Queen of Roses: A Dark Fae Fantasy Romance (Blood of a Fae Book 1)

Wow, I think this may be my latest fantasy obsession! I was completely hooked from the opener and I am already halfway through the second book- if that isn't the hallmark of a brilliant series then I don't know what is!Queen of Roses is an Arthurian retelling set in a corrupt, exciting, morally grey fantasy world captured excellently by Boleyn. The world building in this book was perfectly paced in my opinion; it wasn't completely rammed down readers' throats leaving them lost and confused, but nor was it dragged out through endless paragraphs of dreary lore. Speaking of lore, it was seamlessly woven in throughout this novel and didn't become overwhelming or a slog at any point. I was particularly in love with the darkness, twists and turns, and battle of the lesser evils portrayed through Boleyn's Camelot and beyond.Another thing I absolutely loved in this book is just how real the characters felt and I loved the spin taken on this classic story, particularly both Lancelot (Lancelet) and Merlin being woman. This completely worked for me and the use of powerful, strong women always gets me every time. Our main character, Morgan, is a brilliant protagonist and the prime example of a strong woman. I loved how likeable she was right from the start and she wasn't fighting for a man but to bring justice for her people, particularly those who do not have the means or power to help themselves. I cannot wait to see how Morgan's character continues to develop throughout the rest of the series. Moving on to the men in this book, starting with Vesper. Vesper really annoyed me throughput this book but I'm pretty sure that was what Boleyn intended so I've got to hand it to her. Kairos on the other hand, well hello there! I am really intrigued to see where his character arc is going but my gosh, is this man sexy!The LGBTQ+ representation in this book was great to see and I am loving the increasing inclusion within the fantasy genre, let's hope we get even more inclusive romance moving on through the series. I am also really hoping for even more spicy and steaminess as the series progresses, however what we were treated to in this book was chef's kiss!Overall, thank you Briar Boleyn for this incredible addition to the fantasy genre and I cannot wait to explore the rest of the Blood of a Fae series!

Honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect reading the blurb (and I was a little worried that this might be a very surface level, overly cliche fantasy romance) but this was honestly so much better than I was expecting and I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of Roses. It’s a solid 4 star read for me and I will absolutely be picking up the next installment (Court of Claws)There are a couple of disclaimers that I think are important here though;It’s posed as a dark fantasy romance and while I do think that’s accurate this is not the sort of romance that we are seeing flood this genre right now. It’s a slow burn. Don’t expect instant love and graphic scenes the moment the love birds are alone because this just isn’t that sort of tale. I think that while the romance is very central, the plot tries really hard to assert itself so if you’re purely interested in the romance aspect then this might not be the right fit.Just like the romance being a slow burner the whole pace of the book is slow (Which surprised me honestly given what actually happens in the book and the blurb mentioning it being action packed). But if you’re not a fan of slower paced reads then this might be one to skip as while I really, really enjoyed it this was a touch too slow even for me (and I love some slower paced reads as they can offer so much space for character development and world building)There’s lots of references to the tale of King Arthur but don’t go into this expecting this to be a retelling of that age old story - there’s a whole magical world that’s been created here with it’s own developing mythology, an amazing caste of characters and it’s own complex plot (I say that so that no one is put off by the King Arthur aspect as I know for me the idea of a King Arthur retelling wouldn’t normally interest me!)I loved how the story developed here and how more and more layers to the world seemed to be slowly revealed as we went on this journey. Morgan discovers more about herself, more about her country, her family, her whole world really and we’re along for the ride. I thought this was actually a really clever way to start introducing some of the magical underpinning to the currentto the world and political climate without there being huge info dumping.I still don’t entirely know how i feel about Morgan, but I think that’s intentional. She’s been closeted away for so long as despite some small acts of rebellion she’s mostly been raised to obey so it makes sense to be that she’s overly subservient throughout. I did feel like she was slowly starting to grow into herself in this book and as she did she definitely became more likable so I’m feeling optimistic for the next books in this series!That ending! While I saw the majority of the twists and turns coming and I knew ‘something’ was going to happen at the end I loved how it ended and that final reveal!!!Overall there was so much potential here and I’m really excited to see how things develop in the next installment. I think Morgan’s character development it really growing on me, I love the twist the plot has taken and I feel like the next installment is going to be so much better.Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the chance to read Queen of Roses in exchange for an honest review.

A doomed love, a dangerous mission and a kingdom on the brink of war.The opener of this series is full of political intrigue and world building. Based loosely on tales of Arthur and Camelot. The author really takes the time to set out and give the reader a feel for this world.Morgan is our female main character. She’s living in a world where everything is stacked against her despite a position of privelage. She’s continually targeted and just seems to take it all. At times I was frustrated with her and wanted her to fight back. She seemed to think she was worth so little. When she is sent on a mission but her cruel brother it opens a whole new world to Morgan and I loved seeing her character grow and develop.There are two potential love interests in this book - one is insta love (or lust) and the other a real slow burn with some enemies to lovers thrown into the mix. Romance is not the focus of this first book at all and it’s a real slow burn overall.The plot twists, characters and world building in this book are brilliant and it feels like a great set up for the rest of the series.

