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lover97's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
4 ⭐️
It's been a while since I've read a series that's a true slow burn, I've missed it. This is definitely giving all the vibes of a romance that's going to take a while to develop.
I wasn't expecting this to be a camelot reimagining, but I enjoyed that aspect, and lancelet quickly became a character I liked. Morgan having that female friendship is important in showing us a bit more of her personality and providing some lighter moments.
As far as the plot goes, I felt this was really well paced. Sometimes books with a journey in can drag, but there's enough happening that i never felt bored.
I thought i had predicted the plot twist, but then that last chapter happened now. I can't wait to pick the next one up. I'm hoping we're going to get some much needed world building on the magic system going forward as it's unclear at the moment.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
It's been a while since I've read a series that's a true slow burn, I've missed it. This is definitely giving all the vibes of a romance that's going to take a while to develop.
I wasn't expecting this to be a camelot reimagining, but I enjoyed that aspect, and lancelet quickly became a character I liked. Morgan having that female friendship is important in showing us a bit more of her personality and providing some lighter moments.
As far as the plot goes, I felt this was really well paced. Sometimes books with a journey in can drag, but there's enough happening that i never felt bored.
I thought i had predicted the plot twist, but then that last chapter happened now. I can't wait to pick the next one up. I'm hoping we're going to get some much needed world building on the magic system going forward as it's unclear at the moment.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
strawberryymoonlight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol and War
Minor: Slavery
mj_86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death, Physical abuse, and Slavery
phangirl's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
C - 7; A - 8; W - 6; P - 5; I - 4; L - 3; E - 1.
34/70 (49%)
I really liked the concepts in this book. It really felt like it had do much potential but imo it fell flat in every way. The writing and pacing were decent at the start, but about 60% in the grammar started to drop off and the pacing slowed down a lot for me.
when I finished the book I was so angry about the Morgan's complete lack of agency that I couldn't s op thinking about rhe book. There is literally no point in which Morgan makes an active choice or takes any action. Eg not drinking the potion (Draven threw it away), leaving (Draven made that happen), killing Florian (self preservation but is debatable), loving/liking Vesper (he enchanted her), etc.
It's not for me. The plot and 'character development' were predictable (and I almost never make predictions while reading), which is so disappointing!
34/70 (49%)
I really liked the concepts in this book. It really felt like it had do much potential but imo it fell flat in every way. The writing and pacing were decent at the start, but about 60% in the grammar started to drop off and the pacing slowed down a lot for me.
It's not for me. The plot and 'character development' were predictable (and I almost never make predictions while reading), which is so disappointing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and War
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Drug use, Pedophilia, Slavery, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and War
jrice17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Starwater Press for the advanced reader's copy of this book!
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Queen of Roses. I am by no means an expert in the Arthurian legends, but I appreciated the use of the characters and lore from the stories. So going in most people will have a general idea of characters and items to expect to hear about in the book.
The story was a little slow and repetitive in the middle, but sometimes slower pacing is needed to have explosive scenes in other parts of the book. And those last few chapters of the book were NOT what I was expecting. After reading through the end of the book I had to know more about the world, Morgan (our FMC), and Draven (knight), and continue reading the series.
I really appreciate that the two most stereotypical views of Fae and Faeries is portrayed in the book. We get both the extremely human/classically beautiful as well as the human/animal hybrid interpretations of the Fae. In many Fae inspired books I have read, it seems that the author chooses one or the other, but not both. I hope this dynamic is explored more in the next books in the series.
I can't wait to continue reading this series!
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Queen of Roses. I am by no means an expert in the Arthurian legends, but I appreciated the use of the characters and lore from the stories. So going in most people will have a general idea of characters and items to expect to hear about in the book.
The story was a little slow and repetitive in the middle, but sometimes slower pacing is needed to have explosive scenes in other parts of the book. And those last few chapters of the book were NOT what I was expecting. After reading through the end of the book I had to know more about the world, Morgan (our FMC), and Draven (knight), and continue reading the series.
I really appreciate that the two most stereotypical views of Fae and Faeries is portrayed in the book. We get both the extremely human/classically beautiful as well as the human/animal hybrid interpretations of the Fae. In many Fae inspired books I have read, it seems that the author chooses one or the other, but not both. I hope this dynamic is explored more in the next books in the series.
I can't wait to continue reading this series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
laallain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
4.75
Morgan Pendragon is the rightful heir to her kingdom, but her right is revoked and she spends her life living in her brother’s shadow - all because she has fae lineage & blood. Her future is promised by her father to the priestesses, in which she has little interest. So when her brother the king sends her on a quest for a legendary weapon, she embraces the opportunity to spend time away from his cruelty, despite having to travel with two guards she finds despicable. The reader joins Morgan on her travels where she encounters danger, lust, romance, mysterious creatures, and new information about her own identity.
I absolutely loved this - the writing style is captivating and beautiful, descriptive and emotional yet easy to read. The subject material was often violent but because I loved the writing so much I found it palatable. This was a really fun spin on & retelling of Arthurian life and Camelot! I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where that slow burn romance is going and also following that fantastic ending into the next book.
I absolutely loved this - the writing style is captivating and beautiful, descriptive and emotional yet easy to read. The subject material was often violent but because I loved the writing so much I found it palatable. This was a really fun spin on & retelling of Arthurian life and Camelot! I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where that slow burn romance is going and also following that fantastic ending into the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
erinreadstoomuch's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Pleasantly surprised with this alternative holy grail/excalibur story! Very excited to continue on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Minor: Child death and Slavery
linda_1863's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Author placed listing of Trigger Warnings at the end of book. Story is a retelling of Camelot/ Excalibur/ King Arthur and the rest of the characters slightly altered. Some characters are now female. The MFC is the older sister of Arthur who was born to a Fae mother. Her father forces her to drink a potion every other night. When her father dies and Arthur becomes King his true colors come out and he increases the abuse she has endured since her mother's death. Arthur demands she takes on the task of locating Excalibur. The trip is long and challenging. The things she is forced to endure.
Was this a worthwhile read? Yes. I would suggest you flip to the Trigger Warning page before beginning just to prepare yourself. It really doesn't ruin anything for the reader. It may actually save some people from trauma that may set in.
Was this a worthwhile read? Yes. I would suggest you flip to the Trigger Warning page before beginning just to prepare yourself. It really doesn't ruin anything for the reader. It may actually save some people from trauma that may set in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
page_keeper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
haleyc00k's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Blood, and Death of parent