A big thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for granting me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

“Queen of Roses” is an Arthurian-retelling with fae mixed in— it follows Morgan, a part-fae princess of Camelot, as she fights to to help out her struggling kingdom while coming to terms with the fact that her brother, King Arthur, is frankly Not A Good Dude.

If you’re looking for a pretty standard “romantasy” book, I’d suggest this one. The plot and tropes aren’t necessarily unique, but the quality of writing is definitely a step above what I normally see in this genre. The first half felt a bit slow compared to the second half, but the ending really captivated me and I honestly can’t wait for the next book— I’m especially looking forward to learning more of the fae-lore as the series goes on.

This one’s got just a dash of spice— it’s more of a slow-burn start with an expectation of the spice increasing as the series goes on.

Someone help me get my jaw off the floor. This story had so many twists and turns my neck hurts. I enjoyed the thrill of this roller coaster.

Morgan being half-fae intrigued me from the beginning. Scratch that the begging prologue with her Mother was intense, heart breaking and it set the plot up beautiful. The overall pace was satisfying. I didn’t feel like it was rushed and for a short story I thought it was spellbinding.

I was second guessing the love interest the entire time. A morally grey character is my cup of tea but what we got was much darker. Oh my god. That ending was not expected. I’m sorry but I need book two right now!!

You can read this book on Kindle Unlimited and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Fae, Magic and a King Arthur retelling. The cruel King Arthur retelling was simple, different and yet refreshing.

I love the cover. But this book had zero to do with roses except for the fact that there was roses all over the floor of the place. It was like the author wanted to use roses in the title and thats how she incorporated them. The first half of the book was fine. The second half was dull, with no character growth, insta love, and was just all around flat and anticlimactic. I wish in 2023 that writers would stop using A court of...OR Roses in their titles. Giving two stars for the first half of the book. And none for the second half.

I had a good time reading this book! It was engaging and entertaining and had great elements from the story it was inspired by. The story was fast-paced and really embodied the Camelot vibes with a fae twist. I understood the attraction and relation between the FMC and MMC and I liked the banter between them as well. Overall this was a good book, with a bit of a predictable storyline (it reminded me a lot of FBAA), and decent characters. I don't know yet if I will be reading the next book though as it wasn't the most memorable or original story.

Coincidently this is the second Morgan Le Fey/Arthurian mythology retelling that I have read this month, and wow was I not even remotely disappointed. This is genuinely one of my favorite books I have read this month.

I absolutely love Arthurian mythology retellings, and Morgan has always been one of my favorite characters so I have always really cared about her she is depicted in retellings. In this retelling, she is a strong, curious, and bad-ass character and I absolutely loved her. The slow unfolding of her past and even the mystery we are left with at the end of the book has me in a chokehold. I will be buying this book and the next book in the series because it was so good and I need physical copies at this point.

The way this whole story unfolded was quite literally addicting, and I loved the twists, turns, betrayals, and secrets that were uncovered. Every single character was intriguing and had motives of their own, and oftentimes a twisted and secret past. Plus the cliff hanger, brutal and perfect.

So if you also love Morgan Le Fey or Arthurian legends, then this book is a must-read if you are searching for a dark, magic-ridden, steamy fantasy.

I requested this because it was giving King Arthur vibes, which I really like. It's basically along those vibes, Morgan Le Fay, Camelot, etc. but with fae, which is a really interesting twist.

The book itself was decent enough, it felt like the characters could have done with a bit more fleshing out. It reminded me a bit of From Blood and Ash, which isn't a bad thing. There was some good spice!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I enjoyed this book! The plot was fast paced and the fae twist was enjoyable.

I think the book does need more character development with the FMC being a tiny bit annoying sometimes!

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Firstly, I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Morgan Pendragon as the main FMC. She is relatable in so many ways, and through her, I feel like many women can say that they too have shared some of the same experiences. She feels a strong sense of duty to protect her younger brother Kaye from their evil and cunning other brother King Arthur, and we also experience her trials through love, both unwanted and wanted.

