I loved this excerpt and need more right now!!! The wait is killing me. I cannot really write a review based only on this small excerp but its a very promising start and hs me really intrigued. This is definitely my most anticipated read of 2019

I'm really glad I got a chance to get a little preview of this book. I haven't read any of the author's other books, although I've heard a lot about them. I've been hearing a lot about this title as well.

I have to say I found this to be a little overwhelming and info dumpy at first. A mix between long explanations and action with no explanation at all. While I'm not a huge fan of that, it's not that uncommon in huge fantasy novels. I realize you have to get the world established somehow. So, while I wasn't completely drawn in by it, I am still intrigued. This may not be at the very top of my tbr, but I'll still be keeping an eye out for its release.

Note: This review is based on an excerpt kindly provided by NetGalley.
This book was probably my most anticipated read of 2019 with the description alone: epic high fantasy with dragons and strong mostly female protagonists. I’ve been searching for an alternative to the male protagonist heavy Game of Thrones and LOTR series to adapt a reading curriculum for my older female students interested in fantasy.
I will reserve my opinion until I’ve given the book a chance in its entirety but given the excerpt I do have a few reservations that I hope will be cleared once the characters are developed further. Got to give credit though, that the promise of dragon protagonists, and the cliffhanger of the excerpt does much to forgive prior observations for fans of high fantasy. “Yes this may be problematic but DRAGONS!!!”
The largest concern is the thinly veiled East/West medieval era historical influence. (I mean it’s figuratively referred to as EAST and WEST.) The two cultures are pitted against one another from the start, and lack of cultural understanding and xenophobia are themes established from the beginning. That is all well and good if the two regions didn’t so clearly draw from European medieval history and non-specific prefeudal Japanese mythology. When GRR Martin did the same with European medival history he used it to justify problematic themes of rape culture and roles of women as it was “historically accurate” for what is supposed to be an entirely fantasy world. Though anti-feminist themes will clearly not be an issue in this book (the opposite actually, and thus YAY!), from the beginning, as the western characters are placed in the Eastern world there is the all too familiar “othering” of Eastern/Japanese culture. There is already an establishment of the lead Eastern protagonist and other Eastern characters being stereotypically reserved and respectful. The dragons wise and noble. Etc. The Western characters in the Eastern territory are bumbling and foolish, which comes across as overcompensation for fear of disrespect to real-life Eastern culture on the author’s behalf. This is a difficult line to walk as a Western author, but an obvious misstep that could easily be avoided by relying less on existing history and delving into an entirely original fantasy world. The detached 3rd person tone is great, and arguably necessary for epic fantasy on this scale, but is a double edged sword when in the context of the use and description of existing cultural histories with very real existing prejudices and stereotypes. Hopefully some of these issues will work themselves out to a degree with further character development as the story progresses.
What is readily to love about the tale is the breadth and pace of the world-building although character plot development can seem a bit mired down at times as details are sloooowly revealed. Undoubtedly the best parts are the promised dragon and female protagonists. Female characters are written into every possible role without fanfare or preciousness. Their top billing comes without uneeded explanation and is just fact, as every other popular epic fantasy work has done with male characters. From the excerpt, subjects such as inequality and misogyny begin to be addressed, again, without heavy handedness but not ignored or scrubbed clean under the guise of “fantasy”. This alone is a major achievement if Priory can hit the levels of popularity that its inevitable comparison, Game of Thrones has done.
The Priory, regardless of its flaws, seems it will hold a significant place in the epic fantasy genre that is sorely needed with its clear feminist voice. How it maneuvers the inevitable questions of cultural appropriation remain to be seen.
I, for one, cannot wait to read the rest, as Shannon does not hold back on her most important promise- DRAGONS :)

This excerpt has me hooked! THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE is now one of my most anticipated books of 2019. Samantha Shannon’s writing is vivid and unforgettable. Cannot wait for February (the book’s release date is near my birthday, so you can guess what I’ll be doing at that time!).

All I can say is i am EXTREMELY excited for the entire finished copy. What I did read I liked, and also that cover is unique and I love it and I need this book right now. Please.

I can’t wait for the full release of this epic! It will definitely be a page turner for sure! I love that it’s a stand alone novel so I don’t have to worry about getting the next books

I knew that I had to request this, when I saw the author. Shannon’s other series was intensely enjoyable and unlike any other stories I’ve come across. My only problem with this preview is that I have to wait almost three months before I find out what happens! The characters are compelling and richly drawn. Her prose is lyrical. I may need to reread The Bone Season trilogy to tide me over. Really hoping this will be a series as well. 5/5 stars for this sneak peek

Sadly this didn't really capture my attention. Many of the chapters felt so rushed, like we couldn't get some time to just settle into the world for a bit. I also think that the characters felt so distant and wooden that I couldn't connect with any of them. The descriptions of the dragons were cool and there could be some potential in the whole book itself. I just was expecting a lot more. I will try the finished copy in the future but this was a disappointment for me...

