Samantha Shannon

The stunning, standalone prequel to the New York Times bestselling “The Priory of the Orange Tree”.

Tunuva Melim is a sister of the Priory. For fifty years, she has trained to slay wyrms – but none have appeared since the Nameless One, and the younger generation is starting to question the Priory's purpose.

To the north, in the Queendom of Inys, Sabran the Ambitious has married the new King of Hróth, narrowly saving both realms from ruin. Their daughter, Glorian, trails in their shadow – exactly where she wants to be.

The dragons of the East have slept for centuries. Dumai has spent her life in a Seiikinese mountain temple, trying to wake the gods from their long slumber. Now someone from her mother's past is coming to upend her fate.

When the Dreadmount erupts, bringing with it an age of terror and violence, these women must find the strength to protect humankind from a devastating threat.

Intricate and epic, Samantha Shannon sweeps readers back to the world of “A Priory of the Orange Tree”, showing us a course of events that shaped it for generations to come.

A Day of Fallen Night

Wulf could hear no more. He grasped her by her hands, and he said, “Lie with me.”

When she took him inside her, he breathed her name like a prayer, as he always did.

Wulf wondered what poor bastard had ever pissed lilac. 

“I’m not your enemy. Not unless you give me reason.” 

Nikeya sank up to her collarbone, all her dark hair fanning around her. Against her will, Dumai imagined winding her fingers through it. 

“Not as much as you might think,” Kanifa said, with a faint smile, “else I might have stopped loving you long ago.”

Sophia 

“Live, Wulfert Glenn, my dearest friend. I will see you in Halgalant.”

She wheeled her horse, and charged to war. 

Glorian took hold of her ibelly with both hands. I see now, she thought. I see now, Papa. All those who give life are wariors.

She felt a sudden, desperate fury. Her heart pounded not only with feat, but overwhelming frustration. If she could do this, the price to Inys would be paid. Her body would be hers at last, as it had never been. She moved from the pallet to the floor, lifeward. 

“Glorian, what are you doing?” Florell asked as she shifted on to her knees, hands braced on the floor. 

 “I am Queen of Inys,” Glorian ground out. “Even I kneel before the Saint.”She reached back, panting. 'Hold me. Helisent, Florell, help me.’

A warrior posesses her own body, she had once told her father. Inys has mine. She had to possess her own body in this moment– for Sabran, and for Inys.

Ninuru looked to Wulf, who was staring at her in amazement 

She had not understood her feelings. Not then. She had tucked that morning and that sweet kiss away, to cherish only in secret, in darkness- but from then on, her senses were sharp around women. A sharpening not like the tip of a blade, but like music soaring to the height of its power, or an unexpected chill, making her breath catch and her skin awaken. Some women left her with the thought that everything was new and bright.

‘It feels like so long since then,’ she said. 'My mother told me we are all like roses. I always thought it means that we opened our petals, took our true form, and gradually withered. But perhaps we never stop growing. If women are flowers, we are not roses, but day's eyes -blooming not once, but over and over, each time the light touches us.’

"Thank you. May the Saint keep you, Wulf.”

Glorian turned very still. “That was what the wyrm called me.”

 She looked back at him, and he saw Hróth awaken in her, iron and ice. 

Ummmmmmmm. This might be up there with “I may not be your queen, but I am yours” from POTOT. You just don’t get romance like this in actual romance books LMAO 

Cloudface

“I had a dream,” Nikeya whispered, “that you were still a godsinger, and I was your shrine."

 I had the same dream, Dumai wanted to say.

Her Imperial Majesty - she who is bestarred and moonlit, rightful Empress of the Twelve Lakes - is pleased to welcome you into her palace. 

DUMAI. WHY ARE YOU JUST NOW SHOWING THIS TO FURTIA? HELLO???

At least there was the stone, tucked into her glove. It was all she had to show for her journeying. Great one, Dumai said, touching Furtia, who cracked one huge eye open. Do you know what this is?

