The Dead Queen: A Dark Fantasy Romance

by Briar Knightly

This gothic, enemies-to-lovers fantasy series is perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Holly Black, and Sarah J. Maas.

A reluctant heir. A deadly secret. A wolf who prowls the shadows of the Fox King’s court.

Sienna wants nothing to do with the throne she stands to inherit, but a royal summons drags her away from the war-ravaged borderlands, back into the Fox King’s court. Now she’s trapped in a palace haunted by her grandmother’s mysterious death, and engaged to a man she didn’t choose … even if her charming fiancé is a knight she once loved.

When one of the Dead Queen’s Wolves is caught spying in the Fox King’s court, Sienna begins to suspect the truth of the war is far darker than she imagined. To uncover buried secrets, she must trust the Wolf and help him escape north, where the ancient Dead Queen reigns over more than the living.

As corpse wolves stalk the borders and rebellion brews, whispers rise of old fae magic and kingdoms long fallen. Sienna must decide if the Wolf at her side is a monster or something much more dangerous.

Because in the north, secrets won’t stay buried. And neither will the dead.

If you love the breathtaking romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or the gothic fantasy of The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, step into this dark fairytale retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, where the line between predator and protector is as thin as a knife’s blade.

This is book one in the Thrones of Ruin series.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2025

Reviews

[Samantha Millican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one in the Thrones of Ruin series, The Dead Queen is a dark fantasy romance with an enemies to lovers arc, and a gothic Red Riding Hood vibe. Sienna is brought back to the Fox King’s court by a royal summons. Still battling grief after the mysterious death of her grandmother. Secrets, lies, and betrayals in a world where nothing is as it seems. With a plot twist you won’t soon forget! The world building and the complexity of its characters was phenomenal. If this is Kightly’s debut as an author, I can’t wait to see what else she comes out with. Truly captivating read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twists and turns of this book had me on the edge of my seat! All the secrets, eek. The cliffhanger was freaking fabulous! Can't wait for the next book, I need to know what happens!!!!

[Amber Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royalty / Fallen Throne
Haunted Heroines e
Dead but Not Gone
Court Intrigue & Betrayal
Forbidden Magic / Slow Burn Romance
Enemies to Allies (to Lovers?)
Resurrected History
Morally Gray Characters A Gothic Fantasy Atmosphere
Prophecies & Destiny
Mythical creatures

I loved sienna’s independence encourage and how she was smart and thought quick on her feet. This was a descriptive read and love the world building. The tension buildup was slow and hot.
The emotions!!
The plot twist there threw me off my seat! I am so excited for book too. I cannot wait.!

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Dead Queen,” by Briar Knightly

I felt like this plot stands out from other healing magic Fae books I’ve read. I loved the arranged marriage and second chance complication that was going on, and the mystery behind it. I loved the unlikely allies plot and the back and forth of figuring out which side truly was in the wrong. I liked the characters but wish I got to know Tristan better) hopefully in book 2 I will). I loved the gothic atmosphere mixed in with the fantasy. 4out of 5 stars, so good.

-Nurse/ Healing Magic
-Arranged Marriage
-Unlikely Allies
-Murder Mystery
-Second Chance
-Court Intrigue
-Forbidden Magic
-Slowburn
-Gothic
-Zombies/Undead

Thank you for the ARC, Booksprout.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC for this book from Booksprout. Thank you to the author's team for allowing me in!

3.75 STARS

Let me start this review with something very important to me. I HOPE THIS COVER IS NOT AI. I couldn't tell, but it sort of looks like it, which I am VERY against.

The premise of this book was interesting and for a debut novel, I can say I am pleasantly surprised. I excepted less, so I am giving Briar Knightly her flowers. I think there's potential in the way she writes and this story.

I will start with the positive sides. There may be slight spoilers, so read at your own risk.

* The FMC's motivation is different from others, which I couldn't exactly connect to, but it intrigued me. She didn't feel too 'pick me' throughout the story. I'd like to see her character development as the series progresses.
* The magic system I would say is unique. It's not a foreign concept, a play of light/dark, but intriguing enough. I am slightly disappointed it wasn't explored further.
* The Fox symbolism is a fun concept, I like the red hair being passed down the royal line.
* The book is fast-paced, the chapters are short, and I kept turning the pages.
* The writing style is clean.
* One-horse trope is more refreshing than one-bed. Made me chuckle.


