I didn't finish this book as it was archived and I lost the file but I enjoyed the first few chapters. It was frustrating to not finish but this book is very promising!

Samantha Shannon’s world-building is just breathtaking. This world is so complex and so detailed and it was an absolute joy to return to the ‘Roots of Chaos’ universe. Set 500 years before, it was interesting to see differences in the political landscape of the universe and to learn more about the rich history that we get glimpses of in The Priory of the Orange Tree.

There are so many fantastic female characters, all strong in their own ways, and it’s lovely to see queer love so casually accepted in this world.

It did take me a little while to settle into this book. The narration is split between four different storylines and sometimes it felt like just when I’d found my groove with one storyline, the book changed focus and pulled me elsewhere in the world where I had to re-learn the cast of characters and how they all fitted together. But once you get to grips with the characters, and once their stories all begin to intertwine, then it’s so worth it.

If you love losing yourself in long epic fantasies with richly diverse female characters, romances layered with political intrigue, and sweeping battles against mythical creatures, then you’ll love these books.

I've just finished this absolute behemoth of a novel and can't find the words to say how breath taking and stunning it is. (Those adjectives I just used are no where near close enough!) It took me FOREVER to read this book, yet not once did it feel like a chore. I was totally and completely absorbed in the world and the threat of the wyrms.
The world building is so complex yet authentic; the mix of East, West and South. I honestly felt as though I were there with the characters as they battled political intrigue alongside the threat of the wyrms and their fire. The mythical creatures of dragons and wyrms were brilliantly balanced.
Each character is so well executed, they all have their own unique voice and play a part in the great war against the fierce creatures that awaken and start war on mankind. This novel is teeming with true, strong female characters who face their united fate at the hands of the evil creatures with strength and kindness. I loved the huge breadth of main characters. Young Princess Glorian who bares the weight of fate upon her body as she strives to prove she's worthy of her parents legacy. Tunuva, a warrior who needs to fight for her sisters in the priory while carrying the huge burden of grief, Dumai who has lived all her life as a Godsinger on the high cold mountain. I could rave and rave about them all, but instead you need to go and find out for yourself and just read this truly brilliant novel. Strangely, in a novel filled with powerful female characters, my favourite was Wulf, fighting for the King while trying to hide from his mysterious past.
Honestly, this book was just brilliant from beginning to end. Don't be put off by the length, just dive in and become destroyed by this stunning fantasy.
Thank you so much to the publishers and netgalley for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review.. If I could give a gazillion million stars I would!!!

Thank you so much for the arc copy of this title.

I absolutely loved this instalment of the Roots of Chaos series. I cared so much more about the characters in this one, they were an amazing bunch. Even though this is a prequel I feel that the stakes were a lot higher this time around.

The queer representation was absolutely amazing. In a world that is constantly trying to erase our identities, it is so refreshing to see a work of fiction that includes so many different identities without the need for homophobia.

There were so many twists and turns in this book that I was constantly on edge right until the end.

The only thing that I disliked about this book was the length of it. I feel like it definitely could’ve been a few hundred pages shorter and the story would’ve still had the same impact.

I put off reading this for SO long as I was terrified. I adored POTOT, 5 stars and one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read and you know what, this book was very very nearly just as bloody good! It was so well fleshed out. It’s such a slow burn read but the best kind, you really take your time with the characters and getting to know them. It was just such a pleasure to read. I really loved it.

Having not read the priory of the orange tree I was worried I would not follow this book, but I loved it, and could Easley be read as a stand-alone, but really why would you if you knew there was another book. A high fantasy story that you see 4 different regions and the characters within,
With suck fantastic storytelling that flowed so well where the author built the word building so clear that It will be high on the lift for many fantasy readers who like a descriptive fantasy world
I loved every bit of this book, it’s a slow burn with multiple pov, where you didn’t want the chapter to end, but then the next one started and you was yet again was deeply invested into their storyline.
What a joy to read and will be one that I will come back to again .
A definite 5 star read for me

One of the reads I was waiting for the most and I was absolutely not disappointed!

