First, my little story. I was so convinced I started this book years ago and was astounded by the buzz. However, I've since learned that I am wrong, this is not the book I started. I'd really like to figure out what that book was. 

That has nothing to do with this review. 

As for the actual book, I have shied away from High Fantasy in recent years. I've felt like nothing really new is being done and it's all longer than it needs to be. I was so pleasantly surprised by Priory. It's long yes, but it never felt like wasted time or words. There's action and mystery. There's romance and humor. The characters are deep and flawed. Shannon put deep thought into all of the religions of all the cultures visited. 

To pick on game of thrones for a minute, there were characters that we'd get to a chapter following them and I'd groan and hope someone better was next. I thought Niclays Roos was a jerk and was just as deeply enthralled in all the chapters following him as Ead or Tané. Ead was my favorite. I could gush longer but I'll save some of this for my book club.