Okay so this book has me in an absolute chokehold and I love it so much! This was a premise that was really interesting to me when I first started hearing about it and it's only increased how much more I love Arthurian lore!

This is very much a dark romance that had such great aspects to it, including my personal favourite of slow burn and forced proximity. The characters were written so well & really had such a great mix of banter and chemistry.

And O.M.G. the cliffhanger at the end?? I need my hands on book two as soon as possible because I literally cannot go without knowing what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first King Arthur/Camelot retelling and it was pretty good!

Morgan (the FMC) is a half-fae princess just trying to survive in her half-brother, King Arthur's court.

Only problem is Arthur thinks the fae are something to be eradicated and Morgan is right in his crossfire. However, he knows that she is the only one who can retrieve the legendary Excalibur.

Arthur sends Morgan on a road trip with the mysterious and deadly assassin, Draven (the MMC) to fetch the legendary sword.

This is a *very* slow burn romance, but I almost didn't notice because I was enjoying the world building so much. The secondary characters are very strong as well, and their love and loyalty to Morgan shines through.

🌶️/5

✨ Forced proximity
✨Enemies to lovers ❤️
✨ Slow burn romance
✨ Found family
✨ Fae magic
✨ Road trip 🐎
✨ Who did this to you?

Morgan is a little naïve, but who wouldn't be when you're stuck in a castle all your life, drugged and isolated?

There is also a cliffhanger, that of course, makes me want to jump right into book 2! What does it all mean? I need to know!

There's not much spice, but the author promises more in the next book 😂 Also, if you sign up for the author's newsletter, there's also bonus content that will get sent right to your e-reader!

* Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review *

💭 Arthurian legend, as we all know, is one of the most adapted of all time, having been retold for literal centuries. Taking this on yet again is a brave feat in itself, but also one that leaves very few gaps that allow for a truly original and modern story.
With this series, Briar Boleyn takes Arthurian Legend as far as possible not only from the versions romanticised by troubadours in mediaeval and Tudor ages, or by Tennyson's poems, but also away from previously trodden paths, such those seeped in historical realism like Whyte's Camulod Chronicles, and given it the 21st century fantasy treatment.
This allows the freedom to bend norms such as well known characters' genders and traditional roles- why limit knights to brave noble males, or rulers to fair and strong men, when you can throw in real magic, fae and monsters, terrific gender twists and race and sexuality reps? Yes please, more of this.

The world building is truly wonderful and sufficiently detailed to allow for visualisation, without going on too long, which avoids slowing down the pace of the story.

Although the characters are set up well, there is still an element of mystery around some of the main figures, which I expect will be revealed in more detail as the story progresses in subsequent instalments.

The story itself is quite linear, and although suggestions are made in regard to developing dynamics between the MCs, I felt that more may have been added to give these some additional depth, although the introduction of side characters as obstacles creating friction was a nice touch.

Although Queen of Roses is a fantasy adventure, it's a very dark and edgy one, which makes this an uncomfortable read in some points, including the beginning. This led me to a couple of false starts, as I felt the need to reach for some more light-hearted reading, purely due to my own mindset. In spite of this, once I decided to immerse myself in this book, I couldn't put it down. The writing and storytelling are captivating and they set the scene, leaving me wanting to learn more of Morgan and Draven's developing relationship, and about the powers and history of the fae, gods and other creatures.

I didn’t know what to expect since I haven’t had much exposure to Arthurian fantasy. However, it was such an amazing introduction to this retelling with a twist. The story is filled with action and drama that kept me engaged all the way through. The protagonist, Morgan, has been through so much which heavily influences her actions (or lack of). Although some readers might not understand Morgan’s choices, I think it’s important to remember everything Morgan witnessed and endured at such a young age which the author makes a point of showcasing from the very beginning of the book. I love Morgan because she is the embodiment of perseverance. She misjudges and makes mistakes, but that is a part of her growth. I can’t wait to see how her character develops throughout the series.

Did I forget to mention slow burn? You can’t go wrong with two handsome men who guide and protect. You have the juxtaposition between hot grumpy Draven and handsome romantic Vesper, which just had my feet kicking in the air. The ending has so many shocking twists and turns; I went straight to reading the next book in the series. I highly recommend you make this your next read.

This is definitely a slow starter, but then it takes a lot of setting up. It is quite a bit different from the traditional Arthurian stories and I found that quite hard to get my head around at times. Once you get rid of any preconceptions then it starts to fly. By the end, you just want more! Can't wait to read the next book. Brilliant!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Briar Boleyn and the publisher for the e copy to read and review.

This is the first in a series which loosely retells the story of King Arthur but with a Fae twist.

To begin with a struggled with all the character names to remember who was who, however as the story developed it became easier to recount who was who.

