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A review by kassielovestoread
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What. A. Masterpiece.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon IS the book to beat for best read of 2023- and we're only in January!! Seriously, this tome of a book was the most heart stopping, gut wrenching, epic tale featuring the best cast of characters I've ever read. I can't believe this book sat on my shelf for the better part of a year just waiting to be read. I've got to admit, like many others I was intimated by the length of this standalone novel. But I don't think I'll ever turn down a high fantasy with LGBTQIA+ representation and for that, I'm so glad I gave this book a try. It took me ten days to finish and I don't regret that one bit. My advice: take your time reading this book! Allow yourself to be immersed and don't worry about setting a goal. Because once you hit the 300 page mark, you better buckle up. The story really takes off!
Samantha Shannon knows how to write a damn book, that's for sure. I was completely entranced by the first chapter. I knew full well that this book was going to tear my heart apart and keep me grasping at the pages to know what happens next. I also knew this was going to be a 5 star only 100 pages or so in. And my intuitions were correct! I loved the writing style- the lyrical prose drew me in and refused to let go (I'm not mad at it!). I loooooooved the intricately woven plot that had so many moving details spanning across 4 characters from opposing sides of the world. And the plot twists!? My GOD! I was gagged; I never saw them coming! Let me just say for the record: Tané and Ead. That's it. If you know, YOU KNOWWWW! Badass-er women you have not read until you read their stories. And I'll die on that hill!
If this review (as much of a hot mess as it is, LOL) convinces just one apprehensive individual to read, then I will consider this a blazing success. And if you need more, here's a couple! If you like the bodyguard falls for their assignment trope, look no further. If you watched Game of Thrones and felt personally insulted at the writers for doing what they did to Queen Daenerys and her dragons in the series finale- consider this book as a balm to that insult! I can't recommend this book enough and I cannot wait for A Day of Fallen Night to be released!!
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon IS the book to beat for best read of 2023- and we're only in January!! Seriously, this tome of a book was the most heart stopping, gut wrenching, epic tale featuring the best cast of characters I've ever read. I can't believe this book sat on my shelf for the better part of a year just waiting to be read. I've got to admit, like many others I was intimated by the length of this standalone novel. But I don't think I'll ever turn down a high fantasy with LGBTQIA+ representation and for that, I'm so glad I gave this book a try. It took me ten days to finish and I don't regret that one bit. My advice: take your time reading this book! Allow yourself to be immersed and don't worry about setting a goal. Because once you hit the 300 page mark, you better buckle up. The story really takes off!
Samantha Shannon knows how to write a damn book, that's for sure. I was completely entranced by the first chapter. I knew full well that this book was going to tear my heart apart and keep me grasping at the pages to know what happens next. I also knew this was going to be a 5 star only 100 pages or so in. And my intuitions were correct! I loved the writing style- the lyrical prose drew me in and refused to let go (I'm not mad at it!). I loooooooved the intricately woven plot that had so many moving details spanning across 4 characters from opposing sides of the world. And the plot twists!? My GOD! I was gagged; I never saw them coming! Let me just say for the record: Tané and Ead. That's it. If you know, YOU KNOWWWW! Badass-er women you have not read until you read their stories. And I'll die on that hill!
If this review (as much of a hot mess as it is, LOL) convinces just one apprehensive individual to read, then I will consider this a blazing success. And if you need more, here's a couple! If you like the bodyguard falls for their assignment trope, look no further. If you watched Game of Thrones and felt personally insulted at the writers for doing what they did to Queen Daenerys and her dragons in the series finale- consider this book as a balm to that insult! I can't recommend this book enough and I cannot wait for A Day of Fallen Night to be released!!