The writing ❤️‍🔥 is incredible! I love how the picture is painted for the world around them. Their personalities showed immediately and I was hooked from the first page. There are so many great dynamics going on with the world, and the bloodlines, and the characters. This is a spicy Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing, with vampires Romantasy. Blake gives all the powerful leader MMC feels that we love from Xaden 🔥 I came to love the characters more and more as the boom went on. The tension between the FMC and the MMC is fantastic. And that ending!!! Moving immediately onto book two!

❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Academy Setting
❤️‍🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 Vampires
❤️‍🔥 Magic Powers
❤️‍🔥 Secret Identities
❤️‍🔥 House Intrigue
❤️‍🔥 Found Family

🌶️🌶️🌶️ (open door, very descriptive)
*Check trigger warnings*

I throughly enjoyed this book, I loved the setting though I’d like to know a bit more about Medras background. The pacing was great. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Arc of this book for an honest review.

I came out of reading what's probably known as the most well known Dramione fan fiction read in search of more Malfoy ruthless character vibes, slow burn tension, enemies to lovers- and this didn't disappoint.

The story start reminded me a little of The Serpent and the Wings of Night, and then crossed into the Academy setting - a kind of cross between Basgiath and Hogwarts with almost a little Mean Girls thrown in for fun. As a fan of Zodiac Academy I knew I was going to enjoy this with its dark academia setting and political battles but just how much.. There was some spice but I think possibly there will be more to come in subsequent installments.

I REALLY enjoyed it! I found the characters really fun to read about, and was itching for them to turn from enemies to lovers from as soon as we got to know them. Medra is a solid FMC with a huge heart and feisty attitude. Blake is resentful of having her thrust upon him as his betrothed after having met her five minutes earlier... but isn't entirely horrible. You can tell he has a heart.

I did sometimes feel like there may have been a bit too much - academia, Camelot, dragons, vampires, mortals (blightborn) - but oh wow I still loved it ALL. The pacing did not let up and I was excited to pick this up as soon as I had to put it down (you know for unfortunate responsibilities like feeding my children and sleeping)

So I'm excited to read the next two as soon as I can!

3.5 / 5 Stars

A collection of beloved tropes bound together to create an fast-paced, easy to read story.

*Received an ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review*


Important to note that this does continue a character on from Boleyn's prior series Blood of Fae but can be read separate from (if you don't mind spoilers about the end of the series).

Whilst the novel was compelling and the characters were incredibly interesting to read, even the villains, I did find that there were a few too many plot threads going on without proper exploration, which gave the feeling of a messiness that could have been cleared up with another draft. Especially the presence of the protagonists dead mother's soul which semi-inhabits her body and gives advice in scenes that otherwise would struggle to progress, which seemed to come out of left field.

A fun read, but unsure if it is compelling enough to pick up the next in the series and will likely forget the contents before I have the chance to. A good fit for anyone who is more interested in the included tropes rather than a grand, sweeping plot. Did manage to read all 523 pages in one day though so that is something.

This book was so interesting. The worldbuilding was so easy to follow, which I prefer sometimes. I loved the female main character and how she was portrayed rather than in other fantasy books where they cannot stand up for themselves and it's down to the male main character

I loved this book it was such a captivating read that had me from the very first pages. If Dramione was your fan fic OTP, then you will LOVE this book.
🤍Fake Dating
💛Forced Marriage
❤️Villain Gets The Girl
🔮Dark Academia
⚔️Deadly Trials
💛Found Family
🐉Dragons, Vampires & Fae
What’s not to love? Highly recommend this book to all fans of Romantasy.

When I read that this was House of the Dragons meets Hogwarts, I was in! Throw in some of my favorite tropes, and there was no way I could resist. Though I found some parts slow, I did enjoy this book. The ending saved it.

The way the author describes it is perfection. The dragons, the different houses and the trials throughout the book. In the beginning I was confused and a bit overwhelmed but after the first few chapters I was hooked. One I finished the book it made me realize there were clues and theories I had over looked and I went back and forth through the pages. I think it’s worth the read.

On Wings of Blood is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in a vampire-dominated boarding school, with a strong blend of dragons, fae, and morally grey characters. Medra Pendragon, a half-fae, must navigate the dangerous world of Bloodwing Academy, where she's thrust into the arms of Blake, a ruthless vampire, and forced into a complex betrothal with him. The world-building is rich, and Medra’s feisty, questioning nature adds depth to her character, but the pacing can be sluggish at times, especially with the focus on classroom scenes and limited character development. Despite some predictability and confusion in the third act, the academy setting and twists kept me engaged, making it an enjoyable read for fans of dark, character-driven fantasy.

