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

challenging emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This is incredibly slow until around halfway through, at which point the book suddenly rushes towards the finish line. The plot is messy, and times where there should be resistance in the plot
for example, when they break into the castle to rescue Sabran while they are wanted,
there is absolutely nothing in the character's way. This makes it really odd - characters are able to face these apparently insurmountable challenges with barely a scratch (except where it suits the plot) and it really took from my enjoyment of the book.
Only two characters are actually well developed, and these were my least favourite characters - Tané, who had drawn me in, was essentially reduced to a cardboard cut out by the end. 
Incredibly disappointing, and I wish I had DNF'd when I originally took a break from it because there was not much to like about this at all.
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