I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and Netgalley for a copy of this book. It was such a fun ride! The world building was incredibly well done and I wish more fantasy authors would take notes! I was so enchanted by this book from the very first chapters. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the Camelot references, but it worked really well. The battle scene (I won’t spoil any details) was so freaking terrifying and gave me the creeps but it was soooo cool! The ending was also super solid. I can’t wait to continue the series and see where this slow burn takes us!

High power fantasy. If you love Merlin, SJM and other Arthurian myths then this book is so for you. Queen of roses is the first book in this series Morgan Pendragon. It is a slow burn but totally worth the wait, and you get to read about other action.

This book is a mix of Camelot and Fae, the world is exciting! Boleyn did such a great job of describing her world, it was so easy for me to immerse myself. Kairos Draven was so loving and very respectful towards Morgan. He won my heart very early on in the book, he showed that even before he got to know Morgan, he would go to extra lengths to protect her!! At times it felt like Morgan didn’t appreciate him, and I kinda questioned many times if she even deserved him. BUT I am in love with him so…maybe only I deserve him? Kudos to Boleyn for writing the perfect man for this world!

I was hooked by the amount of action and twists at the end. The cliffhanger has me all pumped up for the next book! I can’t wait to continue with the series.

I do think Morgan could use a bit more depth. The romance might be lacking, I would have loved more.. but overall, this series is off to a good start with great world-building and a plot that keeps you engaged.

Arthurian Retelling but make it fae.

Honestly the best part about this for me was the "romance". I know people maybe had a hang-up on the twists and turns then an added "love-triangle" situation happening but finally not an instant smut/lust fantasy romance QQ. I've read so many instant love fantasy romances lately that I'm starting to think everyone is just jumping the trend for no reason. This is TRUE slow burn! If I could give Briar a gold medal I would.

Okay continuing.... to the characters. I pretty much liked all the main characters besides Morgan rofl. She was insufferable. How does someone wanting to help her kingdom not know anything about anything nor care to learn from every avenue possible? She was constantly just lacking.
However, what Morgan's character lacked in lovability we have Draven and he saves the book for me. Draven's character is *chefs kiss*. He is aloof, funny, mysterious (no seriously he actually is).

I'm just saying Briar nails so many key things right on the head.

As for the story, I started to kind of fall off the wagon towards the end. It would pick up and be interesting then slow down and pick back up. I found myself skipping over some minor conversations that lasted too long.

Overall I really enjoyed it. I liked the romance and the story so I'm very much invested in continuing the story to book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this advanced copy. Queen of Roses follow the path of Morgan Pendragon as she struggles to understand her Fae mother's death and the effects it has on her life. "I was born to be a queen. But even queens could be set aside and forgotten. Or worse. Remembered but relegated to shadows." Good start to a series

I like the characters and the story, though I don't like the setting - I can't see, why it has to be a retelling of Arthur and Camelot. The LQBTQ+ friendly, women empowered setting would have been cool in a new story but taking one of the most famous tales makes it seem a bit forced.
Yet the general story is good, although a bit slow.

I don’t know why this got requested again as I have already read and reviewed this title and LOVEDit..

Here was my previous review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6271874861

I have to first say this book leaves on a cliffhanger and has me wanting to jump right into book two!…which I will be doing.

I don’t know much about Camelot but this book is based off it and mixed in with the fae world. I love anything fae related so I was eager to read this one!

From the beginning the story had me pulled in when you read about Morgan and her mother. From then on I was glued to the book and wanting to know what would happen next.

It’s a fast paced book with a slow burn enemies to lovers with major plot twists at the end!

You get some spice but not a lot, I can see book two having more and I’m here for it.

Please check the trigger warnings before reading as there are some dark scenes in it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for this e-arc in exchange for a review!

Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn 🌹
Book 1 of Blood of a Fae
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐

This was such a fun twist on classic characters from Camelot. It was neat getting to see all the characters in a new light. I felt they were developed well and the setting was very vivid and I could picture it in detail based on the descriptions. I did find some of the plot twists a bit predictable, but enjoyed this book nonetheless.

