Thank you, netgalley, for the ARC copy of this book!

It was a great read - in its second half. I read both The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night when they were published, so I had to revisit the characters list and the chronology in order to get re-familiarised with them. Although it is marketed as a standalone prequel to The Priory, I feel that someone who has not read The Priory before is going to miss out on important details, as Among the Burning Flowers fills in some missing pieces from the previous novels.

The reason why I liked the second part better was that, given the lenght of the novel, which is considerably shorter than the previous ones, the super-extensive exposition from the first half was not so welcome as it was in the longer novels. It felt to me that the entire first half was just an introduction - a too long one, proportionally - while in the second half the action developed in a fast pace. Hence the one star deducted from the rating.

All in all, I really liked the book and I was glad to revisit The Roots of Chaos realm.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC I was so excited to be chosen.
I loved this book and read it really quickly it is definitely shorter that the others at around 300 pages.
I found Marosa a really interesting character she is strong and powerful with many layers. This story shows the first fanning of the flames in the Priory of the Orange Tree.
Brilliant as always Samantha is an artist with words and paints a colourful wonderful world.
I love this series almost as much as the Bone Season series.
The writing is to be enjoyed like a really wonderful meal.
I also loved the beautiful cover.

Well, this was exceptionally short when compared to the rest of the series. It’s not >800 pages like The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night, but it definitely delivers nonetheless. My favourite aspects of this entire series continue to be the very complex (but well thought and coherent) world building, the structured and well tied plot and, maybe the most mind-blowing, the different multilayered characters that we come to love and feel for (sooner or later).

So far, I have had a process with each book of this series: At the beginning I’m intrigued but always confused. The plot is interesting but always complex, political heavy and there’s so many characters and different perspectives to consider. In addition, after the first book, I’m not only trying to follow the plot but also fit what is happening in the timeline. There are always so many connections points and it’s easy to get lost… but I always continue reading and there’s this certain point where something magic happens: I get to know the characters. But not just know them and this is where Samantha Shannon thrives, as the reader gets to really understand the characters: Who they are, what their background is, how they think and handle different challenges across family, love, duty, sacrifice and even winning or losing.

Among the Burning Flowers is a great addition to this series, going through events that were only mentioned before, but also a very enjoyable read on its own right (even though we already kind of know in which direction this story will go after reading book 1). It has high stakes, yearning, sacrifice and intimate character moments that make readers feel.

After this, I kind of want to re-read The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Among the Burning Flowers is a beautifully crafted return to the Roots of Chaos world, offering a story that feels both nostalgic and new, rich with magic, myth, and history. Samantha Shannon has delivered a deeply satisfying continuation that rewards both long-time fans of the series, and new readers looking to dive deeper into the world.

One of the highlights of the book for me was the chance to spend more time with the characters we’ve come to love from previous instalments. Aubrecht’s character was well developed, and I appreciated seeing how deeply he cared for his family as he wrestled with conflicting duties to them, to his kingdom, and to the woman he is expected to marry. Marosa Vetalda was always a mysterious figure in The Priory of the Orange Tree, and I loved learning more about her as she grappled with the battles that surround her, both internal and external. Yscalin is brought to life with an atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful. While reading, I could feel the decay threaded through the grandeur of the kingdom, and I felt just as claustrophobic as Marosa within the confines of her crumbling world. The reappearances of these characters felt purposeful and rewarding, adding emotional weight to the new story being told.

I highly recommend Among the Burning Flowers to anyone who loves character driven fantasy rich in emotion, myth, and history. Samantha Shannon has created something truly special, and I can’t wait to read what comes next.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review*

Some have said it's can be a standalone or read at any point but I feel like it should be read last. (I unfortunately didn't do this and read it in between books)

We're inundated with information, extensive backgrounds for all characters including very minor ones, world history, and excessive scene descriptions.
Much of this detail isn't needed in my opinion, I found it overshadows both the characters and the narrative itself for such a short book.

I couldn't connect to any characters. They lack depth and development, and the dialogue regularly felt flat.

Amazing!!!! I was dubious going into this, because the first book was so big (though I enjoyed it a lot). This shorter story was the perfect bridge for all the characters we saw in the first tale, and how they got there. I wouldn’t change a thing about this book - the pacing was excellent. I also feel you could read this as a standalone.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc - this is a fair review.

