Absolutely love the Arthurian story with a fae twist!! Love the chaotic family dynamic, love the descriptions throughout the book. Despite being dark, it was fun!! I know some didn’t love the love triangle, but I didn’t mind it! I loved all of the magic and all of the creatures. That cliffhanger though!!! My goodness I need to read the next one asap

This was an interesting retelling of the Sword In the Stone/King Arthur fable with Faeries!! Many of the original character names are used (King Arthur, Lancelot, Merlin, Kay, Sir Ector, etc) to tell the story of our FMC Princess Morgan Pendragon.

Morgan has been the family outcast for years, first rejected as the true heir to the throne by her father for being part Fae and now by her brother King Arthur who sees her as a threat. Arthur decides to send Morgan on a mission to find and bring back Excalibur (the legendary sword in the stone). Alongside Kairos Draven, her "bodyguard" to ensure she completes her mission, Morgan embarks on an epic adventure full of faeries, betrayals and even some romance, all as she also begins unraveling who she truly is and the learns of the secrets of those around her.

This was a really well done retelling of the story with it's own unique twists. I'm usually not huge into the world of Fae but will definitely continue into the next book of this series.

I was able to get the whole series of this and I loved it I’m not very good at reviews but I would like to enjoy reading more by this author. I hope they continue to impress us with their writing

Queen of Roses is the start of a new series that features magic and an addictive slow burn romance that any romantasy reader will devour. This author has always come up as a recommendation and so glad that I finally got to read one of their books. I am now looking forward to continuing on with the series and will check out the authors other works. Highly recommended for those looking for a slow burn romantasy with magical elements.

"Queen of Roses" introduces an enticing, high-stakes narrative that blends dark fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. The premise of Morgan Pendragon, a princess bound by duty and destiny, seeking to escape her constrained life while uncovering secrets about her bloodline, is a compelling hook. The stakes are high, and the world-building potential seems rich, particularly with the hint of a reawakening fae kingdom and the dramatic implications of Morgan's heritage.

Morgan's internal conflict—torn between her duty and her desires—adds layers of emotional depth to the plot. The presence of a mysterious, attractive warrior who draws her in promises to create the kind of slow-burn romance that many readers crave, especially when paired with the tension of a kingdom on the brink of war. This, combined with the promise of morally gray characters, gives the narrative a sense of unpredictability and complexity that is likely to keep readers invested.

However, while the synopsis is enticing, it could benefit from more distinct details to set it apart from other books in the genre. The "tainted blood of the fae" and the "fae weapon of legendary power" are intriguing, but they are fairly common tropes in fantasy, so a deeper exploration of what makes Morgan's situation unique could elevate the stakes even further. The mention of a "slumbering kingdom" and "secrets in her blood" hints at larger, more complex themes, but these aspects could use more fleshing out to give the reader a clearer sense of what makes this world and plot stand out in a crowded fantasy market.

The comparison to other popular authors like Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout sets high expectations, but it also risks raising comparisons in terms of both world-building and character dynamics. The mention of "magic, danger, and spellbinding slow-burn romance" sets the tone effectively but could delve deeper into what makes this series different from others in terms of narrative voice or character development.

Overall, "Queen of Roses" has all the ingredients for an action-packed, engaging read, with an intriguing heroine, high stakes, and the promise of romance and danger. With a bit more distinction in its world-building and plot mechanics, it could easily stand out as a fresh and exciting addition to the fantasy genre.

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is an enchanting dark fae fantasy romance that pulls you into a world of magic, intrigue, and intense chemistry. The romance is captivating, and the characters are complex, with both light and dark sides that keep you guessing. The world-building is immersive, though at times the pacing can slow a bit. Overall, it’s a gripping start to the Blood of a Fae series. A solid 4 stars—dark, romantic, and full of twists that will keep you hooked.

DNF’d at first, and tried to get back through it. The slow burn was just too slow for me, and I don’t think this is my kind of fantasy (despite the plot synopsis sounding wonderful). Despite this, the world seems incredible and I will likely pick up book 2 to see if it piques my interest more.

Thank you for the arc!

I LOVED this book and I’m already starting the 2nd! I can’t get enough of Morgan and Draven and the end of this book had me talking out loud to myself in awe. The world is built beautifully and I’m so excited to see where we’re going in book 2… read this book! It’s definitely slow burn, some spice, our FMC just keeps getting better and cooler. I love the writing and imagery and I was completely transported to their realm ✨

“And then, before Orcades vanished like a wraith, she touched a finger to my forehead and cursed me with a single word. "Remember."
So I did.
I remembered my mother.
I remembered her running through the city of Numenos with me in her arms.”

This SENT ME! I love a big mind blowing moment like this! I’m going to devour this series! 🥀

Thank you for this ARC.
A story with a beautiful cover and about faes? That keeps me going.
Long story short, the FMC was rejected for being becoming a queen because of her being a half fae. When her brother, the king gives her a mission, she accepts and goes to it.
One thing I wished is the backbone that the FMC carried in the beginning to be well present throughout the whole book; from the beginning till the end. It is seems to come and go…
Nonetheless, I enjoyed and will definitely pick up the series, it is in my tbr

Really enjoyed this book, was a nice change to the usual fantasy books I have read recently.
I haven’t read a book by this author, so will try the others in the series

I am unfortunately not into dark romance or dark fantasy so this book wasn’t aimed for me - I did appreciate the writing style though.

Thank you for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Starwater Press for the arc-copy for an honest review of this book. (this is actually my first book from Netgalley).

This review contains no spoiler.

