Scan barcode
greatgodbird's reviews
167 reviews
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
4.0
I read The Priory of the Orange Tree this year, as it was both popular and had a beautiful cover - I wanted to see what all the fuss was about!
This book is just as beautiful inside as it is out. It tells the evolving tales of several characters (of varying genders!) as they cross continents, navigate political intrigue, relationships, and the Big Bad. I make note of the genders in the narrative, as I was so amazed at how interesting each character was; I often find one gender neglected in storytelling above others, especially in YA. There was real character development throughout the book, and I could easily pick out the major plot devices that evolved the protagonists. I would have liked to see more evolution of the plot itself, though, as the Priory did not take as prominent a role as I thought it might, given the title.
The prose is thoughtful and thought-provoking, and there is a pervading sense of urgency throughout the book. With only brief moments of reprieve, I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. Samantha Shannon (the author) is an excellent craftsperson, and I can't wait to read more of their books.
This book is just as beautiful inside as it is out. It tells the evolving tales of several characters (of varying genders!) as they cross continents, navigate political intrigue, relationships, and the Big Bad. I make note of the genders in the narrative, as I was so amazed at how interesting each character was; I often find one gender neglected in storytelling above others, especially in YA. There was real character development throughout the book, and I could easily pick out the major plot devices that evolved the protagonists. I would have liked to see more evolution of the plot itself, though, as the Priory did not take as prominent a role as I thought it might, given the title.
The prose is thoughtful and thought-provoking, and there is a pervading sense of urgency throughout the book. With only brief moments of reprieve, I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. Samantha Shannon (the author) is an excellent craftsperson, and I can't wait to read more of their books.
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
5.0
I started reading this in January 2019, which kickstarted my reading almost the entire series - over 15 books - within a year. I read perhaps the first quarter of Assassin's Apprentice digitally, when, having been struck by Hobb's (the author) incredible writing, I went out and bought physical copies of every book in the series.
This book begins the long journey of teased worldbuilding that is explored throughout the rest of the series through immaculately detailed character, plot, and environment descriptions. Fitz is introduced to us through the lenses of vulnerability and flaws - both those inherent to his character, and those that pervade in poor decision-making in this book, and in the greater story. He and Chade are gorgeously written, especially, and exude depth that provide a clear frame of reference against which the remainder of horrifying and sinister violence and politics in the series is pitted. The most driving factors for me in this book were depictions of Fitz's grief in the face of his internal struggles with being known, accepted, and loved by those who matter most to him - the starkly realistic writing of his mental state as a child are what urged me onwards through the series... and I have not been disappointed.
This book begins the long journey of teased worldbuilding that is explored throughout the rest of the series through immaculately detailed character, plot, and environment descriptions. Fitz is introduced to us through the lenses of vulnerability and flaws - both those inherent to his character, and those that pervade in poor decision-making in this book, and in the greater story. He and Chade are gorgeously written, especially, and exude depth that provide a clear frame of reference against which the remainder of horrifying and sinister violence and politics in the series is pitted. The most driving factors for me in this book were depictions of Fitz's grief in the face of his internal struggles with being known, accepted, and loved by those who matter most to him - the starkly realistic writing of his mental state as a child are what urged me onwards through the series... and I have not been disappointed.