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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Trigger Warnings: Alcoholism, domestic abuse, parent death, homophobia, misogyny, death in childbirth, child death, animal death, execution, child abuse, murder, violence
Queen of Roses is a retelling of King Arthur & Knights of the Roundtable but follows Morgan Pendragon who's the sister of Arthur. It's advertised as a dark fae "romantasy" however, I would say that this first book in the series is definitely more on the "fantasy" side with a romance side-plot thrown in. I think my expectations for this book were incorrect going in as I expected a bit more romance than what we got. The romance that was there consisted of a love triangle and never gets spicy. However, I would guess that the romance side of this series will heat a bit more in the subsequent books.
The world building is great and there's a lot thrown in there (I wish there had been a map included in either the beginning or end of the book for reference). Boleyn is very descriptive with her scene setting. However, at sometimes her scene setting/world building/character development could be repetitive. Furthermore, I often felt that the writing could be flushed out a bit more - at certain parts it felt a bit 'wattpad'-y. I loved the blending of fae & King Arthur characters/world (Camelot, King Arthur, Morgan Le Fay, Galahad, Merlin, Lancelot) along with the gender-bending twists - it really was a cool idea.
The FMC, Morgan, requires a bit more character development (along with Draven, her male love interest). She's advertised as this bad*ss who knows sword work and has a bold personality but, in reality, she's quite naive, timid, submissive and unsure of herself. I was hoping for a personality arc along with her physical changes throughout the book, but that never happened.
The ending though....IT HOOKED ME! The twists, turns & non-stop action the last 80 pages had me SWEATING.
BOTTOM LINE: Overall, this was a good start to this series. It felt like the first book was more of a prologue/starting point for the series overall with its complex world-building and buddings of a romance. The series requires some character development for the FMC but, the ending cliffhanger has me wishing for more.
Thank you to Starwater Press, Brirar Boleyn & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Queen of Roses is a retelling of King Arthur & Knights of the Roundtable but follows Morgan Pendragon who's the sister of Arthur. It's advertised as a dark fae "romantasy" however, I would say that this first book in the series is definitely more on the "fantasy" side with a romance side-plot thrown in. I think my expectations for this book were incorrect going in as I expected a bit more romance than what we got. The romance that was there consisted of a love triangle and never gets spicy. However, I would guess that the romance side of this series will heat a bit more in the subsequent books.
The world building is great and there's a lot thrown in there (I wish there had been a map included in either the beginning or end of the book for reference). Boleyn is very descriptive with her scene setting. However, at sometimes her scene setting/world building/character development could be repetitive. Furthermore, I often felt that the writing could be flushed out a bit more - at certain parts it felt a bit 'wattpad'-y. I loved the blending of fae & King Arthur characters/world (Camelot, King Arthur, Morgan Le Fay, Galahad, Merlin, Lancelot) along with the gender-bending twists - it really was a cool idea.
The FMC, Morgan, requires a bit more character development (along with Draven, her male love interest). She's advertised as this bad*ss who knows sword work and has a bold personality but, in reality, she's quite naive, timid, submissive and unsure of herself. I was hoping for a personality arc along with her physical changes throughout the book, but that never happened.
The ending though....IT HOOKED ME! The twists, turns & non-stop action the last 80 pages had me SWEATING.
BOTTOM LINE: Overall, this was a good start to this series. It felt like the first book was more of a prologue/starting point for the series overall with its complex world-building and buddings of a romance. The series requires some character development for the FMC but, the ending cliffhanger has me wishing for more.
Thank you to Starwater Press, Brirar Boleyn & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a really fun read! I finished the majority of it in one day. I was enjoying it well enough during part 1 but once part 2 started the story line really picked up for me! I love Morgan’s character as well as Dravens! My only complaint is that we didn’t get their romance which is what I was hoping we’d get into with each turn of the page! But I suppose that’s on purpose of a slow burn and so you can follow them into the 2nd book which clearly works very well bc I am dying to get to that. This was a very solid first book is a fantasy series as we all know can be hit or miss. It was very easy to understand and I loved the mixture of fae and royalty that give its a fairytale feeling! I recommend this book and plan to purchase physical copies to continue the series ❤️
Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
This was a King Arthur/Camelot retelling that was packed full of adventure. It was entertaining and the world building was fantastic. I could picture every town and building they came across or entered and it all sounded beautiful and enchanting. I liked most of the characters enough. Florian was a piece of shit and deserved what happened to him. Draven is a great morally gray character that I can't wait to read more about. Morgan was just annoying at times and almost too submissive. Like girl, you were supposed to be queen but you're fine with everyone else making decisions for your life. Her brother, King Arthur, is a tyrant of a king and I hope he gets taken down in the rest of the series. And then there always has the be the sweet and cute guy that you want to fall for that ends up betraying the group. The cliff hanger at the end is brutal so I'm glad I've got the rest of the series to start immediately. Overall I hope the rest picks up and is even more exciting.
