briar Boleyn does it again! normally book 2 isn’t better than the first but the 2nd book in the bloodwing academy trilogy was immaculate! I loved diving further into the story of dragons, side characters & getting to see Florence’s POV! the enemies to lovers back to enemies cycle between Blake and Medra had my head spinning in a good way. I apparently eat up a bully romance and this gives me everything I need. Is it may yet, I’m ready for the conclusion of this trilogy because it’s going to be insane!

4.5 🌟
“I kissed her like she was the air I needed to breathe. Gently, reverently. As if I could somehow piece her back together with the touch of my lips.”

What a ride!!!! Book 2 in the Bloodwing Academy picks up right where it left off. Medra was MAD and man she carried that on for quite some time. Blake tying way too hard to act like a jerk made me wanna strangle them both, lol. But the character development from all that was fantastic. Loved all the lore bombing we got in this book, and the spice. Whoa the spice! Next level. Nyxaris is such a badass dragon with sass for days and I’m here for it.

The last few chapters of this book had me seeing stars! It was nuts and left me foaming at the mouth for book three!

Thank you Net Galley and Briar for this ARC read.

The Bond That Burns is book two in the Bloodwing Academy series by Briar Boleyn and if you haven't read book one yet, you're going to want to stop reading right now.

This book picks up immediately after the end of book one when Medra has released the dragon, Nyxaris, from his stone prison but he isn't willing to take orders from anyone at this point and Medra is definitely in danger (again) because to some, it appears she can't control him. What they don't know is that she has made a deal with Nyxaris. Medra is on the hunt for information around his past since he can't seem to remember anything and she will get Nyxaris what he wants in exchange for his help with the tribunal.

And that is just one of Medra's problems - She also has Blake to deal with. Medra thought she could trust him but when he drank from her without her permission, he lost her trust and now that she is his only blood source, they are in a bit of a bind. Things are definitely not great between these two for quite a while and this is mostly because Blake can't seem to stop thinking of Medra as a possession and on top of that, he just digs a deeper hole for himself by being an a-hole to her and her friends just so he can show everyone else that she's not important. When Blake finally does figure out how to make things right (or at least better) with Medra, it's a case of too little, too late as by then, she has already taken the steps to get moved to House Avari.

Medra's role as the dragon rider is core to this story though and there are a few twists I wasn't expecting. I can't say too much about what happens because I don't want to give anything away but just know that we get to know Kage Tanaka a bit more (which was great), Marcus (Blake's brother) and Viktor are still around making life difficult, and we still have Medra's friend group of Florence, Theo, and Visha hanging around. Other than that, get ready for another wild ride of dragons and vampires. If you're looking for a story that has action, spice, betrayal...this one is for you.

“I didn’t just need her blood. I needed her. All of her. I wanted her more than anyone I’d ever met.” ♥️

I absolutely loved book 1 in this series, but let me tell you that this one was even better! If I said I was obsessed with this series, that would be ann understatement. Easily one of my favorites books I read in 2024!!! I loved Medra and Blake’s bickering in the beginning and the fact that we got to see more of Theo, Visha and Florence!

This book starts off about right where book 1 finished. There’s so much political drama within the school and between the different houses and I was so invested in the story. I always liked Kage and I think he really shined in this one. I have a feeling that by the end of the series he and Blake may even become friends!

So much happened in this book that I won’t spoil it for anyone but I kept saying omg to myself at every plot twist! The cliffhanger ending also had me screaming and I desperately need the next book now! Can it be May yet?!?! I cannot wait to see what is in store for all of these characters!

I highly recommend you check out this book/series! Thank you so much to Briar Boleyn and Netgalley for the advanced copy! The Bond That Burns is out now!

✨️"When you're sad, I'm sad. When you're happy, I'm happy. And when you're in danger... I feel like I'd gladly give up my life and everything in it to keep you safe."✨️

I ate this up as much as the first book in the series! It picks up right where On Wings of Blood ended. The plot was so entertaining and the stakes were even higher. Where the first book was a bit slow at some points, this was very fast paced! There was always something happening, at all times. I really enjoyed that. There were a lot of twists and questions that I still don't know the answer to, so I hope more of them will be answered in the next book!

