This was a DNF for me, sorry. Won't be leaving a rating on Goodreads as I only got 20% through it. Writing style was not for me, sort of reads like AI writing and the FMC kept making decisions that really frustrated me. Dialogue was VERY cringy and awkward in a lot of places, think it needs another pass of editing to make it sound more natural. Try reading it aloud! Grateful for the opportunity to ARC.

Oh my GOODNESS this book was SO MUCH FUN?? I absolutely ate it up in roughly 2 days. I am so happy to be wrapping up this year with such a fun, wonderful read. I even went ahead and ordered the physical copy to have as a trophy 😼😼

This was like the ultimate emotional rollercoaster, with magic, dragons, and spice that had me at the edge of my seat the whole time !! ALL THE TROPES WERE DONE RIGHT!
Forced betrothal? ✅
Forced mating? ✅
Bully Romance? ✅
Betrayal? ✅
Found family? ✅
The stakes are HIGH !! the emotions put me in a frenzy.

The FMC Medra is an absolute badass, with the perfect amount of FEMININE RAGE. I absolutely loved how she channeled it, and didn’t let ANYONE bring her down! The way she battles against the confines of a world that constantly underestimates her - THRILLING. She has such a strong will and absolutely bows to NOBODY!! She is unrelenting and I LOVEEE fierce FMCs who do not fold for men the second they’re involved in the storyline.

And the MMC Blake?? The right balance of swoon-worthy intensity and a well-earned redemption arc. The double POVs?? Loved. I love me an obsessive, he falls first type of man who will LITERALLY kill for the FMC. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, and the spicy moments? And also Blake’s softer side ?? Please.
Something about Kage though 👀👀🤭 I don’t know but his mysterious intentions have me RILED UP.

The found family was so tender and heartwarming - Florence and Naveen have my HEART. but also Theo?? Please he’s such a doll 😭 I’m also enjoying Visha - initially I did not like her AT ALL, but she is growing on me. We love any character who dislikes Regan 💅

And don't get me started on the world-building-magic, vampires, dragons, and plenty of intrigue. The fantastical elements are rich and vibrant, with a deeply immersive setting that pulls you right in; everything is described beautifully and I could easily picture the setting of Bloodwing. The dark academia vibes are definitely coming through!! I also hope we get to explore more of Medra’s original world and some backstory as to what actually happened to her.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend On Wings of Blood to anyone who loves intense romance (with a side of bullying), immersive world-building, and characters that feel like they're fighting for something bigger than themselves. It's a powerful exploration of passion, power, and equality.

CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO!!

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is an exhilarating dark academia fantasy that captivated me from the start. Following Medra Pendragon, a half-fae trapped in a school dominated by highblood vampires, the book expertly weaves themes of power, survival, and romance.

Boleyn’s world-building is rich and immersive, blending unique vampire lore and Arthurian elements. Medra’s fiery spirit clashes beautifully with Blake Drakharrow, the brooding bully whose cold arrogance masks deeper layers. Their tumultuous relationship, fraught with tension and banter, kept me hooked until the last page.

With its fierce competition, dark magic, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy. Boleyn has delivered a riveting saga that promises thrilling adventures ahead—I can’t wait for the next installment!

First and foremost, thank you to Briar Boleyn, the publisher and NetGallery for sending me a copy of this book.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel. The first few chapters were a little hard to get into, I wasn't sure if this books is going to be my cup of tea even though the premise promised all the things I love in fantasy. It was around the chapter 10 mark that I fully immersed myself into the world of the Bloodwing Academy and had the pages flipping at a lightning speed.

I have always been a sucker for vampires - ha, pun intended! - so I was intrigued to see what this version of them is going to be like. They could never go out of style and I particularly like that authors these days don't shy away from painting them as the vicious and cold-hearted beasts they are. Blake Drakharrow was truly an asshole and if I were Medra, I would break his already crooked nose even worse. One of the reviews described him as Draco Malfoy-esque male protagonist and by the way he looked and behaved, I can wholeheartedly agree. Still, he was much more menacing and bloodthirsty than Draco ever could be. Yet, it compelled me that even though he wasn't as terrible as he was trying to make himself appear, and had his soft side, he never tried to shy away from being cruel when he needed to be. I love me some morally grey hero and Briar Boleyn stroke true with the way she had build up Blake's character. Enough to accept and understand Medra's disdain for him as much as her desire.

