Fiction & Poetry, Modern & Contemporary Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror , Science Fiction & Fantasy
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Paperback Published on: 06/02/2020
Price: £12.99
Bookseller Reviews
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A true epic, with strong powerful women!
I love, love, love this book. A true epic; dragons, queens, secret orders, ancient lies and a nameless evil! What more could you want?
Following the sto... READ MORE
A hugely epic and spellbinding fantasy.
I very much enjoy a standalone fantasy novel and I really, really loved this one. Epic and spellbinding, this one ticked all my boxes with great world buil... READ MORE
Destined to be a powerful classic!
I absolutely love Samantha Shannon so when i saw that she was writing a stand-alone high fantasy based in St. Georges legend with a feminist twist I was SO... READ MORE
A Feast for Fantasy Lovers
Now this is an absolute beast of a book! Don't be put off by the sheer magnitude of its size, you will burn through this surprisingly quicky, it's so easil... READ MORE
Totally immersive fantasy
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a book I enjoyed from start to finish. The story is told through four story threads, each with a different storyteller, an... READ MORE
Epic feminist fantasy
It took me a long time to read this, but it was certainly worth it. It is a brilliant new fantasy novel, with well written characters, amazing world build... READ MORE
Dragons upon dragons
As far as I can see this is the best old-school high fantasy epic that has come out in quite a few years. The world is beautifully realised, drawing on rea... READ MORE
An epic fantasy with fantastic female leads
This is a fantastic book. The premise is fascinating, the characters are fully fleshed out (if incredibly unlikeable in parts) and the writing is incredibl... READ MORE
Feminist Fantasy for the Modern Age!
Samantha Shannon has created a feminist fantasy masterpiece that feels like a fresh start for the genre we know and love. Evoking Tolkien's world-building ... READ MORE
A brilliant and brave fantasy epic
Thank you to Bloomsbury for sending me a reading copy before our shops event with the author!
I'm a big fan of fantasy fiction though even I have to admit... READ MORE
A magical feminist epic... with dragons!
This is a big book! One of my most anticipated books of the year, when I received a copy from the publisher a few days before publication I was over the m... READ MORE
An epic fantasy book to get lost in
First things first, this book is huge. But once you're in it, it is fiendishly difficulty to put down. Telling the epic tale of dragons, magic, opposing id... READ MORE
Absolutely worth it
This book may seem intimidating but it's absolutely worth it. I've read Priory twice now (contemplating a third read) and with the political intrigue, fant... READ MORE
Intimately Epic
A standalone epic, filled with amazingly drawn characters as complex as they are endearing. An unashamedly feminist piece of fantasy that has the best drag... READ MORE
Worthy of the description ‘epic fantasy’
What absolute gold. If you’re searching for perfection look no further. An excellent blend of politics, action and romance. A book you need to savour and t... READ MORE
No notes. Perfection.
This was absolutely flawless. A perfect fantasy that I could not fault at all. The world building was incredibly well thought out and the characters were p... READ MORE
A truly epic fantasy
I'd heard a lot about Samantha Shannon but only recently got around to reading this one.
It is such a gorgeous book. 800 pages of cleverly woven storyline... READ MORE
An epic feminist fantasy
The Priory of the Orange Tree is an epic feminist fantasy that delivers on its promise of grand-scale storytelling, with world-building that is nothing sho... READ MORE
Dragons, magic, and kickass women
This is a brilliant mix of fantasy, politics and adventure, told from the POV of several different characters scattered throughout the divided East and Wes... READ MORE
Standalone Saga
I'm in awe of this one - an epic standalone saga with multiple mythologies, courts and creatures - how someone managed to craft this, I'll never understand... READ MORE
Dragons with a Sapphic Subplot
I don't know why I put off The Priory of the Orange Tree for so long because this is one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read.
This ticked all of my ... READ MORE
epic fantasy that is beautifully crafted
this book is a feminist version of Sanderson and GRR Martin put together, as it is bold, exceptionally written with developed characters and a breathtaking... READ MORE
Epic fantasy done RIGHT
This book is an absolute feat.
