So I went into this not knowing much about anything and was immediately brought into a beautiful and insane world of fae. I always love princesses going rogue and this one took you by the horns and really threw you around in terms of plot and world building. Loved and was obsessed with it all the whole time. Cannot wait till book 2.

This was a really interesting read. I liked the reimagining of a classic story a lot! I did feel that Morgan (the heroine) could be a little stubborn at times but the story was overall captivating. There was a lot of world-building near the end that took some time to wade through but it was well thought out. The male bodyguard trope has been done before but the new take on an old story plus the chemistry between the two main characters kept things interesting. Overall a great read if you love fantasy romance!

I'm giving it a 4/5 but it was more of a 3.5/5.

A really good entry into fantasy. When advertised as being for lovers of Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas, the book has big boots to fill. Unfortunately, those boots are a little too big. The main storyline is intriguing and different enough that I wanted to know how it ends and I will likely read the rest of the series. This feels like a good introduction into fantasy for people that don't read it often as it is a bit more simplistic. It could have done with a bit more character development and worldbuilding but I may just be picky as I read so much fantasy.

It was a good book, interesting and I liked it. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fantasy with a central character called Morgan. Who doesn’t seem to have much of a life ahead of her. Though her brother is the king and it should be a regal life. Things don’t work out that way.
She sets out & joins up with a bunch of id say misfits, they don’t quite fit unless together.
The fae runs through this story and though I found it slow in parts, I enjoyed getting lost in the magic and other parts of the story.
Looking forward to book 2.

Move over Arthur, Morgan is the star of this retelling! AND I LOVE IT!!!!

Thank you to the author, Briar Boleyn, NetGalley, and Starwater Press for the eARC!!! I was thoroughly entertained!!!

This is not your normal Arthurian tale. This isn't even a retelling--not really. This is the tale of Morgan, eldest daughter the King of Camelot who was denied the thrown for her half-human and half-fae mixed blood. Arthur is the devil of this tale and I think its brilliant. Move over hero of the round table because Morgan is stealing this show.
Parts I liked most:
- Lancelot recast as a badass female knight named Lancelet with a penchant for lady seduction.
- Merlin recast as a High Priestess with underrated power and so much potential for later in the series.
- A NEW, DARK MALE HOTTTEEEE (new to the tale and what a gooooood addition he is!!!)
- Morgan as the good guy, and fae, and a bit over the top naïve as befitting a woman of her youthful age.
- Galahad (so darn sweet) gives me a toothache.
- THE HISTORY OF THIS AMAZING WORLD (applause and kudos).
- I NEEDS ME A DANGER KITTY (AKA
- The ending (So glad that it wasn't a true cliffhanger, I would have DIED after all that) SPOILER ALERT ... RIP Lancelet!!!!!!!!!!!

MEH parts:
- the endless journeying
- Vesper
- the lack of spice
- Vesper
- Florian
- Vesper (have I mentioned how much I hate Vesper??? Spoiler alert ... Thank The Three he gets what he deserves.

Star Rating ... 4 Stars

First of all thank you NetGalley, Starwater Press, and of course, Briar Boleyn for the e-arc!

This book is definitely a must read for those who enjoyed From Blood and Ash!

It has the whole bodyguard situation going on and a not-so-damsel-in-distress that can surely hold her own ground. The dynamic between Draven and Morgan is a very slow burn romance, but nonetheless I’m sure the second book has much more to promise (who am I to lie? I’ve seen what Briar has been posting on TikTok, I KNOW where this is going).

I have to admit that I had a little bit of trouble getting into the story during the first half, but right after book two started I couldn't put the book down (literally, I read the whole thing in one sitting). The world building was slowing me down, mainly because I’m just getting into reading fantasy, so it’s something I’m not used to, but I know it has to be done.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book! (The whole Fae component didn’t have me sold for the first half, but after book two kicked off? Boy, was I sold!)

I didn’t really love that Morgan felt so bad about her hair (it was being mentioned more times than I would have liked), even though I get that it made her stick out like a sore thumb. I hoped she would be proud of it, and I really hope she won’t be hiding it in the next book (after knowing what and who she truly is). Also, I liked her character development. As she learned more and more about herself and about those who surround her (I’m mainly referring to Arthur), she started to act out and slowly, she stopped being a pawn in other’s games.

As for Draven, I’m still not entirely sure what to make of him (I mean, I’m certain that he is to become one of my new book bfs, but I feel like we still don’t know him very well). I loved that he always seemed to be there when Morgan was getting into trouble, but the ending left me with a lot of doubts. I know there is a lot in store for his character and I can’t wait to explore him during the second book.

Overall, this book definitely blew my expectations. As I mentioned earlier, I was getting my hopes down at the beginning, but afterwards, we get to learn a lot about the Fae and everything just starts to fall into place. I think it is incredible that this is the author’s debut! It is an amazing book and I hope it gets all the recognition it deserves.

