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tasaki_pan 's review for:
The Priory of the Orange Tree
by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I salute miss Shannon for proving to all white male authors (and some white female authors *I am watching you Sir Martin and miss Rowling* out there that women do not have to experience sexual violence to become stronger and for their stories to have depth and be admirable. I am always scared whenever I pick up a fantasy novel that women will be reduced to the seductive maiden or victimised saint tropes so I am beyond happy with this novel. I hate that it is labelled as *feminist* just because it imagines women in positions of power and having autonomy over their bodies and because it lacks violence against women… alas such is the world we inhabit. From a feminist perspective, the book did the characterisation proud. The fantasy genre is so white and male centred and while I was growing up I used to love reading fantasy but hoped the protagonist would be a woman. I hope more younger girls read this and find themselves in the story. Also!!! No homophobia?!?! What. A. World! I loved it. Everyone can love anyone without prejudice. Young me really needed this book.
I feel like throughout the novel I could sort of find Easter eggs that allude to other media like BBC Merlin (You cannot convince me Sabran’s appearance was not inspired by Morgana and the whole dynamic of Loth/Meg/Eadaz and Sabran was not inspired by the show with a sapphic twist! (Morgwen sapphics rise!). Also I loved the ode to Zheng Yi Sao and the red flag fleet. I was smiling like a child when I caught these references (imagined or not, each to their own)
I loved the complexity of the story and loved how much poc and black representation it had and how honouring the story was to its diversity! (SEE?!?? IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO WRITE ABOUT PEOPLE OUTSIDE YOUR CULTURE AND ALLOW THEM TO BE… YOU KNOW! ACTUAL PEOPLE WITHOUT REDUCING THEM TO HARMFUL STEREOTYPES!) I am genuinely obsessed with this world and loved every chapter. I cried, I laughed and I just finished the book and I spent 7 hours on it and I am quite delirious and sad it ended but do yourself a favour and read it!
Miss Samantha Shannon I salute you and I thank you for crafting such an important story.
wtf was Tane’s ending though??? Miss Shannon I need you to tell me, miss Shannon. I am losing my mind miss Shannon, I love Tané don’t do my girl dirty, miss Shannon, please explain!!! My theories need to be confirmed!
I feel like throughout the novel I could sort of find Easter eggs that allude to other media like BBC Merlin (You cannot convince me Sabran’s appearance was not inspired by Morgana and the whole dynamic of Loth/Meg/Eadaz and Sabran was not inspired by the show with a sapphic twist! (Morgwen sapphics rise!). Also I loved the ode to Zheng Yi Sao and the red flag fleet. I was smiling like a child when I caught these references (imagined or not, each to their own)
I loved the complexity of the story and loved how much poc and black representation it had and how honouring the story was to its diversity! (SEE?!?? IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO WRITE ABOUT PEOPLE OUTSIDE YOUR CULTURE AND ALLOW THEM TO BE… YOU KNOW! ACTUAL PEOPLE WITHOUT REDUCING THEM TO HARMFUL STEREOTYPES!) I am genuinely obsessed with this world and loved every chapter. I cried, I laughed and I just finished the book and I spent 7 hours on it and I am quite delirious and sad it ended but do yourself a favour and read it!
Miss Samantha Shannon I salute you and I thank you for crafting such an important story.
wtf was Tane’s ending though??? Miss Shannon I need you to tell me, miss Shannon. I am losing my mind miss Shannon, I love Tané don’t do my girl dirty, miss Shannon, please explain!!! My theories need to be confirmed!