Dark fae romance that lives up to its name 😍 the third book in the series did not disappoint and continued the story perfectly. I can’t wait to read the 4th!

“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 dissolves into nothing, my heart will still beat for you.”

Empress of Fae is the third book in Blood of Fae series by Briar Boleyn and it continues directly after the second book. So glad it did too because blah! Book two left me in a cliffhanging vice!

This book continued my obsession. I honestly finished this book so quickly because I could not put it down!! After Morgan made some… decisions (agree to disagree lol) and left Myntra and HER EMPIRE behind we’re stuck reeling from that decision. But Kairos and his next move, again 😍 we love you Draven.

For me this was a penultimate book. If Briar had finished with this book it would have been fine (VERY GLAD THERE WAS MORE) in terms of the Pendragon story and with Arthur and his rule. But this book felt like the crowning achievement with Morgan and her growth. I mean she’s learned a lot about herself in the past two and her abilities but this one she was like the boss lady in charge and she was ready to bring Camelot to where it should be.

Now, with the introduction of characters like Fenyx (ew) she was still challenged but I think he also showed just how much she had grown since the Florian (double ew) days. This book was crucial to showing her development now that she was back where she started in book 1.

But also, the REVELATIONS, this book brought so much to the surface about why the story continues and how this all came to be. A puppet master behind the scenes?! A person pulling the strings of fate!? How can we ever keep up. (We do, with love). Just LOVED Empress of Fae and devoured it quickly. Could not recommend more! That being said, make sure you do read this book after reading the first two or you’re really letting yourself down and it won’t make much sense.

Still read the trigger warnings folx! We are continuing a dark fae romance and well that has not gone away.

This book picks right up from the Court of Claws cliffhanger and MYGOSH is it a wild ride!

Morgan returns to Camelot to discover her worse fears confirmed; her psychotic brother is completely unhinged and is ruthlessly wreaking havoc across the entire kingdom in his paranoia-fueled quest for power. However, Morgan is willing to do whatever it takes to thwart his plans and take him down.

In the midst of the chaotic events, this book continues to develop Morgan’s character growth. Her determination and desire to sacrifice her own desires for the greater good really shine through. There’s also atonement and reconciliation for the relationships that she damaged in previous books. Her bond with her mate grows stronger, and I LOVE his devotion towards her.

Thankfully, this book does not end on a cliffhanger, but rather on the brink of anticipating what’s to come in the near future. After the last book’s gut-wrenching cliffhanger, I really appreciated that 😂

I’ve loved this series so far and can’t wait to dive into the final installment next! ✨

Thank you so much to the author, Starwater Press, and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review ♥️

I don’t have enough good things to say about this entire series. A loose Arthurian retelling, but you know, if Camelot had fae. And shadow welders. And a badass heroine. And gods. And and and.. urgh. It’s so good.

Briar was new to me before I started this series but I know I’ll be binge reading everything going forward. She has crafted a captivating world that I never want to leave.

Thank you to NetGalley, Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Empress of Fae by Briar Boleyn 🌹
Book 3 of Blood of a Fae
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐

This is the third book in the series and I found it continued the story line well. I love the way the author builds the world with such vivid imagery and interesting characters.

I did find some descriptions a bit tedious and had to force myself to slow down and take in the details rather than rush ahead to the plot. This was very rewarding, so make sure to try and take your time!

I’m excited to read the final book in the series and see how they wrap up the story!

Holy Crap!!! this book makes you want to dive into it and live in this world! even with all the twists and turns and drama!

this starts right back were the 2nd book left off, Morgan finding herself back in Camelot, she quickly realizes that Arthur's rule of terror has left her friends and family in danger! Draven isnt willing to allow her to disappear from his life so easily and makes it his path to find her. his bong with Morgan is beyond love and life.

You wont want this book to end! this books is fast-paced and really leaves you wanting more, again once you get to the end and its makes you need more! Briar has well and truly wrote three amazing books and the 4th in bound to be just as amazing!!

⭐️ 3.5

This book was really hard to rate for me because it made me feel a lot of things (mostly tension and angst, ngl) but at the same time it did not hit the same as Court of Claws.

🗡️ King Arthur retelling
🗡️ Long distance
🗡️ Dream sequences
🗡️ War & terror
🗡️ Betrayal (you can seriously trust nobody)

The end of Court of Claws was satisfyingly frustrating, so I was glad we picked up pretty much right where we left off. Unfortunately, I am not the biggest fan of main characters being separated after having been together for two books, but at least wasn't the case that they weren't able to communicate at all. It just wasn't as satisfying as the real thing.

Luckily everyone immediately put Draven on his place regarding the choices he made (for Morgan) which led him to see the fault in his errors quite quickly.

