The Priory of the Orange Tree (Roots of Chaos #1) by Samantha Shannon -- Restarting November 3rd 2024

[Marie]

Sure, that sounds good!

[Wiktoria]

awesome!

[Wiktoria]

To ch 33 (view spoiler)[ omg! they actually killed susa! the hell?
Ead and Sabran are getting closer and i love getting to know Sabran more. Poor Tryude might end uo getting killed aswell.
and Tane got banished! it's better than being killed but still horrible... she worked so hard to be a dragonrider and now its lost... and i really hope her dragon will be okay! she seemed to be so awesome (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Up to chapter 33: (view spoiler)[Summary of my thoughts: people need to stop getting kidnapped or killed?!

I am. so sad. Tane got banished. Like, there's no way she's going to Feather Island because she needs to be out there riding dragons?? I also really hope her dragon will be okay! Maybe on her way to the island the pirate ship will attack the ship she's on, and she'll find out that Niclays and her dragon are on there, and therefore she will be more involved in the story again.

*throws out random theories*

Ugh but Truyde was so stupid, even if she had a good intention.

This is kinda a really out there speculation, but I'm wonder if Ead and/or Sabran are... lesbian or bi or something along those lines? Just like how Sabran said she never truly felt whole with Aubrecht even though he was kind, and the ways Ead has carefully observed Sabran through the book? I also think I have a vague memory of seeing someone mentioning a while back that there was an LGBTQ+ female character in the book? (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

^^ (view spoiler)[ yeah, I started picking up on that too. I also remember that in an earlier chapter Ead had a "tightening sensation in her chest" when she saw Sabran kiss Aubrecht. so I've been thinking that she could be feeling something for her, which would bring even more meaning to why she wanted to stay longer in Inys (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Read till chapter 36: (view spoiler)[Ooh, so it has been confirmed that Ead and Sabran have feelings for each other! I feel so bad for Sabran... I'm also pretty sure the condition described that the royal family has had in the past (I can't remember what it's called, ____head) is depression. Which is interesting, because I don't usually see mental illness portrayed in fantasy!

There's definitely something different about the High Western that appeared, but I don't know what yet. It can't be a... new High Western, can it? I have no idea! It's just that Ead said none of the known five Westerns were known to have green eyes. (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

ch 36
(view spoiler)[ yes! it finally happened! I've been waiting for it to happen, our prediction was true XD
but I was shocked at the fact she won't be able to have any more children. I see why she's so upset. I really don't trust Combe but I can't think of what he wants with Ead, hope he doesn't try to banish her or something. I'm still worried about Sabran, I actually started to like her.
Niclays is still a little shit.
it feels like the story is really starting to pick up now (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

forgot to post yesterday XD
up to ch38
(view spoiler)[ *sigh* I knew Combe would come up with a reason to get rid of Ead. the plot feels like it's really beginning now. Since Ead is going back to the south, does that mean she'll see Loth again? (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Up to chapter 38: (view spoiler)[It seems like everyone is moving far away from their original places! Tane, Ead, Niclays, Loth... I do think Ead and Loth will meet again, yeah. But their friendship will probably be very strained if not gone.

And I wonder what's wrong with Tane? It's really weird for her wound to act up when she says she's had it since she was young... (hide spoiler)]

I still have to read today's chapters, so I'll probably do that later tonight and post about them tomorrow.

[Wiktoria]

I probably won't be able to read them until tomorrow, today was too busy

[Marie]

That's alright!

Up to chapter 41: (view spoiler)[I don't know, I like... am feeling more and more sorry for Niclays? He's going to have to do something good and actually stand up for something before I like him, but I don't hate him either. I really want to see what he figures out from the book, but I don't want the pirate to find out the answer either!

Then omg I can't believe Ead is going to look for Kalyba. I had no idea Kalyba was connected to the Priory... I wonder what first got her exiled. There's been mention of her killing children, and... did she kill Ead's mother?? I'm not sure if I confused the names. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

For yesterday, up to chapter 43: (view spoiler)[I feel like Ead will return to Kalyba sometime to find out more about why Sabran had those dreams, even though she isn't supposed to.

So, the place that Niclay found the way to and thinks leads to immortality is really where the second pearl is, right? So was it a myth that an exlir of immortality really exists, or is that somehow combined with the pearl? O.O I wonder why the East was not supposed to find the pearl?

I have so many questions lol (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read for today yet, so if you'd like we can skip this day to give you a bit more time to catch up? That would mean we read two days behind on the schedule instead of one day behind.

