Wow this was an epic high fantasy novel!

I was definitely intimidated by this book, but I'm so glad I tried it! There are definitely a ton of characters, and I feel like you need a character list, glossary, and family trees to really understand it. But at the same time, the writing will grab you and make you keep reading. It feels grounded by the characters emotional journeys and relationships.

I love this series!

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.

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.

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.

The prequel to Priory of the Orange Tree lives up to its predecessor.

The formula is much the same- we have a slow buildup to the action as we get to know our characters. The relationships and politics/religion of the book truly make it.

While Priory is not necessary to read this, I almost wish I had done a re-read to immerse myself again. While we go into world building in Fallen Night, it’s a bit lighter on it.

With how much I loved Priory, I was nervous going into this. There was so much to live up to, but I should've just trusted Samantha Shannon because, per usual, she stunned me yet again. This book was beautiful and so well thought out. It was a teensy bit longer than Priory, but just like Priory, it didn't feel long, certainly not too long. The characters and the story were so intricate and each detail given felt like it was done so with care. The story is fascinating and the world building is as striking as it was in Priory. Though this takes place 500 years before Priory and is still in the same world, there was a lot that was different and this story felt like its own unique thing. I loved all the characters and I loved getting to have so many POVs so we got different aspects of the story. This book is so gorgeous and will stay with me for a long time.

I wanted to read this book so badly that I read it in PDF--something I very rarely do, as most of the time I just won't request a title if there isn't an .epub available, unless it's nonfiction--and it was completely worth it. As other reviewers have said, I wasn't sure A DAY OF FALLEN NIGHT would measure up to the extremely high standard set by PRIORY, but it absolutely does. I even preordered a personal copy in hardcover--another thing I rarely do, since space on my physical shelves is at a premium--because that's how much I love these books. I can't wait for this one to be out so I can tell everyone to read or listen to it in their preferred format!

A Day of Fallen Night is set about 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree. It’s a mutligenerational, multi-POV political fantasy that’s very intricately detailed and a little bit longer than the first book. Priory is one of my favorite books of all time that I have not stopped talking about or hyping up since I read it the month it was released. I cannot tell you how excited I was to learn that there was going to be more books written in this world, since Shannon originally planned it as a single book.

I want to point out right away that you do not need to read Priory prior to reading Fallen Night. In fact, if you haven’t read either book yet, I would start with this one. I feel like this story is the kind that is best told in chronological order but with the knowledge that the author wrote the books in reverse chronological order, that she already had everything planned out ahead of time. Both books, though, are standalones with different characters, so you could read them in either order you like.
It was very interesting to see the subtle changes to the world that we knew in Priory. Of course history changes over time, and this is seen in the slight changes in spelling between some of the city names in the two books. I love that this small detail made the world feel so much richer and more realistic.

We have four POVs but way more than four main characters. Our storytellers are:
—Dumai: 27, a godsinger at the High Temple of Kwiriki in Seiiki (the East). Daughter of Unora, the Maiden Officiant, and Emperor Jorodu.
—Tunuva: 50, tomb keeper for the Priory and guardian of the remains of Cleolind Onjenyu, who founded the Priory in Lasia (the South).
—Glorian: 15, daughter of Sabran VI of Inys and Bardholdt I of Hróth. Sole heir to the Queendom of Inys (the West) and figurehead for their religion.
—Wulfert: 18, a sailor from Inys and childhood friend of Glorian. He comes from mysterious origins.

I don’t want to say too much about the storylines for the individual characters because I don’t want to give anything away, but if you know your history of this world, this installment takes place during the time of the second great eruption of the Dreadmount, which released the five High Westerns and their wyverns into the world and caused the Grief of Ages. Each character must deal with the effects of the Draconic Army wreaking havoc on their land while also dealing with a lot of personal trials and political machinations in their own nations.

Three of the four POV characters have someone come in to their lives who they aren’t really sure if they are a friend or a foe. It was very interesting to read about these characters becoming close to these outsiders, only to wonder if they were going to be betrayed or not. This book definitely punches you in the heart at times.

Somehow I loved all of these characters and their relationships even more than those in Priory, which I didn’t think was possible. I especially loved seeing how intricately linked they all are to each other and how their stories intertwine.

I loved this book so much and I have already preordered two copies because I will reread this for the rest of my life. I love this rich and detailed world that Samantha Shannon has created, and I am so excited that she has a third book planned!! It will be a few years before its release, but it’s another prequel and I really hope it’s the story of Cleolind and Galian and the first great eruption of the Dreadmount. I will read anything that takes place in this world because I love everything about it so much. If you love epic fantasy, rich worldbuilding, flawed and relatable characters, dragons, and excellent writing, then do yourself a favor and read this series.

