2.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and Starwater Press for providing me with the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, this was quite a enjoyable read! This wasn't a complete surprise, because I love (retellings of) the Arthurian legend and anything involving fae.

The plot was predictable at times and the characters felt a little flat, but the story has potential and I will be reading the next book!

2.75 stars
Pros: Draven, King Arthur inspired characters, world building quite well done, beautiful writing despite the style.
Cons: I did not like the writing style at all. The sentences and paragraphs were too short and at some times they felt more like a telegram, I felt that it did not let the story flow easily and I could not focus on the plot and storyline.
I could not see any character development and the relationships between them were written quite strangely and at times they were frustrating.
I did not understand the addition of Vesper, he was not a convincing character at all and it just made Morgan seem foolish and weak.
Also, I did not like that she regained her powers instantly and she could instantly conjure fire and heal Draven.
The ending was quite cliché and I could see it coming.
I will not be reading the second book as the story was not convincing.

I was absolutely enthralled with this book! Couldn’t put it down! Great action, fantasy, romance, and plot twists. I loved every bit of it plus the added bonus scene with the subscription to Briar Boleyn’s newsletter 😍

This was my first Briar Boleyn's book and she now has one more devoted fan in me!

I am an avid romantasy reader, so I'm quite familiar with the genre. Still, this book is something different. It is a romantasy novel, but with a twist. It explorers some darker themes, but in the perfect amount. It builds world, stories, characters impeccably.

I think it's quite enough to say I was hooked since the prequel. It kept me on my feet, made me not wanting to stop and left me wanting for the sequel, which I am sure I will devour as fast, or even faster than Queen of Roses.

I know this is author's first step into the genre, and I'm so happy she shared this world and characters with us.

What is it? Queen of Roses is the first book of the Blood of a Fae series by Briar Boleyn. It’s an Arthurian retelling following the badass main character Princess Morgan Pendragon (but of course, Morgan is just fine). Due to her fae blood, her absolutely awful father, and almost-if-not-equally-awful brother, her future and her destiny have been decided–by everyone except Morgan herself. When being given the opportunity to decide her own fate, Morgan sets off a journey to find the legendary Excalibur sword. Along the journey, Morgan discovers there's a lot more to her life, her history, and her kingdom than there seems to be.
What made me click on this book? Well, the Goodreads description was enough to convince me, but then there’s also… well… just about **everything** the description on NetGalley provided… I mean, come on, “Grab this book if you enjoy…” spicy fantasy romance, enemies to lovers, only one bed, forced proximity, “Who did this to you?”, broken stabby heroine, training scenes, “Touch her and…”, found family, ride or die best friends, betrayal, intrigue, mystery…. How could I not? And honestly, I’ve been in a bit of a reading drought, so I think this was the perfect place to start to get out of it.
What made me stay? Well, within the first 100 pages, I think I could count a solid handful of times where my “just one more page” turned into “if I don’t get to the end of this chapter/start the next one, I’m going to combust.” We are also lucky enough to get “who did this to you,” within the first 100 pages as well. There are some chapters that are slower than others, but honestly, any time I found myself disengaging a bit, the next chapter picked it right up and I felt like I couldn’t look away, especially around the chapter 12 mark. The only thing I didn’t love was the end of the book feeling a little rushed, but I can deal with that as I usually find myself speedreading when I know I’m close to finishing the end anyways. Following that, you’re left with so many questions at the end that you want to get to the second book already anyways. There were only about 2 and a half spicy scenes, but it’s been stated that they’re going to get spicier and spicier as the series goes on, so that’s another thing I’m looking forward to.

I liked this book overall. I haven't read an Arthurian retelling before so this was a refreshing aspect for me. I connected with Morgan and was very emotional when the horrible things happened to her. The author does a great job of painting Arthur as the villian and I definitely hate him so much. I also enjoyed that Morgan can fight and take care of herself, she isn't a princess who can't defend herself. I also liked that we didn't know for sure who the MMC was going to be - I went back and forth and it kept me guessing until the heartbreaking betrayal.

