Where are the romantasy lovers who love dark twisty vibes? On Wings of Blood mixes in all that readers love from Harry Potter, and Zodiac Academy, adds vampires and spindles in dashes of Authurian legend to transport you to Bloodwing Academy.

Well, happy release day!!! Thank NetGalley, publisher and author for providing me with ARC copy

I can see why people might like this book. Vampires? Here. Dragons? Almost there. Atmospheric academy? Here. Social inequality problem? We got you. Overall, I really liked the idea of the story and plot, but the execution didn’t live up to my expectations.

Let's start with positive things (almost all of them are mentioned in the previous paragraph of this review). In some aspects, the academy resembles Harry Potter way too much. It is comforting. And I really liked some characters. Unfortunately, they all were secondary characters.

I guess for me, the problem was the author’s writing style. Chopped sentence is a good instrument, but it should be used in moderation. I suffered through the first few chapters because of it. The story wasn’t flowing. It got better with time, but still, I couldn't get used to short sentences and short paragraphs.

Another thing that was an obstacle for me was the stupidity(?) of the characters. Maybe it is not the best word to describe this, so let me explain. Since we have a first-person narration, we basically know what Mendra thinks, and sometimes she has the right things in her mind, but I guess she prefers not to fully realise them until a few dozen pages later when it is turned into a big realisation. And that annoyed me a lot because YOU ALREADY THOUGHT OF THIS A FEW DAYS/WEEKS/MONTH AGO, HOW COULD YOU NOT REALISE THAT THING😭😭😭 Same goes with everyone else.

Nevertheless, I finished the story and don’t regret it. It was a great journey with a lot of facepalms and angry voice notes, a few skipped spicy scenes here and there (sorry, it just wasn’t appealing to me) and we came to a great hint for the next book. I want to thank the author, it wasn’t a big cliffhanger that will leave all things unresolved. Instead, it was a nice bonus to an overall almost complete plot. We also had a few secrets that probably will be unveiled in the following books, but that won't give you the anxious urgency to read the next book, which is nice

There would be no going back, INDEED!

The first moment I met Medra, I already knew that I would love this! Our FMC landed in Sangratha with sassiness and ready to kick some asses. Medra will definitely bow to NO ONE. And Blake, our MMC is ready to burn the world for her.

When it comes to the vibes, I'm a Harry Potter Fan, and I can see the resemblances and references. Mind me when I say that, not all books that's been advertised with references from other books, do them justice. But this, with the vampires and dragon lore, is just perfect for me. There's no flat moment. Yeah, there's the cringe (I'm not that familiar when it comes to dark romances, maybe that's the reason) but that added more to it's charm.

Overall, I rated this a 4.75 ⭐ I cannot wait for the next book! Really thankful to Netgalley and Ms. Briar Boleyn for giving me an ARC even though I've requested it way past the Publication Date 🤭 Never to late to enjoy a great book 💕

Amazing start to a new romantasy series. Arthurian Myth and Vampires is a winning combination in my opinion. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.

✨️ ARC Review ✨️

"What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy."
That's how the blurb starts! So you know it had some big shoes to fill. And it delivered.

The book opens with half-fae Medra having landed in a foreign world with vampires (highbloods) where mortals (blightborns) are inferior.
Her hair indicates she is a dragon rider, though there are no dragons.
She's immediately forced into an engagement with the vampire who found her and has to attend a magic academy while trying to navigate this new world and stay alive.

"I’m the weirdo redhead blightborn dragonless dragon rider girl.”

This book hooked me from the beginning and never stopped. The magic, the world, and even the vampires were unique and I was interested to learn every tidbit of new information.
Even though this is a big book (coming in at 764 pages), it didn't feel like that at all. I blew through this in just a couple days.

And of course, we end on a cliffhanger! (I really need to start reading some standalones 😩)
Can't wait for book 2! I have so many open questions!

Thank you to @briarboleynauthor and @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you like -

• Enemies to lovers 💜
• Great banter
• Dark Academia 🎓
• Duel POV
• Vampire MMC 🧛
• Fae FMC 🧝🏼‍♀️
• Dragons 🐉
• Deadly games and trials 🏹
• Arranged marriage 💍
• Draco / Hermione vibes🔮
• A bit of spice 🌶️

Then you should read this book. If you like fantasy, paranormal, and dark academia then you should read this book. If you want a mash up of Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, and From Blood & Ash, then you should read this book.

It left me wanting because, of course, cliffhanger. You should still read this book. Fortunately it is scheduled to be released by the end of December 2024.

