Fantastic. I absolutely BLEW through this series! I said it before and I’ll say it again- I am baffled as to why this series hasn’t gone viral online yet. Such a fast-paced but satisfying series that deserves more attention than it’s gotten.

3.5 ⭐️

Firstly, a shout out to the author for providing content warnings. This is the darkest book of the series so far, and in all honesty, probably the edge of my limit had I not been aware in advance. I'd advise people to check the warnings and decide for themselves.

A lot happened in this book. More so on Morgans side than Dravens, most of his POV was him longing for her. I enjoyed seeing Morgan interact with her sister more. The betrayal in this one was a little predictable, especially after the ones in the earlier books. I did like where this book ended, I'm expecting big things from the last one.

I am very glad that Draven and Morgan finally got to have an open conversation about their relationship. I hope to see them spend the final book keeping along that line.

I was a little sad that Lyrastra didn't appear more in this book, but given why that is, I do agree. She was the perfect choice for her particular task, and I hope to see her in the final instalment. I'm really hoping to see her interact with Lancelet, but that doesn't seem likely.

Overall, I liked this one. It did feel a little like the arthur issue was dealt with too easily. But we've built up to what should be an epic final clash between the fae king and our crew.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was an excellent addition to the series.

The writing was well done and really kept you engaged the whole way through.

I look forward to reading more of Boleyn's work!

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with this arc

As this has been archived, I'll be reading this book on KU and will post my review once I have finished.

Empress of Fae is a dark fantasy romance that is perfect for anyone who craves a story with:
Magical Creatures
Deadly tournaments
Found families
Don't touch her or die
Fated Mates

This is book 3 of the Blood of a Fae series, I am eagerly waiting for the 4th BTW, that follows Morgan as she returns to the Camelot to stop her brother Arther. Kairos, her husband is following in tow, never too far away from Morgan.
I love these characters. The storyline and characters are written beautifully, and the Boleyn has sprinkled these moments of suspense, just teasing us. Boleyn has done a great job with this series, easily becoming this year's favorite.

I was very kindly gifted the ARC of this title and the previous two books and then went on to purchase the audiobook for Empress of Fae to help me write this review. The Blood of Fae is a King Arthur/Sword of Excalibur retelling and in Book 3 we follow Morgan Pendragon's journey of returning to Camelot to face her Brother's wrath after been captive in the Court of Claws. She goes on to reconnect with old friends (or foe) and to discover information that is life altering and would end up framing her future.

In my opinion this book falls into the High Fantasy, Fantasy Romance and Historical Retelling genres. This is an incredible story of a noble born sister of a brutal King. Always been told she wasn't enough, would never be enough... her life was mapped out before she had even come of age. The transition into this book was so seamless and I was captivates from the second I read the first page. The characters are so well written, I found myself empathising with Morgan and Draven, I admire their relationship so much!

The way Draven is so concious of always giving Morgan a choice, reminding her that SHE is in control of her own destiny, even if it seems like fate has already decided. Both characters seem to act their age which is so refreshing! Draven, years ahead of his time, wise and thoughtful of every avenue. Morgan, strong willed albeit naive, such an empath and a heroine in her own right. Another thing which captivates me is the way Briar will describe a place, a person, a route and I immediately have an imagine in my head. Their descriptive power is insane.

The only critique I have is that I feel there should have been more information towards the end about how Arthur came to be as cruel as he was. I thought it was almost glossed over towards the end and this may be a thinking point leading to another book but I wish there was just 50 or so more pages to give the readers a bit more clarity towards the end there. I am loving this series and can't wait to aquire book 4.

What I enjoyed:
- trial/fight for the throne plotline with well-written action scenes
- Morgan accepting her power and coming into it
- Draven!

What hindered my reading enjoyment:
- at the beginning of the book, Morgan was very whiny and unappreciative (even kind of unreasonable/stupid), especially for a supposed princess - it almost made me stop reading
- at times, especially in romantic scenes, it felt very trope-y, like it was writing around including every cliche and one-liner that could be fit in (but it is romantasy so fair enough)

I think this series did get better as it went on, but I really wasn’t thriving and vibing with it unfortunately. I’m hoping to revisit this one day with different thoughts

This title is the third in the series. What a ride it has been! I greatly enjoyed the world building and the characters that were both familiar and new. I highly recommend Empress of Fae. Just remember to read the previous books first. It is NOT a standalone.

OMG I was captivated and invested right from the start of the book. The writing and world building draw you in and never let you go. I didn't want to put the book down. OMG I can't wait to read more from this author.

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