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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Thank you Netgalley & Starwater Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review!
I went into this book expecting something quite different than what I received, mainly because I’m bad at reading blurbs. The story quickly pulled me in and kept me interested. The villainous characters really made my blood boil, and that always has been a mark of a good writer to me. It’s one thing to write likable characters, but another thing completely to write truly hateful baddies.
There were some truly humerus moments as well, with the dialogue between Morgan and Draven making me laugh aloud multiple times.
The lore and mythology teases definitely make me want to continue the series so I can find out more.
I must say that I’m glad that the next book is available because that ending was a rather rude cliffhanger!
I went into this book expecting something quite different than what I received, mainly because I’m bad at reading blurbs. The story quickly pulled me in and kept me interested. The villainous characters really made my blood boil, and that always has been a mark of a good writer to me. It’s one thing to write likable characters, but another thing completely to write truly hateful baddies.
There were some truly humerus moments as well, with the dialogue between Morgan and Draven making me laugh aloud multiple times.
The lore and mythology teases definitely make me want to continue the series so I can find out more.
I must say that I’m glad that the next book is available because that ending was a rather rude cliffhanger!
This book was fantastic!
As someone who doesn’t know the story of King Arthur and Camelot very well, I was so excited to not be able to predict anything that happened in this book. Usually, I can tell exactly what is going to happen in a book, but this book threw me for a loop.
Morgan is our FMC and she is kind and caring and uncertain in who she is. She has spent most of her life hiding half of herself and trying to make as little impact as possible. She has been taught to be ashamed of her half far blood, and that has defined the trajectory of her entire life. When her brother presents her with a chance to leave the kingdom behind and retrieve a lost item for him, she hesitantly takes the chance to leave her sheltered life behind. As her travels evolve, her confidence grows and she comes into her own. Facing unknown dangers, she must learn to believe in herself in order to survive.
Throw in adventure, hot guys, danger and politics and you have a fantastic retelling of King Arthur and Camelot. This book is everything I wanted and I cannot wait to read the second book. The characters are complicated and multifaceted, the politics are messy, and the adventures are extreme. If you want to be kept on your toes, read this book. You will not regret it.
As someone who doesn’t know the story of King Arthur and Camelot very well, I was so excited to not be able to predict anything that happened in this book. Usually, I can tell exactly what is going to happen in a book, but this book threw me for a loop.
Morgan is our FMC and she is kind and caring and uncertain in who she is. She has spent most of her life hiding half of herself and trying to make as little impact as possible. She has been taught to be ashamed of her half far blood, and that has defined the trajectory of her entire life. When her brother presents her with a chance to leave the kingdom behind and retrieve a lost item for him, she hesitantly takes the chance to leave her sheltered life behind. As her travels evolve, her confidence grows and she comes into her own. Facing unknown dangers, she must learn to believe in herself in order to survive.
Throw in adventure, hot guys, danger and politics and you have a fantastic retelling of King Arthur and Camelot. This book is everything I wanted and I cannot wait to read the second book. The characters are complicated and multifaceted, the politics are messy, and the adventures are extreme. If you want to be kept on your toes, read this book. You will not regret it.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I really got into this book ~40% in and then around 75% in it was all good and I couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
good but a fair amount of animal death that even got to me towards the end.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved it but not sure if I would recommend due to the Sexual violence and mysogyny and homophobia in the plot. I can see the author is showing you a terrible place that hopefully a hero will come and sort out but some of it is difficult to read even when it happens off the page. However I really enjoyed the story and characters and the slow burn romance which picks up in book 2. I'm on book 3 now and still enjoying the series. The world is very interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Queen of Roses" introduces readers to a version of Camelot they have never seen before. Morgan is a discarded princess who lives totally at the mercy of her cruel and ruthless brother, King Arthur. Her place within the castle is precarious, at best, and she lives in constant terror of what Arthur and his allies may do to punish her and her loved ones next. As political conflict heats up, Morgan finally gets a chance to make a positive change within Camelot, but it requires her to leave her younger brother and friends behind and place her trust in Draven, a castle newcomer. With enemies moving in and violence appearing in all corners of the court, Morgan is out of time...
