The book was a bit slow to get into but once it started going you fell right in the story. It was a wonderful first part in this serie. A very detailed worldbuild and amazing character who each fight their own battle. I can't wait to read the next book.

If you like dark fantasy, this one is for you. I however highly recommend looking at the content warnings before diving in because this book definitely has some heavy hitters.

Queen of Roses is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series and is a retelling of the classic King Arthur/Camelot story with a fantasy twist. Instead of us seeing the story play out through Arthur’s eyes, his sister, Morgan, is the narrator. Other characters are pulled straight from the classic story, like Sit Ector, while some are gender bent, like Lancelet and Merlin. I always love when that happens. It gives a different perspective on characters we all already know about it.

Queen of Roses follows Morgan as she navigates living in a Camelot that’s ruled by Arthur, who is her younger brother. When she was a child, her father promised her to the goddesses since he didn’t find her worthy of being a queen and made Arthur his heir instead. One of those reasons is that Morgan supposedly has fae blood in her, which in Camelot is a big no-no. There is history between the fae and humans in this world and to put it plainly, they hate each other. Morgan suffers through a lot growing up because of this. There is so much I wish she didn’t have to experience being so young. It’s not fair to her whatsoever.

When things start to get dicey, Arthur sends Morgan to go retrieve a special artifact that will give him great power over his enemies. He specifically picks Morgan due to her supposed heritage. She isn’t sent alone, though. One of the royal guards, Kairos Draven, is to accompany her for her safety. It is your typical tall, dark, and handsome male love interest, but Draven isn’t who he seems to be, which I kind of figured out early on. Now, there are still questions I have about him which will probably be answered in the next book, but for now, he will remain mysterious.

Overall, Queen of Roses is a good read. You’ve got everything you want in a fantasy novel: morally gray characters, action, betrayal, some of the best romance trope out there in my opinion – one bed (one tent in this case), touch her and you die, who did this to you?, etc. The backdrop of the Camelot story is also incredibly interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a book that has spun this story in the way Briar Boleyn has. I gave Queen of Roses four stars because I found some parts to be a little confusing, almost like there were details missing. It could just be me, but I had to reread certain passages to understand what was happening. The clarity in the action was iffy sometimes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for this arc in exchange for an honest review. Now on to Court of Claws, the second book in the Blood of a Fae series.

This is a romance, fantasy book with not much romance. She makes the world building easy to understand. Some parts and characters are pretty dark. This is a three book series, and I will definitely be reading the second one in the series when it comes out.


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book for my honest review

WOW. Just wow.

I absolutely loved this retelling of Arthurian Legend. It was so unique and enthralling that I had a hard time putting it down.

The characters were very well written and felt very realistic. I really enjoyed how some of the characters were gender bent and that we got to see a completely alternate version of the story. Is the Arthur of the legends that we know really the good person we think he was? Were his knights?

The plot also progressed beautifullly as well. The pacing was spot on.

This book isn't "just another fae/fairy story". It's a gripping, twisted, dark, spicy, and fantastical retelling of a classic legend.

Wow........this book is so beautifully written and I devoured it. I love Arthurian Legend and this series is quickly becoming my favorite. Perfect for dark fantasy lovers who like From Blood and Ash, ACOTAR, K.J.Sutton and more.

King Arthur retelling. Amazing story, retold in a new way that keeps you hooked from the beginning. Amazing character development, plots you don't see coming, and a shocking twist at the end that will leave you racing to grab the next in the series. Highly recommend for any fantasy lover.

This book was so good, it had me hooked from the beginning and I was never bored (even during the world building)

I absolutely love the two main characters Morgan and Draven, they were imperfect and Morgan was working through stuff but that made me like them more because they felt more real. Also Draven was the classic ultimate love interest in a book which I’m a sucker for lol. I can’t wait to continue the series, I had so much fun reading about their journey through Eskira:)

Interesting take on the Arthurian legend. I enjoyed the setting, the plot, and the characters. I can see this becoming a great fantasy series!

What did I even just read? I was so sucked in by everything happening (and there was a lot going on) and that ending! I am very glad that I already have access to the second book because… I must know where we are going with this story.

It’s fae royalty, courts and politics. There’s quests to go on across dangerous new lands. Enemies who might not be so bad and friends who are bound to betray you. There’s also super cute, fantastical creatures that I’m wishing I could see in real life. The story moved along quickly most of the time and I was always trying to stay one step ahead, working out the twists and turns.

