Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with an e-arc to read and review.

As someone who hasn’t read Priory (yet), this prequel novella was the perfect introduction to the series! It left me wanting more, but still feeling satisfied enough with the ending. The world building was incredible, even for such a short story. And I can only imagine that it will expand further in Priory.

The characters were diverse, unique and believable; as were their relationships. The dialogue flowed effortlessly and I often felt like I wasn’t reading at all, but watching a scene from a movie. Shannon’s writing was excellent, straight to the point yet visceral enough to stir up powerful emotions in the reader.

I enjoyed every second of this novella, even though the beginning started quite slow. However, I do feel like the payoff at the end was worth it. I didn’t feel like I was missing out on important information due to not reading Priory first— everything felt clear and well explained, while still leaving a bit of mystery for the following books.

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.

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*

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.

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.

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!

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.

Among the Burning Flowers is a powerful return to Samantha Shannon’s world of Priory of the Orange Tree. I loved getting to witness the events that ultimately set the stage for its sequel, and it was interesting to see some of the characters from the PotOT- especially Marosa. I think she was probably my favorite character out of both books, and that’s saying something considering how much I loved Ead.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Among the Burning Flowers is a brilliant addition to the Roots of Chaos series, one of my all-time favourites, so it’s no surprise that I absolutely loved it.

As a direct prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree, this novella offers a fascinating glimpse into the events leading up to the world we know from the main novel. There's a slight overlap in the timeline, which makes the connections even more satisfying to uncover. Watching the early stirrings of Fýredel’s awakening unfold added a rich layer of context to the overarching story.

Marosa Vetalda is a name fans will recognize, but until now, she’s remained somewhat of a mystery. This story shines a welcome spotlight on her life and on Yscalin, bringing more depth to both the character and the wider world. Exploring another region and time period expanded the lore in a way that felt both fresh and meaningful.

While this is a much shorter read than the previous two standalones, it still manages to deliver a compelling slice of history. Of course, I’ll always crave more from this universe, but Among the Burning Flowers offers just the right amount of insight and intrigue for anyone who’s already fallen in love with The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for this eARC.

4.5⭐️ Samantha Shannon did it again!

Among the Burning Flowers is a perfect prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree and a long-time Roots of Chaos fan like me.

It followed Marosa Vetalda of Yscalin, Estina Melaugo, and Aubrecht Lievelyn of Mentendon in the couple of years before the events in Priory. It was not a fun read, considering the dark and desperate events depicted, but it showcased Shannon's brilliant writing, valiant female characters, and head-spinning worldbuilding (politically, culturally, mythologically) that left you wanting more. Despite being relatively short, it made me care about the characters in no time at all.

It's a great starting point into the series if Priory's length intimidates you: reading this book left you with many questions want answering. However, I don't think calling this book a standalone story (like A Day of Fallen Night) is appropriate. It's a prequel.

BUT. AS A FAN. I WAS VERY HAPPY. So many nods to so many things from Priory and ADoFN. I think regardless of what order you read these books in; it's so satisfying because they are so deeply interconnected!

Advanced Reading Copy courtesy of NetGalley and Bloomsbury UK & ANZ.

Sized like a normal book it felt like a short story compared to the other books in the series. I love that Samantha Shannon keep giving us bits and pieces of her wonderful, dragonplagued universe.

This is a story about resistance, bravery and love. A story about finding small means of resistance. Of being braver than you really are.

And I loved every bit of it. Keep writing Shannon! I want more. Every nook and corner of this world is worth to explore.

I bow down to the genius that is Samantha Shannon - I absolutely devoured this book!

I read The Priory of the Orange Tree a couple of years ago, and I was so excited for the chance to dive back into this world. And Samantha Shannon delivered with Among the Burning Flowers.

Starting a few years before the beginning of Priory, ATBF has the rich and complex world-building that I love about Samantha's books. We follow multiple characters that are mentioned in Priory, and I loved seeing them come to life in this book.
I adored Melaugo and Liyat and their relationship. Melaugo is such a fun character in Priory, and it was exciting to get her backstory! I was a bit sad that we didn't get to see much of them in the second half of the book. Marosa was also such a well-rounded character. Reading about the fall of Yscalin from her perspective and seeing her resilience in the face of the horrible circumstances she finds herself in (a lot of which are caused by men) - it's why I love women written by women.

Despite the rich world-building of this book, it felt like a more accessible gateway to the incredible world of Priory because it focuses on a smaller set of characters and is mostly contained to Yscalin. If the size of Priory ever stopped you from picking it up, this book is the perfect starting point. And for anyone who has read Priory, this ATBF adds so much depth to the characters and the world, it feels like coming home.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves epic fantasy, incredible world-building, strong female characters and dragons (of a different kind)! Thank you so much to Bloomsbury for letting me review an eARC.

