Loved this book! I enjoyed Court of Claws more than the first book actually! I thought that the twist was expertly done and it made me keep turning the pages for more. I devoured this book in one sitting!

Thank you Netgalley & Starwater Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review!

“I’m in awe of you, every part of you. Can’t you tell? I’m spellbound. You’ve awakened something in me I thought was long dead. Something I never thought I’d come close to feeling again.”

4.5 stars!! Spice 3/5!!

Court of Claws is a fae-filled fantasy & dark romance full of action, friendships, betrayal, heartbreak, magic curses, and interesting twists that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat!!!

After the events that took place at the end of Queen of Roses, Draven knows it isn’t safe for Morgan to return to Pendrath wounded and without Excalibur. He instead takes her to his home, the Court of Umbral Flames, a beautiful kingdom full of secrets, danger, and court intrigue. Here he plans to take part in the Blood Rite, a series of treacherous magical and mystical creature-filled trials. If he can win, he will become ruler of the Siabra and he’ll have the full use of its army to help Morgan return to her own kingdom and save her friends and family from the brutal war her brother, King Arthur, has begun. Though Draven means well, Morgan wakes up pissed as all hell when she realizes she isn’t allowed to return home just yet and that she must pretend to be Dravens paramore for protection from members of his court. While Draven competes in the trials Morgan makes some new friends as well as enemies while she discovers more of her past and who Draven really is and it all comes crashing together for another wild cliffhanger ending!!

Briar Bolyn has a way of creating complex and diverse characters that are impossible not to become emotionally involved with and Court of Claws did not disappoint. The relationships that Morgan formed with each of them felt authentic and not just page filler.

I think my favorite part of this book was finally getting to know more about the sandalwood and smoke-scented Draven! I really love how much he steps up his game in Court of Claws!! No matter how strong the walls were that Morgan put up, he came with the strength and determination to tear them down and I finally got some of that spicy goodness I wanted for these two! There were times in the book I was a bit perturbed by Morgan's behavior towards Draven and his own lack of communication with her but I also understood both of their motives and reasoning for this.

I really enjoyed how Morgan stood up for herself and spoke her mind in this book. She also seems to have a knack for attracting grumpy but lovable types and making friends with them and it really showed that she is quite charming beneath her hardened exterior.

Though the histories of the Fae, and the characters and settings within the Court of Claws and Queen of Roses were unique to each book, I am eagerly anticipating to see how book 3, Empress of Fae, will weave them both together. I've already pre-ordered my copy on Amazon and can't wait to find out what comes next for Morgan and Draven as well as the many lovable characters that remain from both books.

🗡️🗡️🗡️
Read Court of Claws If You're Into-
Romance
Fantasy
Action
Broken Stabby FMC
Secrets/Mystery
Fae Court Intrigue
Plot twists, Cliffhangers
Touch Her And You Die
Slow Burn/One Bed
Relationship of Convenience
Mystical Creatures and Magic

🖤🖤🖤

Thank you to NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for providing me an ARC of Court of Claws in exchange for an honest review.

-This is a dark fantasy romance - so please check the trigger warnings before reading this book.-


Note-
I will be posting a giveaway for Queen of Roses and Court of Claws on my instagram tomorrow, September 26, 2023, link to my instagram page is below. I will post a partial review for Court of Claws along with the giveaway post on my feed as well as in my stories to be added to my book reviews highlight folder on my page.

The cover fits well with the first volume. Unfortunately, I find both a bit unimpressive.
The writing style is very pleasant, as in the first volume. The author could immediately inspire me again for the story and captivate me. I was immediately back in the thick of the action. Nevertheless, the beginning is a bit bumpy and in some places not so easy to see through. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to follow the plot and understand the connections. Despite all this, I enjoyed reading the book very much and would definitely like to read the third volume, especially because of the events that have occurred recently.
The characters Morgan and Draven have grown on me. I like how their love story has slowly developed and now has such a stark damper. I love how much Morgan is rising above and gaining strength. I'm excited to see their story unfold.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Sadly this book suffers from the sequel slump, just doesn’t hold a candle to the first book. I wonder if the series will spring back in book 3 or not.

A sequel to Queen of Roses, Court of Claws continues in telling the story of Morgan, however unlike the last novel she's no longer home in Camelot but stuck with Draven in his kingdom on another continent, after finding out he wasn't telling her the truth back when they first met and seems to be hiding his past.

