Book Review: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

 

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Content Warning: death, violence, murder, miscarriage, alcoholism, torture.

In the Queendom of Inys, one family has ruled for over a thousand years. Sabran the Ninth is the current ruler, pressured to get married and have a child in order to secure the continued line. Ead Duryan is a lady-in-waiting, but as a Southerner, she is still considered an outcast at court. Sent to Inys on a secret quest to protect Sabran, Ead keeps quiet and uses her powerful sorcery to ensure that Sabran is not endangered. In the East, Tané wants one thing: to be a dragonrider. But when she makes a choice that quickly spirals into something beyond her control, she realizes that her future is no longer certain. As the Nameless One -- a powerful, fire-breathing dragon who was conquered centuries ago -- rises again, Ead, Sabran, and Tané will be forced to work together to destroy this timeless evil once and for all. 

This novel is an absolutely epic undertaking -- not only because of its sheer size, but also because of the depth and complexity of the world hidden within its pages. I've had the pleasure of reading many gorgeously crafted fantasy books in the last year or so, and I'm overjoyed to announce that The Priory of the Orange Tree has easily made its way onto that list. A truly feminist, diverse entry into epic fantasy, it both honors the traditions of its genre while also creating new, exciting paths.

Although there are many characters we're allowed an insight into, Ead and Tané glue the narrative together. They are both powerful women, with similarities that bridge the gap between them, but differences that make them completely distinct. One of the most wonderful things about this book is its easy, casual diversity: Tané is from the East, clearly modeled off of Asia (and Japan in particular, I think), while Ead is from the South, which seems inspired by Africa and South Asia (perhaps North Africa especially?). Yes, that's right -- both of our heroines are textually women of color! Their cultures were beautifully rendered, and I would gladly read a book that did nothing but tell us more of the folklore, traditions and beauty of both of these regions. 

Many of the main characters are also explicitly on the LGBT spectrum; Ead is in a sapphic relationship throughout the novel. It was refreshing to read a story from so many different, varied perspectives, all with their own relationships, beliefs and cultures. This novel is a true testament to what the future of fantasy should be: a vehicle to explore lives that are not like our own, and to put ourselves into their shoes. There's a beautiful moral interwoven into this story that tells us to put aside our differences, and to also be openminded -- as sometimes the truth as we see it is certainly not the real thing.

Although this is a massive tome of about 800 pages, it was no chore to finish it. I found myself devouring it, and actually completed it in six days! I was a little shocked myself; I'm a notoriously fast reader, but even I didn't think I'd be able to even finish it within the month. I think that's just another example of how amazing this book is. It's easy to just fly through the pages, and to become totally and utterly absorbed by the characters and the world that they live in. 

Oh, and yes, this book has something that I think everyone who loves fantasy will be delighted with: dragons!

Beautifully written, full of lovable characters who are as deep and layered as the world Shannon has created, The Priory of the Orange Tree has now become a favorite. I cannot recommend it enough, and there are so many things I wish I could discuss in this review, but it would be pages and pages, and I don't think anyone would be able to even finish this review! Go and immerse yourself in this fascinating story, and you will find yourself touched, moved, surprised and undeniably captivated.