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Queens of Fate #2
Queen of Fury
One by one the kings of Braetan kneel before King Arthur under a banner of peace.
Hwyfar, eldest daughter of King Leodegraunce and famed libertine of Carelon, has returned to Avillion to find her father ruined by madness and a usurper poised to take the throne. Reluctantly she takes the mantle of Queen Regent to protect her kingdom, but she’ll need an army—which King Arthur pledges to send her, providing she marries one of his knights and surrenders the crown.
Arthur’s forces arrive under the command of Gawain of Orkney, who Hwyfar remembers as a brute; but she comes to realise he is not the man she thought he was, and finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But Arthur has plans for her, and has commanded Gawain to keep well away—and in Arthur’s court, without the King’s blessing, love is treason.
Hwyfar and Gawain must navigate both a world of ancient forests and corrupt magic, and the political machinations of two courts, if they have any hope of escaping Arthur’s ever-tightening grasp.
Hwyfar, eldest daughter of King Leodegraunce and famed libertine of Carelon, has returned to Avillion to find her father ruined by madness and a usurper poised to take the throne. Reluctantly she takes the mantle of Queen Regent to protect her kingdom, but she’ll need an army—which King Arthur pledges to send her, providing she marries one of his knights and surrenders the crown.
Arthur’s forces arrive under the command of Gawain of Orkney, who Hwyfar remembers as a brute; but she comes to realise he is not the man she thought he was, and finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But Arthur has plans for her, and has commanded Gawain to keep well away—and in Arthur’s court, without the King’s blessing, love is treason.
Hwyfar and Gawain must navigate both a world of ancient forests and corrupt magic, and the political machinations of two courts, if they have any hope of escaping Arthur’s ever-tightening grasp.
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2024
5 people are currently reading
4039 people want to read
About the author
Natania Barron
39 books202 followersNatania Barron is a writer with a penchant for the speculative; she is also an unrepentant geek. Her work has appeared in Weird Tales, EscapePod, The Gatehouse Gazette, Thaumatrope, Bull Spec, Crossed Genres, Steampunk Tales, Faerie Magazine, and in a number of anthologies. Her work often incorporates Victorian aesthetics with magic and science fiction, treading between genres whenever possible. Her first novel, Pilgrim of the Sky, debuted in 2011.
She has since published a music fiction novel (ROCK REVIVAL), a trilogy of novellas set in early 20th century high society with monster heroines (THESE MARVELOUS BEASTS), and her Arthurian retelling QUEEN OF NONE will be re-released by Solaris Books in May of 2024, along with its two sequels, QUEEN OF FURY and QUEEN OF MERCY.
Solaris Nova is also publishing her queer Regency romantasy trilogy, Love in Netherford, starting with NETHERFORD HALL in '24 and THE VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS and THE GAME OF HEARTS in '25.
Natania holds a BA in English/Writing from Loyola University Maryland and an MA in English with a concentration in medieval literature from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her spare time she cooks, bakes, drinks wine, crochets, plays guitar and ukulele, and enjoys nature. She lives in North Carolina with her family.
She has since published a music fiction novel (ROCK REVIVAL), a trilogy of novellas set in early 20th century high society with monster heroines (THESE MARVELOUS BEASTS), and her Arthurian retelling QUEEN OF NONE will be re-released by Solaris Books in May of 2024, along with its two sequels, QUEEN OF FURY and QUEEN OF MERCY.
Solaris Nova is also publishing her queer Regency romantasy trilogy, Love in Netherford, starting with NETHERFORD HALL in '24 and THE VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS and THE GAME OF HEARTS in '25.
Natania holds a BA in English/Writing from Loyola University Maryland and an MA in English with a concentration in medieval literature from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her spare time she cooks, bakes, drinks wine, crochets, plays guitar and ukulele, and enjoys nature. She lives in North Carolina with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 6, 2025
This is without a doubt a romance ! Whilst the first book Queen of None had the central character loving someone but totally derailed by her brother King Arthur this story is wholly about Hwyfar and Gawain finding each other in spite of every conceivable obstacle put in their way. Gawain knows his uncle will make him marry someone far away from the politics of the Arthurian court but his heart and soul yearn for the Princess. Hwyfar doesn't trust lightly and never shows her true feelings but not everything in her father's lands is exactly what she thought. Together the couple set out on a quest but the things that they discover truly shake them to their core !
This has passion, betrayal and even humour ! Prepare to be sucked into a time of brutality in the name of honour and plenty of self serving political machinations. I read with horror that the females of nobility were " bled,wed and bred " and can only say I read this with an appreciation of my modern freedom. A unique and innovative way to look at Arthurian legends with magic and romance that truly entertained.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
This has passion, betrayal and even humour ! Prepare to be sucked into a time of brutality in the name of honour and plenty of self serving political machinations. I read with horror that the females of nobility were " bled,wed and bred " and can only say I read this with an appreciation of my modern freedom. A unique and innovative way to look at Arthurian legends with magic and romance that truly entertained.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
September 8, 2024
First, thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. This is my first ever ARC review and I am so happy to have this one be my very first!
This is a sequel, and I have not read the first book, though after this book I do really want to read it and have added it to my TBR! My review does have my thoughts as someone reading this knowing they have not read the first book. It is still a really good book and you could read it as if it was a standalone like I did. But you’ll probably want the first book after if not before reading this one!
Here are my thoughts before reading: The Queen of Fury by Natania Barron is the very first ARC copy I have ever done and The Queen of Fury is the first book I have ever read by Natania Barron. I was drawn to the cover and I accidentally missed that this was the second book in The Queens of Fate Series. That being said I was drawn to it being about the strong women in King Arthur.
Due to this book being a sequel, I did have a harder time diving into the book. (I am definitely going to get the first book, Queen of None.) But once I finally got through the initial chapters of orienting myself in the Arthurian world I did start to enjoy the story (around 20% through the story). That being said the plot was beautifully written and I could not put the book down after I got through the world-building.
Our MMC, Gawain, and FMC, Hwyfar were beautifully written with a lot of depth in their characters. Both characters had an interesting backstory with various threads connecting them (fated, if I dare say). And there was a theme of healing in the book, which I loved not only for Hwyfar’s home but also for Hwyfar and Gawain as they navigated through loss. Loss of family, loss of their positions and control. Barron does a really good job of going in depth of the emotional toll these two experience throughout their journey.
Hwyfar is a very interesting FMC character, she is the eldest daughter of the King of Avillion and was originally supposed to marry King Arthur, for some reason Arthur chose to marry Gweynevere, the younger sister who passed away. Arthur then married Hwyfar’s other sister Mawra. This affected Hwyfar in many ways, loss of magic, drinking and taking many lovers earning her a negative position in King Arthur’s court. Throughout the book, we also see her struggle with trusting others. When her father gets sick she returns to Avillion and eventually becomes the Queen Regent leading to us meeting the MMC.
Our MMC is Gawain, and my initial thoughts on him is that he seems very grumpy. He does not indulge King Arthur on the pursuit for Christianity nor does he want a wife. He also had a connection with Gweynevere. Arthur sends him to Avillion with Gawain’s brother and some other knights to help stop an invasion by Prince Ryence and the Ys. Side note: Gawain is very tall with knee problems as someone who is also very tall with knee problems, this is so relatable so Gawain became my favorite automatically!
The romance was just the right amount and it did have some spice but it was very tastefully written and did not distract from the main story. And the banter! Oh, I loved Hwyfar and her sass and wit! Gawain always knew how to respond to her too. These two kept laughing and I fell in love with each turning page. My favorite quote was, “I will not run, I will not falter.” It was used alot and it really summed up Gawain and Hwyfar’s relationship as they build up trust in each other and their love for each other.
I loved the magic aspect, though sometimes I felt lost on what was going on. There are three forms of magic and a graal mentioned. I did struggle with following the magic lore (granted this was probably explained in Queen of None). And some major conflicts were solved with this magic but I just felt lost when reading it. Despite this the plot was well written and I did not want to put the book down once Gawain and Hwyfar were on their journey in Avillion to parlay with Prince Ryence.
I don’t know a lot about the story of King Arthur aside from the movie and I read one of those classic books on him almost 15 years ago. My Arthurian knowledge was very limited but Natania Barron does a pretty good job explaining the different magical aspects and the politics. Speaking of King Arthur, he was a piece of work, I was not a fan of him and the author did a good job at making me despise King Arthur.
Overall I gave this book 4.25 stars (4 stars). The plot kept me on my toes and the last few chapters had me so worried for Hwyfar and Gawain. The twists and turns were so good! I will definitely be reading more of Natania Barron’s work in the future and Queen of None is in my cart! If you love a forbidden love, Arthurian lore, a powerful FMC, and a giant MMC this is the book for you!
This is a sequel, and I have not read the first book, though after this book I do really want to read it and have added it to my TBR! My review does have my thoughts as someone reading this knowing they have not read the first book. It is still a really good book and you could read it as if it was a standalone like I did. But you’ll probably want the first book after if not before reading this one!
Here are my thoughts before reading: The Queen of Fury by Natania Barron is the very first ARC copy I have ever done and The Queen of Fury is the first book I have ever read by Natania Barron. I was drawn to the cover and I accidentally missed that this was the second book in The Queens of Fate Series. That being said I was drawn to it being about the strong women in King Arthur.
Due to this book being a sequel, I did have a harder time diving into the book. (I am definitely going to get the first book, Queen of None.) But once I finally got through the initial chapters of orienting myself in the Arthurian world I did start to enjoy the story (around 20% through the story). That being said the plot was beautifully written and I could not put the book down after I got through the world-building.
Our MMC, Gawain, and FMC, Hwyfar were beautifully written with a lot of depth in their characters. Both characters had an interesting backstory with various threads connecting them (fated, if I dare say). And there was a theme of healing in the book, which I loved not only for Hwyfar’s home but also for Hwyfar and Gawain as they navigated through loss. Loss of family, loss of their positions and control. Barron does a really good job of going in depth of the emotional toll these two experience throughout their journey.
Hwyfar is a very interesting FMC character, she is the eldest daughter of the King of Avillion and was originally supposed to marry King Arthur, for some reason Arthur chose to marry Gweynevere, the younger sister who passed away. Arthur then married Hwyfar’s other sister Mawra. This affected Hwyfar in many ways, loss of magic, drinking and taking many lovers earning her a negative position in King Arthur’s court. Throughout the book, we also see her struggle with trusting others. When her father gets sick she returns to Avillion and eventually becomes the Queen Regent leading to us meeting the MMC.
Our MMC is Gawain, and my initial thoughts on him is that he seems very grumpy. He does not indulge King Arthur on the pursuit for Christianity nor does he want a wife. He also had a connection with Gweynevere. Arthur sends him to Avillion with Gawain’s brother and some other knights to help stop an invasion by Prince Ryence and the Ys. Side note: Gawain is very tall with knee problems as someone who is also very tall with knee problems, this is so relatable so Gawain became my favorite automatically!
