Loved this novel! “Queen of Roses” is a fresh take on the Arthurian legends in a world with Fae. The world building is fantastic and fully immerses you. The book is filled with witty banter, tension, and surprises.

I love the gender-bending twists on the traditional legends and the LGBTQ+ representation in the supporting characters. The author was able to include complex themes and issues that are relevant today in a way that brought attention to them without detracting from the story.

There are several dark, potentially triggering scenes in this book, so be sure to check the content warnings.

This is an extremely slow burn story. The first part of the book read a little slow for me but it really picked up in the second half and then I couldn't put it down. Overall, I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to continue the series myself.

The book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so be prepared to race to the next book to continue Morgan's story.

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am so thankful for this arc and the chance to review. I really enjoyed the female main character and finding out her lineage, the fae people and her gray hair. Cause we heard about that hair for sure
I felt like this book had a lot of meat in it, kind of predictable meat.
The last 25% of the book however was great finding out so much to the story but it makes me confused on the pacing of it
I really think this could’ve been brought to two books instead of trilogy because so much was kind of said and repeated. The last chapter reveal is the only thing making me curious about the next book.

The only good thing about finishing this book it that the next one is already out. I won't lie it started out slow and I was wondering if I would keep going but at around 30% it really starts to pick up until I didn't want to put it down. The only similarities so far to King Author/Camelot are names and the setting and I don't see that changing with the next book. I am 100% ok with that because I'm not a huge retelling fan.

If you like:
-Slow burn
-Fae
-Morally grey MMC
-Crazy plot twists
-light spice
This book is for you.

Difficult parts:
It starts off slow and painful. I don't like when a main character is abused with no respite.

Check your trigger warnings at the door please.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this story for free. All thoughts below are my own and are left voluntarily; they are not in any way influenced by the author, publisher, or others involved in its creation.

Queen of Roses follows main character Morgan Pendragon (based on the Arthurian character Morgan le Fay - or Morgan the Fae) who has grown up in a less than ideal environment thanks to the fae blood coursing through her veins (from her mother's side). It is a dark fae romance story that takes aspects of Arthurian Legend and twists it - e.g., Morgan(a) being a literal fae, Lancelot receiving a name change to Lancelet and being female, Arthur being more like Uther than the "once and future king", and Morgan's mother being Ygraine (who birthed Arthur in more traditional legends). There are more, along with additions from Boleyn.

I love Boleyn's writing style; it is very vibrant and descriptive such that the world comes to life and jumps off the page. Her way of describing things in the space with her characters - and describing character actions - is amazing and it adds a depth to the story that I think a lot of fantasy stories are missing. However, it feels almost as if that is all the story is. There is little depth to the plot, little in the way of character development, and it felt as if there was something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. The start of the story (learning about Ygraine's death) was beautifully done but it seems to go downhill from there, and I found myself getting less and less invested.

Don't get me wrong, that's not to say it's a bad story, just that it could have benefitted from something more than just beautiful descriptions. It is very clear Boleyn has talent, she has a way of describing scenes that just make the hairs on your arms stand on end, and then it falls apart with the characters and the actual execution of the plot. I'm usually 50-50 on romances, but I also felt as if the romance of the plot fell short. It was quite a frustrating thing to read in that respect. I also think that the use of Arthurian Legend didn't add anything to the story. The names were familiar, there was the odd reference to things in the legend (such as replacing Uther's hate of 'magic' with 'fae') but it was almost unused.

If you're going to use mythology, use it, not just the names. Retell it, put your own spin on it, but this was not the way to do it. Especially since some of the changes seemed pointless.

All in all, I felt mixed on this one. I will likely read the sequel because as I said, I did not hate it, I just felt it could have been more.

If you liked From Blood and Ash, you might like this! It took me a very long time to get into it and get through it but I think it shows promise and I would consider reading the other books in the series. I liked Draven a lot and I totally get why he’s a lot of people’s book boyfriend!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Unfortunately this was my very first DNF book. I made it through 17%. Normally I would continue because I like to give everything a chance, but the rest of the book will take approximately 12 hours to finish according to kindle and I just couldn’t do it. Perhaps it just wasn’t my cup of tea but I’ve seen it compared to other fantasy dark romance books and I just disagree. I was looking forward to this series with the final book coming this year but sadly, I will not be continuing on in the Blood of Fae series.

I think for me, the biggest downfall was that it was so incredibly descriptive that it became distracting. It was difficult to follow because there was just so many different characters and so much scene building. A lot of it felt unimportant or unnecessary to the story. I felt like I was given so much yet understood so little of what was going on.

Thank you to Starwater Press, NetGalley, and Briar Boleyn for this ARC ebook version in exchange for my honest review.