I did feel like this story was pretty slow, but that is probably on purpose to set everything up.

I am excited to continue on with this series and see where this story and these characters take us.

Fae Arthurian novel?! Sign me up, Briar had me completely enraptured from the very first page. Slow burn and forced proximity are two of my favorite tropes and Briar nailed it. Morgan could be a bit annoying and overtly difficult but overall I enjoyed the read.

Queen of Roses is an extremely creative spin on the story of King Arthur with Arthur being an evil spoiled king, Lancelet a knight who is a gay woman, Merlin a high priestess and Galahad as an acolyte pledged to the temple.

In this story, the sister of Arthur, Morgan Pendragon is tasked by her abusive brother to go on a quest with a royal guard accompanying her into previously Fae lands to obtain Excalibur. Her younger brother is kept behind to ensure she returns with it.

I don’t want to spoil anything so I won’t elaborate on things that happen but this is a roller coaster ride that finds Morgan discovering things about herself and encountering creatures and found family along the way to retrieve the sword.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the familial relationship between Morgan, Lancelot and Galahad and Draven is a grumpy guard who slowly emerges as what we hope is swoon worthy hero.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, found family, hot broody men and a villain who is so easy to hate! I can’t wait to read the second book and eagerly anticipate the 3rd book in the series!

“He was the air I breathed. I could not live without him.”

Morgan Pendragon was bypassed for the throne by her brother Arthur, who is a savage ruler and hates all magic. Morgan happens to be half fae so he despises his own sister and sends her on a mission to find Excalibur, which is in a treacherous area that he does not expect her to make it back alive from. He uses this time to wage war on the surrounding territories, pushing outdated ideals. Meanwhile Morgan begins to come into her own power as she journeys to the old land of the Fae and struggles with who her companions really are and if they’re trustworthy.

Honestly, I knew I was going to love this book from the beginning. I have been obsessed with any sort of Arthurian retelling for a long time, but to add Fae on top of it? I ate this book up. It had slow burn, enemies to lovers, love triangle, suppressed powers, and a morally grey love interest. Not to mention the ever shocking line “Who did this to you?” I felt engrossed in this world and like I was part of the action. I wasn’t reading a book, I was living the story in my mind. If you loved ACOTAR or TOG, you’ll love this book. I honestly prefer this to ACOTAR, which is saying a lot!

Thank you NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for an eARC of this novel. All opinions are my own :)

I. Loved. This book. So much that I requested the second one right away. I love Morgan. I love Draven. I love that it’s a little fae, a little King Arthur. I am so glad I was given a chance to review this. I can’t wait to get into the second book!

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is a beautiful first book that mixes romance, mythology, and magic into a world that is so real it's almost scary. Set in a beautifully imagined mediaeval world, the story takes readers on an exciting road trip full of twists and turns. A slow-burning romance adds depth and complexity to the story.

One of the best things about the book is how interesting the people are. Boleyn has put together a group of characters who are all different and have different stories and ties. Having LGBTQIA+ characters in the story gives it more realism and makes it more welcoming, which makes it even more charming.

Queen of Roses has a very magical feel to it. Boleyn's skilled use of vivid details and evocative language pulls readers into a world of wonder and mystery. The world-building is done with amazing care, leaving no stone left to make a rich and interesting setting for the story.

The way Boleyn writes is a real treat. The writing is easy to read and elegantly captures the core of feelings and events. The clever way the story is told keeps readers interested and involved in what happens to the characters, which makes it hard to put the book down.

A well-made and interesting story is at the heart of the book. The story moves forward with a treasure hunt that leads to mythical finds, dangerous creatures, and strange friendships that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Family relationships, trust, and betrayal add depth to the story and make it a fascinating and rewarding read.

Queen of Roses has the right amount of fast and slow parts. It lets the characters think about themselves and change, but keeps the story going forward with a steady pace. The author's skill at building up stress and drama throughout the book keeps readers eager to find out what happens next.