The romance was just the right amount and it did have some spice but it was very tastefully written and did not distract from the main story. And the banter! Oh, I loved Hwyfar and her sass and wit! Gawain always knew how to respond to her too. These two kept laughing and I fell in love with each turning page. My favorite quote was, “I will not run, I will not falter.” It was used alot and it really summed up Gawain and Hwyfar’s relationship as they build up trust in each other and their love for each other.
I loved the magic aspect, though sometimes I felt lost on what was going on. There are three forms of magic and a graal mentioned. I did struggle with following the magic lore (granted this was probably explained in Queen of None). And some major conflicts were solved with this magic but I just felt lost when reading it. Despite this the plot was well written and I did not want to put the book down once Gawain and Hwyfar were on their journey in Avillion to parlay with Prince Ryence.
I don’t know a lot about the story of King Arthur aside from the movie and I read one of those classic books on him almost 15 years ago. My Arthurian knowledge was very limited but Natania Barron does a pretty good job explaining the different magical aspects and the politics. Speaking of King Arthur, he was a piece of work, I was not a fan of him and the author did a good job at making me despise King Arthur.
Overall I gave this book 4.25 stars (4 stars). The plot kept me on my toes and the last few chapters had me so worried for Hwyfar and Gawain. The twists and turns were so good! I will definitely be reading more of Natania Barron’s work in the future and Queen of None is in my cart! If you love a forbidden love, Arthurian lore, a powerful FMC, and a giant MMC this is the book for you!
May 1, 2025
I love love LOVE this! Review to come! 🍎
(FINAL REVIEW:)
I loved this romantic Arthurian retelling of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Not only was it a wonderful reimagining of the island of Avalon, but it incorporated Lyonesse (another mystical land of Arthurian legend) and the island of Ys from Breton folklore into the mix and it just made me so happy overall. And Hwyfar (I’m assuming it’s pronounced as hu-veer) and Gawain? Natania, you have officially joined the ranks of my incredibly limited favorite romantic fantasy authors with these two. 😍
The story follows Hwyfar and Gawain’s POVs about a few years after the events of Queen of None. Hwyfar is a proud but broken woman struggling with taking over a kingdom while trying to deal with her grief for the deaths of her lover and beloved sister on top of her dependence on alcohol and narcotic-like substances. I loved how realistic her substance abuse was in this and how she isn’t afraid to tell people her thoughts. This is a bit opposite of Gawain who I feel lives a lot in his head and only really comes out of his shell when around people he trusts. I loved the exploration of toxic masculinity through the concept of chivalry and its expectations of how men should act and look like as knights. Gawain struggles with how he should act and coupled with his traumatic upbringing with an abusive father, I can see why he strives to be more stoic and righteous man. The interactions between these two was just *chef’s kiss* with their yearning and longing for one another, and I really liked what Barron did with their connection. I was also very impressed with the way in which their bisexuality was handled and how they are each not afraid to talk about their sexual history and previous partners. Really though, these two gave me the idea of two gentle and traumatized gentle giants coming together to help each other heal. 🥹
The only lingering questions that I have are that of Elayne and her role in Hwyfar’s past, but is she the main character for the final book in the trilogy? I would love to get to know more about her! 🤞🏼
All in all, I had an incredible time reading this second installment to The Queens of Fate series, and would really recommend it for fans of Keetch’s Morgan le Fay series and are dying for another stellar Arthurian retelling to fill the time between now and her third book. ✨
Big thank you goes out to Solaris Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review and to the author, Barron, for making me swoon with these two. ❤️
Publication date: December 3!
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
I loved this romantic Arthurian retelling of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Not only was it a wonderful reimagining of the island of Avalon, but it incorporated Lyonesse (another mystical land of Arthurian legend) and the island of Ys from Breton folklore into the mix and it just made me so happy overall. And Hwyfar (I’m assuming it’s pronounced as hu-veer) and Gawain? Natania, you have officially joined the ranks of my incredibly limited favorite romantic fantasy authors with these two. 😍
The story follows Hwyfar and Gawain’s POVs about a few years after the events of Queen of None. Hwyfar is a proud but broken woman struggling with taking over a kingdom while trying to deal with her grief for the deaths of her lover and beloved sister on top of her dependence on alcohol and narcotic-like substances. I loved how realistic her substance abuse was in this and how she isn’t afraid to tell people her thoughts. This is a bit opposite of Gawain who I feel lives a lot in his head and only really comes out of his shell when around people he trusts. I loved the exploration of toxic masculinity through the concept of chivalry and its expectations of how men should act and look like as knights. Gawain struggles with how he should act and coupled with his traumatic upbringing with an abusive father, I can see why he strives to be more stoic and righteous man. The interactions between these two was just *chef’s kiss* with their yearning and longing for one another, and I really liked what Barron did with their connection. I was also very impressed with the way in which their bisexuality was handled and how they are each not afraid to talk about their sexual history and previous partners. Really though, these two gave me the idea of two gentle and traumatized gentle giants coming together to help each other heal. 🥹
The only lingering questions that I have are that of Elayne and her role in Hwyfar’s past, but is she the main character for the final book in the trilogy? I would love to get to know more about her! 🤞🏼
All in all, I had an incredible time reading this second installment to The Queens of Fate series, and would really recommend it for fans of Keetch’s Morgan le Fay series and are dying for another stellar Arthurian retelling to fill the time between now and her third book. ✨
Big thank you goes out to Solaris Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review and to the author, Barron, for making me swoon with these two. ❤️
Publication date: December 3!
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
November 24, 2025
After having read the first book, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to read this one.
Unfortunately my doubts just intensified during the first 40%. The pace is just too slow for me. It made me lose interest in the story and its characters really fast. I also couldn't warm up Hwyfar, the main female protagonist.
Therefore I had to DNF the book.
Unfortunately my doubts just intensified during the first 40%. The pace is just too slow for me. It made me lose interest in the story and its characters really fast. I also couldn't warm up Hwyfar, the main female protagonist.
Therefore I had to DNF the book.
June 4, 2025
I am at a loss for words. This book has completely consumed me, and I am not sure if I will be the same again. I don't think anything I can say will do this book justice, but I will definitely give it my best try!
Let me start off by saying that Sir Gawain is a pure soul and must be protected at all costs.
Queen of Fury is the second installment in the Queens of Fate series by Natania Barron, and it is perhaps my favorite thus far. It's an Arthurian retelling, but more specifically, it is a reimagining of Gawain and the Green Knight.
Those closest to me know that I am a Medievalist at heart. Some of my favorite courses in university were when I was studying medieval history and literature, and in another life, I might have been a historian, archeologist, or anthropologist. So, when a book does historical accuracy right, you bet your bottom dollar I'm gonna be screaming about it 📣
After reading/listening to the first book of the series, Queen of None, I KNEW I was going to love this one, but I was utterly unprepared by how MUCH I would enjoy it.
Told in duo POV, the story takes place twenty years after the events in QoN and follows Princess Hwyfar and Sir Gawain of Orkney.
When King Leodegraunce had taken ill and Avillion was under threat by outside enemy forces, Hwyfar takes up the mantle of Queen Regent and asks King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table for their aid.
Never one to do anything without it benefitting him in some way, Arthur agrees on the condition that Hwyfar bequeath Avillion to him (under a unified Braeton) and marry one of his Knights of his own choosing.
Hwyfar reluctantly accepts these terms, and Gawain is tasked with leading a small troop of Knights into Avillion to assist Hwyfar, but secretly his mission is to find and secure all three object of the famed and legendary Holy Grail.
Together, Hwyfar and Gawain embark on a perilous journey through ancient forests and hidden castles to save the magical isle of Avillion. But Gawain and Hwyfar discover far more than they dared anticipate, including an archaic emotional bond that seems to have been unknowingly pulling them towards each other for years.
I could not get enough of this audiobook. I loved Gawain & Hwyfar's relationship and watching it unfold. Both narrators, Lucy Rayner & Philip Battley, did a flawless job at bringing these two side character (in the first novel) to the forefront and bring them to life in a way I never thought possible.
But it's Barron's writing style that really brings the whole of Arthur's Britain alive. Her language and prose are expertly crafted that I have been turned into a forever fan of hers and will autobuy anything he writes from now on. (There is a Bridgerton-esque Regency inspired romance series of her I have been eyeing 👀).
My favorite part of this book, however, was the way Barron flipped this Arthurian legend on its head by having a feminist hero instead of the traditional male hero. And the Green Knight scene 🤌🏻 absolute perfection.
This book/audiobook is perfect for readers who enjoy Arthurian retellings, enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, prophecy & curses, feminist reimagining, multiple POV, morally grey & self-aware MMCs, and strong FMCs.
5⭐️ hands down 👏🏻
Let me start off by saying that Sir Gawain is a pure soul and must be protected at all costs.
Queen of Fury is the second installment in the Queens of Fate series by Natania Barron, and it is perhaps my favorite thus far. It's an Arthurian retelling, but more specifically, it is a reimagining of Gawain and the Green Knight.
Those closest to me know that I am a Medievalist at heart. Some of my favorite courses in university were when I was studying medieval history and literature, and in another life, I might have been a historian, archeologist, or anthropologist. So, when a book does historical accuracy right, you bet your bottom dollar I'm gonna be screaming about it 📣
After reading/listening to the first book of the series, Queen of None, I KNEW I was going to love this one, but I was utterly unprepared by how MUCH I would enjoy it.
Told in duo POV, the story takes place twenty years after the events in QoN and follows Princess Hwyfar and Sir Gawain of Orkney.
When King Leodegraunce had taken ill and Avillion was under threat by outside enemy forces, Hwyfar takes up the mantle of Queen Regent and asks King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table for their aid.
Never one to do anything without it benefitting him in some way, Arthur agrees on the condition that Hwyfar bequeath Avillion to him (under a unified Braeton) and marry one of his Knights of his own choosing.
Hwyfar reluctantly accepts these terms, and Gawain is tasked with leading a small troop of Knights into Avillion to assist Hwyfar, but secretly his mission is to find and secure all three object of the famed and legendary Holy Grail.
Together, Hwyfar and Gawain embark on a perilous journey through ancient forests and hidden castles to save the magical isle of Avillion. But Gawain and Hwyfar discover far more than they dared anticipate, including an archaic emotional bond that seems to have been unknowingly pulling them towards each other for years.
I could not get enough of this audiobook. I loved Gawain & Hwyfar's relationship and watching it unfold. Both narrators, Lucy Rayner & Philip Battley, did a flawless job at bringing these two side character (in the first novel) to the forefront and bring them to life in a way I never thought possible.
