Am I a sucker for anything vampires yes, blame twilight for that. The world briar built feels so amazing and nostalgic from fantasy from the 90s. And I loved every minute of it. I think thier is so much more to happen with these characters I cannot wait for it

Medra, half-fae winds up in a world full of vampires. She is supposedly the last of the dragon riders and studies alongside the humans as well as the vampires at Bloodwing Academy. Blake is a vampire also attending Bloodwing, and they are betrothed. Plot twist Blake has a second betrothed (whom he does not really like and she HATES Medra).

Medra is an amazing female main character. She is strong and determined, and amazing with her friends. She created beautiful connections with Florence & Naveen, and it was beautiful to see how she always tried to help her friends and always fought for the underdogs. Florence is an amazingly awesome wingwoman and best friend always standing by Medra's side no matter what.

Blake really hides his inner self very well. He's extremely annoying in the beginning but becomes HOTTER and HOTTER with every turn of the page. He transforms from arrogant to caring over time. The way the author inserted his POV a bit here and there throughout the book really made you see how much he holds to himself and slowly opens up once he understands he can trust Medra. His relationship with his sister and Neville really make you want to swoon <3

The book keeps you interested throughout and the world building was well paced. I hope that in the second book we'll get more information about Medra's home world. Also want to add that I love that she had her mother by her side during this whole book.

Tropes:
- Dragons and Vampires
- Enemies to lovers
- Dark academia
- Arranged marriage
- Touch her and you die… literally

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for providing me with an arc!

I was instantly hooked from beginning to end with this story. Be prepared to be swept into this amazing world and this adventure.

On Wings of Blood is the first book of the spin-off series and you should definitely read Blood of the Fae first, as Medra (the FMC) recounts certain events and people from that series.

Wow, I could not put this book down! I was a bit nervous since we changed from Fae to vampires and to Medra as FMC but it was captivating. It has all the popular tropes as dark academia, vampires, dragonriders, enemies to lovers (ish)... The tension was great!

It ended with a very promising event and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you Netgalley, Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for the copy I received.

This book is 5 stars all around. I absolutely DEVOURED it. It has been a while since I’ve felt such a strong need to read something constantly. Every spare moment I had, I was reading, and when I wasn’t, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The world Briar Boleyn has created is incredible, so vivid, immersive, and full of intrigue. Bloodwing Academy is as dangerous as it is fascinating, where power games, deadly competitions, and secrets around every corner make survival feel impossible. Medra Pendragon’s journey pulled me in completely. Her resilience and determination, even when everything seems stacked against her, made her such a compelling character to root for. And then there is Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and oh so infuriating, yet you can’t help but be drawn to him. The chemistry between them is absolutely electric, and I loved every bit of their push and pull dynamic.

The vampire and dragon lore felt so fresh and unique, and I couldn’t get enough of the court politics, ancient rituals, and mysterious legends woven into the story. It has everything I love in a romantasy, from banter and tension to high stakes and that addictive feeling where you just have to know what happens next.

If you are a fan of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, or A Court of Thorns and Roses, you need this book on your shelf.

"On Wings of Blood" is a dark academia fantasy romance filled with vampires, fae, and dragon lore. It reminded me of ACOTAR/Fourth Wing, and I was here for it. Medra Pendragon is believed to be the last of the dragon riders, as no dragons are left. When vampires notice Medra's distinctive red hair, they resolve to capture her. At Bloodwing Academy, Medra, alongside other blightborns, must battle for survival. She is coerced into marrying Blake Drakharrow, a haughty vampire, as part of an age-old ritual. Yet, Medra is ready to fight, concealing a lethal secret—a secret shaped like a dragon. All she needs to do is endure. They believe they can dominate and exploit me, but they are unaware of what they have stirred. This dark academia romance is brimming with suspense and enchantment. I adored the character-driven narrative, balanced with the perfect blend of tension and angst. I eagerly anticipate the sequel.

Absolutely loved the house of dragon meets Harry potter
Vibes of this book! Such a fun read I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to start the second book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this - Vampires, Fae and Dragons? Yes, please but the “romance” left me unsatisfied. The world building was very intense, maybe a bit too much fluff. I wish they would have used the time to explore the relationship between Medra and Blake a bit more. The time gaps made me confused as to how one minute they hate each other and the next they’re exchanging “I miss you”s, I clearly missed something here! Ending was beautifully written, I’ll be diving right into book #2 and hope Briar gives Medra the justice she deserves!

🚨 STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING 🚨 Because On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn just ate, left no crumbs, and flew straight into my “Top Reads Ever” list 🩸🦇🐉.