Which is another thing - the enemies-to-lovers aspect of the book worked incredibly well. This is how I imagine it going, not the kind of "hate" that is hate in name only and both protagonists are just obviously pining after one another and scared of rejection. The way Medra and Blake were both vocal about their deslike for each other, and their forced bond was strangely refreshing. Also, it probably just makes me weird, but I enjoyed that this book so cleverly introduced that you can hate someone and still be annoyingly attracted to them. Hatred, after all, is a volatile emotion just as much as love is, so I was here for it!

The worldbuilding was done well here, too, I applaud for that. We learned about history and the rules of Sangratha alongside Medra, which worked for me. The setting of the academy also made me nostalgic for Harry Potter because it felt like being in a slightly more viscious, grown up version of Hogwarts. I know it's not always nice to compare books to each other but here, I mean it as a compliment. It's difficult to honestly portray a school setting that feels real and appealing, so I was all the more surprised when I found Bloodwing Academy growing on me just as much as it was on Medra. The lore was certainly intriguing as well; the various houses of vampires but also different species and sectors of career make me eager to learn more about this vast world, and what more mysteries are lurking inside it.

At the same time, I am curious to see Medra grow even more to this new person she had become ever since she appeared in Sangratha. This series has a potential to be the next great hit, and I have to confess I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this. Book 2 cannot coma fast enough!

The story follows Medra, a strong and fierce female protagonist, who becomes embroiled in a world of dragons, vampires, and magic. Set in a magical academy, the plot features enemies-to-lovers dynamics, bullying (including from the male lead), and high-stakes trials. Medra’s relationships with her friends, Florence and Naveen, bring a sweet touch to the story, while the romance with the brooding vampire MMC is filled with tension and chemistry. As the story unfolds, Blake’s character evolves from whiny to the classic arrogant MMC, and the dual POV provides valuable insight into their developing relationship.

Tropes and Themes:
• Vampires
• Magic academy
• Bully romance
• Arranged marriage
• Strong friendship (found family)
• First-person dual POV

I really enjoyed the characters, particularly the female lead and her found family, and the spice level was just right—not too intense, but still engaging. Blake’s character arc was one of the highlights, even though it took a little time for him to transform into the confident MMC I was expecting. This book would definitely appeal to fans of Fourth Wing and those who enjoy magical intrigue!

While the synopsis seemed to be exactly my type, I wasn’t as hooked as I thought I would be. I feel the enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love elements could have been more impactful, and the tropes mentioned weren’t as prominent as I hoped. However, this is just a personal preference, and I think many readers will find it a fun, quick read.

Review has been posted on goodreads and Instagram

4.5 stars⭐️

I adored this book so much and loveddd the whole world building. I finished reading it in 24hrs, just to tell you how good it was.

Let's not forget the cliffhanger. Omg, I kid you not, the cliffhanger had me screaming because I want to know what happens NOWWW!!!! .

Sorry for the little outburst😂😂😂, I'm just that interested to know what happens. Hopefully 🤞🏼,I get choosen to read the arc of book 2 that comes out this December ( so watch out for it 😌).

It would have honestly been a 5 star rating just that I didn't like the fact that Medra sometimes blamed Blake for shit he didn't do. But then again I can't blame her because he i.e Blake didn't really portray himself as a good person to her.

All in all I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read book 2 💃🎊. Kudos to Briar Boleyn because this was my first time reading her book and she ateeeeee. Can't wait to read more of her books ❤️.

A huge Thank you to Netgallery and the author for choosing me to read this wonderful arc.

I liked the enemies to lovers storyline and the cliffhanger ending! I want more of Blake's POV to get the full scope of the story and I feel like the secondary characters are great and I want to know more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Buckle up for an intense sexy vampire x dragon rider clash of wills in this heart-pounding mix between Fourth Wing, Hogwarts, and Twilight.

Read On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn if you like…

🌹 touch her and die
🌹 enemies to lovers
🌹 forced proximity
🌹 slow burn
🌹 spice
🌹 vampires, dragons & fae
🌹 magic


🩷HER🩷
Fierce, fabulous, and absolutely furious. Medra knows her worth, even if the brutish vampire she was forced to bond to doesn’t. You can take her freedom, but you’ll never take the fight out of this mama’s warrior.

💙HIM💙
Condescending, manipulative and an asshole. He may be hot but his attitude is not. Blake doesn’t appreciate the gift he’s been given, and shuns his betrothal to a lowly mortal. Soon he’ll wish he could take it all back.

