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eopziegler 's review for:
Among the Burning Flowers
by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I’ve had the somewhat unorthodox experience of reading this prequel simultaneously with Priory of the Orange Tree (more like I paused a few hundred pages into PotOT to read the prequel). This prequel starts just a few years before PotOT takes place and actually somewhat overlaps at the end. It details the kingdom of Yscalin’s break from Virtuedom and submission to the Draconic legions. Marosa, the young daughter (and heir) of King Sigoso becomes a prisoner in her own home. The dragons, wyverns, and draconic beasts threaten the lives of Marosa’s citizens, her engagement to Prince Arbrecht, and the alliance between all the kingdoms of Virtuedom.
We also get a peek into Estina Melaugo’s past (not sure how much of a role she plays in PotOT because I had only just been introduced to her character).
Overall, Shannon’s writing seems consistent between the two books, so if you loved Priory of the Orange Tree, I think you’ll enjoy the prequel too (plus, it is MUCH shorter than a typical Shannon installment). But if you felt (as I did) that Priory of the Orange Tree had cool ideas but lacked the character development, immersive world-building, and intrigue that you crave in a fantasy book, then you’ll find much of the same in this prequel.
On the plus side, the prequel did slightly endear me to characters that I’m hoping have their stories unfold in PotOT. I’ll admit I read these in a funky order, so maybe I would have appreciated the prequel more if I was more familiar with the series as a whole. The plot picks up towards the end, and I read the second half much faster than the first half. Another cool feature is the original illustrations throughout the book, which was a nice touch. We love an illustrated edition.
This series just doesn’t excite me the way I want epic dragon fantasy to excite me. I never felt like I had to keep turning the page, and I would have been satisfied not finishing, were this not an ARC.
I’m grateful to have had the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review—thanks to Samantha Shannon, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley.
We also get a peek into Estina Melaugo’s past (not sure how much of a role she plays in PotOT because I had only just been introduced to her character).
Overall, Shannon’s writing seems consistent between the two books, so if you loved Priory of the Orange Tree, I think you’ll enjoy the prequel too (plus, it is MUCH shorter than a typical Shannon installment). But if you felt (as I did) that Priory of the Orange Tree had cool ideas but lacked the character development, immersive world-building, and intrigue that you crave in a fantasy book, then you’ll find much of the same in this prequel.
On the plus side, the prequel did slightly endear me to characters that I’m hoping have their stories unfold in PotOT. I’ll admit I read these in a funky order, so maybe I would have appreciated the prequel more if I was more familiar with the series as a whole. The plot picks up towards the end, and I read the second half much faster than the first half. Another cool feature is the original illustrations throughout the book, which was a nice touch. We love an illustrated edition.
This series just doesn’t excite me the way I want epic dragon fantasy to excite me. I never felt like I had to keep turning the page, and I would have been satisfied not finishing, were this not an ARC.
I’m grateful to have had the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review—thanks to Samantha Shannon, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Torture