Hats off to Samantha Shannon for writing this ground-breaking fantasy novel. Gone are the male-dominated epic fantasies of ... READ MORE
The kind of book that completely takes over your life
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a high-fantasy epic featuring forbidden magic, ancient dragons, and fierce women destined to shape the fate of a divided ... READ MORE
Now this is truly Epic fantasy
The size of this book may be intimidating, but by the end I wished there was more!
In this world Shannon has created, Dragons once came close to destroyin... READ MORE
Synopsis
From the internationally bestselling author of The Bone Season, a trailblazing, epic high fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons - and the women who must lead the fight to save it.
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, Tane has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, 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.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- ISBN: 9781408883358
- Number of pages: 848
- Dimensions: 198 x 128 x 56 mm
- Weight: 669g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allthe biggest fantasy book of the year (figuratively and literally)
THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE is probably the biggest fantasy book (both literally and figuratively) to be published this year. The hype around it is unrea... READ MORE
A feminist fantasy masterpiece, plus DRAGONS. For fans of GRRM, Tolkien, Sanderson, Hobb and Pierce.
(I received an uncorrected proof copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
This book is AMAZING.
Honestly, I’m not exaggerating... READ MORE
The Priory of the Orange Tree
If you like dragons and fantasy, you'll love this book. An excellent read from start to finish. Strong characters and a superb story with some twists and... READ MORE
Captivating characters and story, traditional fantasy good vs evil. Just missing something to hit that 5 star mark.
First and foremost, this book is fantastic and had me gripped from the start.
I've just finished The Demon Cycle series which was incredible. I don't typi... READ MORE
Epic Fantasy Novel
This is the best new fantasy novel that I have read in such a long time! I really loved it and am recommending it to everyone I know.
As well as imagining ... READ MORE
The Feminist Fantasy you NEED
Samantha Shannon is one of my FAVOURITE authors. I’ve read the three books that are out in The Bone Season septology MULTIPLE TIMES and I’m OBSESSED.
I fo... READ MORE
The best book I've ever read!
I was pondering around my local waterstones and juts bought this on a whim based off its short description. I AM SO GLAD I DID! The first 100 pages are slo... READ MORE
Fantastic
I loved this book .Fantastic page turner and just the book to loose yourself in .The characters were engaging and the plot was strong .
If you like fantasy... READ MORE
OBSESSED!
I've read this book twice and I want to read it again. This book is so well crafted, the world, characters, plot etc etc etc are so smartly developed that ... READ MORE
Brilliant escapism
Beautifully written, the story takes you on an intriguing journey and you’re left with a love of dragons!
The characters are all so different and the story... READ MORE
A fresh, female-led fantasy I never knew I needed
The East and the West have been in thick of a conflict for years. To the West lies the heirless Queendom of Inys ruled by Queen Sabran. To the East is the ... READ MORE
I was forged in fire and from comet wrung
I adored this book and every moment of it.
I’ve never read a book where I have so many questions at the end - and I’m blissfully happy to never have answe... READ MORE
An ensnaring read!
I’ve never reviewed a book before and I don’t really know how these things are meant to be assessed but all I can say is I absolutely LOVED this book. I wa... READ MORE
Blew me away
Got through 200 pages in the first 2 days of owning this book.
Such a beautiful and rich world to dive into, with very interesting characters. Highly recom... READ MORE
Phenomenal
I devoured this book in a matter of days. It is perfection, everything done superbly. Fantasy that is complex without being confusing. Read it!
Beautiful cover, with a beautiful story
“The Priory of the Orange Tree” is a captivating fantasy novel set in an Eastern/Western civilization, weaving together an array of diverse characters: a q... READ MORE
Good fantasy read
Book was interesting to read and wonderfully written however unless you're so eine who is an absolute book worm the length did start getting g to me by mid... READ MORE
Exactly what I was after
If you're looking for something that hits the spot of Game of Thrones but is different enough to stand on its own, this is it! Exciting action and well tho... READ MORE
A must have for your fantasy collection!
