This book started off really good. I was enjoying the plot and enjoying getting to know the characters. But about 40 percent through the storyline started to drag and it became difficult to keep interest. There was a lot of filler that didn't need to be there and things repeated multiple times as if the author thought the reader wouldn't remember.

Oh goodness, I must know what will happen next! I wanted a good fantasy series to sink my teeth into and I believe I may have found it in this series, we shall see.
This has a slight retelling of King Arthur and Camelot but with many, many twists on it, I’m so here for it. Morgan, the passed over princess lives in a world of deception, violence, and fear. Fear for herself, fear for her little brother Kaye, fear of her heritage, and fear for the people of Camelot. Her brother the King orders her away on a quest to obtain a powerful weapon, escorted only by two of his men, one of whom is Kairos Draven. Draven, a newly appointed royal guard and all around surly grump, has his own agenda but does seek to keep Morgan safe on their journey. Honestly I truly did like book one, which ends on a cliffhanger but book two is available so that’s my next read 😁. There is not a lot of romance or steam in book one but from what I gather this is a slow burn that will definitely pick up in steam/spice in the next books.

I went into this book expecting something quite different than what I received. The story quickly pulled me in and kept me interested. The villainous characters really made my blood boil, and that always has been a mark of a good writer to me. It’s one thing to write likable characters, but another thing completely to write truly hateful baddies.
There were some truly humerus moments as well, with the dialogue between Morgan and Draven making me laugh aloud multiple times.
I must say that I’m glad that the next book is available because that ending was a rather rude cliffhanger.

Thank you so much Victory Editing and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book.

God I ate this up in like 2 days. It’s like if From Blood and Ash had a Fae love child with a King Arthur retelling. I loved it.

The writing style was super easy to read, and it was pretty fast paced.
I liked the characters and I’m invested in what happens to them.
And the ending?!?
I’m so glad I rushed to put in my NetGalley request for the next 3 books because I need to know what happens next!

*I received this book for free to celebrate the release of the fourth book in the series, but all opinions are my own.*

WOW! I had high hopes for this series and let me tell you so far they have absolutely been met. I love the characters and the plot. It’s all so amazing. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book.

I’m immediately starting the next book. I’d classify this as ending on a huge cliffhanger so make sure to be prepared for that (def have the second book waiting for you!!).

Just when you think you know, you definitely don’t. Such an amazing story I could not put down!

First half of the book was definitely world building and laying history. The second half was super fast-paced!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5)
Spice: 🌶️ (0.5-1)

It's almost unbelievable that I've never come across "Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn before - the first book in the Blood of a Fae series. How could such a captivating and well-crafted fantasy novel have flown under my radar for so long?

The thing that really impressed me about "Queen of Roses" was Boleyn's writing. This author has such a way with words - the prose is so rich and immersive, but never in a way that feels heavy-handed or indulgent. The Prologue is short and intriguing, almost poetic. The world she's built is really intricate but easy to follow and it never slows the story down or makes you feel bogged in the details. I usually tend to avoid retellings but I must admit there wasn't a second in this book where I compared the story to its original inspiration. The plot is quite unique and the way the author took the tale of King Arthur to create a whole new story was really smart.

I also loved how diverse all the characters were. At the center of it all is our FMC Morgan - a heroine who defies the tired tropes of the "sassy brat" that so often plague female leads in fantasy. Morgan is strong and resilient, yes, but she's also deeply vulnerable in ways that make her incredibly relatable. She's clearly endured her fair share of trauma, but her perseverance and value-driven nature shine through, even when her future seems completely out of her control. She's a complex, multifaceted character that you can't help but root for. Next to her, we have the morally grey Draven, the innocent Kaye, the villainous Florian and Arthur, the confident and strong Lancelet, and the genuinely good-hearted Galahad. It's such a wonderfully varied group.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the slow-burn romance that emerges between Morgan and Draven. Too many fantasy romance novels these days rely on the insta-love trope, but Boleyn takes the time to build a genuine, believable connection that slowly develops. I did not expect that there would be any steam as Boleyn mentioned in her introduction that this is something to be seen in future books but I would still give it a tiny 1 on my spice level.

Overall, I am really, really satisfied with this book - what a beautiful and unexpected surprise. The book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts which created quite the suspense but thankfully the sequels are already out & downloaded!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This review reflects my own and unbiased opinion.

