I received this from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

I have just finished reading this and it only took me a day. I couldn't put it down.

The relationship between Blake and Medra was well established in the first book (enemies to lovers, to enemies) they walk the fine line between love and hate, between desire and distrust. Blake, of course, really annoyed me at the beginning because he was being irrationally dickie (if you know what I mean) but that all comes to a head. In all honesty, I wanted Medra to draw out the begging and the pleading, to really have Blake feel as though he was a whisper away from really losing her. I also wanted a deeper grovel but it was within Blake's character so I'll let it slide.

I am invested in this world and the characters. I love Visha, Theo, Florence and Neville. Each one of them brings out certain aspects of our MC's and the story wouldn't be as good as it is without them. The book picks up where the last one leaves off and there's a whole political argument over the dragon and Medra and it's a bit boring compared to what comes after it, but it sets the rest of the book up for what comes.

The dragon has arrived and he is a bit of a big deal. Everyone wants him, not realising that he'd see them all burn and think nothing of it. But, of course, it's not as simple as that. Medra and Nyxaris are forming something of a bond, not a binding one but a give and take, not really friends but kind of loyal to each other, thing. Their interactions are well written and their growing attachment is shown rather than told as the story progresses.

We welcome back Marcus and Victor as our villains. I was left on the edge of my seat as I waited with bated breath to see what they were up to, what they would do and how they could and would make Blake and Medra suffer. And Regan is still floating about being snarky.

I won't mention any more, just in case I give too much away but I really, really, really enjoyed this one!

This year at Bloodwing Academy, nothing is the same as last year. There's more danger, violence, betrayal, broken hearts and souls. The twists and turns were amazing and sets the next book up for some epic s**t! This was one wild ride and I am DEVASTATED that I can't jump straight into the next book!

An exciting, dark fantasy book/series with lots of humour and sexy romantic interludes. This series is so much fun to read. Medra survived her first year at Bloodwing Academy. No thanks to vampire Blake. Maybe only because of her friends. But as second year beckons her problems have just got bigger because now everyone wants her to control the dragon she has awoken. The dragon has other ideas. Threatening Medra and her friends lives. Then there is Blake being a complete jerk; and a vampire jerk is a bigger complication than she needs. Can’t wait for the third book to arrive. Thank you to Starwater Press (Indie) and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.

Wow! That's the kind of story I can't put down! I absolutely loved everything : the academy, the characters, the writing and especially what I enjoy so much in books : the way emotions are described. I never felt so many emotions while I was reading but I honestly almost threw my Kindle a dozen times because of the way the characters made me feel (so much frustration!)... and I loved it! It's so precious to live IN the story and not just around it in your everyday life. Blake, you're the best of the worst... or the worst of the best, who knows?! Now I'll feel empty until book 3 is published because I need to know what's going to happen to everyone!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for the ARC. This second book had all the back a fourth and I loved the struggle between Kage and Blake with Medra.

🐉Dragons
🧛🏻 Vampires
🐺Shifters
❤️Spice
📚Acedemia setting

“You’re the strongest woman I know. But even strong people need someone in their corner. Let me be that for you. The world is against you, Pendragon. You think Kage is the man to stand by your side? So be it, if that’s who you ultimately pick. But look at me. Really take a good fucking look. Because I’m the one standing right here, right now, begging you to let me be with you.”

This right here made me a Blake girly 😍😍

In the sequel to “On Wings of Blood,” Medra, a dragon rider, faces fresh challenges at Bloodwing Academy. The world is set, the plot and characters are well-developed, and the history of dragons and highbloods is revealed as Medra navigates her relationship with Blake and forms alliances. An enemies-to-lovers romance with a spicy twist. I loved the first book, but this one was even better!

Thank you NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for the chance to read this.

5 stars.

I knew I loved Blake. God he’s so perfect for an asshole, and for a blonde.

I’m still unsure about Kage, I feel like he’s shady, and now I’m unsure about Rodriguez…. But I’m very sure about Blake and my love for him.

This book was even better than book one. The spicy moments were so good, the funny moments were perfect, and the relationship and friendship growths were my favorite. I loved the glimpse into Florence’s POV and I liked the changes with Visha and Theo being better friends to the girls. Also Neville can do no harm, I said what I said.

