Member Reviews
EXCUSE ME I NEED MORE OF THIS, MORE OF THEM.
I love Morgan and Draven, and the way Briar Boleyn has crafted this world, sucked me in, and taken me on the journey of Morgan's growth is incredible. At the start, I was fairly apprehensive about so many different POVs, but the story is so enriched because of it. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a free copy in exchange for a review.
I cannot wait for the next book.
I really like the third book also , I love the fact that it has POV from Morgan and Draven , i love the storyline and the twist in the book , it was very excited. The all three books was good , and i am ecstatic for book 4 . The story was thrilling and kept giving.
Posted on Goodreads
Once again I’m tossed back into this Camelot/King Arthur inspired story by Briar Boleyn. In Blood of Fae Series Book 3, Empress of Fae, Morgan is back in Camelot and things are an absolute mess. King Arthur’s rule of terror is far more than Morgan could have anticipated. A new enemy lurks and old friends unite.
One of my biggest pet peeves from book 2 was that Morgan was too whiny and showed not much growth from book 1. However, I feel her development was much better in this book.
The dual POVs of Morgan and Draven worked exceptionally well and learning how those two could still communicate even at such distance was 🤌🏼.
Draven has my heart. In a world where there seems to be a lot of Cody’s (search come on Cody wedding vows) get you a Draven who will move mountains for you.
The author has done a wonderful job building this world and I cannot wait to see what book 4 brings.
This is a dark fae fantasy so please review trigger warnings.
Thank you to the author and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book
Morgan Venator ladies & gentleman, MY EMPRESS! ugh this third installment in the dark and mythical Arthurian inspired romantasy series is by far the best yet. not only in plot, but the switch to multiple POV was for me, personally, an incredibly enriching and engaging experience. I’ve grown to love Morgan’s strength and independence throughout the first two books, but hearing Draven’s inner monologue particularly had me SQUEALING. a “my wife” moment right off the start? Just swoon worthy. I adore Draven even more in this book, despite the betrayals and secrets he’s kept that have helped to drive him and Morgan apart. there’s just something about him, his charm, his wittiness, his ability for compassion, his undying devotion to Morgan. I love all of it. and their bond! I enjoyed watched Morgan’s gradual shift in her feelings toward Draven, her husband and mate. Her initial rejection and eventual acceptance of their bond was both painful and beautiful. It was also exciting to see her stand on her own and hone her power in her own right, without Draven’s support at the start of this quest. It only reinforces the belief that these two are well-matched and equals in both magic and skill.
I truly did not anticipate how this book was going to unfold. I loved that we’re fleshing out the history of more characters, like Lancelet, Guinevere and especially King Arthur Pendragon. getting more insight into his character didn’t absolve his sins by any means, but it absolutely added a layer of complexity to my feelings towards him.
I’m extremely excited for the fourth book in this series! this author and these characters continue to surprise me. I find this world to be such a beautiful and intriguing blend of dark and fantastical magics and established Arthurian legends. and I’m so invested in our fated couple, Draven and Morgan’s future! I need them and allllll their friends to have a happily ever after!
Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
**Thank you Briar Boleyn, publisher and NetGalley for selecting me as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest Review**
Empress of Fae is the third installment in Briar Boleyn’s Blood of Fae Series, an Arthurian retelling where King Arthur is ruthless, Merlin is the High Priestess and Morgan must save the Kingdom. After a cliffhanger ending in book two, book three did not disappoint. The beginning of the book starts with first person POV from four different characters which overwhelmed be a big so I was slow getting into this book. HOWEVER, don’t let it deter you because the remainder of the book is in 1st person POV of only Draven and Morgan. With that little tid-bit out of the way, the rest of the book was fast paced, action packed, and will leave you guessing.
This book is full of loss, triumph, cruelty, kindness, hope and heartache. Morgan and Draven did not leave each other on the best of terms in the previous book. Of course, I love them so it wrecked me a little that book two ended the way it did. I’m happy to say though that our beautiful Fae Empress and her stunning Prince are again an unstoppable team in this book. I love how their relationship developed in this book after being a little disappointed in the previous one. I also love how several of the relationships develop through this book, but I won’t say more, you need to read them for yourself!
There are a few twists and turns that I predicted but several others that I didn’t see coming which makes this series awesome. It keeps you on your toes, but I didn’t feel blindsided ever! The end of this book was not quite the cliff hanger as book two! I’m thankful for this because I now must wait until the final installment to see how Morgan and Draven are going to navigate their next big problem.
Overall, I’m still recommending this book and this series. I will be somewhat patiently waiting for the next book. I can’t wait to see how Draven and Morgan’s relationship progresses and how they navigate the next big problem as a team. I would give this book a 4.25/5 rating with spice rating of 2/5.
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5
Morgan Pendragon finally returns to Camelot, but finds it in a very different state than when she left. Amidst war, Camelot’s people are starving and being executed in the streets. Kaye is sent to the front lines despite only being a child. Merlin is overthrown as High Priestess and a new god is worshipped. King Arthur is wed and expecting a child, but the queen is not who she seems. Morgan has a lot on her plate if she hopes to bring Camelot peace. Can she save Arthur from his madness, or is it too late?
