This was another incredible read from Briar Boleyn. It was WONDERFULLY written and kept me completely captivated! What an amazing read, i want more!

On Wings of Blood is an absolute triumph which hooks you in from the first chapter.
I loved the dynamic between Medra and Blake and their 'will they or won't they battle.' The words flow from the page and I was so disappointed when the tale ended - on a cliff hanger I hope that it's not too long until the sequel is released.
Thoroughly enjoyable and recommendable

Vampires
Dragons
Forced Betrothals
Magical Academies
Insta-Lust
Enemies to -sort of- Lovers

This story had some really great moments and I think the world itself is interesting. We don’t see too many stories that feature both dragons and vampires. This story started with finding a girl on a pile of CORPUSES. I’m sorry, what? And then it leads us into a forced betrothal and tossing us into a magical academy? Instant-yes. Let’s also toss in that he is royalty.

The world itself is interesting. The lore behind some of the events that have taken place in the kingdom were interesting to learn about (vampire and human lore). I think the different classes she had made sense for the world and the magical aspect of the story too.

That said, I do think this needed a bit more work. The characters felt flat for most of the story and I couldn’t find one that I had any kind of connection to or that I was rooting for. Some of that was the dialogue being a bit too rough (for me). It was kind of like we wanted to toss in all these cliche tropes for a character and it was just too much. We lost the realistic feel to them when it became overly done. The story was also kind of repetitive in the middle half, which left me quite bored at times. Plus, the relationship between the FMC and MMC just didn’t flow as nicely as it could have.

The ending was fun, though! The last 20ish percent picks back up in pacing and keeps the reader interested to see what will happen next. Plus, we get more of Blake’s POV and I think that allows for us to see another side of the relationship that will help in the next book.

Readers who are ready to really see more dragons are going to love the next book!


Thank you so much for the NetGalley ARC.

A new series that follows the ending of the Blood of a Fae series, where we left Pendrath at the end of a war and the hope that it was saved in the end and everyone is safe.

On Wings of Blood starts off following the events of the previous series, Medra Pendragon awakes to find herself in a completely new world, one inhabited by Highborns (vampires) and blightborn (including humans, dragons, and dwarves). Thrown into an unknown world, having to deal with an unexpected connection with her mother, Medra is forced to navigate the friendships, relationships, and hatred of the people around her. This is a story of unexpected meetings, intertwined fates and a FMC who kicks ass whenever possible.

This new series from the author has reminders of so many of our favourite tropes and stories brought together with a fresh outlook. This makes the start of this series more interesting and engaging. The characters in the story are interesting and each is different from the other, making it a wonderful ensemble. They each add a new dimension to the plot and provide wonderful support to Medra. The story is filled with adventure, mystery, magic, romance and of course the supernatural. The story is engaging and will keep the reader hooked until the very end.

I have enjoyed reading books by the author and love her style of writing. Her books are written in a way to draw the reader in and keep them waiting for more. The endings are perfectly set up to usher in the next book in the series, giving the reader just enough information to know what to expect but throwing in one or two twists that they didn't see coming.

I really enjoyed this book!! It’s everything a want in a romantasty book. There’s vampires, magic, dragons, enemies to lovers, touch her and you die, plus very good banter & spice 😍 I had to buy a physical copy of this book I liked it that much 😂

This book follows Medra who lands in this unknown world to her and is soon found by Blake who is a vampire prince. He brings her to his family and they decide that they want to keep her close, which means that she has to start attending Bloodwing Academy. She has to deal with some deadly competitions and handle school bullies, all while figuring out her feelings for Blake.

I’m excited to continue this series and I will be purchasing the next book immediately when it comes out!

I have also posted a review for On Wings of Blood to TikTok :) https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYFoDdJd/

Dark adult fantasy. Dark academia, trials, vampires, dragons, enemies to lovers to enemies?! What more could you ask for? More Blake and Medra scenes. This was soo good and gave adult Hogwarts vibes. Elite spicy daydreams and banter. The cliffhanger has me salivating for the next book

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On Wings of Blood was a thrilling novel with a mix of danger, enemies-to-lovers tension, and mystery. The story follows Medra Pendragon (who some of us already know), a half-fae stuck in a world of vampires. Medra has to figure out her new world and hope to survive Bloodwind Academy and Blake Drakharrow.

Like all of Briar Boleyn’s books, On Wings of Blood was a really exciting and entertaining story. Medra was a great main character, though I couldn’t get on board with Blake. I absolutely hated Blake’s actions at the end of the book as well. I know he’s most likely being set up for some great character development, but I don’t know if I’ll be a fan of him after this.

I can’t wait to see where this story goes and as always, I can’t wait to read more from Boleyn.

