This book was amazing!!!! I loved this world and the twist of the King Arthur legend. I’m so excited to see the romance bloom in the next book. I loved the twists and turns and how crazy the end was!

I’m a sucker for a good Arthurian retelling, and let me tell you—this book? Did. Not. Miss. Easily one of the best takes on the Arthur myth I’ve ever laid eyes on. Like, crown it and hand it Excalibur already.

Now, if you’re the kind of reader who devoured From Blood and Ash, lives for the “touch her and die” energy, melts over a good “who did this to you” moment, cheers when he falls first, thrives on enemies-to-lovers chaos, and refuses to settle for anything less than a snarky, stabby heroine with a heart of gold and a dagger in her boot? Yeah, this one’s screaming your name.

Throw in a found family that’ll make you emotional, vibes straight out of a Jennifer L. Armentrout or Sarah J. Maas fever dream, and a spicy romantasy that still manages to feel fresh and original? I devoured it. The writing? Sharp. The plot? Juicy. The world-building? Seamless. This book didn’t just check my boxes—it lit them on fire, smirked, and walked away in slow motion. Instantly a fave. And guess what? The series only gets better from here

Book was on a little slow at times but the plot moved quickly enough and the characters dynamic kept it interesting.

Morgan Pendragon is a sidelined royal with a predictable backstory: mysterious bloodline, stolen birthright, and a destiny tied to ancient powers. Promised to goddesses and ignored by her brother the king, she jumps at the chance to go after a legendary fae weapon—because apparently, that’s easier than dealing with her real life.

She soon meets a group of misfit companions, including the obligatory brooding, beautiful warrior who sets her heart racing. Their chemistry is teased constantly but barely delivers, and the romance is drawn out without real payoff. Meanwhile, threats build—but mostly in vague, distant ways that never feel urgent.

A lost fae kingdom reemerges, because of course it does, and Morgan’s special bloodline suddenly becomes important again. Twists are hinted at but don’t hit with much impact, and the world-building leans on familiar tropes without offering anything truly new.

Queen of Roses tries to blend fae lore, slow-burn romance, and Arthurian mythology, but never fully commits to anything. The pacing drags, the stakes feel forced, and while it hints at future intensity, the first book doesn’t give enough reason to stick around for more.

SO much fun! Great fantasy world, excellently structured plot and all of my favorite tropes wrapped up in this one. High hopes for this author, I'll definitely continue to read her work!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While fantasy romance is usually not my genre as I don’t want the romance aspect to take over the fantasy world, I requested this book and wanted to read it because of the interesting plot. An arthurian retelling, a woman whose destiny has been taken away, a group of outcasts, a new kingdom… Perfect for me!

The plot is the real strength of the book, it maintained my interest throughout the entire story. Filled with twists and turns, I was hooked as we followed the FMC in her quest for freedom and purpose. The slow start was really enjoyable, full of world and story building and made the fast paced hunt that followed even better and really high stakes.
Boleyn's prose flows very smoothly and I would definitely read her future novels.

Overall, it is a well-rounded fantasy novel. Even though the romantic aspect may not have resonated with me, I enjoyed the novel a lot!!

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

An alternative Camelot where Arthur isnt the kind king of legend, but instead a terrible tyrant who revels in the pain and bloodshed of others. Enter Morgan, the rightful heir of the throne, keeping her head down and trying to help where she can while protecting those she loves. But when Arthur asks her to find a weapon of great power in exchange for the freedom of her future, she agrees and starts on a quest of hardship and discovery.

Was very well written and im glad it didnt stick too much to the aurthurian legend to keep rraders on their toes. Im eager to get to the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Really wanted to love this but I didn’t connect with the story or the characters.

*Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC*

I will be honest that when I first opened up this novel a d tried to read it, I could not get into it. I put it down and picked it up a few weeks later, and I am SO GLAD I gave this another try. I have absolutely devoured every single novel in the series and have loved every single one.

Do yourself a favor and read all four novels in the series, and then continue on to her Bloodwing Academy spin offs.

Briar Boleyn can do no wrong. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

OMG this book will probably go down as one of my fav books this year! I absolutely adored it, I was hooked from the very first! The world building, the plot, the characters, all of it had me in a complete and total chokehold and I’m so glad I can go right into book 2 because holy crap!!

