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.

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

It has been so long since we visited Panem in the original Hunger Games trilogy. I wasn't super interested in learning about Snow's background and about the first 50% of the book was hard for me to really get into but once we get back to District 12 I finally felt right at home. It was nice to see some origins and history and connections to Katniss. Overall, if you're a Hunger Games fan you might like this read.

5/5 stars







Blurb:

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Live Interview by Stacey Cochran with R. E. Carr and M. R. Pritchard

Morning Star by Pierce Brown

 I finally splurged and bought myself a copy of Morning Star, the third book in the Red Rising Trilogy. Wow. Wow wow wow wow. Brown blew this one out of the atmosphere. There are scenes from Red Rising that I will always love, but Morning Star takes the cake in this trilogy. Amazing. Awesome. Couldn't have been better.  Now what do I do with my life? Enter book hangover.

5/5 stars








The Blurb:
Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.

Finally, the time has come.

But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.