In Drouthwick Castle, Glorian Berethnet woke from a strange dream. At her side, Lady Florell Glade cooled her forehead, which had been too cold a moment before. 

“Glorian?” As Florell stroked her hair, Glorian opened her eyes. 

After, she would not remember saying it at all. 

‘A Prioress must do more than listen. She must not only look, but see,' Saghul said. ‘If all of us are flames, Esbar is the flame at the head of an arrow. So long as she found her mark, she would miss the world catching fire in her wake. That unswerving nature is both her great strength, and her weakness.’ She laid down her knife. ‘You saw what Hidat needed, even if she never told you. You did the same for Siyu, as you always have. You are the flame that warms, Tunuva Melim. The flame that seals a wound.’ 

Still she sat upon it proudly, hands clasped on her stomach. Her face, mostly brown, was dappled with pallor, which also flecked her fingertips and formed a tilted crescent on her throat. Deep lines were carved across her brow. Tunuva envied such discernible wisdom - when every year could be read on the skin, laid out like the rings of growth in a tree. 

Rachel Livingston

The dead whisper through the crash of the waves. Sometimes, they may even choose to return to us - we, who are left on the shore.

Tunuva thinking of Wulf/Armul after he leaves the Priory. 

She would always carry the pain of his loss, even if its weight was lighter. It was hers to throw like clay on a wheel, to be turned and worked and smoothed into a shape she might one day be able to hold within herself. 

Ritukyu believed the forest was haunted by those whose remains had not reached the sea. Like many from the region, he refused to leave the camp after dusk. Dumai lacked his fear, but night did bestrange the stillness beyond where the silence was so deep and empty not even the wind could break it. She walked between the towering pines, a lantern held in front of her. 

Perhaps her father lingered here, waiting for her to redress his murder. 

Kanifa would not be among these ghosts. He had lost his life a long way from their island. She prayed her friend was content with his fate, his spirit rooted to a mountain - but sometimes, when her courage failed, she wished he would find his way back to her. 

Cici Pearson

‘It feels like so long since then,’ she said. ‘My mother told me we are all like roses. I always thought it means that we opened our petals, took our true form, and gradually withered. But perhaps we never stop growing. If women are flowers, we are not roses, but day's eyes- blooming not once, but over and over, each time the light touches us.' 

britt

i got a wee bit bored in the third act but it was a slay. luv glorian, tunuva, and dumai with all my heart.

Standalone prequel to “The Priory of the Orange Tree”
Tunuva Melim is a sister of the Priory. For fifty years, she has trained to slay wyrms - but none have appeared since the Nameless One, and the younger generation is starting to question the Priory's purpose. To the north, in the Queendom of Inys, Sabran the Ambitious has married the new King of Hróth, narrowly saving both realms from ruin. Their daughter, Glorian, trails in their shadow - exactly where she wants to be. The dragons of the East have slept for centuries. Dumai has spent her life in a Seiikinese mountain temple, trying to wake the gods from their long slumber. Now someone from her mother's past is coming to upend her fate. When the Dreadmount erupts, bringing with it an age of terror and violence, these women must find the strength to protect humankind from a devastating threat. Intricate and epic, A Day of Fallen Night sweeps readers back to the world of A Priory of the Orange Tree, showing us a course of events that shaped it for generations to come.

“I know whose bone and blood I am. I am the chosen of the Saint, the fruit of his unending vine, the iron of the eversnow. I am the daughter of Sabran the Ambitious and the Hammer of the North, and I will rule this realm without fear. My reign will be remembered for centuries to come.”
---------------------------------

I am in love with this series.
In. Love.

Both books in the series so far have completely swept me away and had me turning pages breathless, and that is saying something considering how chonky and long they actually are. 

As in the first one, this prequel also moves along multiple POVs, each enticing, detailed, and unique in its own way. The world, the dynamics, and the characters are set up masterfully that it is even more satisfying to witness the pieces finally coming together across the board. I completely stand by my first reaction, which was along the lines of “Game of Thrones, but written by a woman (and therefore better).”
However, as cleverly linked as the two books are, they also work great on their own. It doesn’t matter whether you pick them up on chronological or release order, both would be a great reading experience in my opinion. Just really well done.

