Reviews

7.19.23 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book. I loved it so much I decided its review deserved its own post.

Samantha Shannon is a genius epic fantasy writer. This book is so rich in detail and multi-faceted, complex characters. The world building is phenomenal and the plot is so intricately woven throughout the multiple points of view, I became invested in every, single character (no matter how briefly they were in the book). The prequel to “Priory of the Orange Tree” (also 5 stars) - these books are a unique genre of feminist fantasy, revolving around the themes of religion and womanhood.

There are three central female characters (to the south, west, and east respectively) in positions of leadership each with their own religion and beliefs on how to keep the evil of the “Nameless One” away. And the story unfolds for the three of them (& many side characters) as this old evil returns.

The power of mothers also plays a central role in this story, and thanks to this theme, I was inevitably sobbing by the end. There are also multiple queer characters throughout both of her books, and this is written so casually into this world, it’s definitely a great example of how fantasy writers can make their own rules.

Notes:
✨ This is first and foremost a fantasy. The romances are secondary (maybe even tertiary). Definitely not like ACOTAR or any other romance adjacent fantasies.
✨ It’s long. Like 850 pages long. I was able to jump in and out easily with how committed I was to the storyline, but if you need a quick, easy read - this isn’t it.
✨ I would read “Priory of the Orange Tree” first.

I think this book is brilliant. I’m still emotional about the characters a day later, and I’m really hopeful this isn’t the last of Shannon’s writing in this world.

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buzyrina's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

hopesquirreled's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional slow-paced

3.0

I enjoyed the relationships and the romantic tensions in this story more than in Priory. I also enjoyed the intertwined themes of motherhood and monarchy - the pressure of having a child and forming political alliances through marriage to uphold a monarchy and a religion - which were definitely more forceful (even heavy-handed). But the book was so long and the momentum kept being stalled by switching between the multiple POVs, it was somehow kind of a slog to read even as I enjoyed how everything tied together at the end.