Okay, imagine this: Harry Potter vibes with the deadly politics of Fourth Wing, the drama of Zodiac Academy, a sprinkle of Arthurian legend (hello, Pendragon 🐉✨), and VAMPIRES. Like, a LOT of vampires. Welcome to Bloodwing Academy, where being a half-fae blightborn is basically a death sentence. Medra? She’s our girl, and she’s not just surviving—she’s SERVING.

Medra's the last dragon rider in a world with no dragons. The vibes are immaculate. She’s fierce, sassy, and doesn’t take crap from anyone—even Blake Drakharrow, who’s basically Draco Malfoy but hotter, meaner, and somehow impossible not to simp for. 😏🔥 Their enemies-to-lovers tension? CHEF’S KISS. Every glare, every insult, every forced proximity moment had me screaming into my pillow like, “JUST KISS ALREADY!”

Blake, though… OMG, the layers. He’s the guy you love to hate until suddenly you’re rooting for him harder than you should be. The man owns the villain-to-lover arc. 🖤 And don’t even get me started on the twisty, intense betrothal thing. Who gave Briar Boleyn the right to write this much sexual tension?!

The world-building? Unreal. It’s got court drama, deadly competitions, dragon lore, and enough betrayals to make your head spin. Regan, Uncle Victor, and Marcus? Absolute trash villains, 10/10 would throw into a dragon’s mouth. But Florence and Naveen as Medra’s found family? LOVE THEM. Theo? Suspicious but fun—this man is hiding something, mark my words. 👀

And THAT ENDING. Like, I saw some of it coming, but then Briar hit us with a plot twist left hook, and I was SCREAMING. The setup for book two? ICONIC. I need it, like, yesterday.

TL;DR: If you love dark academia, epic slow-burn romance, and dragons (or the hope of dragons 🐲), RUN don’t walk to pick this up. Blake and Medra are the chaotic duo of my dreams, and this book has ruined me for anything else. 5 stars, no notes, just vibes. 💀🩸

I went on such a rollercoaster with this book! I really wasn;t feeling it until about the 30% mark, and then once we hit around the 60% mark, I was fully in it.

The beginning of the story was a bit slow and bland. Whether it was just too much worldbuilding, or just a slow plot, but I felt like there was an entire backstory I was missing. Medra kept mentioning fighting a fae god and mentioning events from her past, and even though I'm sure we will learn more about her in the coming books, it felt like backstory was missing, not being hinted at.

It took me a little while to get on board with Blake, but seeing his pov as well was so nice and absolutely made me like him a lot more. And I was SOO glad that he ended up making that decision after the Consort Trial.

Overall, I am definitely intrigued, especially with the dragons, and I'm hoping there won't be an overload of different plots and stories going on in the upcoming books. Would absolutely recommend to romantasy lovers!

On Wings of Blood had a lot of potential and offered an intriguing premise, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations. The concept seemed like it would be right up my alley, with an interesting world and the promise of compelling character dynamics. However, I struggled to connect deeply with the main characters. Medra, while stubborn and determined, could have been more fleshed out in terms of personality. Her relationship with Blake also felt a bit underdeveloped, as their chemistry didn’t come across as strongly as I had hoped.

That said, the book had some redeeming qualities. The world-building was rich and layered, offering a fascinating backdrop for the story. Although much of the political complexity was explained rather than experienced by Medra, it still added depth to the narrative. The school setting provided an interesting exploration of social hierarchies, with Blake’s attempts to quietly support Medra adding some nuance to his character, even if I wished he had taken a stronger stand.

While the story didn’t quite resonate with me as much as I’d hoped, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into crafting the world and its dynamics. With some more character development and a stronger emotional connection between the protagonists, this book could truly shine. For readers who enjoy intricate world-building and stories set in schools rife with tension, On Wings of Blood might still be worth exploring.

4.5 STARS

Medra Pendragon arrives in a strange land and is immediately captured by highblood Blake Drakharrow and brought into vampire society. Believed to be a dragon rider, Medra is forced to attend Bloodwing Academy, though there are no dragons left and the highborn aren't accepting of her.

I was interested to read this book, I love vampire stories and the addition of dragons sounded like a great combination. I wasn't sure about this being described as a bully romance but was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the story. Medra doesn't fit in at Bloodwing but she still finds a way to form bonds with her fellow blightborns (humans) and discovers that despite herself, she finds the classes interesting and enjoyable. Though she struggles with how she is treated by the highbloods, she stands up for herself and proves her worth. Her relationship with Blake changes and develops through the story and while I still don't really like him yet, Briar Boleyn writes him as a sympathetic character and I can understand why he is the way he is.
The plot was well paced and I enjoyed the magical academic setting. The school is well described, I could picture the courtyard where the dragon statues are built and imagine Medra's room and classrooms. I loved the addition of Neville the fluffin!
Looking forward to reading the next book!

