Steamy, Arthurian, Fantasy Retelling

Morgan found herself in a strange place, and it was about to get a lot stranger. Draven saved her life, but she had lost everything she knew. Would she understand why Draven had brought her to this deadly dangerous court in which she found herself?

This story is full of action and adventure. Secrets, strange creatures, deadly battles, and court intrigue will keep you turning the pages. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. What will happen to Morgan and Draven on their dangerous adventure, full of magic, mayhem, and deadly peril?

4 stars!!

I loved the first book so much, really enjoyed this one still as well, and will definitely be reading the rest of the series cause I love it so much.
King Arthur retelling with fae and enemies to lovers?? Absolutely my cup of tea!!

But as much as I love the story, the plot twists, the male love interest, and the world building I do have to admit that I loved the first book more than this sequel.
Only because I kept getting so so frustrated with our main character in this story and how she reacted to somethings.
Still really enjoyed it and highly recommend though!!

Review is posted on Goodreads & Instagram so far, and blog post is scheduled for August 11th.

I’m so glad I stuck with this series because I really enjoyed Court of Claws, much more than the first book!

I was drawn in right from the start, I loved the characters who were varied and had great depth, the chemistry between Morgan and Drawn was insane, the setting was super immersive and the plot was full of twists and turns. The setting and world building was intricate and clever, and while the romance was fantastic, the fantasy was also standout.

The ending was a little chaotic but I stayed intrigued throughout the book and the set up for the next book was well done, absolutely kept me invested. The relationships are at the heart of the series and them going up and down is incredibly compelling. The different areas and subplots are very diverse and them coming together should be fantastic in the next book.

Court of Claws has enough substance and appeal to keep me thinking about it, which isn’t all too common in a lot of romantasy books these days!

You did it again. This was an amazing sequel and the spice is spicying. You continue to keep me so engrossed that my daily life is falling apart; stop it (don't). I cannot wait for number 3

This was like Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones but make it fae.

This review contains spoilers. Court of Claws takes us deeper into Draven’s world and we get to know a lot more about his past and the Siabra. The exmoor history was also really interesting and one of my favorite scenes in the book. This had more action, magic, world building—and the trials had you on the edge of your seat. New side characters were introduced that I loved like Beks, Crescent, Hawl, Nightclaw, and even Lyrastsra, who was a pleasant surprise! I did have a hard time connecting with Morgan in this book due to her actions, especially when she was so mean to Draven and although I understand she was conflicted and mistrusted him, it was frustrating when she put a lot of the blame on him. Granted, he wasn’t very forthcoming either. The spice was hitting, but their emotional relationship still has some more growth and development to do and I am looking forward to that in the next book now that they’re officially bonded as husband and wife! After that cliffhanger, I can’t wait to see what happens next and where things are headed in Camelot.

"Court of Claws" by Briar Boleyn is an enthralling fantasy novel that masterfully blends political intrigue, romance, and mythical creatures. The story centers around a cunning and resilient protagonist who navigates a perilous court filled with treachery and power struggles. Boleyn's rich world-building and complex character development keep readers hooked from start to finish. The book's vivid descriptions and unpredictable plot twists make it a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre.

It was alright. I found most of the story a little boring.

I did enjoy meeting Nightclaw and the last 30 % of the book had me hooked but that first 70% was pretty slow, and with the long chapters it did take me a while to get through!

I will be reading the next book though! I am intrigued enough that I need to know what's going on.

This book wasn't as engaging as book one of the series, but I still enjoyed it overall. The world expanded quite a bit. Some of the character development felt lacking, but I did really like the new characters we were introduced to. The trial games kept things interesting and kept the pace moving along. Overall, I'm still planning on continuing the series, and I'm interested to see where the plot goes from here.

I’m devouring this series!!

The plot had me hooked from the get-go, with so many twists and turns that I couldn’t put it down. Each new revelation pulled me deeper into the mystery. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, bam—a cliffhanger that left me scrambling for the next book. Totally gripping and a must-read!

