Included on this page
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Roots of Chaos: Book 1
A fantasy series of epic proportions!Samantha Shannon’s Roots of Chaos series began in 2019 with the publication of The Priory of the Orange Tree, and the latest volume, Among the Burning Flowers has just been released—much to the excitement of fans. While all three volumes take place in the same world, they can be read in any order, each one adding layers to the history and mythology of Shannon’s worldbuilding.
Priory begins in the kingdom of Inys, where the House of Berethnet has ruled for a thousand years – each queen having one daughter, near identical to herself and burdened with the task of keeping her realm safe from dangerous wyverns. Unbeknownst to the current monarch, Sabran the Ninth, she is being watched over by one of her ladies-in-waiting, who possesses knowledge and powers that only those from the priory of the orange tree are privy to. Meanwhile, in an eastern land across the water, a young woman named Tane is working hard to become a dragon-rider, believing that dragons, and not a sacred bloodline, are the last defence against the wyrms and wyverns that the people fear. As the stories of these three women intertwine in this 800-page epic fantasy, the result is a thrilling epic fantasy novel to rival that of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones.
The brilliant worldbuilding really sets this series apart, and while two of the books are quite long, they are quick and engaging reads. I think they’d make a great tv series too.
Review by Emily, Librarian
Request a copy of The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Request a copy of other Roots of Chaos books in our collection
Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory is a historical fiction novel that revisits the Tudor court through the eyes of Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford. Known for her role in the downfalls of both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, this novel reimagines Jane not just as a villain, but as a survivor in the dangerous, tyrannical court of Henry VIII.Often looked at as a villain accused of conspiring against her husband George and sister-in-law Anne, this story is a revised look at Jane Boleyn’s life, portraying her as an intelligent, ambitious woman who uses her wit and secrets to navigate the treacherous Tudor court.
To survive King Henry’s court, Jane must play many parts. Informer and spy for Thomas Crowmwell, lady in waiting for four of Henry’s queens and informant for the Boleyn family.
Jane needed to outthink her peers and sometimes her queens as the King became more of a tyrant as the years passed. This was a time where to put one foot wrong, to say one wrong word, could so easily lead to the scaffold, whatever one’s station in life!
Jane speaks to us through the mists of time to bring the Tudor court during Henry VIII’s infamous reign vividly to life, framing her actions as a desperate attempt at survival rather than pure malice. This is a historical novel of ambition, betrayal and survival and the powerlessness of women during this time.
An enthralling historical thriller which has Philipa Gregory returning to this period with a deeper focus on the potential of women and the dangers of tyranny during this era. A wonderful page turning read!
Review by Barbara, Customer Experience Officer
Request a copy of Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
10 Marchfield Square by Nicole Whyte
Have you just devoured Richard Osman’s latest book? Are you craving more cosy crime? Then Nicole Whyte’s 10 Marchfield Square is the book for you.The tranquility of Marchfield Square is shattered by not one but two murders! The Square’s elderly owner, Celeste van Duren is shaken and rightly so, the Square’s tenants unwittingly form part of her private social experiment. Each carefully selected and observed from the vantage point of her upstairs window and now they have started dying!
Celeste admits she made an error letting Number 10 to Richard and Linda Glead. The balance of the square was upset by Richard’s questionable associates, rowdy cards nights and treatment of Linda. Then Richard was discovered shot dead in his kitchen. Celeste had seen the body from her vantage point but chose to wait, watching, until Linda came home to discover it. Calling the police would have only spoilt the drama of the discovery.
Before the dust can settle on Richard’s death, Linda is found dead. It is all pointing to Linda killing Richard, then herself the next day. Not accepting this explanation, Celeste engages her own crack team of investigators; her cleaner, Audrey and socially awkward and frustrated crime writer, Lewis.
This odd pair find themselves picking through the skeletons in their neighbour’s closets and mixing with gangsters, shady antique dealers and local thugs. Things quickly heat up for Audrey and Lewis the further they delve into their neighbour’s pasts and sidestep the interferences of Celeste. Honestly, what is Celeste’s motive with the residents?