This is my second reading of Queen of Roses as I knew the fourth part is coming soon and I wanted to revisit the books once again so that I would be able to enjoy the upcoming book.

I entered the world of Queen of roses thinking it is a retelling of Arthurian fantasy as the description says but I feel that description doesn't do justice to the book or better yet author has just used the names but I did not really find similar theme but just the names of the characters and maybe some old references like Excalibur. So yeah there are few similarities but I wouldn't consider this as Arthurian retelling. It just has totally different vibes.

But saying that does not make any difference to the overall book. The world building in this book is strong, characters although I wouldn't say well developed but they have been given enough time to feel for them. Female protagonist Morgan gets frustratingly annoying as the story proceeds. Her naivety about a lot of things is blinding. At points it feels that she is getting better at being a smart princess yet she disappoints very often. And yet one starts connecting with her.

The end twist was good. I had a nagging feeling since the introduction of the character Vesper that he is not who he is letting on so the reveal did not really shock me. But still the end sequence of action was really good which saved most of the book for me.

Overall definitely recommended. Now time to hop into second as the cliffhanger of this one was totally worth the attention.

Thank you netgalley and starwater press for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you for the ARC copy of this book. I was excited to read it! Unfortunately I have had to DNF at 40% which I am gutted I have to do. The plot and the premise were enjoyable and I can see what the author is going for. However, the descriptions of plot, worldbuilding, areas of the book were too much and I had issues with the characters.
The FMC wanted to present as a powerful one and some scene she did but in the next she would bend to the will of men and I found it really disappointing to read and confusing. I felt there was zero connection between the love interests and I did not particularly feel invested in them getting together.
I also feel there was no reason for the book to have such descriptive scenes without trigger warnings. One of the scene's felt like it came out of no where and was just brushed under the carpet.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book, the plot was interesting but the characters and the writing fell flat for me.

Ohh the tension, great slow burn romance!!

Fae story with a touch of everything I love such as magic, dark romance and shocking twists!!

Highly recommend

Book one in the series. I devoured this book and was hooked from the beginning. A King Arthur theme but Morgans story?! I was so excited to read this.

I loved the friendships and parts of her family. I was excited to see how the original story changed a little bit and the plot twist kept me on my toes.

I really loved the characters and their development throughout. I loved Morgan so much, she has been through so much and is determined to get through it and save the ones she loves. I was so happy to see how she caught for herself and grew in confidence.

Kairos I loved him from the moment we met him. I don’t want to say too much and ruin anything but I can not wait to see what more we learn about him in the next book.

I am always looking for a new fantasy series to disappear into and this one checked all the boxes. I can not wait to read the next book after that cliffhanger. 😩

- Enemies to Lovers
- Only one bed
- Touch her and ☠️
- Who did this to you
- Forced proximity
- Found family

You can watch my reviews at:

https://www.youtube.com/@EnchantedRoseBooks

I received an ARC provided by NetGalley.

This is a new to me Author and I believe this is their debut novel? I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I really enjoy a good dark fantasy romance (which I wouldn't necessarily say this is DARK but it does have some dark tones).

I don't want to spoil anything but I do want to say that the first part of this book (maybe 40-50%) had me coming out of the story a bit because I felt like there was just so much talking and not alot of showing going on. I know this was meant to be world building but it wasn't grabbing my full attention.

HOWEVER, the book took a turn and I was gripped, I couldn't stop devouring this book and by the end of it I was reaching for the 2nd book in this series. (THANK GOODNESS I received an ARC copy from Netgalley for all 4 books because I couldn't wait!).

If you love a fantasy romance that deals with the fae, an Arthurian retelling but loosely retold and spirals into SO MUCH MORE.

I can't wait to see where this story goes!

I recently was accepted ARC Briar Boleyn's Queen of Roses (and the entire Blood of Fae series) and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. From start to finish, I was completely hooked on this captivating tale that seamlessly blended elements of romance and fantasy.

The first thing that stood out to me about Queen of Roses was the impeccable writing. Boleyn has a way with words that instantly transports you into the magical world she has created. The vivid descriptions and intricate world-building had me completely immersed in the story, making it impossible for me to put the book down.

But what truly sets this book apart is its expert use of cliffhangers. Each chapter left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. Boleyn has a knack for leaving just enough unanswered questions to keep readers engaged, without feeling frustratingly incomplete.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the romantasy aspect. Boleyn's portrayal of the romantic relationship between the two main characters. It was not a typical love story, but rather a slow burn that built up over time, making their chemistry feel all the more realistic and satisfying.