What I didn't like:
* I have an issue with the main villain of the story, his motivation remains unclear and he feels like an easy way out.
* Insta-lust / insta-love with the second MMC. I want to be kept on my toes more when romantic tension begins to build up.It felt like Sienna instantly started wanting Tristan simply because he was the dark broody and supposedly the enemy, but he showed her kindness.
* Magic system and not enough lore revealed. With more world-building this story would've been more captivating.
* The plot twist at the end. I felt this book did a bit of hand-holding or was predictable. I could guess the ending, so it didn't shock me. Cliffhanger, indeed, but one that I'd pick up from again.

Overall, I am happy to have read this book and recommend it to others looking for a swift escape.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ Review: The Dead Queen by Briar Knightley ⭐️

(Gifted — thank you so much Briar! 🖤 This review is 100% honest.)

Okay, so let me start by saying: I am that reader. The one who can watch a movie or read a book and immediately go, “Oh, I know exactly where this is heading.” Mystery? Thriller? Plot twist? Yeah… I usually sniff it out like a bloodhound with Wi-Fi.

🦊🐺 BUT with The Dead Queen, even though I felt the direction things were headed, I was still so excited to watch everything unfold. It had that delicious tension of “I know what’s coming… but I still can’t wait to see it happen.” And honestly? That’s a win for me.

Now… that ending.
A CLIFFHANGER.
A gnarly one.
And if you didn’t see it coming, ohhhh boy. Prepare your feelings, because you’ll close the book and instantly start whisper-screaming, “WHERE. IS. BOOK TWO?!”

I genuinely loved the story — the atmosphere, the gothic vibes, the court politics, the secrets, the Wolves, the whole “is he a monster or something worse (or better 👀)?” energy. And the relationships between the characters? Really well done.

I will admit one tiny disappointment…
I thought we were maybe getting a love triangle.
Like… the vibes were vibing.
My delusion was delusioning.
But it didn’t go there. 😭
It’s fine. I’m fine. Maybe book two will feed my chaos-loving heart. (Briar, if you see this… hiiiii 👋🫣💖)

I read this book in two days. It hooked me, it kept me entertained, and it gave me something a little unique compared to the usual fantasy books I’ve devoured lately — which I really appreciated. Truly, thank you again to Briar Knightley for gifting me this copy. 🖤

If you like dark fairytale retellings, enemies-to-lovers, gothic courts, corpse wolves (yup), and a fantasy world where secrets don’t stay buried… this one’s worth picking up.

[Terin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantasy isn’t my usual genre, but I was pulled in from the first chapter. I fell in love with Sienna, her quick wit, independence, and courage. The world felt so vivid and creative while still grounded enough that I could picture every detail. The tension is high, the stakes are sharp, romance is hot, and there were so many beautifully crafted, imaginative scenes that had my jaw on the floor. THE ENDING...WHAT!? I'm ready for book 2. An addictive and unforgettable read.

[Aires · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dědička Liščího trůnu. Tajemství. Zrada. Ženich na obzoru. Válka se sousedním královstvím. S mrtvou královnou a její armádou nemrtvých ve stínech.

Zní to vážně bombasticky a v podobně dobrém rozpoložení kniha začíná. Sienna si získá čtenářovi sympatie. Bylo to v podstatě dobré čtení, chytlavé. Ovšem určitě ne nápadité. Příběh nevyniká nad ostatními, podobných ztracených dědiček a královniček ve fantasy světech bloudí celé davy. Je to čtivé, ale naivní. Zkušený čtenář tuší hned, že od Liščího krále se nedá čekat nic dobrého, a fantastické odhalení na konci jsem taky předvídala. Škoda, že kniha nenabídla čtenáři aspoń pár vytoužených odpovědí.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Briar Knightly for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Utterly Captivating and Hauntingly Beautiful

The Dead Queen by Briar Knightly completely blew me away. From the very first page, I was hooked by its dark, atmospheric beauty and the emotionally rich storytelling that unfolds like a spell. This book is everything I love in fantasy—mysterious, intense, and absolutely unforgettable.

