Queen of Roses

Possibly one of my favorite reads this year so far, it's definitely a 5/5 for Queen of Roses!

This book is a loose retelling of King Arthur and Camelot with a fae twist, and is book 1 in the series. When I first saw the book it was tagged as Young Adult for whatever reason, but there are some darker themes that are apparent pretty early on. New Adult is definitely a better fit, which I see is in the author's note at least.

The pacing of this book was pretty fast, and the author managed to pack in a lot of good worldbuilding and character background throughout. Within pages she managed to make me get bad vibes from Morgan's brother, Arthur, and by halfway through I hated him lol. I do kind of hope for a redemption arc, but I'm pretty sure there's no coming back from what he's doing. Also I would love to see what made him turn out the way he did, like was it all his father's influence or something more??

I know people tend to complain when female main leads are too naïve or let the people around them make all their decisions, and I did see a couple reviews mentioning that about Morgan, but honestly I thought it fit for this book. Morgan has been through quite a bit of trauma in her 20 years, is constantly being put down for things out of her control, and it seems like her every attempt to do something beyond what she is told is met with death. Is it really completely out there for her to just agree with people to keep the peace, or to become trusting in people who offer her the slightest bit of kindness/sanctuary... no!! I feel like as long as we get to see Morgan evolve and become more confident in herself and her decisions, this is a good starting point for her.

I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series, and also seeing where the romance starts to go between Morgan and Draven !

Thank you so much to the author of this book for allowing me to opportunity to read and review this book, I truly appreciate it.

Firstly I like to get the bad out of the way first because this is all honestly nitpicky and some probably the way it formatted on NetGalley. I honestly didn't have many issues with this book, there were a couple times where words were repeated by accident or certain punctuation should have been used but I'm not one of those people so it wasn't that big of a deal. I believe the last chapter should have under the number a certain name, just so you would have got it before you got into it (I don't want to reveal any spoilers). Now I'm not sure if this was the format only on NetGalley or if its that way elsewhere but it bothered me to find the actual trigger warnings at the very back of it instead of the front (I think it was just a conversion issue though) but note just in case elsewhere it does end up at the back of the book, there are a lot of heavy things in this but the author does them so well that you know where she's going but she does not shove it down your throat and make you have to go through them. It was done perfectly and I appreciate that so much, theres some really popular authors that would have made some of the things this book touches on, torture you for multiple pages. I am so grateful this author has a way with words that made you get it without having to get it for far longer than should be allowed "for the sake of the story".

Another issue I have with this book, that I expect might come into something later on is the allusion to Arthurian legends. I have no problem with this at all, as silly as this sounds I really wished the author just hadn't. This author has created at least with this book a masterful way with words that doesn't bore you, a story that doesn't slog on, and a wonderful world you can picture that is all her own, I would have loved if she'd called the characters and world's whatever she had wanted because she is an amazing author and this world she has created deserves all that is fully her own for her own genius and recognition! It could let someone down who potentially picked up for those references which at this moment only seem that way. This authors created world is extremely masterful and I would have preferred all that was hers.

Also biggest of all I don't know why this book isn't in every bookstore, I don't know why it's not all over "booktok" it needs to be! This is the best fantasy novel I have read in a long time! I've read a lot of them. It needs to be all over the place, it really really does. This does not drag at all, it flows so well, the world is magical, the details are not overdrawn at all. I never once got bored at all, or fell to skimming like I tend to with a few books because of the over doneness of them.

All I wanted to do when I started this book was keep reading it! I fell in love, yes some things were slightly expected, but not done in a disappointing manner like usually happens with most books. This was done well, so so well! I need more of this author, I love this book, I love Morgan and I need to know what happens next!!! I also need this all over tiktok and in every bookstore. This needs to be known! It is so much better than a few other "popular" fantasy authors creations!

Thank you so much for allowing me the pleasure of reading your book, I can't wait to hopefully be able to read the rest!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to leave an honest review on this ARC.

This is such a fun and engrossing book. I love all things Arthurian legend, and this turned it all on its head. Morgan is very well written - understandably timid in many ways and rather naive, but there is a bubbling frustration beneath the surface ready to break through. Draven's humor sets him apart from the stereotypical 'tall, dark and brooding' MMC. The interaction between the two is fun and helps shape Morgan's character growth, and the chemistry slowly builds in a realistic and compelling way.

The bad guys are despicable but - viewed through Morgan's complicated emotions - Boleyn keeps the baddies from being one-dimensional. The adventure unfolds quickly and steadily and the setting descriptions are immersive. The history and mythology are complex but clear and add a lot of atmosphere to the story. This book hit all the right notes for me and I am excited to read what happens next.

WHAT WAS THAT ENDING??????
It was confusing, epic, heart-wrenching. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
I just know I am going to have to read book 2.
It’s not even a want at this point, it’s a definite need

Let me just start this review by saying I went into this book completely blind
I have heard of the author in passing and I love the cover
But I wasn’t expecting anything
And let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised by this book
Both by the depths of the characters, the King Arthur storyline, the amazing engaging dialogues and the world-building that I love
This is not high fantasy — or at least what i count as high fantasy — and it’s so easy to get into this book from the get go that i just couldn’t put this book down

Is it just me or does the character reminds me so much of Fourth Wing character?
Morgan with the silver-hair and Violet Sorrengail
But more than anything I think Kairos Draven is like an older, deadlier, more sarcastic and outspoken, more arrogant version of Xaden Riorson
And I love him okay!
The fact that he’s always been very honest with his expression, the fact that from the get go he cared about her enough to harm the people who harm her! Swoon
He always came to her rescue even when she’s being mean to him too.
And he helped her without her asking, and he never gloat about it afterwards.
Kairos Draven is the blueprint for a new perfect book boyfriend!
I’m surprised I’ve never heard of him before.

Some memorable Kairos Draven quotes:
“Not even a thank you, Princess? I’ll miss you too.”

“His voice was loud and angry as he cursed everything and anything he could think of.”

“My apologies. Should I be more polite because you’re royalty? Pardon me, Princess. And here i thought you enjoyed being treated as an equal.”

“I suppose a princess does not need to eat like other mortals.”

I do not wish to discuss the plot here because i do not want to spoil things for anyone.
I highly suggest just going into this book blind because I did and it was such a delightful surprise; the whole journey of reading this book was.
But if you’re so incline to know I’ll give you some key notes.
The tropes:
- Princess x bodyguard
- Touch her and you die
- Morally grey MMC
- Fae!
- King Arthurian legend

PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS BOOK
I SWEAR YOU WON’T REGRET IT
Five amazing stars for the Queen of Roses

Thank you to Victory Editing, Briar Boleyn, NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.