EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

A feminist Lord of The Rings - is this sacrilegious or timely? Well, we're going to find out in our March to August Read-A-Long nomination. Join us in the thrilling journey of reading The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon.

There are 6 sections to the book, and we will aim to follow this schedule:

March: I - Stories of Old
April: II - Declare I Dare Not
May: III - A Witch to Live
June: IV - Thine is the Queendom
July: V - Here Be Dragons
August: VI - The Keys to the Abyss

At the start of each month, I will continue the discussion by asking questions and posing comments on the section we'll be reading, culminating in a live video discussion at the end of August.

Happy reading!

Starting with a library copy and if I don't DNF, will hopefully get my own copy. Has anyone read this one before?

I have not, but I have heard many good things about it and will be joining this read! Looking forward to it!

I have read it and I'm looking very much forward to read it again with all of you.

great!! I've wanted to read this for a long time! :)

Lena wrote: "I have read it and I'm looking very much forward to read it again with all of you."

I like to be careful with the content of the books I read. Sorry to bother you, but does this book have any sex in it?

@ Chase, according to doesthedogdie.com (a good resource for trigger warnings in books/tv etc), there is sexual content but not explicit as far as I can tell. "A couple sex scenes, but they're not very explicit and tastefully done" is what the comment says. Here is the link to the page for Priory for other warnings, but click at your own risk for spoilers: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/1...

I am looking forward to reading this book! I had (somehow) not heard of it prior to the nominations for this read and it’s a book I would have chosen had I come across it at a bookstore.

Chase wrote: "Lena wrote: "I have read it and I'm looking very much forward to read it again with all of you."

I like to be careful with the content of the books I read. Sorry to bother you, but does this book ..."

I've read this a couple years ago and don't remember any explicit scenes.

I will join this too! Although I'll probably read it all in one go and not follow the schedule. I've heard tons of good things about it so excited to read it!

I’m in as well. Very excited!

I had already started reading it, before this group chose it. I just finished the first part yesterday. It’s a complicated read, has lots of characters, different countries and mythical creatures. Is there a chart available anywhere to keep track of everything? That would be so helpful!

I DNFed this 2 years ago. Will take it up again, and, even if I don't like reading it, I will slowly do so with diligence. I'm determined for this.

For everyone that hasn't seen it in Betty's monthly message:
there is now a discord channel for the Read-A-Long discussions! Hopefully makes it a bit easier to discuss things in detail for everyone who wants to do that :)
Here is the link: https://discord.com/invite/gAVd9y5X

Lina wrote: "For everyone that hasn't seen it in Betty's monthly message:
there is now a discord channel for the Read-A-Long discussions! Hopefully makes it a bit easier to discuss things in detail for everyon..."

Thank you. :)

Chase wrote: "Lena wrote: "I have read it and I'm looking very much forward to read it again with all of you."

I like to be careful with the content of the books I read. Sorry to bother you, but does this book ..."

Sorry that I haven't seen your response earlier. I would agree with the others. There are a few scenes but nothing specific or explicit.

do we have to join the discord or will there be discussions here too?

Melissa, you don't need to have Discord, we will continue our discussion here.

I had never come across this book before but will try to pick up a copy to read at some point in the read along journey. I’ve read and enjoyed some fantasy books but at times felt the ‘female voice’ wasn’t true so this sounds like it will be a good read.

thank you for all that replied to my question. I'll take that into account

Part I - Stories of Old

I absolutely am loving the whole good dragon/bad dragon complex haha and comparing in my mind where I think the author is drawing the stories and legends and mix of myths from.
I think that the pace has been just right for me, with each new chapter or even paragraph keeping me going and being a wonderful page turner, whetting my appetite.
I like the unfolding of Ead's storyline, and how I can't quite tell if I should be backing Queen Sabran or shaking her shoulders. Tane's water quest/challenge reminds me of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tournament, very fun.

I will begin reading tomorrow. Looking forward to a good read.

I admit I expected to be a little bored with this novel when it was recommended by another GR club for the monthly read. However, I was very wrong! I liked it a great deal, even bought it after returning my library copy….

I had to return my copy to the library, but I did get a little bit ahead of our reading schedule. Fingers crossed that by the time the book comes back, I won't be too far behind. I am really enjoying the world building so far, although I'm not yet invested in the characters. I do find myself constantly consulting the maps in the front of the book to see where each of these kingdoms/cities are located.

Count me in! I bought this book a couple of years ago but haven't gotten to it but now I will.

I was sorry I missed Middlemarch, but I am joining this one! Just found a copy today! I still have to finish up the book I am currently reading, but I should be able to start this week!

I've had a copy of priory on my bookshelf for a while and have been intimidated, but hopefully this Read-A-Long will help me get through it in sections! I'll be starting Part I asap :)

just starting this now :) anyone else reading this?

What do you all think of Niclays Roos?

Starting the weekend!!!!

I thought it would be too late to join by the time I saw this, but am hoping to start this soon now that I know the readalong only started this month!

Betsy wrote: "What do you all think of Niclays Roos?"

I feel like we're supposed to feel badly for him because of his sad backstory, but his lack of caring for others makes me feel less towards him than I probably should.

I thought I knew more about these different species of medieval animals, but I keep finding myself having to remind myself what the differences between the dragon, wyvern, cockatrice, wyrm, ichneumon, etc. was again? It's been fun.

Enjoying this read along so far 😊 could anyone point me towards the discord? The link from earlier in the thread won’t work for me.

The discord link doesn't work for me either :(

https://discord.gg/Fbe25jbc

I hope this works for you. Let me know if it doesn’t!

Lina wrote: "https://discord.gg/Fbe25jbc

I hope this works for you. Let me know if it doesn’t!"

Yes! It works. Thank you so much! :D

I can’t stop reading! I am thoroughly enjoying the world Samantha Shannon has created

I finished it, it was so good! Although i did struggle a bit warming to the characters. cant wait to discuss!

Can you please send another invite to the discord server. I would love to join this conversation.

There you go: https://discord.gg/FpFSwfj3

Thank you 😄

I can follow the link to discord then nothing happens once I am there- do I need a discord account or?

I don’t understand why there was blood on Tane’s side and a white butterfly. The butterfly I understand more but I didn’t get the blood symbolism.