The Dead Queen

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[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.

[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.

[Amber · 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.!

[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!!!!

[whitneys_litventure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly Captivating and Hauntingly Beautiful⭐

You know that feeling when you finish a book and just sit there for a minute… staring at nothing because you’re not ready to leave the world yet?

That was The Dead Queen for me.

Briar Knightly completely captivated me from the very first page. I was pulled into its dark, atmospheric world almost immediately, and by the end, I wasn’t ready to let it go. This is the kind of fantasy that reminds me why I fell in love with the genre — immersive, emotional, and haunting long after the final chapter.

Knightly’s writing is genuinely stunning. There’s a lyrical, almost eerie beauty to her prose that perfectly complements the gothic tone of the story. The world feels ancient and fragile, steeped in history and quiet menace.

The characters are phenomenal — complex, flawed, and deeply compelling. The protagonist’s internal struggle between grief, duty, and power adds emotional depth that elevates the story beyond traditional fantasy expectations. Even the supporting roles feel intentional and memorable, strengthening both the political intrigue and emotional stakes.

And the tropes? Absolutely perfect.

Dark court politics. Whispered prophecies. Dangerous alliances. Dead queens. And a romance threaded with slow-burning, forbidden tension that simmers beneath every interaction. There were moments that genuinely gave me chills — the kind that make you pause and reread a passage just to fully absorb it.

The ending delivers a devastatingly cliffhanger that left me immediately desperate for book two.

What honestly surprises me most is how this book isn’t receiving far more hype. It delivers everything readers claim to want in fantasy right now — gothic atmosphere, morally gray characters, emotional intensity, and addictive storytelling. I genuinely struggle to understand ratings below five stars, because this was immersive, engaging, and beautifully executed from beginning to end.

This is the kind of fantasy that lingers long after you’ve finished reading — the kind that quietly refuses to leave your thoughts.

[Whitney Casarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the FMC but despised her father! This story is based around a “princess”, true heir to the throne on a mission to find out what really happened to her grandmother. Was she set up and murdered or was it an accidental death? Not sure. Now, all the adventures, endeavors and obstacles along the way? It’s action packed, heart wrenching in moments and nail biting in others.
I would recommend this book to all my fantasy lovers!

[Tiffany Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible captivating read! I was immediately drawn in on the first few pages. It was so easy to fall in love with the main characters. Sienna is head strong, fierce and unapologetically true to herself. Hunter is brave, loyal and tries hard to make past mistakes right. The complicated feelings between them were beautifully written and had me truly longing for their HEA. I had conflicting emotions in regard to the villain and without giving too much away am sort of rooting for them. An unlikely trio that just so happens to work harmoniously…I loved the book so much I have immediately gone on to book 2!

The world building was spot on, this book had magical elements, enchanted forest/ gothic vibes with classic fairytale and medieval themes

Perfection!

[Mrs. K. Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a mix of Throne of Glass, The Witch Queen, and The Wolf King. The book is both heartbreaking and enchanting to read, a high fantasy masterpiece with plot, character development, world-building, and magic that's remarkably simply, yet I know we've only touched the surface of its capabilities.

And a cliffhanger at the end that just leaves you wondering, "How? WTF? That's not possible."

The writing is simple yet dives deeply enough to grasp at your heartstrings as Sienna (our FMC) must make the least terrible of a bunch of terrible choices put before her. Hunter (one of our MMCs) and Sienna have bad blood between them, but could they rekindle what they once had and make the most of it? Perhaps the Wolf (our other MMC) can shed some light on Sienna's grandmother's mysterious disappearance, but to do that Sienna and Hunter will have to take him back to Annwyn, the kingdom to the north shrouded in shadows and known for reanimating the dead.

I will forever hype this up until I can't hype no more! The Dead Queen deserves all the praise and hype it can get!

[Constance Sinkule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this book by happenstance and I am absolutely shook with excited for the next one. The FMC is a badass healer rebellious princess and we are only introduced to the magic she is capable of throughout this first book… definitely leaves me wanting more.

I was guessing at where the author was going with the love interest (two possibly) the entire time and finishing the first one… I am still left guessing and I like it.

There’s the golden retriever knight and the dark and snarky shadow daddy. All in all this first one left me with far more questions than answers and immediately jumping into the second “The Fox Heir.”

[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.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a dark Red Riding Hood retelling, THIS is it. Holy crap. Briar Knightly has become a new auto buy author for me. I have seen blurbs saying if you like a the Knight and the Moth then you’ll like this story, and I’d have to agree with that. Her writing did remind me a lot of Rachel Gillig’s.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a breath of fresh air in the fantasy realm that can be so copy and paste. The main characters were likeable, the villian is the worst, the plot is engaging and steadily paced, the magic system is unique, and the romance is sweet. Even though it is a fairy tale retelling, I didn’t find it overly predictable like I do with most of them.

Themes in this book include: war, loss, death, grief, trauma, abuse, mystery, forbidden attraction, political intrigue, secret identities, arranged betrothel, friendship, spice, and so much more!