I look forward to reading the next books in the series soon!

my ratings:
4/5⭐
1/5🌶️

summary📝
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.

my thoughts💭
-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.

Thank you to the author, publisher & netgalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love fantasy when they bring something new to the genre, and this book doesn’t disappoint! Morgan Pendragon is sent to find Excalibur by her brother King Arthur. He’s a brutal king, like his father before him. Morgan is part fae, as was her mother before she was murdered.
This book has magical creatures, extreme violence, twists and turns, and some romance. It’s the first book in the series so I’m super excited for book 2! Morgan reminds me of Violet Sorrengail and Katnis Everdeen. A humble, unlikely hero who is stronger than she is given credit for.

I really loved this book. It scratched every itch I have when it comes to fantasy. It was a wonderful read that didn't feel 'too long', which I find to be a problem with a lot of fantasy books. The world building didn't feel overdone and it was paced really well. I would definitely read this again as I found myself so in love with the characters and that ending was incredible. Draven very quickly became my favorite and I am absolutely in love! Morgan was everything with her indomitable spirit and the two of them played off each other so well! I definitely raced through the book, needing to find out what was happening and was not disappointed! Can't wait to find out what happens next!

Enemies-to-lovers
Great World Building
Found Family
Adventure
Strong FMC

this inventive twist on Arthurian legend, we're introduced to a world cloaked in shadow and intrigue, penned by an author who was previously off my radar but has now firmly captured my attention. This tale plunges us into a realm where dark fantasy meets a slow-burning romance that's just beginning to kindle, hinting at a blaze to come in future installments.

At the heart of our story is Morgan Pendragon, burdened with Fae lineage and the heavy expectations it brings. Tasked with a perilous quest for a mystical Fae artifact, Morgan's journey is as much about proving her worth to the crown as it is about navigating the complexities of her identity. Alongside her is Draven, a royal guard shrouded in mystery, whose initial friction with Morgan evolves in ways that promise a rich exploration of their dynamics in the books to follow.

The novel reweaves the familiar threads of Camelot and its iconic characters with fresh and vibrant strokes, crafting a narrative that feels both nostalgic and novel. The lore is intricately built, setting a stage for action-packed sequences and plot twists that ensnare the reader with each turn of the page.

As for the romance, it simmers with a slow intensity, seasoned with moments of tantalizing banter and the promise of future heat. The world-building is immersive, drawing us into a landscape where magic breathes life into every nook and cranny, and where diversity in character backgrounds enriches the tapestry of the story.

This first installment leaves us on the edge of our seats, eager for the next chapter in Morgan and Draven's adventure. With its blend of dark fantasy elements, reimagined legends, and character-driven storytelling, this book strikes a balance between the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of the new. It's a recommended read for anyone drawn to the mystique of Camelot but looking for a story that charts its own unforgettable course..

* *I was given this book by NetGalley for my honest review * *

I loved this book! Queen of Roses is an Arthurian-inspired dark romantasy that is the first book in the Blood of Fae series. The story follows Morgan, the princess of Camelot who is rumored to be part fae. Fueled by prejudiced hatred and a mistrust of fae blood, Morgan’s abusive father strips her of her birthright and hands it to her half-brother, Arthur. Instead of becoming queen, Morgan is commanded to join the temple of the goddesses when she comes of age.

However, Arthur turns into a psychopathic, power-hungry, fae-hating king as he ages. He develops malevolent plans and commands Morgan to find an ancient weapon with legendary power. Although Morgan is wary of Arthur’s intentions, she embraces the opportunity to go on a journey and potentially change her fate.

The story picks up from there and we follow Morgan on her quest to find the ancient relic. It’s full of high stakes adventure, mystery, tension, banter, forced proximity, hidden magic, self discovery, and betrayal. This first installment of the series intricately develops the world building and character development. There’s little romance in this book, but it is evident that it is a slow burn that will continue to develop throughout the remainder of the series.

