Thanks to Briar Boleyn and Netgalley for an ARC of this book, number four in the Blood of a Fae series. Thus far, the series has been incredible and has featured maddening cliffhangers. Luckily, this one offers up more of an ending, although it’s obvious there’s more to come.

When we last saw Morgan and Draven, she was fleeing Myntra and Draven to get back to Pendrath and her brothers, Arthur and Kaye. She escapes through a portal, which she destroys immediately after arriving back in Pendrath so that Draven cannot follow her. Of course, he will anyway, but it’s going to take him a lot longer to get there—months, in fact.

When she arrives in Pendrath, things are even worse than she imagined. Arthur has lost any redeeming qualities and is sending his armies across the land on a rampage, determined to conquer all of their enemies. Rebels have sprung up in Pendrath, planning to take down Arthur. As a result, the dungeons are filled with prisoners. And meanwhile, Arthur sent Kaye to the “frontline” of one of the battles as soon as Morgan left to find Excalibur. And Morgan is desperate to see Kaye again.

Arthur’s top general is Lord Fenyx, possibly an even greater villain than Arthur. From the moment we meet him, we are rooting for this unnaturally handsome man’s demise. But he has a few tricks up his sleeve and is more resilient than anyone imagined. A somewhat mysterious character, having arrived from a distant land while Morgan was away, he hides a malevolent secret (but it’s not the one I thought it would be).

Morgan and Draven have discovered that they can meet in their dreams so they keep in touch this way. The bond between them strengthens and Draven’s journey to Morgan is magical and stunning. I think it’s an inspired element of their bond.

At one point, readers are introduced to a creature of nightmares, the glatisant. Rather than quote the entire description, which is chilling, I’ll just say the horror of it jumped off the page. I will, however, share the description of the sound it made: “The creature’s vocalizations sounded like an eerie human whine, as if the glatisant’s past victims were somehow still alive within it and calling out to be saved.”

Many good people die, but in the end, good prevails over evil—just like in real life, right? I appreciated that Boleyn did not go into graphic detail describing some of the abuse that happens (especially, but not limited to, sexual abuse). The human imagination is vivid enough; we don’t need details. I mentioned that this doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, for which I am grateful, but it does hint toward the contents of the next story, and I’m grateful there will be another. I’d like to see more of Morgan and Draven’s interactions—maybe more from Draven’s POV.

This book is my favourite of the series for sure. It was a lot of fun and I was expecting an ending to the series but it’s not over! Now I have to read the fourth book. It was a good blend of action, romance, and political intrigue. As with the other books, definitely check the trigger warnings if you have any triggers. I feel the main character evolves quite a bit in this third book and I appreciated her growth. She was absolutely more likeable in this book than the others (for me).

Thank you Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

5⭐️!!!!!!! I’d I could give more I would!

This is the 3rd book in this amazing series. It’s truly an amazing story. I love the Camelot and fae mix theme it really gives it a different edge.

This book gave me ALLLLL THE FEELS!
It had me crying, angry, happy and even got under the collar.
This had everything and then some!!
I cannot recommend this series more.
As I’ve stated in a past review I have now got all 3 physical books I couldn’t not they are now my ‘kindle trophies’ sitting on my shelf with my other amazing reads.

I can’t wait for book 4, this next book is going to be where it all hits the fan. They’re BIG things coming and Morgan has got to go kick some butt.

Well done Briar, this was an amazing experience I’m heartbroken I won’t won’t be able to read again for the 1st time

This was my third ARC read, so thank you to Briar Boleyn. I really enjoyed this third installment.

While I was reading my Kindle kept saying another ... hours until the end of this book. And the storyline kept increasing and the tension building I was still in denial. Imagine my absolute torment when I figured out that there's a fourth book coming. I just sat there staring to the wall for ten minutes until I was ready to accept that.

If you like re-tellings with a dark, fae twist, I highly recommend this series. But If I were you, I would wait until it's complete to avoid wall staring madness, and torment.

So glad that I figured out this was a series and the other two were also available on here. So thank you for accepting my requests.

Just realised there'll be a fourth instalment in the series, and that made my day!

Thank you Netgalley for providing an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Empress of Fae is the 3rd instalment in the Blood of Fae series, it's a fast-paced romantasy series with Camelot retelling. There's no words to describe how I adore this couple. Morgan's self discovery journey is heartbreakingly beautiful and I love the author's writing style. Plus, Draven (he is such a husband material).

