What's up with The Priory of the Orange Tree?

[@bittybaff3541]

It NEVER takes off! It ends the SECOND stuff finally starts to happen! You can not POSSIBLY have a more epic premise than evil dragons crawling up through the center of the earth to destroy everything, and good dragons failing from the stars to protect people, and we see NONE of it. There is one battle, ONE and it's over. Why did you make this incredible world and not show it to us??!?!?!?

[@iLastStar]

is the second book better?

[@kozzietea]

This 100%

[@shirendjorgee9320]

@@iLastStarHonestly yes, but it still takes a while to get going

[@kiddocter13]

I read Priory of the Orange Tree and loved it. I don't mind a slow burn, late climax in my books, though. Loved the world, loved the characters, loved the wrap up. Looking forward to the prequel!

[@PunkRockBibliophile]

Just finished this book last night! To me, Priory of the Orange Tree is a slice of life tale in a high fantasy setting with beautifully crafted characters, relationships, and political intrigue. I do agree with you about the climax; I felt more engaged in the scene with a certain witch aboard a certain ship than what came after, but that is just my opinion. This story was all about the journey, baby. 4/5

[@thatashgirl83]

I don’t know if this book would have been as popular without the TikTok hype. I just couldn’t get into it. It was slow and I didn’t connect to any of the characters. It seems to be very polarizing. People either loved it or hated it.

[@drongobrat6471]

I just read it! I have a ton of thoughts but here's the summary: 7/10 (with mild spoilers) I struggle to connect to anything relating to Ead, partly because she is almost always in control of every situation she's in, I don't feel much struggle coming from her. Meanwhile everything with Tane I absolutely adore, especially anything relating to nayimathun. There's definitely not that much action, what sells you is gonna be the characters for sure. For me, some of them worked, some less so, but i still really loved it, which is why I rate it a 7/10

[@esmayrosalyne]

Great review! Believe it or not, this was one of the first epic fantasies I read when getting back into reading. And even though I felt so lost in the beginning, I was just dazzled by the worldbuilding and couldn't stop reading. The ending was indeed quite anti-climactic, but I didn't even really notice that at the time of reading because I didn't have many other points of comparison yet. It still holds a special place in my heart, but I am kinda scared to reread it now that I've read 500+ more books, lol. Definitely very excited for the prequel though. And that cover is also stupidly gorgeous, it's just insane. Loved hearing your thoughts!! 🤩

[@jordyn8628]

OH my gosh. I just two days ago was telling my coworkers that, "as crazy as this sounds, the book feels like it needs to be longer". I did a little woohoo when you said the same thing! I really love the skeleton of the story, I love the outline, but the fleshing out of that skeleton hasn't been fully successful in my eyes. As everyone else has said, the worldbuilding and the politics are great, but the... I don't know... action? of the story is poorly paced and disappointing. I don't mind the slow burn and the climax at the end, but any and all climactic events throughout the book happen too dang fast. Conflict arises and is solved easily within a page. I mean, even the full book long mystery of the Cupbearer was handled in what, a chapter? As another mentioned, the self solving obstacles were eye-roll worthy. I like the story, I wish it was executed better.

[@libraryofaviking]

These are my exact thoughts! It is really hard to recommend this book when the pacing is all over the place. I look forward to giving A Day of Fallen Night a read though!

[@jordyn8628]

@@libraryofaviking I'm thinking the same thing! I already recommended it someone when I was only a bit over 200 pages in, and now I'm worried she won't actually like it, haha. I willllll also be reading A Day of Fallen Night, though. A prequel implies more lore! And that's what hooked me in the first place, so lets go!

[@Sandman8710]

Ii just finished reading this book the other day and I've got to say you hit the nail on the head with this review!

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!

[@charlieokeeffe4694]

i gave up after 200 pages, ive never been so bored in my life

[@mattball7362]

I finished this last month, and personally, I really enjoyed the world building, slow burn and amazing climax! For me is a 4/5. However, I do aggree with the fact that it is alot of build up, to get to the climax!

[@wa11ie]

i‘m in the process of reading it and so far i really like it. yes it’s really slow paced but the last book i read was also a percy jackson installment. the slow pace is definitely done right because, for the most part, i‘m not bored. it does feel like most of the things are happening with ead, loth‘s plot line very clearly ties into her and to a degree so does niclays, meanwhile tané is just kinf of doing her own thing. i‘m curious to see how all of these are going to tie into each other as the book progresses.

