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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This book is a retelling of King Arthur told from the point of view of Morgan. I really enjoyed the world building and the inclusion of fae.
The world building was a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed the introduction to the characters, but I do still have a ton of questions with regards to what was going on. I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The world building was a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed the introduction to the characters, but I do still have a ton of questions with regards to what was going on. I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Firstly, hats off to NetGalley for approving my request to read this.
Queen of Roses is a dark fantasy romance based off the well known King Arthur story. From the synopsis, the book seemed captivating to read, the cover was appealing and the last line of the prologue had me hooked.
However, as someone that is a big fantasy reader, I don't think it lived up to my expectations. The beginning started well and the build up was great. The slow burn was not burning as much as I thought it would but I eventually saw the disclaimer at the end that it gets better in the next book. I could not dig the name Draven. No pronunciation made me feel good about it.
My heart skipped once. “Is that his fucking name on you?”
The relationship with Vesper seemed rushed so I was already skeptical from the beginning and kind of saw the whole ending coming.
The ending left me confused and I like to believe that's the point of the whole cliffhanger…to get me to pick up the next book.
Overall, it was an okay read to me.
Queen of Roses is a dark fantasy romance based off the well known King Arthur story. From the synopsis, the book seemed captivating to read, the cover was appealing and the last line of the prologue had me hooked.
However, as someone that is a big fantasy reader, I don't think it lived up to my expectations. The beginning started well and the build up was great. The slow burn was not burning as much as I thought it would but I eventually saw the disclaimer at the end that it gets better in the next book. I could not dig the name Draven. No pronunciation made me feel good about it.
My heart skipped once. “Is that his fucking name on you?”
The relationship with Vesper seemed rushed so I was already skeptical from the beginning and kind of saw the whole ending coming.
The ending left me confused and I like to believe that's the point of the whole cliffhanger…to get me to pick up the next book.
Overall, it was an okay read to me.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
The FMC grew on me throughout the book. Some dark scenes but tame for most dark romance books. Lots of brooding from the MMC. Overall I enjoyed it and read it in a day.
adventurous
slow-paced
The following review may contain spoilers of some sort - please read ahead with caution.
I started this book with little to no knowledge about the plot, characters, or style of romance.
Usually, I can dive right into a book & feel settled and excited.
However, the beginning took me a few days to start. I would read it, stop, put it down, and the next day try again. I think I reread the prologue more times than I would like to admit. At first glance, I thought, "Oh here we go again, a desperate mate bond - classic - the whole 'I can't live without you' trope" OH GOODIE. I felt the prologue was in itself a spoiler.
Queen of Roses offers a unique twist on the tale of Camelot and introduces readers to a mysterious protagonist whose journey of self-discovery unfolds in a world teeming with intrigue. While the book certainly has its merits, there are aspects that leave much to be desired.
What worked:
- The enigmatic allure of the main character is a standout feature. Boleyn skillfully guides us through the protagonist's exploration of self, mirroring our own journey of discovery. This intricate narrative approach adds depth to the character's evolution.
- Boleyn's imaginative reimagining of Camelot captivates the reader. Who doesn't love a good tale of the greatest legends of our time! By presenting a well-known hero as a villain, the author introduces a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective on the legendary realm. The gender swaps for well-known figures from Arthurian legends, and the subtle yet perfect name changes add flavour!
What fell short:
- The initial dialogue was a stumbling block, with its awkward and unnatural delivery disrupting the immersive experience. The attempt to make expressions "interesting" or "unique resulted in a jarring effect that may pull readers away from the enchanting world.
- While the reimagined Camelot is intriguing, the world-building feels incomplete. Key historical aspects are skimmed over or neglected in this new world, which leaves us as readers yearning for a richer context that would fully immerse us in the tale.
- The character depth and interactions left something to be desired as well. A more thorough exploration of the connections between the main protagonist and their companions could have evoked stronger emotional investment from the readers.
- The occasional spelling errors (kindle version) and peculiar phrasing momentarily detracted from the reading experience.
- The pacing suffered from abrupt shifts between plotlines, creating a rushed sensation that hindered the overall story flow.
- The character relationships at times felt contrived, particularly a sudden and unexplained shift from discomfort to trust, undermining the authenticity of their connections.
Despite its flaws, "Queen of Roses" manages to deliver an enjoyable reading experience for a nice rainy day. The tale is replete with unexpected twists, even if some prove predictable. Regrettably, the book's conclusion feels hurried, leaving the readers craving a more gradual and satisfying resolution. This leads me to my excitement for book 2 - and yes - I WILL BE READING BOOK 2.
