★★★★★ 4
Right from the start, I was drawn in by the prologue!!!
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
Queen of Roses (Blood of a Fae #1) by Briar Boleyn
Genre General Fiction ( Adult), Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Dark Romance
“More primordial than the stars. My name was on his lips as he promised unspeakable darkness to any who came between us.”
Right from the start, I was drawn in by the prologue!!!
I’m a big fan of “touch her, and you die” vibes, but I mean, what’s also not to love about a unique Arthurian retelling with gender twists, a treacherous royal court, a dangerous quest, magical Fae & mystical monsters, entwined with a bit of spice!
Morgan, Princess of Pendrath and true heir to the throne has spent most of her life dimming her light to feel safe and to make others comfortable. She is treated as an outcast in the court and repressed by her family due to the blood of the Fae within her and forced to join the Temple of the Three as a priestess in training to one day replace Merlin.
Her brother, King Arthur, who reminds me of Joffrey from Game of Thrones, later tells her that he has other plans and offers her a choice of the Temple or to marry her off for political gain, unless… that is, she can journey through the great unknown and return with a long-lost fae weapon with enchanted powers known as Excalibur.
Her quest begins with a roguish crew that includes the mysterious, arrogant, and heart-tuggingly handsome Captain of the Royal Guard, Kairos Draven, whom she can’t decide if she wants to stab or indulge in pleasure with.
Along the way are plenty of surprises, mystical creatures, and betrayal, all while Morgan uncovers more of the truth about herself and who she can trust.
This book had intriguing storylines and lovable characters that kept me turning pages and wanting more. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds and comes together in book 2, Court of Claws, which I just started reading!!
Read if you’re into-
Dark Fantasy/Romance
Slow–Burn
Question Everything
Magic and Action
Fae
Arthurian Legend
Stabby/Broken FFC
Morally Gray MMC
Forced Proximity
Queen of Roses is perfect for Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas fans.
Please check the trigger warnings page in the table of contents before reading this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023