Review: Priory of the Orange Tree

I'm taking a break from zombies to do some fantasy reviews. Warning, this is a big, thick fantasy novel. Don't pick this one up unless you've got strength. Or an ereader. There's just something about giant books though....

"Priory of the Orange Tree" is an epic, sweeping fantasy novel that is a must-read for fans of the genre. The story follows a diverse cast of characters as they navigate a world threatened by an ancient evil and political turmoil. The book is a masterpiece of world-building, with a richly detailed setting that is both fantastical and grounded in history.

Shannon's writing is beautiful and immersive, drawing the reader into the story from the first page. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with each one adding a unique perspective to the narrative. The relationships between the characters are also expertly crafted, from the romance between Queen Sabran and Ead to the friendship between Tane and Niclays.

One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of themes of power, identity, and sacrifice. The characters are forced to make difficult choices and confront their own flaws as they fight to save their world. The book also tackles issues of gender and sexuality in a refreshing and inclusive way, with queer characters and a matriarchal society at the heart of the story.

The pacing of the book is excellent, with action-packed sequences balanced by quieter moments of character development and world-building. The book is long, but the story never feels drawn out or slow. The ending is satisfying and ties up all the loose ends in a satisfying way.

Overall, "Priory of the Orange Tree" is a masterpiece of fantasy literature. It is a beautifully written, complex, and thought-provoking story that will transport readers to a world unlike any other. Highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy and inclusive storytelling.

10 Fantasy books that will change how you think

 

Fantasy literature is often dismissed as mere escapism, but the truth is that the genre has the power to challenge our assumptions, expand our imaginations, and change the way we think about the world. Here are ten fantasy books that have the potential to do just that:

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: This classic epic fantasy is more than just a thrilling adventure story. Its themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil can inspire readers to think deeply about what it means to live a meaningful life.


A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin: This coming-of-age story follows the journey of a young wizard as he grapples with power, responsibility, and the consequences of his actions. Its exploration of the nature of magic and the human psyche is thought-provoking and profound.


The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood: This dystopian novel may not seem like a typical fantasy book, but its themes of gender, power, and oppression are just as relevant to the genre. Atwood's powerful prose and incisive social commentary make this a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of fantasy and politics.


The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: This lyrical, beautifully crafted novel is a masterclass in world-building and character development. Its protagonist, the enigmatic Kvothe, is a flawed and complex hero whose journey will resonate with readers long after the last page.


The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin: This series of novels and short stories set in the same universe as A Wizard of Earthsea explore themes of power, identity, and morality through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters. Le Guin's writing is rich, nuanced, and thought-provoking.


The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin: This groundbreaking series reimagines the conventions of epic fantasy through the lens of race, gender, and social justice. Its world-building is both intricate and immersive, and its exploration of power and oppression is both timely and timeless.


The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: This beloved children's series is often dismissed as simplistic or didactic, but its themes of faith, courage, and sacrifice are just as relevant to adults as they are to children. Its exploration of the nature of evil and the power of redemption is both moving and inspiring.


The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss: This sprawling, multi-layered series follows the life of Kvothe, a legendary wizard and musician, as he recounts his adventures to a chronicler. Its intricate plot, vivid characters, and lyrical prose make it a standout in the fantasy genre.


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: This dystopian series explores themes of power, inequality, and resistance through the eyes of a young heroine fighting for survival in a brutal, totalitarian society. Its vivid depiction of a world gone wrong is both gripping and disturbing.


The Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake: This surreal, Gothic series is a tour de force of imagination and language. Its vivid descriptions of a decaying castle and its bizarre inhabitants are both unsettling and mesmerizing, and its exploration of power and identity is both haunting and thought-provoking.

These ten fantasy books are just a small sampling of the many works in the genre that have the power to change a person's thinking. Whether you're looking for escapism or enlightenment, fantasy literature is a rich and rewarding source of both.

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

According to Publishers Weekly, “In this powerful beginning to a complex family saga...Dayton excels at creating memorable characters.”

SEEKER is billed as a Young Adult fantasy novel. And while the characters are memorable and the family saga complex, there is something off.

What I loved: 
The relationship between Quin, John and Shinobu. This book reminded me nothing of the Hunger Games or Divergent, but at times I did find myself thinking it reminded me a bit of Clockwork Princess with the love triangle.

The little physics class about traveling between dimensions was fun.

The deceptions and family secrets intriguing, but not as intriguing as Maud’s character.

What I didn’t like: 
Wait, what’s a Seeker and what are they seeking? And why did Quin suddenly become this magnificent healer for 18 months and then we never revisit that power and it was never hinted at in the first place?

Parts of this book are great, but there’s something missing and the 18 month span in Hong Kong seems out of place in a book like this. It’s a good fantasy read, but lacking in the world building. Maybe book 2 will bring it all together, but the story didn’t draw me in enough to feel like I have to read the next one.

3/5 Stars

**I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review**

A Review: Of Bone and Thunder

ARC received from NetGalley

3/5 stars

First thing, let’s talk about the cover. Beautiful, amazing, intriguing. The cover drew me to this book. I love it. Pure fantasy.

Now let’s talk about the book.  I have a hard time connecting with books that have an epic war at the forefront of the storyline without knowing some background information. This is where I would have appreciated a LOTR worthy prologue.  The literary world says prologues are dead, but I think this book deserves one, especially since Of Bone and thunder is hailed as a LOTR-esque read. From a LOTR reader, what do I see that this book has in common with LOTR? Dwarves and Dragons and the hint of an epic battle. Except, I don’t care much for the battle, since, as a reader, I have not been introduced to the danger of the Slyt’s, as I have been to the evil of Sauron. I can understand why the soldiers didn’t understand their mission, because neither did I.

Moving on.

Of Bone and Thunder is told from multiple points of view. We see through the eyes of the enlisted men at the forefront of the battlefield, a man on the ground who just might be a secret weapon in winning this war, and the eye-in-the-sky dragon riders. There is war, deception, drug use, the mistrust of new technologies,  the role of women on the battlefield, and they are all artfully intertwined.

What did I love? The scenery and the mixing of magic, dragons, weaponry that deserve a fantasy novel of their own. Our most captivating characters, Jawn, a trained Thaum (think mind magician with electricity) and trained military officer in the Kingdom’s army, as well as Vorly and Breeze with their dragons are the plot points that kept me reading. Not only were these characters the most captivating, but the scenes were well written and imaginative. I think I did fly on a dragon while reading this, and I did that crazy mind-meld thing that Breeze and Vorly did using the crystals. But what we were given wasn’t enough for me. Deep in my heart, I wanted more dragons, More  magic of the Thaum, More Jawn, more Vorly and Breeze and Carduus. We are only given hints at the strongest characters and most interesting storylines, and then they are heavily coated in jungle sweat and frontline banter and combat. I really wanted to connect with the front line military men, but since (yes, I know I’m beating a dead horse here) I have no way to connect with this war, they were simply a lot of static in the storyline. That being said, Of Bone and Thunder is still a great read.  

Does Evans combine the best of fantasy and military fiction? Yes. Is it for me? Some of it is. I think my problem is that I just prefer more fantasy and less military fiction

If you’re more into military fiction than you are into fantasy, this is a good read for you. If you’re fond of fantasy, but not a fan of military fiction, consider moving on.

Find Of Bone and Thunder on Amazon.com