The Priory of the Orange Tree

Published in 2019, The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon is an epic high fantasy novel set in a fictional universe in which dragons are real and female rulers are the norm. The novel is notable for its subversion of the medieval fantasy genre, as well as its queer and feminist themes. The densely plotted novel spans several continents to tell the story of a divided world threatened by the return of an ancient enemy. To vanquish this enemy, the various regions of the world must cast aside their differences and come together, heroes must retrieve lost magical artifacts, and people must question all known truths. Inspired by the folklore and mythology of Europe, Japan, and China, the novel’s key themes are the redemptive power of love and the importance of feminist and queer retelling of stories. Critically acclaimed for its rich world-building and progressive themes, the book was a New York Times bestseller in the epic fantasy genre in 2019. A prequel to the novel, A Day of Fallen Night, was released in 2023. This study guide follows the Bloomsbury UK 2021 edition.

Born in London in 1991, Samantha Shannon is a writer of futuristic and fantasy fiction.