Note: Do NOT look up this book’s characters in the glossary in The Priory of the Orange Tree because it does spoil some critical scenes that happen in A Day of Fallen Night. I wanted to see if this book’s main characters were listed there, and they were. But then I made the mistake of reading their bios and I thought, “welp, I guess I know how this character is going to die, and what decision that other character is going to make about this big thing” etc. So yes, save yourself the spoilers and finish this book first before you learn how the characters were remembered in history. It’s very awesome, however, to see how much of this story that Samantha Shannon already knew was going to happen when she crafted Priory. The lore and history of this world is so incredible deep and rich.

Everything I loved about Priory of the Orange tree and more is in this. More complex and interesting characters. More lore and adventure. More love and emotion. The way the characters’ differing storylines converge and intertwine in such a huge world is a marvel to read. I think a reader would be able to follow this story even if they hadn’t read Priory of the Orange Tree first, but it’s much more rich to experience the story knowing what the future of this world holds. I’d recommend to any fantasy lover, anyone looking for more queer fantasy, or anyone tired of the typical white dudes’ epic fantasies.

I really didn't think Samantha Shannon would be able to write something better than Priory, but ADOFN may be it. WOW. Such well-rounded, complex characters. Phenomenal world building. Beautiful representation of historically underrepresented communities. I will read anything Shannon produces at this point because I know it's going to be a masterpiece.

For those wondering whether they should read ADOFN or Priory first, I honestly don't think it matters. There are certain things that are "spoiled" by reading Priory first and others that are "spoiled" if reading ADOFN first. I think regardless of the order read, there are some fun Easter eggs readers will notice and appreciate. I cannot wait to return to this world again and again. Shannon writes fantasy (a complicated and oftentimes confusing/overwhelming genre) effortlessly, and I have a feeling she's going to go down in history as one of the best at her craft. She's brought so much diversity and originality to the fantasy genre, so I will never pass up a chance to read her work and recommend it to others

The greatest book I’ve ever read. I feel in love with the Priory of the Orange Tree and this is the greatest addition to this excellent series. I’m so excited to see where this world goes.

"A Day of Fallen Night" is the prequel to Samantha Shannon's "Priory of the Orange Tree." Having just finished Priory, I was looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint. The story is multifaceted, rich, layered and complex and the characters were well-developed and engaging. Like Priory, it is a long book but upon reaching the final pages, it is not nearly long enough, as I did not want the story to end. Fantasy writing at its finest!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for allowing me to read this stunning book. This prequel to Priority of the Orange Tree is just a rich in world building and characters as it’s predecessor. I loved learning more about how elements that were in Priority were before it’s time. I just love this world so much, I wish I could live in it, but like not during battle, you know? 4.5 ⭐️

A Day of Fallen Night feels wildly expansive — so much so that it appears a little inaccessible, especially through a digital galley. Like The Priory of the Orange Tree, it spans multiple characters, each with their own stories, yet it also feels more difficult to parse—though a prequel, either my memory is faulty or there is nothing that grounds the storyline. The first portion of the book was so insurmountable that I still haven't overcome the obstacle of wading through all of its 800+ pages. Frankly, the lack of physicality detracted from my overall reading experience, so I may revisit this in the future when I'm more able to concentrate on it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for giving me the opportunity to read this book early. I don’t even know where to begin; this book absolutely took my breath away. From the first pages I was hooked and while I wanted to savor it and take in the beautiful prose and intricacies of the story, I could hardly put it down. Sometimes, it is wonderful to escape to a fantasy world with no parallels to the real one, but other times there is the fantasy novel that has the scope and heart to take real-world concerns and make them feel even more personal than they already are. The latter is the case with A Day of Fallen Night. The Priory of the Orange Tree was raved about for being the feminist high fantasy we were waiting for and ADOFN exceeds all expectations as successor. The thematic threads of bodily autonomy paired with the depiction of multiple forms of love from duty to platonic to romantic is what renders this a new classic in my eyes.

