The Priory of the Orange Tree

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The Priory of the Orange Tree
AuthorSamantha Shannon
GenreFantasy
PublisherBloomsbury Publishing
Publication date
26 February 2019

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a 2019 fantasy novel by writer Samantha Shannon.[1] The novel was published on 26 February 2019 by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Samantha Shannon describes her novel as a "feminist retelling of Saint George and the Dragon."

Synopsis[]

The evil, fire-breathing wyrm known as the Nameless One was defeated nearly a thousand years ago by the knight Sir Galian Berethnet with a sword, Ascalon, created by the Witch of Inysca. Sir Galian married Princess Cleolind after battling the wyrm on her behalf. Their descendents in the House of Berethnet have ruled Inys as queens and been the symbol of the religion of Virtuedom, while dragons and magic are condemned and feared. Currently, Queen Sabran the Ninth's power in Inys is tenuous; she has yet to produce an heir to the throne and the Nameless One threatens to awaken again.

Ead Duryan is an outsider from the South who acts as a lady-in-waiting and protector to Sabran, but is loyal to the secret mage society of the Priory, which has its own view of the history of Cleolind, the Mother, and Sir Galian, the Deceiver. Meanwhile, Lord Arteloth Beck, close friend of Sabran, is banished from Inys on a futile quest by those who seek to weaken the queen.

In the East, where water dragons are revered as living gods, Miduchi Tané has spent her life training to become a dragon rider. When Tané comes upon an outsider and trespasser from the West, she throws her future into jeopardy by hiding him with Niclays Roos, an alchemist searching for the secret to immortality who was banished from Sabran's court years ago.

Reception[]

According to literary review aggregator Book Marks, the novel received mostly positive reviews.[2] Liz Bourke, writing for Tor.com, criticised the book's length and lack of complexity, while praising its "really good slow-burn romance".[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Trombetta, Sadie (27 February 2019). "'The Priory Of The Orange Tree' Is An Epic Feminist Fantasy Perfect For Fans Of 'Game Of Thrones'". Bustle. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  2. ^ "The Priory of the Orange Tree". Book Marks. Literary Hub. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  3. ^ Bourke, Liz (28 February 2019). "Standalone Fantasy Short on Complexity: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon". Tor. Retrieved 4 June 2019.


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