This one has been on my tbr for far too long, I'm actually annoyed at how long it took me to read it!Queen Of Roses was fantastic! An Arthurian legend retelling with fae - what's not to like?So much depth with the different characters. Poor Morgan, she's not had the best time of it really. Her brother Arthur is horrible to put it mildly, especially when she's only ever wanted to be his sister. Eurgh I hate him and I hope he gets what's coming to him in the most satisfying way possible.I have thoughts and suspicions based on what I think is going to happen and I can't wait to find out how far off I am 😂

"Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn is a dark fantasy romance that masterfully combines elements of myth, magic, and romance with a captivating King Arthur retelling infused with a Fae twist. From its intricately woven plot to its compelling characters, this novel delivers an immersive reading experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.At its core, "Queen of Roses" is an enchanting tale of forbidden love and destiny, featuring an exceptionally slow-burn romance that ignites with the intensity of an enemies-to-lovers trope. Against a backdrop of magic and mythical creatures, the story unfolds with tension, banter, and forced proximity, drawing readers into a world filled with love, friendships, self-discovery, and betrayal.While the novel excels in world-building, character development, and plot intricacies, some readers may yearn for a bit more fire and spice in certain aspects of the narrative. However, the promise of future developments in the series offers hope for an even more dynamic and engaging story to come. I know I personally cannot wait to get into book 2.With a cliffhanger ending that leaves hearts racing and minds reeling, "Queen of Roses" succeeds in immersing readers from start to finish. Its dark and twisted fantasy elements are expertly balanced with moments of adventure, action, and unexpected twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.As the story delves into complex themes and explores the depths of its characters' struggles and desires, it's important to note that "Queen of Roses" may contain triggering content. Readers are advised to check the trigger warnings before diving into this captivating tale.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.I want to extend a heartfelt shoutout to the author for granting me the opportunity to dive into "Queen of Roses" through NetGalley. It has been an absolute pleasure to explore the captivating world and characters crafted with such skill and imagination. Thank you for entrusting me with this glimpse into your enchanting world.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5🌶/5The Queen of Roses book was a great read.The world building is good but could be better. I found sometimes, it felt just vaguely described, which isn’t great since I am one of those readers that loves a vivid description. I could see this type of storytelling to be one many people would like though as many don’t love pages of descriptions like I do. I just wish there was more.The character development was great. I felt like the right amount of information was divulged throughout the story. Let’s get into the different characters!Morgan is the sister of King Arthur and is sent on a journey to get a magical relic and return it to her brother. As it is a retelling, or at least based on Arthurian mythologies, it is pretty clear that the relic is Excalibur. She has some great character development in this first book, going from a girl with no hopes to escape a fate she doesn’t want to then transform into a girl who holds her fate and future in her own hands. She faces betrayal, love, and more in this first book and comes out stronger than I would have guessed. She is a great example of women stepping up when no one else will.Draven is this dark and brooding male main character that all of us love. From his grumpy exterior to the small glimpses of his heart beneath it all, we are in for a wild ride from the first meeting until the last. I cannot wait to see if his character continues to evolve in the future.Morgan has two heartfelt friends in this story and I think it will be crucial to the plot line and story to see how they continue to play a role. As is reflected also in the character of Merlin.This story is fast-paced, addictive, and will surely be an epic to continue to watch as it unfolds. I think Briar Boleyn has the potential to create something that will be as loved as the ACOTAR series if she continues down this path.

Morgan Pendragon is rumoured to have fae blood and right from her childhood is forced to supress any signs of being fae. She isn't even made queen of Camelot when she is the rightful heir. On her brother, King Arthur's order, she sets out on a quest to find a deadly weapon with none other than our mmc, the mysterious Kairos Draven.-Arthurian legend is something new to me so I didn't know what to expect while diving into this.-The pacing was very slow but I liked how the author took her time for world building.-Draven is an intriguing character and I'm dying to know more about him.-There was next to no romance between the fmc and mmc, but as a lover of a good slow burn it only left me wanting more and I cannot wait to see more of them.

After a streak of abandoning books, I finally found one that gripped me from the get-go! "Queen of Roses" delves into the Arthurian saga with a fresh twist, focusing on Morgan, Arthur's sister, who navigates life in the shadows of Camelot. Her Fae heritage adds depth to her character as she grapples with rejection. Arthur, depicted as a compelling villain, adds tension to the narrative. When Arthur dispatches Morgan on a quest with the mysterious guard Kairos Daven, the plot thickens. Despite Kairos being the main male character, the absence of an overt romantic relationship adds allure, leaving room for a slow-burn dynamic that keeps readers intrigued. The gradual development of both characters is a highlight, especially as Morgan's growth unfolds. Beware the cliffhanger ending, but it only heightens the anticipation for book 2! Can't wait to delve deeper into this captivating world.