[@megabyte3348]

A just finished reading it and I share the exact same opinion with respect to the plot. It commits the "hero journey" error and it seems that the everything is a little too easy. However I understand that it is a standalone. The worldbuilding though is very well constructed and could sustain several stories. And regarding characters, I didn't cared about all of them, but what I enjoyed very much was the development of the relationship between two certain characters ( i don't want to spoil anything). That was absolutely subtle and beautiful. So I would recommend this book, because I think that it takes you on a very nurturing journey in so many aspects as it depicts real social issues. Also, the "mythology" sort to say and the religious conflict are very well done.

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

I totally agree about the plot structure issues, and I agree about the characters as well, I couldn’t care about them! I still have it 4 stars because of the world building and uniqueness and intrigue.

[@libraryofaviking]

Glad I am not the only one that felt this way! Thank you for watching Hannah 😊

[@francoanzalone4061]

Thank you for the review. I am a big follower of your channel and love the reviews. I have the Orange Tree on my shelf and the prequel and can't wait to see what you mean. Also thank you for mentioning Blood Song. Can't wait to read that too!

[@theterrestrialreader1063]

I think that, beside the worldbuilding, the main appeal of The Priory of the Orange Tree is its reputation as a queer high fantasy; there is definitely a market for people craving for both dragons AND lesbians in the same book. I am saying it in the most serious way since it's what drove me to read it in the first place - unfortunately, inherently cool ideas aren't enough for me if the executions is poor. You mentioned the plot structure and I see your point, however that's the most frogivable issue in my opinion; what I really couldn't get over is the clumsy writing - not at sentence level, but the poor handling of plot devices, with so many contrieved coincidences, self-solving obstacles, and atrocious telling without ever showing. So many times I had the impression the author had a bucket list of things she had to force into the story. I am sorry because I really liked the concept and I wanted to love it; somehow I see how someone less picky about style and less prone to overanalyse stuff might still get sucked into the cool tropes, though.

[@jordyn8628]

This is one of main complaints. The ideas behind the story are interesting. All of the conflicts that arose *could* have been cool if there had been actual conflict, but it seems as though the author just wanted to include dramatic actions (and hint at perilous journeys) happening without actually fleshing them out, or having any real consequence. I found myself continuously disappointed every time a character came face to face with danger because the danger no longer existed within a couple of paragraphs. The worldbuilding and the politics hooked me, and then the pacing of conflicts fell flat. The plot with the Cupbearer? What the hell happened there? And, (spoiler for those who are reading) when Lady Nurtha was assassinated in the hallway I raised my eyebrows with excitement and suspicion. Was Shannon really going to kill someone so important off? Of coursseeee not! She should have died, but alas, plot armor gets in the way once again! It made me groan with frustration. At that point I had just wanted something, anything of consequence to happen to these characters.

[@hodgereeceman]

Totally agree!!! Every single potential conflict was immediately resolved without issue. The most important part of the book, when the east has to decide whether or not to join the fight, just breezes by with zero conflict whatsoever. The whole thing was just plot convenience after plot convenience and the characters were nowhere near interesting or likeable enough to get me invested. And she did so much telling instead of showing! Any time some major new part of the world was revealed, its mythology was quickly explained at the time, instead of having been foreshadowed appropriately, and all of the interesting bits seemed to happen offscreen.

[@aspirant7713]

I've been watching you for the last 2 weeks, and instantly you became my favorite booktuber. I'm really fascinated by your content. Thanks a lot for coming into the book-tuber world. I love your content so much.

[@libraryofaviking]

I really appreciate it! This comment has made my day. Thank you ❤️

[@Paromita_M]

A very fair review. I liked The Priory but imho it should have been either shortened by excluding some plot points/POVs or expanded into a duology. The ending was too rushed. Well I cared for one of the four POVs whose name rhymes with "bead". I will share one perspective by a Booktuber I respect, The BookChemist, on why this book is perhaps special: One of the highest ideals of SFF literature and indeed literature is to imagine a world where our current systemic injustices are absent. Priory kind of does this with the complete absence of patriarchy, misogyny and the seamless representation of LGBTQ+ characters. I only wish the story and structure were executed better. On the prequel: in a dilemma (btw how gorgeous is that cover - even surpasses Priory imo) but probably going to cave 😄.

[@MrMedy101]

I read the Priory of the orange tree almost 4 years ago and I remember liking it after I finished it, but as time went on and I read more fantasy novels I realized that I viewed this book with rose tinted glasses because it fell off from my liking so fast, mostly for the same reasons you mentioned, complex but uninteresting characters, bad pacing,… etc.

I've tried reading this book TWICE and just couldn't 😬 I agree the beggining is A LOT, I didnt understand a thing that was said. I will try again next year because I'm curious but it is complicated!

