This is such a great continuation of a great series! If you enjoy academia, dragons, and world building goodness then this fantasy series (and all of Briar’s books!) is for you.

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

“You will not fall. I will not allow it. I will not permit you to humiliate me in such a ridiculous way.”

“Sometimes our choices are all we have Miss Pendragon. They define us, for better or worse. Obedience dosnt absolve anyone of guilt.”

“Deep down I knew hatred was all I’d ever deserve from her.”

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all reviews are my own!

Another literal masterpiece✨
I am becoming so obsessed with this series it’s a little scary tbh.

Literally only docking had a star currently because I feel like Medras past is being swept under the rug a bit and I’m ITCHING to learn more. The convo she had with Blake made me think they’d talk about it a little bit more but UGH I wanna know more about here.

I’m so insanely impressed with how many plot lines are happening currently but all feel important and a part of the story vs just for “shock factor”.

The way these characters banter is top. Tier.

Blake asking- BEGGING for forgiveness… fully sat for that man, and I don’t even care he’s blonde.🧎‍♀️


Briar I’m begging you for the third book😭😭

The Bonds that Burn by Briar Boleyn
4 stars!

The Bonds That Burn seamlessly picks up where its predecessor left off, immersing readers back into the intricate world she's crafted.
One of the most significant aspects of this book is the noticeable character growth. We see our protagonists grappling with the consequences of their choices and slowly beginning to understand the complexities of the world around them. This added depth to the story and made me more invested in their journeys. I don’t love the miscommunication trope so it was nice that part way through the book these two finally start to move forward again.

This book also delves deeper into the political landscape of this world, revealing intriguing historical details and uncovering long-buried secrets. These elements added layers of intrigue and kept me guessing throughout.

Things DEFINIETLY ramp up at the end of this book and I cannot wait for book 3 now! I NEED to know what is going to happen!!!
Troupes: vampires, enemies to lovers, dragons, dark academia, political intrigue, secret societies

Spice 3/5
Plot 4/5
Pace 4.5/5
Character Personality 4/5
Character Growth 4/5
Writing Style 4/5
World Building 5/5

Remember how so many shipped Draco and Hermione ? Well this is exactly the right series to pick up if you want YA enemies to lovers with ahem creatures that will surprise and delight !
Oh I'm getting ahead of myself and have to confess I enjoyed this even more than the first book because our protagonists are definitely grown up and struggling with just how much they can really trust each other. Both Medra and Blake have secrets and their story is as fiery as well a Dragon hehe ! Its definitely a book to keep you eagerly turning the pages with supporting characters that truly step up here. Yes we have a villain or two to boo and hiss at but it's the constant surprises, those unexpected moments and of course the dynamic and very passionate central couple who make this a must read for those who enjoy fantasy romance. The story is not over yet though so settle down with the ubiquitous popcorn and enjoy the ride because it's well worth your time.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

The bond that Burns by @briarboleynauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was dying to get my hands on the second book after the last cliff hanger of book one! And it did not disappoint! I loved the queens of roses series and absolutely love these books following Medea.

So much tension between Blake and Medea! It’s just juicy and keeps you on your toes wondering what happens next!

If course it has a broody dragon which makes this so much better! Who doesn’t love a dragon that is protective of its little human.

Medea really has a lot of challenges she has to go through with bloodwing, the tribunal and keeping a dragon happy. It’s life or death through out the book and making decisions on how she can survive.

This ends on a pretty hectic cliff hanger with multiple massive events that happen.

This was fantastic, if you enjoy an academia, enemies to lovers, spicy hate scenes, dragon and fantasy then this is a series for you!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, NetGalley and Starwater Press for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Plot:
Book 2 picks up exactly were Book 1 left us. Medra has awoken Nyxaris and must figure out how to survive. She has also just discovered that her bonded mate isn't who she thought he'd be. So now, she has to juggle a stubborn dragon, an overbearing mate, and his uncle (who definitely wants to either kill Medra or use her for something nefarious) all while keeping her friends alive and maintaining her own sanity. Sounds easy enough, right?

My Thoughts:
Book 2 was just a great as the first. I thought the pacing was spot on. There were a lot of characters, but it didn't get confusing. And we didn't have to wait until the very end for something interesting to happen. Also, I really liked the direction we're going with Kage. Hoping for that to build more in book 3.
The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the romance in this one. Book 1, I thought Medra and Blake had the perfect enemies to lovers dynamic, but it just didn't hit for me here. Mostly because I am not a fan of the "hate-lust" tropes. Blake ended up partially redeeming himself, but we'll see if he can fix it in Book 3.
Nyxaris was awesome. He brought a different approach to Medra in the way he handled situations and in the way he protected others and that was refreshing.

Can't wait for Book 3 coming Spring 2025!

