“The Priory of the Orange Tree,” by Samantha Shannon was a work of literary art composed of intense imagery, fantastical world building, and characters that allow the reader to grow with them as they go through their journey. 

Samantha Shannon has spent innumerable hours crafting the masterpiece that is, “The Priory of the Orange Tree”. Not only does this novel have an incredible amount of diversity (with POC representation and LGBTQ+ representation), but it also does a great job at teaching the reader about the importance of acceptance and equality. 

This novel follows the lives of an old alchemist, a queen, a dragon-rider, a spy, and a friend of the crown as their lives intertwine as they try to save the world. 

This 800+ page novel also takes a deep dive into the author’s expressions of real life politics in a fantastical nature. The Queen of Inys, one of the main characters of the story, must direct her entire country under an intense matriarchal society and immense amounts of pressure.  

Additionally, this story serves as one of the greatest feminist works I’ve ever read. Not only are the women strong and independent, but they serve as more than just a plot device. They are all fully fleshed, wonderful and realistic individuals with their own life experiences and distinct personalities. 

In conclusion, “The Priory of the Orange Tree” is a must-read for anyone who is willing to be in it for the long run. While it is an extensive novel, it is worth your time and attention. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in complex world-building and adventurous characters.