"The Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn is set in the enchanting world of Eskira and follows the story of Morgan Pendragon within the Rose Court of Camelot. The novel centres on Morgan, a strong and complex protagonist, as she navigates the intricacies of court life, political intrigue, and her own destiny.

Morgan's journey is fraught with challenges as she grapples with her family's legacy, her magical abilities, and the power struggles within Camelot. As she strives to protect those she loves and secure her place in the court, Morgan must confront dark secrets, dangerous alliances, and her own inner demons. The novel blends elements of Arthurian legend with fresh twists, creating a rich tapestry of romance, mystery, and adventure.

Briar Boleyn crafts a vivid and immersive world, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The lush descriptions and emotional depth make "The Queen of Roses" a compelling read for fans of fantasy and Arthurian tales.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development, especially Morgan's evolution throughout the story. After a bit of a slow start during the world building, the novel had me completely engrossed and I immediately began reading the next book in the series. "The Queen of Roses" is a must-read for anyone who loves rich, character-driven fantasy stories.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and The starwater press for providing me a free e-copy of Queen of roses.

"Queen of Roses" starts with an intriguing premise and a lush, well-crafted setting that promises a rich and immersive fantasy experience and providing a vibrant backdrop that initially captivates the reader. Unfortunately, the novel fails to deliver a satisfying story.

From the outset, the story relies heavily on overused fantasy tropes that quickly become tiresome. The lack of originality in the plot progression detracts from the initial allure of the book's premise. The writing is another significant drawback. Dialogue between characters lacks authenticity and fails to convey the intended emotions, making it difficult to engage with the story on a deeper level.

Coming to the protagonist, who is meant to be a strong and inspiring figure, comes across as weak and bland. She is depicted as a passive character, reacting to events rather than driving the plot forward. Her lack of backbone and agency makes it challenging to root for her or become invested in her journey. Despite being positioned as the titular "Queen of Roses," she rarely demonstrates the leadership, courage, or determination one would expect from such a central figure. Instead, she often fades into the background, overshadowed by secondary characters.

Overall, the story had the potential to be a compelling addition to the fantasy genre, with its promising premise and richly imagined setting. But as mentioned above, the overreliance on clichés, subpar writing, and the weak portrayal of the female protagonist ultimately undermined the story.

Book Review: Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn

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*Queen of Roses* by Briar Boleyn is a captivating read featuring Morgan Pendragon with a fae twist. The rich, immersive setting and compelling plot kept me hooked. Some pacing issues aside, the unexpected twists made it worthwhile. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Camelot reimagining with Fae! Yes, please. This is book one in a series, and I ate it up. I loved the premise and story line, I’m so invested in the characters and see a ton of potential for their character arcs. We’ve got romance, a quest, badass females, a dark mysterious MMC, unrealized powers. I’m ready to dive into book 2 immediately!

Hey Book friends! 📚✨ I just finished a fun romantasy and had to share! It started off amazingly—I was hooked from the get-go. The slow-burn romance gave me all the feels, and the fae twist added a unique touch!

The main storyline had so much potential, but it could use a bit more depth and character development to really shine. Some parts were a little predictable, but it was still an enjoyable read overall. One critique is that the relationship between the two main characters could have used more development.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and Starwater Press for the ARC!

Just finished a reread of "Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn and wow, what a ride! Briar has created a world where dark magic and Arthurian legends come to life, and Morgan Pendragon is right in the thick of it. I remembered quickly how I got sucked into this series the first time I read it.

The chemistry between Morgan and Draven? Off the charts! Their banter is both hilarious and intense, keeping me on the edge. Each twist and turn in their story adds layers of intrigue and emotion.

Wrapped up the book and now I’m desperately moving on to the next one! Briar, you've got me hooked. If you love a good dark fantasy with strong characters and an epic love story, you need to dive into this series. It’s a must-read!

So, I'm not really sure how to rate this because I loved the witty and sarcastic banter(that's my language) and I liked the characters BUT I was so annoyed at all the mashed up names and how this was supposed to be an a King Arthur retelling. This was not even a loose retelling, and I've read alot of them, along with fairytale retellings, and never been annoyed like this. I wish I wasn't so annoyed by the names because I did like the story and would like to continue the rest of the series, but I don't know if I will or not.
I got this from Netgalley but ended up having the Amazon book also. These opinions are my own.

Queen of Roses isn't necessarily a sophisticated or even well written but it does have an interesting premise. Think Camelot but ad dark fae. Overall it's relatively entertaining

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is a captivating entry into the Blood of a Fae series that effortlessly pulls readers into a mesmerizing fae world. With its rich storytelling and intricate world-building, this novel is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance, especially those who adored A Court of Thorns and Roses.

From the very first page, Boleyn’s masterful writing hooks the reader. The plot is engaging and fast-paced, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The protagonist's journey is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly flipping pages to see what happens next.