Our FMC Morgan is a great character, who is well developed and deals with some really harsh issues. (Check trigger warnings as it's a dark fantasy).

The world building was great, I loved the journey across the lands. The best part being the exmoors which sound so incredible that I want one as a pet.

I really liked the characters Lancelot and Draven. Draven is exactly what you would want from an enemies to lover MMC. A strong assassin but also caring and gentle. The perfect oxymoron. I absolutely despised Arthur and Florian..

This book ends on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next.

A solid 4 ⭐

Queen of Roses is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series, a dark fantasy romance Camelot retelling.

Morgan Pendragon is the first born of the King but her half-fae heritage caused her to be passed on as heir to the throne. Instead, her younger brother Arthur is to be king and she would be dedicated to the Temple of the Three Sisters after she turns 21.

Despite her violent and abusive past, she remains loving and compassionate. Morgan is determined to enjoy what’s left of her freedom as much as possible, training hard with her best friend Lancet.

In this story, Morgan’s relationship with Arthur is strained and he is not the just and dutiful ruler of common legend. Rather, he is cruel and is obsessed with pursuing power.

With increasing civil unrest and threat of war, Arthur sends Morgan on a dangerous mission accompanied by the smug and mysterious Captain of the Guard, Kairos Draven.

With the fate of the kingdom on her shoulders, will Morgan successfully accomplish her task and forge her own future?

Tropes/themes:
🥀 Resilient FMC
🥀 Grumpy Bodyguard MMC
🥀 Found family
🥀 Hidden identities
🥀 Epic quest
🥀 One horse/one tent
🥀 “Who did this to you?”
🥀 Magic, gods, fae, creatures
🥀 Betrayal
🥀 Ends in a cliffhanger
🌶️: 0.5/5

“In my heart, I supposed I had always held out the hope of something more. Something else. Anything else”

The author does a phenomenal job infusing elements of Arthurian legend and crafting a unique version of Camelot and its mythology.

The characters are richly developed and I especially love Morgan. She refuses to be the victim any longer. She’s a smoldering force waiting to be unleashed! I cannot wait to continue her journey, especially with that cliffhanger 😳

Queen of Roses is an action-packed adventure with a fiercely loyal and resilient FMC that will have you on the edge of your seat and gasping with each reveal and plot twist! An incredible start to an amazing series!

**I received a free e-ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Huge thanks to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!**

I adored this kind of retelling with the fae twist. I loved Morgan and what she went through. The best books are when you feel like you know the character so well and this definitely hits that mark. While not spicy or to to dark (YET) you can tell this book is definitely getting you settled in with the world building . I can not wait to dive into the rest of the series!
Thank you netgalley for the copy 🥰

Queen of Roses by @briarboleynauthor
This was a very captivating story! It follows a young woman named Morgan whom is turned over for queen due to her lineage. Her brother sits on the throne ruling with an iron fist and all sorts of adventures befall.
This story had me crying in chapter one. To feel for characters so deeply so early on was a good shock! I actually finished this book in one 6 hour sitting! Please read trigger warnings. The story was a good pace, adventurous, and I really enjoyed the character development of a lot of characters. I worry for the future of some and hope that a certain knight is okay! Overall thoroughly enjoyed I would have maybe just liked a little more world building at the start as I felt a little lost. I am going to sink my teeth into this story as it progresses in book two and three! '4.5 stars.

Thank you so much to the author, Briar Boleyn, Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to review this ARC.

I had a hard time getting into this book but I think it was entirely due to my brain chemistry and not the writing. Overall, I enjoy this book.

Three things I would caution against: check the trigger warnings, it's a very, very slow burn (if at all?) and huge cliffhanger. Thankfully the second and third book are out, just be prepared.

I think this book is a 3.5 - 3.75 stars for me but rounding up because I think it has potential. I don't necessarily feel like anything about the first book really grabbed me except the story line (characters are okay, romance was nearly non-existent) but I really want to see where this goes. It's fast paced so I don't think you'll be disappointed taking a chance on this series.

Overall, I loved this book, even though I initially had doubts when I found out it was a retelling of the King Arthur story.
The beginning was a little slow and I almost didn't complete it, but ultimately, I loved it. I'm happy I continued reading because after a few chapters, I couldn't stop and ended up finishing it in one night.

This is a true slow burn and enemies-to-lovers. Like absolutely no smut between FMC and MMC.

Despite a rocky beginning, I would rate it 4.5 stars.

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

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book.

A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war...
A cast-off princess…

Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.

A dangerous temptation…

As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.

A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…

Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined

I thoroughly enjoy reading this. It has great world building, captivating plot. I immediately picked up the second book.

💥check trigger warnings before going into the book. The author has a list available in the book. 💥
3.5 stars!
Book 1 of the Blood of Fae series is a Camelot retelling. When I found this book I was questioning whether it was for me, because I don’t normally go for books during this time period.. when I tell you you need to read this if you love romantasy! It is a slow burn romance with betrayals you won’t see coming. By 30% I was hooked, and I cannot wait to dive into book 2.