I do hope the series will continue, as the second book has not disappointed when it comes to action, originality and quality. I need more of these stories.

I can confidently say that The Roots of Chaos has become solid favorites for me in the epic fantasy genre. Much much recommended if you enjoy high fantasy.

I preferred Priory and it's characters but this was still so good. The start is a bit slow but once I got through it I couldn't put it down

Rose Donovan

Loved returning to the world of Priory of the Orange Tree, and didn't want it to end. This series is now a favorite!

Ronda Isaacson

Mila Challenger

THIS BOOK 
IS SO GOOD
The way this book is honestly one of the most gripping things I have ever read in my life-
Ok spoiler free review- this is pure incentive to read this book.
1) THE CHARACTERS
In a very general sense, the diversity between the povs and the mcs is genuinely one of the things that I loved the most. I genuinely felt so attached to all of them, something that has barely happened to me in my recent reads.
My favourite character by far had to be Tunuva- her personality was literally glorious as well as her backstory. To have one of the povs not be a classic 16/17 year old chosen one was actually so refreshing, and her relationships with Esbar and Siyu are so beautifully written. 

2) THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS 
HOW CAN PEOPLE SEEM SO REAL?
I loved how this seemed to be an epic story of legend but completely subverted that by having characters who genuinely did have flaws and made honest mistakes, but which clearly sets up the world and the glorifies figures of old which are so revered in Priory.

3) THE WORLDBUILDING 
I am on my KNEES for Samantha Shannon’s worldbuilding. 
Genuinely.
That scene where all the characters (apart from a couple) happen to be in the same place and you realise none of them can understand each other because LITERALLY NONE OF THEM SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE?
GLORIOUS.
The cultures and the countries are so intricately woven and learning about the religious lore as well as the geopolitical plot was an absolute pleasure.

THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE.
I recommend it to any fans of Priory, for those who love a great (albeit long) read and tragically magnificent characters and lore.

altlovesbooks

"to hold the risen fire at bay
until the night descends"

How do you make a sequel to something intended as a stand-alone novel? Fans of the series demanded a new book, but things were fairly contained within Priory of the Orange Tree, so how do you square the circle? I quite like the author’s approach here; rather than making a direct sequel to the events of the first book, she marched 500 years into the past and created another stand-alone. Fans get their sequel, there’s no expectations to live up to, and you can continue building out the (extensive) lore you introduced in the first book. A win all around, that I think the author knocked out of the park to boot.

There be spoilers here after this point. 

(view spoiler)[Despite being an all-new cast of characters, there’s just enough familiarity here to hit the ground running with the (many) different viewpoints. Glorian, daughter of Sabran the Ambitious and King Bardholt of Hróth, is having a hard time finding her feet and her place within the role forced upon her. All her life she had her own ideas of how she wanted to live her life, but the older she grows, the more she realizes that duty comes before all else in the Queendom of Inys. Over at the Priory, we’re introduced to Tunuva and Esbar, sisters training to slay wyrms that haven’t appeared in generations. Discontent is rumbling through the Priory as some younger sisters start questioning why the Order still exists. When Siyu escapes the stifling confines of the Priory, Tunuva is sent to bring her home, but her return brings unwelcome change to the Priory. Finally, in Seiiki, Dumai of Ipyeda is a godsinger at the High Temple of Kwiriki, daughter of Unora of Afa, and heir of more than she knows. When her family comes knocking, she’s compelled to leave the mountain home she knows and loves in order to serve the kingdom. But as the world starts to tremble, it is her godsinger heritage that ultimately calls her to duty in service of the sea dragon Furtia. 

