THE PRIORITY OF THE ORANGE TREE

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon is an expansive epic fantasy novel set in a richly imagined world filled with dragons, magic, and political intrigue. The story follows multiple protagonists, primarily focusing on Ead and Sabran.

Ead Duryan is a mage from the Priory of the Orange Tree, an ancient organization dedicated to protecting the realm from the threat of the Nameless One, a powerful dragon that once nearly destroyed the world. Ead is sent to the court of Sabran the Ninth, the queen of Inys, to protect her and ensure the safety of the realm. Sabran is under pressure to produce an heir to maintain her family's lineage and keep her kingdom safe from the dragon’s return, but she struggles with her duty and her feelings of isolation as a queen.

Meanwhile, across the sea, Loth is a knight who embarks on his own quest to fight against the rising tide of the Nameless One's followers. As the story unfolds, alliances form, secrets are revealed, and the characters must confront their fears and desires while battling against an impending darkness.

The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom, particularly in the context of women's empowerment and LGBTQ+ representation. As Ead and Sabran's paths intertwine, they must navigate political tensions, personal dilemmas, and the looming threat of an ancient evil to save their world from destruction.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a sweeping narrative that blends intricate world-building with rich character development, offering a fresh take on classic fantasy tropes.