After the ending to the first book I was so ready to jump back in for the second year at Bloodwing Academy! What an emotional rollercoaster. So much is happening to Medra in the second book. After Blake’s betrayal in the first book she is determined to stay her own person and forge her own paths. But with Victor and Marcus, who are Blake’s family, the tribunal, and dragon Nyxaris constantly pulling her in different directions and using her as a pawn Medra has a hard time determining who she can trust.

Throughout the book Medra and Blake’s relationship was once again up and down. Their banter and tension were very fun to read about but I really needed them to have a good conversation way earlier in the book. Their character growth was big in this book but especially Blake. I really enjoyed his story more in this book than in the first. With the additional mystery of what’s happening to him I loved his points of view. Plus we really get more from Visha, Theo, and Florence in this book. I am loving this friend group for Medra.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I struggle with some of the jumps in time but love the world building and characters. My favorite part had to be Medra telling Blake about her home-world and past. We are finally starting to get some more information. After that wild ending I am so excited to see what comes next for all of the characters. There is so much to look forward to in the next book!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy! I will post my review to my bookstagram on January 11th!

Thank you Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for providing with arc! I am leaving is review voluntarily.

What to expect:
- Dragons (if you couldn’t tell from the cover)
- Betrayals
- Academy
- Enemies to lovers
- Animal sidekick/pet (Shoutout to Neville)
- LOTS of action!
- Spice 3/5 (I’m looking at you, chapters 17 and 24 😏)

My thoughts:
After a few days of thinking over this books I think I’ve finally settled on a verdict. This book was alright. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. Now do I believe this has to do in part with me? Definitely. It could totally be that I just wasn’t in the mood for this book… it’s the curse of being a mood reader. 😖

Although I didn’t love this book as much as I had hoped, there were still some notable characters and scenes.

First off, the fmc, Medra. She is such a strong badass character whom I always love to read about. Every time she gets knocked down you can best be sure she’ll got back up again. Seriously #goals. Now combine her with Nyaxris, and damn what a duo. I LOVED their banter. There truly is nothing quite like a strong fmc and a huge, feared, black dragon. (I’m looking at you Fourth Wing)

Also don’t even get me started on that plot twist! I totally did not see that coming 🤯

I can’t end this without mentioning Neville. I so wish he had more of a relationship with Medra but him and Florence is just too adorable! Now if we could just get some scenes of him with Blake 🤭

I will continue this series.

Recommended if you enjoyed the first book and need a VioletxTairn-like relationship

I'm going crazy fan girl here but seriously what a book. What an ending. What characters.

I just loved this book and finished it in a day coz I just couldn't wait. I requested it just as soon as I saw the book is available here on Netgalley and I downloaded and started it in a flash.

I finished it and I just can't breathe coz that ending was so much more than I expected it to be or unexpected. Finally Blake has got some brains and grown some balls coz I would have liked to kill him myself if he hadn't. Medra's character need some growing up too. I didn't expect that twist about someone's transformation. I don't really want to give up spoilers here.

Next best thing about this book, it didn't kill unnecessarily especially the main characters like one exception of Navin in the book 1 but that's fine. I just thought Navin will be back in this one somehow,I was a bit disappointed but I moved on. But I have started to like every character in this series especially Theo and Visha. Please Briar, do not kill them in next book. I love them even more than I love Medra and Blake even with their chemistry.

Medra and Blake's chemistry was too good. It was heart pounding and adrenaline pumping throughout. There was never a dull moment in the book and the ending , I did not see that coming at all. When I read the fantasy, I can easily figure out what's gonna happen next but this one kept me in dark for the whole damn book. Damn you Briar for making it so unpredictable and so good that now I want the third book already. The whole storyline was totally surprising. No predictable twists or turns which says a lot about author. Coz it gets very dull and boring if one can figure out what's going to happen next.



One more thing that I will say is I want to see Draven and Morgan in this series coz I had loved them as well. But I love Medra and Blake even more. I'm eagerly waiting for the next part.

Thank you so much Netgalley and starwater press for this wonderful ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC 🤍

OMG what did I just read and why is Spring of 2025 so far away? 🥹
This book was so much better than its prequel, expanding the world and its lore. I loved every last page of it and couldn’t put it down. The main characters grew so much on me; Blake became a much better version of himself (love made him evolve) and Medra softened a bit making her much more likeable 🥰 And all the supporting characters like Florence, Theo, Visha and even the dragon were such a great addition to the story (love every one of them). Book 3 can’t come soon enough 😫

I DEVOURED The Bond That Burns — it's so good and I couldn't put it down!
From the very first page, the dark, dangerous world of Bloodwing Academy completely pulled me right back in.

The stakes are higher than ever in this sequel, and the tension just doesn’t let up. Waking a dragon was just the beginning. The protagonist is now caught in a whirlwind of power plays, all while trying to navigate her own terrifying connection to this mythical, fire-breathing creature. The world-building is next level—so rich, unique, and detailed that I felt like I was right there in the middle of it all.

