Search
    Cover of The Priory of the Orange Tree
    Fantasy

    The Priory of the Orange Tree

    by Shannon, Samantha
    “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon is an epic high fantasy novel set in a divided world where dragons and ancient threats loom. The story follows multiple protagonists, including Queen Sabran IX of Inys, who must produce an heir to secure her queendom, and Ead, a secret mage sworn to protect her. Meanwhile, in the East, dragonrider Tané grapples with loyalty and destiny as an ancient enemy, the Nameless One, stirs. The narrative weaves political intrigue, mythology, and feminist themes across continents, blending European and Asian-inspired lore. At 848 pages, it’s a standalone tale of magic, war, and resilience, praised for its intricate world-building and diverse characters.

    A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.

    The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction—but assassins are getting closer to her door.

    Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

    Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

    Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to make peace—and forces of chaos are rising from their slumber.

    Author

    • Shannon, Samantha

    Author Introduction

    • Samantha Shannon, acclaimed British author of The Priory of the Orange Tree, is known for her epic fantasy works. A Oxford graduate, she has been praised for her intricate world-building and feminist narratives, solidifying her place in modern fantasy literature. (149 characters)

    Description

    • “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon is an epic high fantasy novel set in a divided world where dragons and ancient threats loom. The story follows multiple protagonists, including Queen Sabran IX of Inys, who must produce an heir to secure her queendom, and Ead, a secret mage sworn to protect her. Meanwhile, in the East, dragonrider Tané grapples with loyalty and destiny as an ancient enemy, the Nameless One, stirs. The narrative weaves political intrigue, mythology, and feminist themes across continents, blending European and Asian-inspired lore. At 848 pages, it’s a standalone tale of magic, war, and resilience, praised for its intricate world-building and diverse characters.

    FAQs

    • Is The Priory of the Orange Tree a standalone novel?
    • • Yes, the book is a self-contained story, but Samantha Shannon has expressed interest in returning to this world. A prequel, A Day of Fallen Night, was later published, expanding the universe.
    • What is the genre and main theme of the book?
    • • It is an epic fantasy novel with feminist themes, described as a “feminist retelling of Saint George and the Dragon.” The story features dragons, political intrigue, and diverse representation.
    • How long is The Priory of the Orange Tree, and is it suitable for casual readers?
    • • The book is 848 pages long, making it a substantial read. While it’s an epic fantasy, reviewers note its immersive worldbuilding and accessible prose, though its length may be daunting for some.
    • Is there LGBTQ+ representation in the book?
    • • Yes, the novel includes LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, which has been praised by readers for its inclusive and nuanced portrayal.
    • What awards or recognition has the book received?
    • • The Priory of the Orange Tree was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards (2020) and named a Best Book of the Year by outlets like Amazon, BookPage, and the Chicago Public Library.
    • How does this book compare to Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings?
    • • Critics have likened it to both for its epic scope and intricate worldbuilding, with some calling it a “feminist successor to The Lord of the Rings.” It blends high fantasy with strong female protagonists.
    • Are there plans for more books in this universe?
    • • While Priory was initially standalone, Shannon released a prequel (A Day of Fallen Night in 2023) and hinted at potential future stories in the Roots of Chaos series.
    • Who would enjoy this book?
    • • Fans of epic fantasy, feminist narratives, and intricate political worldbuilding—especially those who appreciate dragons and multi-perspective storytelling—will likely enjoy it.
    • What is the pacing like?
    • • Reviews suggest the pacing is deliberate, with a slow build-up that pays off in later chapters. The expansive cast and lore require patience but reward readers with a rich payoff.
    • Where can I find discussions or reading guides for this book?
    • • Platforms like Goodreads, Reddit’s r/bookclub, and dedicated book blogs offer chapter discussions and guides to help navigate the complex plot and themes.