*I received an eARC via Netgalley*
Receiving an arc for a Samantha Shannon book is quite literally a dream come true. The Priory of the Orange Tree captivated me the first time I read it, and Among the Burning Flowers had a similar affect. Something I have always loved about Samantha Shannon's writing is the heavy/complex world building. She always paints a picture with her words, and I loved reading this book for that reason. Considering the length of this story and the complex world building, the plot progresses quickly from even the first page. I loved the characters and I believe I will be thinking about this story for a long time. If you liked The Priory of the Orange Tree you will love this, and if you haven't read Priory yet and are intimidated by the size, Among the Burning Flowers is a good place to start.

This is the perfect prequel to priory of the orange tree. It sets up the story so well and left me wanting more about every single plot thread (even though I’ve already read priory and know what happens). I honestly don’t think anyone writes characters and creates worlds like Samantha Shannon. The way these stories have been brought to life is incredible, especially over such a short number of pages for this one! I just want to keep reading and stay in this world forever.

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!

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.

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!

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.

“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.

I have yet to read a Samantha Shannon book that I don't enjoy. A perfect little filler, this book goes to show how deeply the worlds crafted by Shannon are thought about

ARC review to follow!

This was such a tease! I need a full length book featuring these characters!

Another Samantha Shannon 5 star read. Just when you think this authors books can’t get any better she produces another one that is even better. I am not going to say any more because you all need to emerge yourselves in this world.

I feel a bit selfish because I can't deal with such a short book from Shannon, her stories really come to life when fully fleshed out. But having said that, this prequel added some lovely nuance to the Priory universe and was thoroughly enjoyable as always

So I'm one of the few people who did not read Priory of the Orange Tree before this. Though Priory has been on my radar for a while, I never picked it up, partially because I was a little intimidated by the length of that book. I requested the ARC for this, because I really appreciated the author writing this as an easier entry point into the series.

First the good, I really liked the writing. I liked the characters and I liked how descriptive the writing was. I could visualize every scene the author set up, and the world felt very real. The politics were fleshed out very well, and seeing all different kinds of people in this world experience the starting of the war was very interesting.

Unfortunately the book had some slow pacing, especially in the beginning I struggled to get into it. This is also a bit of a downside of the descriptive writing, because the world gets described in so much detail, the pacing slows down quite a bit.

I really liked the book, I enjoyed the writing, and I had a great time reading this. I feel overall this book did what it set out to accomplish. It makes Priory and the roots of chaos series more accessible, while still standing very well on it´s own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with an ARC for this book.

I loved this. I really enjoy reading this series and it was nice to be immersed in that world without committing to a very long read.
I would maybe have liked the two sets of characters to be more intertwined, or to be in two separate novellas, because I find it hard to keep tabs on who everyone is.
However, this book has everything you want from this series - some queer romance, some wyverns, lots of political intrigue and courage and peril.

I’ve devoured the other Roots of Chaos books (RoC), and almost binge read the Bone Season books. Most were 5 star reads for me. So I guess you can say I’m a huge fan of Samantha Shannon’s stories and will read anything she writes. Among the Burning Flowers (ATBF) is no exception.

At first, I felt like I had some difficulty getting back into this world and story. The complex storyweaving with lots of characters and worldbuilding is amazing, but takes some time to reacquaint yourself with. So I read a few recaps, studied the maps again, scanned the glossary in the back of the Priory of the Orange Tree (TPOTOT), and dove back into ATBF. From there on, the reading went smoothly. It’s everything you can expect if you know the other RoC books.

Because of its shorter length, ATBF is more accessible, yet in my opinion it isn’t a great starting point for RoC. Because if you want to understand everything that’s being said and that’s going on, you’ll definitely have to have read at least TPOTOT already (though there are a few references to a Day of Fallen Night (ADOFN) as well). I’m not saying you can’t start with this novella, only that if you do, there might be some things that you don’t understand yet. But no worries, once you’ll read the other books, it will all become crystal clear. So if you’re intimidated by the other two bricks, because they are chunky books, you could still give ATBF a try.

I loved to get to know Marosa, Melaugo and Aubrecht better. This story creates more depth and background, giving insight into why certain things happen the way they do in TPOTOT. ATBF takes place only a few years before TPOTOT, so it’s a direct prequel. It was so much fun to see all the different puzzle pieces fall together, and to experience the buildup to the next part of the story. I felt connected to the characters almost immediately and wanted to keep on reading. Some small things felt like they were left unresolved, which was the only downside for me, but that’s because TPOTOT will pick up the story right there again.

