A Mixed Journey in “Empress of Fae”

The third edition of Briar Boleyn’s Blood of a Fae quartet, Empress of Fae, provides readers with a mix of captivating world-building and adventurous story twists. However, it falls short in some important areas, particularly the development of its core romance. As a fan of the previous books, I was excited to return to the rich, mystical worlds Boleyn has so brilliantly created, yet this installment left me with mixed feelings.

Empress of Fae by Briar Boleyn
Series: Blood of a Fae #3
Published: 10/25/2023 by Starwater Press
Format: ARC, Kindle Edition, 407 pages
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Fae, High Fantasy, Magic, Retelling, Romance
ASIN: B0C8XJGW8H
Language: German
Audience: Adult
Shelve: Read 2024
Link to Goodreads
Rating:

Divided by Oceans but Eternally Bonded

Morgan Pendragon has another name now: Morgan Le Fay. As her true heritage slowly emerges from the mists of the past, Morgan renounces one possible future as the new ruler of the fierce Siabra fae and the wife of the Prince of Claws and vanishes through a portal–returning to Camelot and the Rose Court where her friends and younger brother lie in mortal peril from Arthur's cruel wiles.

But back in the Court of Claws, Kairos Draven won't allow his beloved to disappear from his life so easily. His bond with Morgan goes beyond blood, love, life, and even time itself and neither one of them can relinquish its power or its pull.

Yet Morgan is no ordinary woman. Not only is she beginning to manifest remarkable abilities, but the powers of the gods themselves run through her veins, bestowing her with an unimaginable power and an unthinkable claim over all of Aercanum and beyond...

A claim which some will stop at nothing to put a halt to.

Buy the Book at: Amazon*

Empress of Fae ♦ Briar Boleyn

Opinion

One of the highlights of Empress of Fae is its vibrant and immersive environment. Boleyn has a talent for bringing the world of the Fae to life with lush descriptions and exquisite nuances. The author’s universe continues to develop in new and visually appealing ways. The political intrigue and power battles that take place against this backdrop provide layers of suspense and keep the story interesting. The story itself is fast-paced, with surprising turns, betrayals, and battles that kept me turning pages.

While the location and plot are impressive, the series’ central romance between Morgan Pendragon and Kairos Draven feels increasingly forced and underdeveloped in this book. In the previous volumes, their relationship had a fascinating, slow-burn quality, with palpable tension implying deeper feelings beneath the surface. Unfortunately, Empress of Fae does not build upon this basis hastily. Instead, the romance appears to be driven by storyline demands rather than genuine character growth.

Morgan, a powerful and sophisticated female protagonist, appears emotionally disconnected in her encounters with Kairos, and the once-promising spark becomes diluted. Kairos, who was once a mysterious and captivating figure, now appears to be more of a story device than a fully developed character in this novel. Their interactions are lacking in depth and intensity, as one would expect at this point in their relationship. Important moments between them are frequently rushed, leaving little opportunity to investigate their emotions or intentions. This results in a romance that feels somewhat shallow, leaving me expecting more true connection and growth between the individuals.

Furthermore, while the plot is intriguing, the sheer amount of subplots and side characters presented can make it feel overwhelming at times. This, combined with the lack of development in the main relationship, can make the tale feel imbalanced at times. Some new characters and plot elements, while intriguing, take away from the focus on Morgan and Kairos, making it difficult to completely believe in their journey.

Conclusion

Overall, Empress of Fae is an entertaining read, especially for those who are already invested in the story. It has plenty of action and mystery, but it falls short in presenting a satisfying romance narrative. If you’re searching for more grandiose world-building and high-stakes drama, this book delivers. However, if Morgan and Kairos’ romance was your primary reason for reading the series, you may be disappointed. As a result, I rated this book three stars. It’s a good entry, but it could have been so much more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blood of a Fae — The Series

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