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A review by stitchsaddiction
Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Queen of Roses is the first in the Blood of a Fae series, which I'd wanted to read for some time and as part of wanting to work through my tbr list? I began to read this Arthurian tale eagerly.
In every tale I've ever read, Morgan Pendragon/le Fay is written in a dark and often cruel manner. This isn't the case with Briar Boleyn, who treats this legendary Arthurian character with respect and humanity.
Morgan's role as the older sister of Arthur is once again cast aside in favour of her younger half-brother for the role of monarch. However, there's so much more to her than being this evil mage driven to destruction. Instead, in Queen of Roses, Morgan has been training alongside warriors, and the world building even when she's on the training ground brings the Arthurian Wales or England (depending on which of the theories are correct) to life. Everything about this world feels not only magical but real; as though you could train alongside Morgan, or join Merlin (who is female in this tale and somehow that makes more sense) as she prays in a temple. I'd strongly suggest not wanting to spend time with Arthur, however, as he's the cruel and barbaric character in this book - seemingly more like Uther in the legends with his distrust of everything.
Queen of Roses is the beginning of Morgan's journey of self-discovery discovery as she's sent away from all she's known with two soldiers who're strangers to her to find something that will protect Camelot. The journey is fraught with danger and the unknown, and again, the world building and Briar Boleyn's description of fictional creatures brings this magical tale to life. I was so glad I had first added this series to my tbr list and then read it.
Queen of Roses is a wonderful tale of magic, a mystery with creatures that are fierce and dangerous, with wonderful characters that are both strong and vividly written. This is an Arthurian legend with a fresh and interesting look at that world, which has held the fascination of many for so many years. Morgan le Fay is incredible in this book, and I loved her fierceness and how she grows in strength and courageousness as her journey unfolds.
In every tale I've ever read, Morgan Pendragon/le Fay is written in a dark and often cruel manner. This isn't the case with Briar Boleyn, who treats this legendary Arthurian character with respect and humanity.
Morgan's role as the older sister of Arthur is once again cast aside in favour of her younger half-brother for the role of monarch. However, there's so much more to her than being this evil mage driven to destruction. Instead, in Queen of Roses, Morgan has been training alongside warriors, and the world building even when she's on the training ground brings the Arthurian Wales or England (depending on which of the theories are correct) to life. Everything about this world feels not only magical but real; as though you could train alongside Morgan, or join Merlin (who is female in this tale and somehow that makes more sense) as she prays in a temple. I'd strongly suggest not wanting to spend time with Arthur, however, as he's the cruel and barbaric character in this book - seemingly more like Uther in the legends with his distrust of everything.
Queen of Roses is the beginning of Morgan's journey of self-discovery discovery as she's sent away from all she's known with two soldiers who're strangers to her to find something that will protect Camelot. The journey is fraught with danger and the unknown, and again, the world building and Briar Boleyn's description of fictional creatures brings this magical tale to life. I was so glad I had first added this series to my tbr list and then read it.
Queen of Roses is a wonderful tale of magic, a mystery with creatures that are fierce and dangerous, with wonderful characters that are both strong and vividly written. This is an Arthurian legend with a fresh and interesting look at that world, which has held the fascination of many for so many years. Morgan le Fay is incredible in this book, and I loved her fierceness and how she grows in strength and courageousness as her journey unfolds.