What to expect
- enemies to lovers
- Slowww burn
- Vampires
- Boarding school
- Morally grey mmc
- Dragon riders
- Fae
-
The protagonist, Medra Pendragon, is portrayed as a half-fae navigating a vampire-dominated academy, a setting that holds promise but, in my view, doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. Despite the book’s rich world-building and the slow-burn romance between Medra and Blake, I struggled to maintain interest due to the fact that I found the narrative pacing to be sluggish, with limited character development and an overemphasis on classroom scenes. While many readers have enjoyed the intricate world and character dynamics, my personal experience was less engaging, leading to a two-star rating.

Thanks again to netgalley and the publisher for an e copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Boiling over with peril, intrigue, and forbidden romance, this Bloodwing Academy series opener launches readers into an incredibly knotty universe. Seamlessly blending dark and gothic in one atmosphere, along with complex character dynamics, this story will surely be hard to put down.

It is the story of Medra Pendragon, a fae-blooded heroine who, after her heroic demise in her own world, was hurled into the vampiric world of Sangratha. Having come of age on the battlefield of corpses, she was caught by the icy and domineering Prince Blake Drakharrow, a vampire noble whose motives remain mired in mystery.

The friction between the fiery defiance from Medra and the rigid authority of Blake erupts as they find their way with each other in a world full of court intrigue, ancient prophecies, and the importance of being one of the very rare "Dragon Riders." As secrets unfold, Medra gets caught up in the political games of the vampire nobility while placed to be both pawn and savior.

It culminates in revelations about Medra's bloodline and a binding ritual that ties her fate with Blake's, thus leaving its audience begging for more of the series.

Medra Pendragon:
Medra is a heroine whose personality was honed by her resolute and shrewd nature. Out of depth in alien waters, as it were, she remains defiantly surefooted, carving her own niche. Quick-witted and fiercely independent, she stands apart from everyone but somehow permits the reader to find vulnerability and inner struggle reached within her.

Blake Drakharrow:
Blake proves to be a very powerful anti-hero. His pride and stoical nature mask a multi-layered person facing duty, family pressures, and growing feelings for Medra. The chemistry between them is so thick with tension, wit, and passion that grows little by little.

Supporting Characters:

Lord Drakharrow: The vampire family patriarch is a very chilly figure of authority whose manipulations drive much of the conflict in the story.
Regan Pansera: Blake's first fiancé, rival, fully expressing envy and aristocratic disdain against Medra, adding depth to the story of interpersonal drama.
Lucius: Timid, cunning court secretary; loyal, intelligent, a great ally to remember for Blake.

The relationship between Medra and Blake is a master class in tension: power imbalances, mutual mistrust, and reluctant respect make for a dynamic that veers wildly between animosity and begrudging reliance. And then, of course, there's the romance that blossoms upon conflict and times of vulnerability, adding that extra layer of emotional depth.

Above all, the fight to hold on to her identity in a world that is trying to manipulate her at every turn is actually the core of Medra's story. Self-discovery and resilience mark her journey.
It's in this power play, within the vampiric society of Sangratha, that truly thrives, and it's in the defiance of Medra against such rigid hierarchies. The prophecy has an effect because the issue of fate and free will, an issue she needs to confront, is an issue too: being a Dragon Rider. This furthers so much more than just a simple change within each character.

Briar Boleyn's writing is wonderfully descriptive; it hurls the reader into this dark, atmospheric world of Sangratha. The dialogue cuts deep and is immersive, hooking onto tension and wit between characters. The pacing is great, balancing high-stakes action against introspective moments, and the world-building is intensive, giving vivid descriptions of a vampiric court and its politics.

On Wings of Blood is a very exciting plunge into a fantastically dark and imaginative series, promising a real treat in the following installments, where the slow burn of romance will have come full circle among the characters.

Well-developed, multidimensional protagonists with compelling character arcs. Immersive gothic world-building. Resilience, identity, and power-all very well-placed.