This cosy crime novel is full of intriguing characters with things to hide, plot twists and great dialogue between Audrey and Lewis. Marchfield Square’s climbing death toll and bumbling sleuths will hook fans of Only Murders in the Building.
Reviewed by Jo-Anne, Collection Development Librarian
Request a copy of 10 Marchfield Square by Nicole Whyte
The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
Are you looking for a fantasy novel that meanders down paths at a gentle pace? Perhaps you enjoy a little adventure entwined with folklore and a sprinkle of magic. If found family, community and bravery are like a warm hug for your soul then immerse yourself in this powerful new tale from Perth’s award-winning author, Juliet Marillier.Stasya is a storyteller. Her words and stories hold power. Along with her unusual dog companion Flip, Stasya lives on the edge of the mysterious Heartwood Forest, away from the villagers who her find her odd. The dark and lush forest is alive with animals, monsters, uncanny beings and tales of evil spirits but those who venture deep, become lost.
The village and Stasya’s world are sent into chaos when soldiers of the Ruler of the Northlands arrive putting the forest in danger. The stories of the town and the forest are forever changed and Stasya’s path now leads to the capitol. But nothing will make Stasya break her vow to protect the Forest.
In a world full of secrets, dangers and deception, it is hard to tell friend from foe. But unlikely allies weave their way into our tale. As they embark on a perilous mission and discover their place in the world, what narratives will unfold? And how will the paths they have chosen bend and change these stories along the way?
This alluring tale of human connection, one's relationship with the natural world and the power of the spoken word leaves no cliff hangers. Just the perfect spot to pause whilst our characters prepare to continue their journey in 2026. Told from multiple points of view this tale will tug at your heartstrings in all the right ways.
Reviewed by Rachel, Library Customer Experience Officer
Request a copy of The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Sometimes a debut novel stuns with its diamantine brilliance.
Written in epistolary form – an exchange of letters and emails – the art of letter writing is used to reveal the story of Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired chief clerk, mother, grandmother, sibling, friend, ex-wife. Sybil has lived a rich life, and through the discipline of sitting down at 10.30 every morning to write letters, we learn about a tragedy in her past which continues to haunt her. The letters are beautiful examples of this craft, and contrast interestingly with the few instances of emails (a form of communication that Sybil uses reluctantly). The letters are written to family and friends, the president of a university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to attend, and also to (real) living authors. There is one person to whom Sybil writes often, but never actually sends the letters.
What I loved about this book: I loved the well-crafted letters, the way the letters are used to reveal the events which shaped Sybil’s life and her growing self-awareness later in life, the correspondence with Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry, and her at times razor sharp wit. It is a story about love and family, the unpredictable life events which can impact us, and the need for raw honesty if we are to really understand what has transpired. This is by far the best book I have read in 2025.
Reviewed by Renée, Library Customer Experience Officer
Request a copy of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
A missing girl, a haunted forest and a family built on secrets... this atmospheric mystery pulls you in and doesn’t let go.Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods is a slow-burn literary mystery that combines small-town tension with deep emotional undercurrents. Set in 1975 in the Adirondacks, the story begins when thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar vanishes from her family’s summer camp, years after her brother Bear disappeared in the same woods. What unfolds is less about finding a missing child, and more about uncovering the fractures within a powerful family and the community around them. Moore’s storytelling is rich and layered, shifting between perspectives and timelines in a way that keeps you constantly re-evaluating what you think you know about the characters (and what they're hiding).
What really stood out to me was the atmosphere in the novel; the heavy quiet of the forest, the suffocating feel of things long buried, and an unease that lingers, even in daylight. Moore has a gift for writing characters who feel painfully real, especially the women caught between silence and survival. The book explores privilege, guilt, and how far people will go to protect themselves. It’s not a quick or simple read, but once it gets under your skin, it stays there.
I’d recommend The God of the Woods to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries like The Lovely Bones or None of This is True. It is thoughtful, beautifully written, and emotionally resonant. By the end, you may not have all the answers, but you’ll feel like you’ve lived inside the story, and that’s what makes it such a powerful read.
Review by Wendy, Library Customer Experience Officer
Request a copy of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Was this page helpful?