3.5 stars ⭐️

"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?"

Okay, hear me out. I know it's a cliche, but whenever I see this written down, it does something to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I could see most of the plot twists coming a mile off. Is it an extraordinary piece of literature? No. Did I eat it up in 2 days? Yes, yes I did. Do what you will with that information.

I really like Arthurian retellings, and this one was great. It has:
- fae <> human conflict
- badass FMC
- broody MMC
- interesting subplot and side characters

Looking forward to read the rest of the series!

Did not like this book at all.

The plot was virtually non-existent, centering on the characters' journey with occasional minor events. All the characters lacked depth and personality.
The main character, Morgan, initially introduced as a forgotten royal with promise, skilled in combat and outshining her knight in-training friend, ultimately remains weak and pitiful throughout the rest of the book. Like what was the point of her taking the lessons? It feels like wasted potential.
Overall, it was not a satisfying read.

A King Arthur & Merlin retelling set in a Fae world. I loved it.

Queen of Roses follows Morgan, the main female character, who happens to be the part-fae sister of King Arthur. Her best friend, Lancelet, is a female knight in training. And contrary to popular legend, Arthur isn't the good guy in this story.

Morgan has been through a pretty tough upbringing; being part-fae has made her somewhat of an outcast, even in her own family. I'm not sure how she managed to continue to be positive about her family after what happens in the start of this book, but it makes for an excellent character development as the story evolves. The adventure and world-building within this novel was wonderfully intriguing, given the fae-based storyline that intertwines with the legend of Arthur and Excalibur. Some magic is revealed, fae history, culture and fantastical animals! I cannot wait to see where this goes in the second book and beyond.

What made me so invested in this novel was the fact that, for me, it wasn't predictable. I didn't see where the story was going completely, so there were some nice surprises throughout the storyline. Some romance begins to grow and develop, with an equal amount of betrayal and heartbreak throughout. So strap in for an epic journey through Camelot and beyond!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book!

This was an amazing first book for a fantasy series. Usually with fantasy series the first book gets bogged down with world building, but I'm happy to report that that is not the case here. I loved how while this story is influenced by the stories of King Arthur, it is not afraid to step outside of it. Morgan as the main character was intresting and I loved that we got to see her character development right off the bat instead of having to wait two or three books. The twist at the end was not one I was expecting which made it all the better

The slow burn in this book is soooooo slow. I wish it wasn’t such a slow burn but the enemies to lovers trope was top notch. It’s filled with great tension, banter, love, friendships, magic, and unpredictable twists. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This retelling of the King Arthur story is a remarkable work of fantasy. Although it took me a few chapters to get fully engaged in the story, I was soon captivated by the details and characters. The main character, Morgan, is a half-Fae who has been hiding in her Kingdom since her mother was murdered by her father, and throne were taken away by her young brother, Arthur the King. Her eyes begin to open to the throne taken from her by her brother, King Arthur. She soon realizes her brother's leadership is lacking and is horribly maintained. She has always been overshadowed by her brother presence. As the story unfolds, King Arthur sends her on a quest to find the mythical sword, Excalibur, with only two companions - one of whom is an enemy of her father, and the other is an unknown person. Morgan's brother does not care if she lives or dies on this quest, leaving her with no one to rely on but herself. Her journey is full of excitement, romance, and spicy scenes, making it a must-read for anyone who loves the King Arthur story.

You can look for in this book-
• King Arthur’s retelling
• Fae
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Quest
• Forced proximity
• Friendship
• Ends with a cliffhanger

Overall, I highly recommend this book.

(I also posted on Goodreads)

DNF at 33%… wow this was my first DNF ever. I always finish a book but i was just straight up bored with this. The descriptions of things go on forever and ever it’s annoying and the whole “gray hair crone” thing was also annoying lmao I’m sorry. But thank you net galley for the ARC!

This book was such an adventure!

Morgan is a sharp whitted, feisty soul and I loved her grit and determination!

The slow burn romance in this was utter perfection and the overall character development for our main characters was done so well.

I really enjoyed the Camelot retelling style of this book, a little bit of fantasy and ‘historical fiction’ thrown together seamlessly.

I am SO excited to see how this series continues!