Samantha Shannon is a very skilled writer and has also demonstrated in this volume.
Wonderful and intricate story, a well-kept and suggestive worldbuilding, and unforgettable characters move.

Thank you Netgalley and publishing house for allowing me to read this wonderful e-arc.

I was incredibly excited to read get my hands on this and it did not disappoint! While I was worried about not remember enough about the world of Priory, Shannon does an excellent job of throwing readers back into the action, managing to intertwine enough subtle worldbuilding that I did not feel like I was on the back foot in this respect. Another brilliantly crafted fantasy epic that keeps you immersed for all 800+ pages - a feat not many authors can sustain.

It was pure joy to be back in the world of The Priory of the Orange Tree in Samantha Shannon's A Day of Fallen Night!
500 years before the events of the Priory of the Orange Tree, the world building was more detailed and rich ,also the attention to detail was brilliant.
As always, the writing style is intricate and complex and every POV that was used in the story is equally captivating, so you don't have the situation where you get to a chapter you want to skip or read in a rush.
Wulf,Dumai,Nikeya and Glorian have such a spectacular arcs and the slow burn of the story is building a great foundation for the story development until the end!
As I said, the world of the book is opulent with four different regions with their specific beliefs that are in total contrast to one another, from political views to religion and history.
Now that the wyrms and many other dangerous creatures are wreaking death and destruction, it's up to every leader to decide which way to take to ensure the safety of its people.
Loved this chunky and captivating book from cover to cover and can't wait to see if there's more in the world of The Roots of Chaos!

A mammoth fantasy novel with tons of action - very good stuff.

A prequel to a novel I have yet to read, this fantasy story revolves around several key figures living in the four corners of this world and their fight against evil mythical creatures. Mainly women, these strong characters face political manoeuvring along with attacks on their different faiths. There’s plenty of action, fighting and a hefty death toll alongside some romantic moments. If you’re offended by homosexual activity, this book is not for you. It’s a great read although, in the Kindle version which I read, there’s no map - and there’s an awful lot of place names and descriptions of places, not all necessarily needed, but the author has a smooth interesting and engaging style. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A solid epic fantasy I've ever read.

A Day of Fallen Night took a special place in my heart. This book pace was right and Samantha Shannon's writing style was beautiful as always.

This is a marvellous piece of world-building and storytelling. You can read it on its own or as the prequel to "The Priory of the Orange Tree", I imagine it doesn't matter either way, but I think it is a bit more fun to realise how some legends in Priory came to be and to meet some ancestors of characters you know.
There's everything a classic fantasy needs: dragons, heroes, intrigue, fights, love
And then there's the very modern look at gender and sexual orientation (totally doesn't matter in this world) as well as a rather respectful demolition of religion.
All in all a wonderful book to fall into for a week!

“But I vow to you, this age of fire and smoke will end. A star will come at morning on the first day of spring.”

CW: Childbirth, child loss, child marriage, mass death, mind control, miscarriage (mention), pandemic, parental death, postnatal depression, pregnancy, reproductive coercion, violence, vomiting

A Day of Fallen Night felt like Samantha Shannon’s love song to the world she’d already created. Separate to the story of The Priory of the Orange Tree, you don’t need to have read one to understand the other.
However, I do think a love of TPotOT did make me love ADOFN even more. There were a lot of nods to the later world and things that made me look twice because I wasn’t sure if they were things we’ve “already” encountered. I thought it was really clever how traditions/rituals from TPotOT that weren’t in place at the start of ADOFN came into being, both explaining their absence and existence.
Although the story spans three or four worlds, all the characters are connected somehow. More than anything, ADOFN is a story of sisterhood, of the triumphs of women. Women are connected across realms and find comfort in each other. I loved how their stories happened simultaneously, each experiencing the same worldwide disaster. I think this was shown particularly well in the final confrontation.
I absolutely adored the characters. They showed us each a side of the world we hadn’t seen before, like the politics of the courts in the East, or spending more time in the Priory with Tunuva, or exploring the North with Wulf. I’d give my heart for all of them, especially for Wulf and Glorian. We spent so long in Inys before with Ead but we never saw the world through a queen’s eyes. To see it through Glorian’s, a young girl who has never wanted to fall in love but is made to marry for duty, was heartbreaking. I don’t love what she went through, but I loved her character growth and was inspired by the character she was at the end.
I cannot wait to read ADOFN again, and I’m so excited to revisit TPotOT with this in mind.

