you just read when you are quite the fan... good thing that now I am quite the fan.
November 7, 2024
I purchased this book with a credit from the Kindle points I’d accumulated at the time I purchased it. I already have the entire series and thought I should read this book first to get a good idea of the world building before I start the series itself. I’m so glad I did that!
This book is compiled as an informational pamphlet for the people known as Unnatural, who are persecuted under the current government. It goes over each type of unnatural and the abilities that each type can use. The author of this pamphlet is unknown as you go through the material until the very end, when Ms. Shannon reveals the name of the author.
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I'm glad I decided to go through this book first before starting the series itself. I'll have to go back through it as I go through the series, I'm sure, since I was half-conscious when I read this. I want a clear head the next time I go through this.
I was definitely interested in the world-building from the start and can't wait to start the series, since I've found this series to be criminally underhyped. Thank you, Libby, for introducing this series to me by accident!
I did find this book to be confusing from time to time but I'm sure a second read-through will help me make sense of it all, especially as I go through the series itself as well. I'm looking forward to going through the series in the coming days/weeks! I'd definitely recommend it just based on the world-building alone.
This book is compiled as an informational pamphlet for the people known as Unnatural, who are persecuted under the current government. It goes over each type of unnatural and the abilities that each type can use. The author of this pamphlet is unknown as you go through the material until the very end, when Ms. Shannon reveals the name of the author.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
I'm glad I decided to go through this book first before starting the series itself. I'll have to go back through it as I go through the series, I'm sure, since I was half-conscious when I read this. I want a clear head the next time I go through this.
I was definitely interested in the world-building from the start and can't wait to start the series, since I've found this series to be criminally underhyped. Thank you, Libby, for introducing this series to me by accident!
I did find this book to be confusing from time to time but I'm sure a second read-through will help me make sense of it all, especially as I go through the series itself as well. I'm looking forward to going through the series in the coming days/weeks! I'd definitely recommend it just based on the world-building alone.
July 22, 2020
Mandatory read to the fans of The Bone Season.
On The Merits of Unnaturalness is a pamphlet written by Jaxon Hall that unravels the orders of clairvoyants presented in The Bone Season without much explanation. It is written like a textbook to further understand Samantha Shannon's complex world. Despite being very informative, you can still see Jaxon's personality behind it, the way he values rare orders and despises the common ones.
I'll definitely be revisiting this one in the future, it's a very smart addition to the series.
On The Merits of Unnaturalness is a pamphlet written by Jaxon Hall that unravels the orders of clairvoyants presented in The Bone Season without much explanation. It is written like a textbook to further understand Samantha Shannon's complex world. Despite being very informative, you can still see Jaxon's personality behind it, the way he values rare orders and despises the common ones.
I'll definitely be revisiting this one in the future, it's a very smart addition to the series.
March 19, 2017
Gdy po raz pierwszy spotkałam się z twórczością Samanthy Shannon wiedziałam, że jest zdolna do wielkich rzeczy, a jej wyobraźnia nie ma końca. W swoim Czasie Żniw młodziutka autorka stworzyła niespotykany dotąd podział na rasy, wśród których wyróżnia się różnych wróżbitow - od tych posługujących się kartami, przez wróżenie z fusów, na wizjach z wnętrzności zwierząt kończąc. Kontynuowała tę przygodę w Zakonie Mimów, gdzie nawet na moment nie zgubiła się w swoim skomplikowanym świecie. Autorka postanowiła nieco ułatwić czytelnikom zadomowienie się w zawiłych relacjach wróżbitów i Ślepców i postanowiła, niczym J.K. Rowling, pobawić się z nami, mieszając rzeczywistość z fikcją.