The scope of this book is quite a bit larger than Priory of the Orange Tree I think. Lots more places, tons of minor characters and references, but not to the point where I felt overwhelmed and lost. I think reading Priory of the Orange Tree first gave me the structure I needed to be able to sort through everything thrown at me here. There’s quite a bit more politics in this one as well, particularly in the Inys sections, but I’m such a sucker for grand political fantasy that I loved it all. It has a bit of a slow start, and I was starting to wonder where things were headed initially, but about a third of the way through things start ramping up quickly and I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was incredibly satisfying as well, and while a lot was happening at once, it didn’t have the same frantic feel as I thought Priory of the Orange Tree had at the end.  (hide spoiler)]

I hope the author decides to do more stand-alone books within this universe, because I thought this one was fantastic. Everything had a purpose, the writing was excellent, and I loved basically everything about it. Great fantasy, great work.

I am still so in awe of the world building in this series. I think this book was so much better than the first, but that very well could be due to me already knowing and loving the world Samantha Shannon created. I cannot describe how refreshing it is to dive headfirst into a fantasy series that is so inclusive - and this book even more than the last. This series is worth the read, without a doubt. Finishing this makes me want to skim through the first book again! 

Tess Martinez

I have such a deep love for these books. Shannon writes so beautifully. I think the value in this story is the characters and their interactions with each other, and getting that first hand account of the lore that is shared throughout Priory of the Orange Tree. This book is for people who want the gritty details, who are curious about the journey even if they already know how the story ends. 

Alli

A fantastic read again. Such a detailed world that sweeps you away. 

Alissa 

Just as good as Priory of the Orange Tree. Made me feel all the feelings. This is what high fantasy is to me, despair and hope rolled into one. Highly recommend.

Kiersten Hepditch

despite eagerly waiting to read this book, i actually didn't read the summary before purchasing. after reading priory of the orange tree last year, all i wanted was an extension of the world samantha shannon created and hoped to sit with it, regardless of where it would take the story. i was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with the ancestors from priory, all of which existed almost half a century prior to their existence. a day of fallen night was honestly so difficult to put down? i don't remember the last time i was this eager to continue reading something and actually have it linger in my mind when i wasn't able to have time to sit down and read. one of my gripes with priory is that the narrative voices felt weak, but here the characters whose voices were used to tell the story were much clearer. it made the book feel it has more intent and direction, which also helped to build the tension better—something priory had difficulty establishing.

the threads of subplots happening were really interesting, too. and it felt like a more intimate look at the world-building because there was more intrigue embedded in the plot. it essentially is a story about a quest to find out how to vanquish evil, but strung within the heart of the story were questions surrounding purpose, identity, notions of truth/myth and the will of each characters in deciding how they would take their fate. shannon explored the many facets of these things through her characters and it was heartfelt in such that her characters carried dimension to body the story. and honestly... i had some moments where i did want to tear up a little because shannon made it a point to focus on family in the story, too. whether by blood or by choice, it resonated a lot especially when they had each other to lean on in times of grief and despair.

while i do think shannon was able to execute such a long-winded narrative pretty well, there were some parts where it felt like the pacing was sputtering a bit? it made sense to include these parts, but it did slow down the action a bit and made it confusing to read about. especially the part where canthe/kalyba is concerned, as her role of a powerful witch makes it so convenient for her to overpower everyone that it became a bit... boring to read her parts when her true motivations weren't explored or revealed anyway.

but overall, it was an absorbing and captivating read! i do love high fantasy epics and samantha shannon delivers well. really hoping for that Other prequel with the cleolind-neporo-kalyba prequel a few years from now, if not a sequel to priory itself. i would like to see how generations farther down the line deal with the cyclicality of such destruction and deal with the fragile balance of earthly and heavenly presences amidst in their lands.

gabi

despite eagerly waiting to read this book, i actually didn't read the summary before purchasing. after reading priory of the orange tree last year, all i wanted was an extension of the world samantha shannon created and hoped to sit with it, regardless of where it would take the story. i was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with the ancestors from priory, all of which existed almost half a century prior to their existence. a day of fallen night was honestly so difficult to put down? i don't remember the last time i was this eager to continue reading something and actually have it linger in my mind when i wasn't able to have time to sit down and read. one of my gripes with priory is that the narrative voices felt weak, but here the characters whose voices were used to tell the story were much clearer. it made the book feel it has more intent and direction, which also helped to build the tension better—something priory had difficulty establishing.