This was a King Arthur/Camelot retelling that was packed full of adventure. It was entertaining and the world building was fantastic. I could picture every town and building they came across or entered and it all sounded beautiful and enchanting. I liked most of the characters enough. Florian was a piece of shit and deserved what happened to him. Draven is a great morally gray character that I can't wait to read more about. Morgan was just annoying at times and almost too submissive. Like girl, you were supposed to be queen but you're fine with everyone else making decisions for your life. Her brother, King Arthur, is a tyrant of a king and I hope he gets taken down in the rest of the series. And then there always has the be the sweet and cute guy that you want to fall for that ends up betraying the group. The cliff hanger at the end is brutal so I'm glad I've got the rest of the series to start immediately. Overall I hope the rest picks up and is even more exciting.
A nice twist on the usual Camelot inspired books. Easy fantasy to consume. Looking forward to reading the next
Spicy
This book was so good. It kept me on my toes, it kind of eluded to what was going to happen, but was still surprising. I could not put it down. A read in one sitting type of book. Took a second to get used of the writing- not my favorite but I can see why others like it. Can’t wait to read book 2.
Morgan’s character got annoying when Vesper was introduced. But everyone is a little annoying around their crush. She had a lot of room for character development but she almost went backwards on her growth. Excited for her to learn more about herself & powers.
This book was so good. It kept me on my toes, it kind of eluded to what was going to happen, but was still surprising. I could not put it down. A read in one sitting type of book. Took a second to get used of the writing- not my favorite but I can see why others like it. Can’t wait to read book 2.
Morgan’s character got annoying when Vesper was introduced. But everyone is a little annoying around their crush. She had a lot of room for character development but she almost went backwards on her growth. Excited for her to learn more about herself & powers.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall Review (spoilers)
I am a sucker for Arthurian retellings. I plan BBC Merlin, but give me Camelot and it’s history and I melt faster than sugar in water.
Queen of Roses is the first book in a Arthurian retelling, except Arthur is a bad guy, there’s hot fae, and Morgana is powerful…except she doesn’t realize it.
After witnessing her mother’s death, Morgan grows up in the court of her father then Arthur. Having be usurped for the throne from her father, Morgan was suppose to simply be a priestess and hidden away from the world due to her fae blood. However, Arthur decides to send her on a deadly quest with a really hot assassins. If she fails, Arthur has made it clear that she will meet a worse fate than having to serve the gods.
I really like Boleyn’s inclusion of tropes while still managing to tell a new story. The magic system does need a little work, and sometime I feel like Boleyn was explaining things that should have been shown instead of explained via words, but overall this is a pretty great book. I can’t wait to read the second!
Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating:
Overall Review (spoilers)
I am a sucker for Arthurian retellings. I plan BBC Merlin, but give me Camelot and it’s history and I melt faster than sugar in water.
Queen of Roses is the first book in a Arthurian retelling, except Arthur is a bad guy, there’s hot fae, and Morgana is powerful…except she doesn’t realize it.
After witnessing her mother’s death, Morgan grows up in the court of her father then Arthur. Having be usurped for the throne from her father, Morgan was suppose to simply be a priestess and hidden away from the world due to her fae blood. However, Arthur decides to send her on a deadly quest with a really hot assassins. If she fails, Arthur has made it clear that she will meet a worse fate than having to serve the gods.
I really like Boleyn’s inclusion of tropes while still managing to tell a new story. The magic system does need a little work, and sometime I feel like Boleyn was explaining things that should have been shown instead of explained via words, but overall this is a pretty great book. I can’t wait to read the second!
Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating:
Love love love this book and starting book 2 right after this review!!
This is an Arthurian retelling, but with a twist. The way this authors changes up the characters from the stories we know so well gives a fresh take on it that I really enjoyed. It was a whole new story on its own and I devoured it!! This story has so much world building without making me feel overwhelmed and I felt I was there the entire time. Draven was my favorite the moment he walked and then the moment he Who did this to you, you just knew he was the one! My favorite part of this book was reading about Morgan and learning who she is and the strength she finds within herself. And then that ending omg I have to go now to read to know what happens next!!!
This is an Arthurian retelling, but with a twist. The way this authors changes up the characters from the stories we know so well gives a fresh take on it that I really enjoyed. It was a whole new story on its own and I devoured it!! This story has so much world building without making me feel overwhelmed and I felt I was there the entire time. Draven was my favorite the moment he walked and then the moment he Who did this to you, you just knew he was the one! My favorite part of this book was reading about Morgan and learning who she is and the strength she finds within herself. And then that ending omg I have to go now to read to know what happens next!!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm hooked, immediately bought book 2. I love how the author changed the Authorian lore in this book. I'm excited to see where the story takes me.