Also, Blake Drakharrow is the ultimate morally gray love interest with serious Draco Malfoy vibes. He’s infuriating, magnetic, and impossible not to love. The slow-burn tension between him and the protagonist is so good. Every bit of banter, every stolen moment—ugh, it’s perfection.

The ending is EPIC and I seriously don't know how I'm supposed to wait for the next book. Briar Boleyn, you sure know how to write an ending!!

If you love dark academia vibes, intricate mythology, and romance that makes you feel every emotion, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I’m officially obsessed, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next!

Oh my Gods, Briar really knows how to keep you on your toes 🤯 This is book 2 in the Bloodwing Academy series & it delivered all right!!
This was an incredible follow-up to On Wings of Blood, I loved the character growth, I loved how Medra stays so loyal to her friends and always stands up for what's right no matter the consequence, I love a strong fmc so much
Blake is still one of my faves, eventhough he can be insufferable at times, I actually loved his growth as a character too, he was more likeable this time 😂 I also loved Medra & Blake's chemistry in this, it was hottt!
Also yes the spice was spicinggg 🥵
Although maybe I did want something more to happen with Kage & Medra..😅😍
I loved getting to learn more about Nyxaris as well & more of the history of the dragons! Nyxaris is hilarious & I loved the banter in this book too, it was perfect! Also loving all the Neville we get to read about, I adore that little Fluffin so much ❤️

The Bond That Burns was amazing in every way! The action, the suspense & the whole plot was perfect! And the twists had me pacing around screaming at my phone, I was shocked quite a few times! That endingg too like AH 😂 But by the Bloodmaiden Briar- I NEED book 3 ASAPPP pls & thx!

Ugh Briar Boleyn has me in such a choke hold. This book was fast paced, sexy, and stressful in the best way possible. If you're a fan of fourth wing, bully romance, and dramione (because let's face it... Blake is very Draco coded) you will love this series. My only complaint is that Medra needs more character growth and I hope we see that on book 3. Also the ending is a hell of a cliff hanger. Also, like I said in my review of the first book, please don't skip the blood of the fea series before reading these if yUgh Briar Boleyn has me in such a choke hold. This book was fast paced, sexy, and stressful in the best way possible. If you're a fan of fourth wing, bully romance, and dramione (because let's face it... Blake is very Draco coded) you will love this series. My only complaint is that Medra needs more character growth and I hope we see that on book 3. Also the ending is a hell of a cliff hanger. Also, like I said in my review of the first book, please don't skip the blood of the fea series before reading these if you want a full picture. ou want a full picture.

Medra has to find a way to get through the new year. Things between her & Blake have changed become more serious. But the threats are even more and she knows that she has to find a way to save her mother and to save the dragon from the high bloods. But everyone is out to use Medra who can she really trust?
Blake knows that he has to become stronger this year as his uncle has a plan with the dragon & the rider? But will he be strong enough to save his mate?
Even better than the first book. The bond between Medra & Blake is stronger & she has shared her memories with him but what will become of them now. Will she accept Blake now that he has started to change or will she think that he is a monster?
Great characters stronger storyline this time. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

The story picks up exactly where Book 1 left off and continues to follow Medra and friends through year 2 at Bloodwing Academy. Overall, this book drove me nuts. Medra drove me nuts. There were times when I wanted to put the whole thing down and DNF it, but once again I am so glad that I didn't.

What. An. Ending.

I don't even have words for the cliffhanger. It's like nothing happened in the entire book and then at the end everything happened at once. UGH. Now I have to read book 3.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️/5

Okay bookish friends, The Bond That Burns has absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. The twists and turns? Insane. The cliffhangers? Brutal. The spice? Let’s just say... chef’s kiss. And don’t even get me started on the betrayals—I'm still recovering.

The grumpy dragons had me rolling, and the fluffins? Pure serotonin. This book delivered on every level. 🤌🤌🤌 The way the characters and the storyline evolved? Fabulous. I was hooked from start to finish, the pacing was perf.

I have to survive until spring for the next one? I simply want to pass away. Someone hold me because I need answers, and I need them NOW.

Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy with spice, epic betrayals, and creatures with big personalities. It’s a wild ride, and I’m 100% here for it.

Thank you Briar Boleyn for the ARC!! All opinions are my own and are 100% voluntary.

Holy smokes. I loved the first book, but this one was even better. This series is everything you liked about Fourth Wing, but far superior. At first I was a little annoyed with Medra and Blake, but I hate slow burns. Once they reconciled, it was explosive. This book was so good, the stakes were so high, and I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about this one for a while. Also, Nyxaris and Neville are two of my favorite characters of 2024. There was so much action in the last ~10% that it was insane. My husband tried having a conversation with me during the final chapters, and I was like "Hold on, everyone is dying, I cannot be disturbed right now!"...I can't believe I have to wait for the third one.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Briar Boleyn, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe that I got to read the second book just a month after I finished reading the first book!!! And OMG! It didn't disappoint! Thank you Netgalley and Ms. Briar Boleyn for providing me an ARC 🥰

🚨MY BOOK REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS SO, PLEASE DON'T READ PAST THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT SOME🚨

First of all, there's a map?! On the ARC of the first book, there's no map included, but they did include one in the final published print. But still, I was shocked to see that THERE'S A MAP on the ARC of the second book! 'Cause if you know me, I ALWAYS LOVE MY FANTASY BOOKS WITH A MAP.

