4.25 ⭐️

It was hard to get into at first. I felt like i wasn’t understanding anything nor connecting to the characters, and was honestly debating not finishing this book at around 30%.But then everything clicked, i started really enjoying the book.
After 35% i felt fully immersed, like i was experiencing morgan’s life alongside her. I didn’t see anything coming, and the writing was so fun to read, and at times, beautiful.
At 60%, i finished the rest of the book in a day. I love travelling stories. There wasn’t really any romance, but this book did set it up for the next book.
The ending was wonderful. i’ll be thinking about it for a while. I’m excited to see where the series goes. If you liked From Blood and Ash, i think you’ll like this book.

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Queen of Roses.

Oh my goodness, this book!
I loved the world building, although I can imagine it being quite a slow read for some, especially in the beginning.
I loved the characters, the story, the romance with some spice.
I devoured this book in one sitting, if that doesn’t say how good it is, then I don’t know what more to say.
For the ones who love fantasy I strongly recommend this book, and the series overall.

A big thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing and the lovely author Briar Boleyn for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I loved this book!!!!! I could not put it down! I could not stop thinking about it! It had some surprises in there as well, which I love! I cannot wait to read book two!

A fast-paced, engaging take on Arthurian legend with Morgan as the main character and Arthur no longer cast as the hero. There's so much to love about this book: the world-building, the fae, the slow burn romance, the one tent dilemma! It's such a fun adventure set in a familiar world that is turned completely around, but there are definitely darker themes here. The characters have depth and show growth from beginning to end, and while Morgan does come off very innocent and naive it makes sense for this point in her journey. I look forward to seeing how her character matures throughout the series and how the romance between her and Draven continues to develop. Even the villains are compelling, making the reader curious about what turned them into who they are now and set them on this path. I will definitely be continuing with the series and I'm glad I received this ARC copy well after it's initial release so I can go straight into the next book! Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for access in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fantastic read! I loved the mystery and tension between the main characters and the ending!! I can’t wait to read the second and third book

Thank you so much Net Galley and Briar Boleyn for the ARC, Queen of Roses.
I really enjoyed book one, so much so that I immediately downloaded Court of Claws. While book one felt like a slower read, it was because *world building* I can’t wait to find more about Morgan’s family, especially her siblings and mom. I feel like court of claws will have some big surprises. Thanks again for the ARC!

2.75

ESP/ENG

Que decir de este libro. Si me ha gustado. Si me pareció una buena trama y un buen inicio. Me ha dejado intrigada por el futuro y con preguntas de los personajes y sobre lo que pasara. Me ha gustado todo el asunto de retelling y el misterio con los faes. Aunque a veces fue un poco predecible. Pero hay un problema. Los personajes.

No he podido encariñarme ni con los principales ni con los secundarios. La protagonista femenina es terrible de verdad. No tiene ni un solo punto bueno. No hace nada. No tiene ni una sola habilidad. Creo que lo único que me gusta es el nombre que tiene. Morgan. Pero que protagonista más débil. Si muy triste por el abuso que le hacen pasar, pero fatal. Ni el protagonista masculino me dejo enamorada, intrigada sí, pero no enamorada.

La verdad necesito que esos dos den un gro de ciento ochenta grados en el libro dos o por lo menos encaminarse. Porque si siguen siendo patéticos y sin sentido no creo que continúe con la saga.

Por cierto, sentí ese instalove innecesario.

Pequeño resumen de la trama: Morgan es la hermana mayor del gobernante. Ella era la que tenía que gobernar, pero los rumores de su linaje y sangre hicieron que su padre decretara que el rey iba a ser su hermano y ella iba a ser enviada al templo de los Dioses. Faltando poco tiempo para que su destino se cumpla, su hermano la manipula y le ofrece una salida de su camino. Debe recuperar un arma muy poderosa en compañía de alguien en quien no confía. Con muy poca información y preocupándose por ella y sus seres queridos, se ve obligada a hacer lo que el rey ordena. Las amenazas no son en vano, ya lo ha visto hacer cosas terribles.