the threads of subplots happening were really interesting, too. and it felt like a more intimate look at the world-building because there was more intrigue embedded in the plot. it essentially is a story about a quest to find out how to vanquish evil, but strung within the heart of the story were questions surrounding purpose, identity, notions of truth/myth and the will of each characters in deciding how they would take their fate. shannon explored the many facets of these things through her characters and it was heartfelt in such that her characters carried dimension to body the story. and honestly... i had some moments where i did want to tear up a little because shannon made it a point to focus on family in the story, too. whether by blood or by choice, it resonated a lot especially when they had each other to lean on in times of grief and despair.

while i do think shannon was able to execute such a long-winded narrative pretty well, there were some parts where it felt like the pacing was sputtering a bit? it made sense to include these parts, but it did slow down the action a bit and made it confusing to read about. especially the part where canthe/kalyba is concerned, as her role of a powerful witch makes it so convenient for her to overpower everyone that it became a bit... boring to read her parts when her true motivations weren't explored or revealed anyway.

but overall, it was an absorbing and captivating read! i do love high fantasy epics and samantha shannon delivers well. really hoping for that Other prequel with the cleolind-neporo-kalyba prequel a few years from now, if not a sequel to priory itself. i would like to see how generations farther down the line deal with the cyclicality of such destruction and deal with the fragile balance of earthly and heavenly presences amidst in their lands.

I don’t have the proper words or writing talent to fully express how much I loved this book. I think I loved it even more, having already read The Priory, because I was able to dive into the story right from the start. It was such a treat to fall right back into this world again. It was incredible to experience this world from the perspective of a prequel. I am in love with these new characters. Shannon writes Queer characters in such a heartfelt way - it makes me so happy. And I especially appreciate the older characters in this book, and the way in which older women are described. Rich, vibrant, vast worlds and societies. There were many tears shed through reading this. 

I’m a little torn on how to review this book. Is it fair to compare it to Priory of the Orange Tree when the author has stated it’s a standalone book? I honestly can’t imagine anyone picking this book up without having read (or intending to read) Priory first. That being said, I do think this book stands on its own, but there are many little details that feel more significant when you’ve read Priory. 

I’ll start with the things I liked. I liked all of the POV characters, and there was never one that I wanted to skip. I felt equally invested in each story, which is a rare thing in fantasy with multiple POVs. My favorite was Tunuva, and Dumai was a close second. 

I liked that we got to learn more about the world beyond Inys, especially in Seiiki. However, some bits of world building felt a little weak (e.g. saying a character had their hair in a “Lacustrine” style, and then not explaining what that style is). 

I really enjoyed seeing more of “Canthe” in this book and the development she got as a character. 

The POV characters never really came together like in Priory, so in the end it felt like I was reading 2-3 different books with parallel stories. Also, because there was a worldwide event happening, every character had to spend a chapter realizing and reacting to what was going on, which left me anxious for the plot to advance. 

Many of the fantastical events in the book felt like they would have happened regardless of the characters’ actions, so all they had to do was survive until the conflict was resolved on its own. 

Finally, the story of this book felt very similar to Priory’s. It felt like a remix with a different cast of characters rather than a whole new story. I was a little bored near the end because I knew, from reading Priory, how things would shake out. 

Ultimately, I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the last. It had an anticlimactic ending, but there were some great moments and characters that made me enjoy the book overall. But it absolutely did not need to be 800 pages long, and I wish it had been unique enough to feel like a fresh new adventure. 