But it's Barron's writing style that really brings the whole of Arthur's Britain alive. Her language and prose are expertly crafted that I have been turned into a forever fan of hers and will autobuy anything he writes from now on. (There is a Bridgerton-esque Regency inspired romance series of her I have been eyeing 👀).
My favorite part of this book, however, was the way Barron flipped this Arthurian legend on its head by having a feminist hero instead of the traditional male hero. And the Green Knight scene 🤌🏻 absolute perfection.
This book/audiobook is perfect for readers who enjoy Arthurian retellings, enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, prophecy & curses, feminist reimagining, multiple POV, morally grey & self-aware MMCs, and strong FMCs.
5⭐️ hands down 👏🏻
December 18, 2024
I loved this.
Where Queen of None was about female rage, this is the love story of Sir Gawain and Princess Hwyfar. Arthur recognizes his nephew Gawain as a political threat that must be neutralized, so when Hwyfar (his ex-betrothed and Queen Regent of Avillion) asks for assistance against her kingdom's invasion by her uncle, Arthur sends Gawain to "help" while secretly searching for the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Hwyfar and Gawain are wrapped in self destruction as they grieve Gwyenevere's death. Hwyfar and Gawain hate each other. But as they find themselves on a quest, they fall in love and discover a bond that can beat all odds.
I laughed, sighed, and ached for these two, and Barron makes me want to read the original Arthurian legends. There are also some deeply romantic lines in here that I am better for reading. And the jokes.
"What brings you joy? What brings you peace? What brings you pain?"
"Your face looks like a crumpled walnut."
"I will gladly go into madness with you, as long as you will have me, and I can feel your pleasure alongside my own."
"If you do not run, I will not falter."
"'So you knew I was there,' I said.
'Yes.'
'And you watched me amble around for an hour.'
'It was more than an hour.'"
"It is not the mirror that holds the power, Gawain. It is the frame. Men pass by our mirrors, calling them instruments of our vanity. In fury they may break the flass, but they do not think to destroy the framework. So survives women's magic: in plain sight."
"Until our bones are ash."
"When the options are 'murder' or 'not murder,' you're rather keen. But when nuance is involved, I'm afraid your strengths lie elsewhere, big brother."
"It is madness, yes. But what is love, but shared madness?"
"Some queens were kings, I suppose, and some princesses, princes."
I am so glad that Solaris picked this series up after the original publisher folded. I would hate to not have this book in my hands.
Where Queen of None was about female rage, this is the love story of Sir Gawain and Princess Hwyfar. Arthur recognizes his nephew Gawain as a political threat that must be neutralized, so when Hwyfar (his ex-betrothed and Queen Regent of Avillion) asks for assistance against her kingdom's invasion by her uncle, Arthur sends Gawain to "help" while secretly searching for the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Hwyfar and Gawain are wrapped in self destruction as they grieve Gwyenevere's death. Hwyfar and Gawain hate each other. But as they find themselves on a quest, they fall in love and discover a bond that can beat all odds.
I laughed, sighed, and ached for these two, and Barron makes me want to read the original Arthurian legends. There are also some deeply romantic lines in here that I am better for reading. And the jokes.
"What brings you joy? What brings you peace? What brings you pain?"
"Your face looks like a crumpled walnut."
"I will gladly go into madness with you, as long as you will have me, and I can feel your pleasure alongside my own."
"If you do not run, I will not falter."
"'So you knew I was there,' I said.
'Yes.'
'And you watched me amble around for an hour.'
'It was more than an hour.'"
"It is not the mirror that holds the power, Gawain. It is the frame. Men pass by our mirrors, calling them instruments of our vanity. In fury they may break the flass, but they do not think to destroy the framework. So survives women's magic: in plain sight."
"Until our bones are ash."
"When the options are 'murder' or 'not murder,' you're rather keen. But when nuance is involved, I'm afraid your strengths lie elsewhere, big brother."
"It is madness, yes. But what is love, but shared madness?"
"Some queens were kings, I suppose, and some princesses, princes."
I am so glad that Solaris picked this series up after the original publisher folded. I would hate to not have this book in my hands.
January 10, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I.... didn't like this. I really liked the first book, Queen of None - it was such a strong historical novel and had great female characters at its heart. This, however, features a romance much more heavily and honestly it was just disappointing. I would've preferred it even if we had just had Hwyfar's perspective and not Gawain's - but overall the romance felt very unnecessary. Hwyfar was such a strong and unique character in the first book and I felt like lost a lot of that in her own installment. I do love the way this story explores Arthurian legend, but I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
I.... didn't like this. I really liked the first book, Queen of None - it was such a strong historical novel and had great female characters at its heart. This, however, features a romance much more heavily and honestly it was just disappointing. I would've preferred it even if we had just had Hwyfar's perspective and not Gawain's - but overall the romance felt very unnecessary. Hwyfar was such a strong and unique character in the first book and I felt like lost a lot of that in her own installment. I do love the way this story explores Arthurian legend, but I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
September 13, 2025
Excellent! A stomping good read! I love stories woven around King Arthur and particularly when he’s not the good guy! This was a strongly feminist story with fantastically strong complex characters. I found myself rooting for the main character- she was a gorgeously flawed character who deserved a good ending. Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.
September 7, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Queen of Fury by Natania Barron is a thrilling Arthurian retelling filled with political drama, ancient magic, and a beautifully crafted romance.
Hwyfar, a strong and conflicted protagonist, finds herself thrust into a dangerous game of power as she fights to reclaim her kingdom through a series of quests.
The author weaves an enchanting tapestry of rich world-building, where ancient forests are filled with magic, and court intrigues keep you guessing at every turn. The fresh take on King Arthur was particularly interesting. In this book, he is a calculating and ruthless ruler, determined to manipulate those around him to achieve his ends.
Hwyfar’s internal struggle between her duty and desires made her journey all the more gripping, and I found myself rooting for her as she faced impossible decisions. The relationship between her and Gawain was masterfully written, slowly evolving from initial distrust to a romance that felt both natural and passionate.
Overall, Queen of Fury is a compelling, emotional, and immersive read that I highly recommend to fans of strong, stubborn heroines with a soft side.
Queen of Fury by Natania Barron is a thrilling Arthurian retelling filled with political drama, ancient magic, and a beautifully crafted romance.
Hwyfar, a strong and conflicted protagonist, finds herself thrust into a dangerous game of power as she fights to reclaim her kingdom through a series of quests.
The author weaves an enchanting tapestry of rich world-building, where ancient forests are filled with magic, and court intrigues keep you guessing at every turn. The fresh take on King Arthur was particularly interesting. In this book, he is a calculating and ruthless ruler, determined to manipulate those around him to achieve his ends.
Hwyfar’s internal struggle between her duty and desires made her journey all the more gripping, and I found myself rooting for her as she faced impossible decisions. The relationship between her and Gawain was masterfully written, slowly evolving from initial distrust to a romance that felt both natural and passionate.
Overall, Queen of Fury is a compelling, emotional, and immersive read that I highly recommend to fans of strong, stubborn heroines with a soft side.
December 5, 2024
Gawain and Hwyfar were two of my favorite secondary characters in Queen of None so I was very excited about them being the focus in Queen of Fury. Just like in the first book, the world that Barron has built here is so easy to get lost in, especially if you’re a fan of Arthurian legend. The magic system felt A LOT more intricate than in the first book since we get to see more lands, which no complaints here, but you really do have to pay close attention. There were many things I loved about Queen of Fury, but the best part in my opinion were the character journeys of Gawain and Hwyfar. Watching them recognize strengths they never knew they had and taking claim of what was rightfully theirs was such an incredible thing to read. I absolutely loved their romance too. Oh my goodness, it was so beautiful. The action was so exciting and so vividly written. I feel like this book ended so perfectly, but it also sets up another book so well and I honestly can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris Books for a digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris Books for a digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2024
I could not have closed out 2024 with a better story! Perfect for Christmas time! An enchanting wintery Arthurian tale that is forever going to be a favorite of mine!
This book made me look at Gawain in a whole new way! A now have an even greater appri appreciation for the story of the Green Knight! Hwyfar will also be someone never gotten after reading this book.
Natania Barron prose is some of the most beautiful i have ever read! The tone of this book is its own winterty astheic! Not many can make you feel, smell, and taste and scene the way she can.
Medievalists will also love the many hidden easiter eggs in this book. I myself found twinges of Dante and Boethius as well as fated mates.
I loved the symbolism of Lions in this book! It's great to see Yvain make an appearance and the armor! Oh my gosh! The armor! *fans oneself*
The prose of this book also shows how well Barron knows and loves courtly love literature. It explodes off these pages in a way that is relatable to a modern audience!
Fully armored, amped up HOT and steamy! This book is 10/10!!!!
This book made me look at Gawain in a whole new way! A now have an even greater appri appreciation for the story of the Green Knight! Hwyfar will also be someone never gotten after reading this book.
Natania Barron prose is some of the most beautiful i have ever read! The tone of this book is its own winterty astheic! Not many can make you feel, smell, and taste and scene the way she can.
Medievalists will also love the many hidden easiter eggs in this book. I myself found twinges of Dante and Boethius as well as fated mates.
I loved the symbolism of Lions in this book! It's great to see Yvain make an appearance and the armor! Oh my gosh! The armor! *fans oneself*
The prose of this book also shows how well Barron knows and loves courtly love literature. It explodes off these pages in a way that is relatable to a modern audience!
Fully armored, amped up HOT and steamy! This book is 10/10!!!!
December 19, 2024
In Queen of Fury, Natania Barron continues to weave a spellbinding tale set in a unique Arthurian fantasy world. This time, we follow Queen Hwyfar on her journey of self-discovery, as she breaks free from ancient bindings and enacts her FURY!
Barron's writing style is both captivating and immersive, drawing readers into a world filled with dark magic, political intrigue, and complex characters. The author's skill in world-building is evident, as she creates a rich and detailed setting that feels both familiar and utterly original.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the dynamic between Hwyfar and Knight Gawain. Their relationship is a delicate balance of love, respect, and shared trauma. Gawain, a deeply flawed and emotionally complex character, provides a poignant counterpoint to Hwyfar's fierce determination.
While the plot is driven by action and suspense, the heart of the story lies in its exploration of family, love, and the power of righteous fury. Barron masterfully weaves these themes into a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Queen of Fury is a must-read for fans of fantasy, historical fiction, and romance. It is a testament to Barron's talent as a storyteller and her ability to create unforgettable characters and worlds.
Barron's writing style is both captivating and immersive, drawing readers into a world filled with dark magic, political intrigue, and complex characters. The author's skill in world-building is evident, as she creates a rich and detailed setting that feels both familiar and utterly original.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the dynamic between Hwyfar and Knight Gawain. Their relationship is a delicate balance of love, respect, and shared trauma. Gawain, a deeply flawed and emotionally complex character, provides a poignant counterpoint to Hwyfar's fierce determination.
