Book two does not disappoint! Medra is trying to get her life under control after all of the new events of book one. Meanwhile Blake, who can’t seem to keep his foot out of his mouth, is trying to make things right with Medra and be a better person than who he was conditioned to be. Can’t wait for book three to see what happens next! Highly recommend this series! Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book.

The beginning was a little bit hard for me to get back into but gosh the end!! I’m having the feeling that things are finally getting into a climax and I’m here for it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!

First off if you don’t like cliffhangers, wait till the third book is out to read this one. It has me in a chokehold and I can’t stop thinking about it.

We get to learn so much more of Medra and her relationship, both romantic and friendly. What I love is that we got to see so much more development from the characters while also advancing the plot at a great pace. The suspense while waiting for the next book is gonna kill me!

I was thrilled to finally get my hands on this.

I didn’t want it to end! I absolutely loved this book!

The way the characters evolved, especially watching Medra come into her own, grow, and bond with her found family, was incredible. And Neville, the little fluffball, stole my heart! There’s definitely more tension in this book, along with fascinating revelations about the past and how things became what they are now, which I loved. The pacing, the world-building—it was all just phenomenal. I wasn’t ready for it to end. When can I get my hands on book 3?!

This book has:
- Strong FMC
- Morally Gray MMC
- Enemies to Lovers
- Vampires vs Humans
- Touch her and die
- Dark Academia
- Found Family & Revenge Plot
- Magic

The second book in a trilogy and continues with the scintillating writing. This is captivation and engrossing. The plot had plenty of drama and the characters continue to command the reader’s attention.
A fabulous read and I cannot wait for the final instalment.

Welcome back to another year at Bloodwing Academy!!

Medra has a problem, a big black fire-breathing problem. After waking Nyxaris, the last dragon, life just got more complicated. Leaving Medra to play a dangerous game between the highbloods, who will stop at nothing to gain control of her dragon, and the grumpy dragon that has no intention of being controlled.

Blake messed up; after bonding with Medra without her consent, he has now lost her trust. With the highbloods in a constant fight for power, Medra is in more danger than ever before. He needs to gain her trust, win her heart, and protect her at all costs. Even if it's from himself.

This book delivered! Bloodwing is still giving all the Hogwarts vibes. I'm picturing dimly lit corridors, secret passages, dark secrets to be discovered, and trust me, there are plenty. I personally loved the addition of Blake's POV in this book. It added the layer to his character we needed with the twists and turns this book is packed with. I found the whole book to be utterly entrancing. I devoured every page. The ending, though… I cried, I laughed, and I audibly gasped more times than I can count. It was crazy, CRAZY! May 15th better get here fast, because I need book 3 NOW!

Thank you so much Netgally as well as Briar Boleyn for this ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

I was sooo excited to read this after reading the first book. I was so worried that I wouldn't get enough dragon in this book, but I was pleasantly surprised when Nyxaris showed his face :) What I didn't love so much, is that he felt almost copy-pasted from Tairn from Fourth Wing. A lot of the things he says to Medra are things Tairn said to Violet, he's a grumpy, large, black dragon.. It could be coincidence still, but I think it made reading a little less enjoyable.
The way we were teased with a romance between Kage and Medra... oooh my god I wish it would have gone further before Blake came to his senses (and then lost them again, but that's besides the point), I think it would have made the story a lot more interesting.
The plot twist at the end?! I'm so pumped for dragon rider Florence. Dragon-shifter Blake however.... I don't know how I feel about that. Hey, at least Medra can ride him in more than one way in the next book.
Still loved it!

Started right after the first and wowsa! Now I can't wait for the next. But I'm hanging in there because this story is that awesome. Full of action. Love the twists and turns the plot takes. Thanks #Netgalley and #Starwaterpress for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

3.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for an exchange of my honest opinion!

The last book ended with such plot twist, I couldn't wait to read this one! We also got a new POV of one of my favourite side characters and get an inside in her head.

I literally ate this book up. The last 15 % were so intense, I'm counting days till the last book comes out. I'm also very glad we got more dragon plot in this one because Nyxaris is a cutie pie <3

I have mixed feelings about this book. At the beginning of the story, Blake (the MMC) was absolutely horrid. He treated Medra (the FMC) terribly, and while he did mention the reasoning behind it, it wasn't as fleshed out as it should've been for his actions. Because of that, the romance did put a bad taste in my mouth for most of the book.

The second half was far better and fleshed out in terms of the story and the romance. Blake had good character development, and became a lot easier to tolerate. The ending was really strong, especially in terms for setting up the third novel--what a great cliffhanger!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have to admit, this book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The first half of The Bond That Burns felt slow and a little tedious. I found it hard to get invested in the romance, mainly because the two main characters just couldn't stand each other and the main love interest made Medra’s life a living hell at the start. Their constant bickering was a bit off-putting, and it made it difficult to root for them as a couple.

