The Priory of the Orange Tree

There aren‘t words big enough to describe this story. What an adventure, what a trip! „The Priory of the orange tree“ is a fantasy masterpiece. We have four „main characters“: Eadaz, Tané, Loth and Niclays. They all serve a purpose in the story and have to face difficulties on their journey. The connections are revealed thoughout the story and the Showdown collects the last loose strings. Everything is rounded-up, well developed and simply incredible. I have grown fond on most of the characters, especially of Chassar. I really wish he had shown up in the end again. The world-building itself is legendary. The different realms are founded on religions, we have diverse cultures, magic and fantastic beasts like dragons (which I normally don‘t enjoy reading about, but in TPOTOT it was amazing.) Oh, and LOTS of political intrigues (love it!!) and queer representation (Ead and Sabran for live!!) „The Priory of the orange tree“ is authentic and captures you completely in another world. It is a huge recommendation from my side. Fantasy Prime, not booktok-washed but deeply political and feminist. Honestly, this book should stand directly next to „Lord of the rings“ in every bookstore and library!

Ein wirklich schönes Buch, bei dem ich mir sicher bin, dass ich es alle paar Jahre wieder lesen werde. Was für vielschichtige Charaktere, so viele überraschende Wendungen und Entwicklungen. Ganz bezaubernd.

Extensive world building, majority of characters were lovable with interesting story arcs, sentient dragons. What I really enjoyed was how historical figures within that universe were turned into legends, and have practically have led various cultures to develop their own belief systems. Those are being tackled and questioned, though in the end, the truth will be unveiled. Diverse set of characters, queer romance. The plot and characters take front of the stage, romance is there too and develops organically, but doesn’t distract from the main story.

"The Priory of the Orange Tree" embraces inclusivity with its queer and ethnic representations. As stated by the author, the novel draws inspiration from a number of cultures, mythologies, and religions which creates a very contemporary approach to the fantasy genre. The narrative unfolds through the compelling journeys of three main female characters, two of whom are warriors and the third is a queen. The story's events are expertly driven by these female characters, complemented by two well-rounded male characters that add depth and support, without overshadowing the central heroines. So no chosen-one female hero vs. all men are a**holes tropes. The story lives through the portrayal of its complex and authentic characters. Notably, the book avoids displays of racism and sexism, instead opting for a nuanced and insightful approach that adds layers of depth to the narrative. For example, the pressure of social expectations faced by a female head-of-state. (This sexism aspect is something that bothered me, for example, in The Witcher Series, where female characters are frequently threatened by and face instances of sexism and rape). One of the book's greatest features is its incredible worldbuilding, which immerses readers into a complex world with its own cultures and beliefs. Throughout the narrative, readers are engaged in a slow and captivating unraveling of the world's history and mysteries. Some readers have noted a rushed final battle, which I agree with, the ending does feel a bit rushed. However, Samantha Shannon has acknowledged this critique and stated that she shortened the ending based on the advice of her editors. To summarize, "The Priory of the Orange Tree" showcases skillful storytelling by integrating inclusivity, rich worldbuilding, and complex characters which captivated me from start to finish.

This is the best book I've read in a long time! The story and worldbuilding are amazing and I totally love Samantha Shannon's writing style. High fantasy enthusiasts will love this book, but people who like simpler stories might not find there happiness here. I think I can say without having a bad conscience that everything about this book is absolutely amazing! The modern "Lord of the Rings" I never knew I needed.