The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy Book 2) by @briarboleynauthor
4⭐️ | 3🌶️

-human & vampire academy
-dragons, vampires, and other things 👀
-bully romance (Malfoy vibes)
-enemies to lovers
-forced engagement
-found family
-animal companion
-political intrigue & secrets

This was a rollercoaster of emotions leaving you with some whiplash but I can’t complain about it because I’m desperate for the next book now.

I went from actually hating the MMC, like truly thinking he was being an immature ass who sucks to okay I love him and we need to protect him (and I don’t even go for the blonde MMCs). At one point I was even rooting for a love triangle just to piss him off. I didn’t mind the added intrigue that was Kage.

“𝙏𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚? 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙨𝙠. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙮.”

Medra is dealing with the fallout from the first book and now has a grumpy and sassy dragon to rein in, all while dealing with the vampire politics and trying not be to used as a pawn in everyone’s schemes. Her relationship with Nyxaris gives Tairn/Violet vibes and I want more of it.

“𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙤𝙣.”

But the biggest thing that had me hooked and suspicious started happening in the second half of the book and is also the same reason why I need the next book NOW. I won’t spoil anything, I went into this blind so it was kind of a nice surprise and a very fitting plot twist for this kind of book.

“𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧.“

Thanks @netgalley and @briarboleynauthor for the ARC!

At the end of Book 1, Medra's instincts about her archon and consort, Blake, are proven right—he cannot be trusted. Worse still, they are now officially bonded, linking her to him in ways she never desired. And as if that weren’t enough, she’s also accidentally awakened a powerful and stubborn dragon.

Book 2 picks up swiftly from where the last left off, plunging readers into drama and action right away. Medra finds herself imprisoned in the Drakharrow Tower at Bloodwing Academy, awaiting trial by the tribunal to determine her fate and the consequences of awakening the dragon. Although she’s tied to Drakharrow through Blake, the dragon she unleashed actually belongs to House Avari, sparking immediate tensions between the rival houses. With her life hanging in the balance and betrayal from Blake fresh in her mind, Medra’s story in Book 2 begins with a palpable sense of danger and uncertainty.

I thoroughly enjoyed Book 2—there’s plenty of great character development, especially from Blake! The chemistry and banter between him and Medra remain as sharp and engaging as ever. We also get to see the story from Florence's perspective in a few chapters, which adds depth to the narrative. Briar's world-building continues to be exceptional, pulling you into the story effortlessly. The pacing is perfect, keeping the tension high and the pages turning. I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m eagerly anticipating Book 3, especially after that shocking cliffhanger!

I love this series, and this second book was one of my most highly anticipated this year after reading the first last year, so I was thrilled to get an ARC! It did not disappoint. Dragons and fae and romance - Briar Boleyn is a very exciting new author.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Briar! You’ve somehow made me fall for a light haired idiot. I really don’t have any words for Blake; he infuriates me yet I’d gladly spend some time in a library with him. 😏

This being the second book in the Bloodwing Academy Series, it easily surpassed all my expectations, and I ate this book up! In this one, I went through a whole series of emotions, often finding my heart pounding as I was reading; even having to take breaks at a few points of the book because I couldn’t handle the twists and suspense. Enemies to lovers, morally grey characters, magical beasts, all mixed with the lies, betrayals, and character growth make for an incredibly addictive series. I can’t wait to see any redemptions and ultimately where this story goes.

Briar has an amazing way with words, a queen for page turning fantasy worlds and heart racing plot twists. I dare you try this and not get invested in the series.

“The Bond That Burns,” by Briar Boleyn

This was a really good book. I have read a bunch of Briar Boleyn’s books and all of them have been so worth reading that I can’t believe she isn’t more popular (like SJM popular). This book checked all the marked from the first one did… dragons, vampires, academy, enemies to lovers, political intrigue, forced mates, and a cliff hanger. If you like the first book in the series, then you will like this book too. If you haven’t then you need to read it if you like fourth wing but with vampires. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Dragons, Vampires
-Magic
-Academy
-Multi POV
-Political Intrigue
-Enemies To Lovers

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

BOOK: THE BOND THAT BURNS
AUTHOR: BRIAR BOLEYN
SERIES: BLOODWING ACADEMY, BOOK TWO
PUBLISHER: STARWATER PRESS
LENGTH: 581 PAGES
OVERALL RATING: 5/5 STARS
BLOG RATING: 5/5 SALTIRE FLAGS

This book starts where the first book ended. So warm up your carriages and by the bloodmaiden be prepared for a long and bumpy ride full of surprises and twists and turns. In this book you will see many of the same characters we met and fell in love with in the first book. Of course there are new characters, like Blake’s little sister Aenia, who is beyond lethal. Of course some of the same villains have returned like Blake’s Uncle Viktor who is the oldest and most powerful vampire here.