Book 2 feels like a move away from the Arthurian legend, where we’re more focused on Draven’s world than Morgan’s. I liked the world building, I think the author does a good job of giving you a lot of details without it being too much. Her descriptions also really helped me, as a visual reader, picture the palace and world of Myntra.

What I liked: learning more about Draven and his world, you get hints of there being more to him in book 1 and how it played out here I liked. We’re introduced to more magical creatures, some parts took me by surprise which at first I didn’t think I was enjoying but actually was once I gave them a chance. Some of the new characters are likeable and I liked all the new magic which is a much heavier feature in COC.

What I didn’t like so much: I’m still a little irked by Morgan’s character, I actually like Draven more at this point even though his skirting around questions and giving truthful answers got quite annoying. Also the problematic secret marriage thing…I just feel like Morgan is very hot and cold, she doesn’t really stick to her guns for long and it took up a bit too much space for my enjoyment. I also, sadly, wasn’t that bothered by the trials. I think they had more potential but they felt a bit too quick - especially the final one which I had hoped would be Morgan’s badass reckoning and it fell a bit flat.

Overall I still enjoyed the book, I’m invested in how it’ll further develop and I am looking forward to get back to Camelot and hopefully see Morgan’s character start to grow. This is another 3.5⭐️ but rounded up to 4 for this rating, there is still just some lacking oomph for me.

A review has been posted to Goodreads, I plan to also share a consolidated review on my instagram once I finish the series.

"Briar Boleyn's 'Court of Claws,' the second installment in her captivating fantasy series, delves deeper into a world of intrigue, magic, and political machinations. Building on the foundation laid in the first book, Boleyn expands the realm of mystical creatures and human courtiers, weaving a tale of power struggles and personal discovery.

In 'Court of Claws,' protagonist Aria continues her journey amidst the complex dynamics of courtly life. Boleyn's writing remains immersive and evocative, vividly depicting the lush landscapes and intricate court politics that define the series. Aria's growth as a character is palpable, as she confronts new challenges and uncovers deeper layers of the realm's history and her own lineage.

The novel excels in its portrayal of alliances and betrayals within the court. Boleyn deftly navigates the relationships between characters, each with their own ambitions and secrets, adding layers of tension and suspense to the narrative. As Aria navigates these treacherous waters, her alliances are tested, and she must make difficult choices that shape her destiny.

Boleyn's world-building remains a highlight of the series, with magical elements seamlessly integrated into the story. From mythical creatures to ancient prophecies, 'Court of Claws' expands the scope of the series while maintaining its sense of wonder and mystery.

Overall, 'Court of Claws' is a compelling continuation of Briar Boleyn's fantasy series, offering readers a rich tapestry of adventure, intrigue, and character development. Fans of epic fantasy will find themselves eagerly immersed in Aria's journey and the vibrant world Boleyn has crafted."

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Blood of a Fae is a dark fantasy romance series ~ second book Court of Claws
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the Arc to this book.
This book was in my opinion much better than the first of the series. It continued the story without spending most of the book recapping the previous which I appreciated. I began to feel more invested in the characters and the decisions they made.
I feel like this book could have moved into the 4/5⭐️ rating if it was duel POV. There is so much in the book that would have been good to read from the MMC perspective.
This book also leaves readers on a cliffhanger. I personally will be taking a break from this series however plan to return to them in the future.
Trigger warnings:
Abduction
Abuse
Cannibalism
Death
Violence
Gore

This was a lot stronger than book one, in my opinion and therefore I liked it a lot more. There was time for Morgan and Draven to be in each other's presence and for the readers to get to spend time with them, which allowed us to witness the chemistry building far more than we were given the chance to experience through book one.

