Notes from the Shelf

This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Your support helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog going.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 848
Rating:  ★★★★★
Buy: Bookshop.org

This post contains spoilers.

Book Blurb

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 parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.

My Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to review The Priory of the Orange Tree ever since I started this blog, and today is finally that time. Samantha Shannon set out to create an epic fantasy on a massive scale, and she absolutely succeeded. Calling it a masterpiece doesn’t feel like an exaggeration.

One of the things I admire most about this novel is that Shannon chose to tell the entire story in one sweeping volume rather than splitting it into a duology or trilogy. Given the depth of the world, the history, and the number of characters involved, it would have been easy to break it up. Instead, The Priory of the Orange Tree feels complete and intentional as a standalone epic. There is so much lore woven into the narrative, yet it never felt overwhelming or confusing. The worldbuilding is layered and intricate, but it’s introduced in a way that feels natural, allowing the reader to settle into the story rather than struggle to keep up.

I particularly loved how the story brings together vastly different cultures and nations, many of which have been divided for centuries since the Wyrm’s last rising. These divisions feel earned and realistic—people are suspicious, rooted in tradition, and reluctant to cooperate. Watching these cultures clash, negotiate, and slowly come together for the sake of survival was one of the most compelling aspects of the book for me. The tension between old grudges and the necessity of unity added emotional weight to the larger, world-ending stakes.

The diversity of the world is another standout strength. Each country feels distinct, with its own customs, beliefs, and power structures. Nothing felt shallow or interchangeable; every setting seemed thoughtfully constructed. I was especially drawn to how religion plays a central role in shaping these societies. The faith systems in the book are rooted in historical events, but over time those truths have been diluted, distorted, or selectively interpreted. Seeing how that evolution affected both the world at large and individual characters was fascinating. Several characters are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about what they were taught to believe, and those internal struggles added a powerful layer of depth to the story.

Despite its size, I never felt like anything was missing or underdeveloped. That’s impressive for a book of this scope. Every major thread feels addressed, every arc feels purposeful, and by the end, I felt genuinely satisfied rather than left wanting more answers. It’s rare to finish such a large fantasy novel and feel like the author truly stuck the landing, but Shannon does exactly that.

And while The Priory of the Orange Tree is undeniably a big book, it doesn’t read like one. Once I settled into the story, the pages flew by. The pacing is strong, the stakes continually rise, and the characters give you plenty of reasons to keep turning the page. It’s the kind of book that looks intimidating on your shelf but quickly becomes immersive once you start reading.

Final Thoughts

The Priory of the Orange Tree is the kind of epic fantasy that reminds you why the genre is so powerful. It delivers a fully realized world, complex political and religious systems, and deeply human characters—all within a single, cohesive volume. Samantha Shannon’s ambition is matched by her execution; nothing feels rushed, underexplored, or included without purpose. Every storyline, belief system, and cultural conflict contributes meaningfully to the larger narrative, creating a reading experience that feels both expansive and deeply personal.

If you’re looking for a standalone fantasy with rich worldbuilding, strong themes, and unforgettable characters, The Priory of the Orange Tree is absolutely worth the commitment.

If you’re interested checking out ‘The Priory of the Orange Tree’ by Samantha Shannon, consider purchasing it through Bookshop.org. Supporting this link helps sustain independent bookstores and keeps this blog thriving.

Check out other fantasy reviews:
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark

Love what you’re reading here? Support the blog and fuel my next cozy reading session by buying me a coffee.