Knightly’s writing is stunning. It has this lyrical, almost haunting quality that perfectly matches the tone of the story. The world she’s created feels ancient, crumbling, and full of secrets. You can feel the weight of history in every shadowy hallway and crumbling ruin. The tension between past and present, life and death, power and sacrifice—it’s masterfully done.

The characters? Phenomenal. Complex, flawed, magnetic. I was especially drawn to the main character’s internal struggle, the weight of a throne steeped in ruin, and the way grief and power collide in such an emotionally raw way. And the supporting cast? Every single one of them felt layered and important, never just background noise. I found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading.

And let’s talk about the vibe—dark court intrigue, whispered prophecies, dead queens (of course), and a romance that simmers with forbidden tension. It’s gothic, it’s magical, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s so addictive. There were moments that gave me chills, moments that made me pause and reread a line just to let it sink in. It's one of those books where you finish the last page and sit in silence, still caught in its spell.

This is the kind of fantasy that lingers long after the final chapter. I cannot wait to see where the Thrones of Ruin series goes next, and I already know I’ll be recommending this book to anyone who loves dark fantasy with a beating heart.

Dark Royalty / Fallen Throne 👑🩸
Haunted Heroines 👻🖤
Dead but Not Gone 💀👑
Court Intrigue & Betrayal 🕰️🗡️
Forbidden Magic 🪄🚫
Slow Burn Romance 🔥⏳
Enemies to Allies (to Lovers?) ⚔️🤝❤️
Resurrected History 📜👁️
Morally Gray Characters ⚖️🖤
Gothic Fantasy Atmosphere 🏰🌑
Prophecies & Destiny 🔮👣

[Reina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. Oh my gods, I devoured it by one sitting, I was so hooked on the story. And now I fee like I'm having full-on book hangover.

The writing was easy to follow, pacing was good and the dialogue flowed naturally. I have to say world-building was really good, I could picture everything clearly, like I was right there with FMC. I also loved how the story didn’t give everything away at once, but things kept building and unfolding as the story went on, which made it even better.

I loved characters. FMC, Sienna, was amazing and I loved how her character development was subtle but definitely noticeable. MMCs were great too, I loved their interactions and how their relationships with her were balanced.

The symbolism (foxes, moths etc.) was really beautifully done and it followed through the book until the last page. Good vs. evil made me think how it's not always as it's seen, there are always two sides to the story. Evil is not always the evil that the other side claims it to be.

And the cliffhanger. All I say is that I need book two, right now. Please.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a strong start to the Thrones of Ruin series, it had that element that I was looking for and was engaged with what was happening. I enjoyed this as a opening chapter and am excited to read more in this universe. The characters had that overall feel that I was wanting and enjoyed the concept. Briar Knightly wrote this well and was engaged from the first page and how it uses the fantasy romance concept perfectly to tell the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Neary · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Enemies to allies
-Court intrigue
-Mythical creatures
-Healing magic
-Arranged marriage

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book got me out of a reading slump! Was hooked from the beginning and stayed hooked until the very last sentence. The plot twist at the end threw me for a loop!! Looking forward to book 2!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
I loved this book. Each character was essential to the story which was full of drama, mystery and suspense. I can’t fault the incredibly complex tale that embodied this book. Memorable scenes, emotionally engaging and a compelling narrative. I cannot wait to read the next book.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Regan Pontius · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead Queen was a great read for me! I received it as an eARC.

This is Briar Knightly's debut novel. The Dead Queen is the first book in the Thrones of Ruin Series. I loved how the entire focus of the book was the plot. There is a romantic interest, but it's not the center. Another plot unfolds within the main plot. The ending was shocking, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

[Kaitlyn Raasveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch writing. I really enjoyed this. The story and the characters were all wonderful and interesting and kept my attention. I love the world and all the unique people in it. The story is so in depth and brings a new place to life for me. Just great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Haydyn Scrimgeour · Rating 1 out of 5]

so basically she led on the only man who’s ever cared for her for the entire book, just to leave him after he saves her countless times for a man who gives her “a thrill” from a touch.
wtf.

[Alba Dorado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this book: Enigmatic, powerful and unforgettable fantasy with complex, flawed, magnetic characters - Sienna (the FMC) is lovable since the first chapter. I've marked even quotes about elements without twists. Overall; 4,5⭐.