O wartościach odmienności to krótki dodatek do tej siedmiotomowej serii, który możemy zakupić tylko i wyłącznie w wersji e-book. Krótki, bo ma zaledwie 50 stron, oczywiste jest więc, że wydanie go w wersji papierowej nie miałoby większego sensu. A dlaczego autorka postanowiła stworzyć coś tak krótkiego? Otóż w Czasie Żniw dowiedzieliśmy się, że na świecie rozpowszechniana jest pewna ulotka napisana przez anonimowego autora, która odkrywa i wyjaśnia wszystkie istniejące rasy istot - siedem kategorii jasnowidzenia, kto jest kim i jakimi rodzajami magii czy też wróżb się posługuje. Samantha więc jest jedynie pośrednikiem i, jak Rowling Baśnie Barda, przekazuje nam tę właśnie ulotkę.
Ulotka ta jest pewnego rodzaju mini encyklopedią. Ze względu na bardzo skomplikowany poziom każdego kolejnego tomu tej serii dobrze jest zaznajomić się ponownie ze słownikiem i co jakiś czas do niego zaglądać. Możemy czasami poczuć się, jakbyśmy czytali naukowy artykuł, bo w takim stylu został wykreowany dodatek. Nie brakuje w nim jednak humoru i sarkastycznego języka tego bohatera, który okaże się być Anonimem. Znajdziemy w nim także wyjaśniające przypisy, które nie są stworzone przez tłumaczy, do czego przywykliśmy, a od twórcy tego przewodnika.
Chociaż to tylko 50 stron, to potwierdzają one, jak bardzo autorka dopracowała cały stworzony przez siebie świat. Każda istota ma tu konkretne umiejętności, konkretną rasę i miejsce w hierarchii, nic nie jest przypadkowe i tworzy nam się wielkie uniwersum, jakie znamy chociażby z wyobraźni Cassandry Clare. O wartościach odmienności nie jest niczym przełomowym, nie jest nawet niczym koniecznym do przeczytania, ale na pewno gratką dla fanów tej serii. I, mimo wszystko, polecam ją przeczytać po tym, jak zapoznacie się już z Czasem Żniw.
O wartościach odmienności trafia na stos:
AUTOR MA ŁEB JAK SKLEP
http://www.nastosie.pl/2017/03/o-wart...
January 8, 2025
Very fun to read about all the types of Clairvoyance, but also very informative.
This perfectly describes how incredibly detailed and well-written The Bone Season series is. Samantha's mind is just mind-blowing to me...
This perfectly describes how incredibly detailed and well-written The Bone Season series is. Samantha's mind is just mind-blowing to me...
May 14, 2025
• And so, my good People, I present to you a modern Story of Clairvoyance by means of the written Word. I, an Obscure Writer, who have clawed my way from Ignorance. •
🔮💭🩸
Eine sehr aufschlussreiche Ergänzung und Ausarbeitung der verschiedenen Arten von Clairvoyancy, gehalten in der Form des Manifests von Jaxon Hall, das auch häufiger namentlich in der Hauptreihe erwähnt wird.
🔮💭🩸
Eine sehr aufschlussreiche Ergänzung und Ausarbeitung der verschiedenen Arten von Clairvoyancy, gehalten in der Form des Manifests von Jaxon Hall, das auch häufiger namentlich in der Hauptreihe erwähnt wird.
July 5, 2017
It was interesting and boring at the same time. Same voyances where obvious since they are well known in the real world and others were new to me. However, you can definitely go without reading this "pamphlet".
October 19, 2019
O Jezu, Za Dużo tu Wielkich Liter...
January 2, 2021
On the Merits of Unnaturalness
is a pamphlet mentioned through the series, a short recollection of the different types of Clairvoyance to get a deeper insight into the voyant underworld. This is a quick and informative addition to The Bone Season series, a classification of the Seven Orders of of Clairvoyance by one the most complex characters of the series, Jaxon Hall.
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Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Tumblr
June 30, 2022
W ramach poszarzenia wiedzy na temat świata jasnowidzów w Czasie żniw, naprawdę super sprawa
February 22, 2025
Will you be fine reading the appendix in this series vs this? Yes.
But if you are nerdy enough to consume everything SS writes (like me)- you’ll find yourself nodding along.
New book in this series drops 2/25/25. 🥰
But if you are nerdy enough to consume everything SS writes (like me)- you’ll find yourself nodding along.
