On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a dark, thrilling fantasy that pulls you right into its world. The plot is full of twists, and the characters are intriguing and complex. If you're into high-stakes adventure with a touch of romance, this book is an exciting and unforgettable read!

3.5/5 (rounded up) ✨ I’m such a sucker for reluctant, slow burn, enemies to lovers where she doesn’t realise that he fell first AND harder.

On Wings of Blood swept me up and I devoured the book in two days. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic was frustrating in the best way, and both Medra and Blake grew on me as their characters developed and I learned more about their histories and traumas.

I have such a soft spot for dual POV and men written by women. The dual POV balanced Medra’s and Blake’s conflicting perspectives so well. I genuinely couldn’t stop reading once I got an insight into Blake’s family trauma, motivations and feelings. His POV had me giggling and kicking my feet because he is SO down bad for Medra but so understandably emotionally stunted.

While I’m absolutely sold on the romance, I had to push through the information dumps in the first 30% which is sad because I normally love academia settings. It was a lot of telling rather than showing, and I had to fight my brain to retain all the information. Considering it’s the first book of a series, it’s understandable that the focus was on world building, and I’m still really excited to see what’s next for Medra and Blake.

——

Side note: I didn’t realise this was a spin-off. Reading Blood of a Fae beforehand may have improved my experience because I was so confused by the missing information at the beginning (which I now realise were subtle nods to the other series).

——

So very thankful to Briar Boleyn (Fenna Edgewood), Starwater Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

——

Tropes:
- Academia setting (with vampires, humans, dwarves)
- Bonded Mates (elements of political marriage)
- Enemies to lovers
- Slow burn
- Love Triangle
- Underdog/Outsider MC
- Touch her and you die
- Open door spice

This book was soooo good! Fae and vampires?! YESS!!!!
I loved the story, the writing, the worldbuilding..... I was so excited when I found out this book, and it didn't disappoint. It reminded me a bit of FW, so I will say if you liked FW you will like this book too.
One of the things that is decisive in my rating is the FMC. If she annoys me, I'm rating it low. But Medra was a surprise. She's strong and her relationship with Blake was so good! Even tho is the a morally dark grey character, we get to see different sides of him and we get to understand him.

I will add this book to my recommendation list cause more people need to read it ahah

I absolutely loved this book!
It got going really fast! The world building and desriptions are amazing!
Only thing I didn't like was how long it took Blake and medra to get together but of course Blake is inconsiderate and glad medra constantly puts him in his place! Love the banter, it's like nothing I've read before!
Cannot wait to read the next one!!!!!

A deadly academy? Dragons? Vampires? Enemies to lovers? On Wings of Blood has it all! Challenges? Bullies? A bully that's hot? Yup, this has it! Hogwarts meets Zodiac Academy in this captivating dark romantasy, delicious and a little bit spicy, this captivated me from page one!

SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!

Medra, our FMC, is thrown into a new world and must adapt or survive. With her mother stuck in her head to keep her company, she must determine whether or not she can trust Blake, the man that she was forcibly betrothed to so she doesn't die. He wants to help her, but she doesn't believe him (for good reason tbh, as she is literally bullied by him and his goons) but she starts wanting him anyway (it is delectable). Blake, our MMC, has to lie and manipulate everyone around him to keep up his very carefully crafted front. He eventually lets Medra in on a major secret, one that could get him killed, in exchange for having her accept her help. He wants her but she keeps denying him. This ends with a very sassy dragon and a cliffhanger. 5/5 stars, I will be reading book 2 asap.

4.5 stars
The way I devoured this book in less than 24 hours and immediately went to find book 2. It’s vibes: Harry Potter 🎓, Fourth Wing 🐉, True Blood 🩸 🧛🏻‍♂️

Angst, Rivalry, Betrayal

A mix of dark academy and fantasy, this book was interesting, and though it felt a little long, there was still a lot happening throughout. I feel like, especially at the beginning, if you had read the previous series some of the main characters comments and understanding the backstory a bit better. 3.75/5

This book was a dark/fantasy academia, and there were definitely bits that reminded me of Harry Potter (four houses, trio of friends, winter ball, frequent battles/quests). I found the plot moved quickly, although there was a *lot* of content crammed into one book. I was a bit confused at the beginning, and later found out this was the first book in a spin-off series. While I don't think reading the other series is necessary, it would've been good context to have going in so I better understood some of the references.

Overall, I felt the story had a lot of the best elements of a fantasy novel - maybe a tad too much going on, but it did keep me turning the pages. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"On Wings of Blood" by Briar Boleyn is the perfect fantasy if you are looking to be sucked in to a new world with intense politics, a deadly academy and characters that are so well developed they feel real. Medra Pendragon is not from this kingdom and she has no idea what is in-store for her when she is pulled from a massacre by the one and only Blake Drakharrow, nephew of a powerful lord and now her betrothed? As Medra learns to navigate Bloodwing Academy she also must come to understand, the caste system that puts Highbloods (vampires) above all else, being the only dragon rider left alive and a very irritating, controlling betrothed she must defend herself in order to survive.

This book left me craving more and more, I was so engaged in the story the 500 pages flew by. "On Wings of Blood" is like a combination of so many other books we know and love but with vampires and a unique storyline. I am biting at the bit to read the next installment and see where Boleyn takes the story next.

This is Medra's story, set in a strange new world filled with vampires, an academy, and a tense betrothal to a prince who despises her—and already has another fiancée. Mistaken for a dragon rider due to her half-fae heritage, Medra's journey is full of intrigue and danger.

The story gave me serious Zodiac Academy vibes with its bully romance and academy setting, but there’s also a bit of twists and schemes. While there was a serious lack of dragons, there are definite hints of a deeper mystery surrounding the black Avari dragon and the connection to Kage, which I’m eager to see unravel in the sequel. I also felt a bit Hungry Games-y with the whole consort games, especially the final challenge.