4⭐️
If you like:
- loose mythological retellings 🗡
- fae 🧝‍♀️
- dark misty vibes 🌫
- s l o w b u r n 🔥
- lots of twists and turns 🔀
Then you will probably like this book. As someone who studied Arthurian Legend at uni as soon as I saw the blurb of this book I wanted to read it, and there is lots that I really enjoyed.

What I liked:
- The setting. The world building, I felt, was excellent. I really enjoyed the style of writing and found that to be a real strength here.
- Most of the characters I felt were well written and I enjoyed that.
- the side characters were fab & alongside this the found family aspect was lovely.
- Once the story got going I really enjoyed it.
- I actually really liked the MMC. I adore sarky, smirky, tall-dark-and-handsome. He gave Rowan/Cardan vibes (iykyk) and I will eat that up every day of the week.

What I liked less:
- long chapters. Chapters that take 15/20 minutes to read (according to the kindle time left), for me and my ADHD, are just too long.
- I know this is a dark story, but I personally don't like when characters are cruel for the sake of being cruel without any discernible reason. I want there to be a 'why' but that's a personal thing!
- I did find some of the choices certain characters made to be frustrating at times.
- it did take a while for the story to get going for me. The first half felt a bit slow at times, but as this is setting up a 4 book series I understood that.

Overall once we got into the real meat of the story I thoroughly enjoyed myself and oh boy that ending?? Excited to read book 2.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Victory Editing for the e-arcs of the whole series to review in celebration of the release of the 4th book!

- my review will be posted to:
Goodreads
Amazon (under review)

Okay. I wasn’t ready for this book to end. Within the pages of 'Queen of Roses,' you are transported into a mesmerizing realm where duty clashes with desire, and secrets lurk in every shadow. With intricate world-building and compelling characters, this captivating fantasy is a thrilling journey of self-discovery and perilous adventure. I think it’s a must-read for fans of epic tales filled with magic and mystery. #BloodofaFaeSeries #NetGalley.

Wow. This book is the start of a series I did not know I needed. This was dark. This was sad. This was so freaking cool. You can tell the author has a historical fiction background, the way she sets up the society in regards to the female role, even though it's fantasy, was phenomenal. You really feel the struggle of Morgan as a woman in the court of her brother, Arthur. I loved the creatures in this book, and the adorableness of Draven's "pet". The end of this book, while I expected and assumed some twists, I did NOT expect this. I am so excited for book two of this amazing twist on the tale of Camelot!

*Queen of Roses* by Briar Boleyn is a spellbinding and captivating tale that seamlessly weaves together elements of mystery, magic, and romance. Boleyn transports readers to a mesmerizing world where the fearless FMC, Morgan, embarks on a treacherous quest at her brother, Arthur’s, request to find the sword Excalibur and return it to him.

The dynamic between Morgan, the betrayed princess, and Draven, the skilled mercenary, crackles with tension and chemistry, drawing readers into their journey to find Excalibur and uncover the truth about Morgan's hidden powers. As Morgan's magical abilities manifest and evolve, Boleyn deftly explores themes of identity and self-discovery, adding layers of depth to the characters and the narrative.

The cliffhanger ending of *Queen of Roses* is a heart-stopping twist that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, as Morgan faces betrayal and danger from unexpected quarters, testing the limits of her strength and resilience. Draven's unwavering loyalty and sacrifice in the face of peril solidify his place as a compelling and heroic figure, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

Boleyn's storytelling prowess shines in this gripping tale of intrigue and transformation, offering a richly imagined world filled with secrets, revelations, and a hint of forbidden romance. *Queen of Roses* is a five-star read that will keep readers eagerly anticipating the next installment, as Boleyn delivers a captivating and immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact.

Fans of fantasy, romance, and unforgettable adventure will find themselves utterly enchanted by *Queen of Roses*, a must-read that showcases Boleyn's talent for crafting a compelling and intricately woven narrative that leaves a lasting impression. Get ready to be swept away on a thrilling and magical journey with Morgan and Draven as they face danger, betrayal, and the ultimate test of loyalty and love.

I struggled through the first half, but the plot really picked up in the second half. I'm not very familiar with the Arthurian legend, but I don't think that you need to be in order to enjoy this book. I wasn't a huge fan of the first person narration. Morgan's internal dialogue consists of asking a LOT of rhetorical questions and it was tedious to read at times. I didn't enjoy the love triangle and feel like the same outcome could have been achieved without it. I wish the author had created more longing and desire in the relationship that will be continuing on in the series as I didn't feel like there was a strong connection between Morgan and either of the love interests.. Most of this book seemed to be world building and set up for the rest of the series and not a lot happened. But, by the end, my interest was piqued enough that I will be continuing with the series. It reminded me a lot of FBAA, but with way easier to follow world building and lore.

