I liked this book so much more than the first and I really enjoyed most of it but the last little bit of the book made me so mad. I’m just annoyed, it feels like the relationship between the main characters takes two steps forward and three steps back, it just stresses me out and not in a good way lol. I still really enjoyed this one, the story line is great, there’s more world building, I like the side characters in this one, the relationship development is great until it’s not lol. Yeah it’s just my opinion anyway and reading is subjective

Read this series! All the books are fantastic! I'm not huge on fantasy but these did not disappoint!

Book 2 and things have flipped upside down for Morgan and Draven. Thoroughly enjoyed this book - the secrets and lies..Trials to win a crown. Can't wait to continue this series and see what happens next!

Rating - 4.5/5 🌟 rounding up

This was by far my favorite book! I literally read this within 24 hours and stayed up way too late!

I love that we are seeing Morgan step into her badass vibes as she plays double agent against Arthur. I was also really happy that we got Draven's POV! Each page had me flipping cause it was full of what was going to happen next. The author is really good at just killing off characters that you didn't see coming!

Thank you netgalley and publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will be honest, I went into this book with low expectations. I did not love the first book, and this book was much of the same. The descriptions paint a beautiful picture of the world and the clothing, but I find that there is actually too much of it. The constant description is too much fluff that doesn’t add much to the plot or story. Speaking of the plot…what happened? This second book fell away from the Arthurian legend retelling and is much more of a generic story about fae. It felt like it was trying to be ACOTAR or FBAA, but it fell flat. The characters had very little development, in fact I feel like they regressed from the development in the first book. Morgan was whining constantly and comes across as immature and unrelatable. It’s hard to feel empathy for her character when she does nothing to help better herself. Overall, the pacing and lack of character development kept me from loving this story.

By the Three…this can’t get any better, or can it?
I 👏 love 👏 this 👏 book 👏

🗡️ Mates
🗡️ Magic
🗡️ Secrets (Lies-however you perceive them to be)
🗡️ Trials
🗡️ Love

I have fallen head over heels for Draven, my current book boyfriend. I dare anyone to fight me on that one. Yes, his tactics are questionable at times.
Morgan is definitely a character with trust issues that continue throughout this book. She has good reasons to act the way she does.

•I would like more spotlight on other characters in this book.
•Still, though, 5/5 ⭐️
I’m ready for the third installment. Let’s get it going!

Special thanks to #NetGalley, #StarwaterPress, and #BriarBoleyn for this ARC to review.

#BloodofaFaeSeries #BookWorm #Reader #ARC #BookReview #BookReviewer

Another good story in this series. However, it is much darker than the first book. Returned to Draven’s home, Morgan begins to learn the truth about her magic and who she really is. The relationship between the two develops with twists. This continues to tell a very different story of King Arthur. All the characters we love from those stories are presented in different ways. Keep reading onto the next book

Oh boy! I didn’t expect these twists! This book continues where book one stopped. You will encounter new secondary characters, discover more about the FMC & MMC. Discover a new court, a deadly competition and a major cliffhanger. This book did not end like this!!!! So thankful I can jump straight into book 3.

This was one epic journey ♥️

Court of Claws picks up shortly after Queen of Roses ended. Except for the prologue, epilogue, and a few dreams from another character's POV, the story is told from Morgan's perspective. We left the previous book with Morgan being fatally injured, but Draven bonds with her to save her life. Of course, Morgan doesn't know this.

Morgan wakes up in Draven's home court where he is the Prince who should be Emporer. His stepmother has been running the court as Queen Regent. And she's not thrilled to give up her rule. Draven and other candidates enter a contest called the Blood Rise to see who will ultimately win the crown.

Morgan has only been accepted into the court begrudgingly as Draven's paramour. And she isn't happy about playing the role. But he knows that is the only way to keep her safe and untouchable. I was just as frustrated with Draven as Morgan with his lack of information. She does learn some of what she needs to know. But Draven keeps so much to himself that he could have easily opened up about more than he did to save himself and Morgan some drama. But that wouldn't make for easy conflict, would it?

Morgan is so judgmental about some things while so accepting of others. It was somewhat frustrating that her view of the world and morality is offered up as "well of course this is wrong" or "of course this is okay." Like no one could possibly view things any differently than her without being morally out of whack. What is the standard she's following for such morality lines? Nothing but her own thoughts and feelings.

This was also a frustrating book in that Draven did seem to be working for the greater good and obviously cared about Morgan, but she just couldn't cut him any slack. And as soon as anything went out of her liking, he was public enemy number one in her mind. Granted, he did keep several secrets that were pretty big, and of course, trust would be broken in so doing.

