The Priory of the Orange Tree

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and religious discrimination.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your thoughts on the author’s world-building techniques? Did you find the limited third-person multiple points of view engaging?

2. Was the length of the book daunting to you? Did you find the pacing daunting or appropriate?

3. Have you read any other works by this author, including The Bone Season, her YA series? If so, how does this work compare? Alternatively, how would you compare it to other fantasy novels with similar elements—e.g., Anne McCaffrey’s 1968 Dragonflight?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with personal experiences.

1. Have you ever faced a moment where you had to take a lead role during challenging circumstances? Could you identify with the situations where the main characters were thrust into leadership roles with far-reaching impact? What did you think of their reactions to this challenge?

2. The novel presents a world deeply divided by belief. Do you think it is possible to find meaningful common ground across differences of belief (political, religious, etc.