Waahhh this book gave me Dramione but make it vampire and fae vibes. This is an easy read in terms of the world building presented by the author. There is lots of tension and banter, I love that we get a lotnpf our favorite fantasy elements but the pace is a little on the slower side. This doesnt bother me at all with fantasy reads.m especially when the books are hefty reads! I dont even want to talk about the darn cliffhanger. Whaaat?!

There was a lot going on in this story, references to Camelot, vampires, dwarves, fae, dragons, etc.. I really enjoyed discovering more and more about the social structures and hierarchies, as well as the magic system. This is the most clear example of an MMC who is morally grey, but leaning much further towards darkness, that I’ve ever read about. I honestly still can’t decide if he was actually just the villain or not. Medra is definitely one of the FMCs that I’ve enjoyed reading the most, she is far less infuriating and picks up on things much quicker than the FMCs in many popular romantasy novels. The side characters are written incredibly, some you want to also be friends with, and others you want to punch in the face repeatedly. There is so much heartbreak and loss, but interspersed with some really sweet moments. The school structure is very similar to many very popular series, but it works. Looking forward to hopefully learning more about the social structures and potentially getting some additional perspectives in the next book. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this!

On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy: Book 1) by Briar Boleyn
5/5

I devoured this, dying to get my hands on the next one immediately!
Well done Briar Boleyn! I have read her Queen of Roses series but this series however, will hands down be her masterpiece, what a start! So captivating, I couldn't put it down.

A dark academia with vampy sexual tension bliss.

☆ Spice
★ Prince meets mystery Princess
☆ An unwanted betrothal
★ Trials
☆ He falls first
★ Dark academia
☆ Morally grey/black
★ Bully romance
☆ Touch her and die

This book started strong with action from the off, we meet our FMC in the nude and Boleyn doesn't wait to introduce our hot (although potentially not hot?) vampire prince "Draco Malfoy" type MMC into the equation.

I loved Medra's character, our FMC is a humble half-fae Princess who wakes up in the wrong place. Medra has strong morals and a view on right and wrong, equality of races and she is not afraid to tell others to check themselves on those high standards.

This slow burn, hate to love couple is everything I needed. Mix that with a dark academia Hogwarts vibe storyline (with established houses and detailed classes) with a trial and fight to the death action and I was a goner from the start. Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.

I have been left wanting more, with high hopes for book 2 (and beyond?!)

The additional characters are well formed and have real purpose in the storyline, I hope Boleyn continues to build on those as we go through the series. I also need more creatures, I would like a Fluffin to call my own and also that particular last chapter delight please.

Dual POV and this book still managed to leave me shook! Cliffhanger ending beware! The world building is great so far, complex and something building on typical vampire books with an original take.

My only critique: another round of review would be good to correct some minor spelling,

Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you so much to Briar Boleyn & Netgalley for my gifted review copy of 𝙊𝙣 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.

I was so excited when Briar Boleyn announced she’d be writing a new series that’s full of vampires, dragons and dark academia, and let me just say, this book ROCKED. It rocked my socks off. I cannot stop thinking about! It delivered in every way imaginable and this is definitely going into my top reads of the year! It was an emotionally intense roller coaster that had me so invested - I laughed, I cried, I screamed, it was just so so so good! It’s full of everything I love in a good fantasy - EPIC world building, mystery, slow burn enemies to lovers romance, found family, magic, and of course, vampires and dragons!

I was so happy to see Medra again! Literally so happy. I loved the little references to her family back in her world (even though she is from Briar’s other series, this can completely be read separate from that series, although that series is also AMAZING). She’s such an awesome FMC and she’s immediately super sassy and fierce, especially with Blake. She is questioning everything about Sangratha and its customs, and I have a feeling she’s going to turn the world upside down in the future of the series and I can’t wait to see it.

I immediately loved Blake, our MMC. You could tell from the get-go that there is more to him than meets the eye. He’s shrouded in mystery and I really enjoyed getting to know him more as the story progressed. The tension between him and Medra was palpable - oof, I couldn’t get enough of them. I absolutely loved their interactions and was so excited when they were on page together. The snarky banter and the longing and delicious tension made their interactions absolute perfection. And I loved getting Blake’s POV sprinkled in - seeing some of his inner motives was amazing and it made me love him even more. And he’s a DOG MAN. Well, a fluffin man, but little Neville had me immediately convinced that Blake was good!

The side characters were so intriguing and I loved meeting Florence, Naveen, Vaughn, Theo, Visha, and so many others! I was intrigued by the professors, especially Rodriguez and Sankara! I love the little flirty banter between them!

This was a long book, but honestly it read so easily and beautifully and I got lost in the world every time I picked it up. I’m so invested in the plot and the world and I thought this book was a fantastic set up for the rest of the series. I’m truly invested in this world and Briar has created ANOTHER world that I can’t get enough of!