One of the standout aspects of Queen of Roses is its world-building. Boleyn has crafted a vivid and intricate fae realm that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. The descriptions are lush and immersive, painting a world that readers can easily get lost in. The political intrigue, magical elements, and diverse fae creatures add layers of complexity to the story, making it a truly rich reading experience.

The characters are another highlight of the novel. They are well-developed and relatable, each with their own distinct personalities and arcs. The romance is compelling and adds an emotional depth to the narrative that will resonate with readers. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their interactions are both heartfelt and intense.

Overall, Queen of Roses is a stunning start to what promises to be a fantastic series. Briar Boleyn has established herself as a formidable voice in the fantasy romance genre. This book is not just a read; it’s an experience that fans of fae fantasy will not want to miss. If you’re looking for a story that combines enchanting world-building, captivating romance, and thrilling adventure, then Queen of Roses is the book for you. Highly recommended!

This was a really descriptive, exciting romantasy that I couldn’t put down. It does have similarities to ACOTAR as said in other reviews but is also very unique in its own way and the world building was top tier.

Queen of Roses is great for those of us who love ACOTAR, as it has many of the same tropes we all love. I really felt like I could picture the world, which is important to me when reading fantasy. The world building is set up really well, and I am so excited to continue the series as it was full of action and left us with a cliff hanger. Thank you to NetGalley, Starwater Press, and author Briar Boleyn for the chance to read this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Overall, "Queen of Roses" is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy romance, offering a mesmerizing journey that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the series. With its lush prose, intricate storytelling, and unforgettable characters, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who venture into its enchanted world.

A fantastic twist to the Camalot love story we all know so well. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series

What a brilliant book. After so long in a reading slump, this enemies to lovers had me reading long into the night. I cannot wait to see how this story continues!

This was a surprisingly excellent twist on Arthur and Camelot! I can't wait to read the rest of the series

I received this ARC by Netgalley in exchange for feedback and a honest review. Life has never been fair for Morgan Pendragon. Her brother Arthur has always been in the spotlight and was given the spot as King even though the spot belong to her. Morgan has always been an outcast due to her fae blood. When her brother gives her a task and makes her seek out a legendary weapon called Excalibur, she is accompanied by Draven. Draven is supposed to protect her, but is dangerous and only looks out for himself or so she thought. I loved all the characters especially Morgan, Lancelet, and Draven. The banter between the two was quite funny. Morgan throughout the story starts coming into her own and learning that through their quest that she's more than just Arthur's sister. Draven has to be my favorite. I love a dangerous, misunderstood, bad guy with a past. Thats exactly what he is and starts to have a softer side as the book progresses. The only thing I did not like was the slow start. It took me until about 40% to really start getting into the story. It was a lot of background information and world building. I had to stop a few times and put it down, but once I got halfway through, I was able to devour it within a day. Overall, the story was entertaining, the characters were relatable, and I loved the ending. It left me wanting more! I had no idea this was a series, but Im super excited to start book 2.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to the first three books of this series in anticipation of the fourth coming out in exchange for an honest review. Well, I'm going to be honest. I really, really dislike this series. The FMC of this book Morgan is rightfully the queen but before her father died promised her to the temple and made her younger brother king. I'm not sure how to even put into words my annoyance with Morgan. While she seemed like she was going to be fighter the whole time she did what everyone told her to do, much to her own detriment. I struggled to get through this book, I didn't feel like anything other than her being abused over and over by more than one person in more than one way was the whole plot, then she falls for the first guy to give her the time of day and acts all lovey to her. UGH just so much wrong I'm not sure how this has so many positive reviews. I almost DNF'ed but I was determined to finish in the hopes that the next book would be better because I have them all ready to go.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook to celebrate the release of the fourth and final book in the series. While I enjoyed the storyline, I did not enjoy the writing style. Reading several one line sentences made me want to skip entire pages. Having read the second book, this first one was a good slow burn intro to the series.

#BloodofaFaeSeries #NetGalley

Briar is a new to me author and though I don’t think she is a debut author, I believe this was her debut into fantasy! This book drew me in easily and it kept me hooked from the start. Lots of action, slow burn. Wonderful world building. I will definitely be reading the next two in this trilogy because eh just have to see where this takes us!

This book sucked me in right from the very start. I wouldn't necessarily call it a pageturner, but it felt like I was stepping foot into a fairytale with an Arthurian twist. I absolutely loved it!

Even with a slower pace, I found myself invested in the story and the characters, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what lies ahead. The world and the magic were so interesting and unique, despite taking inspiration from legends, and I enjoyed all of the different twists and turns.

I will say that you can definitely tell that this is the first book in a series. The story was very much settling the reader into this world. And even though Morgan was frustrating at times, I think that's really more to do with her eventual character development rather than any true character flaw.

All in all, I thought this was a great read, and I truly enjoyed it! I can't wait to dive into book #2!