The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (2019)

An epic standalone that reads like a full series, Priory delivers dragons, queens, and forbidden love on a massive scale. Shannon’s world is beautifully detailed, splitting perspectives between dragon-riders, scholars, and assassins. Despite its intimidating size, it balances sweeping action with heartfelt intimacy, especially in its portrayal of a powerful sapphic romance. It’s the kind of fantasy that restores your faith in the genre’s ability to evolve — vast, inclusive, and utterly immersive.

Rating: 4.5/5