The Priory of the Orange Tree is an absolute masterpiece. Samantha Shannon is a fantastic writing from the first page. She has a talent to create very intricate worlds and characters with fascinating backstory that we get to read about, without her dumping all the information in one paragraph. The prose is beautiful and woven together to form a perfect sentence. I loved the introduction to the three of our four narrators, Tané, Ead, and Niclays. They were all strong willed and ambitions and motives they wanted to achieve. Even in this 100 page excerpt of a nearly 900 page book, I already know so much, and I cannot wait to read the rest. Shannon is definitely one of the best writers of our time, and I hope she will continue to receive the praise she deserves.

I am very excited to see where this book takes me! The excerpt that I’ve read has me itching to get my hands on a physical copy to find out what happens!

This expert was amazing. I enjoyed the world building and as someone who reads a LOT of fantasy stories this one was a great start. I think it is a new idea on fantasy but that isn’t surprising since Ms. Shannon’s previous books have been great additions to the fantasy genre.

Excellent excerpt! Has made me even more excited for the release of the full novel. (I won't be publishing a full review of this as it's only an excerpt)

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a classic fantasy epic, mixing the complications of competing governments and stringent court life with mystical dragons and a fascinating mythology. We follow multiple characters as their lives begin to converge, mashing warring cultures together as the world changes around them. Political intrigue abounds, pulling you into the drama of court life and the dangers of trying to rule a country where conspiracies are brewing.

Our lead characters come from different backgrounds, one on her way to becoming a noble warrior, one sitting at the hand of a mighty Queen. We also follow an old alchemist no longer in good graces and a young Lord bent on saving his country from dark deeds. Together, they weave a tale packed with magic, religion, and a fierce race of giant dragons. These beasts are beautifully imagined, with their sheer size and beauty on display. If you’re looking for a fantasy tale that promises a world of wonder, adventure, and danger, this is it.

I've had The Priory of the Orange Tree on my to read list ever since I saw its gorgeous orange cover. Also, when I saw that Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season, was writing this epic tome of a fantasy novel, I was also instantly drawn in. I don't tend to read epic fantasy tomes à la G.R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, etc. (a.k.a. written by men), but ones written by women: that's another story! (Sorry guys.) Especially ones written by women who are closer to my age.

Shannon's The Bones Season was not without its problems for me. While it pulled me in instantly with its fairly unique world and characters (I read it really fast, having to know what was going to happen), the writing style left a lot to be desired (i.e., info dumps galore). But, as it was Shannon's debut, I could forgive her. Thus, I've been reluctant to preorder The Priory of the Orange Tree, because I wasn't sure I was going to like it.

After reading this excerpt, however, of the first six chapters of The Priory of the Orange Tree, I know that I'm going to want to read it when it comes out next year. (Hint to publishers: keep giving me excerpts. I'm more likely to preorder/buy/take out from my library/read a book, especially from an author I'm not familiar with, if I am provided with an excerpt.)

The world is intriguing, split between a Western European-like civilization and an Eastern Asian-like civilization (at least, that's how I interpreted the excerpt I read). I'm already invested in what happens to the characters, especially Ead. And I want to know more about the dragons. Shannon's writing has also improved. The info dumps are less info dumps and more seamlessly woven into the text. One reviewer pointed out the over use of passive voice, which I usually catch right away, but didn't as I read this excerpt. Somehow I slipped into Shannon's world without paying nearly as much attention to her writing style as I typically do when I read, which is a good sign.

This is definitely going to be a slow, plodding, build-up sort of a book, which is what I expect of a massive fantasy tome. But it is refreshing that it's not the typical male, D&D-style, adventure story. It's about a Queendom after all! And did I mention dragons? I love dragons.

Wow! I am so excited for this to release! From the minute it started I was captured into the story! This will be another hit for Samantha!

I said this on the other excerpt, but I'm so incredibly excited for this book release! These extracts are making me wish my book could come faster.

This sample made me even more excited to read the book! I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love The Bone Season series, and this looks like it's going to be just as amazing.

Fascinating opening -- I didn't read the whole excerpt, as I hate getting cut off right when I get to a good bit. I'll be buying this one, though. The book I was reading was not what I was expecting from the title!

I love Samantha Shannon's Bone Season Books and the world she creates. The Priory of the Orange Tree is another amazing world. While this world is based in a world of dragons rather than magic it has all the hallmarks that make Bone Season great. An amazing cast of characters and a totally believable, fleshed out world. I can't wait to read all of this massive book!

I really enjoyed this excerpt and am sad that’s all it is! I am fascinated by the variety of creatures - dragons, wyverns, wyrms - and enjoyed the complexity of the several strong, driven, female characters. I am intrigued by the world-building and the concept of how one religion views a “deity” as a damsel in need of saving and the other views her as the savior herself. The only detriment for me was that I felt that there were so many characters and I had difficulty keeping track of who was who. Overall, I cannot wait to read it in its entirety.