Overall, I loved the world building, the epic fantasy, Morgan’s journey of self discovery, and all of the twists and turns that set the stage for the future installments. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thank you so much to the author, Starwater Press, and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this novel! “Queen of Roses” is a fresh take on the Arthurian legends in a world with Fae. The world building is fantastic and fully immerses you. The book is filled with witty banter, tension, and surprises.

I love the gender-bending twists on the traditional legends and the LGBTQ+ representation in the supporting characters. The author was able to include complex themes and issues that are relevant today in a way that brought attention to them without detracting from the story.

There are several dark, potentially triggering scenes in this book, so be sure to check the content warnings.

This is an extremely slow burn story. The first part of the book read a little slow for me but it really picked up in the second half and then I couldn't put it down. Overall, I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to continue the series myself.

The book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so be prepared to race to the next book to continue Morgan's story.

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am so thankful for this arc and the chance to review. I really enjoyed the female main character and finding out her lineage, the fae people and her gray hair. Cause we heard about that hair for sure
I felt like this book had a lot of meat in it, kind of predictable meat.
The last 25% of the book however was great finding out so much to the story but it makes me confused on the pacing of it
I really think this could’ve been brought to two books instead of trilogy because so much was kind of said and repeated. The last chapter reveal is the only thing making me curious about the next book.

The only good thing about finishing this book it that the next one is already out. I won't lie it started out slow and I was wondering if I would keep going but at around 30% it really starts to pick up until I didn't want to put it down. The only similarities so far to King Author/Camelot are names and the setting and I don't see that changing with the next book. I am 100% ok with that because I'm not a huge retelling fan.

If you like:
-Slow burn
-Fae
-Morally grey MMC
-Crazy plot twists
-light spice
This book is for you.

Difficult parts:
It starts off slow and painful. I don't like when a main character is abused with no respite.

Check your trigger warnings at the door please.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this story for free. All thoughts below are my own and are left voluntarily; they are not in any way influenced by the author, publisher, or others involved in its creation.

Queen of Roses follows main character Morgan Pendragon (based on the Arthurian character Morgan le Fay - or Morgan the Fae) who has grown up in a less than ideal environment thanks to the fae blood coursing through her veins (from her mother's side). It is a dark fae romance story that takes aspects of Arthurian Legend and twists it - e.g., Morgan(a) being a literal fae, Lancelot receiving a name change to Lancelet and being female, Arthur being more like Uther than the "once and future king", and Morgan's mother being Ygraine (who birthed Arthur in more traditional legends). There are more, along with additions from Boleyn.

I love Boleyn's writing style; it is very vibrant and descriptive such that the world comes to life and jumps off the page. Her way of describing things in the space with her characters - and describing character actions - is amazing and it adds a depth to the story that I think a lot of fantasy stories are missing. However, it feels almost as if that is all the story is. There is little depth to the plot, little in the way of character development, and it felt as if there was something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. The start of the story (learning about Ygraine's death) was beautifully done but it seems to go downhill from there, and I found myself getting less and less invested.

Don't get me wrong, that's not to say it's a bad story, just that it could have benefitted from something more than just beautiful descriptions. It is very clear Boleyn has talent, she has a way of describing scenes that just make the hairs on your arms stand on end, and then it falls apart with the characters and the actual execution of the plot. I'm usually 50-50 on romances, but I also felt as if the romance of the plot fell short. It was quite a frustrating thing to read in that respect. I also think that the use of Arthurian Legend didn't add anything to the story. The names were familiar, there was the odd reference to things in the legend (such as replacing Uther's hate of 'magic' with 'fae') but it was almost unused.

If you're going to use mythology, use it, not just the names. Retell it, put your own spin on it, but this was not the way to do it. Especially since some of the changes seemed pointless.

All in all, I felt mixed on this one. I will likely read the sequel because as I said, I did not hate it, I just felt it could have been more.

If you liked From Blood and Ash, you might like this! It took me a very long time to get into it and get through it but I think it shows promise and I would consider reading the other books in the series. I liked Draven a lot and I totally get why he’s a lot of people’s book boyfriend!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.