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    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.
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    The Priory of the Orange Tree

    Fifty-One

    by Shannon, Samantha

    The chap­ter opens with Tané approach­ing Elder Vara at dawn in the court­yard of Vane Hall, where he is oil­ing his iron leg. She brings him food and engages in a con­ver­sa­tion about his pros­thet­ic, reveal­ing his depen­dence on it since its cre­ator is deceased. Their exchange shifts to more press­ing mat­ters when Elder Vara shares trou­bling news: the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is rumored to be hold­ing the drag­on Nay­i­math­un hostage, using her as lever­age for safe pas­sage. Tané is vis­i­bly shak­en by this rev­e­la­tion, as Nay­i­math­un is a revered fig­ure in her cul­ture, and the pos­si­bil­i­ty of her sur­vival reignites Tané’s deter­mi­na­tion to act.

    Elder Vara fur­ther reveals that the Gold­en Empress seeks the fabled mul­ber­ry tree on the lost isle of Komoridu, adding anoth­er lay­er of intrigue to the unfold­ing events. Tané, strug­gling to con­tain her emo­tions, asks for per­mis­sion to access the repos­i­to­ry to research celes­tial jew­els, also known as tide or wish­ing jew­els. Elder Vara, though sur­prised by her knowl­edge of these secret arti­facts, agrees and pro­vides her with a let­ter to gain entry to Wind­ward Hall’s archives. This sets Tané on a new path, as she believes the celes­tial jew­els might hold the key to free­ing Nay­i­math­un.

    Pre­pared for a ardu­ous jour­ney, Tané dress­es warm­ly and sets off across the island, brav­ing the cold and treach­er­ous ter­rain. Her thoughts remain fix­at­ed on Nayimathun’s plight, fuel­ing her resolve to find a solu­tion. As she tra­vers­es the sacred Path of the Elder, sur­round­ed by fog and ancient graves, she reflects on the past, includ­ing the fate of her friend Susa, whose exe­cu­tion haunts her. The solemn atmos­phere of the bur­ial ground under­scores the weight of her mis­sion and the sac­ri­fices made by those who came before her.

    Upon reach­ing Wind­ward Hall, Tané is greet­ed by a bonesinger, who wel­comes her into the her­mitage. She presents Elder Vara’s let­ter, request­ing access to the repos­i­to­ry to study doc­u­ments from Empress Mokwo’s reign. The bonesinger, respect­ful of Elder Vara’s author­i­ty, offers her the choice to rest or begin her research imme­di­ate­ly. Tané’s jour­ney high­lights her resilience and ded­i­ca­tion, as she seeks to uncov­er the secrets of the celes­tial jew­els and poten­tial­ly save Nay­i­math­un, set­ting the stage for fur­ther dis­cov­er­ies and chal­lenges.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What crucial information does Elder Vara share with Tané about the Fleet of the Tiger Eye, and how does this revelation impact her?

      Answer:
      Elder Vara informs Tané that the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is suspected of holding the dragon Nayimathun hostage, intending to use her as leverage for safe passage. This news shocks Tané, as she had previously mourned Nayimathun’s death. The possibility that her dragon might still be alive—though suffering—reignites Tané’s determination to act. The revelation shifts her focus toward seeking celestial jewels, which she believes could free Nayimathun. This moment marks a pivotal turn in Tané’s motivations, as she transitions from grief to urgent purpose (pages 532–533).

      2. Analyze the significance of Tané’s journey to Windward Hall. What symbolic and practical purposes does it serve?

      Answer:
      Tané’s trek to Windward Hall symbolizes her commitment to uncovering hidden knowledge (the celestial jewels) and her willingness to endure hardship for Nayimathun. Practically, it grants her access to ancient records about the jewels, which may hold the key to rescuing her dragon. The journey also reinforces themes of perseverance and sacrifice, as she braves cold, fog, and dangerous terrain. Additionally, passing through the sacred Path of the Elder connects her to the East’s spiritual legacy, reminding her of the stakes—honoring the dead while fighting for the living (pages 533–535).

      3. How does the chapter portray the relationship between humans and dragons in the East, and what tensions arise from this dynamic?