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS TO DATE! Dragons, lesbians, queens, warriors and mages! Throw in some court drama and incredible world building with full and imp... READ MORE
A MODERN fantasy novel
Excellent storyline and character development! It’s so refreshing to have modern LGBTQ+ characters and strong female leads in a fantasy setting when normal... READ MORE
✨ Vivid, beautiful imagined and must-read fantasy! ✨
As imposing as the sheer size of the book was, it was ultimately a wonderful and rewarding read. It was a unique read, full of inventive and subversive int... READ MORE
A truly great addition to Epic Fantasy
I'm a sucker for a big fat fantasy book and Priory of the Orange Tree did not disappoint. Samantha Shannon manages to write a story that is simultaneously ... READ MORE
Captivating
A bit of an epic and it took a while to get familiar with all the characters but once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. A complicated story that kept m... READ MORE
An epic fantasy novel, I loved every minute!
I think I have officially been converted to fantasy. I still can’t believe I made it through this massive book and enjoyed every minute of it.
The Priory ... READ MORE
Fantastic
A fascinating tale, I like fantasy, sci fi so this is a fascinating tale. Have been a reader for about 65 years and finding a book to read which isn't too... READ MORE
No words. Incredibly
Honestly don’t hesitate. Stick with it it’s soooo worth it
Fantastic World Building & Fascinating Dragons Let Down By A Rushed Ending
Actual Rating: 3.5
’Ead touched nothing else. She was no diviner, but anyone with half a wit could see that this would end in blood.’
Some readers sp... READ MORE
Wonderful
Though its sheer heft may discourage the average reader I would urge all to discount such fears as unfounded and unnecessary. True, it is over 800 pages lo... READ MORE
An absolute belter!
This is an epic stand alone novel of the highest order. You will find yourself drawn into this wonderful world full of the most beautiful characters and be... READ MORE
Brilliant
An enthralling read that I read cover to cover in nearly one sitting. It’s an excellent fantasy novel that gives a female perspective in a way not normally... READ MORE
Enjoyed every page
very reccomended
Complex Fantasy
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, however, it has a very slow start, it takes about 300 pages of quite confusing world building before getting to the real plot, ... READ MORE
Intoxicating.
This book is completely and utterly beautiful. It consumes you with it's immaculate vocabulary and powerful storyline. Overall, it is truely overwhelming, ... READ MORE
Brilliant!
I loved reading this book, my friends didn't love me reading it though because I couldn't put it down! I kept starting reading it and then losing hours at ... READ MORE
Pick it up, you won't regret it
This is my best book of 2022, I couldn't put it down.
THIS IS THE LITERATURE I ALWAYS HOPE FOR.
I loved the book design, from the maps to the layout of ... READ MORE
The rising urgency draws you in completely
Priory Of The Orange Tree was one that had been on my TBR for a while and I’m so glad I finally got round to reading it. I’ve seen a lot of reviews calling... READ MORE
Enjoyable read
An enjoyable and immersive read. Excellent form and character development
Magnificent
hen I finished reading this book, my only thought was “WOW”. There was nothing else, I was still processing the tremendous storytelling.
In “The Priory of... READ MORE
An Ambitious and Epic Read
It’s been some years since I’ve read a fantasy novel. I’ve always enjoyed fantasy tv shows but have shied away from the genre in written form. The internet... READ MORE
Excellent - No Cliché Here.
A truly good book that turns clichés on their head. The characters are well thought out and the history of the characters and world is so exciting to read ... READ MORE
Superb
Superb, just superb.
It draws you in and you can’t put it down.next book please. :-)
Undercooked potential
TPOTOT is one of the most frustrating reads I've ever experienced. I don't typically write reviews on the books I have read, but wanted to write this one p... READ MORE
Amazing
Was a little confused at the start of the story ( like most fantasy books to be honest) but this one managed to hook me fairly quickly with it's interestin... READ MORE
A beautiful world dragged down by bloat and blandness
I wanted to love this book, but it struggled under its own weight. The plot has potential and the world-building is gorgeous, but the pacing is uneven, the... READ MORE
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