Among the Burning Flowers is a prequel novella to The Roots of Chaos series. It takes place before the events of The Priory of the Orange Tree so you can definitely read this book without having first read that one. Let’s face it, The Priory of the Orange Tree is quite chunky and reading this novella may encourage you to read that amazing book. One thing for sure about this world is that Samantha Shannon can create an amazing worldbuilding. The detail and complexity of her world captured my interest from the very first page. I highly recommend it, and Among the Burning Flowers is an excellent introduction to the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date.

Another brilliant foray into the Priory world. Shannon's world is thoroughly fleshed out through the previous two, but this smaller installment fulls in the blanks of the remaining awakening of dragons with a complex and heart wrenching tale of grief and steadfastness in an impossible situation. On my way to reread Priory now.

as a huge fan of the roots of chaos series, this was a delicious slice of world building, expanding on the tragic downfall of yscalin that is somewhat of a mystery in the priory of the orange tree. donmata marosa is so strong and interesting and brave.

i know the series too well to adequately judge if this would be a good place to start the series but i will strongly recommend it to those who haven't mustered the courage to crack into all 800+ pages of priory. i think it will successfully ease readers into it, removing that initial tough patch as they wade through the early chapters learning about the world.

Wow this was absolutely beautiful 😭🫶

I love that we got insight on the events before priory starts and we learn a lot more information leading up to the wyrms awakening.

Wow Marosa is my fave character now and I love that we could sympathise with her situation in Priory but we get the full picture in this novella and we can truly appreciate how strong of a character she is 😭🙌

Also love that we get more insight into Aubrecht, who was Sabrans husband in the Priory, and that he and marosa where engaged with a beautiful friendship forming there.

I absolutely loved to see the origins of these side characters in the Priory and now it makes me want to reread just to read about them again 😆

This was a spectacular novella and this world is one of my all time favourites!! I cannot wait for what else Shannon has in stock for the Roots of Chaos universe 🤩

And miss Shannon just know how to write like the queen she rightfully is 😮‍💨🤌 I swear I’d read her grocery list and still be amazed

Also whenever I read “full illustration here” “half page illustration here” I was like GIVE ME THE ART NOW!! But I’ll be patient and wait for my copy I guess 😙
Honestly so excited to see the final illustrations 🤭

As always thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review 🫶🫶 you guys made my day with being able to read this masterpiece early, forever grateful 😘🫶

As a big fan of Samantha Shannon already I went into this both excited and apprehensive - would a novella read the same way, would she capture the same magic and would I feel lost at sea without having recently read Priory. Without fail she absolutely captures the same brilliant of the other roots of chaos, my only complaint is of course I wish we got more. To start with I was trying to match up the characters to my hazy memory but I decided to let that go and just read and enjoy it as a new story, with that perspective it didn't take long to get hooked once again. As I read I remembered and it was brilliant to see a part of the world I knew but from another perspective. I think this would be a great starting point for those with big book fear as you are thrown straight in and it will leave you wanting to read on to Priory. This is definitely a novella though and does finish in a way that will make you want more - but that's it's purpose and where it sits in the Roots of Chaos series. It's a perfect little snack for those of us desperately waiting for the next full size novel and a good little starter to those who haven't yet fallen in love with her storytelling.

She's done it again!! as always the gaming prose made me forget were I was! I can't wait to buy it physically!

Samantha Shannon has the amazing talent of writing massive books that go by so fast!
I devour this book in a couple of sitting.
The narrative arc was not my favorite and felt maybe a bit redundant (but that is my general opinion regarding prequels as a whole). But regardless It was fun being back in this world and the reading experience was really nice.

It's no secret that PRIORY is one of my favourite books, so I will ALWAYS read a new story set in this world, no matter how long or short.

But oh boy, is this one a Tragedy,

The Donmata Marosa is an intriguing secondary character in The Roots of Chaos world, and this short novel - though there's a LOT packed into it - adds depth and heartbreak to the glimpses of her story that we've already witnessed. Now that I know how loyal Priessa truly was to her, and how much they've endured together by the time we meet them in PRIORY - it's just astonishing.

Towards the end of this novel, when we begin to realise exactly why Marosa has so few allies in PRIORY - I reached one of those scenes, one of the most horrifying ones, and had to put the book down, stare up at the ceiling, and mutter, "Oh GOD," to myself. Likewise, it was horrifying meeting Aubrecht, knowing what's ahead for him and his family, and learning the extent of the loss hinted at in PRIORY that the close and extended family has suffered and what more grief lies ahead for them.

