The Priory of the Orange Tree

Don’t be like me and put off reading this fabulous book because you were daunted by its thickness! Yes, it’s a doorstop. But it is by no means a dense read—indeed, it’s that rarest and best of things, a spectacular page-turner.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is often described as feminist and queer, and sure, it is, but don’t be put off by that either: it never feels like it’s making a point of those issues. It has the vibe of an adventurous, fascinating, magical, old-school Big Thick Fantasy Novel that just so happens to have a lot of… show more.

I adore Ead!! Unsurprisingly, that's why I’m including this book in my recommendations. One of three central characters (including my second favourite in this book – Sabran), Ead won me over because she’s just fantastically capable, but not showy about it at all. She’s the kind of person you’d love to have at your side through thick and thin. 

I got a little bit of a Robin Hobb vibe from this book which also made it a winner for me because I love all of Hobb’s work. This is a monster of a book (and it’s a standalone), but the… show more.

The plot of Priory of the Orange Tree centers on the return of an ancient dragon villain known as The Nameless One. Multiple factions in the West—where politics rules and dragons and magic are forbidden—must come together with those in the East—where scholars abound, and water dragons are worshipped—to defeat The Nameless One. 

Priory of the Orange Tree is one of the best epic fantasies I’ve read in the past few years. The unique world-building is extensive, the story is twisty, and the female characters are diverse, strong, and dynamic. The chosen one aspect can be tiresome, but in this… show more.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a wonderful epic fantasy story, filled with memorable characters and interesting settings. I found myself drawn to the strong feminist elements, from the diverse range of characters to the different issues explored (from sexuality to cultural differences, child loss to patriarchal violence). An incredibly powerful story, where the female characters take front and centre-stage in a refreshing show of female power and strength. 

Like any epic fantasy worth its salt, this novel gives us a vast world, a diverse cast, and sparkling magic—and also several great cities, which draw on global inspirations. Queen Sabran rules in Inys, a country based on Tudor England, while the nation of Ersyr is home to Iranian-inspired cities, and Lasia’s cities are based on the medieval African kingdom of Kongo. Each location is lively and vibrant—I can imagine being there, or running from dragons there.