Furthermore Medra is still furious at Blake for taking blood without asking. Except she is the only one he can get blood from and will die without asking. She also wants to break the bond between her and Blake. She agrees to allow him to take blood from her once a week as she did not want to be responsible for his death. She makes it like she is feeding a pet. Blake totally hates this and is back bullying her and being cruel. The truth is he truly cares for her and doesn’t know how to make their relationship go back the way it had been until he ruined it by forcing her hand. On top of that another house leader Kage Tanaka still has his eye on Medra which makes Blake very jealous.

Medra has woken up the grumpy dragon named Nyxaris by accident who had been turned to stone. This makes her his rider except there are others who want to execute her or be able to use and control her. Making Medra and her dragon their slaves like the dragons and the riders of the past, using them both as weapons. Due to this power they made Medra a prisoner all summer until the school semester started at Bloodwing. Academy. Also our favorite fluffin Neville is back being adorable and into much mischief shared between Blake and Florence as its caretakers. Another exhilarating story from start to finish and another cliffhanger that is even worse than book one which is a real nailbiter so you the reader have been warned!

In this book:
Vampires✔️
Grumpy Dragons✔️
Enemies to Lovers✔️
Spice✔️
World Building✔️
Fae✔️
Sibling
Friendships✔️
Deception✔️
Authority✔️
Wolves✔️
Fluffin✔️
Siblings✔️
Family✔️
Shapeshifters✔️
Bloodwing Academia✔️
Heartbreak✔️
Villains✔️
Professors✔️

A story that will make readers' hearts race and gasp with anticipation! The plots are so brilliant you never know what will happen next!✔️✔️✔️

Again Briar Boleyn wrote another phenomenal book I could not put down. For me this was a 6 star read! It has everything fantasy readers love with non stop action that is absolutely magnificent. It is another book I read in one setting and I can’t wait for the third book! The cliffhanger in this book has me so hooked! I have read historical books Briar has written under Fenna Edgewood. I did enjoy them but I think fantasy is her true calling. Another book I highly recommend to readers. Hurry and grab a copy today!

BLOODWING ACADEMY SERIES

1.)On Wings of Blood
2.)The Bond that Burns
3.) No Title Yet: tbr in May 2025

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Thank you to Briar for this e-arc ! 💌

I don’t even know where to start but obviously you need to read The first book because this one starts off right where the first ended !!!
And let me tell you it started off with a BANG !

This has become one of my favorite favorite series ever , and I love this one even more than the first !

Blake our MMC his character development in this book was my favorite. You really see him care for more than just himself and Medra but the fact that he even had love for her best friend !!! CRYING !!!

The pacing was sososos good , I was ok the edge with every chapter I didn’t know what to expect!!!!
The ending OMGGG !!! I love when you don’t see anything coming and with the last few chapters I was so shocked I don’t know what to expect!!

I can’t wait for the next one !!!

‘I want to worship you. Say you’ll let me’

Briar has done it again! I loved this installment just as much as book two. It’s packed with tension, spice, action, witty banter, secrets revealed (with more to uncover), and yet another cliffhanger ending that leaves you wanting more.

Any MMC coded like Draco Malfoy is an instant favorite for me, and Blake is no exception—I’m so glad we got to see more of his POV in this book! There was also a surprise third POV, and while it only appeared in a few chapters, it added a fresh perspective that I really enjoyed.

And honestly, who doesn’t love a book with dragons? Nyxaris ended up being one of my favorite characters. I loved his stubbornness and banter with Medra.

Overall, I loved it and am fully invested in the plot and characters. I can’t wait to dive into book three and see what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Briar, and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited for this sequel and it LIVED UP!

Dragons, spice, angst, betrayals, tension, twists and turns, what’s not to love?! That cliffhanger though?! Briar!!! I need book 3 with a quickness ma’am.

The Bond That Burns had my pulse GOING! You honestly have no idea which way the story could turn. Most romances can be a little predictable (which I’m not complaining about! I need that HEA.) but Briar will keep you on your toes the WHOLE TIME. I love that Medra always stands her ground, especially when it comes to Blake. I also LOVED Blake’s character growth, I really needed this. While it doesn’t stop him from making mistakes, it shows that he’s changing and I can’t wait to see where he goes next.

