There is indeed a queen of epic fantasy, and her name is Samantha Shannon. If this was in question before, Among the Burning Flowers is the final bolster in an already solid throne. Acting as a history of the events that occur immediately before the climax of Priory of the Orange Tree, the novel is told from the perspective of those cast to the edges of the original work. With intricate worldbuilding that pays shrewd attention to everything from the looming mountains to the style of a singular carved button, the chainmail of Virtudom is tightly woven. But despite the glittering and gritty descriptions, what stands out most is the choices of deeply flawed characters. Every point of view is given its chance to both shine and be utterly messy, the two in combination crafting characters that feel real to the point that you could converse with them. Even if you are unfamiliar with the world of Priory, Among the Burning Flowers is well worth the read.
Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon, (List Price: $29.99, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639736010, September 2025)
Reviewed by Sydney Mason, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina