This is the first book in the Blood of a Fae series by Briar Boleyn. I haven't read anything else by this author and was excited to give this a try. This is a well-developed romantasy with intriguing characters. This has ties to Camelot which was a cool direction to take the story. I liked the pacing and the development of the characters. There was very little spice in this book, but I'm hoping that will increase in the next installment.

This book was amazing!!!! I loved this world and the twist of the King Arthur legend. I’m so excited to see the romance bloom in the next book. I loved the twists and turns and how crazy the end was!

i LOVE the legend of arthur and the knights of the round table. one of my favorite shows of all time is merlin. the lore of this story is so fantastic. i was so so excited by the idea of a story about morgan pendragon (morgana) and seeing her from a perspective other than the eternalized villain.

boleyn writes her as complex and nuanced, a very ambitious woman with a deep sense of self and much love to give. morgan is strong willed and fights against the patriarchy. personally, im always gonna stand 10 toes down behind a woman dismantling archaic and misogynist foundations! i loved the characters and was such a fan of this new perspective on a timeless tale. can’t wait to keep going with this series!

This may be a story of the famous King Arthur, but this is definitely not the childhood tale you remember. The kingdom is at the brink of war, and the people live in peril under harsh rule. Morgan is the king’s sister but has been treated as an outcast due to her partial fae blood. After a life of hardship, she is forced by her brother to leave her friends and set off on a long and dangerous journey to retrieve a magical object. Morgan knows the king is not to be trusted, and along the way she faces dangerous enemies, uncovers layers of betrayal, and starts to learn who her real enemies are.

I really enjoyed this book, it puts an interesting spin on a magical childhood tale and brings it into a dark adult world. Morgan overcomes great suffering at the hands of those who should have protected her and her survival and then growth is satisfying. I felt a lot of emotions reading about her journey and the experiences of a kingdom living in fear. I have to say I was somewhat surprised by the directions the story took and was interested the whole way through! I was glad to see that it was a series because I was hoping it would continue!

A tragic romance, a perilous quest, and a kingdom teetering on the edge of war.

This series kicks off with a rich tapestry of political drama and immersive world-building, drawing inspiration from the legends of Arthur and Camelot. The author really invests time in crafting a vivid setting that pulls you right in.

Morgan is our leading lady, navigating a world that seems to conspire against her, even though she comes from a privileged background. She’s constantly under fire and often just takes it all in stride. There were moments when I found myself wishing she’d stand up for herself more, as she often undervalues her own worth. When her ruthless brother sends her on a mission, it opens up a whole new realm for Morgan, and I really enjoyed watching her character evolve.

There are two potential love interests in the story—one sparks instantly (or maybe it’s just lust), while the other develops slowly, with a bit of enemies-to-lovers tension. Romance isn’t the main focus in this first installment; it’s definitely a gradual build.

The plot twists, character development, and world-building are all top-notch, setting the stage perfectly for the rest of the series.

4 ⭐️

It's been a while since I've read a series that's a true slow burn, I've missed it. This is definitely giving all the vibes of a romance that's going to take a while to develop.

I wasn't expecting this to be a camelot reimagining, but I enjoyed that aspect, and lancelet quickly became a character I liked. Morgan having that female friendship is important in showing us a bit more of her personality and providing some lighter moments.

As far as the plot goes, I felt this was really well paced. Sometimes books with a journey in can drag, but there's enough happening that i never felt bored.

I thought i had predicted the plot twist, but then that last chapter happened now. I can't wait to pick the next one up. I'm hoping we're going to get some much needed world building on the magic system going forward as it's unclear at the moment.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

In this captivating tale, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

Check your trigger warnings for this one! That aside, this book is perfect if you’re looking for a spicy Romantasy. I really enjoyed this book and it just got better as the book went on. The world building was captivating. After that cliffhanger I’m so ready for book 2!

Queen of Roses was okay, but if there hadn't been the 2nd and 3rd book out when I picked it up, it wouldn't have been memorable enough for me to come back and revisit the series later down the road. The Merlin retelling was different compared to other retellings, but I was just so mad at what happened in the end.

The premise is brilliant, but the way it is carried out is so underwhelming. The storyline is predictable, the characters are underdeveloped, and there is little depth. Much more could have been done with the writing. I could not complete this book because of the uncomfortable way the author described the dialogue. It feels awkward.

Thank you to Netgalley and Starwater Press for the e-arc.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this book and the subsequent ones in the series. The author's writing style is captivating and immediately draws you in. The unique twist on the retelling adds excitement while maintaining a sense of familiarity. The world-building is skillfully integrated, enhancing the story without bogging it down with unnecessary details. Overall, it's been a delightful read!

at first thought, i assumed it would be a basic fantasy book but bro you dont know what you're missing out on!! the entirety of this book I could relate to morgan so much, ALL the men in her life had taken advantage of her, abusing her, humiliating her, SAing her and all sorts of bullcrap. her response to this was the extremely realistic!!

the writing for this was extremely easy to read, i didn't feel like i was forcing myself to keep going because it was continuously interesting.

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into the world building and didn’t vibe with the characters. I know avid fantasy readers would probably love it though. I am sad I didn’t love it but we can’t win them all.

I enjoyed this book. I was hooked form the very beginning and can't wait to continue the series. Thank you for letting me read it.

Love love love this book and starting book 2 right after this review!!

This is an Arthurian retelling, but with a twist. The way this authors changes up the characters from the stories we know so well gives a fresh take on it that I really enjoyed. It was a whole new story on its own and I devoured it!! This story has so much world building without making me feel overwhelmed and I felt I was there the entire time. Draven was my favorite the moment he walked and then the moment he Who did this to you, you just knew he was the one! My favorite part of this book was reading about Morgan and learning who she is and the strength she finds within herself. And then that ending omg I have to go now to read to know what happens next!!!

Camelot retelling with fae twist.

It has potential tho I might say Book 1 is a bit draggy and it only gets interesting in Book 2. Only that I wish there were more character's depths and their development. I just couldn't sense the chemistry between Morgan and her friends, or Morgan with Kaye.

But you know what, I am totally invested in this series.

Thank you NetGalley & publisher for this eARC.

"Queen of Roses" offers an intriguing blend of fantasy elements, with a doomed love story and a kingdom on the brink of war. While the slow-burn romance and morally gray characters add depth, the story may be challenging for some due to mature content. Overall, a promising start to a new series.

I was so excited to read this but this is not actually the book? i don’t know what happened this is not even a blurb. i’m going to read it on kindle unlimited since i’ve seen it’s available. in the meantime i’ll leave a prediction rating

Um hello!!!

I absolutely ADORED thins book. The plot, the characters, the worldbuilding! It was a beautifully written book that I thoroughly enjoyed.


4.5/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me this arc

From the world-building to the character development, the plot twists, and everything in between, this book had me captivated from the beginning. I cannot wait to see what else is in store for Morgan and Drave