PD. If you’re a sucker of the “Who did this to you?” scenes like I am, please do yourself a favor and READ. THIS. BOOK.

King Arthur but with magic in the form of faeries!
An evil King; a struggling, unhappy kingdom; an ostracized princess and a dangerous mission to find the magical sword. Plus a cliffhanger that will make you want to jump.
All in all I really enjoyed this remix of a classic tale.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for this ARC!! (first one, and hopefully not my last)

"Queen of Roses, Blood of a Fae, Book 1" by Briar Boleyn is a spicy fantasy romance that dances between enemies turned lovers, forced proximity, and a broken, stabby heroine that you can't help but root for. It's a tale that's as mysterious and intriguing as it is passionate and heart-pounding.

Morgan Pendragon, a cast-off princess with a destiny never truly her own, finds herself on a perilous mission to seek a legendary fae weapon. Born with the tainted blood of the fae, her journey is more than a quest; it's a chance to break free from the chains of fate that have bound her since childhood. Along the way, she's drawn to a dark and enigmatic warrior, a dangerous temptation that sets her heart ablaze. But as she delves deeper into the fae world, she uncovers secrets that make her a threat beyond her wildest nightmares. Morgan's journey to find Excalibur is filled with plot twists and a wild ending that left me craving the next book. Draven, a big mystery, starts as a farm boy but evolves into a character that butts heads with Morgan in the best of ways.

The world-building was rich, and I found it easy to follow, with side characters that added depth to the story. The kingdom's dark underbelly, with its starving people and uncaring ruler, was portrayed vividly, and the romance was a delightful dance of attraction and resistance.

"Queen of Roses" is a debut that surpassed my expectations. The characters are remarkable, the atmosphere magical, and the writing style impressive. The plot is well-constructed, the pacing balanced, and the world-building masterful.

If you enjoy training scenes, found family dynamics, and a romantasy that checks off many must-haves, "Queen of Roses" is a delightful adventure that promises more to come.

3/4⭐️
❤️ easy to read
❤️ a bit of spice! 🔥
❤️ slow burn
❤️ it was giving King Arthur's vibe which that i liked.
❤️morally grey caracter


❌more or less action
❌I felt that they were missing some details in the story that could have explained certain things
❌ I would have liked the end to explain a little more and answer more to my questions. I feel that the end leaves a suspense yes but he still had a lot of details to explain certain things.
❌the author tried to leave the reader on a cliffhanger but I rather had the impression that the end was incomplete

This was really far away from the kind of book I usually read and it took me a while to get into it but then I was along for the ride.

It’s loosely based on Arthurian legends which I initially found confusing and it was a bit slow in places but by the end I was really intrigued and would definitely read more.

There are plenty of content warnings right at the beginning which I thought was brilliant and it’s a very LGBTQ+ positive story.

I hope having set up the main story and introduced the characters that the next book will delve into the history of the fae more and I look forward to the romance hotting up!

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞.”… something I felt for the FMC throughout the book!

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛
Queen of Roses follows Morgan Pendragon, who’s grown in the shadows of her brother because of the tainted fae blood in her veins. Now that her kingdom is on the brink of war, she is forced on a journey to seek out a legendary weapon that’ll save them from their doom…

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
This is a retelling of the Arthurian legacy but in a fae world setting, and that world-building was incredible! From the backstory to the present brutal society to the chaotic family dynamics, everything was well-written.

The descriptions of the places really brought the world to life😍 (for eg, King Arthur’s throne room filled with roses). With a captivating plot, there was never a moment where it lost the zeal and it’s said to be a dark fantasy but I didn’t find it that dark😯. Sure, there are a few moments of death and blood, but that’s the bare minimum for a fantasy book..

I’m all in for Kairos Draven!! That man was everything🤌🏼 and not only visually😉 He respected her and her decisions, and still cared for, and loved her! The small things he did for Morgan just 🫠 me. And imo, 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫!!

On the other side, I found Morgan to be frustrating. It was understandable how she had this timid personality but she was too submissive. I wanted her to change but she didn’t.. plus she was so naive and sheltered, despite her thinking otherwise.

The romance was such a big disappointment for me! I hate, hate the fact that there’s a love triangle of sorts (understandable but why😩). I was looking forward to that slow-burn to ignite but it just changed its course..

And the writing style also changed to a questionnaire, with Draven and others answering and Morgan asking at every single turn. How come she being the princess doesn’t know a single thing about her world?

But I loved how it was action-packed near the end with so many twists coming our way, magic and magical creatures coming to the front (it even had zombies🧟‍♀️)! And that cliffhanger was just🤯 I cannot wait to read the next book..

P.S. Florian deserved what happened to him!

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
Overall, this was an okayish start to a series with great world-building and a captivating plot. The male MMC has my heart but the FMC needs character development. Plus, the romance is a disappointment in this but there’s an exciting anticipation for #2 because of that mind-blowing cliffhanger at the end..

