samantha shannon the priory of the orange tree

Shannon attempts to connect various locations, characters, and wars in one chronological plotline, but keeping the piece chronological requires awkward jumps in time and location. “A Day of Fallen Night” suffers from a disjointed flow that makes following its characters confusing. However, the pacing within this standalone novel isn’t perfect. Its end vaguely hints at the events of “Priory,” but understanding the novel doesn’t hinge upon familiarity with the plot of “Priory.”

Shannon establishes a new cast of characters, unique threats, and a sweeping plotline within the 850 pages of “Fallen Night.” While some might be daunted by the book’s length, it is refreshing that “Fallen Night” is a truly self-contained novel. “A Day of Fallen Night” may take place in the same world as “The Priory of the Orange Tree,” but it stands by itself. “A Day of Fallen Night” sometimes struggles with the magnitude of its scope, but above all it is a striking, women-led addition to the world of modern epic fantasy. Yet they are united through their devotion to their loved ones and quests to hunt down the demonic wyrms which threaten their world. “A Day of Fallen Night,” a striking standalone prequel to “Priory,” interweaves the stories of three women - Tunuva, Glorian, and Dumai - from three wildly different fantastical cultures. In her newest novel, “A Day of Fallen Night,” Shannon has yet again invited us to eat of the not-so-forbidden magic fruit. Samantha Shannon’s best-selling novel “The Priory of the Orange Tree” brought readers into a world where magic lies hidden in the fruit of the earth.

Samantha shannon the priory of the orange tree