The loss of Draven and Nightclaw’s connection to Morgan was a major blow, and Arthur’s demise, though it came with regret, added a complex twist. What really made this book shine, though, was the incredible strength of the female characters. They brought a whole new level of excitement! 🌟🔥

The rare, intimate moments between Draven and Morgan were like gold, revealing their deep bond and how perfectly they complement each other. Morgan is a total powerhouse, and Draven is right there beside her, never overshadowing but always supporting.

I’m completely invested in these characters and their world—this one might be my favorite of the series so far! 📚💖 I’ve loved seeing the story grow and getting lost in every page.

“That’s where you’re mistaken, Fenyx. I’m no princess. You’re addressing the wife of Prince Kairos Draven Venator and the Empress of the Court of Umbral Flames and the empire of Myntra.”

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me a copy for review!

Big thanks to Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for the eARC in exchange for a review.

The 3rd installment in the series, and it still kept my attention. I loved Morgan and Draven and how their relationship builds.

5 stars and I will be reading the 4th!

Thank you for this ARC!

I will never got over this series. I will never get over this author. I can't pick out a book from this series that is my favorite, they are all incredible.

My heart goes out to Morgan. I fell like she has so many people in her life that have lied to her or kept things from her. She doesn't know who she truly is or what she's capable of. I thought Draven would be that person to help her and be honest, but ALL THE SECRETS!

This world Briar has created is everything. It draws you in with no intention of letting you go. I appreciate the fast-paced nature of this book. I could not stop thinking about each book after they ended, I was always craving more! I can easily visualize the scenes in this world in great detail and that is a win for me.

Morgan and Draven have a substantial connection I am obsessed with.
The throne room part thought!

I wanted to give this book a chance but I think it's a case of this series isn't for me. I've decided to DNF at 30%. I have seen a lot of love for this series so please do not let me put you off.

I DNF'd book 2 in this series as it wasn't holding my interest. I was given the whole series on netgalley so will leave reviews for all stating this now & I hope to return to the series at some point in the future & try again as there are some brilliant reviews for it on here & social media.

A Mixed Journey in "Empress of Fae"

The third edition of Briar Boleyn’s Blood of a Fae quartet, Empress of Fae, provides readers with a mix of captivating world-building and adventurous story twists. However, it falls short in some important areas, particularly the development of its core romance. As a fan of the previous books, I was excited to return to the rich, mystical worlds Boleyn has so brilliantly created, yet this installment left me with mixed feelings.

Empress of Fae

Empress of Fae ♦ Briar Boleyn

Opinion

One of the highlights of Empress of Fae is its vibrant and immersive environment. Boleyn has a talent for bringing the world of the Fae to life with lush descriptions and exquisite nuances. The author’s universe continues to develop in new and visually appealing ways. The political intrigue and power battles that take place against this backdrop provide layers of suspense and keep the story interesting. The story itself is fast-paced, with surprising turns, betrayals, and battles that kept me turning pages.

While the location and plot are impressive, the series‘ central romance between Morgan Pendragon and Kairos Draven feels increasingly forced and underdeveloped in this book. In the previous volumes, their relationship had a fascinating, slow-burn quality, with palpable tension implying deeper feelings beneath the surface. Unfortunately, Empress of Fae does not build upon this basis hastily. Instead, the romance appears to be driven by storyline demands rather than genuine character growth.

Morgan, a powerful and sophisticated female protagonist, appears emotionally disconnected in her encounters with Kairos, and the once-promising spark becomes diluted. Kairos, who was once a mysterious and captivating figure, now appears to be more of a story device than a fully developed character in this novel. Their interactions are lacking in depth and intensity, as one would expect at this point in their relationship. Important moments between them are frequently rushed, leaving little opportunity to investigate their emotions or intentions. This results in a romance that feels somewhat shallow, leaving me expecting more true connection and growth between the individuals.

Furthermore, while the plot is intriguing, the sheer amount of subplots and side characters presented can make it feel overwhelming at times. This, combined with the lack of development in the main relationship, can make the tale feel imbalanced at times. Some new characters and plot elements, while intriguing, take away from the focus on Morgan and Kairos, making it difficult to completely believe in their journey.

Conclusion

Overall, Empress of Fae is an entertaining read, especially for those who are already invested in the story. It has plenty of action and mystery, but it falls short in presenting a satisfying romance narrative. If you’re searching for more grandiose world-building and high-stakes drama, this book delivers. However, if Morgan and Kairos‘ romance was your primary reason for reading the series, you may be disappointed. As a result, I rated this book three stars. It’s a good entry, but it could have been so much more.


This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

So much better than boom 2! Very fast paced and new information about the FMCs past and so many twists and turns in the plot. Kept me engaged and entertained and looking forward to the next book!

had to dnf the first book in the series due to triggers so unfortunately not carrying it on, but as i said regarding the first one, i’ve been badgered by mutuals to read this due to its amazing reviews and so i could in good confidence recommend this to other lovers of the enemies to lovers, slow burn fantasy trope.

