Samantha Shannon
849 pages
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens. 'Epic' Guardian 'Majestic' Daily Mail 'The new Game of Thrones' Stylist An enthralling, epic fantasy about a world on the brink of war with dragons - and the women who must lead the fight to save it. 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 to be a dragonrider since she was a child, 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...
The world is completely immersive and features loads of strong women, with absolutely no threat of sexual violence. Plus, there's another book set in the same world coming out soon, making it a perfect time to start reading!
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a massive, standalone epic that features a female-led narrative in a world that feels free from patriarchy. The complex plot includes a queen who marries out of duty while navigating her true identity, making it a compelling read without being misogynistic or overly traumatic.
This book is an exciting blend of fantasy elements, featuring a bloodline of queens, ancient evils, dragons, prophecies, secret organizations, and romance, making it a captivating read that you'll love.
Despite its daunting size, this book is surprisingly quick to read and absolutely captivating.