This book is a must read! An absolute must read. Please don’t skip out on it because it’s just that good. You know when you start a book series and you just know it’s going to be your entire personality? Yea, that’s definitely this book right here. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗽. 𝗜𝘁!!

Wow, what a book! I am obsessed with this world and characters, already dying for Book 2!

I loved the school setting, it definitely had Hogwarts vibes but grown up! I loved how mysterious Medra's arrival was - and how dramatic. I can't wait to find out more about her past - please?! It definitely left me wanting more.

The side characters were great, and they broke my heart just a little bit. Shock factor there for me completely.

I found Blake fascinating and really enjoyed the look into his life and thoughts in his chapters. His relationship with his younger sister touched me, and his circumstances with his other family members intrigued me! I'm intrigued to see where things go with Medra - I am hoping his attitude at the end is more like a culture clash and they will sort themselves out. But, we will see!

This world is vivid, so well built, immersive - wonderful. Plus... dragons. Yes.

Can't wait for Book 2!

Next book releasing early 2025?! When though! I need a date after a cliff hanger like that!!

Love reading books from Canadian authors and this one didn’t disappoint. Once I got in to it I spent at least 1 night staying up far too late reading it.

There was magic, dragons, lgbtq+, vampires, on page spiciness, and a fluffy little good boy named Neville.

Few things I want in the next book. Medra’s previous magic to come in to play. The enemy’s to lovers to be more lovers and lock in that partnership. Viktor can take a hike. And the dragon!!

Pheeeewww, buddy! I’m going to start with, I am soooooo looking forward to the next book!! I absolutely loved On Wings of Blood, and I now have a thing for vampires. 😂

I don’t have too many critiques at all. My biggest issue was repeating words and certain phrases too close together, but that’s a personal pet peeve of mine. It didn’t happen often, so it was easy to push past.
I think there were a couple points where I questioned the plot, but they weren’t anything that seriously took away from the story as a whole.
Maybe another round of edits, just a few misspelled words here and there, nothing terrible at all.

Personally, I’m an audiobook girly. Probably 90% of the books I consume are audiobooks. When a book can grab me and make me actually want to sit and read it, it’s a good freaking book. Not to be disgustingly punny, but On Wings of Blood made sure to lick my neck before plunging its fangs into me and not letting go. I think the slow world building can be difficult to get through with any book, but once past that, I fell in love. Maybe Briar used Thrallweave on me. 😩

I don’t like giving away spoilers, so I’ll end this review with… If you enjoy sexy vampires, enemies to lovers, academia, and a little bit of forced proximity, you’ll enjoy On Wings of Blood. Just read it! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

On Wings of Blood is a dark academia, bully romance featuring touch her and die, enemies to lovers, and slow burn tropes.

Medra Pendragon was meant to die, yet she was somehow brought to this foreign land, lying atop a pile of burnt corpses. The men who find her are unlike any she has encountered before: vampires. They believe her blood to be rare—the blood of a dragon rider—but dragons have long been extinct. The leaders of this new land ultimately decide that it will be in their best interest to mate with Medra to create offspring with the blood of a dragon rider and a vampire. Medra is now the second consort to the man who captured her, Blake Drakharrow, and is sent to Bloodwing Academy.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Just, wow! This book was absolutely incredible. I can't wait to read book two!

First of all, the world-building was seamless. When Medra first arrives in Sangratha, she notices the physical similarities between the people of power, which is the reason why she is such an anomaly. Medra's first class while attending Bloodwing Academy is the history of Sangratha. The historical aspect was so rich, from the people's beliefs and religion surrounding the sacred Bloodmaiden to the politics, the wars of the past, and how dragons and their riders fit. While the majority of the story takes place in the academy, we also get to experience the sanctum of the Bloodmaiden during traditional highblood rites as well as the city of Veilmar, where Medra finds herself in a blood brothel.

The characters are diverse and complex. Medra is strong-willed, clever, and defiant. These traits put her in danger, more times than she is aware of. Blake is possessive, dominating, and could be manipulative. Although some of his actions are meant to protect Medra, he takes away her free will when he makes some of those decisions. But most importantly, his relationship with Neville, the fluffin! I've never wanted to cuddle a fictional creature so badly. The side characters are also unforgettable.

I wasn't even a quarter of the way through the book before I started getting goosebumps. On Wings of Blood is captivating and unpredictable. I will forever be recommending this book to readers of dark fantasy romance in an academic setting.

