3.5 ⭐️

This book was a very slow start & I did contemplate putting it down & trying again another time. However, having checked out other reviews I saw that if I kept going it would be worth it & I have to agree. When you hit 60% this book takes off, it's just a shame that the build up is so long.

Some people said it was like Blood & Ash, but I just didn't see that. However, I am looking forward to the next book & finding out what happens next.

This book is super similar to the first Blood and Ash book. So if that interests you, definitely check it out.

The beginning of the book was incredibly addictive, I loved it. After a bit though, it slowed down a lot and it took me a while to continue. This was in the first half of the book. The main character started to feel bland and a bit inconsistent at times. Plus, I was feeling 0 chemistry between the main characters.

I am glad to say though, the book regained strength in the second half of the story. I read it literally in one sitting. I liked the relationship and the characters and all of it absolutely hooked me in. The ending was really good and it definitely left me interested to read the next one.

The story is quite predictable, but that’s never been a problem for me since I enjoy that. If that bothers you a lot, though, keep it in mind. The other thing I want to say is that the dialogue was a bit rough at times.

I know after all that it doesn’t seem like it, but the story as a whole was something I enjoyed and like I said, I definitely was left hooked and wanting more and more of these characters.

And a very important thing: definitely check the triggerwarnings.

I'm not sure how it passed me to forget to make the review here, but I finished this series some time ago. So I'll be pasting the same review on the series. I LOVED IT. Couldn't put it down honestly. I loved Boleyn writing style and the way that she wrapped me up in her world.

I’m not a fantasy reader at heart, but "Queen of Roses" by Blair Boleyn had me hooked from the start! If you're into slow-burn romance, dark fantasy vibes, and plot twists that will leave you speechless, this book is a must-read. With its Arthurian retelling, fae creatures, and plenty of banter, "Queen of Roses" is a wild ride from beginning to end. And let me tell you, that jaw-dropping plot twist at the finale? It's a game-changer that will have you scrambling to get your hands on the next book ASAP! Trust me, you won't be able to resist diving into this fantastical world.

Thank you Blair Boleyn and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the ebook arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Briar Boleyn's *Queen of Roses* is a spellbinding fantasy novel that sweeps readers into a world of magic, political intrigue, and emotional depth. From the moment you open the book, Boleyn's lush prose and intricate world-building create an immersive experience that makes you feel as though you are stepping into an enchanted realm where danger and beauty coexist in perfect balance.

The story follows Elara, a young queen thrust into power amidst a kingdom teetering on the brink of chaos. As Elara navigates the treacherous landscape of court politics and ancient magic, readers are drawn into a journey filled with emotional highs and lows. You will feel her strength and resolve as she faces formidable adversaries, her vulnerability as she grapples with the weight of her crown, and her passion as she fights for her people and her heart.

Boleyn's character development is masterful, making Elara a heroine who is both relatable and inspiring. Her journey is marked by moments of triumph and heartache that will resonate deeply with readers. You will feel her struggles and victories as if they were your own, experiencing the full spectrum of her emotions. The relationships she forges, whether marked by loyalty, love, or betrayal, add layers of emotional complexity that keep you invested in her story.

The world of *Queen of Roses* is rich and vividly imagined. Boleyn's descriptive writing paints a picture of a kingdom filled with breathtaking landscapes, from verdant forests to glittering palaces. The magic that permeates this world is both wondrous and perilous, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the narrative. As you read, you will feel the thrill of uncovering hidden secrets and the tension of looming threats, making each page turn a captivating experience.

What sets *Queen of Roses* apart is Boleyn's ability to weave deep emotional truths into the fabric of the story. Themes of duty, love, sacrifice, and identity are explored with nuance and sensitivity. Elara's journey of self-discovery and empowerment is both touching and empowering, encouraging readers to reflect on their own paths and the choices that define them. Her resilience and determination will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

As the plot unfolds, the stakes rise, leading to a climax that is both thrilling and emotionally satisfying. Boleyn masterfully balances action and introspection, ensuring that the emotional journey is as compelling as the physical one. By the time you reach the novel's conclusion, you will be deeply invested in Elara's fate and the future of her kingdom, leaving you with a sense of fulfillment and anticipation for what might come next.

Briar Boleyn's *Queen of Roses* is a breathtaking and emotionally rich fantasy novel that will captivate readers from beginning to end. With its beautifully crafted world, compelling characters, and profound themes, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves stories that blend magic, adventure, and heartfelt emotion. Prepare to be enchanted and moved by Elara's incredible journey.

Queen of Roses is a slow burn romantasy. I really enjoyed this book. It gave Blood & Ash vibes (one tent, one horse trope). I enjoyed the world-building and plot more than the romance aspect. The world-building was done very well and wasn't overly complicated to understand. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a great fantasy story - thorough world building, well written characters, epic journey, self discovery and magical powers. However, there was no need for this book to use names and location from the story of Arthur. I have read this in a few fantasy stories recently and I find it to be too derivative when the story, in my opinion, would have been much better if Arthur, Lancelet, Galahad and all other "Arthur and the Round Table" related names, locations, etc. were replaced with unique names that the author had created. If all of these things were replaced, the story would not feel as if it were losing anything, so why does it need to be there in the first place? Half the characters were unique but then throwing in a character like Merlin in the middle of it didn't make any sense to me and took me out the world the author did a great job of building.

The plot and the world was intriguing, so I do plan to continue reading the rest of the series and overall really did enjoy this book. Since I've read so many fantasy books, I'm always looking for something unique that's going to blow me away and I feel this book had the potential to do that if not for the Arthur and the Round Table related aspects.

