The Priory of the Orange Tree
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-03-27 14:17:46
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Samantha Shannon
- ISBN：140888335X
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
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 all her life to be a dragonrider， 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。
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 all her life to be a dragonrider， 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。
Reviews
Peyyyreads
，
OH MY GOSH， WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO READ THIS BOOK。 i loved it！！！
sienna
，
i am being very generous with these three stars because the book was crammed with elaborate writing that i did not care to read。 there were parts—so many diplomatic or honorable or random scenes in which someone would say something wise and the other would say something wise in return， and i felt my attention waning just like the described moon and sun and ninety other things that the wonderfully lovely samantha shannon has brought to shiny and glittering knife-sharp attention with her fabulousl i am being very generous with these three stars because the book was crammed with elaborate writing that i did not care to read。 there were parts—so many diplomatic or honorable or random scenes in which someone would say something wise and the other would say something wise in return， and i felt my attention waning just like the described moon and sun and ninety other things that the wonderfully lovely samantha shannon has brought to shiny and glittering knife-sharp attention with her fabulously terrific array and assemblage of descriptive describing vocabulary。no wonder why my head hurts。 。。。more
Liv Brandström Edlund
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It’s not the book， it’s meI can objectively see that this is impressive work， but I’m just so bored and uninterested。 Time for me to give up on high fantasy。。 🍊
Jacklyn
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I was so eager to finish it。。。 now I just want to read it again！ I cannot believe this big ass book kept my attention the ENTIRE TIME！ Props to you Sam！ A great story❤️ loved it
Megan Mweemba
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What a journey！ I really like Samantha Shannon’s work， but I also understand how it can be very intimidating in some ways （my ebook version of this was 1500 pages long）。 Personally， I felt that this one was much easier to get into than The Bone Season （which I still do love though obviously）。 Although it was dense and there were tons of new words/characters/places， I never really felt lost， it was easy to follow （until a few things at the very end that confused me a bit）。 It certainly wasn’t per What a journey！ I really like Samantha Shannon’s work， but I also understand how it can be very intimidating in some ways （my ebook version of this was 1500 pages long）。 Personally， I felt that this one was much easier to get into than The Bone Season （which I still do love though obviously）。 Although it was dense and there were tons of new words/characters/places， I never really felt lost， it was easy to follow （until a few things at the very end that confused me a bit）。 It certainly wasn’t perfect: I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance aspect （it grew on me a bit as it went along， but mostly I just felt like it was unnecessary）， the ending felt a bit rushed in some ways， and I didn’t get that attached to any of the characters。 But ultimately it is a pretty epic read， interesting and original， and I was hooked。 If you’re a fan of fantasy， definitely give this one a go！ 。。。more
Joasia Krukowska
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4，5 ❤️
Jo
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This is a great story， on the whole well told and with interesting characters。 There are however massive lulls， spanning sometimes 100 pages， and that makes the book occassional a slog which is a real shame。 I didn't like Roos and found him annoying。 This is a great story， on the whole well told and with interesting characters。 There are however massive lulls， spanning sometimes 100 pages， and that makes the book occassional a slog which is a real shame。 I didn't like Roos and found him annoying。 。。。more
Lauren Hillman
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 So good！ Everything about this book was amazing。 It was epic， it had tons of great world building， in depth depictions of religions， cultures， geography， and so many great characters that were easy to love and root for， but also flawed。 Tané and her story in the East were lovely。 I was invested immediately in her and her quest to be a dragon rider。 I loved her dragon and felt all her rage when she was taken。 Nicklays was someone I went back and forth on。 He was interesting but I kept wanting him So good！ Everything about this book was amazing。 It was epic， it had tons of great world building， in depth depictions of religions， cultures， geography， and so many great characters that were easy to love and root for， but also flawed。 Tané and her story in the East were lovely。 I was invested immediately in her and her quest to be a dragon rider。 I loved her dragon and felt all her rage when she was taken。 Nicklays was someone I went back and forth on。 He was interesting but I kept wanting him to be a better person than he was。 Thankfully， he redeemed himself in the end。Loth was also a great storyline。 