Court of Claws does have the troupe of a game that must be played/challenges that must be won. Books like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Hunger Games, Divergent, Throne of Glass, Red Rising, etc are hits because of similar games/challenges. I will say I got a little confused about how the court was able to watch the trials when the contestants were in a cave, and the court was not. (I'm really going to date myself here, but I totally pictured something like the '90s kids' game show Fun House when reading about the trials.)

This series is obviously a feminist or semi-feminist twist on King Arthur/Camelot where almost all of the strong male characters from the original are either female, LGBTQ, or toxic masculinity abusive males. I DNF'd Kristen White's feminist Camelot retelling for similar issues. Only I do find Briar Boleyn's retelling more interesting. I like that Draven is still such a strong male character. But (highlight for spoiler) I don't understand why he couldn't have been Emporer and Morgan Empress through their bond without him having to "let" her take the position. His line about not wanting to leech power from her felt a bit thin to me. End spoiler.

Favorite quote:
-"How many times can you deny a gift before the gift no longer comes when you call it?”

I read Court of Claws quickly given its size. I stayed up late reading, and I don't give up sleep easily these days. I didn't want to put it down when I needed to. But at the same time, looking back I feel I can only give Court of Claws 3 Stars. Morgan's attitude was challenging for me through a large part of the book. Draven's refusal to share information only felt like a weak plot idea to be able to create conflict later rather than an actual need to keep said information to himself for any real reason that I can discern up to this point. I will be continuing the series; however, I hope it improves, and this book just suffers from SBIASS (second book in a series syndrome). Have you read Court of Claws ? What did you think? Let me know!

Briar Boleyn expertly navigates readers through the twists and turns that occur in Court of Claws in a way that had me absolutely entranced. The level of character development in this series had me feeling all of the feels and wanting to throw my kindle at one specific part. Dearest Author, you know what you did!!

5 🌟
2.5 🌶
This was so much better than the first book I am really enjoying where the series is heading.
In book 2 we got
- fated mates
- one bed
- magic
- trials and much more.
I love all the characters especially nightclaw 🐈
Thank you net galley and star water press for a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Dove right in! Fast past and fast moving!! You gotta keep up.
Great development and direction of story. Always love finding new fantasy Novels and Authors. Will be recommending this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the eARC of 'Court of Claws' by Briar Boleyn in exchange for my honest review 💫

'Court of Claws' is a dark fantasy, Arthurian retelling with a Fae twist.
The second book in the 'Blood of Fae' series exceeded all my expectations in a very very good way! The story picks right up after the big cliffhanger in the first book. We learn more about Morgan's powers, the Exmoor and there's a lot of worldbuilding and introducing new characters. The way Briar involved Beks in the storyline was amazing. I love his sidecharachter!
I'm a little frustrated with Morgan in the second book. There's a lot of: 'I hate you because you kidnapped me', but Draven literally saved her life (and didn't kidnapp). Get your shit together girl.

All things considered, this was a very well written book and I cannot wait for the story to fully unravel in the next two books! Would I recommend my friends to read this book? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY YES!

Tropes:
🖤 Slow burn romance
✨️ Magical objects
⚔️ Arthurian retelling
🐦‍🔥 Mystical creatures
☠️ Morally grey MMC

Rating:
4⭐️/5
2🌶/5

This series should be your next fix after Throne of Glass or ACOTAR. I have absolutely loved getting lost in this world and I love the characters (even though Morgan irritates me at times). I do think this book was stronger than the first one, which I also loved. The cliffhanger at the end of this book was so good, and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for sharing this with me in exchange for an honest review!

5/5⭐
2.5/5🌶️

The second book starts off right where the first one ended and it kept me hooked from the very first page.

After how things end in book 1, the best thing to do according to Draven is to take Morgan to his kingdom as his paramour to keep her safe where we are introduced to many more amazing characters. The world building is somehow even better than the first book.

Draven was a mystery in the first book I wanted to know more about him which I did but it would've been really nice if we got a dual pov. Morgan and his story is captivating and I can't wait to see how things take shape going forward. This is easily my favourite book in the series.

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

This was so much better than the first book.
Morgan and Draven really went through it all in this story.
It was so fast paced and so much action happened.
The blood rise challenges were so well written.
So glad that Avriel is no more. Was getting so fed up of reading about him!
Poor lyrastra really suffered and she deserves happiness now more than ever.
The entire time I was reading I was so hooked that I didn’t want the book to end.
I really feel for Draven as he just wants to love and support Morgan but she’s acting like a petulant child. Yes, he lied to you about the bond but he did it for her own good.
Beks 😪 I loved that little boy and it bought a tear to my eye when they lost him.
Yet again a cliffhanger ending!!
LANCELET!!!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
🌶️🌶️.5 spice

What to Expect:
⚔️Enemies to Lovers
⚔️Forced Proximity
⚔️Touch her and die
⚔️Deadly Trials
⚔️Court Intrigue
⚔️Secret Identities
⚔️Found Family
⚔️Bonded mystical creatures (big fae cats!)
⚔️Only one bed
...and more, but the spoilers..
--

Favourite Quotes:
This. The touch of your waist, your hips, your skin beneath my hands? It sets me on fire, Morgan. I'm in awe of you, every part of you. Can't you tell? I'm spellbound.