Queen of Roses-⭐️🌶️

Fantasy Romance
King Arthur Reimagining
Guard and Princess
Princess Warrior
Hidden history
One horse
One bed
Battles
Deception
🏳️‍🌈 Side Character Rep
Self discovery
Slow burn
“Who did this to you?”

TW: domestic abuse, murder


This was the beginning to a different tale of Arthur and his knights. The twists in the tale were interesting and I found myself intrigued by where the story was going to go and how things would play out. The story focuses on Morgan Pendragon and her Fae heritage, casting Arthur in a bad light… to put it mildly. I’m interested to see how much the story stays along the lines of the classic tale.

I found the first half of the book to be a bit mundane, there was world building and character development. It wasn’t that there was a lot stuffed into the first half, but that the first half didn’t have the heroine stepping up and being bold. I found her disappointing in the castle.

I also wish there was a map… or that things were laid out a little clearer in regards to what the land looked like. For the longest time I thought they were traveling North in the second half… then all of a sudden the crew is going south?

The second half threw things into motion and that’s when the story really took off. Also, the MMC wasn’t suffocating and condescendingly always saving the FMC and rubbing her face in it. An interesting diversion from the typical guard/Princess relationship.

Plus, the cliffhanger was pretty good! A

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun book! I love a good retelling and this was such a fun spin on the Camelot legend. This might be the first book related to this legend where Arthur is the villain and I really enjoyed that. It was so easy to hate him and I wasn't expecting that going in.

I really loved Morgan. I can't wait to see how her character develops in the rest of the series. She has such a good heart considering the horrible influences she grew up with and I hope that she grows into a stronger version of herself. She's such a great character and there is just so much opportunity for her to take control of her life and finally do what she wants.

Draven might be one of my new favourite characters in general. I love a mysterious grump, and he definitely fits the bill. I'm SO excited to see where his relationship with Morgan goes from here. That ending left me with so many questions.

Overall I had a great time reading this and I'm excited to continue the adventure.

This was an amazing start to a fantasy series that is sure to become one of my favorites! This book really sets itself apart from other fantasy romances with similar tropes by being a slow burn that makes the enemies to lovers aspect believable. The relationship between Morgan and Draven was complicated and had so much tension but I’m really looking forward to seeing where it’ll go next. I also enjoyed this as an Arthurian retelling and I felt that it was a very unique and refreshing take on the story! Additionally I absolutely loved the world building and the fae aspect of the book. I’ve read a lot of fantasy books featuring fae but this was by far one of the more unique ones in terms of the actual descriptions of the fae. All of the characters were really enjoyable my favorites were Morgan, Draven, and of course Lancelet. I particularly enjoyed Morgan’s character because I liked that although she was strong and had the capabilities to fight and stand up for herself she was smart about it too and was conscious about when she needed help which I think is a trait I don’t see in fmcs as often as I would like. Draven was super mysterious and morally grey and I can’t wait to learn more about his character in the next book! The ending definitely had me shocked and I have so many questions about him. In addition to Draven, I have questions about all the other characters and the direction the plot is going in and I can’t wait to get the second book because I know I’ll absolutely devour it! Overall, I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a fantasy book with a slow burn romance and an amazing plot.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

I did enjoy this book. It is split into two parts with the first section introducing the characters and the world and the second half beginning the adventure. I felt the introduction was long and drawn out and I was wondering when the action would start. Once it got to the second half, I was able to read much more quickly as I became more interested in the plot.

The ending had me a bit confused with the sudden switch to a third person. I feel like with more character development, it may have made more sense to me.

I do know there is a second book, which could explain some of these shortcomings. I am excited to continue the series and find out what happens next in the storyline.

Spectacular world building full of hidden motives only discovered as everything comes to a head. Twisted reasonings and so much backstabbing.

This novel, though lacking a lot of spice as a slow burn romance, shines in terms of its plot and the unexpected twists and turns it took as it came to an end. The characters were well written and as magical as Morgan’s unknown history, being given medicine to suppress the fae that runs in her blood.