📖 THEIR STORY 📖
Once a fae princess, now a mortal pawn in a bloody vampire-ruled society, Medra is forced against her will to bond with a prince from one of the four great vampire Houses.

She has lost her powers, lost her freedom, but not her fire. Medra isn’t taking this imprisonment sitting down. She’ll fight for the respect she deserves as she searches for a way to escape her annoyingly handsome vampire betrothed and the deadly Bloodwing Academy where he’s trapped her.

Will Medra break free from the bond that binds her, or will she lose her freedom and her heart forever?

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of On Wings of Blood.

If you like touch her and die tension with a side of bloodsuckers and dragons, sink your teeth into this book!

On Wings of Blood is a spinoff from Briar Boleyn's other series, The Blood of Fae, however, it is not required to read that series before reading this book. This books is perfect for fans of:
- Arranged Marriage
- He Falls First
- Dark Academia
- Enemies-to-Lovers
- Fish out of Water
- Found Family
- Touch Her and Die
- Dragons
- LGBTQ+ Representation
It turns out Medra is alive. She awakens to find herself in a new world that is ruled by vampires. Being half Fae, half human, Medra is recognized as what this world calls a Dragon Rider, making her a valuable player in the royal politics. She wakes up when found by a vampire prince. He takes her back to his uncle, the ruler of the realm, who designates her as his betrothed and orders her to attend Bloodwing Academy. Without being familiar with this world's customs or rules, Medra finds her self in many predicaments but soon finds she has many talents that helps her excel within the school.

While I found Medra annoying in Blood of Fae, she grew on me in this serries. I found myself rooting for her to succeed and find a place where she finally feels like she belongs. I also grew fond of the MMC, Blake. Both these characters are seen one way by society, but they are true gems when people get to know them. I loved the tension between Medra and Blake. I'm excited to see where it goes from here.

Overall, this book made me laugh, cry, squeal from spicy bits being quite spicy... If Briar Boleyn writes it, I'm going to read it.

This book was absolutely brilliant!! It had everything you’d want from a fantasy read, vampires, dragons, great plot and a stunning cover! I can’t wait for the next book!

I have literally devoured this book. Luckily it is a holiday today so I could stay up all night reading, yes I did literally fall asleep over my kindle last night. I don't know how I arrived so late to The Blood wing Academy Party, but I am so glad that I have found it now.

What can I say about this book that will get you to try it, beyond this is an author who is publishing Book Two soon and is always known for finishing her series, let's try these statements:

If you like world building that will transport you, but not overwhelm you with minutia detail, this book will enchant you.
If you always wanted Morgana Pendragon to get more page/screen time then her half brother Arthur, this will intrigue you.
If you always shipped Hermione and Draco, this will leave you squealing with delight
If you like a He Falls First and He Falls Hard trope, this will make you stay up too late reading because you just have to read more.
As if that is not enough. This is all capped off with a perfect slow burn romance, filled with dragons, vampires, arranged marriages, and a cliffhanger ending that left me trying to flip to the next page because I didn't want to leave the book.

Did that work? I know I will be back for book two and any others set in Boleyn as Dark Academia World!

Yay for a continuation of the Blood of Fae series! Medra Pendragon (last of the dragon riders - allegedly) is kidnapped and high jinks and drama ensue.

Loved it and gave it a 4.5 stars, a full review and further infos can be found on my insta🥰✨️


Okay so i looooovveddd this book and the only reason i didn't give it 5/5 stars is that there is a bit of a miscommunication trope going on throughout the book and that's just not my cup of tea but apart from that this book CONSUMED me. I finished it within 6 days and couldn't put it down. I accidentally read it for 4h straight without stopping at one point🙈. So i will totally recommend this book.

It gave me the same vibes as if someone put Harry Potter, Divergent, Fourth Wing and Vampires in a mixer, which just resulted in a beautiful mix of novelty and nostalgia I read it on Netgalley so I am definitely going to have to buy a physical copy for my bookshelf.🥰

-----------

For anyone planning to read this beautiful book:

There is a series @briarboleynauthor wrote that happens before this book, which is called Blood of Fae. I haven't read this series yet ( i definitely will tho ) and in my humble opinion this book can be read without having read the Blood of Fae series first. ( This might change when more books get added to the Bloodwing Academy series )

The book On Wings of Blood is part of a series named: "Bloodwing Academy" to which there will be a new addition at the end of this month named: "The Bond that Burns", which will release December 31. Happy reading 😁

Read if you like:
Harry Potter / fourth wing / anything vampires

This was an absolute pleasant surprise! I will say the first 10% started off slow burn and I had my doubts but then things completely turned around for me and I absolutely fell in love with this series!

