A review by kreela
Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn

5.0

Morgan Le Fay is such a well-known figure I needed to refresh what is known about her. There are so many different versions of the myths, the earliest of which depicts her as a flying healer in 1150. “Another popular theory on Morgan's Celtic origins is that she is based upon the Irish battle-goddess Morrigan. There is, however, little textual evidence to support this theory” (https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/theme/morgan).

Why do I mention this? Because here Morgan was not a conniving sorceress. Although Arthur’s sister, originally she was the heir, but their father declared her tainted and dedicated to the temple. Understandably, she was not dedicated to her religion as Gawaine was, but Merlin tried to teach her the magic and rituals. Morgan tried to take some control of her life by training hard as a Guard, and after an especially torturous session with the stalker Florian, she somehow found endless energy to spar over 6 hours. Unless this was a show of her magical talents that she supposedly didn’t have, I could not hold back my disbelief! 6 hours at full speed? I know marathon runners can do this, but still…

Aside from that instance, reading about a princess who is bullied, reputed to be cursed to live an old woman, is refreshing. With all her fighting prowess on the field, she still was unable to protect herself against Florian’s advances.

Arthur is absolutely racist against the fae, unfair to his citizens, and utterly focused on cementing his command.
“Under Perun’s law, deviancy was dealt with harshly.” He decided to send Morgan to look for Excalibur, while he went on a trip to their closest, rich allie with [hostage] Kaye. Why Kaye? Kaye, her younger brother, was sweet and precocious, and was forced to watch Arthur’s punishments. Thus, Kaye preferred to follow Morgan around. She was a better role model.

Enter a new and mysterious king’s guard: Draven. The most infuriating hick that Morgan ever met, mostly because he did not couch his words in floral language. He kept showing up to protect her, which only made her more infuriated. She needed to gain control over her life.


“Sometimes when I laid awake at night, I counted how many people had died because I existed.
It was not as soothing as counting sheep may have been.”

Charged by Arthur to find the elusive Excalibur, for only she can find it (must be her fae blood), she is strapped with both Draven and the loathsome White , who is loyal to Florian’s house and a stickler for orders. First order: an increase in her daily medicine, which already made her weak and ill. She was never meant to succeed.

My favorite scene, though, occurred in Thieves’ Town when they stopped for healing and a real bed for once. Draven was incapacitated by fever just as a mercenary group descended upon the inn, and the 3 Musketeers-like action was so fun!

The Romance:
“A princess might almost think you cared.”
I really like the interaction between Morgan and Draven. She was a bleeding heart; he was a gruff, silent type. If he pined for her, he would never admit it. She never did admit her attraction, either.

But in Book 2 inside, a third companion appeared and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Of course he was a traveling bard, cook, and weaponsmith. His half-fae looks also attracted Morgan’s attention. He made breakfast for them. He sang. And Draven liked it not a bit.
“Fine,” Drave said darkly. “Since you won’t leave when asked and as my only other option is to kill you, which I know she won’t like...”
“Your sister?”
“My companion,” Draven growled.

Oookay. Now who’s possessive?

Steam: 2 scenes
Love Triangle
Betrayals
Epic Fantasy
Single POV

This was so good, filled with action, romance, plot twists, and a little splash of old-fashioned quest through dangerous lands of fantasy.