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

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

4.75

This book was a slog! A positive one, but oh boy the content was so much to digest. I've constantly been surprised by the storyline throughout the entirety of this book which is amazing considering how long it is. One chapter could be explaining the scene and within a single paragraph towards the end of it, everything you knew could just unravel and change. The characters are complex and true to their own places in the world, even after revelations literally shake the foundation of an entire empires beliefs. Religion and belief systems are a huge frame of context for this book, and it was great watching characters firmly stick to their beliefs even when others they loved were of an opposing system. I find it too common characters change to fit the narrative and make telling stories easier rather than remaining complex and challenged. My only gripe with the book was with the conclusion. Fantasy books especially, boast so much adventure and character struggles through the meat of their books that a climax which is lacklustre feels like the entire journey to this point was overkill. Especially when the journey is 800 pages long AND there's an equally long prequel. I'm so heavily conflicted with how this book ended that I'm unsure if I want to spend another month trudging through the next book. However, if you want a book with great characters, incredible world building and you don't particularly care how it ends then this book would be perfect for you!
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