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights a reverent yet fragile bond between humans and dragons. Dragons like Nayimathun are worshipped as gods, making their captivity by the Fleet of the Tiger Eye a profound sacrilege. This tension underscores the vulnerability of even divine beings to human exploitation. Elder Vara’s worry reflects broader societal fear about threats to their sacred order. Tané’s personal anguish over Nayimathun’s suffering personalizes this conflict, illustrating how the desecration of dragons destabilizes both spiritual and emotional foundations in the East (pages 532–534).

      4. What role does secrecy and restricted knowledge play in this chapter, particularly regarding the celestial jewels?

      Answer:
      Secrecy surrounds the celestial jewels, described as “secret knowledge” known only to elders. Tané learns of them through Nayimathun, suggesting dragons hold esoteric wisdom inaccessible to most humans. Elder Vara’s hesitation to grant access to the repository emphasizes the East’s guarded approach to power. This secrecy creates barriers to action—Tané must navigate bureaucracy (via Elder Vara’s letter) to uncover information that could save Nayimathun. The theme raises questions about who controls knowledge and why, and whether such restrictions hinder justice (pages 533–534).

      5. How does the setting of the Path of the Elder contribute to the chapter’s tone and themes?

      Answer:
      The Path of the Elder, shrouded in fog and lined with ancient graves, evokes mystery, reverence, and mortality. Its silence and isolation mirror Tané’s internal turmoil as she grapples with loss and duty. The graves of unnamed scholars and Susa’s unmarked fate remind her of the costs of failure. Yet, the lanterns guiding her path symbolize hope and tradition. This setting reinforces themes of legacy and sacrifice, situating Tané’s quest within a broader historical and spiritual context (pages 534–535).

    Quotes

    • 1. “The High Sea Guard suspects the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is holding a dragon hostage. It seems they intend to keep it alive … to guarantee them safe passage through any waters they desire. A sinister new tactic, to hold our gods as leverage.”

      This revelation introduces the chapter’s central conflict—the capture of a dragon as political leverage—and underscores the moral outrage of using sacred beings as bargaining chips. It sets the stakes for Tané’s subsequent actions.

      2. “Tané had mourned her dragon. Now there was a possibility, however small, that she lived. This news changed everything.”

      This pivotal moment marks Tané’s emotional turning point, shifting her from grief to determined action. The possibility of Nayimathun’s survival becomes the driving force behind her quest.

      3. “Surely a celestial jewel—if that was what had been stitched into Tané, like a pattern into cloth … Surely that could set a dragon free.”

      This introspective passage reveals Tané’s growing belief in her own potential role as a savior, connecting her mysterious markings to the legendary artifacts that might free Nayimathun. It shows her transition from passive observer to active protagonist.

      4. “Walking here, however, she could not help but think of Susa. The bodies of the executed were left to rot, the bones discarded. A head in a ditch, a body uncorked.”

      This haunting reflection during Tané’s journey through the sacred Path of the Elder contrasts spiritual reverence with brutal reality, showing how past trauma continues to shape her present. It highlights the chapter’s theme of memory’s persistence.

      5. “It was not quite silent. Every few moments, the leaves rustled, as if unsettled by breath.”

      This atmospheric description of the Path of the Elder serves as both literal setting and metaphorical foreshadowing, suggesting the presence of unseen forces at work. The passage exemplifies the chapter’s skillful blending of environment and emotion.

    Quotes

    1. “The High Sea Guard suspects the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is holding a dragon hostage. It seems they intend to keep it alive … to guarantee them safe passage through any waters they desire. A sinister new tactic, to hold our gods as leverage.”

    This revelation introduces the chapter’s central conflict—the capture of a dragon as political leverage—and underscores the moral outrage of using sacred beings as bargaining chips. It sets the stakes for Tané’s subsequent actions.

    2. “Tané had mourned her dragon. Now there was a possibility, however small, that she lived. This news changed everything.”

    This pivotal moment marks Tané’s emotional turning point, shifting her from grief to determined action. The possibility of Nayimathun’s survival becomes the driving force behind her quest.