This book includes:
- arthurian myth retelling (Merlin, Lancelot, King Arthur, Uther, etc.)
- charming and mysterious strangers
- sick and needs to be nursed back to health trope
- supernatural and mythological creatures
- meddlesome gods
- a tiny bit of dual POV
- unexpected love interest
- LGBT supporting characters
I really enjoyed "Queen of Roses." The romantasy genre tends to become a bit repetitive/predictable, but this story brought something unique and exciting to the table. Morgan's character felt realistic in her trepidations and insecurities, and even the villainous characters felt well motivated. At just a little over, 350 pages, I also felt like this book didn't drone on in its own self importance. Don't get me wrong, I love a good sturdy 1000 page book, but an over insistence on weighty word counts can easily ruin a good book with lagging plot lines and filler drama. "Queen of Roses" suffers from none of those afflictions, however, and allows us to dive into the plot without all the baggage.
Beyond that, this story provides readers with a reimagining of beloved Arthurian characters with a twist. With a female protagonist, along with female versions of Lancelot (here Lancelet) and Merlin, I felt I connect more deeply with Morgan's internal conflicts than I do with the tradition mythological heroes.
I recommend this book to fans of the following titles:
- A Court this Cruel and Lovely
- A Fate Inked in Blood
- Crown of Blood and Glass
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to review this book.
This book includes:
- arthurian myth retelling (Merlin, Lancelot, King Arthur, Uther, etc.)
- charming and mysterious strangers
- sick and needs to be nursed back to health trope
- supernatural and mythological creatures
- meddlesome gods
- a tiny bit of dual POV
- unexpected love interest
- LGBT supporting characters
I really enjoyed "Queen of Roses." The romantasy genre tends to become a bit repetitive/predictable, but this story brought something unique and exciting to the table. Morgan's character felt realistic in her trepidations and insecurities, and even the villainous characters felt well motivated. At just a little over, 350 pages, I also felt like this book didn't drone on in its own self importance. Don't get me wrong, I love a good sturdy 1000 page book, but an over insistence on weighty word counts can easily ruin a good book with lagging plot lines and filler drama. "Queen of Roses" suffers from none of those afflictions, however, and allows us to dive into the plot without all the baggage.
Beyond that, this story provides readers with a reimagining of beloved Arthurian characters with a twist. With a female protagonist, along with female versions of Lancelot (here Lancelet) and Merlin, I felt I connect more deeply with Morgan's internal conflicts than I do with the tradition mythological heroes.
I recommend this book to fans of the following titles:
- A Court this Cruel and Lovely
- A Fate Inked in Blood
- Crown of Blood and Glass
I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to review this book.
*** Thank you to NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for providing me with a reader’s copy of Queen of Roses in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
This is probably my new favorite read of 2023! I will always think about this book and definitely will want to reread!
This was a Camelot retelling with the focus on Morgan Pendragon. And with a Fae twist!! This book was filled with amazing world building, romance, intrigue, and lots and lots of pain and hardship.
First thing I wanted to say is that the reimagining of the original characters is amazing and I could not get enough! Merlin as a female?! Lancelot as a female?! Yes freaking please. What a powerhouse!
I appreciate how each character in this book went through amazing character development, and it further helped this book feel more engaging. Don’t get me wrong, although it is nice to see a FMC grow, if everyone else in the books stays stagnant, it feels weird. Right?? So 10/10 for me there!
The first book follows Morgan as she goes through her life in Camelot as the sister of King Arthur. She relives and lives through the trauma of being a daughter of the terrible and abusive late king and the terrible reign of her young brother Arthur. She mourns the loss of her mother, the first queen, who was fae, and the effects it has in her life in court.
The story does not feel rushed but it also does not feel like it dragged on. Everything that Morgan went through, served a purpose for the main adventure/mission she embarks on.