*A mesmerising standalone prequel to the bestselling The Priory of the Orange Tree*

The most stunning fantasy I’ve read in a long time! This book not only has been bound together by Samantha Shannon’s exquisite writing, woven with dragons, sweeping magic, fascinating characters; an intricately developed, complex and detailed story. Compiled with rich history and mythology, an incredibly colourful world, filled with diverse and gripping characters, feminism, Sapphic romance and a heartfelt and powerful narrative,

I’ve always loved how Shannon created her worlds and characters so cleverly and beautifully. But it is particularly evident in ADOFN. Every detail was realised and well developed to create such rich tapestry that we see in the finished masterpiece.

It has all the elements of an epic fantasy book, as well as being immensely readable and truly enjoyable. I completely devoured this book.

Highly recommend

5 plus stars

'A Day Of Fallen Night' is the perfect addition to 'The Roots of Chaos' series.

On this standalone prequel, Samantha Shannon takes us back to the universe she introduced us in 'The Priory Of The Orange Tree'. Set 500 years before the previous book, we follow a new cast of characters facing a new set of challenges that could change everything in the four corners of that universe.

Like it happened in 'The Priory of the Orange Tree', Shannon's writing style shines through each page of the story. We have a beautiful prose that shines on each page and each paragraph. The worldbuilding is just as astonishing as it was on the previous book, showing us not only a different time, but also different areas of this universe.

The detailed plots and well-written characters solidify this story, turning 'A Day Of Fallen Night' into one of the best high fantasy stories that have been released in these last few years.

It's safe to say that this book has become a new favourite of mine. After reading this book, I can't wait to read 'The Priory Of The Orange Tree' again and see all the points in common that book has with its prequel.

I don't know how many more books will have on this series, but it's safe to say that I'll be reading every single one of them.

A Day of Fallen Night is an epic fantasy of monumental proportions, with Samantha Shannon’s usual incredible world building, characterisation, and plot.

500 years before the events of The Priory of the Orange Tree, and 500 years after the rise of the Nameless One, a scourge descends on the world, worse than anything its people have ever faced. The Priory remembers, the Priory remains. The line of the Queen of Inys stands unbroken. The newest links in the chainmail of virtudom endure. But no one is ready for the Great Sorrow.

A Day of Fallen Night is enormous, not only in length but in scope. It tells four stories, in four lands, with four main characters whose perspectives are each shown and masterfully woven together to create a wider narrative. The world building is gorgeous, and each land has its own unique character and feel which makes it very clear where you are at all times. The perspectives felt distinct, and it was equally very obvious when switching between them whose story I was now reading.

The characters themselves are very diverse. Samantha Shannon is known for Priory being sapphic, but in ADOFN we also see gay, bisexual, and asexual main characters, as well as non-binary and transgender characters. The main characters vary in age, gender, and sexuality, and yet all of them feel vivid and real as you read.

As with many epic fantasies, there is a lot of world building and character introduction necessary at the beginning of the book which I still found very enjoyable, however once the plot pacing sped up I simply could not put it down.

If you enjoyed Priory, you will adore ADOFN. A breathtaking example of modern epic fantasy, I have no doubt I will read it again in the future.