When he lost his friend I realized this book was serious and I shouldn’t expect a happily ever after for everyone。 I do kind of wish I got more closure with the Donmata。 I kind of thought he’d end up with her in the end。 Ead got the most pages dedicated to her and the court life but I loved it。 Loved her contrary opinions to everything the people around her said and believed。 Loved her fierceness and determination to protect even something she didn’t agree with。 So many great side characters here too。 Meg and Trudye and Roslain and Crest。 Her Priory sisters。Kalyba was one of my favorites。 I love characters who I love to hate。 But I never did hate her。 I should have but she was too cool and beautiful and powerful for me to hate。Sabran was probably the most complicated。 The most full of juxtapositions。 She had one of the biggest arcs in the story yet arguably every character， even minor ones， had strong character arcs。 So many great women。 So much stuff that happens。 Secrets revealed。 Bloody battles。 Epic fun。 IF I had any complaint it was that I occasionally found myself confused and rereading sentences because of the pronouns。 It would say something like “Ead said to her” but then I’d be like， I thought we were talking to Chassar here。 Super minor but I found myself confused a few times and in the end I’d just let my mind skip over these， knowing it’s likely my own error and not the author。 But maybe something slightly unclear in the writing of occasional sentences- that’s the only possible complaint I could have。 It was an amazing read。 I burned through it。 。。。more
Stig Dyrdal
，
Loved it！ "Priory of the Orange Tree" truly puts the epic in epic fantasy。Not only was it pleasantly diverse for this type of fantasy book， but Niclays' PoV was male and queer and mean and old and bitter and drunk， so I found it very relatable。It is a dense novel， not only in page count （804！） but also in world building， so it took me a hot minute to get into things， especially the court side of the story following Ead。 But once I got into it， it was SO good *chef's French kiss*I wasn't always t Loved it！ "Priory of the Orange Tree" truly puts the epic in epic fantasy。Not only was it pleasantly diverse for this type of fantasy book， but Niclays' PoV was male and queer and mean and old and bitter and drunk， so I found it very relatable。It is a dense novel， not only in page count （804！） but also in world building， so it took me a hot minute to get into things， especially the court side of the story following Ead。 But once I got into it， it was SO good *chef's French kiss*I wasn't always too bothered about Tané's side of the story， but her story grew on me at the halfway point， and I thought her conclusion was one of the stronger ones。 Loth was a treat to read， and the losses he suffered was some of the hardest to read。 An all around epic read， 10/10 would recommend！ 。。。more
Sheri Daley
，
Started out strong for me but then lost me toward the end。 I liked the story and certain characters。 I would still recommend this book to anyone！
Gioia Eugenia Pagano
，
The world building is spectacular。 I was completely immersed into this new world， I felt their emotions as my own。Is this book long？ Yes， but I wouldn’t want it any other way。 The story is so well intertwined in the pages that even when you feel as if the plot has been stuck on the same note for a chapter or two， you are shaken by the realization that everything was happening under your eyes。Beautiful。（ also， I would protect Tané with my whole soul， I adore her）
Celia SG
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En general un buen libro con un mundo muy trabajado， una narración clara y una historia interesante。 Como "pero" tengo que decir que me costó engancharme， me pareció muy lento al principio y el final pasa muy rápido， me habría gustado profundizar un pelín más Los personajes no conecté con ellos al 100% como me pasa en otros libros aunque les cogí cariño。Lo que más me ha gustado es la cantidad de protagonistas chicas fuertes y el carácter feminista del libro。 Me ha encantado que pese a que en ese En general un buen libro con un mundo muy trabajado， una narración clara y una historia interesante。 Como "pero" tengo que decir que me costó engancharme， me pareció muy lento al principio y el final pasa muy rápido， me habría gustado profundizar un pelín más Los personajes no conecté con ellos al 100% como me pasa en otros libros aunque les cogí cariño。Lo que más me ha gustado es la cantidad de protagonistas chicas fuertes y el carácter feminista del libro。 Me ha encantado que pese a que en ese mundo ya había una gran influencia feminista quieran seguir cambiando viejas tradiciones para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor。 。。。more
Liz
，
The beautifully rendered dragon on this eye-catching cover is what drew me in to this book。 I am unable to resist books with fantastic dragon artwork。 Readers will find a worthy story within this gorgeous book， one that will take hold of you and whisk them away through this one-volume adventure。 Shannon gives us an entirely unique world and setting - a world who's impending doom via draconic beasts seems to hang upon the fate of a queen and the warrior priestess who is sworn to protect her。 A ca The beautifully rendered dragon on this eye-catching cover is what drew me in to this book。 I am unable to resist books with fantastic dragon artwork。 Readers will find a worthy story within this gorgeous book， one that will take hold of you and whisk them away through this one-volume adventure。 Shannon gives us an entirely unique world and setting - a world who's impending doom via draconic beasts seems to hang upon the fate of a queen and the warrior priestess who is sworn to protect her。 A cast of intriguing characters brings this story to life， where the stakes are as high as in an episode of game of thrones （in the earlier seasons， anyway）。 Though the story is currently stand-alone， the author has expressed interest in expanding on this world。 I for one will be ready to pick up the next installment。 。。。more