---

What to say about this book. I liked it. I found it a good plot and a good start. It left me intrigued by the future and with questions about the characters and what will happen. I liked the whole retelling thing and the mystery with the faes. Although it was a bit predictable at times. But there is one problem. The characters.

I couldn't get attached to either the main or secondary characters. The female lead is truly terrible. She doesn't have a single good point. She doesn't do anything. She doesn't have a single skill. I think the only thing I like about her is the name she has. Morgan. But what a weak protagonist. Yes very sad for the abuse they put her through, but fatal. Neither the male lead left me in love, intrigued yes, but not in love.

I really need those two to give a gro of one hundred and eighty degrees in book two or at least get on track. Because if they continue to be pathetic and pointless I don't think I will continue with the saga.

By the way, I felt unnecessary the instalove.

Short plot summary: Morgan is the ruler's older sister. She was meant to rule, but rumors of her lineage and blood caused her father to decree that the king was to be her brother and she was to be sent to the temple of the Gods. With little time left before her destiny is fulfilled, her brother manipulates her and offers her a way out of her way. She must retrieve a very powerful weapon in the company of someone she does not trust. With very little information and worrying for herself and her loved ones, she is forced to do what the king orders. The threats are not in vain, she has already seen him do terrible things.

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for allowing me access to review this book!

I honestly loved this book. I cannot wait to now read the others in the series.

Morgan is the FMC in this story and she is part Fae and human. Her mother is killed by her father and she is replaced as next in line for the throne by her half brother. Her brother sends her on an adventure to find a certain object that he believes will help him win a war. The kingdom she is traveling to is believed to have vanished. But she begins to learn more and more about her heritage through this journey.

I don’t think I could hate a character more than I hate Florian! If I had to pick one thing about the book I didn’t like.

There is so much I wish I could share, you just have to read the book! The book started out a little slow during the world building, but i couldn’t put it down once the journey began for Morgan. I cannot wait to see what surprises come in the next book.

Tropes: Fantasy romance, spicy, enemies to lovers, forced proximity.

I really enjoyed this twist in traditional Arthurian legend. I also think that this is a fun read even if you aren’t interested in King Arthur but love fantasy.

This is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series and is an entertaining, magical and steamy entry into the world. It follows Morgan Pendragon, Arthur and Kaye’s older sister, who was born into a life controlled by others. Her rumoured fae lineage separates her from those around her, marking her as different, which leads her father to, among other reasons, take her birth right from her. This is why Arthur becomes king, as next in line.

With her crown taken from her, her father promised her life to the worship of the goddesses when she comes of age. From a young age Morgan has known her future was written for her, even when her brother became king. However, a year before she is meant to join the temple her brother has need of her to search for an ancient fae weapon and Morgan sees her last chance of a taste of freedom before a life of worship and celibacy. Especially as she will be able to escape the constant watch of her brother and the unwanted attention of a boy obsessed with her.

However, her journey is not as simple as she has hoped. She quickly learns there is much that she doesn’t know about the world outside of Pendrath as well as herself. Accompanied by an assassin, bard and old friend (at various points of the journey), Morgan must learn how to fend for herself in the wild as well as understand her own temptations and transformation.

But it’s not only her own secrets that will change the course of Morgan’s life, but the secrets of those around her and a history long forgotten.

I really enjoyed this story, the romance, the drama and the magical creatures! This book built up so well and with the revelations at the end I am eager to continue the story and see how the characters develop and face the challenges that lay ahead of them!

I really liked the beginning of the story, even though it was quite dark; it really set the theme of the whole book and will definitely give a hell of a character development to Morgan, but as I read further, the story does get darker, but I don't see any improvements to the FMC. She trusts too easily and then will feel stupid for doing so...no actually she is quite...hmm...an interesting character. 