Tropes:
Court Politics
Fated Mates
Magic System
Strong FMC
SPICE

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (again!)


Thank you to the author, Briar Boleyn, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.


One of the best series I read in 2023! The story and characters have come a long way. I am now attached to more fictional characters awaiting the release for the fourth book!


“I'd rather be a villain by your side than play the hero for anyone else. The world is dark and vile, but I'd willingly follow you into the depths of hell itself.”


What to expect:

Book 3 of Blood of a Fae series

Bonded mates

Betrayals & plot twists

Dual POV

Queer representation

Spicy scenes 🌶️🌶️

FMC who is owning her powers

Horrors of wartimes


Author provided trigger warnings: “Abduction, Abuse, Alcohol Consumption, Amputation, Animal Abuse, Animal Death, Bullying / Harassment, Cannibalism, Child Abuse, Child Death, Childhood Trauma, Decapitation, Deceased Family Member, Domestic Violence, Drug Use, Homophobia, Infant Death, Murder, Physical Abuse, Torture, Poisoning, Sexual Assault Violence / Gore”


*Do NOT read past this point if you want to avoid spoilers*

This book picks up immediately after Court of Claws with Morgan arriving into Camelot after stepping through and subsequently destroying the portal from the Court of Umbral Flames - albeit, not before Javer could slip through behind her. She very quickly discovers a lot has changed and a lot of horrors have been inflicted upon not only the people of Camelot but, also, on the countries formerly allied with Camelot. All due to the orders of her dear brother, Arthur. She is quickly brought up to speed and into the trust of the rebellion - of course, led by Merlin.

I won’t say how - as it’s a major plot point of the book, but, Morgan finds herself back in the castle in the Rose court. She is once again the recipient of unwanted attention from another poor excuse for a man in the form of Fenyx, her brother’s new guard buddy so, while avoiding him as much as she can and putting up a dedicated sister facade, she searches for more information on the sword Orcades took from her in book one.

There are some very dark moments in this book so, if you have certain triggers you prefer to avoid, please check the triggers list and read ahead at your own discretion. However, personally, I think it’s all done really well and the darker elements that make this an adult fantasy as opposed to a YA are never simply thrown in for the shock/horror effect.

I missed the higher amount of romance and am hoping for more in the fourth book but, that was to be expected with the physical distance. And, I do love when a fantasy book can delve into the political side well.

This was a great read and I’m glad it was my last full book of the year!


(Also - I’m very suspicious regarding Fenyx’s name being phonetically similar to phoenix considering his plot. But, surely the author wouldn’t do that to me…?)

I really love this book. I love how it is told from Morgan and Dravens POV's. As with the first of the series, this one had a twist at the end that I did not see coming- i thought I knew what Fenyx was going to do but i was very wrong. I liked how, unlike the other books in this series, Empress of Fae did not end on a cliff-hanger. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

This book is an exquisite masterpiece that left me utterly captivated. The emotional highs and lows resonated with me on a profound level, weaving a tapestry of beauty and devastation. What sets this series apart is the meticulous crafting of plot points in each installment, offering resolutions to some while skillfully maintaining a thread of the overarching main story. The anticipation it leaves in its wake is nothing short of tantalizing, leaving me desperate for the next book.

The character development in this third installment is nothing short of brilliant. Every character undergoes a continuous evolution, delving deeper into their complexities and adding layers to their personas. It's this ever-growing depth that keeps the narrative compelling and the reader emotionally invested. This book is a testament to the author's skill in not only creating a gripping storyline but also crafting characters that feel authentic and alive. Without a doubt, it is a five-star read that transcends expectations.

Um hello!! I loved this book!! Flowed on perfectly from the previous one. Full of the glittering world of fantasy and fun. Well paced, beautifully written, I cannot wait to see what the author creates next. Loved it

4/5 stars

Thank you netgalley for the arc

I really enjoyed this book! It picks up right where the last book left off and is full of scheming, betrayal, twists, and longing. The plot also becomes more complex in this book. It is a bit slower-paced and less action-packed than the other two books, but still very enjoyable. I appreciated the multiple POVs! While the majority of the story was in Morgan’s POV, it was fun to also get Lancelet and Draven’s POV for a few chapters. The main couple was separated for most of the book (which I didn’t love), but the author was able to still give us some lovely moments between them and continued to develop their relationship despite the distance through their dreams utilizing their mating bond connection (similar to how it is done in JLA’s FBAA/FAF books if you’ve read those). I do wish they had gotten more of a reunion moment though. I liked Morgan a lot more in this one as she didn’t annoy me nearly as much in this book as she did in the last one. I still love Draven. He is a top-tier book boyfriend! As with the first two books, I really liked the author’s writing style and the dark and mature tone of the book. The balance of plot, romance, and spice continued to be well-done. I’m definitely looking forward to the release of book 4 in the Spring!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review!