New book in this series drops 2/25/25. 🥰
June 19, 2023
Przewodnik (jesli mogę to tak nazwać) po rodzajach wróżbitów i innych mediów. Nie wyniosłam z tego za wiele, ale jasno opisano, czym kto się zajmuje.
February 26, 2025
Reread Thoughts (2025): While it's certainly not required reading for the series itself, fans of the series will be interested in reading On the Merits of Unnaturalness. This is a pamphlet that exists within the world, one frequently referenced by characters and with a lasting impact on voyants in general due to the way it establishes a hierarchy between the voyants based on their abilities. The tone of this pamphlet very much matches my impressions of the character who authored it, and while it doesn't provide entirely new information if you've read the other books in the series, it's interesting to see this specific view that was powerful and widely distributed enough to change the way voyants saw themselves.
First Read Thoughts: Personally, I found this pamphlet to be very illuminating! I am pretty familiar with the orders of clairvoyance, and the different types of voyant in the series, but it was really cool to take a look into this pamphlet that has influenced their regard of each other and themselves.
First Read Thoughts: Personally, I found this pamphlet to be very illuminating! I am pretty familiar with the orders of clairvoyance, and the different types of voyant in the series, but it was really cool to take a look into this pamphlet that has influenced their regard of each other and themselves.
September 5, 2025
Hello so i am on a journey to finally reading the bone season after saying i would but like then not as you do you know
This was so informative about so many things and i feel like maybe i should have read it after i was familiar with the world a bit better but it’s also really fed my appetite as SS is prone to do.
I’m so interested in Dreamwalkers, but also all of the Vile Augers and their role in all of this. It looks like such an interesting world SS created and I’m ready to finally take the plunge.
This was so informative about so many things and i feel like maybe i should have read it after i was familiar with the world a bit better but it’s also really fed my appetite as SS is prone to do.
I’m so interested in Dreamwalkers, but also all of the Vile Augers and their role in all of this. It looks like such an interesting world SS created and I’m ready to finally take the plunge.
June 24, 2016
Great little edition to The Bone Season series. Especially from Jaxons point of view, as flawed as it is.
I helps clear up any confusion you might have within any of the books about the differences between clairvoyants.
Great read and was very quick. 5 stars.
I helps clear up any confusion you might have within any of the books about the differences between clairvoyants.
Great read and was very quick. 5 stars.
October 23, 2017
like i really want to read this series but the first chapter has always confused and terrified me so upon discovering this exists and looking at the reviews, i have purchased this and am now ready to start reading this series soon i hope
December 23, 2022
Una guía útil y sencilla para sumergirse, aún más, en el mundo de La era de huesos de Samantha Shannon. Una de las piezas más mencionada a lo largo de los libros, este folleto que en 2031 analizo los siete ordenes de clarividencia conocidas, respaldados por una meticulosa investigación de nuestro querido Vinculador Blanco. Un panfleto perfecto para acompañar a la saga, indagar en el sistema de magia creado por Shannon y obtener una pizca más de información.
May 29, 2025
This goes into details on the different orders of clairvoyant gifts and I got some insight into Paige’s gifts and how she is this way. The tone is so odd and off putting, which is reminiscent of this version of London in the future. The tone also lends some insight into Jaxon Hall’s motivations, the fictional writer of the pamphlet, and a critical character with complex relationship to Paige. I love how this world feels so complete and unique. There is nothing else quite like The Bone Season.
October 25, 2024
i love that SS gave us the pamphlet. it's much more detailed than book diagrams and appendixes.
it's also a testament to her incredibly complex and thought out worldbuilding and systems.
it's also a testament to her incredibly complex and thought out worldbuilding and systems.
April 1, 2016
Review originally posted on my book blog: https://afrolicthroughfiction.wordpre...
RATED 4.5/5 STARS!
*I received this book as a giveaway prize*
Readers of The Bone Season will have heard of Jaxon Hall, and the pamphlet he wrote that shaped their modern society – called On The Merits Of Unnaturalness.