Blake was terrible in the first few chapters, but he completely redeemed himself during this book! He is my favourite character now. And omg what is happening to him?! Iykyk...
I ate up the tension and banter between him and Medra!

We also get another POV in this book which I really appreciated. The ending left me wanting answers asap, so I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Thank you Netgalley and Briar Boleyn for providing me with this E-arc 🫶🏼

“But he’s mine. Right or wrong, he’s mine. I won’t let you harm him.” Swoooooon ♥️

Rating: 4/5⭐️
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Series: Book 2
Cliffhanger: Yes
POV: multi-1st person
Relationship: M/F

Darkness Rating: 2/5 🖤
This is a bully fantasy romance similar to the Cruel Prince but with more death & gore.

Spice Rating: 2.5/5 🌶️
A few tastefully written explicit, open door scenes. Vampire style, of course 🔥

I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first. We pick up where Briar left us and instantly thrown into a world full of high emotions & tension. We assume we know all the players of this game of deceit but Briar threw us in for a loop at the end.
There were times I became frustrated due to the lack of communication between the MCs but I had to remind myself that this is a bully romance and in a world where “trust” is nonexistent.
I cannot wait for the third book! This ending had me all in my feelings & screaming, FINALLYYYYYY.

*disclaimer: my darkness and spice rating might not be the same for you. Please do your own research before reading*

Thank you, NetGalley & Starwater Press (indie) for providing this ARC.

How do I give this 6 stars?! I loved the first book (On Wings of Blood) and wasn’t sure if the sequel would follow suit, however I shouldn’t have doubted Briar Boleyn for a second.

It’s been a long time since the magic of a book series captured me like Harry Potter or Fourth Wing, but this absolutely delivered.

I loved learning more about Florence, Neville, Kage and the Highbloods history and dynamics. I love Medra’s found family, I think Visha is one of my favourite characters actually.

I am now left desperate again to read the next book. Spring 2025 needs to hurry up. Not to wish my life away or anything but I NEED to know what happens next.

Briar Boleyn, you are fast becoming my favourite author. I haven’t read the Blood of Fae series either, so that will keep me busy until the next Bloodwing Academy.

I loved this book just as much as the first one! Usually I wouldn't like a character such as Drake, but there's something about his dynamic with Medra that sucks me in and captivates my attention. I adore the world of Bloodwing academy - it's decadent and terrifying and seductive and I am extremely excited to find out what happens in book 3!

This was a solid sequel to On Wings Of Blood! The Bond That Burns picks up directly after the first book and was a great edition to the Bloodwing Academy saga. We get a lot more character and plot development in this one and I am eager to see what is to come. That cliffhanger? Deadly. The wait for the third books is gonna be BRUTAL.

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“You’re the strongest woman I know. But even strong people need someone in their corner.”

The Bond That Burns? More like THE BOOK THAT HURTS 😭

I was so excited to return to Bloodwing Academy, book one was a delicious blend of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy and Harry Potter and it was AMAZING.

This book did not disappoint, in fact it exceeded my already high expectations. The plot is paced so brilliantly that it builds so much tension while also being so full of action that you can’t put it down.

I absolutely love the setting at the Academy and Medra/Blake/NEVILLE are just such intriguing, infuriating and interesting characters I need this series to be 100 books long 🙏🏻

Oh…. And did I mention the SASSY ANCIENT DRAGON??????

I am absolutely wrecked from the cliffhanger ending but thank the Bloodmaiden we only have til spring to wait for book 3 🔥

UGH, so many feelings! I don’t even know where to begin with this… the longing, the pining, the tension, the betrayal, the spice! OMG
I loved this book, there was so much growth for some of the characters. The last I don’t know 25%(?) had me happy, anxious, sad, and just on the edge of my seat about what was going to happen. Things are in motion that I absolutely cannot wait to see how they pan out! I’m in love with Visha, she has become my favorite character and she’s so much fun. Theo is a doll and so endearing. Florence is wonderful. Blake & Medra, oh man, the roller coaster that is these two!! Just AAAHHHH. Blake… He gets so close to the fucking point, trips over it, then blames the point 🤦🏻‍♀️
I also love that artwork of Neville was included in my ebook, he’s so cute I can’t handle it and (respectfully) if anything happens to him I’ll burn down the fictional world
Me throughout this book (not necessarily in this order): 😮‍💨🙃🙄😡😑🤦🏻‍♀️😵‍💫🙄🥺🥹😬🥵😂🫨😱😱😭😱