As I reached the end of Queen of Roses, I found myself wishing there was more to the story. The way Boleyn wrapped up the plot was both satisfying and bittersweet, leaving me eager for more of her enchanting writing.

In conclusion, Queen of Roses is a must-read for fans of romance and fantasy. Boleyn's beautiful writing, clever use of cliffhangers, and well-developed characters make this book an absolute joy to read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and immersive story that will leave you wanting more. Trust me, you won't be able to put this book down.

I would like to thank Briar for allowing me to read the entire series as an ARC through netgalley. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!!

As part of the celebration of Briar Boleyn's release of her fourth book of this series, I had the privilege of reading this through NetGalley. Thank you very much to both NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. Now onto my first NetGalley review!

The first part of this book was the main reason that this did not get a 4 star and above. I found the situation setups especially with her brother were strange and didn't seem believable. It felt like he was being forced into this villain role. I also found Morgan to be a bit harsh especially to a potential love interest that made it hard to like her. One aspect I did find interesting was the religion aspect. I found it very interesting and different

The second part of the book tho... Once the quest started, I couldn't put it down and fully intend to read the second one. I loved the creatures and how the world evolved in this portion.

Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend to people who are looking for a medieval, fantasy romance that has little spice.

Queen of Roses is a great start to this series by Briar Boleyn. It was a quick read for me and some of the plot twists surprised me! The first part of the book focuses on the world building, which I expect and after that, it was hard not to keep reading and finish it! I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, especially after that cliffhanger ending!

I'd definitely recommend this book and series for fantasy/romantasy fans or if you love enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burns, or legend retelling books! It will not disappoint you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwater Press for allowing me to read and review a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and honest.

➸ 3.75 stars ★
Prepare to be whisked away into a world where magic blooms, alliances are as fragile as petals, and love can be as prickly as a thorn bush. I want to start by talking about Draven because this man deserves it. He’s the epitome of a walking, talking green flag; sure, he’s a morally grey grump, but he’s that annoyingly cute and thoughtful kind of grump that you can’t help but fall for. His relentless push for Morgen to be stronger, fiercer, and more independent was downright entertaining and supportively cute. Their romance build-up made me want to roll my eyes and give them applause because it’s so slow, and when I mean slow, I mean really slow. However, I loved their dynamics because he was like Morgan’s mentor or rather ‘apprentice’ she never knew she needed and could always trust, no matter the circumstances.

While the pacing may be lacking in the early chapters as the world is established, the story picks up momentum in the latter half, and things escalate quickly; the pacing picks up, and you’re hurtling down a thrilling rollercoaster of political intrigue, evil characters, and heart-pounding danger. One of the definite highlights of the book is its enchanting and immersive world-building. Boleyn paints a richly detailed landscape, a world that comes alive with its diverse characters, each with their own motivations and secrets.

However, the book is not without its flaws. Our main female lead, Morgan, starts off a tad on the naïve side. Her trust and reliance on others are frustrating because she keeps forgetting that she is a princess, particularly in the early stages of her journey. But as the story progressed, I was so glad to see Morgan blossom into her full potential, becoming powerful as hell without even knowing.

Additionally, introducing a love triangle subplot feels somewhat forced and detracts from the overall impact of Morgan’s and Draven’s love story. I know the love triangle served its purpose, but it was hard for people like me who were really attached to Draven to get through. While Vesper’s character was undeniably intriguing initially, the instant lust felt like a thorn in my side; please don’t forget that this situation served a purpose in the grand scheme of things. I guess I just wanted Morgan to appreciate Draven a little bit more. I love that man.

Despite the minor shortcomings, this book promises great things to come, and I’m already obsessed with the ending. I have a strong feeling that I’ll get to appreciate Draven in all his glory in the next book, and I’m ready for the adventure. Needless to say, I’ll immediately pick up the next book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Briar Boleyn, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate it.

This is such a great start to a series! Morgan is a part fae princess in a land where being fae is not considered a good thing. Her father, the previous king, deemed her unfit for the throne due to her fae blood, and gave the throne to her younger half brother instead, who is ruthless and uncaring, for his family and his citizens. Morgan is then sent on a dangerous journey to retrieve a magical item her brother desires, and finds some answers about her life and the world she lives in, many questions, and a bit of romance along the way too.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am so excited for the next one in the series. I would absolutely recommend this to fantasy and romantasy readers - especially people who enjoyed From Blood and Ash.