Regina
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So happy to finally finish this one！ I liked but was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to long。 The end is the best part。 A lot of very good quotes
Kris Mahoney
，
This is an impressively complete stand-alone novel。
Ginnie
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After being 375 pages in， I had to DNF this book。。。 I just couldn't get into it。 I couldn't connect with the characters。 They're all pretty boring to me。 I did like the LGBT+ representation。 I wasn't interested in the world。 I kept wanting there to be some action， especially since she a THICC one， but rarely got it。 I really wanted to like this one。 I am still not sure if I will pick it up again in the future。。。 I doubt it though。 After being 375 pages in， I had to DNF this book。。。 I just couldn't get into it。 I couldn't connect with the characters。 They're all pretty boring to me。 I did like the LGBT+ representation。 I wasn't interested in the world。 I kept wanting there to be some action， especially since she a THICC one， but rarely got it。 I really wanted to like this one。 I am still not sure if I will pick it up again in the future。。。 I doubt it though。 。。。more
Andrea Bernal
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Absolutely amazing and beautifully written！ I want to continue reading more of Shannon's works Absolutely amazing and beautifully written！ I want to continue reading more of Shannon's works 。。。more
Vanessa
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There were good things about this book， but not enough to make it worth the 800+ page slog。 I never really got into it。 There were moments when I did， but the writing didn't draw me in。 There were too many names， histories， religions， and politics， and it cluttered the flow of the story for me。I liked the honest portrayal of the f/f relationship， and how female-centric the book was。 It made me realize that often when I read "knight，" "soldier，" or "guard，" I visualize a man。 However， in this boo There were good things about this book， but not enough to make it worth the 800+ page slog。 I never really got into it。 There were moments when I did， but the writing didn't draw me in。 There were too many names， histories， religions， and politics， and it cluttered the flow of the story for me。I liked the honest portrayal of the f/f relationship， and how female-centric the book was。 It made me realize that often when I read "knight，" "soldier，" or "guard，" I visualize a man。 However， in this book， more often than not it was a woman。 The author did the same with characters of color。 In most fantasy， a majority of the characters are white， but in this book， there was a lot of diversity。The serren and siden magic system was interesting， I loved the dragons and everything about the Priory， but overall it did not spark much joy。 。。。more
Diana
，
This book took me on such a wonderful journey。 I admit that I was scared to start it due to its size and kept putting it off， but it all changed when I found out that this was a sapphic high fantasy multiple pov type of thing。 I loved the main romance so so much。 The pacing was so precisely on point that the relationship between them felt very real and when the pov kept changing to them I got so excited every time。The story building was superb， it really showed that Shannon worked on this book f This book took me on such a wonderful journey。 I admit that I was scared to start it due to its size and kept putting it off， but it all changed when I found out that this was a sapphic high fantasy multiple pov type of thing。 I loved the main romance so so much。 The pacing was so precisely on point that the relationship between them felt very real and when the pov kept changing to them I got so excited every time。The story building was superb， it really showed that Shannon worked on this book for three years。 I don't read a lot of high fantasy， but it felt unique and made me keep wishing that this was not a stand alone。 The world is so rich that I would love to read more stories set in it。 Preferably a spin-off about Queen Rosarian or/and Princess Cleolind's full story。The way the author managed to interweave all the plot points together is amazing。 Every time one of the dots got connected to the bigger picture I had to stop reading for a moment to gasp dramatically。My only compliant would be that the climax was way too short， literally only two chapters long， which was a let down because there was a 750 page build up。 While reading the book， it was clear that action is not something Shannon either likes or is capable of writing well （there was literally a battle between two antagonists towards the end of the book which wasn't even described even though one of the pov characters was there to witness it）。 I am not a fan of reading action/battle sequences but even I have to admit that the lack of an actual battle left me underwhelmed。It is a 4，5 star read for me， but Goodreads doesn't do that， so I am not mad about having to give it 5， because I truly loved every second of the book :） 。。。more