They had no idea who you really were, what you were capable of. But I see you, Morgan Pendragon. I see you truly for everything you are and everything you will be and I claim you as mine.

There's a good girl. Fuck me back like you mean it.

--

Inhaled this book in two days and immediately want to read the 3rd!
The first book was really good, but holy crap was the 2nd one way better. We got more drama, higher stakes, more world building, more amazing side characters, more unexpected twists, and more smut. Yes, it was steamy and delicious and the dirty talk was on point.. om nom.

We veered off a little from the Arthurian plot line, and delved into a hidden fae realm. And I was frothing it. This series levelled up in storyline complexity as well as on the romance side, and Morgan absolutely stepped into her badass era and I'm here for it. I'm especially here for the banter with Draven and every moment where she shuts down a character we hate.

My rollercoaster of emotions cannot handle how to feel about Draven, I was dying over him after the 2nd trial but that twist had me reconsidering everything I knew in the end.. but then he kept saying "don't act like you care", and my heart was hurting for him. Tell him he's wrong Morgan! FFS. Give me his immediate redemption arc, I don't care.

One of my favourite parts of this book is the found family vibes. Love. Why is found family just so cozy and wonderful? I want to know more about all of them, Odessa needs more air time, I need them riding off to war on their matching battlecats...and Beks 💕. Javer...I don't know how to feel but I want to see where this is going.

These books are so easy to read, I love the writing style and the pace is snappy but still manages to give you all of the beautiful details you love and are looking for in a Romantasy series. The world building is extremely well done, I never feel like Briar info dumps to explain a complex plotline but also manages to foreshadow without making the twists obvious. Big recommend!

I do love a good “trials to choose the next ruler” story, and the second book in the Blood of a Fae series was entirely that. It had training, it had spice, it had twists and turns within the competition itself.

I also adore the enemies to bffs trope, and while this book was more “enemies to allies but they still don’t like each other,” I enjoyed seeing that relationship evolve.

My only complaint is that I wish it had more Nightclaw!

𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓲𝓶 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮.


📖✨Court of Claws✨
🧚‍♀️Briar Boleyn
📚 Book of a Fae #2

💫 Spoiler-Free Review 💫

Oh my Godsss , BY THE THREE, I freaking LOVEDDD this Gem of a book !!! ✨
It's a breath-takingly gorgeous dark FAE-fantasy romance with very loose Arthurian retelling with ACOTAR and FBAA vibes .

Tropes -
▪️Enemies-to-lover
▪️Slow burn
▪️Badass FMC
▪️Badass , HOTT, Morally Grey MMC ( Who is official in my book boyfriend list! 🔥)
▪️Found family with Inner Circle Vibes
▪️Amazing Creatures/Beasts
▪️Deceptions and Plot twists


The writing of the book is AWE-INSPIRING. The author has a created such an astounding and strong story line with lovely picturizations that the story comes alive in your mind!!

I especially loved the character development of our FMC - Morgan, the way she has overcome her uncertainties and self doubts, learned from her weaknesses, and grew physically, emotionally and in her magic is sublime.

And don't even start me talking about the MMC - Dreven !! He's such a sweetheart! He's such a badass but when it comes to Morgan , he becomes the sweetest marshmallow cupcake 💕 (You guyss he gave me Rhysand's vibes.. eeeeepppppp) His back story broke my heart!! And I just love him so so soo much 🫶🏻

There are a lot of new characters and Briar Boleyn makes u fall in love with all of them 🥹 Even the ones you initially thought were bitchy, have surprising character development and you end up cherishing them. 💕

Oh and the emotional damage.. you are gonna have heartbreaks, you are gonna be devastated, you'll cry your eyes out and you will love every moment of it !!

And last but not the least, the creatures are so so cool!!! The exmoor ! The Bearkin !! I just need more and more of them!!!!

So to summarise..

✨✨✨✨✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️
And Dreven ❤️‍🔥🥵😍🥰🤌🏻


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Thank you NetGalley, Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.🫶🏻


#netgalley #starwaterpress #courtofclaws #bookofafaeseries

I love it when a sequel is even more gripping than the first. I was ready to be shocked and hurt all over again. I really loved the new world building.