This book ended with an illegal cliffhanger, and I’m not sure what to do with myself until spring 2025 when the third book arrives…

This book is such a wild ride! In the first part, the main characters, especially Blake (mostly Blake), drove me crazy with their attitude and behavior. Whatever understanding I had for him in the first book, it was gone in this book. But then came spice and all is forgiven and forgotten. 😀

There is no new character, but we learn more about existing ones, who were more in the background of book 1. There is also exciting development with special powers which I’m looking forward to exploring in book 3.

The author has a clear vision of where she is going and how she plans to accomplish it. While some things were maddening, I like how the main characters have developed and their relationship has changed. Blake changed the most (considering how he was at the beginning of this book).

If you liked the first book, I’m convinced you will like the sequel as well.

I once again ABSOLUTELY ATE THIS UP!! This book has wrecked me in the best way possible - what a positive way to start my 2025!!

The Bond that Burns is a thrilling sequel; it’s a story of betrayal, survival, redemption, as well as a heart-warming friendship and budding romance. There’s so much raw emotion and vulnerability in this book, leaving me desperate for more.

Blake’s redemption in this book is honestly the highlight for me. He started off being an absolute menace and an even bigger bully than initially which grated on my nerves, but his character grew so beautifully and he became so complex; his struggle with his family values compared to his own was heartbreaking. The author’s talent at conveying how a character can grow and change is incredible. His relationship with Medra is still rocky and all over the place but THE TENSIONNN?? IT ABSOLUTELY PAYS OFF. The bath scene?? GOOD LAWD 😮‍💨😮‍💨

Medra continues to be her selfless, badass self; she reinforces her friendships and relationships and is absolutely unstoppable. Her relationship with Nyxaris?? PLEASE I love him and his grumpy self - their banter was one of my favorite things about this book. Who knew that everyone should have a sassy dragon by their side. The loyalty they have for each other is *chefs kiss, even though Nyxaris insists he’s not loyal to anybody, yet he can’t help himself from warming up to our rider 😼.

I am still intrigued by Kage, I CANT HELP IT. I need to see him let loose and go wild; I just know there’s more to his character than this controlled, calculating person that he portrays himself to be. I love a mysterious man, I can’t help it 🤭🤭.

The ending HAS ME IN A CHOKEHOLD?? the amount of twists and turns and reveals in the last 15% of the book has me SCREAMINGGG!! I am SAT.

If I thought the first year at Bloodwing Academy was tough for Medra, then I clearly didn't anticipate everything that happened during her second year!

I am so invested in these characters and what is in store for then. I have so many questions that I need answered. And by the Bloodmaiden, Blake! I didn't see that coming, but I am here for it. Gives a new definition of winged MMC!!

This book had me gripped, and I didn't want it to finish - maybe I should have read slower!

We've got dragons, vampires, wolves, enemies to lovers, found family, dark academia, and some blood drinking orgasmic spice!

Thank you so much to Netgally and Briar for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I am impatiently waiting for the next book!

I have been waiting for this book ever since i read the first one On Wings of Blood, and i am already now excited for the third one!! <3
The story picks up where book 1 ended, and the book is action- filled and fast paced from the start. I feel like this book made me understand and connect better with the characters, and we learn alot more about the magic system and the world.

The writing is easy to follow, the characters are lovable, and i love the premise of this story with vampires and dragons. The only reason as to why i did not rate it 5 stars is because it is not as actionfilled as the first book, but i still loved it. And also the ending seriously caught me by surprise, and i need the next book asap!

This series is filled with suspense, tension, banter, mysteries and secrets- and i love everything about it. It is perfect for readers who love series like Fourth Wing or Zodiac Academy, and it has quickly become one of my favorite series!!

Thank you so much to Briar, Starwater Press and Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! <3

Thanks to netgalley and Briar for a copy of this ARC!