It’s hard for me to rate this book…. I absolutely loved book 1 and hated book 2. Not because the book was bad but because I hate Draven. I hated that he manipulated Morgan and lied to her. I didn’t want to read the third book but there I was at 3am reading book 3. I still dislike Draven very much!! I found myself extremely angry that several of my favorite characters were killed off. I absolutely loved the twist there at the end with Arthur and things make so much more sense now!

I’m excited to see what becomes of our main characters in book 4.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!

Although I enjoyed this book, it felt more slow paced than the previous titles in the series. I found it difficult to mantain interest in the story.

This book has me in a CHOKEHOLD! I’ve been stressing the entire way through this book! Fenyx died too quickly for my liking! I enjoyed this book! I needed more. I didn’t like how it ended there were way too many questions and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I think I loved the Court of Claws more that this book. I loved the adventure of the second one. This one didn’t give me everything I was looking for.#netgalley #arcreader #bloodofthefaeseries #empressoffae

"Shattered or whole. Kneeling or standing. I’ll get to her, and I won’t ever leave."

The first book gave me doubts, but I am sooo glad I pushed through because this has turned out to be an incredible series! Filled with strong characters, a complex plot, action, romance, and secrets, Empress of the Fae is the perfect book to binge read.

"There are no limits to my love for you, Morgan. When Myntra and Eskira and every place in Aercanum have crumbled into oblivion and the universe itself dissolved into nothing, my heart will still beat for you."

Morgan and Draven are such a power couple and I'm all here for it. The dream convos were so cute and a creative way to keep them in communication! Also that Fenyx scene at the end gave me life! Let's just say he got what he deserved.

"You don’t owe me all your secrets. I only want the ones you choose to give."

Everything that has been building over the last 2 books is finally coming to a head and I can not wait to find out what happens next! There are so many things going on with the various characters and all the secrets are finally coming to light, in all their dark and twisty glory.

epic finale to an agnsty and sweet fanatsy trilogy! This definitely lived up to expectations from the previous 2 books in the series

I feel like this series gets better and better with every book! This one was a wild ride, and I can’t wait for the final installment.

❤️ Strong FMC
❤️ Nicely done “Forced Separation” trope
❤️ Side characters and fluffy sidekicks
❌ Predictable “Betrayal/False Friend” trope

Make sure to read the trigger warnings, as there are many and things get pretty dark here and there.

Plot:
The stakes are high: Morgan’s youngest brother is in mortal peril, her best friend is alive but drastically changed, people are dying on the streets, enemies are closing in from all sides, and she is sent to the viper’s nest to spy on Arthur and his court. There’s court intrigue, action, trauma healing, friendship, love, etc. The balance between plot and romance/spice was juuuust right, and I feel like Morgan and Draven’s time apart was a very good thing. In the previous book, there was too much arguing for the sake of the slow burn / hate to love tropes, and I’m more than happy that Morgan is out of her “I hate you” phase.

Characters:
Morgan is, finally, growing on me! She is coming into her own and embracing her power. She is still a little too naïve for my liking (she *should* have suspected who was the traitor right from the start), and I can’t forgive her actions toward Lancelet in this book, but I still liked her better than in the first two books. We didn’t see a lot of Draven in this one, but he was *chef’s kiss* every time he was there. As usual, the side characters are great. Hawl has my whole heart. Love Gawain. Guinevere was a great addition. And why do I love Orcades so much?!

Writing:
I love Boleyn’s writing. The descriptions are vivid and evocative, the dialogues feel natural, and the pace in this one was superior to the first two books. The only thing that annoys me a little is that some of the characters’ features are mentioned many times, and described exactly the same way each time. Instead of reading over and over that Draven’s skin is bronze-tinted and that Guinevere is curvy with brown hair, I’d like to know more about their other features, or even about how they talk or walk.

