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

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Characters – 7/10
While the main characters—Tané, Ead, Sabran, and Niclays—were distinct and well-developed, I found that some of them lacked emotional depth or transformation. Ead and Sabran’s relationship, while enjoyable, developed in a somewhat predictable fashion, and their character arcs sometimes felt more like fulfilling narrative functions than organic personal growth. Tané’s storyline, in particular, suffered from weak character evolution. While she had an interesting premise as an ambitious dragon-rider candidate, her arc felt disconnected from the others, and by the end, she had little personal growth beyond her external struggles.
The supporting cast was a mixed bag. While Loth was a solid, reliable character, his role in the plot was relatively unremarkable. Niclays, despite his complex, morally gray characterization, ultimately didn’t feel as essential as the book made him out to be. Several secondary characters felt underdeveloped or like placeholders for worldbuilding, existing solely to push the plot along rather than standing as compelling figures in their own right.
Atmosphere/Setting – 9/10
The strongest aspect of the novel was its setting. Shannon built a lush, immersive world with deeply rooted mythology, history, and politics. The regions of Seiiki, Inys, and Yscalin were distinct and richly described. I could vividly picture the courts, cities, and landscapes, and I appreciated the detail in cultural traditions, from Seiiki’s reverence for dragons to Inys’ religious monarchy.
That being said, at times, the book felt like it was relying too much on its setting to compensate for slower plot points. While I enjoyed the worldbuilding, there were moments when it felt like information overload, bogging down the story rather than enhancing it.
Writing Style – 7/10
Shannon’s prose was strong, but I found it inconsistent. While she could deliver elegant, evocative descriptions, she occasionally veered into over-explanation, which slowed the pace significantly. Some sections read beautifully, while others felt dense and unnecessarily wordy. The dialogue was serviceable but lacked distinctiveness across characters—everyone spoke in a similar, slightly formal manner, making it difficult for personalities to shine through their speech alone.
Additionally, the alternating perspectives, while ambitious, weren’t always well-balanced. Some chapters dragged, while others ended too quickly, making the pacing feel uneven. I found myself more engaged in Ead and Sabran’s chapters, while Tané’s often felt repetitive and detached from the main narrative for too long.
Plot – 6/10
The overarching story had incredible potential, but the execution left much to be desired. The beginning was strong, introducing political intrigue, religious tension, and personal stakes effectively. However, as the novel progressed, the pacing became erratic. Some sections moved too slowly, particularly in the middle, while the final act felt rushed.
The main villain, the Nameless One, suffered from a severe lack of presence. For a being that was hyped up as the ultimate threat, he had almost no impact for the vast majority of the book. When he finally appeared, his defeat felt anticlimactic. The resolution lacked weight, making the final confrontation feel like an afterthought rather than the culmination of an epic struggle.
Certain plot developments felt contrived, particularly regarding how characters conveniently crossed paths or how problems were resolved. A major flaw was how easily things fell into place—prophecies aligning too neatly, challenges being overcome too quickly, and conflicts resolving without truly testing the characters.
Intrigue – 7/10
At times, I was genuinely eager to keep reading, especially in the first half when political intrigue and character tensions were at their peak. However, the middle section dragged, and the latter part of the book suffered from predictability. Once I realized how neatly everything would tie together, the tension diminished.
Additionally, while the stakes were high in theory, I rarely felt the urgency. Characters often faced significant dangers, but there was an underlying sense that they would be fine, which reduced the suspense.
Logic/Relationships – 6/10
One of my biggest frustrations was the lack of genuine, organic relationship development. Ead and Sabran’s romance was sweet but felt rushed, as if the book wanted to check a box rather than give it the emotional depth it deserved. Their dynamic improved toward the end, but early on, it didn’t have enough buildup to feel entirely natural.
Tané’s relationships, especially her rivalry with Turosa, were underdeveloped. For someone with so much at stake, she had very few meaningful interpersonal connections, which made her storyline feel isolated.
Some of the worldbuilding elements also lacked internal consistency. The rules of the dragons and their relationship with humans were never fully explained in a satisfying way. The Priory itself, despite being the book’s namesake, felt underutilized—it was an interesting concept, but its actual role in the story was minimal compared to what I had expected.
Enjoyment – 7/10
I enjoyed The Priory of the Orange Tree, but not without reservations. The strengths—worldbuilding, atmosphere, and concept—were undeniable, but the weaknesses—pacing, character development, and execution of the main conflict—were hard to ignore. I found myself engrossed in certain sections but frustrated by others, especially when it became clear that the ending wasn’t going to deliver the weight it promised.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with caveats. If someone loves worldbuilding-heavy fantasy and can tolerate slow pacing, they might love it. However, for readers who want tight plotting, strong interpersonal dynamics, and a truly satisfying climax, this book might feel underwhelming.