I highly recommend this book!! (The author gifted me a copy of her book to review, and I am leaving a review of my own free will).

[Chelsea Vitale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm…. I knew nothing about this series going into it. What a nice surprise!

This story follows Sienna, heir to the Fox throne who is at odds with her father the king and ultimately is just trying to uncover what happened to her grandmother. She’s dragged back to court after being away for 3 years only to be shoved into an engagement she didn’t ask for and a role she doesn’t want.

Enter in the wolf to our story who has shadow powers and is from the enemy lands. He gets himself entwined with the princess and they have to work together.

I really had no idea where this story was going which is such a breath of fresh air.

Also the writing in this… from the first paragraph you’re getting the kind of descriptive language that forces a clear picture into your mind. Love that.

Immediately downloaded and am starting book two.

[Botanical Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started The Dead Queen by Briar Knightly without knowing what to expect, but the gorgeous cover immediately caught my eye, so I decided to take the plunge. And wow, I am completely blown away! The world-building is incredible, and the characters have so much depth that they feel real. The story kept me turning the pages far past my bedtime with twists and surprises at every turn. I could hardly put it down.

There were subtle vibes that reminded me of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy. If you love shadow daddies, strong female leads, and witty banter accompanied by smirks, this series is absolutely for you.

Now I’m to read the second book!!

[Keasha M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!!!

🤯🤯 this book surpassed any expectation I had!!! This world is filled with a war between 2 kingdoms both of which have vastly different powers. The North has shadows and the South has light/healing. The Fox King leads with cruelty and manipulation which the Dead Queen is a mystery.....well until the end. Sienna is the Fox thrones heir but she's stuck living with the curiosity to find out what happened to her grandmother and when she's only met dead ends she runs to the war to help heal those she can. That is until she's called back to marry a man her father chose for her, needless to say that doesn't go to plan and she's forced to run for her life.
This ended on a cliffhanger that blew my mind!!

[Andrea Mathes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK and need book 2 immediately omg!

[Amanda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow… The Dead Queen was such a great read! I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. The author did an amazing job bringing every scene to life. I felt completely pulled into the world like I was right there beside the characters.

Sienna is the kind of female lead you can’t help but root for. She’s strong, courageous, and has more heart than most characters I’ve read in a long time. Watching her grow and fight through everything had me hooked.

And this book seriously has EVERYTHING:
✨ Action
✨ Betrayal
✨ A romance that’s sweet without being overly spicy
✨ Funny moments that break up the tension perfectly
✨ A completely unhinged mad king (aka the psycho dad)
✨ A wolf
✨ A knight
✨ And of course… a ☠️QUEEN 👑

This is not a book you want sitting on your TBR forever
move it to the top immediately. Once you start, you won’t want to put it down!

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This book is a hidden gem that checked absolutely all the boxes for me. Sienna is a headstrong, spunky, powerful princess haunted by secrets and will risk anything to get answers. She’s imperfect and messes up in the most realistically human way possible and I loved her for it. The pace was perfect and not a page felt wasted. The journey through Llewyn and the Borderlands was the perfect way to showcase the strong relationships and world building! I couldn’t believe that it was 324 pages when I got to the end, I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if it was over 500 pages! I can’t wait to immediately immerse myself in the next book.

[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.

[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.

[Lilith's_Library_ · 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.

[Cassidy Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely obsessed with The Dead Queen! Briar Knightly delivered an absolute masterpiece with this first installment of the series. The pacing was flawless, and the characters were so incredibly well developed.
And that cliffhanger?! Genius. Even though I managed to guess the twist ahead of time, the execution still left me completely shocked and reeling.
The tension and dynamics are top tier. I am dying to see what develops (or doesn't!) with Tristen in the next book. At the same time, my heart breaks a bit for Hunter. I'm calling it now, he’s definitely coming back in book two, and I am highly suspicious that he might be stepping into a villain role???
I didn't even hesitate I just hit "order" on book two. If you love gothic fantasy, and phenomenal pacing, you need to read this immediately!

[Tegan read_with_tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting story about the heir to the throne continuously fighting for truth and honor in the wake of her evil father’s ruling. There was an obvious sense of mystery and urgency that had me riveted through this tale of overcoming cruelty and discovering truth. I do think some of it wasn’t very cohesive, and there were moments that felt repeated. I also wish there was a clear romantic path. I wasn’t sure whether to expect a love triangle or a why choose, since there was no true slow burn for either men, and I was definitely missing the heat from the potential shadow daddy. For me, there was a lot of missed opportunities, but overall the action and adventure had me on the edge of my seat. I am vey interested in reading the sequel!

[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.

[Jen Tammen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure how I found this book. I did read it and enjoyed it. I read it without knowing the premise. It’s a retelling of Little Ref Riding Hood with some liberties taken. I did enjoy it. The arranged marriage, royal intrigue, internal and external battles. A scant bit of spice, but if you’re reading for a good story, highly recommend. There is a book two and this ended on a great cliffhanger.

[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.