I came to love each narrator and their development as the story progressed. Glorian, in particular, was a favorite each time she graced the page. It was through her eyes that I recognized the anguish so many women feel when their choice is taken away from them. I weeped through her final chapters. As always with Shannon’s books, I loved that queerness is the norm and that we could see loving couples grow old together, such as Tunuva and Esbar. Dumai’s journey was just as heartwrenching and I loved to see her growth as she grew in power but never losing who she truly was. Wulf is an incredibly unique character, even within the Priory universe, and his selflessness throughout the story was heartwarming. I hope to see more of him in Shannon’s future works in this universe because I do not feel like his story is yet done. Each character’s journey was amazing to watch unfold and they developed beautifully. With a book of this size and scope, there might be fear of overwriting, but I believe the pacing to be perfect as the book built gradually to its climax. Each chapter, each word was necessary to do these the characters the justice they deserve.

I am so grateful to be able to read and love this book.

SAMANTHA SHANNON YOU SON OF A GUN. I. WOW. Need I say more?

How do I even begin? At the beginning of 2022 I read Priory, and that book changed reading for me. No book has ever made me feel the way reading that book did. So, obviously when I found out it was getting a prequel, I lost any of the little remaining sanity I had left.

A Day of Fallen Night is everything. I cannot recount everything, but if you loved Priory you’ll love ADOFN!

How do you start a review for a book this phenomenal? A Day of Fallen Night has become quite possibly the greatest book I've ever read. In a book with a page count of roughly 850 pages, you'd think somewhere in there the plot would feel like a slog. I can wholeheartedly say that this book never lacked in it's pacing. Samantha Shannon found the perfect balance between plot, world-building, and character development.

The novel follows three main POVs (and a fourth, but I'm hesitant to talk about them since they're not in the synopsis...) Tunuva Melim, a sister of the Priory for fifty years. Trained to fight wyrms, but lacking in proof, the younger generation of sisters begin to question the faith of the Priory. Glorian Berethnet, daughter of Sabran and the new King of Hróth, must live up to the expectations set before her by her mother and her country. Dumai of Ipyeda, raised on a mountain-top temple for worship of the slumbering gods of the East.

Every single story-line was so compelling that I have no favourites. Every character had subtle and realistic character development throughout the story - every one of them ever-evolving. Not even just the main or principle side characters, I mean that Every. Single. Character. felt real from the moment they were introduced. I won't say too much for fear of spoilers, but there was a point in this book where I had to stop reading because I realized that I felt paternal pride for a FICTIONAL CHARACTER. Shannon writes about pain, love, and grief in a beautiful way, giving a real, raw insight into feelings you may not have had the chance to experience yourself.

Her world is so beautifully constructed and politically intriguing. In reading some other reviews (it's been 2+ years since I read Priory, and I have a terrible memory) I found that one pointed out that there are subtle spelling changes, mostly in the names of the cities. The historical accuracy that Shannon brought into this book makes me so unreasonably happy, and thank you kind reviewer who noticed that. It's so subtle you wouldn't think of it, but it just makes this world feel all that much more real. She also brought in touches from a very globally

And a small thing that always makes me happy in books: It's inclusive. There are so many characters in this book that are queer in some way or another, but that's never the focus of the novel. Shannon brings in gender-identity and sexuality without it ever feeling like the focus of the book, and it's wonderful.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the eARC!!!! A true dream come true after loving Priory so so much.

Many thanks to the Author and Publisher for this ARC I was honoured to read!
I haven’t read the Priory Of The Orange Tree yet, but I absolutely loved this title. The lyrical writing and world completely captivated me. The world building, and everything were beautiful, it’s a title I look forward to reading again.

*This review is specifically for this ARC/galley*

The formatting for this pdf was so poor. I couldn't read it. I'm excited about this book and loved Priory of the Orange Tree, but unfortunately this ARC was poorly put together and very hard to read.

This took me a lot longer to read than it should have, because I finally came down with COVID in the middle of it, which laid me up for a week and half. Bad times.

I'm so glad that I got an ARC of this. I loved the original Priory of the Orange Tree and this was just as good (and gay) as the original. I would say that, as a prequel, it's not essential for reading with the first book, but it does flesh out the world greatly and sets the stage for the first book. Highly recommended.

Did I have to take notes as I read? Yes. Did I love it? Also yes. Do I think you should pick it up if you love high fantasy? Absolutely, I do!
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Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 880 (she thick 🤩)
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Read if you like
🧝‍♀️ Epic, High Fantasy
🔨 World Building
⚙️ Complex Characters
💁‍♀️Tall FMCs
⚖️ Religion, Politics, & Women Shaping History
🌈 LGBTQ Representation
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Thank you to Bloomsbury USA, NetGalley, and the incredibly talented Samanatha Shannon for this ARC! Be sure to pick it up on its pub day Feb 28, 2023!

This is well written and not surprisingly, will probably be enjoyed by those that read Shannon's previous book. This will sell well and get many 5 star reviews.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!