Well, in case you hadn’t guessed already, this is that pamphlet.
I honestly can’t get over how great this idea is. To publish the pamphlet, I mean. I’ve said countless amounts of times that the whole setting and society behind The Bone Season books is complicated, and that’s why I love it so much. But to some, all the various names and statuses of clairvoyants can be confusing – understandably. I remember being confused myself when I started The Bone Season oh-so-long-ago. And now here we have this pamphlet, that explains each order, category, name, status, ability… everything.
Straight away you can tell that this is written through Jaxon Hall’s voice. There’s just that air of knowledge, confidence and – dare I say it? – smugness surrounding the words. Exactly how I picture Jaxon Hall. In my mind I see him swaggering around knowing he can’t be touched, getting this pamphlet published illegally and feeling mightily proud that he alone has managed such a feat.
And SOMEHOW , Samantha Shannon has woven his personality into what’s meant to be a purely educational pamphlet. Just the way things are worded to add small snippets of Jaxon’s opinions…it’s amazing.
Like I said before, this book is educational rather than entertaining. But because I learned about a book series I love, that made it SO interesting to me. Almost ridiculously interesting. It makes me want to throw copies of this book at everyone so they can understand the seven orders too. Especially because it’s written to “you”, so I felt like I lived in their world and needed to know.
I know for sure that I’m going to be rereading this book just before the 3rd book (The Song Rising) is released next year…and honestly I’ll probably reread it many more times than that. I’ll be an expert on the orders soon enough
January 13, 2018
I was looking for something quick to read, with that fantastical element that I love, and this definitely hit the mark!
I've been told to read The Bone Season for months now, but I heard that the magic system was pretty complex (at least, in regards to keep up with all the different clairvoyants). I love it when authors do things like this, when they go out of their way to make add that extra little bit of content. I loved how Samantha Shannon gave us insight into all of the different clairvoyants in this series, but put her own twist on it, having it written by one of the characters of the series!
Overall, this just made me more excited to get to this series and I can't wait to start these books soon!
I've been told to read The Bone Season for months now, but I heard that the magic system was pretty complex (at least, in regards to keep up with all the different clairvoyants). I love it when authors do things like this, when they go out of their way to make add that extra little bit of content. I loved how Samantha Shannon gave us insight into all of the different clairvoyants in this series, but put her own twist on it, having it written by one of the characters of the series!
Overall, this just made me more excited to get to this series and I can't wait to start these books soon!
January 10, 2022
The footnotes shine a strong light into Jaxon Hall’s personality. 😂
* * *
A pamphlet that can be read in between The Bone Season and The Mime Season (where it ideally sits—to me, anyway—grounding the reader in the initial clairvoyant knowledge they get from Paige in The Bone Season).
There’s also Jaxon’s asides and footnotes, both funny and acerbic, which build on information from The PAle Dreamer and The Bone Season—and show bits of his personality beyond what we see through Paige (just in time for the focus to shift back towards the syndicate in The Mime ORder.
* * *
A pamphlet that can be read in between The Bone Season and The Mime Season (where it ideally sits—to me, anyway—grounding the reader in the initial clairvoyant knowledge they get from Paige in The Bone Season).
There’s also Jaxon’s asides and footnotes, both funny and acerbic, which build on information from The PAle Dreamer and The Bone Season—and show bits of his personality beyond what we see through Paige (just in time for the focus to shift back towards the syndicate in The Mime ORder.
July 13, 2015
Wow, that was actually really useful. I wish there'd be an online version or something published at some point so that everyone can read it. Thankfully I took part in the preorder campaign so I have my own copy, but I know there'll be people out there who won't have a copy because they didn't know about the campaign, or didn't get in the first 500 or something.
November 12, 2021
Ok, this is a short (37 Pages only) look into a new world and a new author for me Samantha Shannon's Bone Season in which she talks about Mime Lords and Mime Queens this is a pamphlet written by "an obscure writer" whom we find out later is the Mime Lord Jaxon Hall. It makes me want to explore this new fantasy series and see where Ms. Shannon takes it and us the readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews