The Roots of Chaos

The Roots of Chaos series by Samantha Shannon is an epic fantasy saga set in a vast, intricately detailed world shaped by ancient magic, political tension, and the looming threat of dragons. The series currently includes The Priory of the Orange Tree and its prequel A Day of Fallen Night, offering expansive, standalone narratives connected by shared history, mythology, and world-building.

Shannon’s storytelling is defined by its ambitious scope, layered political systems, and richly developed cultures. The series explores multiple perspectives, from queens and knights to mages and dragon riders, each navigating personal loyalty, faith, ambition, and duty. Central themes include power, belief, gender, legacy, and the cyclical nature of history, all woven into a high-stakes struggle between light and darkness.

Dragons are central to the mythology of The Roots of Chaos, representing both divine guardianship and apocalyptic destruction. The series examines how societies mythologise the past, distort truth through religion and tradition, and weaponise fear to maintain control. Characters are morally complex, forced to confront uncomfortable truths and make sacrifices that shape the fate of nations.

The Roots of Chaos series incorporates popular epic fantasy tropes, including ancient evils, dragon mythology, political intrigue, divided religions, powerful queens, secret orders, and world-ending prophecies. Shannon’s balance of character-driven storytelling and sweeping epic stakes makes the series accessible while retaining depth and emotional resonance.

The series is recommended for readers who enjoy immersive epic fantasy with rich world-building, strong female characters, dragon-centric mythology, and complex political narratives. The Roots of Chaos has established Samantha Shannon as a leading voice in modern epic fantasy, delivering a world that feels timeless, inclusive, and profoundly compelling.