Sadly this book just didn’t resonate with me. I enjoyed the first book and thought the series had a lot of potential, but the second and third books just weren’t to my liking. I felt like these books were a mashup of two completely different stories- one being an Arthurian retelling of Morgan coming into her power and the other being a typical fae romantasy. I was hoping the story would be more focused on Morgan and Arthur’s dynamic as his madness developed, as well as the court of Camelot. I believe it had the potential to feel like Game of Thrones. Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advance reader copy.
I really liked the third book, it was my favourite book of the series so far. I loved the fact that you could read from the POV of Morgan as well as Draven. I thought it would be nice however to also read a bit more about Draven, but I get that the story didn't revolve around him as much in this book. I loved the storyline and al the twists and turns and am excited to read the fourth book in the series!
The third addition to the Queen of Roses Series. This was my favourite of all three books and I am so glad I picked this up. I would highly reccomend reading the series, but especially this third installment.
The book starts with an immediate plot twist that leads on from the ending of Book 2. Morgan has been transported back to Camelot and finds herself in the temple surrounded by her old friends, including Lacelet who she believed to be dead. I enjoyed once again the change of setting back to Camelot as this allowed the plot to move forward quickly and stopped the story feeling stale. From the very beginning of this installment to the series the drama explodes and it steadily gets worse until the conclusion at the very end. I like that all the issues and conflict over the past two books were mostly resolved in this story, albeit in a dramatic and intense way. I felt pleased with the ending. I believe that Arthur got what he deserved, and the revelation about the true root of his evil tirade was shocking and a clever twist.
Morgan's character development over the past 2 books really showed in this 3rd installment as we saw her show what a strong and courageous woman she had become. She protected her friends at all costs and defended herself against Arthur's wingman in a way she had felt unable with Florian in book one. I hated the Merlin died, yet her sacrifice was necessary to the plot so I did not feel it was a stupid death for shock value only like in a lot of fantasy books. The way Draven and Morgan are able to overcome all their issues in this book and form a stronger bond than ever was lovely to read. Morgan was finally able to admit her feelings to both herself and Draven and vice versa. They went from being hard, tough people unable to let their guards down to letting each other in entirely. The mate bond between them is well written and a nice fantasy addition to their romance.
I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. I would highly reccomend reading this series. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this series
Morgan feels she has to leave the life she was forced into to save the life she left behind. She wants to save her brother Kaye from the actions of her other brother, King Arthur. The only way she knows to do this is to run from her mate.
Draven refuses to let Morgan fix her kingdom alone even though she has instructed him to let her be. He is determined to follow her to whatever end even if it means taking “the long way” to find and help her.
It makes me say that they are apart for most of the book! But I like how they are able to meet in a dreamworld. I think it is good that Morgan has him to go to throughout the book even in a dream because it gives her someone to trust even though he is the last person she wanted to give her trust to.
I’m sad that the fourth book isn’t out yet! Now we must wait….
This series has become my comfort fantasy read. The characters and plot developments are exactly what I look for in any fantasy, not to mention the smut.
I wasn't bored for a second, this one was way more fun than the 2nd book despite the fewer interactions between the MCs.
I'm always in for a Round table rewrite and this one never disappoints. Arthur as the evil king and the even more evil king to defeat in the 4th book 😵💫 I'll be there!
This is the third book in the “Blood of a Fae” series and picks right up from the cliffhanger of the previous book. For me, this one it’s the heaviest of the three books since we have a lot of politics involved (such as war crimes, starvation, torture, and so on) and it gets a bit darker.
We experiment an adventure with multiple POV’s from characters in different parts of the world we dive into. There’s a lot of action and we get to learn a bit more about the secrets of Morgan’s lineage.
I really enjoyed see Morgan’s character development since the beginning of this journey until now. She’s amazing with the sword while she avoids power and really tries to run for it instead of feeling suitable to wield it. The relationship she has with Draven it’s so good and I really feel like they are perfect to each other.
This one is my favorite so far, with a fast-paced story, that felt so intense with all the things that unravel through the story. I enjoyed the suspense, the journey of self-discovery, and the twists kept me so engaged to the story.
Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
This entire book set is beautifully written, I’m ecstatic for book 4. Briar wrote with so much intricate detail that I had a hard time putting book 3 (Empress of Fae) down. I read this book in practically one sitting if you don’t count the 4 hours of sleep I actually got. This story was thrilling and kept giving even when I wasn’t sure how things would turn out. The creativity? The sheer scale of thought and emotion that this produced? I’m at awe with how much I loved this book series. I’m a huge fan of dark fantasy/ dark romance/ and epic fantasy and these books delivered hitting all 3 categories.
Empress of fae you will find adventure, but also heartache. I love these kinds of stories because they reach into the reader with so much depth that you can’t set it aside. This dual POV hit all the right places getting into the thoughts of both characters when in the previous books you don’t get to divulge into. The personalities of the MFC and the MMC were well balanced and complimentary. I look forward to the next book once it releases end of March. I really wasn’t ready to give up this world as it was encompassing and powerful. Thank you Briar for a chance to read Morgan and Kairos’ story. It was truly beautiful.