While the plot is driven by action and suspense, the heart of the story lies in its exploration of family, love, and the power of righteous fury. Barron masterfully weaves these themes into a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Queen of Fury is a must-read for fans of fantasy, historical fiction, and romance. It is a testament to Barron's talent as a storyteller and her ability to create unforgettable characters and worlds.
August 22, 2024
Such a well written Arthurian reimagining! The world building and thought put into this novel is wonderful. My favorite aspect of the story were the characters. The author has written such well developed and complex main characters. Hwyfar grows so much throughout the book. She becomes the woman she was always meant to be. She is strong. She is stubborn. And she is tall! I loved seeing tall women represented in this story. Gawain has such a stunning narrative but also heartbreaking. The author did a wonderful job representing PTSD the effects war has on an individual. I am so glad that he and Hwyfar found one another. Overall, a wonderful ode to the world of King Arthur!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
Read
October 23, 2024Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
December 12, 2024
King Arthur is cast to a supporting role in the Queens of Fate series from Natania Barron, the second installment of which was released on December 3rd. Where the first installment, Queen of None took a deep dive into Anna Pendragon, the only full blooded sister of the once and future king, Queen of Fury takes us deep into the heart of Hwyfar. Arthur’s first betrothed, sister to Gweynevere, daughter of Leodegraunce, and all over badass warrior queen. While this is the second in a series, and I heartily recommend the first book, it does work on its own two feet if you get a hold of this one first.
Barron plays with Arthurian legend with the skill of a sorceress, refocusing attention from the familiar Arthurian legends, to the female characters, and to the otherwise lesser heard voices. She includes the known quantities that we are so familiar with, Arthur, Lancelot and the like, but creates a whole new world for Hwyfar’s origins and future. Nothing is as it seems as Barron works with these characters and worlds, weaving new magic between them. In this book more than the first Arthur is cast as an almost menacing presence in the background, no longer under Merlin’s sway, the human inadequacies of the king become more apparent, his ambition and greed laid bare as he sends his knights on an errand to Hwyfar and the kingdom of Avillion.
The story focuses on Hwyfar, but is also inextricably tied to Sir Gawain who provides the second narrative voice in the book. Gawain was once Arthur’s most lauded Knight, is Arthur’s nephew, second in line to the throne of Carelon, and the son of Anna, the protagonist of the first book in the series. Honestly I usually avoid narratives with a dual narrative voice, I do not generally enjoy them, but I was drawn in very quickly by the use of this structure in Queen of Fury. The structure of the dual perspective served to beautifully underpin and elaborate the relationship between the two characters, and you would be hard pressed to write this tale from just one perspective.
Hwyfar has returned to Avillion after a long period of time spent in Carelon, where she was sent to marry King Arthur, but instead ended up as his sister-in-law, twice. Her father King Leodegraunce is ill, and she is the only surviving and eligible heir. Sir Gawain and a troop of Knights are sent from Arthur’s table to aid and spy on Hwyfar and see what comes next, as Arthur has been promised control of Avillion upon the King’s death. Nothing is as it seems however, lost people are found, the dead converse in secret pathways, and there is more magic at work than any of them ever suspected. Avillion’s mystical roots stretch far deeper than those in Carelon, and so the themes that came to light in Queen of None take pride of place in Queen of Fury.
Even with Merlin at the helm, Carelon was very much grounded in the everyday and the mundane eventually succumbing to the lure of Christianity, whereas the land of Hwyfar’s family is so much more, so much more beautiful and with loftier purpose. I especially love Barron’s mushroom depictions later in the book, it describes what Hwyfar is seeing but also the transient but stable nature of these magical worlds where distance means nothing, but everything means something. Barron crafts a truly remarkable land as she weaves between the places that make up Hwyfar’s story.
The characterizations of Gawain and Hwyfar are built up slowly in Queen of Fury, as Barron works to build on and re-write what we thought we knew about them. At a certain point they become two sides of the same coin, but it is done so subtly that it feels as if it always was. In obvious ways they are both children born to royalty but discarded in some way, both past the prime of their youth. But as their link grows, you start to see more of their connectivity in the previous story and in the ways they think of themselves. It was touching that Barron introduced the idea that both were close to Gweynevere, and both mourn intensely for her. They use a call and response that Gweynevere employed, as a way to talk through each other’s feelings.
Both Hwyfar and Gawain are mourning lost loves as they find each other, Gweynevere certainly, but also Nimue for Hwyfar and a lost soldier for Gawain. Of late I find myself breezing past love making scenes in my romantasy books, sometimes skimming, sometimes skipping whole pages, but Barron’s skill with character development made these scenes unskippable. It was not overloaded with imagery or detail, but bursting with emotion and descriptions that propelled the narrative not just their bodies.
As we follow our characters from Carelon to Avillion and beyond, we are exposed to a much wider world than the framework of Arthur lends itself to. Even Arthur himself is forced to admit that there is much more than he can know or handle at play here. The role of women in this narrative is especially prominent, but does a great job at addressing how women’s work oftentimes has to be hidden from the men to thrive, and by the end of the story you can see how without the women, there would be no legend at all. This story provided far more magic and intrigue than I had anticipated, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third installment.
Barron plays with Arthurian legend with the skill of a sorceress, refocusing attention from the familiar Arthurian legends, to the female characters, and to the otherwise lesser heard voices. She includes the known quantities that we are so familiar with, Arthur, Lancelot and the like, but creates a whole new world for Hwyfar’s origins and future. Nothing is as it seems as Barron works with these characters and worlds, weaving new magic between them. In this book more than the first Arthur is cast as an almost menacing presence in the background, no longer under Merlin’s sway, the human inadequacies of the king become more apparent, his ambition and greed laid bare as he sends his knights on an errand to Hwyfar and the kingdom of Avillion.
The story focuses on Hwyfar, but is also inextricably tied to Sir Gawain who provides the second narrative voice in the book. Gawain was once Arthur’s most lauded Knight, is Arthur’s nephew, second in line to the throne of Carelon, and the son of Anna, the protagonist of the first book in the series. Honestly I usually avoid narratives with a dual narrative voice, I do not generally enjoy them, but I was drawn in very quickly by the use of this structure in Queen of Fury. The structure of the dual perspective served to beautifully underpin and elaborate the relationship between the two characters, and you would be hard pressed to write this tale from just one perspective.
Hwyfar has returned to Avillion after a long period of time spent in Carelon, where she was sent to marry King Arthur, but instead ended up as his sister-in-law, twice. Her father King Leodegraunce is ill, and she is the only surviving and eligible heir. Sir Gawain and a troop of Knights are sent from Arthur’s table to aid and spy on Hwyfar and see what comes next, as Arthur has been promised control of Avillion upon the King’s death. Nothing is as it seems however, lost people are found, the dead converse in secret pathways, and there is more magic at work than any of them ever suspected. Avillion’s mystical roots stretch far deeper than those in Carelon, and so the themes that came to light in Queen of None take pride of place in Queen of Fury.
Even with Merlin at the helm, Carelon was very much grounded in the everyday and the mundane eventually succumbing to the lure of Christianity, whereas the land of Hwyfar’s family is so much more, so much more beautiful and with loftier purpose. I especially love Barron’s mushroom depictions later in the book, it describes what Hwyfar is seeing but also the transient but stable nature of these magical worlds where distance means nothing, but everything means something. Barron crafts a truly remarkable land as she weaves between the places that make up Hwyfar’s story.
The characterizations of Gawain and Hwyfar are built up slowly in Queen of Fury, as Barron works to build on and re-write what we thought we knew about them. At a certain point they become two sides of the same coin, but it is done so subtly that it feels as if it always was. In obvious ways they are both children born to royalty but discarded in some way, both past the prime of their youth. But as their link grows, you start to see more of their connectivity in the previous story and in the ways they think of themselves. It was touching that Barron introduced the idea that both were close to Gweynevere, and both mourn intensely for her. They use a call and response that Gweynevere employed, as a way to talk through each other’s feelings.
Both Hwyfar and Gawain are mourning lost loves as they find each other, Gweynevere certainly, but also Nimue for Hwyfar and a lost soldier for Gawain. Of late I find myself breezing past love making scenes in my romantasy books, sometimes skimming, sometimes skipping whole pages, but Barron’s skill with character development made these scenes unskippable. It was not overloaded with imagery or detail, but bursting with emotion and descriptions that propelled the narrative not just their bodies.
As we follow our characters from Carelon to Avillion and beyond, we are exposed to a much wider world than the framework of Arthur lends itself to. Even Arthur himself is forced to admit that there is much more than he can know or handle at play here. The role of women in this narrative is especially prominent, but does a great job at addressing how women’s work oftentimes has to be hidden from the men to thrive, and by the end of the story you can see how without the women, there would be no legend at all. This story provided far more magic and intrigue than I had anticipated, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third installment.
November 29, 2024
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Queen of Fury by Natania Barron is the first person dual-POV historical fantasy romance continuation of Queen of None. Sir Gawain, the son of Queen Anna and the nephew of King Arthur, has been sent by his uncle to meet with Queen Regent Hwyfar, Arthur’s sister-in-law. Arthur plans for Hwyfar to marry one of his knights to bring Avillion under his control but Gawain is not an option. Too bad there’s a spark between Gawain and Hwyfar.
One of the things I really liked was how Hwyfar and Gawain feel older, around their thirties if I understood the timeline correctly. Gawain is described as an excellent knight but also has something of a belly while Hwayar is sturdy and has a very desirable figure but she’s never described as thin. A lot of fantasy romance features leads with perfect, model-esque bodies or six-packs without even trying whereas this was going for a more realistic depiction of a strong man (they often have a layer of fat on their stomachs) and two people who don’t have ultra fast metabolisms.
The romance between Gawain and Hwyfar is forbidden and, to a degree, taboo. Gawain is Arthur’s nephew and Hwyfar is the older sister of Arthur’s wife, making them family by marriage and Hwyfar is older than Gawain by at least a few years. Hwyfar was also one of the many lovers Nimue, the shadow of Gawain’s mother, took. There’s a lot of mess and possible taboo if you examine their relationship super closely but, at the same time, none of it really matters for the time period or in the grand scheme of things. It could, however, be a hard pass for a reader if there are certain things they are not looking for in a romance.
This was a lot more of a fantasy romance than Queen of None, which had romantic elements but wasn’t focused on a particular couple. As a sequel, it is set in the same world, but takes place years after Nimue disappeared and mostly features new or minor characters. Anna does make an appearance but it’s fairly brief. I’m curious to see how all of this culminates in the third book because there were ramifications from what happened in Queen of None, but it felt more like sweeping things that altered the course of a possible future instead of an immediate domino effect.
