A Day of Fallen Night: A Roots of Chaos Novel (The Roots of Chaos)

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I would have especially liked to read more about why exactly a mysterious connection had appeared between two characters (other than for convenient plot reasons), and what regular life and training in the actual Priory of the Orange Tree was like, especially during this time period when the Priory was more in its prime. Though readers do get to witness more of the lifestyle of the Priory than ever before in A Day of Fallen Night —I wanted more exposition. I wish that Tunuva’s adopted daughter, Siyu, a child of the Priory, had narrated her own life throughout the years, or at least in the later ones, so I could have learned firsthand about the practices of the Priory and what daily, habitual life was like there when a great war was not being fought. Seeing the Priory through the eyes of one of the leaders of the organizations doesn’t really offer much in that regard and I hope that this is something explored in future novels in the series. But to see people diving into it has been such an incredible experience. I feel a lot of gratitude for all the discussion, it is so great to see a community of readers who love sapphic fiction. It just seems to be growing bigger and bigger.” This enchanting world of dragons, diverse relationships, and intricate political landscapes invites readers into a realm of imagination and reflection. Whether you’re reading this book as part of a book club or on your own, we hope the provided resources, including character analyses, and more, have enriched your reading experience. How she cared for her daughter, how she cared for her people, her kingdom, was so powerful, and I loved her all the more for it.

A Day of Fallen Night continues Priory’s themes of religion and the role of religion in defining history. If anything, Shannon uses this story to develop those themes even further, exploring the ways that religion influences the lives of every character in her world. Her characters all embody faith in different ways. Glorian Berethnet, the sole heir to her throne and the fifteen-year-old figurehead of her religion; Tunuva Melim, who has dedicated fifty years of her life to the Priory and to her goddess; and Dumai of Ipyeda, whose journey and relationship with the slumbering gods of the East will go on to define history. Shannon’s latest novel, A Day of Fallen Night, brings together all the things she has learned over her career. Set centuries before the events of Priory, an eruption of a volcano brings forth a large number of fire-breathing dragons that are “hellbent on destroying the world”– and power couple Tunuva and Esbar, a pair of lesbian warriors, that must survive the cataclysm. Esbar honors Tuva by naming their daughter Siyu du Tunuva uq-Nara, a significant tradition among the Ersyr people: “As a descendant of Siyati du Verda uq-Nara, you may bless her with two names, in the way of the northern Ersyr—one for herself, and one to guide her” (23). While Esbar gives birth to Siyu, it is Tuva who actively nurtures her, guiding her through life’s challenges.

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. again, comparing this to priory: the plot just wasn’t as strong. priory had so many good reveals in the second half that had be going “no way!” and “oh my god”. there was no such excitement in fallen night. Glorian Berethnet is the princess of Inys and heir to her mother's throne, in a long line of female monarchs whose bloodline keeps the Nameless One at bay.

Dumai’s leadership style focuses on the welfare of Seiiki’s citizens rather than her own status. She even allows Clan Kuposa to take control of the throne, believing that her energy should be directed towards more significant threats rather than internal power struggles. In a selfless act, she sacrifices herself, ensuring the safety of Seiiki: ‘She reached for the light deep within, and darkness accepted it, like an offering’ (804). Although her fate remains uncertain, her disappearance is a sacrifice made out of love for her people. Wulf only meant to lie down, to remember how it felt to sleep close to his family… always there, never seen.” Wulf’s haunting childhood dreams capture his deep sense of abandonment and foreshadow his journey towards self-discovery. Dumai is a godsinger, who has spent her life trying to wake the dragons from their eternal slumber. The sheer effort and commitment in writing such a comprehensive book is to be commended, but it does not stop there because Shannon also provides the images of the global landscape, an explanation of the characters and their roles and even a glossary of terms to help the reader.