After reading the first chapter, I was literally hooked on this book. I could not put it down! This definitely has Harry Potter/Fourth Wing vibes mixed with vampires & a half fae- literally everything I love 🙌

I absolutely adored Medra, the half human/half fae fmc (& the only dragon rider)- she's strong, badass, sarcastic & deadly. She didn't take sh!t from anyone since the start eventhough she was somewhere she was unfamiliar with, navigating a world & academy run by vampires with deadly trials & being betrothed to a cold, ruthless vampire who bullies her at first.

I also loved Blake, the hot bully vampire mmc(total draco/damon vibes) he's the literal embodiment of "Touch her and 💀" & the perfect possessive mmc (he does have a soft side...eventually 🤣) Also the tension between them is pretty 🥵

Overall this story had me obsessed, it is filled with suspense, lots of action, funny banter and loveable side characters too! Also some heartbreak & omg that cliffhanger at the end has me NEEDING book 2 like asap!! Please! 🔥

A deliciously slow burn with a half fae dumped in a vampire world, with signs of a dragon rider. Medra Pendragon is now arranged to be mated to one of the most powerful vampires, Blake, and she now is enrolled in a school - one for history, healing, and my personal favorite, combat. Blake is definitely morally grey, but he will grow on you. The twists and turns and that cliffhanger ending will have you gasping! Now where is book 2?!? I neeedd it!

There are certainly interesting elements to this storyline.

Arranged betrothal
Possession
Dragons
Trials
Forging friendships
Rivalries
Adorable animal sidekick

At times I didn't really care for the MFC. I appreciated the fact that she's strong and doesn't back down from stating injustices, but sometimes I felt she lacked a bit of humility. I'll hold final judgment for the next book.
Overall it's strong world building and I would definitely read the next book just to see what happens. I do believe the plot will appeal to many readers.

This is the second series that I have been lucky enough to read by Briar Boleyn. Y'all I was pulled in from the beginning of the story, which is wild because it usually takes me some time to get into the world and characters. This book is set in Bloodwing Academy where students are grouped into four different houses a la Harry Potter (okay, maybe not so similar because they don't have a hat telling them which house they'll be in). During their time there, students are trained in different roles that they will eventually be in as adults, and is meant to cull the weak. Speaking of students, there are two types of students: highbloods (vampires) and blightborns (mortals). The characters, including the side characters, are also very nuanced and relatable. Medra was thrown into this world literally and her hand has been forced from the beginning where she became Blake's consort. Their romance is slow burn and starts off as enemies. They definitely bring out the worst and the best in each other. I definitely recommend reading this first book in the series because I was sat and finished the book in one day.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Someone told me this was everything we loved about Harry Potter and Fourth Wing and I dove into it with very little additional information, but I’m so glad I did! I loved the characters, the world building, and all the tension between Medea and Blake. It was fast paced but comfortably so, and I never felt like things were out of place or happening too fast I will absolutely be picking up everything else Briar Boleyn has written and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

This book. THIS BOOK! I swear I have been in a daze since reading it. I have been a fan of Briar Boleyn since reading the Blood of a Fae series, which was the best kind of slow burn, and it was one of those series that just got better and better. On Wings of Blood is the first book in a spinoff series, Bloodwing Academy, and let me tell you, though the romance was a slow burn, it was INSTA love for me ❤️‍🔥

Briar Boleyn has beautiful world building ability, to the point where readers can easily envision themselves as an audience to the storyline. I was immediately engrossed by Sangratha, the new realm Medra tumbles into after the events from Knight of the Goddess (note that you don’t need to have read the Blood of a Fae series to read this spinoff, though I would recommend reading it because it’s awesome). Sangratha is run mostly by high bloods, vampires who are treated like royalty in this new world. Humans are called blight born and are viewed as lesser than in this society. Being mistaken as a blight born with dragon rider blood, Medra is forced into Bloodwing Academy, where she is forced to take classes amongst the high bloods who despise her. Think Fourth Wing x Zodiac Academy with dramione vibes, and sexy vampires, oh, and adorable fluffy owl-fox creatures called fluffins.

I love me a good enemies-to-lovers with a slow burn, and Blake and Medra’s chemistry was off the charts! I was absolutely for it up until the end (iykyk) and I don’t know if he can redeem himself. But Kage, I am Intrigued by him for certain…

Thank you so much to Briar, NetGalley and Starwater Press for the ARC - this was one of my top reads of the year and I cant wait for more readers to discover Bloodwing Academy!