Second, excuse me, but the love triangle with Kage, Medra, and Blake 😏 LOVED IT!!!

Third, we have 3 POV's you all! Florence got hers late, like at the end of the book but it was such a surprising and nice change.

Fourth, them vampires can shift!!! To be honest, there's a lot going on in this book, but it didn't make me feel confused or feel like it's too much. It actually felt WELL BALANCED.

And lastly, I so love Nyxaris and Medra's interaction. When they're speaking mind to mind, the sass and the banter, OHMYGOODNESS!

There's probably a lot more to say, but I can't think of anything else, just that I know that this book is a WORK OF ART. I know for sure that I can't wait for book 3 to come! 6⭐ Read!

Medra is tasks with showing she can control the newly awaken dragon, and each house vying for the dragon legacy. Betraying Medra, Blake’s only source is now Medra.

I loved learning more about dragon history and the magical bonds that exist. This installment has the perfect amount of spice. And all the twists and cliffhangers! I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, Starwater Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this second installment. It is billed as a bully romance, otherwise the MMC's attitude toward the MFC would have gotten old real quick. There were a couple twists I did expect but even more that I didn't expect. I realize a lot of books end on cliffhangers, but I still thought it ended abruptly. Can't wait for the series to continue, including the side characters story arcs. Sometimes I feel like too many side characters can dilute the story, but have questions about darn near everyone and thing(s). Thanks for the ARC opportunity NetGalley and the publisher.

Wow! I read this in 48 hours! Such an easy to follow story.
Medra continues to be her badass self but learns so much too. The found family is *chef's kiss*.
That plot twist with Blake changes everything. I really didn't see that coming.

Ugh, holy cliffhanger! I'll be thinking about that for a few days.

This is the second book in Briar Boleyn’s Bloodwing Academy series. Let me tell you guys, I DEVOURED these books! This series has me in a chokehold. It’s like Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing meets Vampires with a sizzling Dramione coded romance. It’s basically a Millennial’s dream lol (because I have a feeling we all went through the Harry Potter to Twilight to Fourth Wing pipeline lol 😉).

It’s a dark romantasy full of vampires, magic, court politics, dragons, and found family, set at a dangerous magical academy. The world-building is interesting and original. Medra is a great FMC who has an excellent balance of strength and kindness. Blake is a fantastic MMC. He’s morally gray, possessive, angsty, and secretly a bit of a softie and obsessed with Medra. He is damaged and can be a bit of a bully, but he wants to be a better man for her and has major touch-her-and-☠️ energy.

I may have liked this one even more than book 1! I absolutely could not put this book down! The banter? The slow-burn? The angst? The tension? The spice? The reveals? The betrayals? The found family? Perfection. I have been loving this series and cannot wait to continue with book 3 in the Spring!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Book 2 in the wings of blood series absolutely delivered, I had to jump right in immediately after finishing the first book because otherwise I would have had a book hangover 😂😂😂

I was completely obsessed with all things dragon this book, we all love a grumpy and unwilling beastly dragon don’t we 😂😂 I also love how Medra continues to stun me with her bravery and bad assery , the way she faces the high blood leaders is nothing short of inspirational, I would be absolutely quaking in my boots and yet she never stops standing up for herself which just confirms she deserves all the good things.

I will say I spent the majority of this book absolutely glaring daggers in Blake’s direction, he is doing the absolute moooost, I am obsessed with Kage and I would love more than for her and him to be end game honestly Blake doesn’t deserve her energy 😂😂

Fully recommend this series to every fantasy / romantasy lover out there!

Thank you again to Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for the EARC, I cannot wait for the next book!!

Publish date; December 27th 2024 (out now!)

This book had me feeling all the feels.. an emotional roller coaster from start to finish.. another fantastic book by Briar Boleyn and definitely one of my new found favourite authors..

I loved this sequel! I loved the character development of everyone but especially Kage and Blake. Seeing Blake’s character do a 180 from the beginning of this book really rang true to the complexities of his character and set him up to (hopefully) be the leader of his entire house in the next book.. I can’t wait to see what happens with the shapeshifting abilities. I liked that their relationship had its issues but wasn’t overly consumed by it and didn’t let it completely ruin the story.

Florence was a great POV to start getting and I think many readers will enjoy her journey in the next book.

This story kept me on the edge of my seat and I was excited to read more. Great job!

An incredible sequel! I read this in almost one sitting.

I am still beyond obsessed with the Fourth Wing x Harry Potter x Game of Thrones vibes this series gives off, in its own unique way. The dark academia setting continues to fascinate me, and we learn a lot more about the past, present and future of this world in The Bond That Burns.

Medra and Blake both have incredibly difficult moments in this book and are starting to come into their own. I love them together and I also loved that we got more of the side characters and found family elements coming into play.

There were two twists that I saw coming (and still loved them), but I did not see the ending coming at all!!! Thrilled to see that book 3 is coming in Spring 2025.