Title: The Priory of the Orange Tree: part 1
Author: Samantha Shannon
Editions : I read
Release date : February 3, 2021
Genre : fantasy
As in all fantasy novels, the authors of this genre, which is so entertaining but oh so complex to set up, have the task of making readers understand the functioning of a universe which has its own political-historical-religious context. And Samantha Shannon, the young 30-year-old author, has successfully completed the challenge!
The Priory of the Orange Tree tells us the story of a world made up of different kingdoms, but also of a queen. Ouch, what is that, we are already lost! For the more informed among you, you will have understood that the author introduces a feminist notion of size, namely that this State is headed by a woman, who must imperatively give birth to a daughter to ensure the lineage. The queen of Inys has lasted for a thousand years and its current queen, the 36th of the Berethnet dynasty, is called Sabran IX. According to legend, as long as the queen gives birth, peace will reign in the world as the Nameless, a destructive creature from the depths of the Earth, will remain asleep. But are they carabistouilles? Some states think so and venerate the Nameless, causing certain tensions more or less under control between peoples. But for how long ?
Indeed, the servants of the Nameless, hideous hybrid creatures, bloodthirsty and carriers of a deadly virus (the only element that brings us back to 2021!), Sow panic and chaos and embody the proof of the imminent return of the sleeping dangerous.
We will follow a plethora of characters who will gravitate from near or far, even from very far, around Sabran: Ead, a mysterious magician very protective; Truyde, a teenage girl with revolutionary ideas; Tané, a young sea guard accompanied by her dragon, or Niclays, an anatomist passionate about elixirs of youth. And like all good fantasy tales, everyone has a name to sleep in that you will need to memorize. At the same time, introducing us to Josiane the dragonfly or Lord Kevin, you will admit that it loses a little of its cachet.
In such a context at daggers drawn, Inys may have to consider improbable alliances, even if it means turning a blind eye to political and religious differences. But it will not be won with Sabran who, although at the head of a State of great importance, is a character with a rather obtuse character whose blinders on the rest of the world demonstrate a lack of knowledge, of openness to spirit or even intolerance. However, other characters, whose bravery and loyalty will move you, will catch up. And then there are the bad ones, who do their job well, disgusting at will.
Samantha Shannon offers us refreshing pages of fantasy and does not balk at any sensitive subject of our time, which reflects her desire to reject notions of racism and homophobia.
Although the reading is very fluid, the twists and turns are few, the first volume focusing mainly on depicting this imaginary world, its mythology and its characters. But it is to be expected that everything will get carried away in the second volume and that we will learn more about this famous Priory. You will have to take your troubles patiently to know the rest of the adventure, but the wait will be short since the second part, continuation and end, will be released on April 7. To your agendas!
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