I enjoy a nice morally grey guy, and Kairos Draven is certainly that (especially in the last few pages in which my mouth was hanging open trying to process everything)! Together, Draven and Morgan are sent out by King Arthur on a quest to find the legendary sword Excalibur and in the process seem to find and fight all manner of creatures - all the while trying also to fight off any feelings they might also feel for each other.

If you enjoy slow-burn romance, King Arthur retellings, morally grey characters, and quests in a rich fantasy world full of fae, fantastical creatures and magic, then you will love this tale! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series because that cliffhanger definitely left me wanting more.

Thank you to @netgalley and Starwater Press for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Why I loved this Title
-Arthurian tale retelling
-Fae centered
-Some gender bent roles
-fabulous pacing
What I wanted more of
-slightly more character development
-a lighter hand with dialogue tags
Who I recommend this title for
If you love Arthurian retelling with a dash of spice Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn is the right book to pick up.

I LOVE a good retelling, and this was no different. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. While I feel as though the secondary characters could have been more developed, I thought Morgan was well thought out and I felt her fear, anger, and confusion while reading. I will say that some more significant scenes did seem a bit rushed to me and not as fleshed out as they could have been. Additionally, I wish we had continued to see Morgan and Draven’s relationship continue to grow even when Vesper came into the picture. That being said I can not wait to read the next book in the series.

3.5/5

I have read lots of retelling lately, and I know there are several Arthurian retellings too, but this was my first one.

I really liked how the story was reimagined, with magic coming from fae blood and some characters being a different gender than what we are used to. I think the integration of the fae in the story was really well done, even though some twists were quite easy to guess.

I didn't like how villainous Arthur was depicted to be at the end. I liked it at the beginning, where he was this more complex character - just a boy trying to do his best, but not doing great due to the terrible role model he had - and being cruel because of that. Rendering him just plain evil kind of ruined things (I mean, not even doing anything while his sister, who saved him, was being bullied and almost raped? Come on!). I know it's easier to make people hate a character and make them a villain if they are evil, but they lose three-dimensionality. I prefer when you have a villain but you can also understand why the villain did what they did. Anyway, just my personal preference here.

I liked the two main MCs. And their relationship started as my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers and slow burn. But then suddenly things changed and two of my least favorite tropes were added: a love triangle and an insta-love. And okay, there was a reason for the insta-love. But I still didn't care for the other guy. I just wanted him gone XD

And then, out of nowhere, there were zombies? Really? I did not expect that... and I'm still not sure I like it. I don't think it was necessary?
Anyway, yes, there were some things I didn't like. But the second book will be out in a few months. Will I read it? Yes, I probably will. Because so many questions very left at the end and now I need to know what happens next!

🥀Queen of Roses - Briar Boleyn🥀

‘I burn for you Morgan. You’ve set me aflame….’
‘Then let the flames consume us,’
*fan girl scream*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars
🌶️.5 spice


This book is a retelling of King Arthur and Camelot with a fae twist. Fast telling yet slow burn romance, Morgan is a born to an evil human King who murdered her fae mother when she was 5. Morgan was then placed in the care of the Queen.

Morgan gets sent on quest to find a rare fae weapon with two royal guards, one being Draven, captain of the royal guard. Along the way they meet Vesper. Throughout the book Morgan shows attraction and undeniable chemistry with both.

🥀Fae fantasy
🥀Enemies to lovers
🥀Close proximity
🥀King Arthur and Camelot retelling
🥀Great world building

Thank you to Starwater Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

In this unique spin on the King Author of Camelot story, the king’s half-sister, the fae-blooded Morgan, must embark on a quest for the legendary Excalibur.

This book was just what I needed to get out of my slump. The most indigestible part of fantasy books is the world-building portion of the exposition. However, I think this story did a good job establishing where/when/and what was going on right from the get-go. I really appreciated that the exposition didn’t get overwhelmed with unnecessary details and extensive lore. It was easy to follow and have to story pick up from there. I would argue that the world may not be too impressively developed, but the next book comes out June 30th, so I’m not sweating it. I appreciated the MCs relationship dynamics with her friends and family, it felt believable and it was easy to follow. The romance was a bit rushed for my taste and not as drawn out as what would be realistic. Some of this is done on purpose, but I still roll my eyes at “insta-love”. There were also some unexpected horror elements in this that I actually enjoyed! This was a creative spin on a classic tale, available on Kindle Unlimited for anyone who wishes to experience it themselves!