I’m a little torn on how to review this book. Is it fair to compare it to Priory of the Orange Tree when the author has stated it’s a standalone book? I honestly can’t imagine anyone picking this book up without having read (or intending to read) Priory first. That being said, I do think this book stands on its own, but there are many little details that feel more significant when you’ve read Priory. 
I’ll start with the things I liked. I liked all of the POV characters, and there was never one that I wanted to skip. I felt equally invested in each story, which is a rare thing in fantasy with multiple POVs. My favorite was Tunuva, and Dumai was a close second. 
I liked that we got to learn more about the world beyond Inys, especially in Seiiki. However, some bits of world building felt a little weak (e.g. saying a character had their hair in a “Lacustrine” style, and then not explaining what that style is). 
I really enjoyed seeing more of “Canthe” in this book and the development she got as a character. 
Now for the things I didn’t like:
The POV characters never really came together like in Priory, so in the end it felt like I was reading 2-3 different books with parallel stories. Also, because there was a worldwide event happening, every character had to spend a chapter realizing and reacting to what was going on, which left me anxious for the plot to advance. 
Many of the fantastical events in the book felt like they would have happened regardless of the characters’ actions, so all they had to do was survive until the conflict was resolved on its own. 
Finally, the story of this book felt very similar to Priory’s. It felt like a remix with a different cast of characters rather than a whole new story. I was a little bored near the end because I knew, from reading Priory, how things would shake out. 
Ultimately, I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the last. It had an anticlimactic ending, but there were some great moments and characters that made me enjoy the book overall. But it absolutely did not need to be 800 pages long, and I wish it had been unique enough to feel like a fresh new adventure. 

This review contains unpopular opinions. 

I can’t remember the last time I read such a thick book. Shannon knows how to build a world and entice her readers just enough to keep them hooked. The first half to two-thirds were slow going, but it was very satisfying to watch all the characters finally come together and finish an 800 plus page tome. The ending is hard to describe because it wasn’t exactly anti-climactic, but it also made me ask the question, “What was the point?” It took a great celestial event to resolve the conflict, and the only thing the characters did after all their searching to find that answer was to keep as much death at bay as possible. Other than that, they had very little to do with the outcome. I understand this book is a prequel to another novel that’s already been published, but I think I still expected more input from the characters. I cared about their fates, their heartaches, their joys, but I feel like unless I read the next book I won’t be 100 percent happy. I’m not ready to invest in that many pages until I get feedback from someone else who’s read both. The maps were helpful, I sometimes looked at the index, but there are some details that are still fuzzy in my mind. A pronunciation guide would’ve been appreciated too. Much as I admire Shannon’s world building and refrain from info dumping, a little more detail would’ve been helpful. I can appreciate that there was a character with a name similar to mine! My overall feelings towards this book can be summed up into a plain cheeseburger, satisfying but not very exciting. I do plan on gifting this to Sarah since it’s on her TBR and she’s read its sequel.

Adelia French

This review contains unpopular opinions. 

I can’t remember the last time I read such a thick book. Shannon knows how to build a world and entice her readers just enough to keep them hooked. The first half to two-thirds were slow going, but it was very satisfying to watch all the characters finally come together and finish an 800 plus page tome. The ending is hard to describe because it wasn’t exactly anti-climactic, but it also made me ask the question, “What was the point?” It took a great celestial event to resolve the conflict, and the only thing the characters did after all their searching to find that answer was to keep as much death at bay as possible. Other than that, they had very little to do with the outcome. I understand this book is a prequel to another novel that’s already been published, but I think I still expected more input from the characters. I cared about their fates, their heartaches, their joys, but I feel like unless I read the next book I won’t be 100 percent happy. I’m not ready to invest in that many pages until I get feedback from someone else who’s read both. The maps were helpful, I sometimes looked at the index, but there are some details that are still fuzzy in my mind. A pronunciation guide would’ve been appreciated too. Much as I admire Shannon’s world building and refrain from info dumping, a little more detail would’ve been helpful. I can appreciate that there was a character with a name similar to mine! My overall feelings towards this book can be summed up into a plain cheeseburger, satisfying but not very exciting. I do plan on gifting this to Sarah since it’s on her TBR and she’s read its sequel.