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐲𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞-𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

A slow start in Camelot turns picks up pace as Morgan goes on an adventure for her brother, the king. I was pretty pleased by 70% in and found the ending to be enjoyable. I look forward to book two!

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

"Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn is a captivating journey into a world of magic and love. The characters are relatable, the plot is intriguing, and the magical setting is enchanting. Though some dialogue feels a bit formal, it's a fun and delightful fantasy read. Can't wait for more from Boleyn!

I love a good dark fantasy romance, especially when there's Fae involved. A little bit tropey, for sure, but still endlessly engaging nonetheless. Arthurian legend has always been an area of interest for me, so I perhaps might be a bit biased, but I strongly believe that anyone who likes well known stories with a fae twist will enjoy this one. I saw it described somewhere as if A Court of Thorns and Roses and From Blood and Ash had a baby and I could not agree more.

To be very honest, I found this book a little rough and slow in the beginning. Morgan is a little hard to connect with throughout and honestly feels like a doormat half the time I am reading. She did get better just at the end, but it wasn't enough to save my thoughts on how I felt about her. The character death near the end infuriated me and I really wish it had not happened because it felt useless.

However, it is the plot that kept me coming back. The world as well which has clearly been built well. We will see how things fair with the next book. I am hoping it pulls me in more than this one did.

(Somehow this ended up on my list of titles twice? This is my same review as the last time. Sorry for the odd doubling up.)

Just WOW! I wasn’t sure if I would like the slow burn that this book had to offer, but I was very quickly captivated by the characters and couldn’t wait to see how their futures would entwine and play out. The description, world building and character revelations that built beautifully throughout the story ensured that the slow burn was teasingly included and did not detract from the story progressing. The story and characters were loosely based on the legend of Arthur and the accompanying tales, giving a good twist to the plot overall - although there were plenty of twists there to intrigue as the story went on…and the cliffhanger at the end!
The good guys in this story were brilliant: kick-ass, always fighting for the underdog and ready to take on the bad guys, even against seemingly insurmountable odds. The morally grey character… what a guy! All the traits of a great book boyfriend! And brilliantly written bad guys that I loved to hate, who got everything that they deserved.
I can’t believe that I missed out on the ARC of the second book - now to wait for it to be delivered!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this for fans of slow burn fantasy, who are looking for the next great series to get caught up in.

Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn and Starwater Press for and ARC of this book in exchange for my feedback and honest review of this book.

ALRIGHT! We have another Arthurian retelling BUT we get this one from Morgaine, Morgan La Fey aka Morgan's perspective. Boleyn leans hard into the half fae myth and thus starts a journey for her to overcome her evil, homophobic, sociopathic brother, Arthur (yea he's trash AF in this book).
Morgan was the stereotypical heroine:
Young-Check
Beautiful-Check
Innocent-Check
Stubborn even though she has no clue what she is doing-Double Check

Did I like her? No. Did I care about her trials? Also, no. I found her dumb AF and caught myself being REALLY annoyed with a fictional character and hoping for her to get maimed or something.
Now, did I keep reading? Yes. Did I finish this book in 3 days? Also, yes.
Big question: Am I going to continue this series? Yes I need to know what happened to Lancelet (stan) This sucked me in like Fourth Wing did.

This didn't break the mold, BUT I enjoyed the retelling from Morgana's POV. Thank you NetGalley & Starwater Press for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and think it may be one of my new favorites! I've already bought and pre ordered the next two on kindle!

This retelling of the classic tale of Camelot is great for fans of ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash. with similar fae themes and romance. The characters are easy to love (or hate- looking at you, Arthur, Florian, and Vesper) because of Briar Boelyn's wonderful character building skills.

There isn't anything really about this book that I didn't like, I am excited to find out what happens next in the series!

The story began at a promising pace with the world being built meticulously and the characters introduced intimately. Morgan’s personality was explored before the love interest was introduced, which gave her a sense of an individual identity, without the influence of her relationship with the hero. Kairos Draven’s character slowly unfolded which was intriguing to read about because you could tell he had a lot more going on than what was initially revealed. The exploration of mythical and fantastical beasts was so interesting to read about. It was like a mini guide book inside the original story (I’m especially talking about the Exmoor as the furriest, cuddliest companion).

The romance was not as angsty as I had expected, the characters have minimal interactions which doesn’t give them enough time to build chemistry. There was a last act surprise entry which seemed very convenient to give the readers a shock, but it didn’t really work because it was sudden and suspicious. Overall, although the characters were fleshed out in the beginning, they each followed a certain cliché which did not make them exceptionally rememberable.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Fans of Merlin and The Sword in the Stone will love this book. It's told from the point of Morgan, half sister of King Arthur sent out on a quest to retrieve Excalibur. Enter Draven and Whitehorn her quest companions.

This is the first book of the series. You will devour the story and yearn for more.