Anyway, it was fun for me and now I’m off to start book two.

CN for drugging, abuse, DV. It’s got quite a bit of darker elements and there is a list of triggers in the book, but I personally didn’t feel like they were a huge part or focus of the book, but you might want to check them out if you’re worried about it.

Thanks to #NetGallery and the publisher. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Format: Digital
POV: Single
Spice: 🌶️.5 /5
Age suggestion: 18+

Rated 4.5⭐️

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, NetGalley , and Starwater Press for this free Ebook. This review is 100% my own.

First, I want to start off by saying I don't have much experience with the fantasy genre, but this book may have me hooked. The way this book has been written, it's hard to believe this was her debut novel.

There are trigger warnings for this book but readers are warned prior to reading. These include sexual assault, drinking, drugging, violence, domestic violence, and child abuse.

The world building in this book was so good that I could visualize each place as the characters were walking through them. This is a Camelot / King Authur retelling with a fae twist, I could see the similarities through the book.

I appreciated that most of the main characters were women, Merlin, Morgan, and Lancelet. I also appreciated that there were characters interested in the same sex. While this book feels like it's supposed to end up being spicy, it feels more like steamy than spicy. Unless this is just setting everyone up for spicy in the second book.

The first part of the book is mostly world building and character introduction, but it's not slow or boring. By the second part of the book, more action happens, and the pace picks up. I literally couldn't stop reading this book. If it wasn't having to work for a living, I would've finished this book way sooner.

The book ends unfinished, and on a cliffhanger, I can't wait to dive into the second book. Would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, story retellings, and family betrayals.

Love all the characters.

Morgan's life was never hers, especially when she is under the rule of the king especially being in his shadow

Arthurian lore but make it fae? Say less! The synopsis promised so much and I truly thought this had the potential to be a five star read for me. However, I’m not sure it entirely lived up to my expectations. I liked the writing style and the tone. I enjoyed the world building, even though the connections to Arthurian lore felt a little off to me. I really struggled to connect with the main character. But I did enjoy the witty banter and some of the tropes. The plot was solid enough and kept me engaged. It was still a fun read for me and I enjoyed it enough to continue reading the series. A solid three stars for me. I’d probably recommend it to a more niche audience and I would be interested in checking out other books by this author in the future.

Wow a fantastic book. An interesting retelling of king Arthur that focuses on his sister Morgan. It has mythical creatures and some great twists which had me turning the pages effortlessly.

Plot-★★★★★
Characters-★★★★★
World Building-★★★★★
Spice- 🌶️
POV- Morgan

I was born to be a queen. But even queens could be set aside and forgotten.

An amazing retelling of the Arthurian legend and Camelot, with a fae twist. I’ve had this book on my wish list for months, so when I got the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review I practically jumped with joy and anticipation. And this book did not disappoint. It was a rollercoaster and so many twists and turns, and no matter how hard I tried I could not predict what was going to happen.
Morgan was only 5 when her father killed her Fae mother in front of her. Before her father died he announced that Morgan would not inherit the throne because of her being part-fae, instead her younger half brother would be the king. Her brother King Arthur despises all fae, and sends Morgan on a quest to retrieve the legendary sword Excalibur together with a royal guard and another guard.

There are secrets, magic, steamy romance that keeps you on your toes wondering will they or wont they? And of course there is betrayal. If you enjoy a FMC that can fight, take care of herself and is not afraid to say what’s on her mind? This book is for you!


Thank you so much NetGalley and Briar Boelyn for giving me the opportunity to read this book! All these opinions are my own and unbiased.

A Camelot retelling where Lancelot and Merlin are both female? Sign me up!

We follow Morgan La Fae (Morgana Pendragon) who is forced to suppress her fay traits and was cast out of the succession because of her "tainted" blood. The throne was instead given to her brother Arthur who is becoming more evil by the minute. He sends her on a dangerous mission to find Excalibur. Along the way a host of characters join her causing her to question who she can truly trust while she is also under going serious self-discovery.