This book was SO incredibly enjoyable. From the premise to the execution, I had an incredible time. I believe this book is being marketed with Harry Potter vibes, and while this book is definitely not for kids, it did let me feel like I was returning to Hogwarts but with vampires. I often find that books with this sort of premise struggle to keep me interested with mundane school life but I am so happy to say that I was interested in every part of this novel.

Now what makes or breaks a book to me is the characters and their relationships. I was concerned initially that this would fall into the insta love or something similar BUT IT DIDN'T. Actually, I found that I loved how the relationship developed and I actually found the friendships to be the best part of the novel.

Finally, the writing was phenomenal. It was so well done that I found myself craving more and searching through other books by this author so that I could fulfill that craving.

Review

“Bloodwing isn’t just a school - it’s a battlefield.”

Welllll my Harry Potter and vampire loving heart just imploded at this magnificent offspring of the two that has manifested into On Wings of Blood 😍
Hooked. Utterly hooked from the get go.

Magical school ✔️
Enemies to lovers ✔️
Fae & vampires ✔️
Friendships ✔️
Touch her and 💀 ✔️
DRAGONS!! ✔️
Found family ✔️
Dual POV ✔️

To name but a few of the topics covered in this absolute whirlwind of a book. I can’t wait to see how Blake and Medra’s relationship develops in book 2 because she is gunna be PISSED after that ending but in the best way possible, give me alllll the drama!!
This book has done an absolutely cracking job in setting the characters up for the next book in the series. The author has excelled in world building, character development and forming relationships. I found myself holding my breath on several occasions whilst reading this book and it had my heart racing. The author has very cleverly left room for so many topics to be explored in the next book and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2 (coming early 2025!) If you are a fan of Harry Potter, fourth wing and Sarah J Mass books then this is definitely a book for you. I can’t wait for you to read it!

Let me just say upfront—this book was a lot. And I mean that in the best way possible. On Wings of Blood takes you on a whirlwind ride through dark academia, vampire politics, forbidden magic, and—oh yeah—a dragon or two. Think Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing, with all the delicious angst and enemies-to-lovers tension that genre fans crave.

The Setup: Medra Pendragon is thrust into Bloodwing Academy, a school run by highblood vampires where she, a half-fae "blightborn," is automatically at the bottom of the food chain. Add to that a forced betrothal to Blake Drakharrow, a brooding vampire prince who clearly didn’t get the memo about not being a jerk. He’s cold, arrogant, and entirely too hot for his own good—classic bully romance material.

Honestly, the first few chapters felt like sensory overload. The pacing was fast, almost like the book was trying to cram in every piece of world-building as quickly as possible. But once things settled down, I was hooked. The intrigue, the competitions, the brewing secrets—it all came together to create a plot that kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime.

Medra: She’s fierce, determined, and doesn’t take crap from anyone, which makes her easy to root for. I loved how she wasn’t just about survival; she wanted to question everything and break free from the oppressive system. Her inner fire really carried the story, even when things got chaotic.

Blake: Oh boy. If you love morally gray, Draco Malfoy-esque antiheroes, Blake’s got you covered. He’s cruel, yes, but there are glimpses of something deeper—moments where you can’t help but wonder if he might actually be capable of kindness. Their chemistry is electric, and the slow-burn tension is real. Just don’t expect instant romance—this is enemies-to-lovers in its purest, most agonizingly slow form.

The World-Building: Bloodwing Academy is like Hogwarts, but darker, bloodier, and with a hefty dose of vampire politics. There are houses, common rooms, and deadly competitions, but the stakes are much higher—weakness here isn’t just embarrassing, it’s fatal. The lore surrounding the vampires, dragons, and fae is intricate, and while some things felt a little under-explained, I trust the series will dive deeper in future installments.

Critiques: The writing style, while solid, didn’t feel particularly unique. It’s dark and atmospheric, which fits the genre, but I was hoping for a bit more flair or something to really set it apart from other dark academia fantasies. Also, the ending? Definitely a cliffhanger, and it felt a little rushed—I wanted a bit more time to digest everything before it wrapped up.

Final Thoughts: On Wings of Blood is a fast-paced, tension-filled ride through a dark, dangerous world. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances, morally gray characters, and deadly school settings, this one is definitely worth a read. It’s not perfect, but it’s got all the ingredients for an addictive series, and I’m eagerly waiting for book two.