[@paperbacksgalore]

I agree that the world and writing are excellent, the story and characters didn’t completely hook me in the way that my fave fantasy books do. Although, I did read this book when I was in college and it took me 5 months! Lol

[@mooster4080]

What are ur fav fantasy books?

[@Selitos676]

This is one of my favorite fantasy books because of the all the beautiful settings and distinct and fleshed out cultures, the way the dragons are written, how all of the plot threads tie together. Sabran and Ead are two of my favorite characters ever and I loved the whole cast. The author doesn’t hold your hand and throws you right into all the different settings and it really feels like you’re getting a peek into the daily lives of these people.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

The way the prose flowed didn’t work for me. It was full of redundancy. “She had seen him and now she could not unsee him” is where i realized it wasn’t for me.

[@Sof93]

Really enjoyed this video and agreed with your points! Thank you for such an honest review

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

One this has been on my list for a long while! Really interesting review :) Will

[@libraryofaviking]

I am intrigued to hear your thoughts on it! Thank you for watching Will!

[@Robeeh2]

Great to hear your conclusions on this work - you were both fair and generous 👍 😉

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you Robyn! I appreciate the kind words 😊

[@Robeeh2]

@@libraryofaviking Love your channel 👍

[@libraryofaviking]

@@Robeeh2 Thank you Robyn!

[@sonitagovan]

Loved this review as I have picked this book up about 4 times and given up on it. Given its popularity I keep wondering what I am doing wrong.

[@GentleGiantJason]

Not wrong at all. It does have some problems. So much potential but is lacking. Definitely not all books are for everyone. And this one doesn’t work me as well for many of the same reasons as Erik mentioned.

[@thomassears1432]

I bought this book about a year ago, but haven’t read it yet. I will admit that 700 pages of build up is a bit much. With the prequel coming out in February, I’m wondering if I should wait and read it first. What do you think?

[@TheUnstoppableBar]

I haven’t read this book yet, but I would say that usually prequels hit better after you’ve read the first original book.

[@trailerpark9911]

Just finished it. Im french and read it in english so i might have missed somes things that I could have get reading it in my own language. I liked the history, the characters, the wb. I missliked the slow pace, thought that you could cut some pages to get it under 600/650. Some characters are really meh, i only really loved Ead and Sabran… less for the others. I like the fact that it is a oneshot, something we « miss » in fantasy, and that the love story isn’t « too much », just what it needs. I feel like the communication around the project dodn’t help (like vomparaison with GRRM..), but the story itself if a good one. Overall pretty great book for me, a good 4/4.5 out of 5. But with many problems as u said. But… like, overall the good ones are greater so it let a good impression on me.

[@Thedaubertfamily]

I have been thinking of picking this one up, but it looks a little overwhelming, i mean it has a glossary! I am surprised it is a stand alone as well, it must be jam packed with detail. Nice structured review as always.

[@lisacole6037]

I loved it. But hey, we can't all like everything. I don't like Mistborn or Sword of Kaigen or that Jade book, lol.

[@libraryofaviking]

I am glad you loved it Lisa! Reading is so subjective!

[@rachelslur1404]

I can’t say that it’s a problem of how small the climax + end was page/ duration wise, but rather how small it felt after THAT MUCH buildup. The more a book builds up the bigger/ more shocking the climax should be. I would say the only exception is if it’s a book in a series. That is this books only downfall in my eyes

[@michaela4529]

I agree. I didn't care for any of the characters POVs. I was just glad once it was over... I still don't get why its so hyped 😅🙈

[@MatildaTheBookDragon]

I loved it, but just like you felt the ending too rushed, I wanted more. I hope there will be an after book as well

[@lucagianchino6404]

Sequel no, but a prequel will be piblished in february 2023 and i hope it will have a batter Final Battle! Please!

[@libraryofaviking]

I am glad you loved it! There is a prequel coming!

[@MatildaTheBookDragon]

@@libraryofaviking I know 🙂🙂

[@ndreader]

I just finished this and loved it I think? I need more though. I loved the world building and characters but I need to know more. I'm not into battles in fantasy stories so I was okay with only a small portion of it being battles. I still have sooo many questions though!

[@SabiJD]

What were your biggest questions after reading Priory Of The Orange Tree? And have you read ADoFN yet? I think the end is a bit rushed, certain coincidences felt quite contrived, but especially on a second read I wasn't bothered. I loved the characters (or kinda hated them but still found them compelling - Niclays is who I'm referring to... ), and found the world fascinating and well drawn. There are still huge questions about the past that ADoFN does not answer. I was a little surprised, I suppose, but I also knew Samantha has a desire to actually cover the most important era directly in a later book, so I can wait for that.

