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A review by bucketsjen
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
High fantasy. Evil dragons, good dragons, magic, nobility, alchemy, court plots, daring quests to save the world, queer romance, friendship! I saw a descriptor somewhere that said it was a "feminist retelling of St.George and the dragon", and that was pretty accurate.
It was thankfully clear of the casual misogyny, sexism, and sexual assault that tends to plague a lot of high fantasy these days (looking at you, ASOIAF/GOT).
Queer people exist and them being queer is not part of the scandal or drama. Men and women both exist as guards and combatants and it's not a big deal - you'll just be reading and there is a guard at the door and the novel uses she/her pronouns. There is a religion that is virtue/purity-focused and a clear riff off Christianity. There is not racism based on appearance (in fact, people with different skin colors are described in the country that has the aforementioned religion) - although there IS nationalism.
There is romance and some light spice in the book, but it's not the focus or the driver of events.
It was thankfully clear of the casual misogyny, sexism, and sexual assault that tends to plague a lot of high fantasy these days (looking at you, ASOIAF/GOT).
Queer people exist and them being queer is not part of the scandal or drama. Men and women both exist as guards and combatants and it's not a big deal - you'll just be reading and there is a guard at the door and the novel uses she/her pronouns. There is a religion that is virtue/purity-focused and a clear riff off Christianity. There is not racism based on appearance (in fact, people with different skin colors are described in the country that has the aforementioned religion) - although there IS nationalism.
There is romance and some light spice in the book, but it's not the focus or the driver of events.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death, and Violence
Minor: Incest
one instance of incest and rape by deception
near the end, one sentence where a character uses a sexual slur when insulting someone