A review by anna108
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

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

4.0

From the moment I started reading I was swept up in this adventure. It is compelling, fun, tragic, and beautiful. For such a long story, it reads quickly, each chapter piling onto the next as the story weaves across continents, lives, and cultures. I loved the world-building, especially the way the mythologies of each culture stemmed from the same distant past, but contradicted each other into swirling ripples of confusion for the characters. Perhaps my biggest problem with the book is that the in the end one of the many mythologies was proven "right," effectively solving something that to me was a beautiful mystery.

Spoiler

I also was saddened by how tragic the book was, especially to Tane. I think the story would have been just as rich and maybe a little more fun if she had been allowed to have some good times. It became a little frustrating when everyone she loved kept being killed or kidnapped.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fabulously refreshing fact that this book exists in a world without sexism or homophobia. I love fantasy for its ability to imagine other ways of thinking and this book does that beautifully.

P.S. In my heart, Tane is genderqueer.