this book is not for me.

while on paper it hits all the marks for me. in practice i just can’t get through it.

i genuinely loathed it. while the characters had potential the mmc is as awful as the corrupt king committing genocide. a genocide that’s treated flippantly? and the fmc while supposedly empowered, is consistently abused by every man in her life & makes no effort to escape despite talking about it all the time.

i don’t know i just… genuinely hated this.

also PLEASE read triggers online before reading.

An incredibly interesting take on the legend of King Arthur and Morgan....

....but this was not the POV character to tell this story from. At least, the writing wasn't nearly strong enough to carry a first person POV, and it really, REALLY shows. Can a book be both underwritten and overwritten?

I barely managed to slog through the tedious, melodramatic narration and stilted dialogue--I don't see my high school students putting in that much effort, honestly.



***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

Morgan Pendragon is a princess burdened by the weight of duty and sacrifice. Her life, predetermined by birthright and rumours of fae lineage, has been a narrative not of her choosing. Bereft of her rightful heritage as a child and tethered to her brother, the king, Morgan's fate is further entwined with a promise to the goddesses upon reaching maturity. However, when tasked by her brother to retrieve a legendary fae weapon, Morgan sees an opportunity to break free from her predetermined path.

In her quest, Morgan becomes entangled with a group of outcasts, led by a captivating and mysterious warrior. Amidst her struggles to reconcile her desires with her obligations, they uncover perils beyond their imagination. Their journey unveils a slumbering fae kingdom, long thought lost, now reawakening and seeking to reclaim its lost dominion through violence and bloodshed. As Morgan delves deeper into the enigmatic fae world, she discovers the haunting truths within her blood, realizing her existence poses a greater threat than she ever envisioned.

Review:
Briar Boleyn weaves an enchanting and immersive fantasy tale in "Queen of Roses," painting a vivid world brimming with rich lore and intricate characters. The narrative shines through its elaborate world-building, where destiny, secrets, and the resurgence of a long-lost fae kingdom collide in a tapestry of intrigue and danger.

Morgan's journey from a pawn in a predetermined fate to a woman forging her path is compellingly depicted. Boleyn skillfully navigates Morgan's internal conflict, balancing duty against desire, and self-discovery amid the complexities of the fae world.

The ensemble of characters, particularly the enigmatic warrior and the group of outcasts, adds depth and dimension to the narrative. Their camaraderie and individual complexities enrich the storyline, drawing readers deeper into the unfolding saga.

The evocative descriptions transport readers into a realm steeped in mystique and peril. The gradual revelation of the fae kingdom, its history, and the intricate web of lies and mysteries infuses the narrative with an irresistible allure.

It is a captivating fantasy adventure that captivates with its well-crafted world-building, multidimensional characters, and gripping plot woven with suspense and intrigue. Briar Boleyn crafts a tale that resonates with themes of identity, destiny, and the ever-present struggle between light and darkness, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Morgan's captivating journey.

Queen of Roses is a richly imagined debut into the Blood of a Fae series—a dark, romantic quest that reshapes familiar Arthurian legend into a feminized, fae-infused world. While the pacing is deliberate and Morgan’s character arc begins slowly, the enchanting world-building, slow-burn tension, and emotional undercurrents make this an engaging setup for the rest of the series. Perfect for readers seeking high-stakes fantasy blended with growing romance. If you enjoyed Court of Claws or Empress of Fae, this is where Morgan’s journey begins—and the enchantment starts to unfold.

Why did it take me so long to start this series?

I absolutely loved this book. From the very start, I was hooked by Morgan Pendragon’s story—a woman torn between duty and the longing to be free. Her journey feels so real and emotional, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The world is rich with magic and danger, and the mysterious fae kingdom kept me turning pages late into the night.

Love love love ! Im obsessed with briars writing ! Top read of the year !

She never fails to hit all the buttons for me

The world building was fantastic. I have no complaints. Easy to follow and very interesting.

The MMC also was written to perfection ! I was swooning and falling in love.

Now the MFC, I could not stand. A bit immature for me when I am reading a NA book.

I also wasn't a fan of the love triangle and how it was written - when this is a favorite trope of mine.

The plot though was great. I was hooked the whole time.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *

I just finished Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn, and I have to say, it was an intriguing read. This book offers a unique twist on the Arthurian legend, blending it seamlessly with fae mythology. The world-building is rich and immersive, pulling you into a realm where magic and royalty collide.

The protagonist, Morgan Pendragon, is a compelling character. As King Arthur’s half-fae sister, she navigates a world filled with political intrigue and personal challenges. Her journey is both captivating and filled with unexpected turns.

One of the standout elements of this book is the slow-burn romance. The chemistry between Morgan and Kairos Draven is palpable, and their evolving relationship adds depth to the story.

