Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I like to make notes as I read along, so I’ve made a list of pros and cons. These do contain *SPOILERS*.

CONS:
- Main character kinda unlikeable. Too many rhetorical questions all the time. Doesn’t speak up or try to defend herself. She spars well against potential knights, has a good aim while hunting the boar, but acts like she is defenseless for the first half of the book.
-Too many character clothing descriptions that are not relevant to the story building.
-Florian is the villain but doesn’t have a lot of development as to what makes him the villain. He is just unnecessarily cruel out of nowhere. I will say I was glad that Morgan FINALLY stood up to him.
-The wound was not “pussing” it had purulent drainage.
-Inconsistencies in the story. The FMC would know something in the story, but then in a later chapter act shocked about hearing what she already knew.

PROS:
-history and the stories of the gods/goddesses is interesting.
-My favorite character is Draven.
-The plot has potential. But overall the story seems like it has a lot of unnecessary fluff. The best part of the book was the last 25%. The ending set up for an interesting next book!

Overall there were some issues with the writing, but this series has a lot of potential, so I do plan to read the next one.

Love love love this book!!! I read this within one sitting! If you like From Blood and Ash then I definitely recommend this series. It is a dark fantasy with lots of adventure with connections to King Arthur e.g. Pendragon, Camelot. It is a slow-burn addicting relationship with lots of tension, it also explores the themes of friendship, humour and lots of twists.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

Thank you Briar Boleyn, the publisher and NetGalley.

I was really excited to get several books in this series all at once. This first book started out really intense, and then to me the pacing kind of slowed down as the author began to build the world. I love all books about Fae and this one makes the Fae almost forbidden, where they are not seen in a positive light at the beginning. I can appreciate that since most books portray them as all powerful.

There was a start to a little romance in this first book, but I can sense that may increase as the series goes on.

I am looking forward to reading more of the series.

Let's begin with TW because there are a few mainly including abuse (domestic and attempted SA). I will admit that the plotline with Florian had my stomach in knots but I'm glad he died off quickly enough and we could all move on from that.

Okay, onto the review. I enjoyed this book entirely more than I thought that I would.

I love that it was loosely based on King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. I went into this thinking that this was going to be very much like every other fae story on the market right now, but it really gave the fae plot a type of freshness that had me hooked from the beginning.

I am obsessed with an enemies to lovers slow-burn plot line and I think this one is done extremely well. I loved the back and forth banter of Draven and Morgan. I think it was realistic and it wasn’t too flirty too quickly. Like I loved that they hated each other to the very end of the book but still looked out for each other. It wasn’t rushed and that was honestly one of the highlights of the book.

However, my favorite part of the book was the world building. I think in fantasy books of this caliber the author kind of just dives into everything assuming that we will just understand the magical world, but the author really does a fantastic job of building this world in a way that we can understand the magical rules of the land without being over explained. Like we understand the dynamics between the characters and the notion of the fae through authentic interactions without the author having to spoon feed it to us, but also in a way that’s so descriptive and imaginative. I loved it.

Now, if I did have to give one complaint of the book it would be that I think that it seemed a bit unrealistic that Morgan would trust Vesper that fully and quickly after barely meeting him. After past experiences with the men in her life you would think that she would have just a bit more trepidation when it came to strangers (especially male strangers). But maybe that’s the point? That she wanted to believe that there was one good guy that she could put her trust in? Either way, the twist of him being evil in the end was good (though probably a bit predictable).

What wasn’t predictable was the twist of the little girl being a goddess! That was an incredible plot twist and a FANTASTIC set up for the next book. Very excited to see how the story continues to unfold. I can’t wait to see Morgan come into her own powers. (Not excited to see her reaction to Lancelet dying because I was absolutely gutted by that). All in all loved this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Briar for the ARC. This was brilliant x

Queen of Roses is a King Arthur retelling with a Fae twist.

Tropes:
- slow-burn romance
- enemies to lovers
- morally grey MMC
- found family
- “Who did this to you?”
- Touch her and die

This story follows Morgan Pendragon, a part-fae princess that has been cast aside by most of her family. Her brother, King Arthur, hates all those with fae blood. As the kingdom sits on the brink of war, he persuades his sister to travel to gain a weapon. However, she can only go with two of the Kings trusted, one of those being Draven, a man she does not particularly get along with.

Queen of Roses has a captivating plot with decent world building. This book introduces the characters but not much character development takes place. I’m hoping the FMC goes through much needed character development in the coming novels. The slow-burn romance begins well, but a wrench gets tossed in that had me screaming at the FMC. Overall, I couldn’t put this book down, claiming I would only read ‘one more chapter’ but in fact stayed up to read 5 or more.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of Arthurian stories, Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, Stacia Stark, and Game of Thrones.

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book, I’m so glad the next one is already out because I can’t wait to jump straight into it. There is fae, magic, magical creatures, slow burn enemies to lovers with “who did this to you” everything I was looking for. This book is perfect if you’re looking to ease yourself into fantasy as the world building is easy to follow. 4 star read and a great start to this journey, can’t wait to continue.

This series is off to a great start! I love the legends of Camelot and am thoroughly enjoying this new Fae twist on the tale. Excited for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

The series has so much potential! I enjoyed the storyline and the world building but I find it needs more depth and character development for this to have the wow factor I'm looking for. I will be reading book 2 and keeping my fingers crossed that it will just get better as we go!

Briar Boleyn’s “Queen of Roses” weaves together the Arthurian legend and the allure of fae mystique, resulting in a mesmerizing and suspenseful tale. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves high-power fantasy and is a fan of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s works.