[@raswartz]

Read it. It had everything in it that I should like, still found it kind of boring. Found myself skimming a lot towards the end of the book.

[@jameshaworth9460]

I love that it's a standalone. Perfect if you don't want to tackle a long series or even a trilogy because they can be all-consuming sometimes. I actually felt it was broken up enough between the different characters viewpoints to warrant the slow build-up. It felt quite fleshed out although I still feel the timeline was lacking. But I guess if it was planned as a self-contained book then you don't need a whole lot of history. Overall I liked it. I think 3.5 is a good score. I think it's quite a good book to jump into the fantasy genre.

[@averywebb3093]

The prequel improves on all the problems of the first book!

[@palor2911]

I gave it three stars too. I don't hate it, but I don't love it too.

[@Braviary14]

I have it in my tbr but my girlfriend just read it and her opinion was just the same as yours, so I think it will stay on my tbr for a long time...

[@rhaibi12]

I thought the world building was horrendous. Everything was crammed in very expositionally. It seemed like a kid playing with their toys making up the rules as they went along and bending them to fit whatever part of the story they were currently in. In the last bit of the book they were still introducing new rules and lore to suit the story. But yes. The book was 750 pages of building and then the quickest and neatest wrap ever. Every character in this book seemed one dimensional and predictable. 100% should have been a multi book series or HEAVILY edited down.

[@GentleGiantJason]

Yes very expositional. Would have preferred more show than tell

[@markofascribe9528]

Really interesting review, and now I’m not sure whether it’s on my TBR or not. 700 pages of build-up is asking a lot…!

[@johnglue1744]

I feel the same. I saw my local library has the book so I may check it out one day over Christmas, that way if I don’t like it I can just return it.

[@MikePagonis1]

highly agree with your point of view! me sentiments exactly with this book

[@historymax5479]

I liked the book and gave 4 stars. The buildup was great, the climax was passable and the characters are good.

[@libraryofaviking]

Glad you liked it!

[@lincolnbrown6486]

This is the first critical review of this book that I’ve come across that wasn’t either an absolute glazing, or weirdly misogynistic.

[@GentleGiantJason]

I also read it because of the gorgeous cover. The book didn’t work for me. It was a lot of tell, not show. And it had some series editing problems. Some obvious problems with the plot at time. I thought the world building was great and I would have enjoyed it more if it had been broken up into multiple books and the content was expanded with showing events rather than telling. I gave 5 out of 10. (2.5 stars) Not terrible. It had great potential but the execution fell short. So much promise missed out

[@PCote]

I think everything you say is spot on.

[@GameOn444s]

I bought it because the cover. Book killed my soul. Now I read a chapter when I use the bathroom 🚽 lol.

[@a_a9221]

You should read a day of fallen night. It’s epic.

[@swati_sonal]

This is true! The book should have been a little longer. The plot and the worldbuilding was amazing, but the climax was over too quickly (like only about 40 pages). The whole story is the preparing for the arrival of something, and when it comes......its just gone instantly. The wrap-up of the story could have been done better.

[@Sagal.I]

I still don't get it. The reading experience was subpar for me and even boring in certain passages. Why is it so popular?!

[@barbaraczerwonka8297]

Absolutely agree with the review. I love the writing style and the world building but I was disappointed by the climax.

[@thirdeyecat3593]

I thought this book was great after getting past the first 200 pages or so. Even though it has a slower pace the world building and in depth characters hardly made it boring. The build up was great but then the last quarter of the book was like the last season of GOT. Iit fell flat on it's face. I felt like the author was rushing to just get the book finished at all costs. Would I recommend it? Yes, just like I think GOT is 100% worth watching even though the last season was disappointing.

[@Zivilin]

As someone that love world building in books I'm intrigued at your initial high praise of it.

[@jacekciesiokiewicz7582]

Thanks for the video 🙂

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you for watching Jacek!

[@burge2695]

Yes everyone seems to love this book..i thought it was just "fine"

[@shawnjohnson113]

Excellent review. I had a similar experience with it. I get the love for it but it happen with me. So I would not be the best person to recommend it. 3/5

[@AbiofPellinor]

It's such a pity that you didn't enjoy this one, but Samantha Shannon seems to be a pretty divisive author when it comes to opinions on her writing 😅

[@shadominx3696]

What do you mean?

[@sandys3731]

And GRRM is 5, possibly 6, books into ASOIAF and how far has the plot advanced? Talk about a slow burn.