4,5/5 stars for me, because it’s pretty complex for a novella, but I still loved it.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC, I'm forever grateful. Still, my opinion is and remains my own and isn't influenced by receiving an ARC. .

Samantha Shannon did it again! Huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early. — Samantha Shannon is being one of my favorite authors! I absolutely loved it! Even though it’s nearly 300 pages, I devoured it like it was a novella.

This is a brilliant prequel to The Priory of the Orange Tree, and it immediately made me want to reread it (I plan to reread this prequel and the book itself before the end of the year thanks to this arc!). The world-building, the characters, the writing — everything was spot on. A truly flawless read in my eyes!

Another wonderful, full-bodied dive into the world of the Roots of Chaos.

Samantha Shannon weaves this story of political and supernatural intrigue with a masterful hand.

I’ve been following this series since the beginning, and getting this deeper look into the lives of other players in Priory of the Orange Tree, an almost peak behind the curtain, was incredible.

Amongst the Burning Flowers is also an excellent stepping off point for anyone who’s been intimidated by the size of the other novels in this series!

A short but riveting prequel that greatly expands on the lore of the world. While I would've loved a full novel with greater character depth, I still loved this great entry in the roots of chaos series.

She's done it again. Even if this story is considerably more compact than her previous work she still manages to grip the reader's attention right from the start. At this point I will read anything by Samantha Shannon.

Does Samantha Shannon know how to write something that isn’t a masterpiece?

If you’ve been meaning to try to read the behemoth of a book that is Priory of the orange tree, but are afraid of the size, Among the burning flowers is a great introduction to the universe. You get to meet a few characters, explore a small portion of the map, slowly get familiar with the lore.

If you already know and like the Roots of chaos universe, it’s a great way to learn more Yscalin and the Donmata

On that note, I have to go re-read Priory

At the heart of Among the Burning Flowers is Marosa Vetalda – princess and heir to the Yscalin throne, but also: prisoner in her own home. While she is plotting to break free from her father’s control so she can become the ruler she always believed she was meant to be, the first sparks of draconic danger in centuries are stirring…

Before diving in, I’d like to give a full disclaimer: I have received an ARC of Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is marketed as an accessible and short entry to the world of the Roots of Chaos, which famously consists of chunky epic fantasy novels A Day of Fallen Night and The Priory of the Orange Tree. These books are epic, queer AF, inclusive and dense. Oh and did I mention chunky? So not the easiest of novels to get into… Since Samantha is currently continuing her The Bone Season series, further full-length stories from the Roots of Chaos cycle are currently on hold. However, being the queen that she is, Samantha is gifting her fans with a “short story” set within the Roots. Short being relative, because Among the Burning Flowers comes in at around 300 pages – so it’s still a full length novel.

As someone who has read both Roots of Chaos novels, I would argue that length wise, it is definitely a good entry into the world, but that does not mean that this is an easy book to get into. It’s been a while since I’d last read A Day of Fallen Night, so the first thing that struck me when I started reading was just how incredibly rich and detailed this world is – so much so that for the first 25% of the book we’re mostly being given exposé-- not by "tell", mind you. No, Shannon is showing us her world, and it is huge. Overwhelmingly so, I would argue, especially if you have no prior knowledge of the Roots of Chaos.

So even at 300 pages, Among the Burning Flowers is still a pretty daunting book. It is, however, definitely worth the pay-off. Samantha is a master storyteller and her prose is just gorgeous. So if you’re able to set aside the overwhelm and just trust the process, you’ll find yourself immersed and invested before long.

I really appreciate how effortlessly Samantha Shannon weaves queer identity, complex character backgrounds (not one of these characters is flat, y’all – they all have dimensions), politics and a giant looming threat into a relatively short and cohesive story. By the end I was so invested and so worried for Marosa’s and Estina’s fates, that the only option I had was to immediately jump back into The Priory of the Orange Tree and re-read that beast of a book.

Among the Burning Flowers is a gorgeous book, and a great addition to the Roots of Chaos, because it’s not just fanservice, it really does expand on the world and the characters we’ve seen so far! I also can't wait to see the illustrations that are going to be a part of this September release.

5 stars.

