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jayden_314's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book may seem rather daunting with its 800+ pages but it is worth the read. Samantha Shannon perfectly built the world and subtly introduces new details throughout. After about 100 pages, you will start understanding the world a lot more and this was the point where I really started to fall in love with The Priory of the Orange Tree.
Tané introduces us to the world of the East (that's another part of why I enjoyed the novel, the complete separation of the world and how they are almost completely different apart from their common enemy). This is where dragons come in and it is such an interesting part of the book. Even though I don't have any complaints, I have to admit that I still do not fully understand everything about the dragons. Hopefully, this aspect will be revealed in A Day of Fallen Night (which I'm set to read in June/July). Also, Tané's family history was a super cool detail that I want to know more about. I just loved Tané's story and the connection it had to dragons. It was really cool to learn about. The way that her story and the others' were intertwined just made me happy when reading because there would be one mention of a detail that someone had just discovered and I would say, "I know that, I learned that with Tané".
The other character who's perspective is set in the East is Niclays. At first, I hated reading about him because he was completely unlikeable. I could not find any justification for his actions. He was just a miserable old man who was selfish and unpleasant. His arc probably was the most satisfying, just because of his growth and change by the end. While I was starting to love him, he did have a bit of a lapse and called Sabran a c*nt (which left me so shocked I had to close the book and stare at the wall as my jaw dropped for a solid minute). But, I did love his friendship with Laya and him overcoming the all-consuming grief he was yet to work through. Kind of wish there was a bit more of his POV before the Nameless One rose and he and Laya were captured because that could have been really interesting. Also, I would have loved a deeper exploration of his relationship with Truyde although I understand how that may have been difficult and interrupted the flow of the story. But his story with the pirates made me enjoy his character a lot more because he was wallowing in self-pity a lot less during this section.
Finally, Lord Arteloth Beck. His time in Yscalin was definitely a turning point for me and my interest in the story. It was around this point that I really started getting into the story and wanting to know more. Details were being revealed and it was an introduction into a new, unexplored world as a reader. I think this also helped with Ead's story as some areas had already been explored and it helped the flow by not introducing too much new information. Loth's relationship with the Donmata was so good I wanted to see more and I wish he was in Yscalin for a little while longer, just because I wanted to explore the world more. I also just loved all the moments with Loth and Nayimathun because they were really great. I think Loth had the most exploration of the world and that is so cool. I do wish that Kit's death had been a larger plot point than it actually was (if I'm being, honest this is one of the only issues I have with the novel. Death just sort of happens but it doesn't necessarily further the plot. I feel like something more could have happened with any/all of the character deaths but I do understand how that could have impacted the story. After all, I was annoyed by Niclays constant grief and bringing up Jannart's death so that's why I don't have too much of a problem with this area of the story). It was only brought up two or three times right after it happened and right at the end in Loth's final chapter.
To summarise this LONG review, I absolutely loved this book. It will likely remain a favourite for years and I am already excited for a reread next year. If you love magic, dragons, political and religious conflict, and/or amazing sapphic stories; I definitely recommend this book. It is an incredible read if you can do it.
Graphic: Child death, Violence, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Infertility, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Body horror, Mental illness, Incest, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Religious bigotry, Torture, Vomit, and Animal death
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Self harm, and Pandemic/Epidemic
doodeedoda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Incest, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
theirgracegrace's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Infertility, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, War, Xenophobia, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Vomit, and Excrement
Minor: Cannibalism, Incest, and Abandonment
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, War, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Classism, Terminal illness, Gun violence, Animal death, Drug use, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Sexism, Confinement, Torture, Medical content, and Sexual content
Minor: Incest, Child death, Pedophilia, Suicide, Excrement, Self harm, Vomit, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
Illness, epidemic.marleywrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I rated this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I was very invested in this story, starting around the 20% mark. The first 20% took me awhile to get into, but then we were flying. So if you’re trying this book for the first time, give it some time to get started.
Overall, I loved the characters and the complex world building. I’m almost sad this is technically a stand-alone because the book could so easily keep going. However, I was very satisfied with the ending we got.
This book was funny, as well, which surprised me. I didn’t expect to find humor in these pages but I did!
Another aspect of the writing I really enjoyed was the descriptions. Shannon has some serious skill when it comes to descriptions! I was blown away by the intricacies of this world and the magic system, as well as the rich history in this story.
I appreciated how many queer relationships there were in this story, and I’m glad that it was a relatively normal thing in this world.
Now for the spoilered section:
I also am thrilled with Sabran and Ead’s relationship. Like thank you Ms Shannon, that was perfect!!
I love Ead’s powerful friendships in this story, they saved her as much as she saved them.
I wasn’t sold on Roos until like, 90% into the story. But now I am happy for him. His love with Jannart is one of my favorite parts of this book.
The witch of the woods character, Kalyba, damn! I did not see her coming! She could have had another several chapters, she could have her own book. Oh, I wonder if that’s in A Day of Fallen Night 😂 I haven’t read that one yet.
The dragons were so cool. I wish we could have had even more dragons. I loved Tané’s fierce love for her dragon and all of the. dragons and would have loved some fluffy dragon ride scenes.
Connecting with the East at the end for the battle against the Nameless One was great, but confusing. Their emperor agreed so quickly and without the marriage proposal. It felt unbelievable after how much build up we had telling us that the East is completely closed off to everyone else.
This was a great book, which I read as a buddy read with my friend. It took me a month to finish it when usually I finish books in just a few days. I was surprised it took me so long but I felt like I wasn’t making progress so I think that discouraged me overall to keep pushing, even though I loved the story overall.
Amazing book, would probably read again to see what I missed the first time! 🐉
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, War, Animal death, Death, Murder, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Incest, Alcohol, Grief, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Medical content, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Child death
noshinbean's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Dementia, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
lisa_m's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
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.
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Violence, War, Classism, Infertility, Infidelity, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
wackly93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Death, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Confinement, Blood, Sexual content, War, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
j3sslou_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Grief, Murder, Sexism, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
carolinacortez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
fue el último libro que intenté leer en el 2022 y claramente no avance mucho, entre en un bloque lector enormeeee y finalmente pude terminarlo, así qué , sin contar el bloqueo, me gustó mucho el libro. Fue lento al principio pero sobre todo por que ya no estaba acostumbrada a leer fantasía epica pero la construcción del mundo que hace la autora es brillante, pensó en cada detalle y todo tiene sentido, solo cuesta agarrarle el hilo al inicio, al final todos volvemos donde somos felices, en mi caso la fantasía
La tierra temblar a bajo el mar
Me olvidé de que tenía una habilidad y deje que la habilidad me poseyera a mí. Por completo
si no le puse las 5 estrellas es por que al final siento que falto algo, puedo ver por que lo termino como lo hiso, pero no se siento que un epílogo no hubiera estado de más.
Mi corazón reconoce tu canto, igual que el tuyo reconoce el mio. Y yo siempre volveré a tu lado.
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Medical content, Confinement, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, and Blood