This is a very huge book, I think that the hardcover could be used to reinforce hand and arms. This is a fabolous book with a complex and rich world building, a true sense of epic and great female character.
I savoured the details , the different reigns, the great characters. The different religions, the magic system and the powerful female characters, nuanced and well written.
Samantha Shannon is a great storyteller: I fell in love with this book since I saw the gorgeous cover and suffered from a serious book hangover when I had to say good bye to this world.
An epic reading experience.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Absolutely stunning and epic. Samantha Shannon knows how to spin a tale. However, this was just not for me. I lost interest and I do not think this author is for me. Highly recommend for fans of Priory.

Phenomenal. Breath-taking. Complex, and well worth both the wait and the work - well, it’s not really work to read this. It was all pleasure.

To say this book is wide-sweeping would be an understatement. Set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Night encompasses a whole world, with different religions, traditions and cultures. The complexity of this book! And then there’s the fact that I didn’t for one moment feel confused. The style of writing in each Kingdom was so distinct, that I knew immediately where I was (no reading ahead and then back again to figure out where I was!).

Matriarchal societies, societies where homosexuality is accepted (and in fact is nothing extraordinary), dragons, magic, did I say dragons? Yes, OK, I did, but I cannot stress enough how much I loved the dragons.

There’s over 800 pages of action, fighting, adventure, romance, politics, love, betrayal, religion, dragons (have I mentioned the dragons?), magic, strong women, noble men. Ah, I could go on - I won’t.

If fantasy is your thing, you’ll love this. If you’ve read and enjoyed Priory, you’ll love this. I don’t think it matters which order you read the two books in, they’ve been written as standalones in the same world. And, if rumours are true, there will be more - AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my ebook copy. And you’d better bet your life that I’ve bought a hardback copy. I mean, look at that cover! It’s glorious - beautiful!!

And if anyone knows where I can get a print of the cover to go with the one I have of the Priory, I’d be eternally grateful. They’d both look so pretty, framed in time for my 50th this year (hint, hint!!)!

4.5/5

Samantha Shannon has done it once again! I enjoyed A Day of Fallen Night even more than The Priory of the Orange Tree, it was such an incredible read. In a book with such an epic scope it's hard to find a place to start when reviewing, but I will nevertheless attempt explaining how infatuated I am with this book in my mere words.

First of all, the world. The world is unconquerable, Shannon's skill and immense love of history shines in every structured choice she made whilst creating it. It is lush forests and desolate plains, ravaged by the ice of the North and the sun of the South, it boasts so many fascinating geographies, civilisations, religions and cultures. It's a sweeping tale that spans the Grief of Ages (a time Priory readers will recognise from the world's history) with perspectives from all across it's vast map.

Dumai is our perspective in the East. She's a godsinger on Mount Ipyeda, her world a world of snow, harsh winds and perilous climbs. She learns never to goad the mountain, to learn when to reach towards the sky and when to be mindful of the shifting ground beneath her feet. And, inevitably, this is the battle of Dumai's storyline; she is a kite meant to soar with the winds, yet she is tangled in the politics of a land she was not born to understand. She is a secret, she is a legacy, she is the whispering voice, she is the mountain climber, she is the wind, she is the godsinger.
We are lead across the East as we fly beside her, spectators to her momentous story. From the mountains, to court, to journeys Dumai could never dream possible, we haunt her like water ghosts as we traverse the mysteries that lie inside her.
Dumai holds engrossing relationships with all those around her, a devoted bond with her mother, a heart-warming friendship with Kanifa, a complex and entertaining relationship with the silver-tongued Nikeya. I adored every moment of her story, I think it was perfectly written.