The pacing was a bit slow at times, but the tension kept me hooked. Spice level is low (just a handsy scene and a few kisses), I’m intrigued to see how Medra’s mother and other threads play into the next book.

I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

5/5 🌟 • 3/5🌶 • Cliff Hanger Ending

When our BA FMC literally falls into trouble in the first chapter, I knew this was going to be an interesting read.

I recently started getting into fantasy and I am so glad I found Briar Boleyn as one of my first authors.

If you want a setting like Hogwarts/Zodiac Academy but with a little spice and main characters like Draco and Poppy from the Blood and Ash series, this is your series.

If you want the possibility of dragons and an interesting magic system, this is also your series.

On Wings of Blood immerses readers in a dark, enchanting world where forbidden magic, deadly secrets, and unexpected alliances keep you on the edge of your seat. Expect shocking twists, heart-pounding moments, and a journey filled with betrayal, romance, and an ever-present threat of danger that will leave you questioning everything.

The FMC (Medra) is thrust into a dangerous vampire-ruled world, where mortals are seen as expendable—and yet, for reasons unknown, the vampire king places her in a position of power.

The MMC (Blake) is part of one of the kingdom’s most influential families, is caught in a struggle between his public duties and his private anguish.

When he and Medra collide, they seem like opposites. Each is determined to avoid the other, but fate forces them together, and soon they’ll need each other more than they ever imagined.

I ate this book up, it was such a pleasant surprise! This truly feels like if you were to mix the world of Serpent and the Wings of Night with the military academy setting of Fourth Wing and then throw in a Dramione-esque romance. I LOVE an academy setting and this checked all the ambience boxes for me in terms of stone corridors and courtyards with massive dragon statues in a castle by the stormy sea. The FMC was sassy and stood up for herself and others in a vicious world where there were injustices aplenty. The worldbuilding with the history of the vampire, or highblood, society and magic system was so extensive but never overwhelming. Overall, I absolutely recommend this and I can't wait to dive into the sequel! And bonus points for being on Kindle Unlimited!

Wow, just wow! This was amazing, I loved the whole enemies to lovers and forced proximity troupes.
The characters were strong and I loved them all especially Neville 😊
A great introduction to Bloodwing Academy. There was tension and action throughout. I have no idea who to trust and I cannot wait to see where the series goes.
What a book way to beat the January blues, escaping to Bloodwing!

Thank you Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for my gifted ARC.

3.5 stars This is book 1 of the Blood wing academy series.

Medra wakes to find herself a half-fae in a land of vampires. She’s captured and brought before the counsel where the options for her are: offer her to the Gods, destroy her, or mate with her.

They tell her she’s one of the last dragon riders to exist, even though there aren’t any dragons, and in order to protect her they betrothed her to the 2nd most powerful vampire, Blake, who she despises.

Medra is immediately put into Bloodwing academy where she has to fight for her life academically and physically. She’s smart and resourceful, and tough as they come, but unlike others in the academy she has compassion and fights for other people.

Blake is head of the house and quite arrogant, but his soft side starts slipping out when we see the lengths he’ll go to, to protect Medra. There deeper I got into the story, the more I liked him.

There’s the cutest Fluffin named Neville that Blake saves for Medra! Neville brings a softness to the story.

The series has a lot of potential and I’ve heard book 2 is even better so I’m curious to see where the story goes. I enjoyed the dual POV!

Romance Content: 2 Open-door scenes and some language.

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a mix of dark academia, fantasy, and romance. The story follows Medra Pendragon, a half-fae dragon rider thrust into a world dominated by vampires. Forced to attend Bloodwing Academy, while navigating deadly politics, uncover secrets, and face her growing connection to Blake Drakharrow, a vampire prince.

The pacing starts out slow as the story but once it picks up, the twists and cliffhangers will have you hooked. There are a few plot holes but I’m hoping they are filled with any future books.

Overall, On Wings of Blood is perfect for fans of fantasy romance who love dragons, vampires, and a touch of dark intrigue.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me review this! I enjoyed this book so much that I couldn't put it down. I immediately went into book 2 and will now be sad until book three....

This series is fantastic!

I just fell into fantasy a few months ago and have been seeing this cover over and over. I was very happy to have the opportunity to read this thanks to NetGalley ! I was completely taken by surprise with how much I enjoyed the read. The mix of Harry Potter and fourth wing was great for me. It kept my interested and I cannot wait to read the next one.

Briar Boleyn combined magical world building and coming of age angst into a vampire boarding school based world. The FMC is from another world and is thrown into a universe where vampires rule over humans and other mortal beings referred to as ‘blightborn’, she is found by the MMC who is a vampire prince and is forced into a relationship with him. As she is suspected to be a dragon rider, which were previously considered to have been extinct along with the dragons.

It took me a little bit of time to get into this book, but from 100 pages in I was engrossed in the world.

ᗷᴏᴏꮶ ᖇɛ᥎ıɛᤐ

Rating: 4/5🌹

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: "Weak doesn't mean useless. Weak doesn't mean expendable."

ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖 ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖:

𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖:
🌹Romantasy
🌹Strong MFC
🌹Arranged Marriages
🌹Bullying
🌹Touch her & die
🌹Enemies to Lovers
🌹Dragon/Fae/Vampires
🌹Power Struggles

Τακεαωαγ:
It's not all that glitters is gold. Not everyone we see smiling or even shinning successful - doesn't have their own secrets and or their struggles. We all got something to lose.

💕🌹𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮🌹💕.
Serlina Rose - Authoress
IG @SerlinaRoseBooks