Although I had finished the Priory of the Orange Tree for so long that I almost forgot all about it, I still remember its wonderful world building. In this prequel, Samantha Shannon brought back the fantastic world of dragons and magic.
The characters in the book were all so likeable. The female characters were strong and brave. The male characters were charming and intelligent. It made reader feel and care for them.
The story isn’t fast paced but things kept happening to make you wonder where would it go. It definitely made me want to reread the Priory of the Orange Tree.
This is a book perfect for someone who love dragons, magic, adventure and noble fantasy story.

Set before the events of The Priory of the Orange Tree, Among the Burning Flowers pulls back the curtain on the fall of Yscalin, offering a more intimate look at the political and emotional unraveling of a kingdom on the edge.
The story follows Princess Marosa, bound by duty and caught in a brittle marriage alliance with Aubrecht, the figurehead ruler of Yscalin. Alongside them is Estina, a dragon hunter with divided loyalties. Their paths intersect as the threat of awakening dragons looms and old alliances begin to crumble.

This isn’t a tale of sweeping adventure—it's quieter, more internal. Samantha Shannon leans into atmosphere and political complexity, crafting a portrait of a kingdom fraying from the inside. The prose is elegant and layered, and the illustrations by Rovina Cai add a haunting, ethereal dimension to the reading experience.

That said, the novella’s restrained pace may not suit everyone. It builds slowly, with more weight on character motivation and setting than plot twists. Readers unfamiliar with The Priory of the Orange Tree might find it harder to connect with the stakes or the deeper lore at play.

In short: Among the Burning Flowers offers a valuable glimpse into the fragile moments before everything burns.

Let me start with a disclaimer: I am obsessed with the Bone Season series. This is my second journey into the Roots of Chaos universe, after A Day of Fallen Night. The first thing I was eager to see was Samantha Shannon’s signature, excellent writing style, which held my attention—even without following Paige making the “wrong” decisions.
In the Roots of Chaos series, world-building is one of its greatest strengths. However, I did find myself wishing for a slightly slower pace to better absorb the background of the world and its cast of characters. I definitely recommend making use of the appendices at the end of the books: they’re invaluable for gathering more information and deepening your immersion. A dedicated companion book would be incredibly helpful, and I’m sure it would be a treasured resource for many fans if ever published.
Among the Burning Flowers serves as a great introduction to the Roots of Chaos series, especially for readers unsure about diving straight into the heavyweights A Day of Fallen Night or The Priory of the Orange Tree (I have the hardbacks—trust me, you can skip the gym if you're reading one of those!). Its length is manageable, the pacing sharp, and it gives just enough to help you decide if this fantasy world and characters is for you. It’s a self-contained story providing you a taste and will likely leave you wanting more.

🌸 Amongst the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Bloomsbury, and the author for the arc!

Stepping back into the world of The Priory of the Orange Tree felt like returning to something grand, sweeping, and so beautifully dangerous - and Amongst the Burning Flowers does not disappoint.

This prequel novella gives us a closer look at the world before it all fell apart, and I’m so delighted it centred on Marosa Vetalda! She was one character I desperately wanted more of in Priory, and this story gave her the nuance, depth, and agency she truly deserved. From palace walls to political games, her quiet strength absolutely shines here.

We also get the prickly, loyal Estina (dragon hunter extraordinaire!) and the ever-intriguing Aubrecht - both adding layers of complexity to this tension-laced tale. And of course, the ever-present, slow-burning threat of wyrms rising again… 🔥

Samantha Shannon continues to weave queerness, world-building, and emotion into her storytelling so naturally. Her prose is rich and atmospheric, and while this was shorter than a full novel, the stakes felt epic.

A gripping glimpse into the calm before the storm - equal parts tragic and beautiful. If you loved Priory, this will make the world feel even bigger, and more heartbreakingly real.

Beautifully written and you absolutely don't have to read the Priory of the Orange Tree to enjoy this read.
This book has so many characters and so much to absorb, I will need to re-read this at some point to enjoy the true detail. I will see if reading the original series makes a difference to the experience or not. I will probably keep coming back to this book the fantasy writing is excellent.

Thank you to Samantha Shannon, NetGalley, and the publishers at Bloomsbury for sending me an ARC.

I read the first few chapters of this as part of the Bloomsbury Big Night In Readathon.
This is a series I've wanted to get into for a long time and definitely plan on reading the full series.
I very much look forward to going back to this when I have some time and finishing the rest of the book.