I would recommend this to fans of both Arthurian lore and fantasy romance, readers who love romances where the two leads are a bit older and a bit more self-assured, and readers who wanted more of a romance focus while reading Queen of None
Queen of Fury by Natania Barron is the first person dual-POV historical fantasy romance continuation of Queen of None. Sir Gawain, the son of Queen Anna and the nephew of King Arthur, has been sent by his uncle to meet with Queen Regent Hwyfar, Arthur’s sister-in-law. Arthur plans for Hwyfar to marry one of his knights to bring Avillion under his control but Gawain is not an option. Too bad there’s a spark between Gawain and Hwyfar.
One of the things I really liked was how Hwyfar and Gawain feel older, around their thirties if I understood the timeline correctly. Gawain is described as an excellent knight but also has something of a belly while Hwayar is sturdy and has a very desirable figure but she’s never described as thin. A lot of fantasy romance features leads with perfect, model-esque bodies or six-packs without even trying whereas this was going for a more realistic depiction of a strong man (they often have a layer of fat on their stomachs) and two people who don’t have ultra fast metabolisms.
The romance between Gawain and Hwyfar is forbidden and, to a degree, taboo. Gawain is Arthur’s nephew and Hwyfar is the older sister of Arthur’s wife, making them family by marriage and Hwyfar is older than Gawain by at least a few years. Hwyfar was also one of the many lovers Nimue, the shadow of Gawain’s mother, took. There’s a lot of mess and possible taboo if you examine their relationship super closely but, at the same time, none of it really matters for the time period or in the grand scheme of things. It could, however, be a hard pass for a reader if there are certain things they are not looking for in a romance.
This was a lot more of a fantasy romance than Queen of None, which had romantic elements but wasn’t focused on a particular couple. As a sequel, it is set in the same world, but takes place years after Nimue disappeared and mostly features new or minor characters. Anna does make an appearance but it’s fairly brief. I’m curious to see how all of this culminates in the third book because there were ramifications from what happened in Queen of None, but it felt more like sweeping things that altered the course of a possible future instead of an immediate domino effect.
I would recommend this to fans of both Arthurian lore and fantasy romance, readers who love romances where the two leads are a bit older and a bit more self-assured, and readers who wanted more of a romance focus while reading Queen of None
August 9, 2025
This novel is told from the point of view of Gawain and Hwyfar (one of the three sister characters who this author introduced in book 1 in place of Guinevere).
This was a difficult read. Each chapter is told from either Gawain or Hwyfar's point of view, but rather than the book moving at pace, it lingers on each of their POV of the same event. The whole book is written in the first person so we get an awful lot of inner monologue: nothing is withheld from the reader, making the narrative a wall of amorous feelings. This slows down the pace of the tale - 80% of the book is just Gawain and Hwyfar preparing for some trial they have to face to save Hwyfar's kingdom. Only in the final 10% of the book do we get Arthur, who - along with the characters Lancelot and Arthur's new queen - are suddenly, and without much development, bad guys. There was even a point at which Gawain is charging at Hwyfar: a whole page is given to describing said charge and Hwyfar's feelings during it. This is typical of the rest of the book.
I almost wish this book had been used for some character development. In the previous book Gawain was presented as a lout, but rather than have Hywfar challenge Gawain and force him to develop as a character, the author retroactively inserted a major event into Gawain's life which allegedly happened in book 1 (but was not written into book 1) so she could present him as the romantic hero from the offset. Ultimately, the main point of this novel seemed to be how perfect these two characters were for each other.
I suppose this book is a romance, because not much else of consequence happens. Another issue I had was that there were quite a few original place names that the author uses but nowhere in this book is there a map, so it's hard to know who or where is in relation to what.
There is a point in this book where Hwyfar helps Gawain tend to a life-threatening wound that he is bleeding out from (why this wound wasn't clotting given it was on his back and a bramble scratch[!] who knows), and under Gawain's direction Hywfar stitches it with a needle and thread (bad bramble scratch) and then cauterises it (burning thread into flesh) - what? I feel this should have been caught by the author or an editor or something, but there we go. It certainly had me ranting and raging.
This book was just too lingering, too much, and left no space for the reader's input or imagination. A real shame as I wanted to love this series. This book made me not read the third in the trilogy even though I bought all three at once and intended to read them all. After opening the third book and seeing more of Gawain and Hwyfar, I couldn't face it. Unfortunately this series just isn’t for me.
This was a difficult read. Each chapter is told from either Gawain or Hwyfar's point of view, but rather than the book moving at pace, it lingers on each of their POV of the same event. The whole book is written in the first person so we get an awful lot of inner monologue: nothing is withheld from the reader, making the narrative a wall of amorous feelings. This slows down the pace of the tale - 80% of the book is just Gawain and Hwyfar preparing for some trial they have to face to save Hwyfar's kingdom. Only in the final 10% of the book do we get Arthur, who - along with the characters Lancelot and Arthur's new queen - are suddenly, and without much development, bad guys. There was even a point at which Gawain is charging at Hwyfar: a whole page is given to describing said charge and Hwyfar's feelings during it. This is typical of the rest of the book.
I almost wish this book had been used for some character development. In the previous book Gawain was presented as a lout, but rather than have Hywfar challenge Gawain and force him to develop as a character, the author retroactively inserted a major event into Gawain's life which allegedly happened in book 1 (but was not written into book 1) so she could present him as the romantic hero from the offset. Ultimately, the main point of this novel seemed to be how perfect these two characters were for each other.
I suppose this book is a romance, because not much else of consequence happens. Another issue I had was that there were quite a few original place names that the author uses but nowhere in this book is there a map, so it's hard to know who or where is in relation to what.
There is a point in this book where Hwyfar helps Gawain tend to a life-threatening wound that he is bleeding out from (why this wound wasn't clotting given it was on his back and a bramble scratch[!] who knows), and under Gawain's direction Hywfar stitches it with a needle and thread (bad bramble scratch) and then cauterises it (burning thread into flesh) - what? I feel this should have been caught by the author or an editor or something, but there we go. It certainly had me ranting and raging.
This book was just too lingering, too much, and left no space for the reader's input or imagination. A real shame as I wanted to love this series. This book made me not read the third in the trilogy even though I bought all three at once and intended to read them all. After opening the third book and seeing more of Gawain and Hwyfar, I couldn't face it. Unfortunately this series just isn’t for me.
June 5, 2025
Title: Queen of Fury-The Queens of Fate Trilogy #2
Author: Natania Barron- I read Queen of None and gave it 4*
Publication date: 12-3-24 | Read 6-3-25
Narrator: Philip Battley and Lucy Rayner voice all the characters with standouts from Hwyfar and Gawain. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Run Time: 16:35
Genre:
*Historical
*Arthurian legend retelling
*Fantasy
*Romance
Tropes:
*quest
*magic
*court politics
*royal romance
*forbidden romance
*feminism
*LGBTQIA+ rep
*family drama
POV: 1st person dual
TW: alcoholism, SA, physical abuse, death of loved ones, mental health
Setting: Avillion+ Lyoness
Summary: Returning home after ten years in Carelon, Hwyfar sees the decline in her father King Leodegraunce's mental health and becomes Queen Regent. King Arthur will provide her with an army to keep Avillion as long as marries one of his knights. Sir Gawain arrives as King Arthur's army leader but warns him to stay away from Hwyfar. They reconnect having been childhood friends and together mourn Gweynevere's death. Hwyfar feels guilty and Gawain loved Gweynevere as a true friend and confidante. They go to the island of Avalon and Ys, get ambushed, and are rescued by an unlikely ally.
👑Heroine: Princess Hwyfar -25, Queen Regent-oldest daughter of King Leodegraunce
🤺Hero: Sir Gawain of Orkney-a Knight, Arthur's nephew
Other Characters:
*King Arthur-King of Britain
*King Leodegraunce-Hwyfar's father
*Gweynevere-Hwyfar's sister, died in childbirth
*Mawra-Hwyfar's middle sister, married to Arthur
*Anna du Lac/Pendragon-Gawain's mother/Arthur's sister, 2 other sons Gareth and Gaheris
*Lancelot du Lac-Anna's 2nd husband
*Tregerna- Hwyfar's mother, disappeared when Hwyfar was 5 yrs.old
*Merlin-King Arthur's counselor-deceased
*Morgen le Fay- a sorceress and Merlin's apprentice /Anna's sister
🤔My Thoughts: Both Hwyfar and Gawain were ordered to marry by King Arthur. Hwyfar was lamenting her sister and lover's deaths using alcohol to cope. Gawain was not the same agile knight he once was because of his bad knees, yet he was willing to go to war for Arthur and Hwyfar. I felt the grief both of them felt for Guinevere and how they still talked to her in death. Once they hooked up, they protected each other using their fighting skills and a little bit of magic.
Rating: 3.5/5
Spice level 3/5
Author: Natania Barron- I read Queen of None and gave it 4*
Publication date: 12-3-24 | Read 6-3-25
Narrator: Philip Battley and Lucy Rayner voice all the characters with standouts from Hwyfar and Gawain. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Run Time: 16:35
Genre:
*Historical
*Arthurian legend retelling
*Fantasy
*Romance
Tropes:
*quest
*magic
*court politics
*royal romance
*forbidden romance
*feminism
*LGBTQIA+ rep
*family drama
POV: 1st person dual
TW: alcoholism, SA, physical abuse, death of loved ones, mental health
Setting: Avillion+ Lyoness
Summary: Returning home after ten years in Carelon, Hwyfar sees the decline in her father King Leodegraunce's mental health and becomes Queen Regent. King Arthur will provide her with an army to keep Avillion as long as marries one of his knights. Sir Gawain arrives as King Arthur's army leader but warns him to stay away from Hwyfar. They reconnect having been childhood friends and together mourn Gweynevere's death. Hwyfar feels guilty and Gawain loved Gweynevere as a true friend and confidante. They go to the island of Avalon and Ys, get ambushed, and are rescued by an unlikely ally.
👑Heroine: Princess Hwyfar -25, Queen Regent-oldest daughter of King Leodegraunce
🤺Hero: Sir Gawain of Orkney-a Knight, Arthur's nephew
Other Characters:
*King Arthur-King of Britain
*King Leodegraunce-Hwyfar's father
*Gweynevere-Hwyfar's sister, died in childbirth
*Mawra-Hwyfar's middle sister, married to Arthur
*Anna du Lac/Pendragon-Gawain's mother/Arthur's sister, 2 other sons Gareth and Gaheris
*Lancelot du Lac-Anna's 2nd husband
*Tregerna- Hwyfar's mother, disappeared when Hwyfar was 5 yrs.old
*Merlin-King Arthur's counselor-deceased
*Morgen le Fay- a sorceress and Merlin's apprentice /Anna's sister
🤔My Thoughts: Both Hwyfar and Gawain were ordered to marry by King Arthur. Hwyfar was lamenting her sister and lover's deaths using alcohol to cope. Gawain was not the same agile knight he once was because of his bad knees, yet he was willing to go to war for Arthur and Hwyfar. I felt the grief both of them felt for Guinevere and how they still talked to her in death. Once they hooked up, they protected each other using their fighting skills and a little bit of magic.