[@epiphoney]

Page count is an illusion. The audiobook is about 26 hours, so it's more like a 500 page book.

[@nunyabusiness8000]

Most overrated fantasy book of the decade hands down. Hundreds of pages of uninteresting build up for a climax that didn’t justify it and man is the prose just the most ham fisted attempt at lyricism. Half a page of describing a ship or a person with as many adjectives piled on as humanely possible, it was actually insufferable.

[@spiritualsenses111]

I have 200 pages left of this book and I like the plot but the thing is is that I don’t really like the book. It’s a little boring to me. I like it but it’s boring. I don’t know to be honest. I rate it 3 stars out of 5

[@libraryofaviking]

Sorry you are struggling with it! Are you going to finish it?

[@robertogerendas]

Its a YA book disguised as an Adult Fantasy book only due to its length and sexual content. But plot and characters are completely YA with little to no depth. The only redeemable aspect its the world building. Example of weak plot line: The difference and issues between the east and west are pointless, and are just a device to split the characters, since page 10 you realize that all the difference could be solved by a letter and a meeting, fast forward 600 hundred pages and literally all the problems between east and west are solved by a single letter and meeting. Example of weak character: Out of the 4 main pov, 3 end up in the same place as they started the story, the characters walked through +700 hundred pages and did not changed them, they were still in the end a stoic body guard, an overachiever soldier and pampered nobleman. With only 1 pov having any profound redeeming story arc. its a regular book with a huge publicity stunt that made it famous. Not worth your time if you are an avid Fantasy reader. Go read the Bloowsworn saga if you have an itch for reading good dragon fantasy.

[@gkrawiecgkrawiec4864]

Look, I completely agree with you - the book has very compelling worldbuilding but major pacing issues and I failed to really connect with any of the characters. That being said, it is odd that you didn’t mention the lgbtq representation in the book. It was a major part of the plot line and could be a major reason why some readers really connected to this book. I really like your channel but I’ve noticed that you either 1) don’t review books w/ lgbtq characters or 2) read those books but gloss over this aspect of them entirely. As a queer person, this lack of representation is pretty disappointing. I know that you don’t love romantic fantasy but there are plenty of books w/ lgbtq+ characters that fall firmly under other fantasy sub genres. I hope you’ll address this on your channel and that it is an oversight rather than a reflection of your personal views.

[@paull9115]

I really could not get on with this book. Beautiful cover but the writing style left me confused and very unimpressed. I really don't understand the hype and feel it's massively overrated. So many good ideas, but so so dissappinting!

[@DrGusbo]

One of the most overhyped books of the las years. It’s all marketing.

[@ericmerrell8622]

thus is NOT my favorite by any means, by I did love it when I read it despite the flaws.

[@libraryofaviking]

I am glad you loved it Eric!

[@norahmuthio528]

I'm in page 500 of this book and it just ....there is too many people crammed ...too many places .... too many stories....too many things going on...... the only thing I love about this book so far is Tane...i Found the other two main characters wierd .The queen was a pure brat......I'm just going to skip some chapter until the end.. ...

[@AyushGupta-qs5xw]

Honestly, if reading it makes you feel like "I would have missed such an awesome thing if I didn't read it randomly" then it's a success, since you don't regret reading it, I will also put it on my list

[@safinan8008]

Hi 👋 sorry this book wasn’t for me..... happy reading to you!! 🎬🕸🍂⚔️🍁

[@libraryofaviking]

Thank you for watching Safina!

[@reddleman2]

Don't judge a book by its cover. This book was a waste of my time.

[@scoobydoo_forever]

I hated this book 🫣 too much political stuff and not enough dragons there was lots of talk about the nameless one but the actual interactions were so few and short and I found it very disappointing.

[@locolima279]

So, a lot of folks liked the book more than you did. Got it.

[@TathagataMitraTom]

this book does exposition very bad.

[@lagadema16]

DNF.

[@chillguy9971]

The epitome of unlikable unrelatable characters

[@Murderbits]

When people are describing a book as "a feminist fantasy", I move on.

[@themetalpig7613]

It has a rather stupid quote on the back. "Epic and awe-inspiring... A feminist successor to The Lord of the Rings". Not sure why the publisher put that on there, it's the kind of nonsensical dribble that would push away readers.

[@Gyroeg]

My exact thoughts

[@Kenough_in_Wonderland]

This video just convinced me to read this book ironically hahah. I really dislike battle scenes and war and stuff, skipped or skimmed most of them in lotr even 🙈 This book sounds exactly like what I prefer therefore. Thanks for the great review!