A recurring theme in this book, more than the previous instalments, is the 'what could have been' paths that are swept away through the events of PRIORY, and the hints of tragedy in what Aubrecht and Marosa could have achieved together as a married royal couple.

Compared to its predecessors, AMONG THE BURNING FLOWERS is strongly a tragedy, a tale of quiet courage and resilience in the face of terror and devastation, and the death of an old world order swept away in flames. I couldn't put this down, racing through it in two days, and found myself thinking about it for much longer afterwards. I can't wait for the next story to come.

The blurb for this prequel novella states that this book "leads readers through the gripping and tragic events that pave the way for the opening of the million-copy bestseller The Priory of The Orange Tree." And it definitely does that, providing backstory to some side characters from The Priory of The Orange Tree - mainly the crew of the Rose Eternal, Donmata Marosa, and Prince Aubrecht and his sisters. Once I got into this, I really got into it! One of the storylines (I'm being vague to avoid spoilers!) was really emotional, and I admit that I teared up three times about it!

However, I don't think that this book would be a great entry point to the series and to the complex world because there's quite a lot that isn't explained here, just due to the length, and I think you're sort of expected to know certain things about the world from the previous full-length (and very chunky) books. The sheer amount of names and places mentioned here would be confusing to someone new to the series.

If you're not coming in new to the series though, I think this novella does a fantastic job of giving an emotional backstory to some of the characters that we didn't get to see too much of in Priory. I found it heartbreaking, and to properly tear up three times during it just goes to show how good it is!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Having loved Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night, this one was a bit confusing for me.
It's a prequel to Priory, set in Yscalin and how it fell to Fýredel. It's pacy, well-written, however.. it felt a bit unnecessary. The narrative arc was a bit flimsy, so it doesn't stand on its own as strongly as the previous two books did. I liked reading it, but unfortunately, afterwards I was left with the feeling of 'why was this necessary'?

I really enjoyed this as a huge Priory fan but I think the advertising stating this is a standalone novella is really misleading. The story very much just **ends** (obviously as it goes straight into priory) but this makes it just a… very long priory extended prologue.

I really enjoyed and I’ll absolutely be recommending to my followers who have read ADOFN/Priory, but not on its own

Absolutely loved this novella, and a glimpse into two characters we only see hints of in Priory of the Orange Tree. My heart absolutely breaks for them both

Bloomsbury, I have no idea how you approved me, but I am endlessly grateful you did. Please tell me which tattered bits of my soul you'd like in exchange. thank you NetGalley for hosting this book!

I read this book once. Then, in less than a week, I reread Priory of the Orange Tree, and A Day of Fallen Night, in some desperate miraculous time I forced into my time of being a teacher. So much dug in deeper with this small outlook into both Marosa and Yscalin, and Estina. I am certain that we will find something out about the Hatha tree in the next prequel (or its connection to the haithwood), and certainly about a certain new fruit, maybe.....

And then I read this book again. And I can't wait to buy my copies. Copies, multiple. I've screamed about this book so much to others, and I will continue to do so eagerly.

Honestly, Samantha Shannon does not miss!
I loved the shorter length just as much as Priory and ADOFN. ATBF gives context and background to Priory which I think ties in so beautifully that you could read those two in either order. It introduces characters we met in Priory from a different perspective and really enriches the world, showing the prejudices and political manoeuvring from a different angle. Among the Burning Flowers is a perfect intro to the Roots of Chaos world for anybody who has been put off by the longer books. As always, we get Samantha Shannon’s beautiful writing style, her strong female lead and a heartbreaking story of survival that had me biting my lips (my lips are literally bleeding such is the emotional impact 🫠).
There were some brutal moments, like Ysabel’s and Rozia’s bodies, and the immersive writing really pulled me in so I was devastated on Marosa’s behalf. The vivid descriptions only added to this, imagining the heat, the scents and the colours was easy and enhanced the reading experience so much.
I already had this on preorder but after finishing the ARC, I’m ready to reread the other Roots of Chaos books and live the story all over again! Thank you so much!

With Among the Burning Flowers, Samantha Shannon returns to her fascinating Roots of Chaos universe and delivers a dense, emotionally profound novella set between the prequel A Day of Fallen Night and the main work The Priory of the Orange Tree. Although the book is comparatively short at just under 300 pages, Shannon once again manages to impress with atmospheric worldbuilding, complex characters and political tension.