Thank you Netgalley and Starwater Press for the e-book. This Arthurian fantasy series is right up my alley.

When I was a kid the stories of King Arthur always painted him in a fair and just light. I remember loving The Sword in the Stone. So it was kind of fun to read a fantasy novel where Arthur is a tyrant and Merlin is a priestess who opposes his wrath. The story centres around Morgan, the king’s half fae half sister, and her hunt for Excalibur.
I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Florian was a repugnant villain as was Arthur. Lancelet was the sassy, hardened friend Morgan needed. I actually loved Graven. I love a handsome brooding knight!
I did find a bit of the world building to feel repetitive and boring at times though that happens often in the first book of a fantasy series. It also felt like the relationship between Morgan and Vespers was really lacking. It was hard to believe that she would choose him as her first when she barely noticed him at other times. I get why but I felt like we needed to believe in Vesper and Morgan more for the ending to have the intended impact.
I’m really looking forward to continuing the series. Thank you for choosing me to be an advanced copy reader.

What did I just read? Why did I wait so long to read this? An outstanding story that was so wonderfully told. This also happens to be a brand new author to me but, not for long because I love her writing and cannot wait to dive into the second book.

If you are ever scared of those confusing first 100 pages of world-building in fantasy books, you will not have to worry about the in this book. Briar Boleyn excels at easing you directly into the book without the extensive and confusing new fantasy world. Her writing style is smooth and easy, making the reading experience of this book so captivating and immersive. Although it is an Arthurian retelling, it maintains uniqueness and excitement. I could not put down this book. Be warn, although this is a rommantasy book, the first book has very limited amount of spice. I anticipate the the later books will continue and advance the slow-burn relationship that is developing in the story.

This story started off pretty strong, it kept me captivated from beginning to end. The story revolves around Morgan Pendragon, a cast-off princess whose life has been marred by the heavy burden of duty and sacrifice. Boleyn's portrayal of Morgan's struggle to break free from the shackles of her predetermined fate is both poignant and relatable. The character development in this book is exceptional, and I found myself fully invested in her journey.

The narrative takes an interesting turn as Morgan embarks on a dangerous mission, setting the stage for a love story that defies the odds. The dark and enigmatic warrior who captures her heart adds a layer of depth to the plot, and the emotional tension between them is palpable. Boleyn's skill in portraying the complexities of love and duty is commendable.

The world building was crafted well and is filled with intricate webs of lies and mysteries. As the story unfolded, I was drawn deeper in. The 4.5 star rating reflects the book's undeniable strengths, but it also takes into account the occasional complexity of the plot, which may require careful attention to fully grasp. However, this complexity is also what makes the story so rich and engaging.

This is a must read for fans of epic type fantasy. 4.5/5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it! The world building and plot put to shame any competition in this genre. It’s very slow burn so go into this knowing that you’ll actually have to care about the fantasy/drama of this book. It has an Arthurian theme. The magical elements are so much fun and I really enjoyed the quest portion of the novel. In some ways I would compare this to the blood and ash series but I think the author actually wrote out the entire story arc. 🙏
Thank you to NetGalley and Starwaterpress for this ecopy. I’m obsessed!

Why didn't I read this literary gem sooner? Without a doubt, it has secured its place among my top favorites of the year. It came into my life at just the right moment, and I thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

At its core, this narrative is a captivating reimagining of Camelot but with fae and a dark twist. Isn't that so cool? The author's world-building skills are nothing short of extraordinary, creating a realm that is both haunting and sensually alluring.

The character development is a true highlight, with each protagonist masterfully crafted to resonate with readers on a deep level.

If I were to nitpick, the only drawback lies in the fact that it serves as an introductory book, with the action taking a backseat until the final chapters. Admittedly, the first half of the book seemed to tread familiar ground at times. However, in the grand scheme of things, the narrative's allure far outweighs these minor concerns.

I devoured the entire tale in a single day! I can’t wait to put my hands on the second book.

Stumbled across this book/author on NetGalley and I was immediately intrigued by the fact that it was a King Arthur re-imagining. I ended up really enjoying this book but honestly do not see much in common with Arthurian legend except for names of characters, places & objects. I think it is defiantly more entertaining then traditional Arthurian lore and I really love the main female character Morgan.

This is a very slow burn dark fantasy with an ending that will make you want to read the second book immediately. I would definitely check out trigger warnings before picking up this book to read. I feel like Morgan's actions in this book can feel a little non-sensical and frustrating if you do not keep in mind her background trauma and desire to protect her little brother. Character development and world building are great. Beginning was a little slow but rapidly picked up pace. This was an addicting read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.