Rating: 3.5/5
Spice level 3/5
November 13, 2024
I received an eARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest, spoiler free review.
Tropes:
• Fierce yet vulnerable hero
• Grief
• family dynamics
• magic
• insta-love
• slow-burn romance.
Natania Barron’s Queen of Fury takes readers on a journey through the mists of an Arthurian retelling, brimming with political intrigue, prophecies, and magic. The story opens with a somber question: "How do you mourn someone who is not yet dead?"—a poignant exploration of grief and loss that sets the tone for the tale to come. While the writing style in the first chapter felt a bit surface-level, lacking the depth I hoped for, the portrayal of Hwyfar’s complex relationship with her father’s deteriorating health is both raw and beautifully rendered, marking a strong start to what promises to be an epic adventure.
Hwyfar herself is a fascinating protagonist. Beneath her stoic exterior lies a fierce strength, and her use of indulgence as a form of escapism from her inner darkness makes her a truly compelling character. She is at once soft and harsh, with a depth that keeps the reader invested in her journey. The secondary characters, particularly Gawain, add depth to the story as well. They are flawed and fractured, yet they feel real and multifaceted.
However, one drawback is the overemphasis on the characters' physical sizes, especially when it comes to their attraction to one another. This focus lends the romance an "insta-love" feel rather than allowing it to develop into a more nuanced, emotional connection. Despite this, the LGBTQI+ representation is handled wonderfully, with non-heterosexual relationships depicted in a natural, fluid, and authentic manner.
Some aspects of the plot felt rushed. There is little emotional build-up, and the connection between characters develops too quickly for readers to fully engage with it. Gawain, in particular, falls in love too fast, and his conflicting emotions could have been explored with more tension and complexity. While their love’s rapid nature is explained within the context of the story, I would have appreciated more build-up to deepen the emotional impact.
Overall, Queen of Fury is an engaging and immersive read with strong character development and a rich atmosphere, though its pacing and the rushed romance may leave some readers wanting more emotional depth.
Tropes:
• Fierce yet vulnerable hero
• Grief
• family dynamics
• magic
• insta-love
• slow-burn romance.
Natania Barron’s Queen of Fury takes readers on a journey through the mists of an Arthurian retelling, brimming with political intrigue, prophecies, and magic. The story opens with a somber question: "How do you mourn someone who is not yet dead?"—a poignant exploration of grief and loss that sets the tone for the tale to come. While the writing style in the first chapter felt a bit surface-level, lacking the depth I hoped for, the portrayal of Hwyfar’s complex relationship with her father’s deteriorating health is both raw and beautifully rendered, marking a strong start to what promises to be an epic adventure.
Hwyfar herself is a fascinating protagonist. Beneath her stoic exterior lies a fierce strength, and her use of indulgence as a form of escapism from her inner darkness makes her a truly compelling character. She is at once soft and harsh, with a depth that keeps the reader invested in her journey. The secondary characters, particularly Gawain, add depth to the story as well. They are flawed and fractured, yet they feel real and multifaceted.
However, one drawback is the overemphasis on the characters' physical sizes, especially when it comes to their attraction to one another. This focus lends the romance an "insta-love" feel rather than allowing it to develop into a more nuanced, emotional connection. Despite this, the LGBTQI+ representation is handled wonderfully, with non-heterosexual relationships depicted in a natural, fluid, and authentic manner.
Some aspects of the plot felt rushed. There is little emotional build-up, and the connection between characters develops too quickly for readers to fully engage with it. Gawain, in particular, falls in love too fast, and his conflicting emotions could have been explored with more tension and complexity. While their love’s rapid nature is explained within the context of the story, I would have appreciated more build-up to deepen the emotional impact.
Overall, Queen of Fury is an engaging and immersive read with strong character development and a rich atmosphere, though its pacing and the rushed romance may leave some readers wanting more emotional depth.
August 22, 2024
A journey through the mists of an Arthurian retelling, filled with political intrigue, prophecies, and magic.
The story begins with a sense of sorrow and darkness, posing the question, "How do you mourn someone who is not yet dead?" Although I didn't fully connect with the writing style in the first chapter—it felt as though it skimmed the surface rather than diving deep—the protagonist Hwyfar’s portrayal of her relationship with her father's mental and physical health issues is raw and beautifully rendered. A great start to an epic adventure.
I admired Hwyfar’s fierceness beneath her stoic exterior, and the way she indulged in pleasures as a form of escapism from her darkness. She is a truly compelling character—soft yet harsh. I also appreciated Gawain and many of the secondary characters, who, though flawed and fractured, felt whole and real. However, there were perhaps too many reminders of the main characters' physical sizes, as if their size was a significant aspect of their attraction to each other. This emphasis lent the romance an insta-love vibe rather than the deeper, raw connection it could have been. Bonus points for the LGBTQI+ representation, which was portrayed naturally and seamlessly, with non-heterosexual relationships described in a way that felt fluid and authentic.
That said, some parts of the story felt rushed, such as the first assassination at court and the build-up to the romance. There’s little emotional build-up, no yearning or tension; the attraction between the characters just happens before readers can fully immerse themselves in it. Gawain, in particular, appears to fall in love too quickly, when his conflicting emotions could have been drawn out longer. While the nature of their love explains this rapid connection, I still would have appreciated more tension and build-up.
Overall, it's a great tale with twists and turns that keep you hooked. I devoured all 500 pages in less than 48 hours, and that says something.
The story begins with a sense of sorrow and darkness, posing the question, "How do you mourn someone who is not yet dead?" Although I didn't fully connect with the writing style in the first chapter—it felt as though it skimmed the surface rather than diving deep—the protagonist Hwyfar’s portrayal of her relationship with her father's mental and physical health issues is raw and beautifully rendered. A great start to an epic adventure.
I admired Hwyfar’s fierceness beneath her stoic exterior, and the way she indulged in pleasures as a form of escapism from her darkness. She is a truly compelling character—soft yet harsh. I also appreciated Gawain and many of the secondary characters, who, though flawed and fractured, felt whole and real. However, there were perhaps too many reminders of the main characters' physical sizes, as if their size was a significant aspect of their attraction to each other. This emphasis lent the romance an insta-love vibe rather than the deeper, raw connection it could have been. Bonus points for the LGBTQI+ representation, which was portrayed naturally and seamlessly, with non-heterosexual relationships described in a way that felt fluid and authentic.
That said, some parts of the story felt rushed, such as the first assassination at court and the build-up to the romance. There’s little emotional build-up, no yearning or tension; the attraction between the characters just happens before readers can fully immerse themselves in it. Gawain, in particular, appears to fall in love too quickly, when his conflicting emotions could have been drawn out longer. While the nature of their love explains this rapid connection, I still would have appreciated more tension and build-up.
Overall, it's a great tale with twists and turns that keep you hooked. I devoured all 500 pages in less than 48 hours, and that says something.
November 24, 2024
In many ways this book felt like a departure from the first book in the trilogy, but at its core it has the same angle and ethos that makes this series stand out from other Arthurian books.
The first big difference is that this book has two perspectives: Hwyfar and Gawain. We met both characters in the first book, one more briefly than the other, and at first I wasn’t keen on having Gawain be a main character. It wasn’t long though before I was fully on-board. We have only seen him through his mother’s eyes so far, and by her own admission she didn’t know him well. I really felt like we got to see a whole new side to Gawain, including his doubts, his tenderness, and his complicated relationship with Arthur.
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Hwyfar, on the other hand, has been put in what is essentially a ceremonial position, but is determined to use that power to her advantage. She was a very compelling character, and I really liked getting to know Gawain more through her eyes as well.
Both Gawain and Hwyfar are queer and have had same-sex relationships in the past, and I thought this was such a great aspect of their relationship to explore. Neither of them have come into their relationship with any expectations and it felt very refreshing in this world where marriage is often a transactional or political action.
To be honest, I wasn’t really fussed about the main action plot of the book. I didn’t find it particularly gripping or exciting, but the character dynamics definitely made up for it.
This book has me very excited and intrigued for the final instalment next spring, and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for these characters next.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The first big difference is that this book has two perspectives: Hwyfar and Gawain. We met both characters in the first book, one more briefly than the other, and at first I wasn’t keen on having Gawain be a main character. It wasn’t long though before I was fully on-board. We have only seen him through his mother’s eyes so far, and by her own admission she didn’t know him well. I really felt like we got to see a whole new side to Gawain, including his doubts, his tenderness, and his complicated relationship with Arthur.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
Hwyfar, on the other hand, has been put in what is essentially a ceremonial position, but is determined to use that power to her advantage. She was a very compelling character, and I really liked getting to know Gawain more through her eyes as well.
Both Gawain and Hwyfar are queer and have had same-sex relationships in the past, and I thought this was such a great aspect of their relationship to explore. Neither of them have come into their relationship with any expectations and it felt very refreshing in this world where marriage is often a transactional or political action.
To be honest, I wasn’t really fussed about the main action plot of the book. I didn’t find it particularly gripping or exciting, but the character dynamics definitely made up for it.
This book has me very excited and intrigued for the final instalment next spring, and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for these characters next.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
November 30, 2024
This is the second book of the Queens of Fate series, which re-examines the legends of King Arthur in the eyes of the women of the tales: and gives a voice to the characters that were often sidelined. Retelling the story of the Gawain and the Green knight the story primarily deals with grief, regret and reinventing yourself. Both our MCs, Hwyfar and Gawain are left to deal with the wreckage of their life trajectory - Hwyfar as the rejected bride of Arthur, and now the disappointing Princess of Avillon & Gawain as an injured Knight who has limited time doing the only thing that he’s good at. Featuring a rich world that is excellently designed and explained, this thread of healing from grief and coming to terms with yourself is weaved masterfully in the wider plot which features a plot against Hwyfar’s father and a long running take over attempt by another kingdom. Both Barron’s books have done a really good job of giving a distinctive and realistic voice to the women of Arthurian tales and grapples with the ‘romance’ of Arthur and the harsh reality of medieval women and their roles and limits in society. Not allowed real power, they have to resort to manipulation and behind the scenes meddling to effect change - even the powerful witches. As an older FMC (and an older MMC to be fair) we get a very different take on fantasy romance than in other books of the genre. There is an element of fatalistic realism that both characters inhabit - their romance is forbidden by Arthur himself and they know their is a time limit, and there is no way they can be together honestly and without trickery. It’s a really interesting take on the genre that left a lasting impression. The book deals with PTSD and the impact of the patriarchal society on both women and men - Gawain is a knight who has only been valued for his martial prowess and without that who is he? He is traumatised by what he has done in war, how he was treated by his father, and has no effective coping skills to deal with that. His growth is done really well in the book, and compliments the arch of their romance really well. Both characters grow and develop in a really satisfying way, and their romance is extremely sweet. Definitely one to pick up for a different take on fantasy romance!