I’m a sucker for any good retelling, so this Camelot one was most likely going to be a win for me no matter what. The world building in this book 1 was great, although I feel like it isn’t done yet. I love the gender bending of Merlin and Lancelot (Lancelet), and I also love twisting it with Morgan as the hero and Arthur…very much not. Morgan as the passed over rightful queen in a country falling into ruin under her brother makes for a great story. Their relationship was very…interesting. Kairos Draven makes a great mysterious enemy/love interest and, with the way that book 1 ended, I expect to learn a lot more about this guy in book 2.

This was a 10/5✨’s!!!!
My favourite books in the whole world are the ACOTAR series by SJM…but. This is the first book of the ‘Blood Of A Fae’ series and it might already be on top for me 🫢 dare I say it!

This was bloody brilliant! I could not put it down, I severely neglected myself of food & drinks because I just wanted to keep reading…I can not believe how brilliant this was! I can not wait to read the rest! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC & to Briar Boleyn for this amazing read! I can not wait to read the rest!

Title: Queen of Roses
Author: Briar Boleyn
Genre: Fantasy romance
Media: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Favorite quote: N/A
Sum of this book in 5 words or less: N/A

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Themes: retelling, family, murder, assault

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Thoughts:

I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Short summary - Morgan is half fae and was rejected from being Queen by her father. Her brother, the current King, Arthur, has sent her on a mission to get Excalibur. She travels with two men and picks up others along the way.

I absolutely love the fact that there is women representation in this book. Merlin and Lancelet are women in this book. Badass women, to put the cherry on top! Arthur is a terrible vile human being, and Florian got what he deserved.

I got so excited when Draven was assigned to Morgan to take her on the mission. The cliffhanger at the end? Be prepared to start the next one!

I can’t wait to see how Morgan’s magic grows and what she’s able to do with it. This is on KU and I’m so glad because I’m onto the next one!

Wow what a ride!! This story was dark, twisty, and fun to jump into! I am a sucker for slow burn romances so this was right up my alley. However, it was quite predictable, which didn’t allow me to become super intrigued with what happened next. Although I enjoyed the first book in this series, I will not be continuing the series as I didn’t grasp onto the characters and world as much as I wanted to. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now, I'm not a particular fan on retellings. Maybe I've just never read one that was my cup of tea. So when I saw this book was a twist on King Arthur, I very nearly put it down!

Thank goodness I didn't.

I loved everything about this book. The writing is beautiful, and the world building is so descriptive and indepth, I was transported away to a medieval castle, surrounded by knights and royalty.

I love Morgan, I think she is a great character, and I really hope that as the series progresses, we see her become the fierce warrior queen that she was always destined to become. Obviously, I'm smitten with Draven, I mean, what's not to like? He's a swoonworthy, dangerous, and handsome Knight!!!

I enjoyed the story, the quest, and the setup for the next book. Although I maybe saw a few twists and turns coming, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I have already moved on to book 2 😍

Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with a copy to review 🙂

I was pulled into this book because of the claim it was for fans of JLA. And truly, I could see quite a few similarities between From Blood and Ash and Queen of Roses. But this book takes on a life of its own in the way it adopts the Arthurian legends.

It was kind of refreshing to see Arthur be the vicious king. (And not in the way we love some vicious kings.) And all the ways in which Boleyn took the story we’re all familiar with and adapted it into a world wholly her own.

The prologue hooked me. And I knew from the first moment Kairos Draven stepped onto the page, I would love him. I loved Lancelet and Galahad. I loved the twists this story took along the way. Some I predicted. Some took me truly by surprise. I’m so eager to see how this series continues.

That being said, I feel like Morgan had more chemistry with one character, even though it was hinted that she should also feel something for another — the one I WANTED her to have chemistry with. I think the banter I’ve come to love so much in fantasy romance novels was lacking a bit in this one. BUT. The potential is there. Which, again, has me eager for what I’m hoping to find in book two. Especially after that ending.

I think Morgan herself was a decent mix of determination and grit while also recognizing that sometimes she needs someone to look after her. She’s competent in weaponry without it being her entire personality. She’s kind and open minded and forgiving. But she’s also unflinching in defending herself and biting back against those who’ve harmed her. Truly, an FMC worth loving. She felt well thought out in a way I feel like we rarely see in characters who are adaptations of ones who originated in another source.