Amazing. I didn't think it could get better than the priory but it did and it's got even more queer rep. Absolutely loved it! 

marissa 

Immaculate world building. Absolutely loved getting to return to the world that I discovered in Priory. So much amazing queer representation, romance, adventure, high stakes end-of-the-world doom.

The only thing stopping me from giving it 5/5 is that I didn’t feel as attached to the characters this time. In Priory I felt both attached to the world AND the characters, but this book felt more dense, and broader in scope, so at times I was trying to keep everyone and everything straight. 

Rachael Bahr

Immaculate world building. Absolutely loved getting to return to the world that I discovered in Priory. So much amazing queer representation, romance, adventure, high stakes end-of-the-world doom.

The only thing stopping me from giving it 5/5 is that I didn’t feel as attached to the characters this time. In Priory I felt both attached to the world AND the characters, but this book felt more dense, and broader in scope, so at times I was trying to keep everyone and everything straight. 

This book was INCREDIBLE! I didn’t think I could love an epic fantasy as much as priory but this book was unreal! So intense, characters were so real, my heart ached for them so many times, the emotion was unreal, this book was simply epic! I was on the edge of my seat, the LGBTQ representation was unparalleled. This book was just unforgettable 

Kira Louise Williams

now that’s what i call literature baybee!!!!

Floofyflower

i was apprehensive to read a day of fallen night as priory was my favourite book that i read last year (and probably ever) and i was scared that this wasn’t going to live up to my expectations or tarnish my love of the world and the characters </3. i didn’t need to worry at all, i thought priory was perfect but somehow adofn is even more perfect. the world feels so much more expansive and alive, the characters are deeper and more complex, as are the relationships, the setting, the history. in priory there were a few times when i was reading quickly through one pov to get to the next and find out what was going to happen, but adofn’s pace is done so well that i was equally intrigued for each of the characters. it was so fun reading and knowing how things slot into place 5000 years in the future, and how the choices that the characters make in adofn effect the choices characters make in priory. i cried so many times .. the whole book is so bittersweet & beautiful & i can’t wait to read it again :,)

Taylor

I read this in a week lmao and now I have to reread Priory. Samantha Shannon supremacy!!! 

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Wonko the Sane

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is a prequel to the wildly popular The Priory of the Orange Tree. This, naturally, will lead to comparisons. I loved Priory and felt it deserved the five stars I gave it, but that doesn’t mean I thought it was a perfect book. There were pacing issues, especially in the final third, and it suffered from a lack of complexity. With regards to both of these issues, A Day of Fallen Night represents a marked improvement in Samantha Shannon’s writing.

The events of this book cover the period of fictional history known as The Grief of Ages, taking place approximately 500 years before the events of The Priory of the Orange Tree. Naturally, the characters we know from that book have yet to be born, but we spend time with their ancestors, and other characters who were mentioned in the text of Priory and the appendix.

If you have read The Priory of the Orange Tree and enjoyed it, this book will probably already be on your radar. If you haven’t read it, I’m going to make the perhaps controversial recommendation to not pick it up yet. Read this book first. The events described in this book are important to the history and mythology of the world, and casual references to them in Priory will actually reveal the bones of the story to you in advance. Obviously there is more to any story than the broad strokes, but I feel you will enjoy this book more if you either haven’t read or have forgotten the finer details revealed in Priory.

Much like Priory, this story is structured with shifting POVs spanning the whole world (including North this time.) The characters give us a range of perspectives: Eastern and Western royalty, Southern mage, and Northern knight. As with Priory, the connections between these POV characters are gradually revealed, and they all intertwine to a greater or lesser extent as the story progresses. 

The plot is more complex this time around, with more focus on the politics of each nation, including commentary on the way women have historically been treated in dynastic marriages (I’m sure the real world parallels about forced birth and women’s control over their own bodies will not be lost on anyone reading this when it comes out in 2023.) There is also some commentary on those who try to cling on to power at any cost while the world is literally on fire.