The sisterhood between Medra and Florence (and their Fluffin, Neville) gave me a jolt of pure serotonin. My favorite thing about this story is the character growth in everyone. I said in my last review that this book reminds me of Zodiac Academy and while that is true, I’m enjoying this one a bit more. So excited to continue this series.

A series with everything you look for in a fantasy book!! Spice, dragons, shifters, and characters that you can't get enough of! I'm ready for #3!!

BRIAR??? HOW CAN YOU END IT LIKE THIS I NEED BOOK 3 ASAP PLEASE DO NOT PLAY WITH MY HEART LIKE THIS!!

I am so in love with this series, it is SO good.

*Spoilers from book 1 below*

Book 2 in this series picks up right where book 1 leaves off. We continue to follow Medra, who had just accidentally awoken a dragon. Her dragon threatens to tip the scale of power and could cause a war between households. To add to this, Blake forced a blood bond into her and now she is Blake’s only source. Medra must continue to figure out how to survive in a world that only wants to control or kill her.

Book 2 did not disappoint. It is filled with just as much tension and action as book 1. I loved that we got to see more of the side characters in this book and even got a few Florence chapters. I am so interested in this plot and can’t wait to see where the story goes. This series has everything I need in a romantasy: enemies to lovers, magic, shifters, politics, scheming, and found family.

While the romance and setting reminds me a lot of Zodiac Academy, I think the dragon history and storyline makes this book unique.

I will be thinking about this story for a long, long time. Is there merch? I need merch.

Thank you so much to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for an arc of this incredible book. I am seriously so thankful to NetGalley for introducing me to this author and to Briar for granting me arcs for all of her books so far 🖤

Medra has awakened a dragon and throws everything into turmoil. All the houses are now fighting over the dragon and its rider. Unfortunately for Medra, she has absolutely no control over the dragon but can't let anyone know. As a new school year starts, Medra also has to deal with Blake's betrayal and the fact that she is now his only blood source. Medra desperately wants to break this bond, but is told it is impossible. But she was also told that dragons were long gone as well.

I could not wait to dive back into this world. Especially given the ending of the first book. And this book had so much going on. Usually I get overwhelmed when stories try to pack so many stories into one, but everything flowed so smoothly that I didn't. I couldn’t get enough of this book and flew through it. Not gonna lie Blake drove me mad the first bit of the book and I was glad he had some growth in this book, emotionally I mean. Though what happened to him near the end of the book had my jaw on the ground. Also I expected more dragons to awaken in this book but not like how they did. As for Medra and Nyxaris, I loved their relationship. Deep down I bet he cares deeply for her. I am a bit cautious when it comes to Kage though. I still don't feel like his true intentions have been revealed yet. Cant wait to see what happens next.

Rating 4 stars

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for allowing me the privilege of once again getting to read one of your amazing books!

Once again you've brought joy into my world and I truly mean that with one of your books. I do however need the next one there are so many unanswered questions and a cliff hanger I need resolved! My only issue I had was during a few of the spicy scenes where a certain world starting with p that were thrown in seemed to cheapen the moment. I'm not really sure why but it did. Apart from that I'm in love and now that it's available to order in Canada I've got it on its way here to join all the rest of her books and I couldn't be more excited!

Thank you so much for giving me a world to fall in love with!

Rating: 4.5 stars
Spice: 3 peppers

I think this may be my favorite book from Briar Boleyn yet. If you're a fan of Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, and a hint of Twilight - this book is definitely for you.

Tropes:
- Multiple POV
- Dark Academia
- World Building
- Forced Prox
- Enemies to Lovers
- Found Family
- Touch Her and Die

We have major character development in this story. Honestly, our MMC, Blake, is nearly insufferable during the first few chapters. He was hurt in the previous book, so he ends up taking a couple steps back in his development, reverting to lessons taught by his nasty uncle and brother about controlling others. Don't worry, as the story unfolds he figures out that those tactics aren't going to work any longer. Medra, our badass FMC, also goes through major developments. She still doesn't take shit from anyone, but she is learning more about politics and how her actions have repercussions for those she loves. The slow burn between these two gets even more juicy in this one and I love it!

We get a few chapters from Florence's POV, which I absolutely loved and made sense to include. It feels like it is giving me a teaser that more development will be on the horizon for her.

We also are rewarded with more of Theo and Visha. Visha could honestly have a spin-off story and I would 100% read it.

This books ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. I can't wait for Spring 2025 to find out what happens next!