Briar Boleyn's Empress of Fae is the third installment in the authors Blood of a Fae series. Key Characters: Morgan Pendragon aka Morgan Le Fay, and Kairos Draven of the Siabra Court. As the story opens, Draven is angry that Morgan has run away through a gate to her home, destroying any chance he has of following her. Morgan arrives back in Camelot knowing that she may be the only one to save her younger brother Kaye from Arthur's growing darkness and destruction with a distraught Javer who lost his acolyte.

Upon her arrival in Camelot, things have gone from dark, to hopeless for the people of Camelot. People are struggling to find food. Arthur has gone to war with once allies. He has brutally subjugated people, taken a women hostage who was meant as his wife (Guinevere) and tried to destroy her. He made a familiar face Queen who now bears his child. A child that comes with a prophecy. And, apparently Lancelot and Merlin and a few other notable characters are now members of a resistance trying to overthrow Arthur and save their Kingdom.

Morgan also has a new enemy: Fenyx, Arthur's general and right hand man who is evil as they come and is willing to treat Morgan as a play thing. The one thing that does change is that Morgan and Draven are now able to speak to each other, and do other things, while in dream world. In dream world, Morgan comes to realize that she made a huge mistake in running away from Draven. Especially when he has a powerful army that is at her call now that she is Queen of the Fae.

Meanwhile, Draven asks for volunteers to travel to help Morgan's people, and dethrone Arthur once and for all. But nothing is as easy as one thinks. Upon arriving at their destination, Draven and his army are surprised by an attack by creatures not seen in these parts. And, it appears that a certain High King is pulling Arthur's strings, and looking for his lost daughter who may be even more powerful than she believes. This is by far the darkest book of the series, and yes that includes the sexual assault that occurred in the first book.

*Thoughts* In order to enjoy this series, one must forget everything you though you knew about the legend of King Arthur, and focus on Morgan le Fey instead. You must forget about Merlin and Guinevere. They have been written to be totally different people. You must also be willing to open your minds to the possibility that Arthur wasn't a good person when all is said and done, not if you read about the May Day slaughter he directed.

I know that there will be a fourth book in this series set to be released in 2024. We may finally to meet the most dangerous person alive, Morgan's father who has been searching for her after she was taken from her by her mother.

3. 75 ⭐

The writing definitely improved here. The whole story has more depth than the former books; I am quite intrigued by the twists this book has. Although I do have a few problems: one, maybe it's just me, but I really couldn't feel the chemistry between Draven and Morgan. I feel like their relationship is forced. The other one is Lancelot's revival. She was brought back but I honestly don't know what she contributed to the story aside from making Morgan feel guilty for not saving her when she was being eaten alive. Lastly, I really thought we were going to have multiple POVs from 4 different characters but it was only in the first few chapters. There are also new characters introduced and I couldn't keep up with them anymore.

Setting those aside, I like this book better than the other two in the series and I hope the fourth book will even be much better.

This series was one that just keeps getting better and better with each book. Briar Boleyn does a wonderful job at throwing the reader right into the thick of things, along with the feelings that the characters are experiencing.

Per usual, there are some big plot twists near the end of the book - I definitely did not know how the Orcades or Javer situations would turn out, and I’m left with questions. I also appreciated how Draven and Morgan worked through things in their own special way even before being reunited; I do wish that there was a little more banter between them though, since it was spot on in the first two books.

I also really appreciated the author highlighting a super sad and messed up piece of history that is not commonly known - the Mayday Masacre. I always had an icky feeling about King Arthur, and now I know why. Thank you for bringing this important piece of history to light. And thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of the book - all reviews and ratings are entirely my own.

When we last met Morgan Pendragon some say La Fae she had just won the obligatory YA tournament to make herself the empress of faryland or some such nonsense. So time to teleport through a one time gat to go and held Merlin, who has been holding down the fort as the resistance to the evil King Arthur. Its a discount distaff party as Merlin (a woman), and Lancelet (ditto) are all around trying to infiltrate the court. Now in the process of winning her obligatory YA tournament Morgan picked up handy superpowers and a flying battle cat thingy, so it remains unclear for the whole book why she doesn't just use them to blow up Arthur. Except he does seem to now be married to the Lady In The Lake, who gave him Excalibur and turns out to be Morgan's sister from 100 years ago or something. Anyway Briar Boleyn (go with it) decides to stick to one bit of Arthurian legend she's read and gets him to kill a load of first borns before Morgan's sexy nemesis turns up and - wait I was promised a discrete trilogy. What do you mean TO BE CONTINUED. Pah