"The Bond That Burns: Vampires, Dragons, and Forbidden Romance at Its Best"
Introduction
Briar Boleyn’s The Bond That Burns takes the tension and drama of the Bloodwing Academy series to new heights. This dark academia fantasy romance is packed with intrigue, danger, and a slow-burn romance that will leave readers breathless. If you thought the first book was intense, you’re in for a ride—this sequel is nothing short of spectacular.

Plot Overview
Medra thought she’d survived the worst Bloodwing Academy had to offer, but she was wrong. This time, she’s caught in the crosshairs of highblood houses vying for control over the dragon legacy she accidentally awakened. The dragon is as much a danger to her as it is to her enemies, and Medra’s lack of control over it only adds to the stakes.

Her bond with Blake Drakharrow is both a blessing and a curse. Once an ally, Blake has betrayed her in ways that cut deep, yet their fates remain intertwined. The push-and-pull dynamic between them adds layers of tension to a story already brimming with danger and intrigue.

Characters
Medra is a powerhouse of a protagonist. She’s flawed, fierce, and utterly captivating. Her journey in this book is one of growth and resilience, as she grapples with the weight of her powers and the dangerous politics of Bloodwing Academy. Blake, meanwhile, is the epitome of a morally gray antihero. His Draco Malfoy energy adds a layer of unpredictability that keeps readers guessing about his true motives.

The secondary characters are equally compelling, adding depth and dimension to the story. Whether it’s the other shifters or the vampire nobles, each character feels fully realized and integral to the plot.

Themes
Power, survival, and trust are central themes in The Bond That Burns. The book explores the lengths people will go to secure power, as well as the sacrifices required to protect those you love. The complex dynamics of Medra and Blake’s relationship also delve into themes of betrayal, redemption, and the blurred lines between love and hate.

Writing Style and World-Building
Briar Boleyn excels at creating dark, atmospheric settings that draw readers in. Bloodwing Academy is as dangerous as ever, and the addition of dragon lore only enriches the world-building. The pacing is relentless, with enough twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Why You’ll Love It
This book is perfect for fans of dark academia, forbidden romance, and richly imagined fantasy worlds. The combination of vampires, dragons, and court intrigue is utterly addictive, and the romance will keep you turning pages late into the night. If you loved the first book, The Bond That Burns is an absolute must-read.

I loved the first book of this series, so I was SO excited to be able to read the sequel!
The tension in this book is just written perfectly. I love the romance and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Had me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't put it down and the spice, good lord the spice is so so delicious. We jump back in right were we left off in book 1. I knew there was going to be secrets to unfold, but there are so many lies and truths to unravel that you never really know who to trust and what their true motives are. The cliffhanger in this one is down right painful. I cannot wait for book 3.

This series gives off some Games of Thrones vibes. Its a ruthless world and your not sure who to trust or if anyone is going to die. No one is safe but I absolutely love it.

This was a fantastic continuation of the Bloodwing Academy series. If you are looking for dark academia, high stakes political scheming, steamy romance, and dragons, this is a perfect book for you.

Medra is still stuck in an unfamiliar world full of vampires, trying to convince them of her worth as a dragon rider. She struggles to determine who she can trust and finds herself questioning if she can break the bonds she formed in the first book, or if she even wants to.

My only complaint about this book is that it had a fair amount of spelling and punctuation errors, as well as one pretty obvious continuity error. I am deducting one star for that reason.

I would absolutely still recommend this book to people you love fantasy romance and dark academia, but be aware that this is not a sweet love story, even if there is romance throughout.

Thank you to Starwater Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my review!

This book had more of everything! More dragons, drama, and spice! I liked how perfectly balanced the perspective switches were between Medra and Blake giving the reader a look into each character’s thoughts without revealing too much at once. This book ended on such a cliffhanger I found myself practically screaming at my phone when I realized there were no pages left. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book to be released!

I was generously gifted both this book from Starwater Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Double review posted to instagram 1/5/2025.

I devoured this book ! I could not put it down. I loved the first book in the series so much and was so happy that the second one was out so fast. This series gives you serious Dramione vibes. The banter between the enemies to lovers is perfection. The writing was well done and easy to follow the plot. This series has great side characters, especially the fluffin. This book had plenty of spice, shocking twists, betrayals, and a cliffhanger. I will be thinking of this book until the third comes out in the spring. This book series is perfect for anyone who loves dark academia, enemies to loves, witty banter, vampires, magic, and dragons. I highly recommend picking up this series and reading it !

Thank you Netgalley and Starwater Press for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the Bloodwing Academy series, a new adult romantasy. While this series is a spin off of the author’s prior series, you do not need to read that series before starting this one. This is a sort of vampire take on Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing. Tropes and themes include dark academia, dragons, bullying, vampires, arranged marriage, and touch her and die. This book is a bit darker than book one so please check the content warnings.

The Lovely: I loved the FMC, Medra. She’s clever and determined, but also confused and volnerable, as she tries to navigate her situation. This makes her all the more complex, while she maintains that sassy, stubborn identity.