I will say this series has every trope under the sun. Guard who turns out to be prince in disguise? Check. Unexpected powers? Check. Forced proximity? Only one bed? Fake dating - or so she believes? Check. The list honestly goes on and one. Them being mates. Surprise we're married. I'm pretty sure there's even a "who did this to you." Though that may have been in the last book with Florian. Basically, there are times in which it feels as if this series is relying on the tropes we love so much <i>more</i> than the actual story being told.

I think that's probably why I'm keeping this at four stars. Well, that and the fact I still think some of the progression of their relationship is lacking a little. It's not the chemistry. I do think Morgan and Draven have great chemistry. But I also think this book is very focused on moving the plot along (good for it, tbh, so many books suffer with that) that sometimes the character - and relationship - development suffers. So instead of really getting the signals that Draven is falling in love, we simply get his proclamation. And maybe it's supposed to be a bit jarring. But I think the story could have shown the readers without Morgan catching on.

All of this sounds like I'm complaining about this book, but I'm really not. I love tropes. I love Morgan and Draven. I'll definitely finish the series. I just... don't expect to be obsessed.

This story was really fast paced and action packed. I appreciated getting some more of the romance of this book, which brought a new layer of depth to the story. This book was a great continuation from the first book. Thank you Starwater Press for sending me this book.

I am impressed with how the plot has gone and blasted into new territory with new challenges and people to focus on. The story just starts after the point it ended in the first book and becomes more interesting. The pacing is still slow for my liking but it covers a lot of ground and gives quite a handful of information about the ongoing circumstances.

The relationship between Morgan and Draven goes high and low and it’s quite a journey but the ending is fabulous. It ends on a cliffhanger and I am eager to know what happens next and how Draven will deal with it all. The writing is nice and the additional characters bind the story together prettily to make me stick to reading.

It’s a 4.25⭐️ for me.

This one was even better than the first one! I loved the change of scenery, and Draven? Chefs kiss! He was willing to sacrifice so much for Morgan. The trials were awesome and kept me in the story! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book.

This book is completely different from the first one. A complete different story, characters and land. And… I liked it.
The story though was a little predictable, but still enjoyable. I didn’t feel much chemistry between Morgan and Draven, not much chapters in which they interact and you can feel there’s something between them. And then something happens, and doesn’t feel completely right.
I like Morgan as MFC. She’s strong and doesn’t let people tell what she has to do, but she’s willing to sacrifice everything for the people she cares about.
I wanted to see more of the other SC, they were really nice to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for this Arc

Book two in the four book series, this was incredible! I did really enjoy the continuation. This book focuses a lot on the enemy to lover relationship of Morgan and Draven. This book took me on an adventure that brought forth so many emotions. A great read

🗡️🗡️Book Review🗡️🗡️
#courtofclaws by @briarboleynauthor
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Let the #fae Queen begin her 2nd journey of self-identifying in book 2 of a 4 novel series! There are triggers, but the spice is now at 🌶️🌶️ and getting better!
“Court of Claws is a fantasy dark romance novel that follows the story of Morgan Pendragon in the Siabra World! This is Dravens World! The best parts of book two were the moments she and Draven were working together. This book focuses on Morgan and Draven’s enemies to lover’s relationship, Morgan’s further self discovery and Draven’s participation in the brutal rites to become Emperor. The complicated journey Morgan follows in developing her magical skills and in her feelings for Draven kept me reading! The war being waged by Camelot also weighs heavily on Morgan’s mind and she yearns to return to help her people"

It’s an adventure with beautiful moments that will make your heart soar and sadistic moments that will make you wish for the worst to befall some of the characters. The world-building is incredible, with a richly detailed Fae world that is both brutal and alluring. The characters are well-developed, with complex motivations and backstories that add depth to the story. The writing is engaging, with a captivating plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I did not enjoy this as much as the first one but it was still good. The characters were so immature and infuriating at times. The world building was still good. This was entertaining nonetheless but a bit far fetched.