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Writing Style: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★★★★
World-Building: ★★★★★

Trigger warnings abound for abduction, assault, bullying, graphic violence, dubious consent, power imbalance, and many, many more. ​

Recommended for fans of dark fantasy featuring tough heroines and multidimensional anti-heroes combined with action, romance, and court intrigue.

On Wings of Blood is one beguiling mixture of hazard and mystery mixed with romance, in which any reader very eagerly wants to get answers about what turn things may further take place in the life of Medra.

Now THIS is what I call a compelling, attention gripping, dazzling romantasy!

Medra gets thrust into a foreign world directly into the arms of Blake, who is a ruthless vampire with a hard exterior. Into a world where the highblood rule, and blightborn like her, only really exist to serve them. She has to find her place at Bloodwing Academy fighting to survive the bullying of her fellow classmates and her conflicting feelings towards Blake, who now also happens to be her betrothed.

This story had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the Academy setting, which had an almost hauntingly beautiful vibe to it. There was a twist at every turn and I adored Medra as an FMC. She was feisty and stubborn and questioned the unfair ways of this kingdom that was built on blood, greed and hatred. I grew to love (or hate, looking at you Regan) the side characters as much as our main protagonist. They made the world feel so much more alive and fleshed out.

Things got a bit predictable and confusing in the third act, and I figured out a lot of the major twists, which is really my only critique, because otherwise it was literal perfection and I will happily continue this series!

This book hooked me from the beginning. I was never bored and loved the pacing. The slow burn and banter was even better. Loved this read!

Absolutely loved the storyline and the characters! I couldn’t put this book down once I started, I was hooked!!

I went back and forth between a 4 and 5 on this book, only because I typically am not a fan of bully romance in the "enemies" to lovers trope. But I think the author ultimately did a good job with it by presenting Blake's POV earlier in the book than you sometimes get.

There are still a lot of secrets being held, and I was still yelling at Blake right to the end to stop being a dummy and TALK to Medra (men 🙄), but ultimately I was hooked right to the last page...and it was a doozy!

Set against a familiar backdrop of academia there was enough unique elements to keep this story from feeling repetitive. Can't wait to see how Blake and Medra are going to handle coming events.

I don’t typically read bully romances, but this book was recommended to me by a few people so I wanted to check it out. It’s a dark academia fantasy with romance, vampires, and dragon lore. There is a little spice and a lot of world building. This is a pretty slow burn situation but I prefer that. I’m not quite sold on Medra and Blake’s pairing yet, so I’m interested to see how things develop over time.

Medra comes off as a badass FMC at the start of the book, but I felt that she settled into her predicament a little too quickly. I expected her to focus more on plotting an escape instead of worrying about school. The story plateaued for a while in the middle, I don’t think it needed to be over 500 pages long.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book, and I really can't wait for book two. I kept seeing this authors tiktoks so I was excited to read this one.
Only major critique I have for this is that I feel the worldbuilding could use a little work, for example I couldn't understand why the headmaster had any involvement with the consorts? Perhaps I missed something, but that was a bit confusing.
Blake is a great character, love him for a book boyfriend - but he really did lose me at the end there. I feel like all of his character development went out the window which was disappointing.
The writing was good quality, and kept me intrigued the entire book.

This book was so good!! I have been searching for a fantasy read I could just eat up and this was it!!

OMG OMG OMG OMG... WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK!?!?!?!?!

THIS BOOK WAS SOOOOO GOOOOOOODDDD!!

Ummmmm it's basically dramione with vampires.... I didn't know that I needed this, but I definitely do and it was just as amazing if not more than I thought it was going to be...

I'm rambling I know, but it was so good...

The book world is fascinating and the steam was OH SO GOOD!

Loved it. Can't wait for the next book!!!

Also... ENDING WAS AHHHHHHH!

This book sucked me in almost immediately and I had to have stern words with myself to actually put it down to sleep.

Medra had me instantly intrigued and started the story having previously held a lot of power but waking up seemingly mortal in an unknown world.

Things picked up even more for me when the boo became dual POV and we get a glimpse into Blakes inner world...what do you mean he's a secret softie and lusting after (and in denial about this) Medra who still very much hates him!

If you are a fan of fanfic Draco Malfoy I think you will love Blake

Things I loved:
- Dramione vibes
- Games/trials
- TENSION
- Animal sidekick (I need a Neville!)
- sprinkling of spice
- MINE/Touch her and die

I cant wait to see where this series goes after that ending! Best believe I am running to request the next book as well.