Thank you, Briar Boleyn! You have outdone yourself with this one.

arthurian • bully romance • dark academia • dark fantasy • dark romance • dragons • enemies to lovers • fae • magic • romantasy • slow burn • touch her and die • vampires

𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 (𝗮𝗿𝗰) ✨

- 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴

“𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙧𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙞 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩. 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩. 𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚. 𝙞’𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨. 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚”

imagine fourth wing meets harry potter, but with a dash of vampires, and an mmc who channels major draco malfoy vibes - what more could you ask for?

the story had me hooked from the very beginning 🪄

sure, the opening was a bit confusing, but in a way that pulled me deeper into the mystery - we still don’t fully know who medra really is or where she comes from, and that air of intrigue added such a compelling layer to the book 🏰 every breadcrumb of information felt intentional, making me eager to uncover the truth alongside medra

and then there’s blake 😌

the fearsome and devastatingly handsome vampire who notices medra the moment he lays eyes on her

he’s fierce, magnetic, and impossible to ignore. the dynamic between medra and blake was so well-crafted - talk about a true enemies-to-lovers arc 🧛🏻

the tension, the slow build, and the undeniable chemistry kept me on edge the whole time 🖤 but just as we start rooting for them, the story twists, and they’re back to enemies?

the way their relationship evolved was captivating, and the ending absolutely blew my mind 🤯 that final chapter alone had so many jaw-dropping moments that i’m already itching to get my hands on book two

the supporting cast was just as memorable 🥹 each character left a lasting impression, and the bonds medra formed with them made the story feel even richer - i love when side characters are more than just background noise, and here they all had roles that impacted both medra and the readers in meaningful ways

overall, this book was packed with action, mystery, and romance, with twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the end

it’s the perfect blend of magic, danger, and emotional depth, and i can’t recommend it enough

“𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣. 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙖**𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚”

★★★★.5

This book is a captivating blend of mortal and vampire intrigue, set within the walls of a high-stakes academic institution. Medra’s journey from narrowly escaping death to being thrust into a vampire-dominated world is filled with tension, danger, and a fierce determination to survive. Her fight to avoid a forced betrothal is both thrilling and captivating, making for an unforgettable story.

The slow-burn romance between Medra and Blake is another highlight. Their evolving relationship is tense, emotional, and satisfying—though the wait for the payoff is a test of patience! The chemistry between them is undeniable, and the twist at the end adds an extra layer of complexity to their bond.

I’m already eagerly anticipating book 2, but I have to admit, I’m also a little frustrated... Naveen definitely deserved better!

Overall, On Wings of Blood is a must-read for fans of enemies-to-lovers stories, slow-burn romance, and dark, immersive world-building.

A book with potential, but sadly not my cup of tea.

I can see that this story has a lot of potential, with an interesting premise and some well-developed elements. The world-building and characters show promise, and I can tell the author put a lot of thought into the plot. However, unfortunately, it just wasn't to my taste.

The pacing felt a bit uneven at times, and I struggled to connect with the characters in a meaningful way. Furthermore, I just cannot relate to a bully-to-romance plot. That whole plot point just didn´t resonate with me at all, though I’m sure other readers may appreciate it more. While the writing itself was solid, the tone and style didn’t quite align with what I personally enjoy in a story.

That said, I can see this book appealing to other readers, and I believe the author has a lot of talent. It just wasn’t a perfect fit for me. I’d still encourage others to give it a try, as it may be exactly what some readers are looking for!

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ (4.5/5 stars)

On Wings of Blood sweeps you into a dark, magical world where vampires reign and secrets lurk around every corner. 🧛‍♂️🔥 This first installment of the Bloodwing Academy series is an addictive blend of dark academia, romance, and fantasy.

Medra Pendragon, the last dragon rider (or so she’s told), is dragged to Bloodwing Academy, a place ruled by powerful vampires who see her as a pawn in their games. Bonded against her will to Blake Drakharrow—her arrogant and dangerous nemesis—Medra must navigate deadly rivalries, uncover buried truths, and confront her own awakening power. The slow-burn romance between Medra and Blake crackles with tension, and the intricate world-building keeps you hooked. 🐉🩸

Briar Boleyn crafts a compelling story full of morally gray characters, political intrigue, and high-stakes challenges. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is electric, and the gothic, atmospheric setting is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing or Zodiac Academy. ⚔️✨

If you love stories about forbidden love, hidden power, and navigating a world of danger and magic, this book is a must-read. Just be ready for the cliffhanger that’ll leave you desperate for the next chapter! 📚💔

There are many things I love about this book! And only one thing I slightly dislike.

I love that she’s a Pendragon, though I’m very sad she didn’t get to keep her fae powers, I’m glad she’s a tough cookie. Medra is a great friend, despite all the odds stacked against her. While I dislike her continued hostility against Blake, it’s not like I don’t understand it. And it does seem like all characters go through a character development arc of some sorts, which is greatly appreciated. The author isn’t forgetting any characters and is including them in the story, allowing them to grow. Also, shoutout to the diversity of names!

I’m very curious to seeing the dragons more!

#enemiestolovers #slowburn #villainMC #vampires #dragons #bullying #romantasy #explicit #spicy