Another book for all of us romantasy fans! Hands down a must read if you enjoy dragons, enemies to lovers, possessive mmcs, and strong female leads. Could not put this one down.

When a fantasy book is written good it is a must read. This book is just that. What makes a fantasy book even better? Romance! Briar did such an amazing job writing this book. It is the perfect romantasy book. Enemies to lover? Got it! Possessive MMC? Got it! Great Magic? Definitely! This book is written so well and keeps you hooked the whole time! I would definitely recommend this book to any romantasy book lover! Could not put this book down!

I loved Briar boleyns first series. They were my top reads of 2023 and I didn't think I'd find a book I liked more. Until I read this one!
It has everything. Dragons, magic, vampires, morally grey characters. I couldn't put it down. I've already downloaded the next book in the series, and I can't wait to start it. Briar Bolyne is the queen of cliffhangers!

When Medra wakes up in an unfamiliar land, she quickly realizes she’s in deep trouble. Captured by Vampires, she’s told she’s the last of the dragon riders—though no one’s seen a dragon in years. Sent to Bloodwing Academy, she quickly learns she’s at the bottom of the pecking order. To make things worse, she’s betrothed to a man who treats her like property and is determined to control her every move. It doesn’t take long for Medra to realize that surviving this new life will take everything she’s got.

This book had its moments, but the writing style wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. The dialogue felt repetitive at times, and the pacing dragged, especially in the first three-quarters. I couldn’t help but feel the story would have been much tighter and more engaging if it were a bit shorter.

That said, I absolutely loved the fierceness of the female main character and the found family dynamic. Those aspects were the heart of the story for me and kept me invested. The character growth—especially Blake’s—was well done. The cliffhanger ending has definitely piqued my interest, and I’m curious to see where the next book takes things.

Books written by Briar Boleyn should come with a warning. Because honestly, don’t have anything planned when you start reading one of her books. They will suck you in and keep you hooked until you have finished it, then leave you heartbroken knowing that you have to wait for more. THEY WILL CONSUME EVERY WAKING MINUTE. This book was no exception, and after having devoured the Blood of a Fae series in no time at all and loving each minute, I loved coming back to the worlds that she creates. On Wings of Blood loosely carries on from the previously mentioned series and I didn’t know how much I needed this in my life. Medra, our FMC, is brilliantly written and I was with her 100% of the way, and it all felt so natural the way she evolved, as well as the MMC, as you get to know them.
This was unputdownable, and in my eyes, Briar Boleyn can do no wrong when creating these worlds and the characters that inhabit them. I am part of their world now.

5 stars
3 spice

- enemies to lovers
- dark academia
- he falls first
- Bullying
- Found family
- Romantasy

Thank you to NetGalley, Briar Boleyn and Starwater Press for the eARC in return for my honest review

On Wings of Blood had me hooked from the very first page. Dragons, vampires, a badass FMC, and a forced betrothal? For context, I haven't read Briar Boleyn's other books, so I went in blind to this series.

The world building is so vivid, and Bloodwing Academy is dripping with danger, magic and intrigue. I couldn’t stop reading and devoured this book in a few days. Think Harry Potter x Fourth Wing with Vampires.

I loved Medra's strength and resilience, even when everything was stacked against her. I don't blame her for letting herself fall weak to Blake though because damn... that spice chapter was one of the best I've ever read. Thank you Briar for actually writing spice that doesn't make you cringe as you read it.

If you’re into fantasy with all the tropes that make you weak (dragons, forbidden romance, high-stakes drama), this is an absolute must-read.

Vampires, Fae, magical realms and so many questions. Medra wakes upon a pile of bodies with no clue how she got there. Immediately, she is attacked, saved, and taken in to meet the rulers of this corrupt new world. There, they claim she is the last dragon rider in a land where there are no dragons left. Medra is determined to survive her brutal new environment, and the friendships she forges tug at my heartstrings.

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I don’t know if I like Blake? I LOVEEE every single character and their personalities, minus him. He’s a bullying villain-esque character, which I usually enjoy. His love for Neville, the Fluffin, gave a softer aspect to him that gives me some hope for more character development in the next books. I don’t dislike him, but I’m curious to see where their relationship will go and his actions moving forward. This book combines the vibes of Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, and ACOTAR. I’m excited to read more of this series and see where it takes me! Can’t wait to read more about our fiery Medra and her friends.

This scene was pretty…hot, if I do say so myself:
“With one swift, merciless motion, Blake hurled the other highborn into the bonfire.”

A big thank you to Starwater Press, Briar Boleyn, and NetGalley for the review copy!

I really enjoyed this book. I have recently been delving into fantasy and stepping up from more cosy fantasy reads. I loved the suspense and constant movement of the book, there was never a dull moment. The ending was a whirlwind of emotions and I am definitely keen to read the next in the series! Thanks Netgalley.