I am at 74% and so close to DNF the book, but I am trying my best not to since I'd come so far.
I know this is a romantasy book series and there will be a lot of world building, so I am ready for a slow burn story but ohboy, it IS SLOWWWWWW but nothing burning for me yet.
The world building is pretty simple and straight forward, making it a very fast and easy read. Sometimes with unbearable long description between dialogues but thankfully the chapters are short.
Up until where I am reading now (74%) there is absolutely no romance, no tension, and no spice yet.
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Here's the update after I'd finished the book.
Story picked up at almost 85% mark, and started to look like some plot is unfolding. I don't know if all fantasy book tend to be like this, we'd to push through to get to some good bits at the end, and then it's ended with a cliffhanger, forcing us to find out in the second installment.
FMC has zero growth and there is an obvious pairing with the MMC even though author tried to introduce a decoy love interest in the middle to divert our attention. FMC and MMC are not enemy but they are not liking each other very much, some tension but I couldn't feel the chemistry.

Maybe I will continue this series because tbh, it's not too bad. Not great, but at least it's not too long.

I absolutely inhaled this book 📖

An adventure if you will.

A mix of fae, adventure and lots of magical world building. I imagine if I had reviewed this at the point of finishing I’d have a lot more to say.

I know I enjoyed it and went straight into the next book!

It had for me a good amount of grumpy MMC (Draven) and the FMC (Morgan) tension. Omg there’s so much tension and I am there for it!

Cruel King with a princess sent on a mission with two guards what is there not to like! This book was quite dark at the start but it drew me in. The world building was amazing and I could easily picture everything described. Loved (Hated) the characters so that was also well done. Can't wait to read more!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is an enthralling fantasy filled with forbidden love, political intrigue, and dark secrets. Morgan Pendragon, a princess with fae blood and a stolen birthright, embarks on a dangerous mission that challenges her destiny and forces her to confront her own desires. Along the way, she encounters a mysterious warrior and a group of outcasts, leading her into a tangled web of intrigue and supernatural threats. Boleyn weaves a gripping tale of duty, temptation, and the awakening of ancient powers, with complex characters and a richly detailed world. Perfect for fans of epic fantasy with a touch of romance and high-stakes adventure.

Tons of potential for a slow burn romantasy story. The story is interesting, the world building is incredible, and the characters were fine, but it just needed something more. Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and Starwater Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

If you like ACOTAR then I would reccommend this book. It follows Morgan who is a half-fae princess that will never be the queen due to her half-fae bloodline. This book starts off very fast and hooks you instantly! If you like fantasy and romance, this is a great book for you to read!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Queen of Roses is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series and a King Arthur retelling. In this, you will meet Morgan. She has two younger brothers, Arthur and Kaye, and she loves them with all of her heart. Out of the two, Kaye is definitely her favorite because Arthur is a dick. It doesn't help that he's the King because, my god, he is evil, and I don't like how he treats his people.

Then there's Morgan, who does just about anything and everything to fit in with her family and pears. Unfortunately, she never will because she is half-fae, and that's why she will not be her people's queen. Though I have a feeling she very well might become that very thing towards the end of this series because Arthur needs to be taken down.

Throughout this book, she goes on an adventure with two guards. Of course one of them is a guy she despises, but hey, at least he protects her. I mean, I wanted her and Draven to get together so many freaking times and then they wouldn't. It doesn't help that some flute-playing half-fae guy came into the picture, and she was somehow dazzled by him. I mean, it's fine... I didn't trust him one bit, and he eventually got what he deserved.

As for that ending? Oh my gosh. I was waiting for something to be revealed, and I am so freaking happy for the next book. I need to know what's going to happen next with these two and how she will get revenge. I also really need a family reunion between her and Kaye.

A Promising Start with Stunning World-Building but Missed Romantic Sparks

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn reimagines Arthurian legends in a vividly crafted fae world, filled with political intrigue, found family, and a slow-burn romance. While the world-building and plot kept me intrigued, the book had its highs and lows for me.

The world-building was exceptional. Boleyn’s descriptions of the fae realm, especially details like King Arthur’s rose-filled throne room, were immersive and breathtaking. The blend of backstory, brutal societies, and family dynamics brought the setting to life in a way that felt fresh and engaging. Even the inclusion of zombies and magical creatures added a thrilling edge to the story.

Kairos Draven, the male lead, absolutely stole the show. He’s respectful, caring, and his small, thoughtful gestures for Morgan had me swooning. His fierce devotion and protective nature were perfect for his role as the brooding guard—and he’s easily the highlight of the book. But Morgan, our protagonist, was a harder character to connect with. While I sympathized with her sheltered and timid upbringing, her naivety and submissiveness made her frustrating at times. I kept hoping for character growth that never quite materialized.

The romance, unfortunately, was a letdown. What started as a promising slow-burn took a disappointing detour with the introduction of a love triangle. The chemistry between Morgan and Kairos never fully ignited for me, and the romantic tension felt overshadowed by Morgan’s constant questioning and lack of awareness about her world. For a princess, her lack of knowledge about her own kingdom was baffling and often pulled me out of the story.

Despite its flaws, the book picks up toward the end with action-packed twists, magic, and an explosive cliffhanger that has me eager for the next installment. The anticipation for what’s to come is strong, even if this first book didn’t entirely meet my expectations.

Final Thoughts:
Queen of Roses is an intriguing start to a series with incredible world-building and a captivating male lead. While Morgan’s character and the romance left something to be desired, the plot twists and cliffhanger hold promise for the sequel. Fans of fae fantasy with action, political intrigue, and slow-burn tension may still find much to enjoy here.

I adore Arthurian retellings, and I particularly enjoyed the twist that Briar has put on that particular legend. The characters were very well written and I could feel the emotions of Morgan as clearly as if they were my own throughout the book. The cliffhanger was just enough to not be confusing or frustrating, but instead piquing my interest for the next book.