I am also quite sick of male characters in fantasy books being described as beastly (hairy chest, bigger than the FMC, muscular, etc.) and described the FMC as dainty. Maybe there's a reason why the MMC was described as so but still, I'm tired of that kind of MMC and FMC pairing because it's too overused and predictable. 

The plot is engrossing enough for me to continue reading, though according to some reviews, it is similar to ACOTAR and FBAA (I can't tell for sure since I haven't read any of those). The writing style is not that great either. There are some parts where it will get me so hooked, and then some parts are just... 

"Slowly I raised my hands. 

At first, nothing happened. 

Just like back at the crossroads. I felt disappointment fill me. 

But I didn’t drop my hands. 

I watched as they trembled. I was so weak, I could hardly hold my arms aloft." 

It felt like I was being given directions on what to think than actually visualize what was happening. A lot could definitely be improved. I wonder if book 2 will be better.

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

This was a very engrossing read. I love what the author took from the legend and the magical originality that she added.

Queen of Roses – An almost 3.5-Star Adventure into the Enchanting Realm of an Arthurian Retelling

Briar Boleyn’s Queen of Roses is an enthralling Arthurian retelling that weaves a magnificent tapestry of lore, half-fae mystery, and a hint of suspense. While the story has numerous strengths, certain character quirks and the enigmatic nature of the plot left me with mixed feelings.

Queen of Roses ♦ Briar Boleyn

Opinion

Morgan Pendragon, half-fae and the main female protagonist with a unique blend of enchantment and royal lineage, is at the center of the story. Boleyn’s world-building is outstanding, it transported me to a fantasy environment where fae magic and Arthurian legends coexist flawlessly. The rich descriptions of the landscapes and courtly life aroused awe, brought me into the story’s heart.

One of the novel’s most intriguing characters is the enigmatic Kairos Draven. Draven’s mysterious atmosphere is maintained with subtlety throughout the book, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. His enigmatic personality creates tension, and Boleyn skillfully builds expectation for the disclosure that ultimately arrives at the cliffhanger end. Draven’s involvement is crucial to the plot, and the author’s talent in keeping the mystery surrounding him alive is commendable.

Despite her unique lineage and well-read temperament, Morgan Pendragon’s portrayal leaves something to be desired. Her innocence is shown in a critical sequence, and it feels at odds with her character’s established depth. Given her experience and the difficulties she faces, one might anticipate a more nuanced approach in key situations. This component might be addressed to boost Morgan’s overall character development and credibility.

Conclusion

Despite these minor flaws, Queen of Roses is an engaging read for aficionados of Arthurian retelling and fae fiction. Boleyn’s style is poetic, conjuring us a vivid picture of a world where magic and fate combine. Even if certain character components fall slightly short of expectations, the narrative’s strengths, particularly the intriguing characterization of Kairos Draven and the beautiful world-building, make it a great contribution to the genre. And the next installments of the Blood of a Fae series holds enough space for more character development.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

I’m obsessed…. To the point I that I NEEED to read the next book NOW!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

This book, this story.. i couldn’t put it down.

A retelling of fairy tales, folklore, and magic. Gloriously written and a world you can’t help but get caught up in.

Morgan is a highly relatable and her journey is just beginning., her trauma is hard hitting and brutal but you see her come out the other end of everything that is thrown at her.
The MMC is as morally grey as they come but is also shrouded by so much mystery you just want to know more.
Lots of other characters and friendships that you watch grow, strong family relationships but also there are some seriously evil evil characters that throw you completely…

There are so many twists and turns and new mystery’s solved, you’re constantly in a state of shock and anticipation for what’s next with this book. Can’t wait to start the next one!

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own**

A feuding kingdom, an epic journey, and sizzling tension combine to create the deliciously wicked book ‘Queen of Roses’

With the release of Briar Boleyn’s new and third book in the Blood of a Fae series, I’ve requested to read her first book in the series and have been offered to review it thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press ❣️

Queen of Roses follows Morgan Pendragon, a human with fae blood who gets sent on an epic journey to find a legendary object for her brother, King Arthur. She is forced to go with two guards, one of whom is a broody, mysterious man named Kairos Draven. The mission involves magical abilities, mythical creatures, sexual tension, and betrayal. In this exciting first installment in the Blood of a Fae series, goddesses, kingdoms, and despicable rulers, are some of the many elements that contribute to this compelling story.