Freya
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This was such an epic tale。 It was about time to have a high fantasy that centred on strong female characters and included a diverse set of characters。 I hope the author returns to this world。
Riri Cleo
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Epic， masterpiece， brilliant， amazing！ I can’t believe I even finish this book。 The thickness of it made me put it on my shelf for months。 I should’ve pick it up sooner。 The author can take you places and will make you forget you’re reading。 Talented would not suffice to call her。 She’s a fucking dragon。
Sistaharlem
，
This quest， adventure book was full of plot twists due to people with their own agendas; deaths， sorcery， all different types of love， dragons etc。 I rated it a four star because the promise of the "big bad" or shared enemy really didn't terrify me like I wanted it to。 Should you read this book？ Why yes you should。 This quest， adventure book was full of plot twists due to people with their own agendas; deaths， sorcery， all different types of love， dragons etc。 I rated it a four star because the promise of the "big bad" or shared enemy really didn't terrify me like I wanted it to。 Should you read this book？ Why yes you should。 。。。more
Riley Holmes
，
4。5 ⭐️ only because it took me a while to get into it but besides that I LOVED this story
Julia
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Best stand alone I have ever read
Ben Hallam
，
A fantastic self-contained mythical fantasy full of intrigue， rich lore and diverse culture and romance。 Optimism you dont much see in this kind of epic tale， which is refreshing and endearing。
Miriam
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I really loved this book。 The world is so wonderfully drawn。 All the political machinations and the social fabric of these countries were so vivid and fully realised。 I also loved the characters， especially Ead。 She journeyed so far in this book， and every step she took was interesting。 Tané is also wonderful， and Nayimathun of course。 When the book started I couldn't see how it was all going to come together， but it did， and I very much enjoyed that。 So much happens， but it was never confusing， I really loved this book。 The world is so wonderfully drawn。 All the political machinations and the social fabric of these countries were so vivid and fully realised。 I also loved the characters， especially Ead。 She journeyed so far in this book， and every step she took was interesting。 Tané is also wonderful， and Nayimathun of course。 When the book started I couldn't see how it was all going to come together， but it did， and I very much enjoyed that。 So much happens， but it was never confusing， but a thrilling ride。 。。。more
Debbie
，
21 sterren stars out of 5！！！！ Oh my goodness， I can’t believe I waited 2 years to read this book （I bought it the day it came out）。 Outstanding， mind-blowing， magnificent。 I cannot praise it enough。 Absolutely， floored。 Samantha Shannon is now one of my favourite authors and The Priory of the Orange Tree is one of my new favourite High Fantasy novels。 I can’t wait to dive into the world of The Bone Season next。I will not get over this book and it’s world for a long time to come。 I’m happy， and a 21 sterren stars out of 5！！！！ Oh my goodness， I can’t believe I waited 2 years to read this book （I bought it the day it came out）。 Outstanding， mind-blowing， magnificent。 I cannot praise it enough。 Absolutely， floored。 Samantha Shannon is now one of my favourite authors and The Priory of the Orange Tree is one of my new favourite High Fantasy novels。 I can’t wait to dive into the world of The Bone Season next。I will not get over this book and it’s world for a long time to come。 I’m happy， and also， incredibly inspired :） 。。。more
sel
，
it's been over a year since i started reading this and me shuffling it around shelves on goodreads bc it was too embarrassing to have this just sitting on my currently reading shelf for that long definitely did not help the multiple several month long breaks i took from continuing。 but i know at least that i wouldn't have stayed til the end if it wasn't worth it （and it definitely is， trust me）。 of course i owe my life to the spotify playlist which helped me persevere。 anyway now im FREE and im it's been over a year since i started reading this and me shuffling it around shelves on goodreads bc it was too embarrassing to have this just sitting on my currently reading shelf for that long definitely did not help the multiple several month long breaks i took from continuing。 but i know at least that i wouldn't have stayed til the end if it wasn't worth it （and it definitely is， trust me）。 of course i owe my life to the spotify playlist which helped me persevere。 anyway now im FREE and im never reading that many pages again in my life 。。。more
Johanna
，
Beautiful。 Truly beautiful。The story weaves together cloths of many colors in a pattern that beautiful。Each character is well-described and well-developed but what makes this book stand out is the way they interact with each other。 I wish people were more like the characters in the book; the world would be a better place for it。 That being said， there is nothing unreasonable in the way the characters treat each other--it is not some lofty ideal or utopian fallacy， simply an alternative。
Adriana
，