Queen of Roses | Review | Fantasy Romance
- dessimalakov
- Apr 23, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3, 2024
The first in an action-packed new series brimming with magic, danger, morally gray characters, and spellbinding slow-burn romance, Queen of Roses is perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent, and Sarah J. Maas.
Author: Briar Boleyn
Series: Blood of Fae, Book 1
Release Date: April, 15th 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 0.5
Official Description:
A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war...
A cast-off princess…
Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.
A dangerous temptation…
As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.
A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…
Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined.
Queen of Roses fantasy romance
Warning : This article might contain spoilers !!
#1: First thoughts
It's almost unbelievable that I've never come across "Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn before - the first book in the Blood of a Fae series. How could such a captivating and well-crafted fantasy novel have flown under my radar for so long?
The thing that really impressed me about "Queen of Roses" was Boleyn's writing. This author has such a way with words - the prose is so rich and immersive, but never in a way that feels heavy-handed or indulgent. The Prologue is short and intriguing, almost poetic. The world she's built is really intricate but easy to follow and it never slows the story down or makes you feel bogged in the details.
I usually tend to avoid retellings but I must admit there wasn't a second in this book where I compared the story to its original inspiration. The plot is quite unique and the way the author took the tale of King Arthur to create a whole new story was really smart.
#2: Characters & Romance
I also loved how diverse all the characters were. At the center of it all is our FMC Morgan - a heroine who defies the tired tropes of the "sassy brat" that so often plague female leads in fantasy. Morgan is strong and resilient, yes, but she's also deeply vulnerable in ways that make her incredibly relatable. She's clearly endured her fair share of trauma, but her perseverance and value-driven nature shine through, even when her future seems completely out of her control. She's a complex, multifaceted character that you can't help but root for.
Next to her, we have the morally grey Draven, the innocent Kaye, the villainous Florian and Arthur, the confident and strong Lancelet, and the genuinely good-hearted Galahad. It's such a wonderfully varied group.I was also pleasantly surprised by the slow-burn romance that emerges between Morgan and Draven. Too many fantasy romance novels these days rely on the insta-love trope, but Boleyn takes the time to build a genuine, believable connection that slowly develops.
I did not expect that there would be any steam as Boleyn mentioned in her introduction that this is something to be seen in future books but I would still give it a tiny 1 on my spice level.
#3: Final Thoughts Queen of Roses Fantasy Romance
Overall, I am really, really satisfied with this book - what a beautiful and unexpected surprise. The book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts which created quite the suspense but thankfully the sequels are already out & downloaded!
Also good news: The series is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This review reflects my own and unbiased opinion.
If you liked this review of Queen of Roses or have any questions or comments, let me know !
Queen of Roses fantasy romance
Disclaimer: I have added an affiliate link for your convenience so you can directly purchase the book if you are intrigued. This also means that I will receive small commission. This does not affect inclusion in my reviews or the overall rating of the book.
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