    3. “Surely a celestial jewel—if that was what had been stitched into Tané, like a pattern into cloth … Surely that could set a dragon free.”

    This introspective passage reveals Tané’s growing belief in her own potential role as a savior, connecting her mysterious markings to the legendary artifacts that might free Nayimathun. It shows her transition from passive observer to active protagonist.

    4. “Walking here, however, she could not help but think of Susa. The bodies of the executed were left to rot, the bones discarded. A head in a ditch, a body uncorked.”

    This haunting reflection during Tané’s journey through the sacred Path of the Elder contrasts spiritual reverence with brutal reality, showing how past trauma continues to shape her present. It highlights the chapter’s theme of memory’s persistence.

    5. “It was not quite silent. Every few moments, the leaves rustled, as if unsettled by breath.”

    This atmospheric description of the Path of the Elder serves as both literal setting and metaphorical foreshadowing, suggesting the presence of unseen forces at work. The passage exemplifies the chapter’s skillful blending of environment and emotion.

    FAQs

    1. What crucial information does Elder Vara share with Tané about the Fleet of the Tiger Eye, and how does this revelation impact her?

    Answer:
    Elder Vara informs Tané that the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is suspected of holding the dragon Nayimathun hostage, intending to use her as leverage for safe passage. This news shocks Tané, as she had previously mourned Nayimathun’s death. The possibility that her dragon might still be alive—though suffering—reignites Tané’s determination to act. The revelation shifts her focus toward seeking celestial jewels, which she believes could free Nayimathun. This moment marks a pivotal turn in Tané’s motivations, as she transitions from grief to urgent purpose (pages 532–533).

    2. Analyze the significance of Tané’s journey to Windward Hall. What symbolic and practical purposes does it serve?

    Answer:
    Tané’s trek to Windward Hall symbolizes her commitment to uncovering hidden knowledge (the celestial jewels) and her willingness to endure hardship for Nayimathun. Practically, it grants her access to ancient records about the jewels, which may hold the key to rescuing her dragon. The journey also reinforces themes of perseverance and sacrifice, as she braves cold, fog, and dangerous terrain. Additionally, passing through the sacred Path of the Elder connects her to the East’s spiritual legacy, reminding her of the stakes—honoring the dead while fighting for the living (pages 533–535).

    3. How does the chapter portray the relationship between humans and dragons in the East, and what tensions arise from this dynamic?

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights a reverent yet fragile bond between humans and dragons. Dragons like Nayimathun are worshipped as gods, making their captivity by the Fleet of the Tiger Eye a profound sacrilege. This tension underscores the vulnerability of even divine beings to human exploitation. Elder Vara’s worry reflects broader societal fear about threats to their sacred order. Tané’s personal anguish over Nayimathun’s suffering personalizes this conflict, illustrating how the desecration of dragons destabilizes both spiritual and emotional foundations in the East (pages 532–534).

    4. What role does secrecy and restricted knowledge play in this chapter, particularly regarding the celestial jewels?

    Answer:
    Secrecy surrounds the celestial jewels, described as “secret knowledge” known only to elders. Tané learns of them through Nayimathun, suggesting dragons hold esoteric wisdom inaccessible to most humans. Elder Vara’s hesitation to grant access to the repository emphasizes the East’s guarded approach to power. This secrecy creates barriers to action—Tané must navigate bureaucracy (via Elder Vara’s letter) to uncover information that could save Nayimathun. The theme raises questions about who controls knowledge and why, and whether such restrictions hinder justice (pages 533–534).

    5. How does the setting of the Path of the Elder contribute to the chapter’s tone and themes?

    Answer:
    The Path of the Elder, shrouded in fog and lined with ancient graves, evokes mystery, reverence, and mortality. Its silence and isolation mirror Tané’s internal turmoil as she grapples with loss and duty. The graves of unnamed scholars and Susa’s unmarked fate remind her of the costs of failure. Yet, the lanterns guiding her path symbolize hope and tradition. This setting reinforces themes of legacy and sacrifice, situating Tané’s quest within a broader historical and spiritual context (pages 534–535).

    Note