The Mundane: This book was noticeably more fast paced than book on and we quickly hopped from event to event. However, I feel like, because of that, we didn’t get to spend as much time with the characters and their relationships. I found myself missing that element of the story.

Rating: 4/5 Stars 2/5 Flames

Recommendation: I received an early copy and my opinions are my own. I definitely got dark academia vibes from this book. If you liked Harry Potter and/or magical/supernatural schools in general, I think this book would be something you would enjoy. I’m interested to see how the absolute chaos at the end is resolved when book three comes out in Spring 2025.

Ahhh if I loved the frost book in this series I love this one even more! Fell more in love with more of the characters this book and can’t wait to see how some characters develop. The cliff hanger AHHH can’t wait for the third book in May!

Broken again and again reading this.

Dark academia mixed with Vampires, dragons and so many twists and turns of who to trust so brilliantly. It has to be a read this now five start read from me for this the sequel in the Bloodwing academy series.

The whole dynamics of Medra and Blakes connection is perfectly hot and dangerous. The will they wont they vibes are perfect.

Add in Medraas friendship with Florence, a cute Fluffin, a grumpy dragon and behind the scenes betrayal and I was hooked.

The ending of this was just OMG no. Repeatedly. And I loved every second!

Brilliant world, fantastic characters and so many twists I cound not put this down! I'm DESPERATE for book three in the series.

Briar has crafted yet another brillant tale of courage, sass, friendships, romance, blood and betrayal.

Read this now.

Did I drop everything to read this book? Yes. Was it the best decision ever? Also yes.

This is the second book in the Bloodwing Academy series and it picks up right after the events of book one. After accidentally waking up Nyxaris, a dragon, Medra Pendragon spends the summer waiting for the Tribunal to decide her fate while trying to navigate her bond with Blake Drakharrow.

This sequel was so amazing. I couldn't put my kindle down and absolutely loved continuing to follow Blake&Medra through their respective POV's. I won't spoil anything, but you'll also get to enjoy another character's POV for a few chapters :)

Special mention to Theo&Visha who were oh so great in this book and I adored getting to know Nyxaris and the banter between him and Medra was hilarious!

The ending... ahhhhh what a plot twist/cliffhanger DAMN. I cannot wait for book 3!

A huge thanks to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book!

P.S.: Neville, our favorite fluffin, having roomies at inappropriate times was something I didn't know I needed ahah

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a wild ride of magic, danger, and betrayal that’ll keep you turning pages. The story follows Medra, who thought surviving her first year at the deadly Bloodwing Academy would be enough—until she accidentally awakens a dragon, and suddenly, she’s got a legacy that everyone wants to control. The second book picks up right where the first one ended, so you can imagine my joy when this book was available on Netgalley.

The mix of dragons, vampires, and high-stakes intrigue was a page-turner, and the world-building really pulls you in. Medra is a complex character. She’s got a dragon legacy, but the twist is that she’s not the one in control of it—something that makes for some seriously tense moments. And let’s talk about Blake Drakharrow, the guy Medra thought she could trust, only to find herself tied to him in a messed-up, blood-bond situation. I definitely would have liked a little more chemistry between Blake and Medra and sometimes I just felt like they were not clicking. But I am rooting for them in the next installment.

What really stands out is the gritty, no-holds-barred world Boleyn has created. There’s no cutesy, demure fairy tale stuff here—only power struggles, betrayal, and characters who are trying to survive in a world where trust is a luxury they can’t afford. Medras' journey is unpredictable, and honestly, just when you think you’ve got things figured out, the story takes a sharp turn. The ending was great and the story really picked up around the last third of the book. That ending definitely has me pining after the next book.

If you like dark fantasy, complex characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, On Wings of Blood is totally worth the read. It’s a mix of action, suspense, and emotional twists that will keep you hooked until the last page.

Rating: 3.75 stars 🌟

Thank you Netgalley, Briar Boleyn and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own

Oh my! This was amazing, adorable, crazy and hectic! I LOVED IT!!!!! And that plot twist? I will never recover unless i get book 3 in my hands!!!!

**ARC READ**

"It felt good. So fucking good to know I could make her do more than hate me. Dangerously good."

Yup, so this book... this book. I'm so wrecked but in a good way. Briar Boleyn, you're one of my favourite authors and I've only read On Wings of Blood and now The Bond That Burns. I was very invested in continuing on from book 1 and omg you did not disappoint. I didn't want it to end. I wish I could read this book for the first time again. You made me feel all the feels. So many twists in this book and the cliffhanger!!! Omg, that cliffhanger!!! I need book 3 right now. I'm extremely invested in this series and physical copies of these books will sit on my shelf for multiple re readings.

Pretty good 2nd book to the series. Read it in a couple of days and ended up disappointed the 3rd book isn't out yet! I don't usually like books/animes where the main character just pops in a new world but I really liked this one. Every character has been developed deeper. Waiting to read the next one!