Furthermore always check your TWs when reading this series.
This is the third instalment of this series and I enjoyed this continuation of the story. While I was a bit bummed about some distance between the main characters, I did really like the interesting and unique way that plot line went. This story was a bit more tense than the others which just the state of the setting and war going on but not so much that it made it harder to read. I was definitely left wanting the next book in my hands.
I am screaming, crying, throwing up after finishing this book. Please read the trigger warnings before starting this book. This entire series has been fantastic but this last book completely broke my heart. It was so well written. I would like to thank the author for her note at the end. It helps to understand where she was coming from with parts of the book. I really can't wait for book 4
Thank you NetGalley and Briar for letting me read this book.
Yessssssssss!!!! This is what I needed and now I need more. While I’m glad we got to find out why Arthur was the way that he was, I think in the end he got what he deserved and so did everyone else. I’m so happy for Morgan and her mate, I love their love sometimes.
The dream world might have been my favorite, it was nice to see the growth within that world for them and see the bond clicking into place.
Definitely the best book of the series and I cannot wait for book 4 to see what kind of damage these fae can do!
How do I get a Draven and an Exmoor??
* Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley co-op and Briar Boleyn for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review *
As a devoted fan of Briar Boleyn's captivating "Blood of Fae" series, I was thrilled to embark on the final installment, "Empress of Fae." Initially, I believed the series was a trilogy, and I was a bit disappointed to learn that it would continue, but this revelation only heightened my anticipation for the conclusion of Morgan and Draven's extraordinary journey.
"Empress of Fae" masterfully interweaves elements of dark fantasy, romance, and intrigue, drawing the reader into a world of captivating mythology, complex characters, and plot twists. While the middle section of the book might have felt slightly drawn out, Boleyn's skillful storytelling and intricate world-building kept me engaged as she laid the foundation for the exhilarating climax.
The deepening bond between Morgan and Draven, the fierce protector and the powerful fae, was a heartwarming and compelling aspect of the story. Their scenes together were imbued with a captivating blend of tenderness, passion, and unwavering loyalty, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.
Undoubtedly, the last quarter of the book was a whirlwind of action, suspense, and unexpected revelations. I found myself unable to put the book down as Boleyn masterfully orchestrated a series of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
Overall, "Empress of Fae" is a remarkable addition to the series, delivering a blend of dark fantasy, romance, and thrilling action. While I was initially disappointed that the series would continue (as I was afraid it would receive the From Blood and Ash treatment, aka becoming too dragged and boring and long for no reason), the conclusion of this installment only amplified my desire to delve further into this enchanting world. I eagerly await the next installment, so I can witness the unfolding of Morgan and Draven's destiny amidst the ever-shifting landscape of Fae politics and ancient prophecies.
I really hope I will be accepted by Net Galley and the publisher to receive an advanced copy since I loved all the books so much!
4.25 stars
You know when you are so immersed in a book that you almost jump paragraph to paragraph and you have to remind yourself to slow down? That’s how I felt reading this book. I was obsessed by the end. My name twin, Morgan, is maybe my favorite character of all time. So flawed but strong. This series is masterful. The first book was a Camelot retelling. Then book two we are thrust into some kind of fae hunger games. Book 3 was a romantasy alongside death and destruction. I mean…most UNDERHYPED series ever. I got similar feelings reading Throne of Glass. I can’t wait for book 4!
*The only reason this wasn’t 5 stars is because some things were really far-fetched, even for a fantasy book. Maybe if the “how” was explained better…
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.
Morgan, Draven and Camelot return in the third book of the series. Still highly addicting I have been enjoying this series back to back.
I would give this a very strong 3.5, I needed more from our two main characters, and Morgan began to wear on me a bit. However, the ending was exactly what I needed and was a great continuance to the series.
Empress of the Fae is must read book but be sure to start with book 1. This is an incredibly fast paced enemies to lover series that gets better with each installment! I love Morgan she has grown so much and I love that she is coming to embrace her true heritage and dark destiny. Can she:save her people, her brother Kaye?
This installment is fraught with terrible losses, unimaginable horrors, valiant and heroic sacrifices. Can the tragedies of war be stopped can our heroes persevere to the end if they will they survive?
I honestly can’t wait to learn more about how it all began and if the relics of power can be destroyed. I couldn’t so many things but almost everything I explain would be a spoiler. Just let me.say this is a family retelling that will leave you stunned and eager for more. I can at this is dark thrilling and rivals the original story to the degree it is completely unto its own an original work that stand on its own and carries you into a completely fantastic retelling that will haunt your dreams and leave you wanting more.
This book was outstanding. I love love love how Empress of Fae turned out. It was spicy (5/5), filled with action, romance, betrayal, and a few twists. This book jumped right from the end of Court of Claws into the storyline, ugh chef's kiss. It flowed beautifully. As I have said for the last two books in this series, the Blood of a Fae series is perfect for SJM fans. Empress of Fae was a mix of ACOTAR and TOG (Queen of Roses was more TOG, whereas Court of Claws was more ACOTAR). The ending leaves off for a perfect start to the next book.
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