A short-yet-mighty fantasy novel to dip your toes in

? A quick-fire fantasy bound to draw you in: The thing about winter is, it’s difficult to resist the urge to get up from under the covers, but why should you? Particularly when you can simply lose track of time with a fantasy novel. Yet, again, the thing about fantasy novels is, they’re often too long, too obtuse, or too ridiculous to take seriously. What do you do, then, when you’re looking to dip your toes in the genre without risking metaphorical frostbite? It seems Samantha Shannon’s Among the Burning Flowers may just be the answer.

In just under 270 pages, the best-selling author of the Priory of the Orange Tree — to which our novel of interest is a prequel — delivers a tightly-plotted, politically intriguing, and narratively-compelling tale of the fall of a mighty kingdom. Despite being part of the Roots of Chaos fantasy series, Among the Burning Flowers is written in a manner that allows it to be read as a standalone novel, not requiring any previous knowledge of either sequel or prequel — perfect for readers exploring the genre for the first time, on the hunt for a fantasy palate cleanser, or in need of an introduction to Shannon’s 900-word long full-length fantasy novels.

Dungeons, dragons, and daring heroines. Offering a familiar feel for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire and Lord of the Rings, Among the Burning Flowers — and the Roots of Chaos series as a whole — is a world unto its own; complete with its own history, timeline, detailed maps, and political and religious systems. The novel is told in first person through the lens of the two primary protagonists. The first, the Donmata (crown princess) Marosa, future Queen of Yscalin, a Kingdom, once mighty, in ruins. Marosa spends her days in the sweltering heat of her castle looking upon her kingdom, in which she hasn’t stepped foot in years — though not of her own choice.

The crown princess is kept prisoner in her own castle. She spends her days meeting with diplomats and thinking of her betrothed — marriage to whom would mean freedom, power, and the ability to introduce political and religious reform to a country that has long ostracised religious minorities. Our second protagonist? As far away from the towering heights of Yscalin’s capital as can be.

Melaugo is a fugitive forced to flee her home and live amongst secret towns housing ostracised peoples. She earns her keep by slaying wyrms, dragons, and other “draconian beings” who pose a threat to the town. Both protagonists represent two distinct echelons in society, yet share one pivotal commonality. Throughout the novel’s length, we follow both as they navigate their new realities, elude ominous plots, and face dangers of all sorts.

A fantasy novel that respects your intelligence. Among the Burning Flowers is a politically-laden work of adult fiction that, at times, offers a stark reflection of reality — bar dragons. Despite its brevity, it still delivers a thrilling adventure that will fly by in one sitting, and one that touches upon a slew of political and social issues unbound by fiction. Samantha Shannon’s prose slices like a knife, and her characters are, as usual, developed and realistic in their motives and desires.

The novel eschews any of the usual tropes or stereotypes milked by other novels in the genre, and instead offers a fresh, unpredictable story. In essence, Among the Burning Flowers is a gateway into a much larger universe that Shannon meticulously crafted, and one you’ll find yourself rushing through as the final page turns.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can find a hardcover copy of Among the Burning Flowers at Bibliothek and Diwan. You can also find the e-book on Amazon. The rest of the Roots of Chaos series is also available at the aforementioned bookstores.