Scan barcode
A review by machadamia
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This would have been a near perfect book if not for the fact that it took me quite a while to really get into it and understand what was going on. And also I really hate Roos as a character and hate that he got so much book time. But once I got into the story, it was such a page turner and at every turn, I saw how all the separate elements connected and it was so cool.
My favourite characters were of course Ead and Tané but especially Tané because I really relate to her story and really rooted for her. I found the reverence of dragons in the East so interesting because I live in SEAsia and in Chinese culture, dragons are kind of an obsession. The symbols every Chinese new year and especially this year as it’s the year of the dragon. Also reminded me of how every dragon year the number of babies being born would increase in my home country. I love the fact that the dragons can talk and they impart wisdom because how cool it is to have so much knowledge of the world and get advice from a being like that. I also love the dragon trials- it really reminds me of the gao kao in China. I wish we got more of it because it does feel like there is less of the east and more of the west in terms of world building.
As for the west, I initially thought Ead was Sabran’ssecret spy handmaiden but turns out Ead was part of a totally different organisation. That was rather unexpected. I liked how religion took center stage and how it informs even politics even though it turned out to be a farce. Religion and faith can be such a force. I love Sabran but found her character to be a little flat. Given that there were so many main characters though, it is understandable.
The Priory parts were some of the most interesting bits to me. I love the rituals and hierarchy. Honestly would read a whole book about the history of the priory itself. I also liked how the tree only releases fruit to sorceresses and it came into play again later on with Tané. I didn't really like that they had the prioress be evil but I guess something needed to happen to send Ead back. I also think that Shannon does a really really good job in writing great reactions to revelations. Like I really am not that invested in who killed Ead's ancestor but when I found out it was the prioress I was also so shook like Ead was. She has a knack in making these things mean enough to the audience. Same for who killed Queen Rosarian.
I think the author did such a great job in weaving all the threads into one final moment. It was like we were all waiting and waiting for this to happen. At some point I thought that Tané and Ead would just meet each other for the first time on the Abyss. At no point could I predict what would happen next. I am truly in love with this world and the characters and all the backstories and reveals and suspense, etc. And finally, I am imagining Sabran and Ead in their happily ever after, after they've done all they need to.
My favourite characters were of course Ead and Tané but especially Tané because I really relate to her story and really rooted for her. I found the reverence of dragons in the East so interesting because I live in SEAsia and in Chinese culture, dragons are kind of an obsession. The symbols every Chinese new year and especially this year as it’s the year of the dragon. Also reminded me of how every dragon year the number of babies being born would increase in my home country. I love the fact that the dragons can talk and they impart wisdom because how cool it is to have so much knowledge of the world and get advice from a being like that. I also love the dragon trials- it really reminds me of the gao kao in China. I wish we got more of it because it does feel like there is less of the east and more of the west in terms of world building.
As for the west, I initially thought Ead was Sabran’s
The Priory parts were some of the most interesting bits to me. I love the rituals and hierarchy. Honestly would read a whole book about the history of the priory itself. I also liked how
I think the author did such a great job in weaving all the threads into one final moment. It was like we were all waiting and waiting for this to happen.