*Queen of Roses* is an engaging start to the *Blood of a Fae* series, blending elements of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. Briar Boleyn creates an interesting world with vivid descriptions of the Fae realm and its characters. The protagonist, a strong-willed heroine, is a likable and determined figure who brings a lot of energy to the story. The romance is steamy and builds at a nice pace, and there’s definitely chemistry between the lead characters.

That said, the plot can sometimes feel a bit predictable, relying on familiar fantasy tropes without offering much new. While the world-building is solid, it can also feel overwhelming at times, as the novel introduces a lot of complex lore that may be difficult for new readers to fully absorb. The pacing slows down in places, and some of the side characters don’t get enough development to make a strong impact. Overall, it’s a fun read, but there’s room for more depth and originality. Fans of the genre will likely enjoy it, but it doesn't quite reach its full potential in this first installment.

A very interesting read. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book. It wasn't really for me, but I am sure that it will be loved by the right audience.

Fantastic. I really loved this one. It was fast paced, and exciting. I liked the world building and the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this.

3.25/5

This Arthurian retelling had many compelling elements. Our main character, Morgan, is a princess of Camelot, her cruel brother, Arthur, king. Morgan’s life has been anything but easy, the violence and trauma heartbreaking to read about. The concept was fantastic, I was so excited to read it. Throughout the book, I noticed that the writing style felt rushed and I didn’t feel connected to most of the characters. Additionally, some of the plot points didn’t make sense to me, such as Vesper. Strong ideas and an okay execution.

It took a little while to get into this book, but once I was there, I was addicted! This book was not what I expected and I can't wait to read book 2 to see what happens next. Unlikely usual series, this book does not end the story for the book, It seems like it a chapter in a longer story that is definitely not finished yet!

Queen of Roses offers a captivating take on Arthurian legend blended with fae magic, set in a world where rich descriptions and intriguing characters bring the story to life. Morgan Pendragon, the half-fae protagonist, is central to the narrative, with her royal lineage and unique blend of strength and vulnerability. Boleyn's world-building excels in transporting readers to a vividly imagined realm filled with fae creatures and magical landscapes. From the exmoors to the harpies, the creatures and environments are skillfully described, creating a rich atmosphere that enhances the fantasy experience.

Kairos Draven, one of the most compelling characters, remains shrouded in mystery throughout the novel, building tension and anticipation for his eventual revelation. His enigmatic nature is both alluring and crucial to the plot, keeping readers on edge. However, while the world and character development shine, Morgan's portrayal occasionally feels inconsistent. Despite her noble background and complex nature, certain moments of vulnerability clash with her established strength, leaving her character arc feeling less cohesive at times.

The much-anticipated enemies-to-lovers dynamic falls short, as the interactions between Morgan and Draven often feel more like sibling banter than romantic tension. A side romance, which initially piqued interest, ultimately lacked the depth to fully engage readers. While the slow-burn approach may appeal to some, those expecting a more intense romantic buildup might be disappointed. Ultimately, I'd definitely recommend this book given the intricate world-building, dynamic fight scenes, and intriguing characters, which all provide a strong foundation for the series.

eARC was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 20%

I did not enjoy the writing style and the dialogue was awkward. I have so many other fantasy books on my TBR that I'd rather read.
Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Superb world building! I feel as if i was thrusted into this world with an easy to follow, yet through guide so that I had a full understanding going in of what world was and why due to the extra historical input. The characters were well-developed and I found myself not wanting to put the book down because I couldn't get enough. With all that in mind, Make sure you check the trigger warning because there are definitely some DARK aspects to this. If you can hang with the triggers, "Queen of Roses" is 100% a must read! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and Arthurian lore! Briar Boleyn beautifully reimagines the tale of Morgan le Fay, giving her the spotlight she deserves. The “forbidden love” trope unfolds tantalizingly between Morgan and Draven, adding a layer of tension that is both engaging and emotional. Their witty banter shines, showcasing a delightful chemistry that kept me turning pages.

The world-building is immersive, drawing me into a landscape filled with magic, danger, and rich mythology. Boleyn’s writing is both lyrical and vivid, making the characters feel deeply real and relatable. Morgan’s fierce determination to forge her own destiny in a world that seeks to control her is inspiring, and her journey of self-discovery and bravery resonates throughout the plot. With twists and turns that keep you guessing, Queen of Roses is a delightful read for anyone seeking a fresh take on fantasy romance.