Briar Boleyn's Blood of a Fae series is such a fun Camelot retelling. Packed full of grumpy, possessive MMCs, FMCs coming into their own, and some really great found family. Book three in this series, Empress of Fae, takes us back to where it all started. She goes back to Pendrath to help her little brother Kaye, and has to infiltrate court to gain access to her evil brother Aurthur. Will Morgan succeed in keeping Kaye and all her loved ones safe and stop the madness that her brother has started?

I love the multiple POVs in this book. It adds a depth and dimension to the story by giving us multiple characters inner thoughts and circumstances. I liked how this book wove back in the story and information from book 1, and how this correlated more with your typical Aurthur story.

Overall this was a good addition to the series, and I recommend this for anyone who loves a good romantasy!

I love this series and this author so much! This was a great continuation of the story from books 1 and 2 and Briar’s writing is so well done. She keeps you engaged and immersed into the world that she creates. The world building, character development, and plot twists in this series are so well done! I can’t wait to see how it ends in book 4

“Empress of Fae” by Briar Boleyn is a mesmerizing and enchanting fantasy that transports readers into a beautifully crafted world of magic, intrigue, and romance. From the first page to the last, this novel captivates with its rich storytelling and vibrant characters.

Boleyn’s world-building in “Empress of Fae” is nothing short of spectacular. The Fae realm is depicted with lush detail, filled with wonder and danger at every turn. The author’s vivid descriptions and imaginative landscapes create an immersive experience that allows readers to lose themselves in this magical world.

The characters are deeply engaging and well-developed. The protagonist, the Empress of Fae, is a strong, multi-dimensional character whose journey is both inspiring and relatable. Her struggles, triumphs, and growth are portrayed with emotional depth and authenticity. The supporting characters are equally compelling, each adding their own unique flavor to the story and enriching the narrative with their distinct personalities and arcs.

The plot is well-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep the reader eagerly turning pages. The blend of political intrigue, magical battles, and personal drama creates a dynamic and gripping storyline. While some plot twists can be anticipated, the overall execution is compelling and keeps the suspense high.

Boleyn’s writing style is eloquent and captivating, perfectly suited to the fantastical elements of the story. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, and the prose flows smoothly, making for an enjoyable reading experience. The author excels at balancing action-packed sequences with quieter, more introspective moments, allowing for deep character development and emotional resonance.

Overall, “Empress of Fae” by Briar Boleyn is a spellbinding read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance. It’s a tale of power, love, and self-discovery that leaves a lasting impression. I highly recommend it and look forward to more enchanting tales from Boleyn.

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.

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.

Thank you so much for the arc! I have enjoyed this series so much. This was just as entertaining as the first two. I stayed hooked and have thoroughly enjoyed reading. Looking forward to picking up the last book on Amazon.

I have mixed feelings about this book. There are some great aspects to it, but also some not-so-great ones. I appreciate some of Morgan's actions, but at times she comes across as self-centered, especially in the beginning of the book. She seems to overlook others' feelings and their trauma processing, and becomes annoying by pushing herself on them until she gets what she wants, without considering their forgiveness. Additionally, I'm tired of the recurring theme where the female main character gets manipulated by the male main character and forgives him too quickly, just so they can bang. As for Draven, I generally like his personality, but his behavior gave me a negative impression. I wish he had to work harder to earn forgiveness. On a positive note, the war storyline is engaging, and I'm still interested in learning more about the story.

I obtained this book as an ARC through Netgalley.

Much better than book 2. Empress of Fae had a lot of what I wanted Court of Claws to have. Our FMC has grown, learned, and matured.

This is the 3rd book in the series. A unique and compelling retelling of the Arthur legends of old.
I'm thoroughly invested in this series now, and will impatiently wait for book 4.
I give this book a very solid 4 star rating.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

I made it half way through and DNF. It’s been so long that I can’t remember a lot of what I read but I did leave some comments for myself…

- She keeps calling Draven morally gray - if your character is this it doesn’t mean the FMC needs to continuously say it in the books
- It is so wrong to try to get a woman’s attention with a court jester and dignitaries after she’s just lost a limb. Where are the adults here? This isn’t humerus, Draven is 150+ years old, can he not just go talk to his sister in law. Maybe it’s because I work with amputees and see them go through the struggle with their new identity, idk.

This book was so satisfying, like it wraps up a huge part of the plot in such a gratifying manner and really shows the strength of Morgan has gained over the last two books. Of the three books, this one feels the most cohesive and the most action packed. There is never a dull moment between chapters, and I found myself speeding through it.

And the cliffhanger it ended on? It was perfect, and this is coming from someone who normally does not enjoy a cliffhanger. But this one felt like yes let's keep this story moving, but also not cheap of it being a place in which there is little resolution for everything that just went down. I cannot wait to read the fourth book, I am in love with this series.

Unfortunately I just don't think this series is for me! The characters felt a bit 2D throughout, and I just couldn't get interested in the story and world. The writing is nice and easy to read, but it just didn't catch my interest sadly. Thank you for providing me with the 3 books in this series!