Once they start the mission at hand, the story ramped up substantially. But the first quarter or so was greatly devoted to world building and giving all the important information needed to understand the rapid unfolding of events that lead to the climax of this novel. The cliffhanger left me wanting more and honestly, i am diving right into the next one wildly magical novel in the world of Aercanum.


My review is LIVE now on all my usual platforms — Instagram, Amazon, bookbub AND Goodreads!

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn had me hooked from start to finish! I went into this book originally thinking it was going to be a classic fae romance and was delighted it wasn’t. Briar Boleyn has created an epic fantasy world with characters I wanted to learn more about and continue reading. I’m extremely pleased with how all the plot holes tied together in the end but also left more to find out in the next book. I will definitely be reading the second book very soon.

3.5 stars rounding up!

This was my absolute first foray into an Arthurian retelling and let me tell you, color me impressed. Not in my wildest dreams during my AP Arthurian Legends class in High School did I ever think I would see the beloved King Arthur of Camelot portrayed as depraved, petulant and downright sinister. Yes, this is not the King Arthur you might be used to and I am here for it!

Many of the characters, if you’re familiar with Arthur and his Round Table, are portrayed in Queen of Roses but with a twist. Lancelot is Lancelet, a female knight and best friend to our FMC Morgan, Arthur’s sister (both in the book and in legend). Sir Galahad is represented as an acolyte to The Three, not a knight of the Round Table. To be fair, I don’t even know if the round table even exists because the Arthur here is surrounded by some pretty bad dudes.

Morgan is entrusted by Arthur to go claim the sword of Perun, but you may know it as Excalibur. Arthur wants it for the power it would give him; however he needs someone with fae blood to retrieve it. YES!! We have fae, magic, lore, all sorts of creatures—the best parts of fantasy books. Morgan is the perfect specimen to retrieve the sword where it is believed to be hidden as she is part Fae.

Now where would we be without a little romance and spice…very mild here, but first up is Kairos Draven, a new member of the Royal Guard, and also dévastai fly handsome, who just happens to save Morgan’s life and also be chosen to accompany he on this journey to the forgotten Fae lands. During their travels, she encounters another part Fae like herself, Vesper, who she can’t help but be drawn to. Poor Morgan, who will she choose? If she has to choose any!

There were some definite twists and turns, plenty of world building, along with gruesome and grotesque scenes and plenty of action.

I enjoyed Morgan as our main character; she’s got a little spunk, knows how to handle herself but certainly is fine with being the damsel in distress, compassionate and caring albeit maybe a bit too trusting. However, she’s real and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes her — because talk about a cliff hanger!

Looking forward to reading the next one in the series to see where the author takes us—there’s oh so many places we can go. Read this is you’re a fan of From Blood and Ash, Throne of Glass and retellings.

Big thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and Starwater Press for an electronic copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for this ARC in exchange for a review.

3.5⭐️ I enjoyed this book. I liked the King Arthur/Camelot spin. I did feel like there was a lack of character development in some aspects but I’m hoping that will happen more in Book 2. I did genuinely enjoy the characters and the story. It just got a little fuzzy at the end. Again, I’m hoping that Book 2 will clear things up. Also, the description made it seem like this was going to be a spicy romance, and I found that aspect very underwhelming. Again, hoping Book 2 makes up for it. Overall, an enjoyable read that made me want to continue with the series.

This was a very entertaining read! I kinda went into this one blind. I liked the twist and differences on this retelling. I really liked Morgan but I found myself wishing she was a little more feisty. She kinda went back and forth on being quiet and being feisty. Draven was definitely my kind of morally grey MMC. I wish there had been more focus on him in this book. I was kinda confused a little at the ending but I'm hoping it will be explained in book 2. Overall, this book sucked me in from page one and I am definitely about to start the next one.

Thank you to the author and Starwater Press for my copy in exchange for an honest review.