Title: Among The Burning Flowers (Roots of Chaos #0.2)
Author: Samantha Shannon
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date: 2025
Format: Hardcover

Length:  273 pages

Read if you like: sapphic fiction, deadly dragons, multiple POVs, feminist fantasy, explorations of grief, faith, and societal structures, resilience and rebellion

Rating:

At this point, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of Samantha Shannon’s writing than me. I’ve read every one of her books and each one of them further convinces me of her immense talent. 

I knew Among The Burning Flowers was likely to join the ranks of my favourite books just based on the fact that it was an extension of the Roots of Chaos series, but somehow this novella delivered even more of a punch than I was anticipating. I was completely enthralled from the very first page and some of the characters explored in this one became as dear to me as the ones explored in her behemoth original novel and prequel. 

It doesn’t matter what medium, length, or series Shannon is writing in, I’m completely convinced that she can do no wrong. This book was another exceptional addition to her catalogue of fiercely feminist and gloriously empowering novels and it just makes me all the more excited for the future books she has to come. 

The Book Synopsis: Among The Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon

Take your first steps into the epic.

Yscalin, land of sunshine and lavender, will soon be ablaze.

It has been centuries since the Draconic Army took wing, almost extinguishing humankind.

Marosa Vetalda is a prisoner in her own home, controlled by her cold father, King Sigoso. Over the mountains, her betrothed, Aubrecht Lievelyn, rules Mentendon in all but name. Together, they intend to usher in a better world.

A better world seems impossibly distant to Estina Melaugo, who hunts the Draconic beasts that have slept across the world for centuries.

And now the great wyrm Fýredel is stirring, and Yscalin will be the first to fall.

The Review

This was a short but stunning return to the Roots of Chaos series and I genuinely enjoyed every second of it. 

Among The Burning Flowers is set just before the Priory of the Orange Tree book, which provides the reader with some context for what’s happening and familiarity with the characters who are the focal point, allowing Shannon to dive directly into the narrative. Marosa, Aubrecht, and Melaugo were the perfect characters to bring the series right to the doorsteps of the first Roots of Chaos installment and this book quickly had me falling for each of them.  For such a short story, I’m in awe of Shannon’s ability to still weave endlessly compelling relationships between the characters and their loved ones. The dynamics between characters and the depth they brought to the original story also really helped to illustrate how much was at stake when Fyredel returned to power.

The plot and pacing of this book were both perfection. Having now read two massive books for this series, Among The Burning Flowers was able to dive directly into the thick of the universe and the tales woven through it, packing an immediate punch that kept me completely entranced the entire way through. It’s possible you could start the series with this book before diving directly into Priory if you hadn’t yet read the others in the series, but I think I’d still recommend reading this at least after Priory, if not after both Priory and A Day Of Fallen Night. The storylines and characters in this one felt extra profound because of the understanding you have as a reader of what’s to come.

It’s mind boggling to me that Shannon has conceived a universe that is so intricate and vast, while simultaneously creating what is effectively three separate casts that were all equally enthralling. When I’d initially seen her discuss the fact that she felt there was more to explore in the Roots of Chaos history before she looked to a Priory sequel, I was a bit disappointed because I was so keen to see those characters continue on. That said, that was before I’d actually read her prequels and realized the scope that she’d actually take this universe to. Now, I see the vision, and I’m willing to follow her however she wants to write. 

I’d read a thousand books in this series. These books are true fantasy masterpieces and it’s an absolute joy to get a new one every so often. I’m also an extreme fan of her Bone Season series, which I know is where her attention is currently focused, but I do hope we get to see more Roots of Chaos instalments like Among The Burning Flowers soon.

This was an easy 5 stars for me.