A delicious sequel and expansion on this decidedly twisted version of Camelot, the ending had me on tenterhooks for the next instalment, and as opposed to the first novel which I felt would have resonated more with teenage me's taste in literature, this felt more suited to the me of today.

2.5 / 3.0 This book suffers from 2nd Book Syndrome and could have easily been divided in equal measure into the 1st and 3rd books. Additionally, it could have been condensed into a few chapters and not rambled on for hundreds of pages.

The FMC and MMC regressed as characters. The plot did nothing and the vein of the King Arthur legends was really lost. I want to read the last book to see if the series is redeemed but don’t recommend this one like I did the first. If the 3rd is really good, then this is a necessary quick read, but if the story is a dud then this is just the beginning of that devolution.

Until Next Time,
MC

At first the prologue and the first few pages of the first chapter was a bit confusing not knowing who the woman was that the story was being told from. I will send it seem to switch and being Morgan’s perspective.

I’ve yet to finish, but I have so many questions that still are not answered. Such as what happened to the little girl from the first book that they saved? Did Morgan’s mother not save herself brown being beaten to death because she didn’t want to have the fae king sense her magic? What happened to Sunstrike the female exmoor? Is Morgan really only half fae or is she full blood fae? I still have a few chapter to go but I hope these get answered if not I hope they are in the 3rs book and I can’t wait to read when it comes out.

At the end of this book it answered a few questions I was wondering about but not all. There were some parts of the book I wasn’t a fan of or I should say some of the attitudes of characters I didn’t like because it was such a roll a coster. For example Morgan, I wanted to scream at her and tell her to get over herself and stop acting like a spoiled brat that she was better than that, but I suppose that is how the author wanted the reader to feel. The villains were very easy to hate and not feel anything for. Some characters I still am not sure of. Over all book two was even better than book one and I can not wait until book three comes out.

Court of Claws ended up catching my attention more than the first book did. I think this sequel was well done. Of course the writing still has some moments of awkwardness, and some lines did make me cringe, but still very fun to read.

This follow up to Queen of Roses is fast paced and full of tension. Morgan finds herself caught up in the middle of the Court of Claws with no way home, amid a battle for the throne. Court politics, scheming, vengeful plots, and with magical affinities. And not to mention the forced proximity to Kairos Draven whom Morgan can't decide if she should push him away or pull him closer.

Arthurian Inspired
Competition for the throne
FAE & Magical Abilities
Fake Dating
Found Family
One Bed
Spicy

tl;dr
Fans of the first will probably like this one even more.

Thoughts
In my review of the previous installment in this series, I mentioned that it was already a bit too dark for my tastes. Well, it's gotten darker. That makes my personal opinion pretty clear, so I'll keep this brief. If you liked the first book and you want something with more twists, more action, and more SPICE, then come on in! I also lamented that Morgan didn't seem to push back much in the first book. She pushes back a lot more now, but maybe... too much? Perhaps her Goldilocks moment will come in the third installment where she'll push back the exact right amount. With a cliffhanger like that, I certainly hope so.

Just as addictive as the first! I devoured the book and got through it so fast! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Another good read by Briar Boleyn! While I will say that I enjoyed book 1 slightly more, I thought book 2 was still in line. Enemies to lovers is so hot right now with romantasy that the tropes are beginning to wear thin and in this case I was relatively bored in the relationship before the spice kicked in, but when it did...scorching. Absolutely smokin'! I think I liked it more that they were so casual about their desires and not all over bearing "she's my mate" overdone masculinity bull. You know what I mean! Thanks Sarah J for making the "fated mates" trope so damn popular!
I do digress!
Big thank ya kindly to the author, NetGalley, & Starwater Press for the eARC! Always a pleasure!

As before my opinion on the lovely and original concept of the Arthurian tale of Camelot is refreshing and the spice is an added bonus that should never be over looked, but the fact that the Fae have been interwoven into this tale just set it all over the top for me. HUGE Fae realms fan! Can't get enough of those pointy eared peoples (dark or light, I like them all). The fact that I can read this book and the world building feels original is a tremendous feat. Bravo!!!! Nailed it!
NOW...Morgan on the other hand was really pushing my annoyed button A LOT. From her very snarky attitude to her constant need for attention without a bit of grace and/or appreciation/understanding of exterior problems that don't involve her. Her immaturity really shows in this one, which is a complete turn around from her character in the first novel. Constantly questioning someone's motives when they show you at every turn that they are doing things to help you and make you happy... UGH!!!!!!!
HUGE fan of Draven and his cohort!!!!!

