The Priory of the Orange Tree

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a standalone epic fantasy that centers on a world divided by conflicting beliefs about dragons. In the West, dragons are feared as evil creatures, while the East reveres them as sacred beings and maintains a tradition of dragonriders. The story follows multiple characters across different nations as they face the potential return of an ancient evil dragon known as the Nameless One. The House of Berethnet has maintained peace for a millennium through an unbroken line of queens, but this stability now hangs in balance. The narrative spans continents and cultures, incorporating elements of political intrigue, ancient magic, and religious conflict. Dragons take multiple forms - from the destructive fire-breathers of the West to the majestic water-dwellers of the East. The novel examines themes of truth versus myth, the impact of religious doctrine on society, and how different cultures can interpret the same historical events in radically different ways. It challenges traditional fantasy tropes while exploring questions of power, duty, and belief.

Readers describe this as a slow-burning epic fantasy with rich worldbuilding and LGBTQ+ representation. Many note it takes 150-200 pages to gain momentum. Readers appreciated: - Complex dragon lore and magic system - Female characters in positions of power - Romance subplot that feels natural - Eastern and Western mythology blend - Standalone format rather than series Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, especially early chapters - Too many characters to track - Middle section drags - Worldbuilding sometimes overshadows plot - Rushed ending Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (143,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (11,000+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.5/5 Reader quotes: "Worth pushing through the slow start" - Goodreads "The world is incredible but I needed a character list" - Amazon "Lesbian queens and dragon riders done right" - Reddit r/Fantasy "Beautiful prose but could have been 200 pages shorter" - StoryGraph

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🐉 The novel took Shannon over six years to complete, making it her longest writing project to date. 🏰 While inspired by Saint George and the Dragon, the story also incorporates elements of Queen Elizabeth I's reign, particularly the threat of the Spanish Armada. 📚 At 848 pages, this standalone epic fantasy breaks the traditional format of fantasy series, delivering a complete saga in a single volume. 🎨 The book features detailed maps created by Virginia Allyn, helping readers navigate the complex world spanning East and West. ✍️ Shannon wrote the first draft of the novel while simultaneously working on her other series, The Bone Season, managing two completely different fantasy worlds at once.