Here are some things that I loved:
• enemies to lovers
• slow burn romance
• inspired by Arthurian legend
• magic
• mythical creatures
• fae alongside humans
• “who did this to you?”
• the strong & caring mc
• queer rep in the side characters

I thoroughly enjoyed this dark fantasy romance book! The engrossing plot, complex characters, and gorgeous world building brought this story to life 🌹

I loved the way that Morgan was portrayed throughout the book. She was strong and resilient, but kindhearted and willing to help those in need. I loved the fact that she was also able to question the actions of her brother (and father) even though they were ultimately her only family.

Things I didn’t love:

• It felt a bit slow at times (especially in the beginning). But I understand that Briar is trying to set up the characters and the world they’re in.

• I found one of the plot twists to be quite predictable, but the other twists at the end were surprising and left me with more questions :)

Queen of Roses is dazzling and darkly delightful. Wherever you are, make sure you get your hands on this one! 🫶🏼
#QueenofRoses #NetGalley

⚠️ Please be aware that this is an adult book which contains trigger/content warnings ⚠️

4.5 ⭐️
I have never read a King Arthur/Camelot retelling before Queen of Roses and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I loved the characters, world building and story line with a bit of 🌶️
The writing was beautiful and descriptive enough without being heavy or confusing.

I’m so glad that I have the 2nd book to jump into straight away and will certainly be reading the whole series!

Thankyou Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for this opportunity in reading this first installment of a series I know I won’t be able to put down.

I struggled to initially get into the book - something wasn’t quite clicking. Sometimes I can be a bit of a mood reader so it may have been that too but the world building needed more in the beginning to hook me in I think. Once I reached 30% I couldn’t put the book down - it has been a while since I stayed up til 2:30am reading a book!

The morally grey character of the story is appealing even when he is so silent and broody. The spice levels in this book are fairly low compared to some stories out there at the moment however the author has promised the next book has even more spice in the next book.

In an ever increasing world of fae storyline books, this is one I would recommend picking up - the Arthurian retelling brings a new shine to the genre.

Fans of SJ Maas, Holly Black and Katharine Corr will love it.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me, though that's not to take away from the awesome setup for the characters and plot. This book is just not for me at this time, but I will be coming back to this once it has been published! Thank you NetGalley for letting me read the arc for this book.

Thank you NetGalley for early access to this amazing book!

This book hooked me right away! and I read the three books back to back.

I can not wait to buy physical copies for my collection!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Spice Level: 🌶️/5
Time spent reading: 8 hours, 15 minutes

Queen of Roses is a wonderful read. The slow burn romance, Draven being…the perfect “who did this to you?” MMC/love interest. I have never read a retelling or twist on King Arthur and Camelot, at least that I noticed (can you tell I never really read or consumed much about King Arthur/Camelot in general 🫣), and I really did enjoy this read.

To be honest, I get distracted fairly easily, and sometimes I need a book to read in between or mid-book of a long series, and I usually go to books that I have no previous knowledge about when I feel I need a break. This was one of these breaks, and it was such an enjoyable one. And I am sorry, but any man saying “I would burn for you” means I am automatically in love with him.

I would like to thank NetGalley and author Briar Boleyn for allowing me to read and (honestly) review an ARC of Queen of Roses. It was a pleasure and I am always grateful.

This book had everything I love in a romance and fantasy story. Enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, found family, epic quest and fantastic world building. I use to read King Arthur stories as a kid and this was like returning to world I knew but with a twist. The author does a great job crafting a story that I found captivating with the perfect balance of character development and world building that had me completely immersed and wanting more. I am so glad I had book 2 to read straight after as this ended on a cliffhanger and I wasn't ready to put this world done just yet.