Thank you so much for This book was amazing, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the play on Arthurian legend and how it blended so seamlessly with the world of the fae. It was such an exciting read and kept me guessing what would happen next. The characters were really loveable and I was always wanting to know more about them. The storytelling and writing style really drew me in and I would definitely love to continue with this series. Fantasy lovers should 100% read this book. I will definitely recommend it to others!

Great start to what I assume is going to be an amazing series. The twists and turns and the general heat of this book was amazing and sucks you in straight away.
The world building is very heavy though that is not necessarily a bad thing but you do need to go into this book read to take notes or I can imagine you would get lost very easily!
Can’t wait to see what more is to come.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really enjoyed this book - and yet another series that I get to dive into! Morgan is going to be in for a shock I think with the next book. Can't wait. That ending…. Everything is about to change!!

I had a hard time with this one because I don't do well with perpetual misery. I also strongly dislike it when the MC is dumb.

The first half of the book is just Morgan having a shitty time and being treated shittily. It got old fast. Arthur is essentially Joffrey. I wanted to do a lot of stabbing. I was scowling as I read.

What added to the scowling is that Morgan trains with the knights, is meant to be relatively skilled/strong, and yet she's a complete wet blanket who just lets everyone shit all over her.

The slow burn romance could have been good if Morgan wasn't incredibly stupid about Draven. Sure, he has bumped into her and been rude to her, but the list of things he has done for her/to protect her is much longer than his list of sins. She assumes the worst of him always, and stupidly. Like, there's a point where Draven is trying to keep her alive, trying to stop a POS from forcing her to drink what is essentially poison, but because he also happens to mention that she can't complete her mission if she's dead, she clings to this fact and ruminates over it like a dipshit, dismissing any positive actions outright. Yet, when Vesper comes into the picture, she doesn't for a second question anything about him or his actions/motivations.

There are also a fair bit of errors. This is an ARC but it isn't a new release. I assume this version was meant to have been edited. There's a point where Morgan says that her mother drank the same medicine as her, every second night as she also does. Then later on in the book, she "let out a small cry of surprise" when she's told that her mother took the same medicine. Several times, I came across tense changes that were jarring (have when it should have been had, is when it should have been was, etc) and should have been caught on a first pass edit.

The writing was otherwise not bad. There is a lot of potential here. I'm not putting this author on the shit list.

Still, I'm glad I only requested the first one, though there were I think 3 available on netgalley, because I really have no desire to continue reading this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Wow. Where to begin…..if you are a fan of Sarah J Maas or Jennifer L Armentrout, you should absolutely check this book out. From the first sentence you are grabbed and pulled in. The characters are likeable, the story moves along at a good pace & the world building is great. The first book did an excellent job pulling you in, and making you want to know what is really going on. There is plenty of action, and I want to hurry and finish my review so that I can go start the second book……the cliffhanger at the end was great.

There are lots of moving parts with this one, and I enjoy the fact there is plenty of action- but there is also political intrigue, slow burn romance and interesting characters. Without giving away plot points, I will say that all characters are actually in jeopardy when events happen, which I appreciate.

I also appreciated that there are trigger warnings for the book, but they are included at the end. If you have triggers, there is a link at the beginning that will take you to them so that you can make an informed decision. However, if you don’t have any triggers, you don’t have any idea what is coming, which is great. I know these warnings are important for some readers’ mental health, but sometimes they give things away and allowing people the freedom to choose while still being respectful was nice.

This book was a great read, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes. It is absolutely worth the read. :)

Thank you Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for allowing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

King Arthur, Merlin, Camelot... those names may sound familiar but there is nothing old-fashioned about this amazing story written by Briar Boleyn. The story is loosely based on a retelling of Camelot, but is full of witty banter, political intrigue and tension, magic and of course just the right amount of slow burn romance to keep you wanting more. Oh, and that ending! Make sure you schedule some free time to snag book two right away. You are going to need it immediately after finishing book one. If you are a fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses or Fourth Wing, I would highly recommend this book. It's book one of a four-part series, and luckily for you, the fourth was just released!

THANK YOU NetGalley and Victory Editing for sending me not only this copy of Queen of Roses but the entire Blood of Fae series for review.

Queen of Roses is a dark fantasy romance that loosely follows Arthurian mythology, but with a Fae twist. This story is filled with great banter, undeniable tension, otherworldly magic, mythical creatures, and of course, a little romance. This story features love, betrayal, action, adventure, and some insane plot twists.

Being the first book in the series, there was a lot of world-building, character introduction, and setup for the series. The detail is great but can make some parts of the story a little slower to get through. By the end, things were HAPPENING, and that made it all worth it.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see where we go from here. If it hadn't been 2 AM when I hit that cliffhanger of an ending, I would have started the second book immediately.

If you're a fan of the Maasverse, the Legendborne series, or romantasy in general, give it a chance.