Total rating: 3.5

From the very beginning, I was drawn into the richly crafted universe Boleyn created. The blend of familiar mythological elements with Boleyn's original twists made for an intriguing read.

Character development was another strong suit of the book. The characters were well-rounded and their growth throughout the story was compelling. Each twist and turn in the plot kept me on my toes, eager to see what would happen next. The mix of romance and fantasy was well-balanced, making it easy to stay invested in the storyline.

While I appreciated many aspects of the book, there were moments where the pacing felt uneven.

However, the story is a captivating read with impressive world-building and a fresh take on Arthurian legends. Despite some pacing issues, it offers a unique and enjoyable fantasy experience. If you're a fan of romantasy with a mythological twist, this book is definitely worth a read.

This one has been on my tbr for far too long, I'm actually annoyed at how long it took me to read it!
Queen Of Roses was fantastic! An Arthurian legend retelling with fae - what's not to like?
So much depth with the different characters. Poor Morgan, she's not had the best time of it really. Her brother Arthur is horrible to put it mildly, especially when she's only ever wanted to be his sister. Eurgh I hate him and I hope he gets what's coming to him in the most satisfying way possible.
I have thoughts and suspicions based on what I think is going to happen and I can't wait to find out how far off I am 😂

If you loved Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, etc., then you will love this! MMC is dark, broody, and yes, yes, yes. Kairos Draven is Xaden Riorson, but older, cockier, and shall I say more mature? It is a great hangover book from all your favorites in this genre.

What you’ll get from this book is… 📖👀
• Fae/Fae Royalty 🧚‍♀️👑
• A princess and her bodyguard 👸⚔️
• Forbidden love 🚫❤️
• Slow burn 🔥
• Morally grey Main Male Character 😈
• King Arthur era legends in a Fae world ⚔️🧝‍♂️

This is a great read. You won’t be disappointed.

4.5 🌟 This has everything you might want in a Romantasy. It has the FMC embark on a quest to seek a treasure in true Arthurian fashion with a handsome body guard to accompany her along the journey. Once the adventure started I couldn’t put this book down and I had to start book 2 right away!

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC of Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't really sure why I requested this book. It was a series that I heard a few things about but wanted to give it a try. My question is why aren't more people talking about it?? It has all the slow burn romantasy with a really interesting world based on Camelot. The world is medieval but magical and progressive with Fae blood mixed with humans. Such an interesting take on Arthur. I love the introduction of Fae in the world of Camelot. I am a huge sucker for characters that are growing into their powers and position. There is so much mystery surrounding Morgan's background and how her family is trying to use her. . I love Morgan's budding magic, budding relationships, budding maturity because we know she is going to become something huge; we are just here for the ride.
When I say slow burn, I mean it. I know her love interest is going to be Draven but dang they were slow in coming together if they even really did in this book. I knew there was more to him that met the eye, but he is so shrouded in mystery and I was so excited at the ending of this book when we are starting to see who he truly is. EEKKK so excited. I am so here for this love match.
I really love a journey or "road trip" story line and this was so good. It had a sickness that forced him to hold her while she slept, she nursed him back to health, they had battles, we were introduced to mythical creatures and while traveling we get to learn of the world in which this story takes place.
If you are lover of fantasy with counties on the brink of war, a budding warrior princess just learning herself and her budding powers, a magical world that is ready to break free, a fated slow burn love story please try this book. I can't wait to dive into the next ones.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity

Dark but so good

Whist I appreciate that NetGalley and the publisher provided me with arcs of these books, I will not be sharing my thoughts in full, as I saw that the Amazon listing for this series used AI generated images. Generative AI is theft, and I refuse to support any creators who indulge in it or endorse it.

This was my second read through and I enjoyed it more than the first time, just knowing the depth of the characters to come.
I do think the first book doesn't quite do the series justice. The development comes in the rest of the series and if you don't completely love them in this book, you will in the rest of the books.

I initially read this series out of sequence, and having gone back and read books 1-3 in the CORRECT order, I can confidently say that the first book is better than the second, but not as good as the 3rd.

I won’t lie i picked up this book without realising it was a King Arthur retelling, and I am glad I didn’t because it exceeded all my expectations and I might not have picked it up if I knew! Anyone who is a fan of a court this cruel and lovely will absolutely love the world and characters created by the author.

The world building and the character development was incredible. I am obsessed with Draven and I cannot wait to see how the series unfolds.

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a copy to review. 5/5 stars.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5. I really enjoyed this book. It had some concepts that were a bit different than the other fantasy books I've been reading lately. I found the FMC likeable and I was glad to see that she could take care of herself despite the challenges she'd faced during her upbringing. I didn't enjoy the MMC as much as I'd hoped to and hopefully I will as I continue on with the series.

This story had an interesting premise and a lot of potential, but I sadly wasn't a fan of this book. The beginning was hard to get into due to all the characters thrown at us, and it turned out to be Sword in the Stone inspired, which wasn't in the summary so I didn't know to expect it. The story seemed to be about that more than fae, which is what the synopsis had focused on. The author put a lot of focus on describing clothing and settings, which really pulled my out of the story every time. The main plot of the book also didn't start until halfway through, and it felt very disconnected from what the story was about up until that point. I found myself going through the motions, not feeling any tension or rooting for the characters. The last 25% was the hardest to get through, as it didn't seem very logical and a lot felt random.

I'd recommend to anyone who likes Sword in the Stone retellings, minor fae presence, and slow-moving stories. It does have spice.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honestly review.

I wanted to love this one so bad and I just couldn’t get into it :( I see it everywhere, all over TikTok, and Ms. Boleyn is so nice and friendly. The story is just soooo slow and drug out. I feel like so much has happened but at the same time… nothing has. There just wasn’t anything to really grab my attention and real me in.