In The South, we are introduced to Tunuva, a sister of the Priory. Tunuva is an older character with many established relationships and memories of the past. She's a brilliant character, kind and loyal to a fault, always there and ready to protect her family. Ultimately, this is Tunuva's weakness, her love and gentle heart. Although she is a great warrior, faultless with a spear as she fights alongside her ichneumon, Ninuru, her heart holds her family above all else. Esbar and Siyu, the child in her past, and all her family in the Priory mean everything to her.
I loved glimpsing more of the Priory itself and the people in it. Priory readers will recognise these characters as ancestors of ones we already know. It's a fascinating place to simply exist in, and I loved seeing more of the South. It was always riveting when we discovered places we have not yet been to in this world, as well as places that did not exist in Priory because of the changes throughout the world's history. The Republic of Carmentum was one of these compelling new discoveries.
Through Tunuva we see the most siden magic, a magic of heat and day and fire. I have always adored the careful balance of this world's magic system and was delighted to see so much magic throughout the different perspectives.

Wulf is our point of view in the North. He's such an engaging character, an intriguing man trying to escape the mysteries of his past. He serves as a warrior under King Bardholt, fighting against the rumours of the Haithwood, trying to be someone his family will be proud of. Wulf is also an incredibly loyal character, much like Tunuva, a fierce defender of those he loves, and a caring friend.
His childhood friendship with Glorian slowly became one of my favourites. Although I cannot say too much about the plot of Wulf's story, know that it is enrapturing, never ceasing to elude and devour you.
We trek the furthest in Wulf's perspective, seeing corners of the world we had not dared venture before. As I mentioned with the Republic of Carmentum, Hróth is another land we have not seen before, and (as a person who loves cold, icy lands) I treasured every moment inside of it. Hróth provided many unique obstacles and difficult terrain. It was a brilliant choice to establish so many varying geographies and cultures so that we could see how similar things affected each land differently and in which ways the lands each chose to combat them.

As hard as it was to decide, as I adored every single character with all my heart, I eventually decided on a favourite. We find that favourite within our perspective in the West, Glorian Hraustr Berethnet. She is strong and iron-willed, clever and defiant. She is the shield of Inys.
We know the long line of Berethnet queens from Priory, but there are very few who compare to Glorian. We even know a piece of Glorian's story, from the history of Priory, but there is still much that we do not know. Knowing this piece of her only draws tighter the chains that bind Glorian to her story, she grows evermore imprisoned as we read on and on. The role of queen is not one she desires, the eternal vine of Berethnets is not a destiny she wants to claim.
Here, Shannon explores the most important storyline of them all. Here, Shannon (with her passion for women in history blazing brighter than any flame) explores monarchy through the lens of what women in monarchies were forced to endure and provide to continue these bloodlines. Here, Shannon is at her best.
I could write essays upon essays just on this topic and how essential it is to be explored like this, but I fear I cannot without dragging huge spoilers from the depths of every part of this novel, so I won't. But know that it is done incredibly, with parallels that illustrate deeper these monstrosities, and profound moments that will wrench your heart from your chest.
Glorian's story is the story of A Day of Fallen Night for me. As important and entertaining as all the others are, Glorian's story is indomitable.

All of the characters are incredible, complex and alluring, and their plotlines are all captivating as they intertwine and parallel and subvert. Unlike Priory, you will be completely immersed in every single character's perspective as your love and adoration for each character only ever grows.

Shannon's writing is beautiful and efficient, it shows us each part of the world in lavish prose and clearly explains every action. You can tell how much her craft has improved, the very structure, the very bones of this story hold firmer as we move towards the end with a pace of perfection. It's a slower-paced, denser read than Priory, however I believe it to be the more entertaining and engaging.

A Day of Fallen Night is a standalone prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree, you can read either one first. I would say Priory is the gentler read and is a softer introduction to the world, however ADOFN is (in my opinion) the better of the two. It is truly such a brilliant read and I now love Samantha Shannon and the world of Priory even more.

Priory is known as a sapphic fantasy staple, and I wholeheartedly agree with this. But A Day of Fallen Night boasts an even higher count of sapphic relationships, alongside it's other incredible representation. Out of our four main characters, two are sapphic, one is achillean, and one is aroace-spec. There are also several other queer characters as well as trans and genderqueer characters. Samantha Shannon could I possibly love you more?

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.