Reviews with content warning for Infertility - Court of Claws

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Court of Claws by Briar Boleyn

8 reviews

irenemayblack's review against another edition

challenging dark funny tense slow-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? Yes

4.0

I absolutely adored every second of this book. The whole thing felt like a crossover of the challenges under the mountain in ACOTAR, and the hilarious banter of Fourth wing all mixed in with hints of Arthurian legend. In other words, a splendid fantasy novel and enthralling sequel.

To make things better— it was a bit spicier than Queen of Roses. I'm hoping to see this continue with the other books in the series.

The rising romance and banter between Morgan and Kairos was well written in my opinion for the rest of the plot going on around it. I loved getting to see their characters get more attraction to each other and to see character development grow stronger in them both as the book went on.

I received this book through Netgalley and I absolutely can't wait to see where the rest of this series goes!

⭐️ 4
🌶 2/5

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sassypantsreading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Court of Claws is so good, but oh, how I wish it was written as dual-POV. I NEED to know what Draven is thinking! There are so many little twists in this book that I want his thoughts on. His point of view would just add more fullness to the story. I loved (most of) the new characters that were introduced in this book. Morgan drove me a bit crazy. She was very stubborn and dead set on believing the very worst of Draven at every turn. I didn’t enjoy the way the book ended because I can’t possibly fathom what comes next in the story. Thank goodness I have the next two books ready to go!

I received a copy of Court of Claws for free from NetGalley. Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for this copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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manaledi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I give her credit in that this book was not all that much like the first even if both are classics of the romantasy genre. A much more interesting cast of secondary characters. The villains are so very evil, almost like caricatures.

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roxxie's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? Yes

3.75

Court of Claws ♦ Briar Boleyn | Review

The captivating voyage into the mysterious realm of fae with a hint of the Arthurian legend is continued in Court of Claws, the second installment in Briar Boleyn’s Blood of a Fae series. The story weaves a tapestry of intrigue, sensuality, and unexpected turns. There are parts of character development that need to more exploration, while the story deftly digs deeper into the fae’s lore, providing a rich and engaging experience.

Court of Claws ♦ Briar Boleyn

Opinion

The way the female protagonist Morgan Pendragon is portrayed in Court of Claws is one of its most notable features. She may be charming, but it’s difficult to ignore her enduring innocence and sluggish progress toward developing common sense. It is impossible not to wish for Morgan to grow up from her initial innocence throughout the story. Although her character does experience some improvement, it happens at a slow pace that occasionally makes the reader impatient. However, this flaw is not without its silver lining, as it sets the stage for a promising arc in future installments.

In contrast, Kairos Draven, the male lead, matures admirably in Court of Claws. Boleyn expertly sculpts his character, revealing layers of intricacy and depth that lend richness to the story. Draven’s emotional and mental growth is a feature of the novel, demonstrating the author’s skill at creating various characters. The sole complaint is the two characters‘ lack of communication. More open interaction between Morgan and Draven could have helped the storyline by reducing some of the unneeded drama that emerges throughout the novel.

The surprising cliffhanger that finishes Court of Claws is one of the novel’s most riveting parts. Boleyn keeps readers on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next chapter in her extraordinary story. The epilogue, in particular, defies expectations, providing a dimension of suspense that wants readers to grab the next volume immediately.

Conclusion

Finally, Court of Claws drives the Blood of a Fae series ahead by constructing a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of the fae realm. While Morgan’s delayed progress tries the reader’s patience, Draven’s growth and the unexpected narrative twists make this installment worth reading. Fans of the series will definitely look forward to the next installment in order to solve the secrets hinted at in the cliffhanger finish.

This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

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lastblossom's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

tl;dr
Fans of the first will probably like this one even more.

Thoughts
In my review of the previous installment in this series, I mentioned that it was already a bit too dark for my tastes. Well, it's gotten darker. That makes my personal opinion pretty clear, so I'll keep this brief. If you liked the first book and you want something with more twists, more action, and more SPICE, then come on in! I also lamented that Morgan didn't seem to push back much in the first book. She pushes back a lot more now, but maybe... too much? Perhaps her Goldilocks moment will come in the third installment where she'll push back the exact right amount. With a cliffhanger like that, I certainly hope so.

Thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

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anapthine's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Often with sequels or the second book of a series, it is never as good as the original. However, this second instalment of the Blood of a Fae series is so much better. I cannot put into words how addicted I was to the plot. The twists and turns were often unpredictable, and I loved the new characters with their own backstories. This was an incredibly well written addition to Queen of Roses.

We once again follow Morgan, after the events of the betrayal and deaths of Queen of Roses, where she deals with her grief and still is determined to save her little brother who is trapped under King Arthur’s reign and command. Surrounded by lies and the still a stranger Draven, she is forced to adjust in the court of Siabra, almost a lifetime away from her home.

Oh my word, the ending I was not expecting and made me frustrated that the Empress of Fae (#3) could not come any sooner - I am so excited to read it.

My favourite line from this book was: “Morally grey asshole.”

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emilyrose_isreading's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Morgan Pendragon has now found herself on a new continent within the kingdom of Sorega, surrounded by a new kind of Fae she never realised existed, the Siabra. She is learning many things about this new court, including their prince Draven who had been in disguise while traveling with her. Morgan is desperate to get back to her own court, which her elder brother has turned violent, but in Sorega an internal fight has begun and Draven refuses to free her just yet.
This sequel to Queen of Roses is a beautiful romantasy retelling of Camelot. I found myself submerged in the story, and I love Briar Boleyn's writing. With Morgan in a new environment, I love that we learn things about Sorega and the Siabra at the same time as her. There are some elements of this sequel I didn't enjoy as much as the first book, including how manipulate the love interest is however that's my personal preference as the world and character building is once again amazing. I definitely recommend this series to all my romantasy girlies.
Once again there are graphic themes, so please check content/trigger warnings.
Thank you so much to Briar Boleyn, Netgalley and Starwater Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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seetaylorwrite's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was even more riveting than the first! Morgan and Draven are in a new setting with new challenges and new faces. The banter is still wonderful and feelings begin to emerge as the slow burn comes to fruition. My heart is still shattered over certain events at the end of Queen of Roses, and we see Morgan wrestle with the feelings of grief and guilt associated with that.

My favorite of the new faces, I believe is Odessa. She’s fierce and loyal, trusting Draven every step of the way. She’s a fighter and just… amazing.

It was just absolutely incredible and I’m so sad I’ve finished it so quickly. I wasn’t able to put it down. Come on November!!!!

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