Reviews with content warning for Dementia - The Priory of the Orange Tree

I am so mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book! The pacing of this book was perfect, and I devoured every single page. The characters were all portrayed so vividly and I found myself growing more and more attached to characters like Sabran, Ead, Tané, Margret, and Loth. There were so many strong and complex women in this story, and I constantly kept thinking, "That was so badass," every few chapters.

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cryinginasexual's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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lisa_m's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This book is huge. That's why I was quite scared about even starting it. I finally did when I thought I had the time to finish it, but I was surprised by how slow the book starts off. I didn't know what to expect going into this book, I only knew that there are dragons and that there is a sapphic relationship.

Well like I said, it starts off quite slow and because of that it took me way longer to read it than I thought it would. I was interested in the world & characters, but still the book was a bit exhausting to read for the first 100-200 pages.
I absolutely understand why people would dnf this book, because there is so much information and worldbuilding and also there are 4 different POVs of people that do not have anything to do with each other (yet). You really have to be attentive while reading as well, because otherwise you will just loose the plot and interest in reading it at all.

Still I'm very glad I pulled through because this book is so amazing!! I don't think I have ever read a book with such excellent world building. There are so many storys in this universe that could be told and I'm honestly hoping that Samantha Shannon will write them all. I definitely would read them!

A backstory for Tané & Susa, or a story about Eadaz's upbringing in the Priory would be so fun to read about. The full love story between young Jannard & Nicklays I would definitly read. Even a sequel about Loth & Morgan and how they figure everything out, or about Eadaz's new life. And one of the storys that would interest me the most would be a backstory of The Unceasing Emperor & the Sea Maiden (I have my own suspicions of who she is, but I would love to read the full story!)

Anyways, I feel like this book is the introduction. It is the main story that has all the fighting and stuff. Now I just want to know more about the whole world! I honestly think that is a great compliment to the author, since I have just read 800 pages, for me to still want more says a lot.

I am definitely interested in reading Samantha Shannons other works now as well. :) I just hope they will be a bit easier to get into.

The writing in this book is also really good. I tabbed so many quotes and just great parts throughout. I would love to read a book of legends or something along those lines about the different parts of this world. I think Shannons writing would fit that very well, and also it would be super interesting to read (especially because I love myths and legends).

Another amazing thing about this book are the different themes handled in this book. I think I would have to reread it, to actually understand everything that is in here, but basically it's about faith and about alienation. About othering people you don't understand. And about teamwork and helping each other, about finding together to fight towords a common goal. It's about overcoming prejudices and while acnoledging the reasons for their existance. It's a book about change, and how it can be a good thing. This book is so unique and unlike I've ever read.

I would definitely recommend this book, but if you plan on reading it, don't expect a light read and know what you're in for. I do think it's worth it (it was for me), but in the end every reader has to decide that for themselves.

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