    Quotes

    • “No woman should be made to fear that she was not enough.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “I shall found a priory of a different sort, and no craven knight shall soil its garden.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “Piety can turn the power-hungry into monsters. They can twist any teaching to justify their actions.” — Ead in The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “I am not your queen, but I am yours. Be silent and learn something.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “They raise us to be soft as silk, distract us with luxury and wealth beyond measure, so we never rock the boat that carries us.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “When she saw Tane, and the blue tunic of the High Sea Guard, the child knelt at once and set her forehead between her hands.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “And protect my books! For the love of the Saint, save my books, Panaya!” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “I’ll make a pirate of you yet.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree
    • “I suppose some things are in the blood. Perhaps one day, the honored Sea General will realize that dragonriders are born, not made.” — Tané in The Priory of the Orange Tree
    1. One
      2,365 Words
    2. Two
      1,951 Words
    3. Three
      2,092 Words
    4. Four
      2,477 Words
    5. Five
      2,080 Words
    7. Six
      2,101 Words
    8. Seven
      2,344 Words
    9. Eight
      1,939 Words
    10. Nine
      2,434 Words
    11. Ten
      2,011 Words
    12. Eleven
      2,377 Words
    13. Twelve
      1,971 Words
    14. Thirteen
      2,025 Words
    15. Fourteen
      1,992 Words
    16. Fifteen
      2,186 Words
    17. Sixteen
      2,074 Words
    18. Seventeen
      2,464 Words
    19. Eighteen
      2,201 Words
    20. Nineteen
      2,138 Words
    21. Twenty
      2,127 Words
    22. Twenty-One
      2,059 Words
    23. Twenty-Two
      2,077 Words
    24. Twenty-Three
      1,920 Words
    25. Twenty-Four
      2,036 Words
    26. Twenty-Five
      2,102 Words
    27. Twenty-Six
      2,181 Words
    28. Twenty-Seven
      2,242 Words
    29. Twenty-Eight
      2,170 Words
    30. Twenty-Nine
      2,358 Words
    31. Thirty
      2,017 Words
    32. Thirty-One
      2,089 Words
    33. Thirty-Two
      2,202 Words
    34. Thirty-Three
      2,209 Words
    35. Thirty-Four
      2,267 Words
    36. Thirty-Five
      1,926 Words
    37. Thirty-Six
      2,262 Words
    38. Thirty-Seven
      2,057 Words
    39. Thirty-Eight
      2,057 Words
    40. Thirty-Nine
      2,099 Words
    41. Forty
      2,454 Words
    42. Forty-One
      2,090 Words
    43. Forty-Two
      2,166 Words
    44. Forty-Three
      2,227 Words
    45. Forty-Four
      1,823 Words
    46. Forty-Five
      2,114 Words
    47. Forty-Six
      2,004 Words
    48. Forty-Seven
      2,076 Words
    49. Forty-Eight
      1,964 Words
    50. Forty-Nine
      2,461 Words
    51. Fifty
      2,295 Words
    52. Fifty-One
      2,304 Words
    53. Fifty-Two
      2,218 Words
    54. Fifty-Three
      2,121 Words
    55. Fifty-Four
      2,146 Words
    56. Fifty-Five
      2,211 Words
    57. Fifty-Six
      2,347 Words
    58. Fifty-Seven
      2,202 Words
    59. Fifty-Eight
      2,312 Words
    60. Fifty-Nine
      2,110 Words
    61. Sixty
      1,899 Words
    62. Sixty-One
      2,149 Words
    63. Sixty-Two
      2,033 Words
    64. Sixty-Three
      1,926 Words
    65. Sixty-Four
      2,315 Words
    66. Sixty-Five
      1,987 Words
    67. Sixty-Six
      2,209 Words
    68. Sixty-Seven
      1,905 Words
    69. Sixty-Eight
      2,366 Words
    70. Sixty-Nine
      2,266 Words
    71. Seventy
      2,307 Words
    72. Seventy-One
      2,313 Words
    73. Seventy-Two
      2,039 Words
    74. Seventy-Three
      2,176 Words
    75. Seventy-Four
      2,156 Words
    76. Seventy-Five
      1,884 Words
    77. Seventy-Six
      2,238 Words
    Ongoing May 21, 2025May 21, '25 164.2 K Everyone
    [adinserter block="9"]

    Quotes

    “No woman should be made to fear that she was not enough.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “I shall found a priory of a different sort, and no craven knight shall soil its garden.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “Piety can turn the power-hungry into monsters. They can twist any teaching to justify their actions.” — Ead in The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “I am not your queen, but I am yours. Be silent and learn something.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “They raise us to be soft as silk, distract us with luxury and wealth beyond measure, so we never rock the boat that carries us.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “When she saw Tane, and the blue tunic of the High Sea Guard, the child knelt at once and set her forehead between her hands.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “And protect my books! For the love of the Saint, save my books, Panaya!” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “I’ll make a pirate of you yet.” — Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

    “I suppose some things are in the blood. Perhaps one day, the honored Sea General will realize that dragonriders are born, not made.” — Tané in The Priory of the Orange Tree

    [adinserter block="8"]

    FAQs

    Is The Priory of the Orange Tree a standalone novel?

    • Yes, the book is a self-contained story, but Samantha Shannon has expressed interest in returning to this world. A prequel, A Day of Fallen Night, was later published, expanding the universe.

    What is the genre and main theme of the book?

    • It is an epic fantasy novel with feminist themes, described as a “feminist retelling of Saint George and the Dragon.” The story features dragons, political intrigue, and diverse representation.

    How long is The Priory of the Orange Tree, and is it suitable for casual readers?

    • The book is 848 pages long, making it a substantial read. While it’s an epic fantasy, reviewers note its immersive worldbuilding and accessible prose, though its length may be daunting for some.

    Is there LGBTQ+ representation in the book?

    • Yes, the novel includes LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, which has been praised by readers for its inclusive and nuanced portrayal.

    What awards or recognition has the book received?

    • The Priory of the Orange Tree was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards (2020) and named a Best Book of the Year by outlets like Amazon, BookPage, and the Chicago Public Library.

    How does this book compare to Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings?

    • Critics have likened it to both for its epic scope and intricate worldbuilding, with some calling it a “feminist successor to The Lord of the Rings.” It blends high fantasy with strong female protagonists.

    Are there plans for more books in this universe?

    • While Priory was initially standalone, Shannon released a prequel (A Day of Fallen Night in 2023) and hinted at potential future stories in the Roots of Chaos series.

    Note