[Wiktoria]

Oh yes please! If you don't mind. 60 is much more manageable xD

[Wiktoria]

Ch41 (view spoiler)[ okay Niclays perspective is getting a tad bit more interesting, still don't like him though lmao. And idk if unpopular opinion but I love the golden empress, of course I'm not rooting for her or anything but I just like her character and how much she achieved in her life. Isn't Loth in the Priory as well? When will Ead and him finally see each other again... They will right? Right? And I'm getting confused as well... Is Kalyba the witch the Inys have those rumours about? (hide spoiler)] I need to take a break for now but I'll finish the rest later today

[Wiktoria]

finally caught up!
(view spoiler)[ so much is happening! I really like seeing Loth and Ead together and I love the friendship between them - I hope it stays just that.
Kalyba was surprisingly nice but I wonder if the fact Ead broke her promise will end up biting her in the future.
and Tane has the second stone! I was definitely not expecting that to happen XD
Niclays... why oh why would you help the pirates with that map, they're going to mess something up I just know that. I still hope Nayimathun will be okay (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Up to chapter 49: (view spoiler)[I actually did have a suspicion that inside Tane's wound was some object, but I didn't want to say it because I thought it sounded gruesome and farfetched??? But it actually was a pearl! I find it interesting she was referred to as the Little Shadow-girl. For a moment I thought that Tane actually was the girl from the story, but then I thought that couldn't be because the story is from so long ago XD

And yes, I do love Loth and Ead's friendship, despite their religious differences. It probably will stay like that—Ead seems quite committed to Sabran. Ead is so strong, though... like she's leaving her home again when she just got to the Priory because she wants to do the right thing (even if it is partially because she loves Sabran). I definitely do not like the current Prioress!! (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

to ch 53
(view spoiler)[ woah that was pretty epic. Ead is seriously the best! and Loth is on another level. hope Igrain burns in hell cause Jesus was she annoying. ch52 was mostly a recap of what happened in the last couple chapters so i found that fairly boring but it's fine XD honestly i don't have too much to say (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Read up to chapter 52: (view spoiler)[Yeah, I don't have a whole lot to say either, though I am surprised that overthrowing Crest turned out so well. It's good though—Igrain sure is terrible and we need some victories in this book! I was also really touched by Roslain's dedication to Sabran against Igrain. Roslain was sometimes unpleasant towards Ead earlier in the book, but it really is just because she really cares for Sabran's safety.

I'm really curious when the 1000 years will turn out to be up. Probably sometime really soon so everyone can panic XD. (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

^ (view spoiler)[ oh definitely! I wouldn't be shocked if they were like "well it's tomorrow... Ri0" (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

I didn't post for yesterday's chapters because I still didn't have much to say, but now up to chapter 55:
(view spoiler)[Okay, so can I say my mind is just BLOWN right now??? Like that was one great reveal and I'm just like AAAAAAA because there's no way I could have guessed that. Kalyba sure is something. I'm really disappointed she's allying with the Nameless One. And they finally found Ascalon but now it's gone??? I'm guessing what Ead means at the end of the chapter is that they do need to ally with the East after all.

I find it interesting that the author decided to go the path that the Nameless One can never truly be defeated, because of the imbalance in the universe that can never be solved. I think a lot of books solve the problem permanently by the end, so I just thought that was interesting and a cool change. (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

again, im behind. promise this is the last day! my vacation is starting today so ill be able to catch up and stay up to date XD

[Marie]

No problem, don't stress :)

Up to 57: (view spoiler)[I feel so, so, bad for Sabran. Like, why did Ead have to go and get poisoned??? I mean, it's not her fault, but aaaah it's too bad. Now who is going to wield the pearl? Will Ead wake up in time? Or is Sabran actually capable of doing it after all?

Also, I'm seeing sad parallels between Jan and Niclay's love and Sabran and Ead's. Both aren't supposed to be together, both want to find a place where they can, and both Niclay and Sabran (kind of) have lost their lover. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Wiktoria wrote: "oh god I just realised if forgot to talk about it yesterday
to chapter 11
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah I was so confused too! It still feels pretty slow, but at least it's making sense now!

[Maddie]

Marie wrote: "I finished chapter 13, and... (view spoiler)[I don't want Triam Sulyard to die/be tortured because I think his and Trudye's ideas have some truth in them, but then I also don't want the Seiikinese to find out the..." (hide spoiler)]

I love how (view spoiler)[the love is actually between two minor characters, rather than say Ead who believes the crazy things and starts the rebellion. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Wiktoria wrote: "up to ch 13
(view spoiler)[I'm becoming more interested in Lothe's and Kit's story. I'm interested to see more of Yscalin and it's people.
Sabran accepted the proposal? I'm shook! I guess she realised the danger..." (hide spoiler)]

Yeah I like their storyline too! And I also really wonder what's going to happen with (view spoiler)[Roos. Also what do these wardings mean that Ead keeps talking about? Are they like barriers that she puts up that get tripped when something bad gets near? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Wiktoria wrote: " yes! (view spoiler)[I'm so happy she managed to beat him! I was so scared that he would end up getting the best of her! She definitely deserves it after practicing so much all the time.
I find that I'm most int..." (hide spoiler)]

One thing that annoys me a lot about high fantasies is I keep expecting them to always be full of action, but more often than not they're really slow! I was also so pleased that it had that outcome!

[Maddie]

Marie wrote: "Up to chapter 18! I agree that there are a lot of people to keep track of... but I've been taking a few notes and sometimes refer to the list of characters at the back.

After reading these two ch..."