3.5 Stars. Queen of Roses, the first book in the Blood of a Fae series, invites readers to embark on a fantastical journey through a world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests with a diverse cast of characters. Forget what you know about Camelot, this is a brand new perspective that is inspired by the classic tale rather than a retelling. Our journey begins with Morgan Pendragon, older sister to King Arthur, who has been passed over as heir to the throne on account of her part-fae ancestry. She becomes unwittingly thrust into an adventure that may shape the fate of the realm. Merlin is a high priestess, Lancelet is a lady knight in training, and Galahad is an acolyte of the temple. The fae who once ruled have disappeared and all that remains is their abandoned cities and diluted bloodlines. While the initial instalment has its ups and downs, it lays the foundation for an exciting and expansive narrative.
One of the notable strengths of Queen of Roses is it's world-building, while not overly heavy or hard to grasp it is easy to slip into this reimagined Camelot. The author has crafted an immersive universe, complete with detailed lore, unique cultures, and a palpable sense of history. The magic system, though not fully explored in the first book, shows glimpses of complexity and potential, leaving me hungry for deeper revelations in future instalments.
The characters in Queen of Roses are a diverse and intriguing bunch. Morgan shows promise as a protagonist, with enough depth and internal conflict to keep readers invested in her journey. The supporting cast is a mixed bag, with some shining brightly and leaving a lasting impact, while others remain on the periphery, waiting to be fully fleshed out in subsequent books. I would have liked to see a bit more angst between our MCs but this is my personal preference for enemies-to-lovers. This is a true slow burn with little spice in book one, but it seems there is plenty more steam to come. With the groundwork laid, I eagerly anticipate seeing the characters' growth and relationships deepen in the next instalment.
The plot weaves a tapestry of political machinations, personal quests, and a looming threat that keeps the reader engaged throughout. There were a few unexpected twists and while there were moments of excitement and intrigue, the pacing occasionally faltered, with certain sections feeling drawn out or lacking the necessary momentum. The prologue had me riveted and wanting more but then the first 30% felt a tad slow. After that it picked up and the characters became far more interesting. The last 30% had me on the edge of my seat and eager to know what would happen next. The groundwork has been laid for future plotlines that have the potential to elevate the series to new heights.

In conclusion, Queen of Roses serves as a promising beginning to the Blood of a Fae Series. While it may not have fully lived up to my expectations of the first book, I find myself hopeful and eager to continue the journey in the next book. With a captivating world, a diverse cast of characters, and a narrative teeming with potential, this series has all the ingredients for a good fantasy romance. If you're a fan of slow burn romance with forced proximit & quests, and you enjoy watching characters grow and evolve over time, I recommend giving Queen of Roses a chance. I remain optimistic and will keep my eyes peeled for the next book, as the true potential of this series may yet be realised.

Thank you Briar for a copy.

I definitely love the fae twist to this retelling. It was fast-paced, but a slow burn for the MCs, which I wished would have had more development, but with the ending, I could see it was setting it for the second book. I would definitely put this in my pile to possibly read again.

The story started slowly for me. I am glad I stuck with it as the story picked up the pace and improved enough that I want to know what happens in the next book. I wasn’t aware it was based on the Arthurian/Camelot legend (not my favorite) but it worked. I want to see how Morgan comes into her own, what happened to the Fae, and who Kairos really is.

Thank you to NetGalley, Starwater Press, and Briar Boleyn for the eARC.