Briar Boleyn’s On Wings of Blood is an absolutely captivating start to the Bloodwing Academy series, brimming with dark magic, thrilling action, and complex characters. The world-building is immersive, pulling readers into a mysterious academy full of secrets, danger, and hidden power. The protagonist is fiercely compelling, and the relationships—full of tension, loyalty, and intrigue—keep the stakes high throughout. Boleyn’s writing is sharp and evocative, making every twist and turn feel unpredictable and exciting. With an addictive plot and unforgettable characters, this is a must-read for fans of dark academia!

Thank you Starwater Press for the arc!

I was skeptical going into this book. The first few chapters felt very rushed and cliche. It almost felt like whiplash because everything was moving very quickly and honestly, didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

I'm glad I stuck with it though because it got exponentially better. The plot slowly started to come in and made the first few chapters make more sense. The characters were interesting and I didn't know who to trust, it kept me wanting more.

Medra came off as cocky in the beginning but once I got into the story, I really started to like her character and what she stood for. She felt realistic and genuine to me.

The villain in this story is not like a stereotypical villain in most, where you hate him and then love him. It was a rollercoaster of emotions I felt with him and I think that's why I like him.

I will definitely be rereading and watching for the next one!

I was hooked on the first page! If you like vampires with a mix of Harry Potter and Fourth Wing, you will LOVE On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn!

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn was absolutely enthralling! I was hooked on the first page.
I love a good slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, and this did not disappoint! It is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
It started off great and just got better and better. I loved everything about it. It was pure perfection!
I loved the whole story; The dark academia x Fourth Wing with Vampire vibes was an awesome addition. Also, I loved that the vampires in this story were unique in how they acted, and they didnt have typical weaknesses. That ending had me in shock and awe. I can't wait to read the next book!

On Wings of Blood follows Medra as she's finding herself in a, new to her, world; run by vampires. She must navigate the trials of being a human, and her new school after being forced to be a consort. To a vampire who has been a bully to her. All because her hair is red, apparently meaning she's a dragon rider. The only dragon rider..

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read this in exchange for my review!

Ok this book was crazy good, it held my attention captive and didn’t let go.

I’m so so mad at that ending because now I have to wait on the next book. Also, I am not team Blake, he’s going to have to be less entitled in the future to sway me.

This book is a perfect enemies to lovers with an interesting plot that still has a lot of questions to answer. There’s banter, friendship, and so much lust and feminine rage. I am a sucker for an academy setting, powerful characters, broody competitive men and fierce female characters. I hope in the next book we can expand on the world building as like fourth wing we end up focused in one place. Unlike fourth wing though the dragons in this story are a lot more ominous and wrapped up in history, and our FMC is at the core of whether dragon riders and dragons will return.

Lastly I love that there are different worlds, creatures and bloodlines. I think book 2 might give us more details on the politics and hopefully how our FMC got to the vampire dominated world.

Happily rating 4.5 (rounded up to 5)

✨"I fell asleep and dreamed of snow and dragons."✨

I had already read the author's 'Blood of a Fae' trilogy and loved the way she made the story of King Arthur and Morgana unique, so I was pretty sure she wouldn't let me down! Which, indeed, she did not.

I had already met Medra in the previous books and loved seeing her as the protagonist of her own story and also loved all the references made to Morgan Draven and his entire family in Camelot (you don't have to read the other trilogy, but if you have you will freak out at every mention of the other characters). As I've already said, I loved the main character: despite waking up in an unfamiliar world with new and ruthless creatures, customs and a forced betrothal, Medra is not afraid to face every obstacle she finds in her path , to think with her mind and questioning everything that no one has ever dared to object.

Blake is the prince of Sangratha and is cold, ruthless and a product of the way and environment in which he grew up. He is definitely Draco Malfoy coded and the anti-hero par excellence, but despite this, he is still able to perform small acts of kindness towards Medra (or is he?).

I can't say that Medra and Blake end up in the "Enemies to Lovers" trope because they are really just enemies (for now). But I did love the world in which the author made the hatred, tension and mutual attraction in their every interaction. And what can I say? I want more!

Between the pages one can clearly see the influences of Harry Potter, Zodiac Academy and Fourth Wing but, despite this, the author has managed to create an original and immersive world building with vampires, dragons and humans which is complex and explained to perfection!

✨ On Wings of Blood is therefore a is with a dahs of dark romance full of political intrigue, with well-characterised characters and a fast pace that keeps you glued to the book, making you devour it in a couple of days!