So much action, angst, sexual tension, fun fantasy and magical related scenes.

The plot follows Medra who finds herself in a world unknown to her, is discovered by a Highblood vampire and paired to be a consort to a vampire whilst being sent to a supernatural academy not for the faint of heart.

I loved how we got clips and details from actual classes, it irks me when the book is set in a school but we get no insight to their schooling. This book had plenty along with training, rituals, competitions and trials.

I loved the enemies to lovers build up tension, everytime you think you can get behind Blake he goes and does something more dumb than the last time 😂😂

I am very excited for book two to get to learn more about the dragons!

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Love triangle
Bully romance
Nerdy best friend
Stubborn mouthy FMC
Human / vampire
Dark academia
Supernatural school
Dragon riders

Thank you to saltwater press and Briar Boleyn for the EARC!

Absolutely fantastic read, I love Briar Boleyn books and writing and this just nlew me away, just when I think I can’t love her books more she surprises me again and again, can’t wait for the next. Highly recommended for an engaging and thoroughly entertaining read

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc! I really liked the world building.i also liked the dark academia vibe. I just wish there were more dragons and the slow burn wasn’t so slow. I look forward to the second book.

Vampires, dragons, academy setting, trials/games, did I mention Dragons and Vampires?!! This book has everything that makes me love a book!!

The world building was interesting and had a hint of Arthurian legends mixed in throughout. It was a slow burn of a book, we learned things as our main character Medra learned them. I was never overwhelmed while learning what this world was capable of.

You might recognize Medra Pendragon from Briar Boleyns other series- (you don’t have to have read the other series before this one) - this new book focuses on her navigating life surrounded by vampires, while being told she now has to obey them and all because she’s human or Blightborn as they’re called. I’m very excited to go bs and read the other series now that I’ve read On Wings of Blood.

The side characters were so fun, the found family aspects really made me love the book so much! Florence was my favorite along with Visha and Vaughn, I can’t wait to see what is in store for them!

Let’s talk about Blake! Our vampire MMC. Every time he said the words You’re Mine. I swooned!

You should definitely pick this book up if you like:
Dark Academia
Enemies to lovers
Bully romance
Forbidden love
Vampires
Slowburn dragons
Forced engagement
Power imbalance
Underpowered heroine
Training scenes
Magical creatures
Morally gray characters
Found family / unlikely allies
House of the Dragons meets Hogwarts
Dramione vibes
Villain gets the girl
Mentor-student bonding
Slowburn to steamy romantasy
Gothic/medieval vibes
Political intrigue
Dangerous secrets

I am OBSESSED with this book!! I highly recommend it for anyone who loves high stake fantasy romance with insane tension and incredible plot! This book had me in a chokehold. It’s one of my top reads of the year!! On Wings of Blood is a dark vampire and dragon romantasy and the first installment in the Bloodwing Academy series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

The Blonde MMC we didn’t know we needed lmfao.
This was such a fun read, esp while I’m in the midst of listening to ZA audiobooks 🎧 I love the similarities w/ the 4 houses that rule, the whole dark academia aspect of it all, & another bully romance but make it literally the slowest burn ever 🔥 It also had beautifully written world building, albeit some of the pacing was a tad slow, but all so worth the build up. The dual POV w/ Medra & Blake also made this so fun to read, you wouldn’t even know that it was 760pgs long… But that balcony scene 🤌🏽 I def need Book 2 after this ‘cause the ending… The betrayal, The deception!! Also, a special s/o to Neville 🤍
Even the side characters were really great additions, no matter how much I hate Regan’s ass… You can’t lie it’s good writing when you hate a character lol!!

Utterly addictive!

A great twist on Romantasy where fae are considered lesser beings and vampires rule supreme.

I felt this book was the epitome of an enemies to lovers and have to say, I’m still not really sure that they will ever really get to the ‘lovers’ part!

The descriptive world building that was contained within was top class, really felt like some kind of Hogwarts type vibe going on - but with an amazing dark fantasy twist.

It was a joy to read how the female main character developed through the book, especially considering she was perceived as the underling. The male main character was an absolutely excellent, entitled, arrogant aristocrat. But there is just something about him that draws you in and you can see glimpses that there is definitely more than meets the eye.

An amazing 1st book in the Bloodwing Academy series, really can’t wait for the next one!