Yeah I was taking notes as well, but then I went away so couldn't take notes, and it seems to be fine now. One thing that really triggered my memory was the Duchess of that court, something that starts with an Adel something, who was Roos' lovers' betrothed. Jannart, the one who died :( I was sad to figure that out.

[Maddie]

I just hit Chapter 19, so glad I got a big chunk read while I was away! I'm into it now!

[Marie]

Yay! I'm glad to hear you're liking it!

[Wiktoria]

^^ yes! same here haha

[Wiktoria]

also just to check cause im not sure anymore- we're supposed to read up to ch 59 today right?

[Marie]

Yup! Two days behind the schedule you posted.

[Maddie]

I have no idea, just reading it my speed at this point XD Hope to get a little bit more done today.

[Marie]

Up to chapter 59: (view spoiler)[Ah, so now the main characters are starting to cross paths! I had no idea what island the ship may have stumbled upon, so I was surprised when it turned out to be Feather Island. I'm glad Tane is finally leaving, though of course it's under sad circumstances, because all along I wanted her to go hunt for her dragon.

Except now, if Tane takes the ship to look for her dragon, Loth won't be able to go and ask for an alliance. Unless Tane will just get away first, and then talk to Loth about why he knows about the pearl?\

Ugh the women in this book have lost so much but they're still so determined and strong. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Wow this book has a lot of chapters XD

[Marie]

It does! But there are a lot of pages

[Wiktoria]

okay im not caught up yet but ch55
(view spoiler)[ woah! what. is happening! and yeah that is an awesome change from the norm. im curious to see what they do. I also love how adamant Ead was. like in most books when someone's friend is threatened they give everything up to save them and that always annoys me so much. Shannon didn't do that and I kinda love her for it XD and yes mind = blown! Good on ya Kalyba. but also ew... and tf? how did she end up falling in love with him XD (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

to ch 62
(view spoiler)[ all I can say is wow this is epic XD that little bitch (excuse my language hahaha) Niclays still annoys me. whenever I read or watch reviews on this book everyone's saying they much prefer the two perspectives from the east but I find niclays so excruciatingly boring! it's weird because I usually like characters like him but there's something about the guy that I just hate. Nayimathun's rescue was awesome and now Loth will probably get to the place faster since he has a dragon. can't even imagine how terrified he must be XD (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Hey this weekend was quite busy so I wasn't able to read, but I'll catch up either later tonight or tomorrow

[Wiktoria]

to ch 65 - forgot to post this yesterday
(view spoiler)[ it seems a bit convenient how easily the chief agreed to the proposal - not that im complaining. the prioress is dead! but Kalybe will probably take over the Priory now - very worrying. another worrying factor is the fact that there's not that many pages left but still so much that has to happen (hide spoiler)]

[Wiktoria]

^^ ah thats fine, want me to wait?

[Marie]

I think I'll be able to catch up today, so it's okay! Otherwise I'll let you know and then maybe you can wait to read tomorrow.

[Wiktoria]

aight!

[Wiktoria]

aight!

[Wiktoria]

to ch67
(view spoiler)[I'm loving how the characters are all starting to come together. seeing Ead and Tane together is so weird XD and as if I don't hate Niclays enough now Kalyba has him and I bet ya he's gonna fuck shit up just so Kalyba can bring Jannart back. again, so much has to happen and so little pages, im calling a rushed ending? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

So sorry for basically asking for a scheduled BR and failing miserably :p Is it good?

[Marie]

It's okay, Maddison! Sometimes you just don't feel like reading a book or things get in the way, it happens. I've been enjoying it and think it's quite good, so I hope you like it too whenever you continue!

And Wiktoria, I've caught up except for the chapters we were supposed to read today. I'll read those tonight and then I promise I will post about them tomorrow since it's been a while since I've said anything about the book!

[Maddie]

Yeah I am liking it!

[Wiktoria]

okay! don't worry about it - we can always skip today if you want to? unless you're already caught up idk.

and yeah, Maddison, don't worry about being so behind haha life always gets in the way of reading, the amount of buddy reads I gave up on because I wasn't able to read the books ^^ we're still happy to discuss with you

[Marie]

Nope, I got it! Finished chapter 67 last night: (view spoiler)[Yeah I agree that seeing Ead and Tane together is strange! I think they're more similar than they realize. And yes omg Niclays had better realize that bringing Jan back isn't worth it or I will—I don't know. Be mad at him.

I almost feel like... Niclays might die in the end??? It's just a theory, but you know in some books how a character goes down the wrong path, does wrong things, but then at the end of the book gets a redemption or change of mind before dying? I'm kind getting that vibe? Before when they were on that island Niclays was like "I want to laugh and live again" so he was improving, but now he's getting tempted by Kalyba, he's probably going to mess something up, and then he'll redeem himself or realize how wrong he was before he ends up dying.

Or I could be very wrong XD

And you're right, the small amount of pages left does worry me. Maybe the author is about to skip all the preparation and traveling and go straight to the 3rd of spring? (hide spoiler)]