However, things definitely picked up in the second half. The pace quickened, and the story became much more engaging. The tension built, and I found myself drawn into the plot a lot more. The cliffhanger at the end was absolutely killer, and it's left me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

While I recognize that these books are a bit of a guilty pleasure, I still found myself enjoying the quick, easy read. The dialogue can be cringey at times, but it's not enough to ruin the overall experience. It's one of those books that's perfect for when you're looking for something light and fun to get lost in for a few hours.

🐉ARC review🐉

The bond that burns by @briarboleynauthor
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Dramione girlies ! This one is for you. I mean just look at that character art. If I thought I loved book 1, this one just surpassed that by miles. Omg.. I was not expecting anything that happened in this book. There are dragons and a wolf and betrayal and friendships and I am completely addicted to this book. I NEED MORE !!!!!!! I need book 3 ASAP and I just signed up to arc the next book. 💥

✨📚 the absolute depth of this story is breathtaking. Briar Boleyn truly has created a new level of fantasy romance.

❤️‍🔥 Bonded Mates
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
💖 Found Family
🐉 Dragons
🧛🏼‍♀️ Vampires
✨ Shifters
🪄 Magic & Alchemy

Book 3 will be one of the most highly anticipated books of the year!!

I was extremely glad that I had the second book so right after I finished the first I was able to dive into this one!

I've found this series to be extremely addictive and I'm loving it. It's full of vampires, dragons and other fantasy aspects that I live for. This one especially was full of action, suspense and tension. It's full of plot and spice while also being fast-paced with fantastic character growth.

I absolutely need book three soon because I need to know what is in store for Medra, Blake and Florence. And of course the fluffy Neville!

With this book ending on another cliffy like book one, I will be (im)patiently waiting for the next book. I am 100% invested into what the next book and this series brings.

I have been recommending this series to other readers I know and will continue because I've fallen in love with this series so much!

Thank you NetGalley for a copy! First of all who doesn’t want to read a book with dragons in them!!! Want to feel a roller coaster of emotions pick this book up and if you like cliffhanger this one is for you. I love the fantasy in this and the tension.

What a book. I knew Briar Boleyn was good but this is a masterpiece. Everything you want in a book is this kind and more. Absolutely brilliant

I did not think I could have loved our MMC Blake anymore, but WOW did this book take me on the most adrenaline filled roller-coaster of my life. This book had some spiceeee to it and Briar's ability to write the most intriguing side characters filled this book with not stop tension and plots! Medra had guts this book because I could never be half as brave and defying as she is. I was so stressed this book with the lies, backstabbing, danger, and villains that went down, I need book 3 like I need air!! I cannot wait for the 3rd bookkkk bring on the dragons, give me the dethroning of Blake's father, unleash all the tension, tell me what happens to Medra's bestfriend and where Kage will stand in all this?!

Thank you Netgalley for this incredible ARC!

Briar Boleyn’s “The Bond That Burns” is a captivating journey into a world brimming with raw emotions, compelling characters, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. From the very first page, Boleyn draws you into a world of intense connection and heart-wrenching dilemmas, where the bonds between characters are as fierce as they are fragile.

The pacing is perfect, maintaining tension and intrigue while allowing the depth of character relationships to unfold naturally. Boleyn excels at creating complex, relatable characters whose inner struggles are palpable, making their journeys both touching and unforgettable. The chemistry between the protagonists is magnetic, their love story a mix of passion and vulnerability that will have readers rooting for them from start to finish.

The world-building is also outstanding, with Boleyn weaving together a setting that feels rich and immersive, a backdrop that perfectly complements the emotional journey of the characters. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for identity resonate throughout, making the novel as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Briar Boleyn has delivered a masterpiece with “The Bond That Burns”. It’s a powerful tale of love, resilience, and the complex nature of human connection. If you're a fan of heartfelt romance with depth and complexity, this is a book you won’t want to miss. Highly recommended!

I didn’t think the first book could be topped but boy was I wrong! Everything about it was perfection. The plot, the character growth, the relationships and all the twists! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and couldn’t read it fast enough.

Then Briar had to go and do us dirty with that cliffhanger😭 I literally screeched out loud when I realized that was the ending. The only comfort is knowing book 3 will be releasing in a few months.

4.5⭐️
I LOVED the direction Briar took this book! the development with Nyxaris in the storyline was SO good, love the grumpy old dragon vibe! Is it possible to love Medra anymore she is badass! i love her found family friendship with florence, must protect her at all costs! loved the snippets of her pov in this book!

I wanted to shake Blake so hard, he won me over again in the end! I really enjoyed the development with all the other characters. OK Kage i see you.. Mr smooth! NEVILLE little fluffball my heart! had me teary eyed 🥹

I loved that we got more history and family secrets too in this book 🤭

So many unexpected events in the last 20% of the book had me on edge in the best way! i love its unpredictability. THE CLIFFHANGER i cant wait for book 3 release im SO invested at this point i HAVE to know more!

Thankyou Briar Boleyn & netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own.
-adelereadsromance