My review has been posted to:
- Goodreads
- Amazon (under review)
- Fable.co

Thank you NetGalley, Briar Boleyn and Starwater for this ARC. Opinions are my own.

Blurb: A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war...
A cast-off princess…

Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.

This is a very loose King Arthur/Camelot story with fae characters and magic; told from the perspective of Morgan Pendragon, Arthur's sister. Everything you think you know of Arthurian legend is basically turned on its head from gender swaps to morality swaps. I'll leave it at that in the interest of preventing spoilers.

The Good:
I loved the Camelot retelling. I think it was a large undertaking of Ms. Boleyn to turn this story into something so unique and completely make it her own.

Morgan was a somewhat quiet mannered princess who saw her mother die at a very young age. She is shunned by the court because her mother was half-fae which means Morgan is potentially fae. She has about a year before she will be apprenticed to Merlin, the head priestess at the temple. I loved Morgan's dedication and loyalty to her brothers, Arthur and Kaye. She has a sense of duty to her people, even though she was usurped, that speaks to her caring and empathetic nature. All things considered, I did like her as a FMC.
She is also loyal to her friends Lancelet and Galahad who basically make up the majority of those that care for her and her best intentions.

The world building is excellent. The author takes time to draw a picture of Camelot, the temple, and further along, the settings the characters get in to which really draws the reader in and immerses them in the story.

The Not-So-Good
This is a very, VERY slow-burn romance. Many descriptors state this is for fans of ACOTAR and FBAA however, I found very little that was similar other than the fae. There also wasn't a lot of chemistry between Morgan and her MMC, Kairos Draven. As a MMC, he was very one-dimensional and not fleshed out enough to make the reader root for him as an individual or even Morgan and him as a couple.
Morgan also had her moments that annoyed me. This is a princess that has been sheltered and hid away yet she still would argue with Kairos even though he was the "expert" in many of the situations they found themselves in.
As said before, there was very little development between Morgan and Kairos. Aside from her musings once or twice about how hot Kairos was, there was little to determine the two would ever hook up. I was even questioning who her romantic lead was. Which leads me to a side character Morgan starts lusting after. This guy shows up out of nowhere, gives her a little bit of attention and within a few days, she's thinking she has feelings for him. With a fantasy, obviously you need to suspend disbelief to a point but this made me cringe. Especially when you know how that plot point is going to turn out.
Speaking of plot points, for fans of fantasy romance, or "romantasy," the story got very predictable. You know who is going to enact the big betrayal, you know who is going to turn out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing and there were a couple other points I called before they happened.

With all this said, I LIKED the overall story and I'm going to read the next book, if for no other reason than I'm hoping Morgan really comes into herself and finds her inner badassery. I'm also holding out for a little more character development for both Morgan and Kairos, as well as their relationship.

High 3 stars!

"I swear if I hear those words cross his lips one more time I'm going to slap the man."

There is quite a number of men that you would like to slap in this book - and don't worry, that satisfaction comes plenty of times.

This was a really enjoyable fantasy retelling of King Arthur, filled with intrigue, fae, fantastical creatures and a whole lot of mystery. As someone who studied literary studies I was pulled in by all the King Arthur references and stayed for all the different interpretations and magical lore specific to this world.

🥀 Inspired by Arthurian legend (loved reading all the names as characters in this book)
🥀 Fae
🥀 Evil villains
🥀 Slow burn
🥀 Lots of secrets and betrayal
🥀 "Who did this to you?"

Our FMC Morgan is a little (okay, sometimes a lot) of naive and seems to have accepted a life that has little of a future, at least not one she chose for herself. Throughout the book this seems to shift a little bit as she slowly discovers more about herself which was great to see.

Kairos Draven increasingly became a more interesting character. I wasn't too convinced at the start, because his personality seemed quite flat (perhaps purposefully so) and his protective tendencies therefore didn't seem to make that much sense to me. However, as you get to know him a little more and the snarky remarks increased, I started to like his character a lot more (and I know for sure that there's a lot we don't know yet...). Other characters such as Galahad, Merlin, Lancelet and even Morgan's silly uncle, were all fun additions of which I'd only wish we'd seen more of - but luckily there's 4 more books.

The book isn't very romance-heavy in my opinion (although there are some hints...) and the romantic advances that were included moved a little bit too fast for my liking which meant that I didn't feel pulled in by it. (See my GR review for more of my opinion on this part, as it contains, or is hinted at, some spoielrs.)

And finally, that cliffhanger: <insert screaming gif here>

It's safe to say that I'm eager to start book 2 soon.

This book does handle some TW such as abuse, violence and death so make sure to take a look at the TW if this is not something you wish to read about. t can get quite dark, even from the start, which means there stakes are quite high which I appreciate.