Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon

Author : Samantha Shannon

Book : Among the Burning Flowers

/Fantasy , Adult/

/ The Roots of Chaos #0.5 /

Publication date : September 11, 2025

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Blurb:

With the awakening of fire-breathing dragons, Among the Burning Flowers sees the first sparks of danger that threaten to consume the world in The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Take your first steps into the epic.

Yscalin, land of sunshine and lavender, will soon be ablaze.

It has been centuries since the Draconic Army took wing, almost extinguishing humankind.

Marosa Vetalda is a prisoner in her own home, controlled by her cold father, King Sigoso. Over the mountains, her betrothed, Aubrecht Lievelyn, rules Mentendon in all but name. Together, they intend to usher in a better world.

A better world seems impossibly distant to Estina Melaugo, who hunts the Draconic beasts that have slept across the world for centuries.

And now the great wyrm Fýredel is stirring, and Yscalin will be the first to fall . . .

My thoughts:

It's been a while since I've read The Priory of the Orange Tree, and I was worried if I'll be able to keep up with the story.

It was a pointless worry because, as always, Samantha Shannon's writing and wonderful storytelling immersed me with ease in that journey.

It takes place years before the main book, and it gives us an intriguing and detailed view of how things started, as everything clicked and gave traction to the story in The Priory.

Furthermore, it can be read as a standalone, but given the way the story ends, it is best to switch to the main book shortly after in order to get a fulfilling experience.

I loved that we got to experience a POV that gave us an outside perspective, and the whole book was a perfect way to dip your toes before immersing completely in the chonker that is the rich world of The Priory of the Orange Tree.

A fast read that I breezed through the chapters with lots of curiosity.