Morgan's forgiveness, however, came a bit too easy for my liking. While I appreciate they don't stay (mentally) apart for most the book hating each other, it maybe wast just a little bit too easy. Conflict with the other characters (Lancelet, her uncle, Merlin, and even Arthur) also felt like it could've gotten a little more attention. I would have loved to see more of a big heart-to-heart between Lancelet and Morgan.

I did enjoy the dream sequences we got, until that was the only thing we kept getting... I think it was important for Morgan to figure some things out on her own, but despite her being a lot more powerful than before she had to just let things happen to her (and her friends) constantly because it was imperative that she hid her powers, skills, and intelligence. Draven felt a little bit like a lost puppy and could only think about being with Morgan. I hope in the next book he'll go back to kick some serious ass.

All in all I think this book ultimately might mostly serve as a very plot-heavy set-up for the fourth and final book of the series. A lot of things get explained and resolved, but there's still a lot of mysterious elements (what's up with Guinevere? Will we ever find out?) and the Big Bad Wolf™ to tackle.

While it did not hit the same for me as the first two books did, it did hold me in its grasp so much that I gobbled it up in two sittings. The stakes were high and it did include some very horrific events that were part of the King Arthur legend, so please do check out the TW if this is something of concern.

I had enjoyed the first two books in this series and was keen to read on. I still liked the story, but I did find myself less captivated than I was during the earlier stages. I think I preferred the development between Morgan and Draven in the initial books, which was less of a focus in this third volume. Even so, the tale was still entertaining, the pacing good, and it was a quick and easy fantasy read, with plenty of steam on the romance side of things. I am giving it 3.5 stars.

I am loving this series. The world building has been so well done, it’s not overly complicated and incredibly well written. Draven and Morgan are absolutely perfect, they’re both such strong MC and their chemistry together is off the charts. We don’t get as much IP Draven time in this book, but don’t worry, there are some delicious dream scenes to get us through. The concept of this being King Arthur and Camelot but with fae is really cool. I’m excited to see how the series ends in the fourth book.

Empress of Fae is the third book in the Blood of a Fae series by Briar Boleyn.

For me, this book picked up some of the slack I felt from book 2, however it was still lacking for me. Draven is definitely the star character in this book, and Morgan isn't very spectacular in this one. Though I can see that we are coming to a peak in the series for the fourth finale book and I look forward to what comes from it.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of Empress of Fae by Briar Boleyn

"Empress of Fae" by Briar Boleyn is a spellbinding continuation of the enchanting tale of Morgan Pendragon, now known as Morgan Le Fay, as she grapples with her newfound destiny and the powers that lie within her. Boleyn effortlessly weaves together elements of Arthurian legend and fae mythology to create a rich and immersive fantasy world that captivates from beginning to end.

The story picks up with Morgan's return to Camelot and the Rose Court, where her friends and family face mortal peril at the hands of Arthur's tyranny. As she navigates the treacherous political landscape of Camelot, Morgan must confront her own inner demons and embrace her true heritage as the Empress of Fae. Boleyn skillfully explores themes of power, identity, and destiny, as Morgan grapples with the weight of her newfound abilities and the responsibilities that come with them.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its complex and well-developed characters. Morgan is a compelling protagonist, torn between her desire to protect those she loves and her growing realization of the power she holds within her. Similarly, Kairos Draven emerges as a multifaceted character, torn between his love for Morgan and his loyalty to his own people. Boleyn deftly explores the nuances of their relationship, adding depth and complexity to the story.

Boleyn's prose is evocative and immersive, bringing the world of Camelot and the fae to life with vivid descriptions and lush imagery. From the majestic halls of Camelot to the ethereal realms of the fae, the author paints a breathtaking picture of a world teetering on the brink of war and upheaval.

While the pacing may be slow at times, particularly in the middle portion of the book, Boleyn's masterful storytelling and intricate world-building keep readers engaged throughout. The plot is filled with twists and turns, as Morgan and her allies navigate betrayals, alliances, and ancient prophecies in their quest to save Camelot from destruction.

Overall, "Empress of Fae" is a captivating and enchanting read that will delight fans of Arthurian legend and fantasy alike. With its compelling characters, rich world-building, and gripping plot, it is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Unfortunately this was a DNF at 35%.