While the pacing can be a bit slow at times, the intricate plot and well-developed characters make it worth the read. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy with a touch of romance and a fresh take on classic legends, Queen of Roses is definitely worth checking out.

I struggled to finish the book. It was a decent retelling of Arthurian tales, however it was slow and there was not as much spice and "dark" themes. Low spice level that I was not expecting, I wish it had more. This feels more like a set up book and world building with everything to happen further into the series. Overall it was a good read, just not exactly the "Dark Fae Romance" I was expecting from the description.

Boleyn excels at creating a gothic and decadent world. The royal court is filled with danger, secrets, and betrayals, and the mirror-based magic system is original and thematically resonant.

This is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series by Briar Boleyn. I haven't read anything else by this author and was excited to give this a try. This is a well-developed romantasy with intriguing characters. This has ties to Camelot which was a cool direction to take the story. I liked the pacing and the development of the characters. There was very little spice in this book, but I'm hoping that will increase in the next installment.

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

⭐ I was torn between rating this book 3.5 or 4 /5
🌶️0.5/5

I enjoyed the story, the fact that the story didn't progress more than it did was slightly annoying though haha, I'm ready for book 2!

The reason why I was leaning on rating this book 3.5 was because of a few "mistakes", inconsistency, odd pacing, lack of clarity/explaining.

Here are a few examples

About the "medicine"
Chapter 4 : She, too, drank this same concoction I am told. Every second night as I do now.
Chapter 10 : “Your mother... She took the same medicine herself. Did you know that?” I let out a small cry of surprise.


Chapter 14: Her brother threatens her life.
Chapter 26: And then, I told myself, things would return to the way they had always been. That last part I had my doubts about. After all, I was conveniently avoiding what I had done to Florian.
... How do you think the only thing preventing for things to go back to normal is Florian death....!?

She keeps referring to Draven as her captor but never actually attempts to escape..

I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, I liked where the plot was going and I thought the characters were decent.

I can’t believe I missed giving feedback on this series! It’s honestly one of my very favorites and I absolutely love Briar Boleyn’s writing. It was stunning!

A great new fantasy with great world building and a captive plot. Leaves you wanting more, looking forward for starting book 2

Thank you netgalley, this book was filled with such beautiful world building and an amazing plot, it never got boring for me. I loved the Arthurian setting with a fae placement it was so different but in a good way. However the romance elements were a bit disappointing for me but I’m not a big fan of love triangles but I can see this being extremely interesting for other readers

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is a captivating and immersive fantasy that blends political intrigue, romance, and a richly detailed world. The novel follows a determined and strong-willed protagonist as she navigates courtly power struggles, complex relationships, and her own identity in a realm filled with danger and secrets. Boleyn’s world-building is lush and vivid, creating a magical backdrop that adds depth to the story.

The character development is one of the book's strongest points, especially the protagonist, whose journey of growth and resilience makes her both relatable and compelling. The relationships, particularly the romance, feel genuine and add emotional weight to the narrative without overshadowing the central plot.

While the pacing is mostly well-balanced, there are a few moments where the story slows down a bit, but these are outweighed by the gripping plot and emotional stakes. The tension between the political intrigue and personal conflicts keeps the pages turning.

Overall, Queen of Roses is an engaging and well-crafted fantasy that will appeal to fans of court politics, magical intrigue, and strong character-driven stories. It strikes a good balance between romance and adventure, leaving readers eager to see what comes next.

I enjoyed the mythological aspect of the story and the accuracy to the myth however I wish that there was more character development within this story.
That to be said, there were a few characters that I instantly loved and wanted more of . The twists and magic system of this book were amazing and I would move on to the second book

*I received this book free via NetGalley*

Queen of Roses starts out this epic fantasy journey, for the ultimate what is still to be known.

Morgan is the first born, she should have been queen when her father died, but she was part fae and according to him that was unsuitable for anything, let alone queen. Instead, her father made her younger brother king and promised her to the temple once she was of age. Being a princess should not have been that bad, but her brother was getting more ruthless by the day, she was being tormented by an unwelcome suitor, and basically poisoned to keep most of her fae qualities from making themselves known.

It's only when her brother sends her on a journey to find Excalibur that she begins to learn the full extent of his depravity.  Her two traveling companions are anything, but mean guards surely sent to keep her in line. One wants to poison her to death, the other's desires are still unknown. As they travel and visit more places she's finds it's not all as bad as she once thought it may be, that is until they get to where they are going. The harpies, the caves...the children.

This book is a page turner that easily keeps you wanting to know what happens next. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, you never truly know who the bad guy is and who is the good. There is corruption, usurpers, hidden magic, betrayals, and unlikely friendships. As this book came to its cliffhanger ending all I could think of was....oh hell, what's next?!?!

"A gift to you then. Forged in blood and darkness. A bond that can never be broken."