The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

The Priory of the Orange Tree (Roots of Chaos, #1)

by Samantha Shannon

THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'The new Game of Thrones' Stylist

'Puts Samantha Shannon in the same league as Robin Hobb and George R.R. Martin. Shannon is a master of dragons' Starburst

‘Epic fantasy with added dragons. A blockbuster’ Guardian, Best Science Fiction and Fantasy

An enthralling, epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons - and the women who must lead the fight to save it.

A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.

The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door.

Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.

Reviewed by abookishblether on

5 of 5 stars

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**Excerpt provided by Netgalley for an honest review.**

I first heard of this book when booktube began gushing about the admittedly gorgeous cover and the heft of the arcs. I immediately wanted to know more, and pre-ordered my copy. I am ridiculously excited about this book, and I think I will likely grab the audiobook as well.

This is a fantasy novel like no other I have read. The world being created in the first few chapters felt deep and lush with worldbuilding and it only made me crave more of the story when it finished. I could have done with a map to help me keep the different countries straight in my head, but I am hoping the final copy will have one. I am intrigued by all of the characters mentioned so far, but I am far more intrigued by the history of this world and the relationships between humans and dragons. I cannot wait to find out more.

I won't rate this review as it was not the entire book, but if I was going to rate the book so far it would have to be 4.5*. Bring on February!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 November, 2020: Finished reading
  • 6 November, 2020: Reviewed