Wow! I am a little speechless, eyes still wide in wonder at that ending. So many questions, so much anticipation. This story will leave you gasping for air, drowning in the myriads of unanswered questions. That may sound like a bad thing, but I assure you it is a pure adrenaline boost of anticipation. I cannot wait for the next story as the need to know more is a physical ache. The characters in this story are so well told that you will feel every moment of longing and every betrayal as deeply as Morgan herself. This is a world where nothing is as it seems. A story told with the hint of familiar legends and lore, and yet blended into a new story that is unlike anything you’ve ever known. Every twist sneaks up on you, leaving you unable to resist the lure of the next page. A phenomenal debut into fantasy and I am so glad there is more to come because one book is simply not enough to contain what is proving to be a remarkable story. Full of suspense, self-reflection, and delicious “who did this to you?” style possession, strength and tenderness combined to perfection. I simply must know what happens next!

It was a slow build, but it paid off in the end. I really enjoyed this and look forward to the next book!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. I was initially attracted by the cover. How could I not be? It’s gorgeous! Turns out, the story is pretty amazing also. I’m definitely interested in reading more from this series. Be warned though, although it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it does end with more to come—and I desperately want to know what will happen next.

This is the story of Camelot told in a different universe with Morgan as the hero and her brother Arthur as the evil king who must be stopped. He sends her on a mission to retrieve Excaliber and sends two men to accompany her—both trusted members of his royal guard. Men Morgan does not trust. The plot follows the journey of this trio into parts unknown, which becomes very dangerous and features frightening monsters. These stressful scenes are described clearly, with great attention to detail, bringing the monsters and settings to life.

Morgan is never entirely sure of what is happening and believes that Draven, one of her guards is an assassin. They meet Vesper, a mercenary and musician who charms them and worms his way into Morgan’s heart, even though Draven never quite trusts him. It’s suspenseful and uncertain. We never quite know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys because so many people have lied to Morgan over the years.

Morgan is a strong heroine, part-fae, but her human part means she makes human mistakes and has human insecurities. She allows herself to be a victim too many times to count, and that bugged me. These are weaknesses that compel her to rely on Draven, and even Vesper. It’s an odd trio because we know that Morgan is very attracted to Draven and feels a strong, inexplicable connection to him, but she also finds Vesper attractive, and he’s more flirty and flattering toward her. If she had more experience, she might suspect him of being a love bomber. But he seems sincere and he seems to genuinely wish to take care of her. Still, we know, at some point, she’ll be forced to choose and we don’t know how that will happen.

Draven is a mystery. It’s clear he has a history he is hiding, and even though Morgan was told he was an assassin who killed children and babies, she begins to suspect that’s not true. He makes no effort to convince her he’s a good guy—probably because he’s not. He is almost super-human in his ability to fight, his quick healing abilities, and his knowledge of things no one else seems to know. At times, I wondered if he were also fae. His dedication to keeping Morgan safe is unquestionable, even if she fears he might kill her once she retrieves Excaliber.

The story moves quickly. It’s packed with action and intrigue. Although the work itself could use some additional editing, the mistakes don’t detract from the story enough to affect my rating. This is a debut work from a new nom de plume. I’m hopeful the editing of this series will improve over time. Overall, I highly recommend the book. It’s very enjoyable and I’m anxious to read more.

This is not your typical fae fantasy retelling and ended with me wishing book 2 was already released. The first little over half of the book is world building and character development in Aercanum. I loved that this was a twist on the story of Camelot which I haven’t seen many retellings of and I enjoyed the author’s interpretations of these characters in their book. It was necessary to learn about Morgan Pendragon and her family and associates prior to her adventure with Draven. You see the plotting of her brother Arthur and then can connect the dots as to why he sent her on that quest for Excalibur. I knew Vesper was not all that he seemed but was still surprised with the outcome of his story. I NEED to know more about Draven and who he truly is. Will he and Morgan team up with other fae perhaps to fight against Arthur and return their kingdom to what it used to be? Also, what becomes of Lancelet? I don’t believe Vesper as far as I can throw him so is there a possibility that she returns? Not a ton of spice but hoping that this slow burn leads into more in the next book. Overall I give this book a 4.5/5 stars, only because it was a bit slow moving in the beginning. But once I was hooked, I couldn’t put the book down. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book!