That ending tho... OHHHHHH I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! Which is why this one is getting a 4 star and not a 3.5 star.

NO REGRETS!!!!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Often with sequels or the second book of a series, it is never as good as the original. However, this second instalment of the Blood of a Fae series is so much better. I cannot put into words how addicted I was to the plot. The twists and turns were often unpredictable, and I loved the new characters with their own backstories. This was an incredibly well written addition to Queen of Roses.

We once again follow Morgan, after the events of the betrayal and deaths of Queen of Roses, where she deals with her grief and still is determined to save her little brother who is trapped under King Arthur’s reign and command. Surrounded by lies and the still a stranger Draven, she is forced to adjust in the court of Siabra, almost a lifetime away from her home.

Oh my word, the ending I was not expecting and made me frustrated that the Empress of Fae (#3) could not come any sooner - I am so excited to read it.

My favourite line from this book was: “Morally grey asshole.”

While it is a long book, it certainly didn't feel like a long read. It's quick paced, and action packed so I really enjoyed it kept me turning the pages.
An excellent romance with plenty of popular tropes to keep you going (did someone say 1-bed!?). But our Male MC is dreamy and far too good for our female MC.
An excellent follow on from the previous book, with the same themes and I love the idea of Camelot and fae mixed! We also got so many questions answered (which I needed after the last book!).
Overall really good in world building, plot, characters and atmosphere.
Definitely recommend for a good fantasy romance

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

We're back with Morgan and Draven. It's a complicated start as she's grieving her love and yet she's falling in love with Draven. A conundrum indeed. This is the second book of the series.and unlike other's, you will need to read book one for this one to make sense.

Quick synopsis, this is a retelling of the Arthur and Excalibur tale, from his sister's point of view. There are twists and turns involved. You'll be clamoring for book 3.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Blood of A Fae series and when I tell you I flew through this! This book continues the Arthurian retelling with so many twists! There are civil wars amping up in the human and fae worlds. Morgan Pendragon is caught between the two. A huge thank you to the author and NetGalley for sending me this ARC!

I’m absolutely in love with Morgan and Kairos’s enemies to lovers to enemies relationship🫣The miscommunication makes me want to punch both of them in the face but other than that their banter and love shine through. Kairos faces a very dangerous road in this book and he needs all the support he can get. Oh and did I mention the spice amps up in this book? I still want more though, per usual 🔥

I love the authors writing style, it pulls you into the story and doesn’t let go! Every scene is detailed and there’s so much action and magic in this book I loved it! The side characters are my favorite and add so much to this story!

The epilogue…the EPILOGUE 🤯 Can I get book three now!!?

Loved reading the second book in this series. The characters continued to hold my attention and the story just got better and better!

DNF
Compared to the first book, this didn't have the same feel. The plot seemed quite slow. I still loved the worldbuilding.

This book was written so wonderfully that I wasn’t sure I’d ever want it to end. I felt like the more that I read, the more that I would find little details that I would enjoy. I felt this was a great retelling of King Arthur meets the fae world of fantasy and I was all here for it. I feel the variety of tropes really helped set the foundation for the series from tropes like slow-burn, forced proximity, and all the way to found family. While slow-burn isn’t usually my thing all the character development and world-building made up for it. So thankful for having the ARC for book two because the cliffhanger left me screaming.

It’s hard to even know where to start. This book was absolutely wonderful sequel! Our story picks up in a new realm, when Morgan awakens to memories of devastating truths, in a bed that is not even hers, and in an unknown land after Morgan almost lost her life thanks to the treachery of her now burnt to ash ex-boyfriend. Morgan must figure out how to move forward and defeat her enemies... All with the help of her "kidnapper" Kairos Draven. The same person who is now out as a Siabra Prince and whisked Morgan away to his kingdom to save her life.

There were many plot twists that made it really hard for me to put it down. As a second book in a series, this was extremely well (I’m always wary of second books)! There are new character additions, lots of banter (my favorite!), a fight to the death competition (also a favorite trope of mine), and lastly it ends with a huge cliffhanger that will make you automatically preorder the next book! It’s easy how this book was right up my alley.