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

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

4.5/5⭐️ | 1/5🌶 | 1/3⚠️ | 16+

Genre: New Adult Epic Fantasy
Diversity: Sapphic & Gay MCs; loosely multicultural 
Moods: epic, adventurous 
Pace: medium
Device(s): multiple POV 
Trope(s): 

Notes: great bridge from YA to adult epic fantasy; fantastic world building - multicultural, political, religious exploration, isolationist, right level of complex

Spice was fade to black and very tender

Characters were flawed but not morally grey (with one exception), they were layered 

The magic system was philosophical and interesting, but not a huge part of the action

Really enjoyed the dual aspects of dragons and how that informed the world building And magic system

Only con - medium pace made the book drag a little, especially given the book’s length - but after the first 100 or so pages it definitely kept you hooked

Great book to bring a reader from YA fantasy into NA/ adult fantasy

# of pages: 804
AB length: 
Took me ~ to read: didn’t time
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