This relatively short book tells the story of the fall of Yscalin through the perspectives of three characters—Aubrecht, Marosa, and Estina—who also appear in The Priory. Contrary to what the author may suggest, I would actually recommend reading The Priory first, as it greatly helps in understanding this story.

While I continue to enjoy Samantha Shannon’s imaginative world-building and her writing, my main issues with her books originate here as well. Like in her other works, readers are inundated with information—lore, extensive backgrounds for even minor new characters, world history, and excessive scene descriptions. Much of this detail isn’t essential to the plot and often overshadows both the characters and the narrative itself.

Although the book contains a few emotional, high-stakes moments, I found the plot fragmented and struggled to follow its flow due to the overwhelming exposition. Even though each character has a distinct narrative voice, I couldn’t connect with any of them. They lack depth and development, and their dialogue often feels flat.

As a reader, I need to feel a connection to the characters and their motivations first. I also prefer to discover the world gradually through the story, rather than being inundated with exposition as if I were reading a Wikipedia article. This is what ultimately puts me off Shannon’s books: unless she improves these aspects, I doubt I’ll be able to enjoy her stories, because the reading experience feels no more engaging than looking up a summary online.

A brilliant next instalment of the Priory of the Orange Tree series - full of complex court intrigue, danger for Princess Marosa trapped in her tower with a madman father possessed by a dragon and terror for her people trapped in a city occupied by malevolent wyverns. On the outside, Prince Aubrecht tries desperately to send help but all else has failed. It's left on an exciting cliffhanger and I can't wait to read more!

Wow! My first dive into The Roots of Chaos series was absolutely phenomenal, and any worries that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as The Bone Season (a personal favorite!) vanished almost immediately.

As a prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree, ATBF masterfully introduces key characters and lays the groundwork for the epic events to come, with the before and after of Yscalin succumbing to the devastating rule of dragons.

The characters truly stole the show for me. Marosa is an incredible, albeit tragic, protagonist, and experiencing most of the narrative through her eyes was deeply immersive. Aubrecht's perspective offered a fascinating glimpse into his burgeoning story arc, setting the stage for future developments. My one minor wish was for more of Melaugo; she had all the makings of a favorite character but seemed to disappear around the halfway point. However, this isn't necessarily a drawback, as Samantha Shannon skillfully uses this to emphasize Marosa's growing isolation and entrapment in the latter half of the book.

This was a truly brilliant read, and I'm already itching to dive straight back into this rich and complex world!

Among Burning Flowers is a beautifully written book but I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as I expected. I read Priory when it first came out and loved it, but it’s been too long since and I struggled to reconnect with the world. I recognised names and places, but I couldn’t quite piece together how they all fit, which made it hard to fully engage with the story.

I don’t think this one quite works as well as a standalone. I think I needed Priory fresh in my mind to get more out of it. If I’d taken the time to reread before starting this, I think I would have loved it and easily given it 4 or even 5 stars. Unfortunately, I spent too much of the book trying to remember who was who, and that pulled me out of the story. Despite this I still enjoyed it, but it just didn’t quite hit right for me this time.

As of writing this, I think it’s been four years since my last tenure in the world of the Roots of Chaos so, just in time, Among the Burning Flowers is being released to remind me just why I loved The Priory of the Orange Tree when I first read it.

In the land of Yscalin, Donmata Marosa finds herself not only corralled at the whims of her controlling royal father, but imprisoned in her palace as vanquished draconic forces begin to rise again. Across the sea in Mentedon, its de facto ruler Aubrecht Lievelyn faces a battle of duty between his country and his fiancé, Marosa, trapped in her impenetrable castle fortress. For monster-hunter Estina Melaugo, the rising bestial horror seems to be an implication of what is to come. And as Yscalin appears teetering on the precipice of destruction the dread wyrm Fýredel threatens to rise again…