I received this ARC from Netgalley. This is an honest review, all opinions are my own.
I received this ARC from Netgalley. This is an honest review, all opinions are my own.
December 3, 2024
Queen of Fury is the second in Natania Barron’s Queens of Fate series - brilliant feminist retellings of Arthurian legends.
This story is based on Gawain and the Green Knight but centres on the princess of Avillion, Hwyfar. She is thrust from being an unwanted sister carousing through Arthur’s court to acting as regent for her failing father as war threatens their farthest border.
Gawain and his knights are sent by Arthur to support his sister-in-law, but not all is as it seems. What follows is an epic quest with an even more epic love story.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the emotional connection and vulnerability Hwyfar and Gawain had together, and how that connection supported them to navigate and ultimately overcome loss and pain that they’d suffered as pawns in a hyper hierarchical and patriarchal court. As Barron mentions in her acknowledgement, “patriarchy and toxic chivalry does not just break women, but men, too.” I felt that Hwyfar’s sensuality and her rebelliousness were key elements of her character that weren’t moulded to fit a romantic ideal.
I also loved the exploration of the agency of women in the story - how so many of the strong women in Arthurian legend worked in the shadows, influencing and weaving the future with their magic but also their knowledge of what had come before and their ability to share with each other. I thought it was key that the women of the story seemed to disregard physical borders - that the lines drawn by men meant little to women sharing working across a different realm to protect humanity.
I can’t wait to see what comes next as Barron tackles the most famous of the Arthurian women - Morgen Le Fay.
My thanks to the author and Jess at @rebellionpublishing / Solaris Books for a proof of this epic story. Queen of Fury is out now!
This story is based on Gawain and the Green Knight but centres on the princess of Avillion, Hwyfar. She is thrust from being an unwanted sister carousing through Arthur’s court to acting as regent for her failing father as war threatens their farthest border.
Gawain and his knights are sent by Arthur to support his sister-in-law, but not all is as it seems. What follows is an epic quest with an even more epic love story.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the emotional connection and vulnerability Hwyfar and Gawain had together, and how that connection supported them to navigate and ultimately overcome loss and pain that they’d suffered as pawns in a hyper hierarchical and patriarchal court. As Barron mentions in her acknowledgement, “patriarchy and toxic chivalry does not just break women, but men, too.” I felt that Hwyfar’s sensuality and her rebelliousness were key elements of her character that weren’t moulded to fit a romantic ideal.
I also loved the exploration of the agency of women in the story - how so many of the strong women in Arthurian legend worked in the shadows, influencing and weaving the future with their magic but also their knowledge of what had come before and their ability to share with each other. I thought it was key that the women of the story seemed to disregard physical borders - that the lines drawn by men meant little to women sharing working across a different realm to protect humanity.
I can’t wait to see what comes next as Barron tackles the most famous of the Arthurian women - Morgen Le Fay.
My thanks to the author and Jess at @rebellionpublishing / Solaris Books for a proof of this epic story. Queen of Fury is out now!
July 15, 2025
The second book in the “Queens of Fate” trilogy. Another story in the perspective of a forgotten woman in Arthurian lore. This time, it’s Hwyfar, sister of Arthur’s first Queen, Gweyn (or Guinevere).
Hywfar is the overlooked elder sister, who was rejected by Arthur and is known at court as a hedonist (a drunken whore) and as self-destructive. When her father King Leodegraunce becomes takes ill, it’s up to her to protect the crown and people of Avillion from a usurper. Arthur sends in cavalry (with ulterior motives) including Gawain (a former drunken whore), a seasoned warrior and son of Book 1’s main gal, Anna Pendragon.
Hywfar and Gawain go through a serious of trials, magical battles, reunions and losses. During this, despite their historical opinions of each other (as trash), they fall in love. I would usually be cynical and grumpy, hating such nonsense, but it’s actually a well written love story. It’s very intense, particularly because of its risks and forbidden nature (Arthur pre-disapproved it) but you do get invested in it. I enjoyed the 2 POV narratives – they both included self-deprecation, wit, honestly and adoration.
A couple of things I didn’t like: firstly, Gawain’s language was a little soft, flowery and respectful where I wanted more of the carnal, brutish, no fucks given tone of Hwyfar. However, I like how the Gawain is serviced here, as having his own traumas as a consequence of being Arthur's nephew. Secondly, I'm a big fan of magic, but I thought it got a little tangled up at times in too many twists and bluffs but it worked to uphold the theme of court corruption, trust and corruption by magic.
I really enjoyed this overall. I liked the appearances of Anna and Morgen, as Hwyfer's story will be the middle story that connects the trilogy.
Hywfar is the overlooked elder sister, who was rejected by Arthur and is known at court as a hedonist (a drunken whore) and as self-destructive. When her father King Leodegraunce becomes takes ill, it’s up to her to protect the crown and people of Avillion from a usurper. Arthur sends in cavalry (with ulterior motives) including Gawain (a former drunken whore), a seasoned warrior and son of Book 1’s main gal, Anna Pendragon.
Hywfar and Gawain go through a serious of trials, magical battles, reunions and losses. During this, despite their historical opinions of each other (as trash), they fall in love. I would usually be cynical and grumpy, hating such nonsense, but it’s actually a well written love story. It’s very intense, particularly because of its risks and forbidden nature (Arthur pre-disapproved it) but you do get invested in it. I enjoyed the 2 POV narratives – they both included self-deprecation, wit, honestly and adoration.
A couple of things I didn’t like: firstly, Gawain’s language was a little soft, flowery and respectful where I wanted more of the carnal, brutish, no fucks given tone of Hwyfar. However, I like how the Gawain is serviced here, as having his own traumas as a consequence of being Arthur's nephew. Secondly, I'm a big fan of magic, but I thought it got a little tangled up at times in too many twists and bluffs but it worked to uphold the theme of court corruption, trust and corruption by magic.
I really enjoyed this overall. I liked the appearances of Anna and Morgen, as Hwyfer's story will be the middle story that connects the trilogy.
October 18, 2024
OMG like... I liked Queen of None well enough, (oh look I gave it 4 stars), but this one... I figure you could skip the first and just READ THIS. (Well, assuming you have a core knowledge of Arthurian legends.)
Hwyfar is fire and fury and everything you would want in a Queen. Of course, King Arthur can't have that because then she would challenge him and his authority too much. So he marries her sisters instead (in succession, not at the same time, lol). But Hwyfar is still a Princess of Avillion in her own right, not just Arthur's jilted bride, and when she's done wallowing, she finds a way to rise to her true calling and protect her homeland.
There's a dual POV in this one, so you're following both Hwyfar of Avillion and Gawain of Orkney, which is brilliant in this (okay, maybe a little tropish) tale of fated lovers, treason, and magic, especially since both parties present a very different persona to the world than they truly are/feel. There's interweavings of the tales of the green man (Green Knight?) and the lost kingdom of Lyonesse, cults with corrupt magic, and a navigating of forbidden love because King Arthur is a self-absorbed, insecure man who cannot abide anyone better than him nearby for fear that they will rise up and take his throne. Even if it's his own nephew.
Content warnings: I have to add that this is 100% NOT a clean read. A key theme in the magic of this story is the concept of "carioz" or partners, and the exchange of power or energy in this pairing worked out via a lot of blood and sex.
It's a marked shift from Anna Pendragon's story, where the protagonist herself is hidden in the shadows - and stays there. Here, Hwyfar is meant to be relegated to the background, but she steals the reins for herself, taking command of her own destiny. It's still very much a period piece though, showcasing what she can (or cannot) do within the constraints of a misogynistic, chauvinistic society - especially if she wants to balance agency with respectability. There's also that pesky thing about family loyalty and how all they want to do might break the peace of the kingdom since they're both from royal families.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Solaris/Rebellion Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Hwyfar is fire and fury and everything you would want in a Queen. Of course, King Arthur can't have that because then she would challenge him and his authority too much. So he marries her sisters instead (in succession, not at the same time, lol). But Hwyfar is still a Princess of Avillion in her own right, not just Arthur's jilted bride, and when she's done wallowing, she finds a way to rise to her true calling and protect her homeland.
There's a dual POV in this one, so you're following both Hwyfar of Avillion and Gawain of Orkney, which is brilliant in this (okay, maybe a little tropish) tale of fated lovers, treason, and magic, especially since both parties present a very different persona to the world than they truly are/feel. There's interweavings of the tales of the green man (Green Knight?) and the lost kingdom of Lyonesse, cults with corrupt magic, and a navigating of forbidden love because King Arthur is a self-absorbed, insecure man who cannot abide anyone better than him nearby for fear that they will rise up and take his throne. Even if it's his own nephew.
Content warnings: I have to add that this is 100% NOT a clean read. A key theme in the magic of this story is the concept of "carioz" or partners, and the exchange of power or energy in this pairing worked out via a lot of blood and sex.
It's a marked shift from Anna Pendragon's story, where the protagonist herself is hidden in the shadows - and stays there. Here, Hwyfar is meant to be relegated to the background, but she steals the reins for herself, taking command of her own destiny. It's still very much a period piece though, showcasing what she can (or cannot) do within the constraints of a misogynistic, chauvinistic society - especially if she wants to balance agency with respectability. There's also that pesky thing about family loyalty and how all they want to do might break the peace of the kingdom since they're both from royal families.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Solaris/Rebellion Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 13, 2025
The second in the Queens of Fate series, Queen of Fury is a romance following the story of Hywfar, a princess and now queen regent, who was passed over as a wife to the legendary King Arthur, who instead chose her younger sister Gwyenevere who died, then her older sister Mawra despite being Hywfar’s betrothed.
While Arthur chose not to marry Hywfar twice, he still desires control over her nation. His opportunity comes now as Hywfar is poised to take her ailing father’s throne. He learns that another army is on the way to challenge her throne, so he sends his trusted ally, relative, and knight, Gawain to defend her. Though warned by Arthur to keep his distance from her (presumably because he wants to position someone with her for his own ambitions), Gawain and Hywfar fall deeply in love and face both natural and magical threats together.
During their journey, we learn that Hywfar is a strong woman who has born the shame of Arthur’s scorn and the great loss of her beloved sister. Her journey to find love and healing fits perfectly besides that of Gawain, a battle weary soldier bearing the physical and emotional damage that violence brings. They form a bond that is not only emotional, but magical. It saves them both and it is the thing they risk for the people they are poised to lead.
