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I had bought The Priory of the Orange Tree a long time ago, back when I was still telling myself, “One day I’ll read again.”
That “one day” came at the start of this year.
After losing touch with physical literature thanks to the overwhelming presence of screens and social media, I decided to start reading 20 pages a day — and this was the book I started with.
Returning to My Roots with Fantasy
As a child, I was obsessed with fantasy worlds — magic, kingdoms, dragons — all of it. So it felt fitting to return to that genre when I made the choice to pick up reading again.
The Priory of the Orange Tree was the perfect reintroduction. A medieval fantasy rooted in rich world-building, but also layered with powerful feminist themes and beautifully written queer representation.
The Plot (Without Spoilers)
The story centers around an ancient threat — the return of the wyrms and their leader, the Nameless One.
To defeat this ancient evil once and for all, the previously divided regions — the dragon-worshiping East, the magical Queendom of the West, and the hidden South — must set aside their differences and unite.
The book follows multiple perspectives:
- A queen burdened by an ancient prophecy
- A secret mage tasked with protecting that queen
- A dragon rider from the East
- And a disgraced alchemist with secrets of his own
Each storyline is woven so intricately that you’ll find yourself caring deeply about every one of them — not just the world, but the people in it.
My Thoughts
I absolutely loved this book.
Even though it’s 848 pages, I breezed through it and honestly wished it was longer. That’s how good the characters and the writing were.
My favorite character was Ead, the protective, powerful woman whose loyalty and strength felt like a balm for my inner child — and also deeply relatable in my adult life.
The prose is poetic without being overwhelming, and the emotional weight of the story hits you harder than expected. Samantha Shannon managed to create a story that feels both epic and personal.
Rating & Recommendation
8.8/10
If you’re a fantasy lover, especially someone who enjoys detailed world-building, strong female leads, political intrigue, dragons, and magical lore — The Priory of the Orange Tree should absolutely be on your list.
This book reminded me what it feels like to fall into a story.
To crave turning the next page.
To feel a little sad when it ends.
What I Read Next
I loved this book so much that I immediately continued into the prequel, A Day of Fallen Night — which (spoiler) I might have liked even more. But more on that in another post.
This was the beginning of my reading journey — and it reminded me that the right book, at the right time, can change everything.