Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 11 - Jul 16
Promo Codes Available:
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
Katabasis by R.F. KuangPrepare for one hell of a journey 'A big, bold fantasy romp' GUARDIAN 'R. F. Kuang is making magic' ELLE '[A] truly original and spellbinding hero's journey story' VOGUE 'I devoured it' RED One of the BBC's 25 best books of 2025 2025s most unexpected love story is going to be hell in the new No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling novel by R. F. Kuang. Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's descent to the underworld. Grad student Alice Law has
Prepare for one hell of a journey… 'A big, bold fantasy romp' GUARDIAN 'R.F. Kuang is making magic' ELLE '[A] truly original and spellbinding hero's-journey story' VOGUE 'I devoured it' RED One of the BBC's 25 best books of 2025 2025’s most unexpected love story is going to be hell in the new No.1 Sunday Times bestselling novel by R.F. Kuang.
Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's descent to the underworld. Grad student Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become the brightest mind in the field of analytic magick.
But the only person who can make her dream come true is dead and – inconveniently – in Hell. And Alice, along with her biggest rival Peter Murdoch, is going after him. But Hell is not as the philosophers claim, its rules are upside-down, and if she’s going to get out of there alive, she and Peter will have to work together.
That’s if they can agree on anything. Will they triumph, or kill each other trying? 'Literary super-stardom doesn't seem too far out of her reach' THE HERALD
‘Mind-bending fantasy’ GRAZIA
Format:Hardback 560 pages
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Imprint:HarperVoyager
ISBN:9780008501860
Published:26 Aug 2025
Classifications:Fantasy romance, Myth & legend told as fiction, Romance
Weight:860g
Dimensions:241 x 163 x 39 (mm)
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 1971 reviews
Sort
Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
An action-packed dark romantasy
Format: Kindle
I loved this book! Queen of Roses is an Arthurian-inspired dark romantasy that is the first book in the Blood of Fae series. The story follows Morgan, the princess of Camelot who is rumored to be part fae. Fueled by prejudiced hatred and a mistrust of fae blood, Morgan’s abusive father strips her of her birthright and hands it to her half-brother, Arthur. Instead of becoming queen, Morgan is commanded to join the temple of the goddesses when she comes of age.
However, Arthur turns into a psychopathic, power-hungry, fae-hating king as he ages. He develops malevolent plans and commands Morgan to find an ancient weapon with legendary power. Although Morgan is wary of Arthur’s intentions, she embraces the opportunity to go on a journey and potentially change her fate.
The story picks up from there and we follow Morgan on her quest to find the ancient relic. It’s full of high stakes adventure, mystery, tension, banter, forced proximity, hidden magic, self discovery, and betrayal. This first installment of the series intricately develops the world building and character development. There’s little romance in this book, but it is evident that it is a slow burn that will continue to develop throughout the remainder of the series.
Overall, I loved the world building, the epic fantasy, Morgan’s journey of self discovery, and all of the twists and turns that set the stage for the future installments. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
★★★★★ 4
Arthurian Fae Quest…say less.
Format: Kindle
A fae centered Arthurian tale unlike any I’ve read so far. The author did a great job at descriptive world building, with scenes easily playing out in my minds eye. There was plenty of action, suspense, and even a touch of horror. An enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, a quest, with plot twist and turns aplenty. There was a love triangle, which I’m not usually a fan of but, it played out well in this story line. The FMC, Morgan Pendragon, was so blatantly naïve, yet I typically expect as much in a ‘book one’ of a series, especially one that features a fairly sheltered princess. I was happy to read that in spite of this, she still showed a strong sense of morals, fire, and spine. Now our MMC? Kairos Draven, aka Void’s Edge. Oh, how I’m a sucker for a smoking’ hot grumpy warrior alpha with a witty mouth, and a strong sense of “touch her and die” attitude, so you know who held all my cards. That ending? Just made me swoon all the harder. Now add a battlecat that rivals the size of a horse…and well Ms. Briar Boleyn you have well and truly stolen my heart. I’m excited to see where the story goes from here, and follow along to see more of the characters growth. I went into this story fairly blind, and I think I enjoyed it all the more because of it.
Once the story got going, it had me in an absolute chokehold and it was difficult to put down.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
★★★★★ 3
Not a bad start
Format: Kindle
3 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for the ARC!
A camelot/king Arthur retelling with fae. I was hooked by the idea of this book immediately and was eager to jump into this world.
• slow burn
• enemies to lovers
• who did this to you
Morgan Pendragon watched her mother die by her father's hand when she was just eight years old, hiding under the bed. Morgan is believed to have the tainted blood of the fae in her veins and is cast aside so that her fathers illegitimate son, Arthur, can become the king. She's seen his cruel treatment of the fae firsthand, so when he sends her on a journey to find a fae weapon she seizes the opportunity to do more with her life. Along the way, she finds more than she could have imagined.