While Among the Burning Flowers is a fun return to the world of the Roots of Chaos – it’s a big world, so it’s fun to see some different part of it – I do disagree with the marketing for this book. Much of the advertising copy promotes it as an accessible introduction to the world of Virtuedom, and while it is definitely accessible, clocking in at several hundred pages shorter than the previous instalments, external character work and worldbuilding as established within The Priory of the Orange Tree are essential to really knowing what’s going on. Unless you know who these characters are – each POV is from someone who previously appeared within Priory – Among the Burning Flowers doesn’t really stand as its own book without this previous background reading. Still, the POVs are pretty enjoyable overall, even if they are there to just add another perspective to the events of Priory: Marosa and Melaugo are the two most compelling, for while it’s fun to see Mentedon through Aubrecht’s eyes as opposed to from a distance through Sabran in Priory, he isn’t quite as compelling as the female POVs. Overall, it’s fun to see Yscalin and Mentedon from the perspective of its citizens as opposed to external travellers, but Among the Burning Flowers is very much a companion-piece to Priory, which is definitely the best starting-off point for the series (and reminds me that I still need to read A Day of Fallen Night).

Among the Burning Flowers was a captivating read, rich, intense, and brimming with intrigue. As someone new to the series, I found it a compelling entry point, though at times a little overwhelming. The sheer number of character introductions made it slightly hard to keep track, and a more streamlined approach might have helped ease me in.

That said, the characters themselves were phenomenal. Each felt vivid and distinct, and the emotional stakes were high enough that I genuinely rooted for some to triumph and hoped others would meet a satisfyingly brutal end. The world-building was exquisite, immersive without being overbearing, and the plot kept me hooked from start to finish.

What truly sets this book apart is its emotional resonance. It’s not just character driven; it’s a journey. There’s plenty of action, but it’s the emotional arcs and personal stakes that give the story its weight. It’s a tale of survival, ambition, and consequence told with such finesse that I couldn’t help but be swept along.

Thank you so much for the arc. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 Stars

How could I possibly ever explain how Samantha Shannon can write a story that's both poetic and devastating at the same time ughhhhh!!! It was SO nice to be back in this world and that ending honestly gave me goosebumps, and I bet everyone will feel the same and want to desperately pick up Priory again!!

I do think the length left some some things to be desired BUT this was also so lovely to read while we wait for another book (hopefully another 800+ pages pls) and I can imagine bumping my rating up after re-reading Priory again!

Thank you SO much Bloombury UK + Netgalley for the e-arc, I'm truly so grateful!!!

What a gift this book is to the world of fantasy! Among the Burning Flowers is the long-anticipated prequel to the Priory of the Orange Tree. It also takes place after A Day of Fallen Night, and it unfolds in a second wave of Grief as the Draconic Army rises and the wyrms (dragons) stir again...

Long has Fyredel, the Great Wyrm, hovered beneath the warm blanket of Earth... But when he wakes, the flowers will burn, and All must decide where to cast their partisanship within history and learn how to nurture their Fate.

The story follows Marosa Vetalda, who is the daughter of the King. She is controlled by her father with the threat of a much more ancient enemy at her door. Aubrecht Llevelyn, her betrothed, attempts to walk the line between loyalty and strategic self-preservation as he seeks to invest in the longevity of his own people. Lastly, Estina Melaugo, who is a wyrm (dragon) hunter senses a deep evil moving within the Earth, makes a move to free humankind from a plague that has begun afflicting the human race. As the players flit across the stage in a delicate dance of diplomacy and strategic inquiry, Marosa must uncover why the wyrms hate humankind and discover the sacrifices she must make to save her faith and stay alive.

Among the Burning Flowers is a beautiful prequel that is not hallmarked by bloody battles or colliding armies, but instead, a battle of wills and the strength it takes to endure a hopeless world. This new novel sets the stage for the events of The Priory of the Orange Tree and explains how the sociopolitical landscape shifted for the story of The Priory to unfold. This book explains so much about the background of Shannon's Roots of Chaos, and it is an indispensable addition for veteran fans of the series and newcomers alike. The books can be read in any order, but I appreciated reading this after I read The Priory because I felt like I had a firmer grasp on what was going on and what was at stake.

Thank you so much to Samantha Shannon, NetGalley, and the publishers at Bloomsbury for sending me an ARC. This is sure to be one of the biggest fantasy books of this year, and it is delightful from start to finish! I read it in one sitting with my heart pounding against the delicate threads of political movements and dark conspiracies. Among the Burning Flowers will make you burn for more! Shannon's prose is stunning, and every cultural reference is an emerging artifact of a rich, complex world that deserves a future rooted in graphic novel and film development efforts! Among the Burning Flowers is a master class in how fantasy deserves to be written.