With regards to pacing, Shannon has crafted a longer, more complex, and yet tighter story this time around. Some time is glossed over in the final quarter, but overall I think she got the balance right.

“But what about the romance?” I hear you cry. If you’re anything like me, the slow burn sapphic love story in Priory was your favourite thing about it. I think it’s a testament to the strength of the rest of the story that the two (count ‘em) sapphic romances in this book weren’t my favourite part of the story, but I still loved them. I won’t spoil which characters are involved, it’ll be more fun for you to find out for yourself, but both romances have an arc and are extremely satisfying. And let me say, the sheer amount of queer representation in this book is absolutely epic.

Overall, I enjoyed this book hugely. I even gave up sleep to keep reading it, which is a big deal for me. It’s a chonky beast (even longer than Priory) but very much worth it.

A Day of Fallen Night will release on February 28th 2023.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Day of Fallen Night is set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, covering four years, through four different countries. While there was only four principle narrators, the book contains a whole host of characters that can feel a little overwhelming in the beginning. However, seeing how all these characters connect together, as well as connect to the characters we have grown to love from A Priory of the Orange Tree is incredible.

The events from this novel really helps to shape the future we read about in The Priory of the Orange Tree, which was really fascinating to read and connects the two books together wonderfully, despite the big time gap.

The power given to women within this world is so refreshing and heartwarming. They are all strong and courageous, even when faced with great adversity and many trials.

Samantha Shannon is a masterful writer, with soaring words and cliffhanger chapter endings which just made it unable to stop reading. She is a storytelling genius, and I cannot wait to see where she takes us next within this world shes created.

Victoria Justice

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Day of Fallen Night is set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, covering four years, through four different countries. While there was only four principle narrators, the book contains a whole host of characters that can feel a little overwhelming in the beginning. However, seeing how all these characters connect together, as well as connect to the characters we have grown to love from A Priory of the Orange Tree is incredible.

The events from this novel really helps to shape the future we read about in The Priory of the Orange Tree, which was really fascinating to read and connects the two books together wonderfully, despite the big time gap.

The power given to women within this world is so refreshing and heartwarming. They are all strong and courageous, even when faced with great adversity and many trials.

Samantha Shannon is a masterful writer, with soaring words and cliffhanger chapter endings which just made it unable to stop reading. She is a storytelling genius, and I cannot wait to see where she takes us next within this world shes created.

Samantha Shannon is a storytelling genius. This is a deeply complex high fantasy with multiple different characters to follow as they go through this adventure. It definitely took me a while to fall into familiarity of who was who and what was where, but once I did, this hit every epic fantasy box you could want!

The last 100 pages were so amazing, I love the big climax points in books like this and A Day of Fallen Night did not disappoint. The way these character’s paths wove together left me with goosebumps and the cliffhanger chapter ends left me unable to stop reading at times. 

The role of women in this world is fantastic. They are the warriors. They are strong and respected and they are the saviours and I love that. There is still certainly struggles from women and it isn’t easy to see what they have to go through, but I love the powerhouse female protagonists we get in this book. 

I’ll probably have a lot more to say once I let this book sit for a moment but wow. What a reading experience! 

Beth Bartholomew

[review copy]

Samantha Shannon is a storytelling genius. This is a deeply complex high fantasy with multiple different characters to follow as they go through this adventure. It definitely took me a while to fall into familiarity of who was who and what was where, but once I did, this hit every epic fantasy box you could want!

The last 100 pages were so amazing, I love the big climax points in books like this and A Day of Fallen Night did not disappoint. The way these character’s paths wove together left me with goosebumps and the cliffhanger chapter ends left me unable to stop reading at times. 

The role of women in this world is fantastic. They are the warriors. They are strong and respected and they are the saviours and I love that. There is still certainly struggles from women and it isn’t easy to see what they have to go through, but I love the powerhouse female protagonists we get in this book. 

I’ll probably have a lot more to say once I let this book sit for a moment but wow. What a reading experience! 

A Day of Fallen Night

Reviews

Highlights