Moreover, Vesper's character is...undeniably attractive. I am a sucker for a fae male with copper hair.
Queen of Roses offers readers an inventive spin on a classic legend, and I am looking forward to more adventuring with Morgan in book 2. A tale of mystery and magic, and while the book has its shortcomings, it remains a worthy read for those who seek a look into the "true" world of Camelot.
Thank you again, NetGalley for the book!
I started this book with little to no knowledge about the plot, characters, or style of romance.
Usually, I can dive right into a book & feel settled and excited.
However, the beginning took me a few days to start. I would read it, stop, put it down, and the next day try again. I think I reread the prologue more times than I would like to admit. At first glance, I thought, "Oh here we go again, a desperate mate bond - classic - the whole 'I can't live without you' trope" OH GOODIE. I felt the prologue was in itself a spoiler.
Queen of Roses offers a unique twist on the tale of Camelot and introduces readers to a mysterious protagonist whose journey of self-discovery unfolds in a world teeming with intrigue. While the book certainly has its merits, there are aspects that leave much to be desired.
What worked:
- The enigmatic allure of the main character is a standout feature. Boleyn skillfully guides us through the protagonist's exploration of self, mirroring our own journey of discovery. This intricate narrative approach adds depth to the character's evolution.
- Boleyn's imaginative reimagining of Camelot captivates the reader. Who doesn't love a good tale of the greatest legends of our time! By presenting a well-known hero as a villain, the author introduces a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective on the legendary realm. The gender swaps for well-known figures from Arthurian legends, and the subtle yet perfect name changes add flavour!
What fell short:
- The initial dialogue was a stumbling block, with its awkward and unnatural delivery disrupting the immersive experience. The attempt to make expressions "interesting" or "unique resulted in a jarring effect that may pull readers away from the enchanting world.
- While the reimagined Camelot is intriguing, the world-building feels incomplete. Key historical aspects are skimmed over or neglected in this new world, which leaves us as readers yearning for a richer context that would fully immerse us in the tale.
- The character depth and interactions left something to be desired as well. A more thorough exploration of the connections between the main protagonist and their companions could have evoked stronger emotional investment from the readers.
- The occasional spelling errors (kindle version) and peculiar phrasing momentarily detracted from the reading experience.
- The pacing suffered from abrupt shifts between plotlines, creating a rushed sensation that hindered the overall story flow.
- The character relationships at times felt contrived, particularly a sudden and unexplained shift from discomfort to trust, undermining the authenticity of their connections.
Despite its flaws, "Queen of Roses" manages to deliver an enjoyable reading experience for a nice rainy day. The tale is replete with unexpected twists, even if some prove predictable. Regrettably, the book's conclusion feels hurried, leaving the readers craving a more gradual and satisfying resolution. This leads me to my excitement for book 2 - and yes - I WILL BE READING BOOK 2.
Moreover, Vesper's character is...undeniably attractive. I am a sucker for a fae male with copper hair.
Queen of Roses offers readers an inventive spin on a classic legend, and I am looking forward to more adventuring with Morgan in book 2. A tale of mystery and magic, and while the book has its shortcomings, it remains a worthy read for those who seek a look into the "true" world of Camelot.
Thank you again, NetGalley for the book!
the most underrated
wow- first of all, i love arthurian legends and the like so this was an awesome idea to me from the start. the world building was so interesting, seriously high level but not confusing. our fmc was a little dim in the beginning but for good reason. i love the way she progresses throughout. i also eat up a mysterious past and lineage. the ending was too good and i read the entire book in a night just to see how everything panned out. i’m very interested to see where we go from here in the case of this SLOW burn. i find a lot of authors claim slowburn but then they are “bonded” or something at 300 pages. the magic system isn’t super complex but it still has a lot to unpack. i’m excited to read on!
wow- first of all, i love arthurian legends and the like so this was an awesome idea to me from the start. the world building was so interesting, seriously high level but not confusing. our fmc was a little dim in the beginning but for good reason. i love the way she progresses throughout. i also eat up a mysterious past and lineage. the ending was too good and i read the entire book in a night just to see how everything panned out. i’m very interested to see where we go from here in the case of this SLOW burn. i find a lot of authors claim slowburn but then they are “bonded” or something at 300 pages. the magic system isn’t super complex but it still has a lot to unpack. i’m excited to read on!
Loved reading this book, getting to know this world and the characters, and I can't wait to read more!
This book was good - I will be honest, it felt like the author had to drag me along in some places because of how cryptic she was being with the plot and characters. However, that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the suspense. I just have to laugh though, there were many moments I wanted to run around with a massive red flag because of some of these characters lol