She is asked by King Arthur to go in search of Excalibur and to bring it back in hopes of “protecting” Camelot. She makes this trek through old fae territory, alongside her companion of sorts, Draven. I would not say their relationship is “enemies to lovers” but it was more of a, “I don’t know you, so I don’t trust you.” There is banter but never cringy or eye roll worthy!
Overall, She is fae/human ish and has her faults but it just makes for a great read. Her learning to love, dealing with heartbreak, family loss and trauma, and abuse, adds to her growth.
The plot twists were amazing and I usually can tell who is not to be trusted and I WAS BLOWN AWAY!
I am so excited to read book 2!
Wow! Wow! Wow!
This is probably my new favorite read of 2023! I will always think about this book and definitely will want to reread!
This was a Camelot retelling with the focus on Morgan Pendragon. And with a Fae twist!! This book was filled with amazing world building, romance, intrigue, and lots and lots of pain and hardship.
First thing I wanted to say is that the reimagining of the original characters is amazing and I could not get enough! Merlin as a female?! Lancelot as a female?! Yes freaking please. What a powerhouse!
I appreciate how each character in this book went through amazing character development, and it further helped this book feel more engaging. Don’t get me wrong, although it is nice to see a FMC grow, if everyone else in the books stays stagnant, it feels weird. Right?? So 10/10 for me there!
The first book follows Morgan as she goes through her life in Camelot as the sister of King Arthur. She relives and lives through the trauma of being a daughter of the terrible and abusive late king and the terrible reign of her young brother Arthur. She mourns the loss of her mother, the first queen, who was fae, and the effects it has in her life in court.
The story does not feel rushed but it also does not feel like it dragged on. Everything that Morgan went through, served a purpose for the main adventure/mission she embarks on.
She is asked by King Arthur to go in search of Excalibur and to bring it back in hopes of “protecting” Camelot. She makes this trek through old fae territory, alongside her companion of sorts, Draven. I would not say their relationship is “enemies to lovers” but it was more of a, “I don’t know you, so I don’t trust you.” There is banter but never cringy or eye roll worthy!
Overall, She is fae/human ish and has her faults but it just makes for a great read. Her learning to love, dealing with heartbreak, family loss and trauma, and abuse, adds to her growth.
The plot twists were amazing and I usually can tell who is not to be trusted and I WAS BLOWN AWAY!
I am so excited to read book 2!
King Arthur retelling in a fantasy romance world with Fae is about a girl named Morgan Pendragon. After Morgan watches her father kill her mother she lives with her trauma and sense of being less than because of her half Fae heritage. Morgan struggles to deal with the political issues arising from lack of food for the people that she wishes to help but not angering King Arthur who makes many shows of corrupt power all while protecting her youngest brother inside the castle. She fights to find her place where she can be content while avoiding marriage to an abusive powerful man or being celibate in the church or finding out who she actually is. Her life is changed when she is sent on a mission with Draven, the new guard, to find Excalibur, along the way finding new and old friends and defeating creatures she has only read about in stories. Does Morgan decide to side with her tyrant brother, King Arthur? Will she choose to keep her youngest brother, Kaye, and her friends safe while trying to help the land of Camelot? Will she side with her people, the Fae? Or will she choose herself to try to find happiness?
I loved loved loved Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn. 5 out of 5 stars hands down. I have nothing bad to say about the book at all, it is utterly perfect. The spice so far in the series is 1-2, very enticing and sweet. I absolutely loved the ending and all the turmoil and heartbreak and cannot wait to read the second book. I was intrigued by the unique lore and creatures that I’ve never heard of before. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
I loved loved loved Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn. 5 out of 5 stars hands down. I have nothing bad to say about the book at all, it is utterly perfect. The spice so far in the series is 1-2, very enticing and sweet. I absolutely loved the ending and all the turmoil and heartbreak and cannot wait to read the second book. I was intrigued by the unique lore and creatures that I’ve never heard of before. One of the best books I’ve read this year.