This was such an epic story from the first page!
There was so much focus of the characters and their development I felt it was really easy to follow.
I loved the way the threads interlinked, it made for an exciting read, building the suspense.
The world building was fantastic, SS paints stunning pictures of the landscapes and details of the smaller towns and villages creating a charming fantasy world.
There were a few powerful and emotive moments that really showed the strength of the human spirit. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

e-arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

samantha shannon has done it again!!! not that i ever doubted her. but it still must be said.

this is such a vital installment in the roots of chaos series. while not as grand in scope as the priory of the orange tree or a day of fallen night, it hits you in the heart just as hard. it was an immense pleasure to spend more time in yscalin, a part of the world only visited for a short time in the main installments, and get to know some of its characters better. of course, this only serves to cause you more pain as you think about them for an extended period of time, but if that is the price i must pay, so be it.

not only is this novel(la?) a great look at the goings-on in the background of tpotot, but it's also got some lovely references to previous installments. however, they don't have to be read in order to understand this book - an incredible feat, honestly, considering their scope and length.

if you've been afraid to pick up the roots of chaos, take this as your sign. please please please-

A few weeks ago, I bought The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night and have been pondering ever since which book I should read first. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, as soon as I got the opportunity to read an e-arc of Among the Burning Flowers, I knew that it would be my entry point to the Roots of Chaos universe.

Among the Burning Flowers is a short prequel to The Priory of The Orange Tree and it, mainly, follows Marosa Vetalda, Donmata of Yscalin. Aubrecht Lievelyn, the future High Prince of Mentendon and Marosa’s fiancé, and Estina Malaugo, a culler trying to survive.

I absolutely loved learning about this entire new universe and the world building was perfect. The characters were so well written and had a lot of depths and layers. I’m very intrigued about the Draconic plague, Fyredel, Estina and all the political strategies that are already taking place.

Learning about each of the characters over the course of a few years was very interesting and my heart broke for Marosa and everything she had to endure. She was so resilient throughout the whole book and was trying everything she could to free herself and her people.

It was the perfect introduction to the Roots of Chaos world and I can’t wait to read The Priory of the Orange Tree. I’m very excited to discover more about the characters I’ve just meet and, of course, to discover new ones, to see how they will all meet and interact together, etc.

Samantha Shannon is fast becoming one of my favorite author and I feel so lucky to be able to read her stories.

Once again a huge thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc and Samantha Shannon for letting me read an advanced e-copy of this amazing book and I will run to recommend it to everyone!

I’ve read the first two books and loved them and this third instalment did not disappoint. I loved it. I had it read within a few days as I couldn’t put it down. The world building and characters are fantastic and I could picture the story as I read.

Only Samantha Shannon would make a 300 page story fly by, especially one where you already know where it's going. (Unless you're like me and in desperate need of a reread of The Priory of the Orange Tree.)

It truly is a talent to take characters like Marosa and Aubrecht, whom you know exactly how they will end up, and still inject a lot of stakes and heart-in-the-throat moments. This is beautifully written to build a sense of a dread and just truly enriches the stories of the Yscalin and Mentendon characters in a devastating way.

One of Samantha Shannon's greatest skills in how visual her writing is. You can so immediately picture the settings and the scenes as they play out, which, on top of her fantastic character work, makes a very immersive reading experience.

You can read this story before or after Priory, but I would recommend reading them in succession to one another - do what I didn't and help your memory! It's a tragic and enthralling story either way, but for the heaviest emotional impact, it's probably best to have Priory fresh in your mind.

I loved seeing more of Marosa and diving into her and her world. It was devastating, but man, what a character. Melaugo seemed promising as a character in her introduction chapter, but this was really Marosa's story.

A very high 4 stars. I just love this series so much, will read anything of it, and will reread this when it releases if only to take in the Rovina Cai illustrations that I cannot wait to see.

Thank you to the publisher, Bloomsbury, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!

The way that my year was MADE with the notification I got that I could read this one early. I have grown such a soft spot for Shannon's writing after delving deep into the Roots of Chaos series and seeing her twice and just growing to love the way that she thinks.

This novella has been noted to be an accessible point into the series as it has been known that the 800-900 page behemoths can be a bit daunting, but in my personal opinion, I think that reading Priory should be a prerequisite as I know that if I read this raw, I would be quite lost with place names and characters.

It follows characters from Priory who were in the supporting cast: Donmata, Aubrecht, Melaugo, etc. It depicts the beginnings of the Second Grief of Ages and how Yscalin became the Draconic Kingdom it was known as in Priory. It was so interesting to learn more about Marosa and I definitely think that I could read more ONLY about her. My heart was in my throat the whole time.

Shannon has simply knocked it out of the park with her excellent depictions of relationships and political tension as well as amazing world building. Every word had me on the edge of my seat and I'm so upset that I didn't take more time to read this!

I am so excited to see the illustrations that my eArc showed. This has made me want to read Priory again which my TBR has NO TIME FOR!!!!!

How wonderful to return to this world! The world building is, as always, phenomenal, and the character work is great. Marosa's story was so interesting, and my favourite part of the story!