I don't know a whole lot about King Arthur and Camelot but I had a lot of fun with this story! The plot has some similar tropes to popular romantasy books (From blood and ash) but there's enough originality here that it doesn't feel like I'm reading a copy. I liked how the fae were different in appearance than what is typical in most fantasy books I've read. In this book they have blue hair, violet skin and a wide range of other characteristics. I thought that the world building was easy to follow and I could easily immerse myself into this world. After reading the blurb I kept wondering when she was going to go on the journey to find Excalibur and it doesn't happen until around the 45% mark.
The story is a bit slow at times but starts to pick up once they begin their journey to find Excalibur. The John Wick style Inn was a fun concept that I enjoyed reading about.
There are a lot of similarities to this and FBAA and I would have liked to have it be a little more different, but I'm hoping book two will have the story turn into something of its own. Overall I enjoyed reading this story and I'm looking forward to reading book two especially after that ending.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2023
★★★★★ 5
Unraveling Fate and Fae: A Captivating Journey in "Queen of Roses"
Format: Kindle
"Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn is a dark fantasy romance that masterfully combines elements of myth, magic, and romance with a captivating King Arthur retelling infused with a Fae twist. From its intricately woven plot to its compelling characters, this novel delivers an immersive reading experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.
At its core, "Queen of Roses" is an enchanting tale of forbidden love and destiny, featuring an exceptionally slow-burn romance that ignites with the intensity of an enemies-to-lovers trope. Against a backdrop of magic and mythical creatures, the story unfolds with tension, banter, and forced proximity, drawing readers into a world filled with love, friendships, self-discovery, and betrayal.
While the novel excels in world-building, character development, and plot intricacies, some readers may yearn for a bit more fire and spice in certain aspects of the narrative. However, the promise of future developments in the series offers hope for an even more dynamic and engaging story to come. I know I personally cannot wait to get into book 2.
With a cliffhanger ending that leaves hearts racing and minds reeling, "Queen of Roses" succeeds in immersing readers from start to finish. Its dark and twisted fantasy elements are expertly balanced with moments of adventure, action, and unexpected twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.
As the story delves into complex themes and explores the depths of its characters' struggles and desires, it's important to note that "Queen of Roses" may contain triggering content. Readers are advised to check the trigger warnings before diving into this captivating tale.
Overall, "Queen of Roses" is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy romance, offering a mesmerizing journey that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the series. With its lush prose, intricate storytelling, and unforgettable characters, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who venture into its enchanted world.
I want to extend a heartfelt shoutout to the author for granting me the opportunity to dive into "Queen of Roses" through NetGalley. It has been an absolute pleasure to explore the captivating world and characters crafted with such skill and imagination. Thank you for entrusting me with this glimpse into your enchanting world.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
★★★★★ 4
Right from the start, I was drawn in by the prologue!!!
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
Queen of Roses (Blood of a Fae #1) by Briar Boleyn
Genre General Fiction ( Adult), Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Dark Romance
“More primordial than the stars. My name was on his lips as he promised unspeakable darkness to any who came between us.”
Right from the start, I was drawn in by the prologue!!!
I’m a big fan of “touch her, and you die” vibes, but I mean, what’s also not to love about a unique Arthurian retelling with gender twists, a treacherous royal court, a dangerous quest, magical Fae & mystical monsters, entwined with a bit of spice!
Morgan, Princess of Pendrath and true heir to the throne has spent most of her life dimming her light to feel safe and to make others comfortable. She is treated as an outcast in the court and repressed by her family due to the blood of the Fae within her and forced to join the Temple of the Three as a priestess in training to one day replace Merlin.
Her brother, King Arthur, who reminds me of Joffrey from Game of Thrones, later tells her that he has other plans and offers her a choice of the Temple or to marry her off for political gain, unless… that is, she can journey through the great unknown and return with a long-lost fae weapon with enchanted powers known as Excalibur.
Her quest begins with a roguish crew that includes the mysterious, arrogant, and heart-tuggingly handsome Captain of the Royal Guard, Kairos Draven, whom she can’t decide if she wants to stab or indulge in pleasure with.
Along the way are plenty of surprises, mystical creatures, and betrayal, all while Morgan uncovers more of the truth about herself and who she can trust.
This book had intriguing storylines and lovable characters that kept me turning pages and wanting more. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds and comes together in book 2, Court of Claws, which I just started reading!!
Read if you’re into-
Dark Fantasy/Romance
Slow–Burn
Question Everything
Magic and Action
Fae
Arthurian Legend
Stabby/Broken FFC
Morally Gray MMC
Forced Proximity
Queen of Roses is perfect for Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas fans.
Please check the trigger warnings page in the table of contents before reading this book.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023
recommand products
Nitrous Express Dominator Dual Stage Billet Crossbar Nitrous Kit (50-300 & 100-500HP) w/5lb Bottle
796.07
Nitrous Express 8 Cyl Gas Nitrous Kit (200-500HP) w/Composite Bottle
1128.68
I Love You to the Moon and Back - Grandparents Frame
21.95
Nitrous Express Dominator Billet Crossbar Pro-Power Nitrous Kit (100-500HP) w/10lb Bottle
629.47
Our First Christmas Wood Frame
21.95