As for my thoughts, I was disappointed that this book was very distinct from the first book of the series, Queen of None. While it is the story of a powerful woman in the boundaries of King Arthur’s life, I felt the emphasis of the story was on the romance, and the events surrounding it were difficult to follow. The same could be said for the magic, which seemed so different from the first book. Nevertheless, it is a fun read and an interesting re-telling of the Arthurian legend.
While Arthur chose not to marry Hywfar twice, he still desires control over her nation. His opportunity comes now as Hywfar is poised to take her ailing father’s throne. He learns that another army is on the way to challenge her throne, so he sends his trusted ally, relative, and knight, Gawain to defend her. Though warned by Arthur to keep his distance from her (presumably because he wants to position someone with her for his own ambitions), Gawain and Hywfar fall deeply in love and face both natural and magical threats together.
During their journey, we learn that Hywfar is a strong woman who has born the shame of Arthur’s scorn and the great loss of her beloved sister. Her journey to find love and healing fits perfectly besides that of Gawain, a battle weary soldier bearing the physical and emotional damage that violence brings. They form a bond that is not only emotional, but magical. It saves them both and it is the thing they risk for the people they are poised to lead.
As for my thoughts, I was disappointed that this book was very distinct from the first book of the series, Queen of None. While it is the story of a powerful woman in the boundaries of King Arthur’s life, I felt the emphasis of the story was on the romance, and the events surrounding it were difficult to follow. The same could be said for the magic, which seemed so different from the first book. Nevertheless, it is a fun read and an interesting re-telling of the Arthurian legend.
October 23, 2024
4.5 stars
Queen of Fury, sequel to Queen of None, tells the story of Hwyfar, princess of Avillion, former betrothed of King Arthur and sister of Gweyn. She is a riveting, powerful heroine who must return to her home after spending seven years at Arthur’s court at Carelon, to step into a regency over her ailing father. When Avillion is threatened by war, Arthur sends a group of knights headed by Gawain, son of Anna Pendragon. In exchange for military aid, Arthur wants Hwyfar to marry one of his knights, thus removing her as a potential threat to Carelon in the future. As soon as Gawain arrives, the connection between him and Hwyfar is inevitable. The two are whisked away on a magical adventure to the home of Hwyfar’s mother, and must work together to find their way out of traps, fight monsters, and return to end Avillion’s conflict.
This book is absolutely fantastic. I really liked Queen of None, but this sequel stands head and shoulders above. I don’t think I’ve ever “shipped” two characters before they even meet on the page the way I did Hwyfar and Gawain. Their dynamic is so much fun, and so full of nuance, and tells such a beautiful story about two people finding love after trauma. I also loved getting so much more insight into Hwyfar, because I didn’t even see how much she was hurting during the events of Queen of None. We also got to see Anna from the perspective of others, and the two books work together so well. This series, and this novel, are must-reads for anyone interested in a feminist King Arthur retelling. I’ll be eagerly awaiting Queen of Mercy!
My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Queen of Fury, sequel to Queen of None, tells the story of Hwyfar, princess of Avillion, former betrothed of King Arthur and sister of Gweyn. She is a riveting, powerful heroine who must return to her home after spending seven years at Arthur’s court at Carelon, to step into a regency over her ailing father. When Avillion is threatened by war, Arthur sends a group of knights headed by Gawain, son of Anna Pendragon. In exchange for military aid, Arthur wants Hwyfar to marry one of his knights, thus removing her as a potential threat to Carelon in the future. As soon as Gawain arrives, the connection between him and Hwyfar is inevitable. The two are whisked away on a magical adventure to the home of Hwyfar’s mother, and must work together to find their way out of traps, fight monsters, and return to end Avillion’s conflict.
This book is absolutely fantastic. I really liked Queen of None, but this sequel stands head and shoulders above. I don’t think I’ve ever “shipped” two characters before they even meet on the page the way I did Hwyfar and Gawain. Their dynamic is so much fun, and so full of nuance, and tells such a beautiful story about two people finding love after trauma. I also loved getting so much more insight into Hwyfar, because I didn’t even see how much she was hurting during the events of Queen of None. We also got to see Anna from the perspective of others, and the two books work together so well. This series, and this novel, are must-reads for anyone interested in a feminist King Arthur retelling. I’ll be eagerly awaiting Queen of Mercy!
My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 18, 2025
Queen of Fury by Natania Barron – A Reluctant Queen, Arthurian Magic, and All the Vibes!
As the second installment in a captivating series, Queen of Fury delivers everything I love in a historical fantasy: lush settings, deeply human characters, and a fresh take on Arthurian legend. This time, the focus intensifies on Hwyfar, the reluctant queen whose story arc absolutely shines as we peel back more layers of her complex and compelling journey.
The atmosphere? Oh, it’s chef’s kiss! Corrupt magic, ancient forests, and the beautifully reimagined island of Avalon weave a vivid tapestry that feels as alive as the characters themselves. The blend of myth and atmosphere creates a world that’s moody, magical, and utterly immersive.
Speaking of characters, the growth we see here is so rewarding. Natania Barron brings them to life in a way that feels grounded despite the larger-than-life stakes. The looming threat of usurpers and the weight of Hwyfar's reluctant role as queen set a perfect backdrop for high drama and intrigue.
And let’s talk romance! It’s got humor, heart, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments to keep you hooked without overpowering the story. If romantic historical fantasy is your thing, this series is a must-read.
Overall, Queen of Fury is a beautiful continuation of the series that takes the magic and mythology you love and elevates it with heartfelt storytelling. If you’re craving an atmospheric dive into a world of queens, usurpers, and Avalon, this book won’t disappoint!
As the second installment in a captivating series, Queen of Fury delivers everything I love in a historical fantasy: lush settings, deeply human characters, and a fresh take on Arthurian legend. This time, the focus intensifies on Hwyfar, the reluctant queen whose story arc absolutely shines as we peel back more layers of her complex and compelling journey.
The atmosphere? Oh, it’s chef’s kiss! Corrupt magic, ancient forests, and the beautifully reimagined island of Avalon weave a vivid tapestry that feels as alive as the characters themselves. The blend of myth and atmosphere creates a world that’s moody, magical, and utterly immersive.
Speaking of characters, the growth we see here is so rewarding. Natania Barron brings them to life in a way that feels grounded despite the larger-than-life stakes. The looming threat of usurpers and the weight of Hwyfar's reluctant role as queen set a perfect backdrop for high drama and intrigue.
And let’s talk romance! It’s got humor, heart, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments to keep you hooked without overpowering the story. If romantic historical fantasy is your thing, this series is a must-read.
Overall, Queen of Fury is a beautiful continuation of the series that takes the magic and mythology you love and elevates it with heartfelt storytelling. If you’re craving an atmospheric dive into a world of queens, usurpers, and Avalon, this book won’t disappoint!
June 23, 2025
Queen of Fury is an intoxicating blend of historical fantasy, political intrigue, and slow-burning, forbidden romance—set against a richly reimagined Arthurian backdrop. Natania Barron brings a bold and unapologetically feminist lens to the legend, and I was absolutely here for it.
Hwyfar is everything I want in a fantasy heroine: sharp-tongued, complex, vulnerable, and utterly determined to survive a world designed to break women like her. As she steps into the role of Queen Regent amidst courtly power plays and personal betrayal, her journey becomes a riveting mix of duty, desire, and danger. The slow-build relationship between Hwyfar and Gawain—the angst, the chemistry, the emotional tension—had me flipping pages well past midnight.
Barron’s writing is lyrical and immersive, though I’ll admit that at times the magical elements—three forms of magic, graal lore, and prophetic undertones—felt a little dense. Still, the confusion never pulled me out of the story for long, and the payoff in the final chapters was well worth it. The last act had me clutching the book with worry and awe—seriously, the twists are so well executed.
If you love Arthurian retellings with a fresh perspective, layered court politics, rich magic systems, and romances that feel earned, Queen of Fury should be at the top of your list. I’m definitely picking up Queen of None next—Barron has crafted a world I’m eager to spend more time in
Hwyfar is everything I want in a fantasy heroine: sharp-tongued, complex, vulnerable, and utterly determined to survive a world designed to break women like her. As she steps into the role of Queen Regent amidst courtly power plays and personal betrayal, her journey becomes a riveting mix of duty, desire, and danger. The slow-build relationship between Hwyfar and Gawain—the angst, the chemistry, the emotional tension—had me flipping pages well past midnight.
Barron’s writing is lyrical and immersive, though I’ll admit that at times the magical elements—three forms of magic, graal lore, and prophetic undertones—felt a little dense. Still, the confusion never pulled me out of the story for long, and the payoff in the final chapters was well worth it. The last act had me clutching the book with worry and awe—seriously, the twists are so well executed.
If you love Arthurian retellings with a fresh perspective, layered court politics, rich magic systems, and romances that feel earned, Queen of Fury should be at the top of your list. I’m definitely picking up Queen of None next—Barron has crafted a world I’m eager to spend more time in
December 18, 2024
Barron has created another vivid, rich and gorgeous story, spinning the Arthurian myth and lending her own creativity to it.
I read Queen of None earlier this year, and loved it. But this story was even better.
Taking her name from Gwenyfhar (the traditional name for King Arthur’s wife), and as her sister, Hwyfar is a creative character who blends seamlessly into a new retelling of Arthurian legend. Introduced as an alcoholic and pleasure-seeker in Queen of None, we learn more about her and her traumatic path. Hwyfar goes on a powerful journey to rediscover love and her own self-identity.
What I love about Barron’s stories is how she takes the bones of the Arthurian legend we all know, but shifts and spins it into her own. There are characters and places we know such as Gawaine and his foe, Camelot and Avillon, but new characters and worlds. This means it’s a story rooted in the comfort and magic of the original myths and legends, but she gives them a fresh new and completely original look. Her writing spins you into a world of magic, strong emotion, treachery and battle. Her writing is sumptuous and layered, pulsing with emotion.
I was entranced by Queen of Fury.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for the ARC.
I read Queen of None earlier this year, and loved it. But this story was even better.
Taking her name from Gwenyfhar (the traditional name for King Arthur’s wife), and as her sister, Hwyfar is a creative character who blends seamlessly into a new retelling of Arthurian legend. Introduced as an alcoholic and pleasure-seeker in Queen of None, we learn more about her and her traumatic path. Hwyfar goes on a powerful journey to rediscover love and her own self-identity.
What I love about Barron’s stories is how she takes the bones of the Arthurian legend we all know, but shifts and spins it into her own. There are characters and places we know such as Gawaine and his foe, Camelot and Avillon, but new characters and worlds. This means it’s a story rooted in the comfort and magic of the original myths and legends, but she gives them a fresh new and completely original look. Her writing spins you into a world of magic, strong emotion, treachery and battle. Her writing is sumptuous and layered, pulsing with emotion.
I was entranced by Queen of Fury.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for the ARC.
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