Whilst I loved that book 3 started off with Draven, and my god was I happy to read his perspective, there was simply too much that I did not like that carried over from the previous book, and I just felt that I couldn't continue reading for that reason.
Things I liked:
- Kairos and his crew. (2 stars are for him and his troupe)
Things I didn't like:
- Morgan continued to frustrate me as a protagonist and as a result I simply could not continue reading. Some people may enjoy this type of protagonist however it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Queen of Roses (Book 1), Court of Claws (Book 2), Empress of Fae (Book 3), and the final installment, Knight of the Goddess (Book 4) are all part of a series by Briar Boleyn. If you are a fan of the ACTAR series, I highly recommend you give these a chance.  I received these ARC ebooks from and want to thank, NetGalley, Starwater Press, and Briar Boleyn, for providing them to me to read and review.  The third one caught my attention first, but to read it, I needed to read the prior two. Ok...how hard could that be?  While reading Queen of Roses, and getting to know the characters and the setting, I was intrigued, but not overly so and I anticipated this being just an ok series.  Then came the second book, Court of Claws, oh wow! It took off and I dove right into the third one, Empress of Fae, even though it was well past midnight.  The third book ended on a cliffhanger, leaving me anticipating the fourth and final book, Knight of the Goddess. As with the others, Boleyn doesn't spare our feelings and intrigues the reader through unexpected twists. The ending was...wow! Boy was it worth the wait! While I'll miss these characters and following their story, I eagerly anticipate what fabulous new adventure Briar Boleyn has in store for us next.  While you may be able to read one as a stand-alone, I would highly recommend you start from the beginning and read them all from the start.

Book 3 in the dark romantasy series this book picks up from the cliffhanger ending of Court Of Claws. Morgan vanished through a portal back to Camelot and quickly realizes that Arthur's rule over the kingdom has put her little brother and friends in serious danger. But Draven isn't going to let his love just disappear. His bond with Morgan is too for that. They are apart for most of the book and i think that allowed Morgan's character to really take the spotlight.
This one ends on another cliffhanger and I'm eager to read the next book and see where this story takes me! There's a lot of unfinished business that I hope to see concluded in book 4

Another great book in this series! Book two is my absolute favorite so far but this one was still really good!

The first half was slow but once you get to part two it picks up and you get amazing moments with Morgan and Draven that make you love them both even more. I don’t love when books separate the main characters for long periods of time but it was nice how the author found a way around it. It’s not yet explained so hoping for more answers in the next book.

You can trust no one. I kept thinking I knew who was the traitor but didn’t figure it out until closer till the end.

This book brought in multiple POV and I loved seeing things from Draven’s perspective at times.

This book is really well written and at times has you gripping your book wondering what is going to happen. It is also darker than the previous books so be sure to check the trigger warnings.

So much happens in this book and the story is still not over so I’ll be continuing to book 4 now! Luckily this one didn’t leave on a big cliffhanger like the others.

Thank you to NetGalley, Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I read this book as a continuation of the blood of Fae series through NetGalley. Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

In this book it was nice to see Morgan really work through her assumptions and realizing that she has been overreacting to portions her situation. I also liked how we got to learn more on Arthurs background and how that gave more insight into his character. That being said, I was frustrated with how his coldness was justified. It feels that the author struggled to write a villain with understandable motives.

This book did not live up to the expectations I had coming out of book 2. Some of the situations were too similar to book 1. I am not a fan of mates as a relationship trope. SJM scarred me with the term "mates".

Goodnight, this series!! I am loving it so much. Empress of Fae was another stellar addition to the Blood of a Fae series. This book might’ve been the darkest one yet, so consider this your warning to check the CW/TW at the end of the book if you need to. In general, the CWs are the same as for the first two books, but there is some added content in this one that could be triggering to some. I had to cleanse my palate, so to speak, by doing something mindless between chapters during some parts of the book - I had anticipatory anxiety and wanted to keep reading but also didn’t want to keep reading at the same time. That might just be my anxious brain, but I bet someone out there can relate. Anyway… I love the journey Draven and Morgan went on in Empress of Fae. Not a physical journey, mind you, though there is some of that. Morgan especially grew so much during this book. The dreaming sequences in this book were *chef’s kiss* and I desperately need to get myself a tiny thatched-roof cottage asap.

One thing I’m glad the author, Briar Boleyn, doesn’t shy away from is death of supporting characters. I feel like so much romantasy has been SJM-ified in the sense that people either don’t die, or can be brought back from death somehow. Yes, it sucks when characters die, but it gives the book so much more depth.

Finally, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for the multiple-pov in this book! It was really by only gripe about the first two books. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

I received a copy of Empress of Fae for free from NetGalley. Thank you to Briar Boleyn, NetGalley, and the publisher for this book. This review is wholly my own and I am leaving it voluntarily.

I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Continuing on with this story and I’m invested!! Really loving Morgan what situation she been placed in!

This book is definitely darker than the ones which I don’t mind. Looking forward to the next chapter. Great author!!

I have absolutely loved every single book in this series so far! They are truly incredible! I’ve been blowing through them because I can’t wait to see what happens and I’ve already been recommending them to my friends. I can’t wait to read the final book of the series.