The plot follows three perspectives: Marosa Vetalda, Crown Princess of Yscalin; Aubrecht Lievelyn, future High Prince of Mentendon and Marosa's fiancé; and Estina Melaugo, a Culler who experiences the burgeoning threat of dragons up close and personal. Marosa's point of view is particularly striking. Her role as a political prisoner desperate for freedom is portrayed in an impressive and moving way. The iconic encounter with the great wyrm Fýredel is one of the emotional highlights of the book and demonstrates Shannon's talent for intense scenes.

Aubrecht's narrative emphasises the political powerlessness and personal despair in a changing world. His tireless struggle to help Marosa is touching and adds depth to the story. I perceived Estina's perspective initially as somewhat detached, but it gains importance as the story progresses through her connection to the people of Yscalin and her personal love story. This subplot provides a balance of drama and emotional warmth.

Samantha Shannon's lyrical yet precise writing style contributes significantly to the dense atmosphere. Fans of the Roots of Chaos series in particular will appreciate the numerous links and details that deepen the worldbuilding even further. The well-integrated cross-references and glossaries illustrate the author's careful planning and enrich the reading experience.

If you want to immerse yourself in Samantha Shannon's complex universe, Among the Burning Flowers is a gripping, well-told story that fits in perfectly with the other volumes. My recommendation would be to read the series chronologically: first A Day of Fallen Night, then Among the Burning Flowers and finally The Priory of the Orange Tree. This allows the story to unfold in all its depth and emotionality.

Conclusion: Among the Burning Flowers is an atmospheric and moving novella that fans of the Roots of Chaos series should not miss. It shows once again why Samantha Shannon is considered a master storyteller and world creator - despite its brevity, the novella convinces with great narrative power and emotional sensitivity.

It was so good to go back to the world of the Roots of Chaos series. It’s one of my favourites, and I’m always in awe on Samantha Shannon’s beautiful writing and how real all her characters feel. Having recently reread Priory, I was able to fully immerse myself in this, and for those that feel intimidated by the chunky books in the series, this is a perfect place to start. I can’t wait to read anything else she writes in this world.

I loved this (as per usual) and adored that it was (significantly) shorter than the other two books currently in the series! it felt a lot less daunting to start, and once I had, I absolutely flew through it!

we follow a multi-pronged story, as with all the books in this series, mainly following aubrecht and marosa - who are mentioned in Priory - as well as a few other points of view. it was thrilling to see how exactly the events of Priory were as a result of the events that occurred in this book, and I loved how both Aubrecht and Marosa were characterised and written!

Once again, a novel rich with description and worldbuilding with intricate, fleshed out characters that you real world root for - im utterly beyind excited for the next books in this series; and will have to fill the Samantha Shannon shaped hole in my reading schedule with more of the Bone Season series!

thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing for so kindly providing me with the e-arc!

Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon is a lush, powerful triumph—both emotionally resonant and thematically rich. Shannon weaves a tale of resistance, identity, and love with lyrical prose and stunning worldbuilding. Every page feels deliberate, soaked in tension and beauty.

The characters are layered and unforgettable, their relationships pulsing with depth and nuance. Shannon balances political stakes with intimate moments, crafting a story that feels both epic and deeply personal. The pacing is tight, and the emotional weight builds steadily toward a devastating, satisfying conclusion.

This is storytelling at its finest—bold, immersive, and unforgettable. Among the Burning Flowers is a masterwork of fantasy and feeling, earning every bit of its 5 stars.

An exciting and engaging novel that expands upon and gives additional detail to the epic 'The Priory of The Orange Tree' story.

This fast-paced prequel is a worthy addition to the 'Roots of Chaos' series and provides interesting context and alternative character perspectives, which I found to be totally gripping. I just wish it could have been longer! (A common malady I seem to have on finishing any book in this series!).

This is a much shorter novel than Priory, and as such, it could be a good entry point to the series if it feels too daunting to start with the 800+ page Priory! However, I would recommend reading the novels in order of publication date to avoid spoilers for some of the gasp-out-loud moments within the story!

I love this epic fantasy series and look forward to future instalments!

I'll also give a shout-out to the incredible cover artwork. These books are simply stunning.

Huge thanks to netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book set to be published in September 2025. I loved it!

“Marosa had not seen the stars for weeks, such was the reddish haze of it.”

For such a short book (Samantha Shannon-wise), this story really packed a punch. It’s a heartbreaking story of survival, which adds so much depth to the original The Priory of the Orange Tree story.
I loved Marosa - her strength and commitment to her people was admirable, and the love she has for Aubrecht is fierce. I hated to read their story knowing what was coming.
I really enjoyed learning more about places and practises we saw in passing in Priory but didn’t get to fully expand. We learnt more about their religions/myths and their history.
I can’t wait to reread this, and then go straight into Priory.