The Captivating Second Installment of This Dark Fantasy Romance Series Brimming with Unique Magic, Magical Creatures, and Spellbinding Slow-Burn Romance
Author: Briar Boleyn
Series: Blood of Fae, Book 2
Release Date: June, 30th 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 1.5
Official Description:
Bound to a man she hates more than she ever thought possible...
Everything Morgan Pendragon knows and loves is gone as she wakes in the dangerous court of the Siabra. The man she was falling in love with is dead, and in his place is a man she barely knows. Surrounded by liars and knives in the dark, all Morgan wants to do is run the other way but Kairos Draven is determined to keep her by his side. As Morgan and Draven's lives become even more irrevocably entwined, little do they know the sins of the past are coming for them both…For the Prince of Claws will drown kingdoms in blood for her sake.
Warning : This article might contain spoilers !!
court of claws briar boleyn
#1: First thoughts
"Court of Claws" by Briar Boleyn is the thrilling second installment in the "Blood of a Fae" series, and it's a book that had me hooked from the very first page. As I devoured the first book in the series, I was eagerly anticipating the continuation of Morgan and Draven's story, and Boleyn did not disappoint.
The book picks up shortly after the events of the first book, with Morgan waking up in a strange new place - the Court of Umbral Flames, the home of the Siabra people and Draven's own court. Draven, it turns out, is the Prince of Claws, and he's holding Morgan "captive" in his suite as part of a plan to make it appear that they are romantically involved so that she won't be harmed. What might appear at first like betrayal on his side and him kidnapping her, is actually Draven saving her life and hiding her from her brother until he has reclaimed the throne.
From there, the story takes some unexpected twists and turns, as Morgan navigates the treacherous politics of the Siabra court and the three trials that will determine the next ruler. Along the way, she meets a young boy named Beks who helps her escape captivity for a time and explore the palace's hidden tunnels. I really liked the addition of his character, he reminded me a lot of her younger brother Kaye.
#2: Characters & Romance
One of the things I loved most about this book was the deeper dive into Draven's character and backstory. In the first book, he was a bit of a mystery, but here we get to see more of his motivations and the challenges he's faced. The relationship and dynamic between him and Morgan also is both intriguing and frustratingly complicated, with the revelation that they are now bonded, which adds an extra layer of complexity to their relationship.
That said, I did get a bit frustrated with Morgan at times, as she seemed to constantly mistrust Draven and overreact to the situation they found themselves in. I understand her hesitation, given the unusual circumstances, but there were moments where I just wanted to shake some sense into her. I would say that her character development was the biggest disappointment for me in the book and definitely took some of the joy away. In the first book I was praising the author for not depicting her as the typical FMC who is immature, stubborn and a bit slow-witted at times - character traits that have (unfortunately) become so common in fantasy romance novels. While she was smart, understanding, kind and resilient in the first book, she became almost unbearable in the second.
The author has already hinted in the first book that the spice level would increase with each instalment and that is certainly true. The love-hate steamy scenes were quite delicious. I would still give it a 1.5-2 on my scale as it took a while to develop.
#3: Final Thoughts
Despite this and the slow pace in the first half, the book is full of twists and turns that I never saw coming, and the world-building continues to be top-notch. The trials for the throne were particularly thrilling, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all play out. By the end of the book, Morgan has made some significant strides in her own power and independence, and I'm excited to see where her journey takes her in the next instalment. The cliffhanger ending has left me with so many questions, and I can't wait to dive into the next book to get some answers.
Overall, "Court of Claws" is a great addition to the "Blood of a Fae" series, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, romance, and a good dose of political intrigue. Briar Boleyn has once again delivered a captivating and immersive read that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
Keep in mind: The series is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This review reflects my own and unbiased opinion.
If you liked this review of Court of Claws or have any questions or comments, let me know !Court of Claws Fantasy Romance
Disclaimer: I have added an affiliate link for your convenience so you can directly purchase the book if you are intrigued. This also means that I will receive small commission. This does not affect inclusion in my reviews or the overall rating of the book.
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