The Priory of the Orange Tree

Samantha Shannon

Feb 2019 · The Roots of Chaos Book 1 · Bloomsbury Publishing USA

About this ebook

The New York Times bestselling "epic feminist fantasy perfect for fans of Game of Thrones" (Bustle).

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY:
AMAZON (Top 100 Editors Picks and Science Fiction and Fantasy) * CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY * BOOKPAGE * AUTOSTRADDLE

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.

Ratings and reviews

I will say it might be off putting due to the sheer amount of information thrown in your face, but once you get through the first few chapters of it, it starts to calm down and get more and more interesting. I only read sample but now I have to get it.

"Truth is a weave of many threads" ...and a book this big to take it all in! Samantha Shannon said it took her 3 years to write this epic, and each line is as crafted as the jewels that shine throughout the book. From the faith of the Sisters of the Priory to those deemed worthy to be dragon riders; from the queen whose reign will end a thousand year dynasty to love that breaks bonds and traditions, this is truly high fantasy that whispers faintly towards our reality in the days of coronavirus. The stories of Sabran, Ead, Loth, Meg, Tane and the ones who love and care for them are carefully woven and in spots undone and rewoven to take you on a journey you will never forget. I first heard of this book a year ago when a blogger friend posted a picture of this massive book. It took months before I was able to borrow it from the library. Twice more I borrowed it before I could actually set aside enough time to give it my full attention. And now, I want to own a copy and am on a search

An enormous story that captures the reader long after it has finished. Priory asks much of the reader, and while well told it isn't without several stumbles on our way to its disappointingly swift conclusion. Full of interesting characters with contrasting histories, motives and understandings of their richly-realized world of intrigue, romance and dragons.

About the author

Samantha Shannon studied English Language and Literature at St. Anne's College, Oxford. The Bone Season, the first in a seven-book series, was a New York Times bestseller and the inaugural Today Book Club selection. The Mime Order followed in 2015 and The Song Rising in 2017. Her work has been translated into twenty-six languages. She lives in London.

@say_shannon
www.theboneseason.com