Samantha Shannon returns to the richly textured universe first introduced in The Priory of the Orange Tree (2019) with A Day of Fallen Night, a breathtaking prequel that stands as both a worthy predecessor to the beloved original and a compelling narrative in its own right. This ambitious fantasy epic, the first in what promises to be an expansive series alongside the upcoming Among the Burning Flowers (2025), delivers on every promise Shannon made with her debut into this world.
Set five hundred years before the events of Priory, this novel explores the catastrophic eruption of the Dreadmount and the emergence of five great wyrms that will terrorize the world for generations. Shannon weaves together the stories of four extraordinary women across different continents, each facing impossible choices as their world burns around them.
Four Voices, One Magnificent Tapestry
The Strength of Multiple Perspectives
Shannon’s decision to employ four distinct narrative voices proves masterful in execution. Each protagonist brings a unique cultural perspective and personal struggle that enriches the overall narrative fabric. Tunuva Melim, the fifty-year-old tomb keeper of the Priory, carries the weight of motherhood denied and duty fulfilled with quiet dignity. Her relationship with Esbar du Apaya uq-Nāra spans three decades of love, partnership, and shared purpose, creating one of the most authentic long-term relationships in contemporary fantasy.
Princess Glorian Hraustr Berethnet, at merely fifteen, bears the crushing weight of royal expectation while navigating political machinations that would challenge rulers twice her age. Shannon’s portrayal of Glorian’s internal struggle between duty and personal desire resonates with genuine emotional complexity, avoiding the trap of making her either too mature or frustratingly naive.
Dumai of Ipyeda, the godsinger attempting to wake sleeping dragons, embodies both spiritual devotion and personal awakening. Her journey from dutiful temple servant to someone who must question everything she’s believed creates compelling character development that feels earned rather than forced.
Kuposa pa Nikeya, the cunning courtier known as the Lady of Faces, provides political intrigue and demonstrates how power can be wielded from unexpected positions. Her relationship with Dumai adds layers of complexity to both characters while exploring themes of identity and authenticity.
Mature Themes and Sophisticated Storytelling
Romance That Transcends Genre Expectations
Shannon’s handling of LGBTQ+ relationships deserves particular recognition. The romance between Tunuva and Esbar unfolds with the comfortable intimacy of a decades-long partnership while still maintaining passion and emotional stakes. Their physical relationship is portrayed with tasteful sensuality that never feels gratuitous or performative. Similarly, the developing relationship between Dumai and Nikeya grows organically from friendship to something deeper, with Shannon allowing space for both characters to discover themselves.
The heterosexual relationships are equally well-crafted, particularly Glorian’s complex political marriage that gradually develops into something approaching genuine partnership. Shannon avoids easy resolutions while maintaining hope for her characters’ emotional fulfillment.
Political Intrigue with Real Consequences
The political landscape Shannon creates feels authentically complex, with multiple factions pursuing competing interests that often align and clash in unexpected ways. Religious persecution, cultural imperialism, and the struggle between tradition and change all play significant roles without ever feeling heavy-handed or preachy. The consequences of political decisions ripple throughout the narrative, affecting characters across continents and social strata.
Worldbuilding That Breathes
Cultural Depth and Authenticity
Shannon’s worldbuilding achieves that rare balance between familiar fantasy elements and genuine innovation. Each culture feels distinct and lived-in, from the desert Priory with its ancient traditions to the island nation of Seiiki with its dragon-worshipping temples. The attention to detail in everything from food to religious practices to architectural styles creates an immersive experience that never feels overwhelming.
The magic system, centered around the bond between humans and ichneumons (fire-breathing creatures) alongside the sleeping dragons, operates with clear rules while maintaining mystery and wonder. Shannon’s restraint in explaining every magical element allows for genuine awe while providing enough structure for readers to understand the stakes.
Dragons as Characters, Not Props
The dragons and wyrms function as more than mere fantasy window dressing. Each creature possesses distinct personality and motivation, from the benevolent sleeping dragons of the East to the destructive wyrms emerging from the Dreadmount. Shannon treats these beings with the same care she affords her human characters, making their interactions feel genuinely meaningful rather than perfunctory.
Literary Craftsmanship and Style
Prose That Serves Story
Shannon’s writing style has matured significantly since The Priory of the Orange Tree. Her prose flows with confidence, building tension through careful pacing rather than overwrought description. The dialogue feels natural to each culture while remaining accessible to modern readers. Most importantly, Shannon trusts her readers to understand complex emotions and relationships without excessive explanation.
The action sequences pulse with energy while maintaining clarity about geography and tactics. In A Day of Fallen Night, Shannon never loses sight of the human cost of violence, treating both victory and defeat with appropriate weight.
Structure and Pacing
The novel’s structure, alternating between the four protagonists across different time periods, could easily have become confusing or fragmented. Instead, Shannon uses this technique to build momentum and create meaningful parallels between storylines. The pacing allows for both intimate character moments and epic set pieces without either feeling rushed or dragged out.
Areas for Growth
Length and Accessibility
At over 800 pages, A Day of Fallen Night demands significant commitment from readers. While the length serves the epic scope Shannon envisions, some sections feel slightly padded. New readers might find the extensive cast of secondary characters occasionally overwhelming, though returning fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree will appreciate the connections to familiar names and places.
World Complexity
The richness of Shannon’s worldbuilding occasionally works against narrative momentum. The detailed political situations across multiple continents, while fascinating, sometimes slow the pacing when characters spend extended time explaining context. However, this complexity also represents one of the novel’s greatest strengths for readers who appreciate depth over simplicity.
Similar Reads and Series Context
Readers who enjoyed A Day of Fallen Night should consider Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings series, particularly The Liveship Traders trilogy, for its complex character relationships and dragon lore. N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy offers similar themes of environmental catastrophe and marginalized communities fighting for survival. For those drawn to the political intrigue, Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor provides court politics with similarly nuanced character development.
Shannon’s previous work, The Bone Season series, while set in a different universe, demonstrates her skill with dystopian worldbuilding and strong female protagonists. Her ability to create compelling fantasy universes makes her a natural comparison to authors like Brandon Sanderson and Rebecca Roanhorse.
Final Verdict
A Day of Fallen Night succeeds as both an entry point for new readers and a satisfying return for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree. Shannon has created a fantasy epic that respects both its genre conventions and its readers’ intelligence. The novel’s exploration of love, duty, sacrifice, and hope feels genuinely earned through careful character development and authentic emotional stakes.
While the novel’s length and complexity may challenge some readers, those who invest in Shannon’s world will be rewarded with a story that lingers long after the final page. The promise of Among the Burning Flowers and future installments in this universe provides exciting anticipation for the continued evolution of these characters and their world.
This is fantasy fiction at its finest—epic in scope, intimate in emotion, and unafraid to grapple with the complexities of both power and love. Shannon has proven once again that she belongs among the premier voices in contemporary fantasy literature.