*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."

Review: Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn

I’ll admit, Queen of Roses took a bit of concentration for me to get into at first, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. The story is a retelling of King Arthur, which, as a fan of Arthurian legends, I absolutely loved. The twist? It’s set in a fae world, which was such a refreshing and unique take on the traditional story. Mixing the magic of the fae with the familiar elements of Arthurian lore gave the book a whole new layer, and I really enjoyed how it added depth and intrigue to the world.

The book is definitely heavy in terms of world-building and character development, and I found myself needing to pay close attention at times to fully understand the intricacies of the plot. It wasn’t always an easy read, but once I got into the rhythm of the story, it became really compelling. There’s a richness to the writing that kept me invested, and the characters felt vivid and complex.

Looking back, I kind of wish I’d gone with the audiobook version, as it might have helped me get immersed in the story a bit quicker. Still, overall, it was an enjoyable read that combined my love for King Arthur with an enchanting fae twist.

I’m giving Queen of Roses three stars, almost four. It was a great read, though at times it felt a bit heavy, but once I settled into the story, it definitely captured my attention. If you’re a fan of Arthurian legends and enjoy a bit of fantasy with your historical fiction, I think you’ll really like it!

This story was an interesting story from an author I don’t know or haven’t read before! Will look at finding other things by this author. I am grateful for the early access, thank you to those that allowed it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc. Whole is was a nice read I can’t really say anything stood out to me. 3.5 stars

I have a habit of wanting to read books based on their covers! That being said, I had no idea what I was getting into when I read this first book in the Blood of a Fae series, and we get a retelling of the Arthurian legend!

The Dynamics and backstory that Boleyn poured into this book was on-point! It served up a great experience in a well crafted world.

The FMC Morgan has potential, I really hope that she is developed and comes into her own more as the series progresses, she was a bit of a wallflower. However, the same can't be said for KD! Now, that's a fantasy MMC done noice!!!

I'm in this for the long-haul, so we'll see where I'm taken I hope!!

*Queen of Roses* by Briar Boleyn introduces an intriguing fantasy world filled with fae, magic, and political intrigue. The premise of the story, focusing on a young woman’s rise to power amidst the complex dynamics of the fae realm, is captivating, and Boleyn does a great job building a richly imagined world. The plot has plenty of twists, and the concept of the fae hierarchy adds an interesting layer to the narrative.

However, while the world-building is solid, the pacing of the story can be uneven. At times, the plot feels slow, especially in the first half, and it took a while for the character development to really pick up. The main character’s journey is compelling, but I didn’t feel as emotionally connected to her as I’d hoped. Additionally, some secondary characters felt underdeveloped, which left me wanting more depth.

Overall, *Queen of Roses* has a lot of potential for fans of fantasy and fae stories, but it doesn’t fully deliver on the emotional stakes or depth I was hoping for. It’s an enjoyable start to the *Blood of a Fae* series, but I’m hoping the next book will build on its foundation and provide a bit more intensity and character growth.

I love a good Arthur retelling and this book did not disappoint! This is one of the best retellings of the Arthur myth that I have read. You need to read this book if- you loved From Blood and Ash, you love the touch her and die trope, the who did this to you trope, you like it when he falls first, you love enemies to lovers, you like your heroines snarky and stabby, you love a good found family, or some of your favorite authors are Jennifer L. Armentrout and Sarah J. Mass. This book really checked all the boxes for me, it was everything I love in a spicy romantasy while still feeling 100% unique from anything else I’ve read before. The writing is on point! It is so well-written I just devoured the book. The characters are intriguing, the plot will keep you guessing, and the world-building is expertly incorporated without sacrificing the pace of the story. This quickly took a spot on my list of favorite books, and it only gets better as you move through the series!

I recently decided to reread 'Queen of Roses' by Briar Boleyn, hoping to recapture the magic I felt the first time around. And let me tell you, it didn't disappoint!

This book still has that same captivating blend of Arthurian legend and fae magic that I loved initially. Morgan remains a compelling protagonist, and I found myself just as drawn to her journey of self-discovery as I was the first time. The world-building continues to be impressive, and the romance between Morgan and the enigmatic warrior still adds a layer of intrigue.

While I still feel like the beginning is a bit slow-paced, the story quickly picks up momentum, and I found myself just as eager to learn more about the fae world and the dangers that lurk within. I'm still particularly intrigued by the secrets surrounding Morgan's heritage and the impact they will have on her future.

Overall, this reread reminded me why I fell in love with the Blood of a Fae series in the first place. It's a captivating story with a strong female protagonist and a unique blend of fantasy and romance.

I loved everything about this. The brooding male and the feisty female. The politics, the rivalry, the danger, and intrigue. I got pulled into this story so quickly and it just kept getting better. The ending was gut wrenching and left me begging for me. Got the second book right away. I don’t want to say too much because I’m afraid of giving too much away

The Arthurian references were neat, but this is definitely not a retelling of Camelot. Lots of twists and turns, and fairly fun to read, but I wasn't captivated enough to want to grab the next book.

Thank you for an advanced copy of this book.

Queen of Roses was a fun read and there were elements which I enjoyed such as the romantic tension and that Morgan wasn't a spoilt princess like in a lot of books. I didn't realise going into it this was Authurian based which I enjoyed. That said I do think there was room for Morgan to grow as a character which she didn't. Another big negative for me- animal cruelty. This always knocks a book down for me.

Overall it was a decent read but I'm not sure I would continue the series.

If you like retellings of King Arthur and Camelot, you would definitely love this (with fae in mix). The world building is spectacular in this. I love the balance and pace of the book. It's a delight for dark fantasy lovers.