Ultimately, I think this is the start of a series with vast potential and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

5/5⭐️

Love, love, love!

I am in love. One of the best Fantasy Romances I've read this year! Made me wonder why I hadn't heard of this series earlier.

I loved and despised some characters in equal measure, as intended by the author, I'm sure. The characters were so well sketched out. Each unique and flawed in their own way. I loved the whole world this is set in and could not stop thinking about it long after finishing the book.

Unlike a lot of fantasies, the world-building did not leave me confused. It was lucid and was flowing throughout the book which made me enjoy the book even more. 30% in and I could not put the book down. The spice was spicy and the romance was top-notch!

There's adventure, political intrigue, outcast princesses, found family and a whole lot of slow-burn romance. I am a fan.

I am already starting book 2 as I write up this review.

I received an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and StarWater Press for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
In this King Arthur/Excalibur retelling, Morgan, a princess born from a Fae mother and mortal King father, witnesses the tragic death of her mother at her father’s hands. 15 years later she’s trying to piece together her history and the plans her brother, King Arthur, has for their city Camelot. Her brother sends her on a quest to find Excalibur, in old fae territory that is believed to be abandoned. Threatening everything she cares for in the kingdom if she fails at retrieving and returning with the sword. Along the way Morgan begins to see herself for who she really is and her history is not as she believed. The ending leaves you needing to know what happens next and what the heck just happened in the first place!

Tropes:
Forbidden Romance
Who Did This To You?
One Bed/Sleeping Bag

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwater Press for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This is a dark romantasy with elements of King Arthur retelling but with fae. This is a true enemies to lovers trope and is a true slow burn. With fae, mythical creatures, a morally grey MMC and our FMC slowly discovering who she really is this story will have you dizzy from all the twists and turns! It’s a slow start with heavy world building, and character development but also comes with plenty of binge worthy plot. Also to mention it holds the “who did this to you” trope and ends in a cliffhanger! I am very eager to read the next book!!

I recently finished reading "Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. The book is a beautiful blend of romance, adventure, and fantasy that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

What I loved most about this book was the author's ability to create a vivid and intricate world filled with magical creatures and breathtaking landscapes. The characters were well-developed and relatable, and I found myself rooting for Rose and Jack throughout their journey.

Overall, "Queen of Roses" is a captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel. Briar Boleyn has truly outdone herself with this one and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I’m so sad I won’t be able to read this. Thank you Briar for the trigger warning list at the beginning of the book. Too many things listed that I’m uncomfortable reading about. Thank you NetGalley, Brair and starwater press for the ARC!

~ Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review ~

This book was a little treat for my English degree. Arthurian legend but make it fantasy romance? I’m skipping with joy, I really am. And the story held up, too, it wasn’t just a thought the author had but they didn’t want to do their research or put effort into anything other than writing a retelling. This is more of an “inspired by” story that has all the research, but also unique ideas and I ate that up. Once I had a moment to actually read this book I went through it really fast, it was a very good read and also easy to get through (if you’re used to fantasy, world building can be a lot to take in but I feel it was done pretty well here).

I love Morgan as the main character, she is so interesting and there is a lot to unpack with her. Well, it sounds like there is a lot to unpack with her whole family. But we don’t have time for that right now. Her father? Horrible. Her brother Arthur? Horrible. Her brother Kaye? My precious little baby. Lancelet and Galahad? I absolutely love it. Draven? My precious boy. I feel like that is a great summary of the book.

But more specifically for Morgan herself, she has personality, she is into fighting but also isn’t just some gifted god at it, she doesn’t immediately fall for the love interest, and she has flaws! I love flaws in a character- give me a young girl making silly little mistakes because she’s still a little naive. Morgan’s 20, I don’t expect her to know everything about everything, especially if she doesn’t have experience. For example, her romantic relationship throughout this novel is something new to her, she isn’t going to be the best judge of character or listen to what other people think of the guy- it’s the first time someone who didn’t hurt her showed interest in her, she’s going to have clouded judgment.

I liked the plot, it kept me intrigued but also left room for some of Morgan’s personal relationships to grow how they needed to. There’s also so many different secrets being kept, but I’m loving it. I would definitely recommend picking up this book, it is worth the read!