Thank you to NetGalley and Starwater Press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my review!

Wow! This was AMAZING! Seriously im writing this review as fast as I can so I can start the next. The twists were shocking. I absolutely love Morgan! This was beautifully written and the flow of it was spectacular. I seriously couldn’t put it down. This will be one I remember and tell everyone about.

•Queen Of Roses•
—————————

~~ “I would burn for you, Morgan. You’ve set me aflame…”

“Then let the flames consume us.” ~~

Rating: 5 out of 5
Steam: 3 out of 5
Spice: 2 out of 5 (minor spicy but I’m feeling some bomb spice in the future 👀)
Emotional Damage: This entire book was an emotional ride. From the beginning to end. The amount of times my heart was gripped, torn, rewoven together just to be torn apart at the end yet again! I could not see what was coming here except for that final betrayal that I was screaming through my kindle trying to knock some sense into our MCs head which adds to the emotional damage.

---I mean that you seem perfectly suited to a life of pious martyrdom, Princess. You've made the perfect choice." ---

Game of Thrones and From Blood and Ash meets Athurian legend in dark fantasy tale by Briar Boleyn. This book was such a thrilling adventure. The constant twist and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, nose into my kindle, so far one could probably see my foundation stains on the screen from the amount of times I bopped myself on the head with it.

I never thought I would read an Arthurian fantasy where I would despise King Arthur but this was it. This was such a suspenseful work of art I just could not put it down. I think my jaw stayed glued to the floor since the first chapter because holy hell was this a ride.

Morgan Pendragon is our FMC, the eldest daughter of the King followed by her two brothers. Kaye and Arthur.

The King? Worthless trash. His constant prejudices ruined his life and led to the insanity that takes place in Queen of Roses.

~~"I balk at the prospect of my sister being slaughtered like a pig in an alley. You made me look like a fool, Morgan. You made us look weak." ~~

Taking up Trashcans mantle we have Arthur. King Trash Arthur. I kept hoping somehow or somewhere I would get to like him but nope. He was consistently irking me just around every chapter. He was pigheaded, sick, tyrannical and downright disgusting.

Kaye.. sweet Kaye. I can't wait to see him again in book two, he is just too sweet for this world and I hope he gets out of his brothers clutches before something bad happens.

Morgan has so much strength in this book. The absolute shit she goes through and still she pushes through it like a badass. She should have been Queen. The vast differences between her and Arthur prove how much more right she was for Camelot but her father's prejudice had her disregarded and set for the Temple where Arthur became heir. The fact that after all the crap her brother put her through she still loved him. It broke my heart to see his constant rejection of her. I was so grateful that she had Kaye.

~~ "Stop. Is that his fucking name? Is that his fucking name on you?"~~

Draven has got to be our Male lead here and I will accept no less. He was by far my favorite. Everything he said was gold and everything he does for Morgan had me melting. I was so sus of him throughout the whole book unsure of what to expect out of him but at the end he had really no competition. I am feeling the slow burn between them but when that little idiot, Vesper came in this bisch with his little lute. Girllllllllll I was screaming. The amount of times I wanted to yeet him off the pages. He was almost worse than Florian, which don't get me started on him.. he deserved worse than what he got ugh! I am just so happy our girl got back at both of them! Hopefully in book two we see some more Draven/Morgan.

~~ "Stop taming the battlecat, she's a killing machine. Not a house pet."

-"Says the man who snuggled beside her all night."~~

The ending was insane! So many cliffhangers! I have to race over to book two because I need so many answers.

•Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review and thank you Briar Boleyn for introducing me to this amazing world you created! Can't wait for more!•

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn

Solid 4 stars (only because the first part was a bit too slow).

Enemies to lovers
Romantasy
Legend retelling

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I came upon this book (actually it was book 4 that I came across and I was lucky to get to review all four books at once). This is a slightly dark and twisted retelling of the Arthurian legend (not normally my thing), but this GRIPPED me right from the start where Morgan watches her father kill her mother, to her warrior training, her friends, her deranged brother, her reluctance to join the temple and goddesses, her love of the people, her sedition, her tormentor, and his subsequent comeuppance! Briar had a lot of world building / scene setting to do and the epic journey didn’t start until halfway through the book, but she still managed to add a few more characters to the mix.

I can’t wait to get stuck into book 2!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for sending this digital book for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.