Loved it! Adored it! Amazing detailed writing style! It drags a bit but the worldbuilding is absolutely amazing!
The character development - when the MCs grow through the story - great written! They feel real as in making human mistakes and all, as it happens. ofc!

On the other hand it's an Arthurian re-telling. If you like (Arthurian) re-tellings, then you can go for it, for sure, and enjoy this great piece of work!

"Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn is a spellbinding blend of courtly intrigue and simmering romance. The heroine is clever and fiercely determined, making her impossible not to root for. It’s the sort of book that keeps you up far too late, utterly enchanted.

I was not prepared for how slow this book was going to be. It took a lot to keep going. I thought the book was well written and had a lot of plot twists. I did not know going in that it was a series, but looking forward to the next one.

This story is a fantasy romance inspired by King Arthur. This story has fae, magic, spells, and adventure! There is a slow-burn romance, forced proximity, betrayal, and unexpected twists!

Morgan Pendragon was rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae, therefore her brother was crowned as the king of the kingdom. Her brother, King Arthur, demands she go on a journey across the land looking for a legendary weapon This weapon has the hope of saving their kingdom. The journey to find the weapon is long, dangerous, and there are many unknowns.

I really loved the world building and character development in this book! The story between Morgan and Draven, had a lot of tension at times, but it really helped develop their relationship. I loved Drake from the beginning and loved him even more by the end. I can not wait to read Book 2 to see where their story goes! I would highly recommend this book! It might be the best story I've read this year!

Thank you Briar Boleyn and Victoria Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this, I really did. It was fast paced, I liked where the plot was going and I thought the characters were decent.

Some things were a little predictable which is fine, it was still an enjoyable read. One critique would be that some more development was needed between the two MCs. But considering how it ended, I’m guessing it was setting up for that in book

This was a great Arthurian retelling. Morgan has a secret, and she's fled in hopes of saving her own life, and that of her people. She doubts her brother Arthur's decisions now, seeing the ruthless king he's become.

Traveling with her guard who she's learning to trust, they find another companion who she finds also holds her attention. A great journey and a twist I never expected.

An amazing fast-paced fantasy series on par with other popular romantic fantasy series that everyone loves! I cannot believe this series hasn’t gone viral on booktok yet?!

TRIGGER WARNING LIST Abduction Abuse Alcohol Consumption Animal Death Assault Child Abuse Child Death Deceased Family Member Domestic Violence Drug Use Poisoning Sexual Assault Violence / Gore

Queen of Roses. My fellow readers I read a most fascinating Romantasy. By the end of the book I asked myself- what just happened?! The ending was such a shock to me. It was something that I was totally not expecting.
The main characters Morgan, Draven and Arthur are pivotal characters throughout the story. Princess Morgan I found her character to be somewhat smart in certain cases. Her character comes off very caring towards the innocent and helpless. Morgan has intermediate skills as a sword fighter. She hopes to one day to become a knight for the temple. Although for my thinking Morgan seems almost like a weakling. I will say this. Girl develop thick skin and grow a backbone. Moving on to her dear brother Arthur.

What can I say to you about the young King.

Oh I know!

Is there an Asylum among the grounds of Camelot, Merlin?

Arthur runs his kingdom with an iron fist. He and his friends (Florian specifically) has placed so many unsuspecting traps in place for Morgan and her people. The traps puts the plot twist to the famous writer Chris C. serial killer books to shame. What can I say to you about Florian. Right now.
At this moment. I am shaking my head, because the man has tested my patience throughout this book. Florian and Vesper are some of the characters that had me saying- girrrrl you better do something. The time is now! Stand up and shake those Daum cobwebs out of your head and get in the game.
Kick some asswipe and take names later. We got a country to save. Take off them prissy girl panties and put on those big girl granny panties, because you need all the help that you can get at this moment. A certain someone is raining hell all over the place.
You will need to read the story to find out how Arthur evolved to such a irrational human being. Morgan desperately wonders why Arthur’s doing all of this? What’s his motive? We move on to our strong Illustrious warrior, Draven. I have to admit every Romantasy book needs to have a Draven in it.
The way the writer describes his character is very masculine and seductive. What I’ve read from the book. When Draven walks through a room/ hall women’s heads will follow. He’s tall. He has wide shoulders.
He’s gorgeous. His raven hair effortlessly falls over his handsome brow. His eyes gives off a bright green glow. Their almost like a beacon that calls to all women whose sexual libido is on overdrive, in which he’s magnificently built for. And yes ladies - he’s a big softy when it comes to kids and animals.
Can the man get any better? I think that you should read the book. So as I was saying at the start of the book- Wait a minute here! Where’s the excitement? Where’s the action?
Give me drama! Give me excitement. I want to read the passion. I need the hot and steamy romance.
The book told me - Hold up girl. You can’t put the cart before the horse. Sit down and enjoy the book. The book didn’t actually say this. I’m not crazy people. But you get the jest. Moving on!
So as I continued reading the book, I noticed that the plot twist was getting better and better. The characters were getting better and better. I imagined all the wonderful and wild crazy things that transpired in Morgan’s chaotic world. Soon my imagination was on the journey with Morgan and her friends. Hoping and praying that things would come to fruition for them. But as I suspected with fruition there were tragic moments that I didn’t see coming. I thought that these moments were wow factors that clearly drove the plot to a phenomenal conclusion. As the story develops the characters magical moments evolves to something amazing that is described in wonderful details. It’s almost as though the story is giving your imagination a closeup view of something so majestic and beautiful to read. Did I talk to you about the mystical world?
Oh your going to love it? I believe it’s the best part of the book. The mystical world it’s totally worth reading. Your mind will be totally blown. I give this book two snaps and a - You touch me with that knife again and let’s see how quick I can detach your balls from your lower extremity.
Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!