This is the second book in the Bloodwing Academy, and let me tell you it definitely didn’t disappoint 👀

This book had all the fantasy goodies you could possibly want;
- Dragons
- Vampires
- Wolves 👀
- Enemies x lovers
- Fluffins 🥺
- Found family
- Spice 🌶️

Briar does like to write about satanic children (if you’ve read her Blood of a Fae series you’ll know exactly what I mean LOL) and this book did not disappoint 😂 #fthemkids

I am SO excited for the next book to come out- we were left on one hell of a cliffhanger 😅

The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy #2) By Briar Boleyn

Surviving the first year at Bloodwing Academy was rough, but it was just getting started. Unexpectedly and accidentally waking a dragon frozen in stone and learning to train him was not on Medra Pendragon's to-do list in her second year. Dealing with all the Vampire houses fighting over what Medra's fate should be for doing so, she is betrothed to Blake Drakharrow and his horrific uncle is trying to play King of all the houses acting as if he owned her was not helping. Well, maybe a little since some of the other vampire houses wanted her dead now more than ever.

Medra and Blake are still at each other's throats so he needs to make some changes for her to forgive him for trapping her connection to him further. Things get heated and as angry as she is at Blake and wants to break free of him when the opportunity arises, she is hesitant. Blake starts to see that threats and public embarrassment are not the best tactics to win her heart. Just as he figures out how to finally get close to her, the odds are always against her from more than one place.

"I kissed her fiercely. As if trying to erase every argument, every insult, every moment of doubt between us. And she let me, meeting my passion with her own."

Medra's plate is full. She must bond with and gain the trust of the cranky dragon that hates all the humans and vampires. Since she is the only dragon rider who can speak to him and help him remember what happened before he was trapped in stone, he gives her a chance and their relationship starts to bloom. She must still attend classes and prove to the vampire courts that she is worthy of staying alive and can contribute to them and be useful. A handsome and intriguing vampire from one of Blake's rival houses is trying to steal Medra from House Drakharrow and having her best friend placed in that house makes it all the more enticing to Medra.

The end of this book is on a cliffhanger with more than one life on the line, although I feel like there will be many interesting things happening in book 3 of Bloodwing Academy. I'm here for it all.


In this edition you will find:

-Vampire Court Politics
-Strong FMC
-He Falls First
-Touch her and Die
-Dragons
-Found Family
-LGBTQ Rep
-Enemies to Lovers
-Slow Burn Romances
-Spicy Scenes
-Hidden History
-Fluffins!

Please note that this is book 2 in a series so you need to read book 1 to understand what is going on in this continued story. Although it is mentioned that you do not need to read the Blood of a Fae series before this one where the FMC Medra originates, I do recommend reading them if you want her backstory, know where she comes from, and where her family tree starts which is part of the Camelot court. Medra is a powerful fae in that realm and somehow lost most of her powers when she landed in the path of the Drakharrow family.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher Starwater Press (Indie) for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm a proud member of Briar's Rose Court Street Team of readers and have access to her books prior to publication.

A fantastic book 2! I think this is going to be one of my favorite series. I would like to make a request though.....Neville needs a girlfriend and to have babies. Hint hint wink wink.

I loved this it was a fun & cozy book. I loved the characters banter & humor. So many action elements that really made it a bit faster paced. Tons of information & lore. A lot of twists & truns running around the school. Love, Betrayal, Heartbreaking moments that keep you in your own feelings. Characters Development was beyond what I expected. I read this book in one sitting. Can't Wait for the next one. This has become a favorite of mine.

I adored this book more than I cared to admit. While there were some things I am hoping doesn't end up happening. For example, Florence's joining Medra and Blake to become a triad (I hate anything third person relationships so this rubs me the wrong way) otherwise. I absolutely adored this book,. Writing, fun as always. The storyline, amazing and it feels like there is a whole lot more to come. You see dragon books such as Forth Wing, and even that doesn't give much background story to the dragons. I'm glad this book doesn't just treat them like secondary characters in their own story. I can't wait for the next one, and my review has been posted on Goodreads. My final rating was 3.75 but I rounded it up to 4 because this was a fun read!