Boleyn grabbed me from the start, taking me into a world where Camelot and the Fae collide. The author’s ability to create a detailed and immersive world is showcased through their meticulous approach, effortlessly transporting you to a realm overflowing with magic and suspense. The descriptions of the landscapes and courtly life are so vivid that you are transported to the core of the story.

At the center of this tale is Morgan Pendragon, a captivating protagonist with a unique blend of enchantment and royal lineage. As she embarks on a mission entrusted to her by King Arthur, you go on an extraordinary adventure filled with peril and unexpected twists. Accompanying Morgan is the enigmatic Kairos Draven, whose mysterious aura adds tension and depth to the story.

The romance side plot in ‘Queen of Roses’ is exceptional, offering a delightful slow burn that will leave you eagerly turning the pages. The dynamic between Morgan and Draven is brilliantly portrayed, with witty banter and moments of undeniable chemistry. As the plot develops, you are given a nuanced portrayal of their bond, laying the groundwork for an enchanting love story.

While there may be some predictable moments in the story, the overall enjoyment factor is immense. Boleyn’s ability to subvert expectations and breathe new life into familiar tropes is commendable. As the first book in the Morgan Pendragon series, ‘Queen of Roses’ sets the stage for an epic saga filled with betrayal, heartbreak, and dark revelations.

In conclusion, ‘Queen of Roses’ is a captivating and imaginative retelling of the Arthurian legend that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance alike—romantasy at its best. With its richly drawn characters, immersive world-building, and irresistible romance, this book is sure to leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

2.5 stars

Despite its promising premise, 'The Queen of Roses’ fell short in execution for me. While the protagonist faces numerous trials, each one resolves with unsettling ease, leaving little room for tension or character development. The slow-moving plot further hampers engagement. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!

Wow, this book was amazing! This was an easy fast paced fantacy that hocked me from the start. There was no tedious world building chapters to get through, just captivating story. Don't let the length of the trigger least fool you this is a light fun read that doesn't dwell on the things listed just brushes past enough to make it interesting.

This book here….I was not prepared but in the best way possible!

This amazing story had everything I didn’t know I needed; enemies to lovers, forced proximity, “who did this to you?” - not to mention superior world building and character development.

The FMC was extremely relatable and finally began coming into her own during her journey. The story was not only inspiring but kept me on the edge of my seat.

The history that we learn in this book provides a great stepping stone into book 2 and I absolutely cannot wait to dive in!

If you are looking for a new series with magic, fae, romance, adventure and a little spice- this is definitely one for you!

This review has also been posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

To begin, thank you for allowing me to read this. This was a great start to the series and it’s definitely making me consider buying the rest! | loved the modern edge that Briar Boleyn gave this story as well as the fae twist that was included, the blend of the two was excellent executed.
One thing I will say is that it took me a sgile to get into with all the world-building that was going on. Morgan was interesting but I do wish that she would have been a little more defined in a sense. She was all for fighting and learning how to fight - but then at the same time she was so timid and mild when it came to listening to every word that her brother said. There were plenty of times where she could have stood up for herself and she didn't, but then other things she did in secret.

This was said to be a dark fantasy fae series and while I feel this is just the beginning, there wasn’t much darkness or steaminess in this one. However, I’m sure there’s lots of that to come later in the series, as this simply sets up the plot. By the end, I was hooked, and I definitely want to find out more.

I loved this book. The fantasy, the world building, the twists and turns. Morgan is amazing and I can't wait to see what the second book holds. Merlin is absolutely amazing and I love Lancelet.

I absolutely loved reading this novel and can’t wait to read more! The characters were so well developed, and the plot was well paced to where I felt completely engaged at every point in the book. The world building was amazing and it really made it come together. It was such a fun and excellent read if you’re looking for a great slow burn romance and something similar to ACOTAR, this should absolutely be your next read!! Thank you so much for this arc

While I thought this book had some good potential, I often found myself running into things that made it difficult to fully delve myself into the story. The pacing felt off, either to slow or too fast/time skips, the plot wasn’t very consistent throughout the story, twists were easily predicted, at times I was wondering what the point of the plot was, and the characters often fell flat. There was also a lack of world building, which often left me feeling confused. Despite all of these things, I do see the potential in the story and can see it progressing in a better manner as the series continues.

The fantasy and magic are what made this book awesome. I don't need anything else. The romance was perfect and balanced with the slow burn that made it fantastic.

4.5 ⭐️

This is my first book by this author, and I absolutely loved it. I immediately requested the second book, Court of Claws, on NetGalley.

For the first book in a fantasy series, this wasn't overly detailed. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that. The level of detail was just right, enough for me to visualise the world and not so much that I was bored. The description of characters and the explanation of politics was also the perfect amount.

The romance was there but not a lot. I have a feeling that as the series continues, the romance will blossom. The little bit of romance and steam we did get to see, though, was so good. The little twist with the love interest was unexpected for me. I did not see that coming at all. I was suspicious of him but didn't realise how great the betrayal was.

Overall, it was a fantastic start to the series. I can't wait to continue.

DNF at 20 percent

I know I am in the minority here but I really didn't like this book. Struggled through 20 percent before admitting defeat.

This read very much like a first draft to me, The sentence structure didn't flow and felt very clunky.

The writing style didn't work for me. I felt like I wasn't part of the story because there was far too much telling and not enough showing. I also didn't like the use of the passive voice as opposed to an active voice as this took me out of the story.

As already said, I know I'm in the minority here. Just not my cup of tea.

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!