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Samantha Shannon’s writing, as always, is incredible! The way she describes the world—I was completely immersed! With an impressive eye for detail, Shannon seamlessly weaves the three women’s narratives together with a fourth—a young man struggling to prove his worth despite rumors that he’s the son of a witch. Each perspective leads into the next, building suspense and tension while drawing the reader deeply into the world of each character. Where some epic fantasy stories lag and linger for the sake of character development or world-building, Shannon doesn’t waste a single scene, making them all do double, sometimes triple duty to ensure they are all important and compelling without sacrificing narrative momentum. In the Eastern part of the world, in Seiiki, a young girl called Dumai lives on a remote mountain top temple and finds there is more to her own bloodline than she thought. She will have to leave everything she ever knows to fulfill her sacred duty to the gods and to her people. Lastly, the third female narrator in A Day of Fallen Night is Tunuvia, a high ranking member of the Priory of the Orange Tree. The fourth perspective of the novel is offered by the sole male narrator named Wulfert “Wulf” Glenn, a housecarl to Glorian’s father and Glorian’s childhood friend.

In the final chapters, Nikeya earns Dumai’s trust, and together they work towards transforming Seiiki positively. Even after Dumai disappears, the determined Nikeya continues their mission, receiving the approval of the Grand Empress to rule Seiiki in Dumai’s absence, showing her resilience and commitment to their shared vision. A Day of Fallen Night Symbols Monarchy’s Stranglehold on Personal Freedom Dumai of Ipyeda, a central character in A Day of Fallen Night, hails from the East and is one of the key storytellers. She’s the daughter of Emperor Jorodu and, despite living much of her life in ignorance, her world changes drastically when she’s named heir to the throne. Dumai, much like Glorian, struggles with the weight of monarchy, especially when she’s expected to bear a child and secure the future of her empire. However, Dumai’s perspective is different. She’s more concerned about protecting her people than just safeguarding the throne.

Whilst I fell in love with many of these characters there was just too many to fully appreciate them all and quite a few added little to the overall story. The world is not always kind. But we will try, as long as we can, all of us. All women can be sisters. We will be yours.” Shannon’s 8,000-word “etymology document” continues to grow with each new character. Naming takes time: it’s a “fiddly procedure” trying to find “words that fit together naturally” and reflect, in some way, the traits of the character in question. The names are then run by a speaker of the modern form of the language. “I have dodged a few bullets,” Shannon laughs, as she tells me that a name which meant “softness” in the older form of the language now translates as “meat”.

Both characters are magnificent, bold in battle and in love, as they lead the Priory’s warriors against the mighty dragon Dedalugun. Their enemy is the product of Shannon’s life-long love of dragons, which began when she first watched the 1996 film “Dragonheart” with friends for her sixth birthday. Although one friend had to leave the cinema screening after the sword-fighting became too intense, Shannon maintains “Dragonheart” is “the best thing I’ve ever seen”. Cornelia Funke’s children’s novel Dragon Rider was the step which led to protest: a staunch refusal to sing the lyrics “and the dragons are dead” in the hymn “When a Knight Won His Spurs” at her primary school. Little surprise, then, that the legend of St George and the Dragon, a story Shannon has described as having “roots infested with rot”, was re-imagined in The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Shining the light on women

Although this reunion doesn’t completely heal her or compensate for the lost years, Tuva finds solace. His departure doesn’t shatter her; she can move forward without the burden of his mysterious disappearance. Throughout the novel, she confronts her grief, trying to understand it and survive. In the end, she learns to live with it, leading to a stronger bond with Esbar. Together, they defeat the wyrm Dedalugun. Glorian Hraustr Berethnet This prequel takes place 500 years before the events of The Priory of the Orange Tree. Each of the four geographical regions has its own historical, religious, and political beliefs. All of their beliefs are at odds with each other. Samantha Shannon’s best-selling novel “The Priory of the Orange Tree” brought readers into a world where magic lies hidden in the fruit of the earth. In her newest novel, “A Day of Fallen Night,” Shannon has yet again invited us to eat of the not-so-forbidden magic fruit. “A Day of Fallen Night,” a striking standalone prequel to “Priory,” interweaves the stories of three women — Tunuva, Glorian, and Dumai — from three wildly different fantastical cultures. Yet they are united through their devotion to their loved ones and quests to hunt down the demonic wyrms which threaten their world. “A Day of Fallen Night” sometimes struggles with the magnitude of its scope, but above all it is a striking, women-led addition to the world of modern epic fantasy. If Priory of the Orange Tree is like a loaded potato, A Day of Fallen Night is like a Dodger Dog: Distinguished by its length, you can only eat so much before you run out of bun and condiments. In the end, you're just left with too much dog.