There is court intrigue, unaliving people, enemies to lovers with forced proximity, and a half of a chili-pepper spicy slow burn romance

I am giving this 4 stars because spice was alluded to as being a prominent theme of this book and it just was not there and because this story leaves you on a very abrupt cliff hanger. I don't mean a good cliffhanger where you are on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen, but one that was so out of the blue and abrupt, that I wanted to throw my Kindle. This book is clearly meant to lay the ground work as the beginning of a series as the first half of the book gives a lot of backstory/history/world building that gives it a pretty slow pace. The pace picks up in the 2nd half and there was more action and twists and turns.

Overall, I enjoyed this book (despite the lack of spice and the questionable cliffhanger). It grabbed my attention enough that I will read the next book in the series once it is released.

✨Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review✨
This book is an interesting retelling of the legend of King Arthur and his quest for Excalibur with a magical twist and added fantasy. I really enjoyed this book and was GLUED to the pages the entire time. I finished it in 1 day because I really couldn’t put it down. I felt so immersed in the story the whole time! I loved that the author described the characters and environments so well that they were easy to picture and just so well written. I felt like the main character could have used a little bit more substance and character development but with this being a series, I’m sure that’s to come in later books. I love a good slow burn romance and this was giving it! The added mystery and deceit from multiple characters built up so much suspense and made the plot twists shocking.
One of my only disappointments was the end. It ended with so many unanswered questions and like 7 cliffhangers that left it feeling rushed/unresolved despite a pretty good stopping point in the plot. I’m sure this was intentional to add suspense for book 2 and, though I appreciated the POV switch, I was hoping for a little more character development and was left with a lot of confusion. I’m looking forward to seeing how the main character develops as well as other characters as the story continues in the next book! Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy quest/journey with some slow burn romance, friendship, and magic.

I was immediately hooked on this story for two reasons: Camelot retelling and the inclusion of fae. As I continued to read, Morgan swept me further in with her courage and the details of the mission that she is sent on by her brother. I enjoyed the details of the world building and the magic system. I couldn't put it down as I rooted for Morgan! Thank you to NetGalley and Starwater Press for a gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

I was to check out this book after reading the description. Who doesn’t love a story with fae, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and touch her and 💀. I will be honest, though, I’m not very knowledgeable of King Arthur/Camelot (I knew there was something with a sword and a round table 🤣) but I still loved this book!

Morgan Pendragon’s life has been anything but easy. Even after witnessing her mother’s death and having her birthright stolen, she never lets anything keep her down. When she is forced by her tyrant brother, King Arthur, to go on a quest to find a magical fae weapon, she is determined to succeed no matter what so she can have some power in her future.

I think Boleyn did a good job with the world building! It was so well written and easy to become immersed in this story. The first part was a little slow but that’s understandable since it does take time to explain the setting, characters, and world. I can tell this book is laying the foundation for the next book in the series and I’m excited to see what happens. The ending left me with so many unanswered questions and I will be picking up the sequel ASAP.

This was my first read by Boleyn but it definitely won’t be my last! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a book with
-fae
-enemies to lovers
-slow burn
-forced proximity
-grumpy MMC
-banter

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for the opportunity to read Queen of Roses.

A fresh retelling of the legend of Camelot that is deliciously dark, sexy, and magical. Briar managed to take the classic Arthurian tale and turn it into an action-packed new series brimming with imagination, danger, and spellbinding slow-burn spicy romance with all the feels plus Fae. This reader is now enthralled with this kingdom and all its characters.
If you like danger, temptation, fantasy, and royalty, you will love this Imaginative tale. The story comes alive in rich detail.
I read this in the kindle version through ARC Netgalley and will be purchasing the physical book to have and hold in my hands forever. Run, don't walk, to your favorite book retailer and join the court.
I give this 5 stars for action-packed enchantment and immersive realm building. Honestly, this is the best fantasy retelling of Arthur and Camelot I've ever read.

Queen of Roses by B. Boleyn, published by Starwater Press, is the first book in the Blood of a Fae trilogy.
It's the introduction to a new world where Fae are unwelcome, set like a reverse Camelot/ leaned on King Arthur Saga.
Morgan is a 20 year old half fae with brothers Kaye 11, and Arthur, King.
I just wanted to take a peek in the book, but soon I was intrigued enough to rea the whole book, cover to cover, in one sitting.
It's a dark fantasy romance that deals withe sensitive subject, consider you warned. Next up is Court of Claws. Both books are currently in KU.