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.

This book had me hooked from the first page. We start with our FMC waking up thrust into a new world. There are all kinds of magical creatures that I love to see: Fae, vampires, dragons, dwarves, and my new favorite- fluffins! The world building was immersive without being too confusing, and I loved the side characters like sweet, smart Florence. Other ones like Theo grew on me, too. There is a really satisfying part where a mean girl (I won’t spoil who) gets what she deserves. The MMC has a lot of depth and complex layers, and I really did end up liking him a lot. Medra is one of the best female protagonists I’ve encountered. She isn’t naive, and is extremely smart and knows to question everything around her. She’s really brave and I hope in the next book that she comes into her true strength more, and resolve things with Blake. I can’t wait to read book 2! Thank you Victory Editing and Briar Boleyn for the opportunity to read this book!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for the arc copy of this book!
Spoiler Free Review
So what do we have inside this book…..
• Enemies To Lovers
• Dragons
• Vampires
• Dark Academia
• Bully Romance
• Arranged Marriage
• Trials
• Slow Burn
• Spice 1/5
• Founds Family
If you like fourth wing and hunger games with a side of academia you will love this book! I love how feisty the characters are, yes we have a bully romance, well bullies in general which is not my fave but I know it is for many LOL. There is some great found family and from unlikely sources which is an aspect I love in books. The romance is slow burn, would I have liked some more steam/spice…..yes lol! However, this book is perfect for those who like a less spicy time but still has the tension.
I would have liked a little more…..something…..its like we are told some things but not others and some things don’t entirely make sense but that could be deliberate on the authors part. There is a LOT of worldbuilding which again I think for many will be amazing as in romantasy it can sometimes go by the wayside. It does make the book a little slower in the middle but you can immerse yourself in the world. My hope is in the second book there is lots of character development which is one of my favourite aspects in a book.
The ending, what a cliffhanger!!!!! I really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend it.

A fusion of dark academia and paranormal romance, Briar Boleyn's "On Wings of Blood" transports readers to a world ruled by vampires where dragons used to be ridden to war.

Thrust into a world far from Camelot, headstrong Medra Pendragon is discovered and forcefully betrothed to handsome jerk Blake Drakharrow, a highblood (vampire). His arrogance masks a complex inner conflict about his family and his personal beliefs, which are tested by the betrothal. But before they marry, Medra and Blake must attend Bloodwing Academy. The academy is a cutthroat institution that feeds the world’s war machine by producing young adults with different specialities like strategy or healing. The world is currently at peace, but who knows how long that will last?

Based on the concept and blurbs, you might think this could be a dark YA novel. This is decidedly New Adult, not Young Adult. I would rate it a 2.5/5 for spice.

What I Loved:
• Refreshing vampire world-building. Vampires are aggressively in charge, leading to interesting plots and power dynamics.
• Exploration of class/power dynamics through the natural interaction of a total stranger with an unjust, predatory system.
• LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC characters, and ethical non-monogamy mentions.
• A strong internal understanding of enemies-to-lovers from the characters.
• What an exciting ending, I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

What I Didn’t Love
• The varied pacing. The first chapters were fast but they slowed down significantly.
• Medra vs. Blake is mostly her blaming him for how the entire society works, not a personality mismatch they can overcome by getting to know each other.
• Medra’s Camelot origin. It doesn’t come into play in the overall plot (yet). I wish I knew more about her backstory.

The novel isn’t just dark academic romance, though. It excels in its exploration of marginalization and survival throughout the book. Medra's position as a "blightborn" (human) in a vampire-dominated academy is a strong metaphor for systemic oppression. The slow-burn romance between her and Blake explores the dynamics of power, consent, and mutual growth.

This book is an electrifying start to what promises to be an expansive and intricate series, "On Wings of Blood" invites readers into a world where survival is an art, and love is both a weapon and a sanctuary.

Thank you to Starwater Press and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy!

Let me start by saying that I am not a Fantasy girly. ACOTAR is not even a top 10 series for me and I've never read 4th Wing. That being said, I cannot express how much I loved this book. I was also in a massive reading slump and needed a reset. I was drawn into the story by the promise of dragons. Now it did take a minute for dragons to make themselves relevant, I was well hooked by the time they did. This story has a deliciously written enemies to lovers set of MCs and a hearty set of side characters that I truly enjoyed their stories and can't wait to know more. I was certain that the story was going to go one way, but refreshingly I was wrong and am looking forward to seeing how this series continues. So if you enjoy enemies to lovers, dragons, female heroines of massive revolutions, quirky sidekicks/besties, a sprinkling of LGBTQ and a dark academia vibe, this might just be the story for you.

Wow wow wow! I loved every chapter, every page, every word of this book. Medra is an exciting protagonist who I have already grown very fond of in the Blood of a Fae series. Her history, her nature, her unusually fast growth just makes you curious. She definitely showed her strength in this first book of the series. I like her character very much. She is strong, independent, and stands up for herself and others. The dynamic between her and the love interest is very exciting and entertaining.
I never found the plot boring. The new world is introduced very well. There is a lot to discover and even more hidden. It's not predictable at all! I'm really looking forward to the sequel and I secretly hope that Morgan and Draven will appear at some point. I highly recommend reading this book and preferably the Blood of a Fae series as well.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this book for an honest review!

★★★★ with the potential for the next books to be higher-rated

for the fans of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, Harry Potter, and ✨Dramione✨

I fell asleep and dreamed of snow and dragons.

this story has a relatively good worldbuilding with the potential to improve as the series goes on ✧can’t wait✧.

overall, I quite enjoyed reading this book, it was highly addicting considering that I read it in almost one sitting, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick ♥romantasy♥ read with a lower level of smut than typical for the subgenre.
You have the blood of the kings and queens in your veins, girl,the woman's voice challenged. You may not be what those creatures are, but you're more.

also, love the aspect of dragon riders and, the discussion of the notion that history is written by the victors, alongside the nicely done subplot focused on friendship especially since it is, for now, better than the romantic story.

First thank you to NetGalley & the author/publisher for giving me this ARC. I liked it but I did feel like a lot of the writing was repetitive and it was really drawn out. I’m actually really upset that I could rate it higher because the description is so good and it started off well. It’s just a lot of the dialogue was repeating. For example, it would say something about the history, then she would go to class to learn about the same thing, then have a conversation about the same exact thing (see how annoying that is?). There was no added details to it. It was also way too many things going on with too many plots to follow, seemed like trope fillers if I am being honest. About 40% I was bored but still interested and went back and forth. The ending picked up not enough for me to continue reading it.

What I did like about it was the academic setting, the lowkey Harry Potter vibes if there were Vampires, and Blake being about business. I mean, it was definitely giving “touch her or “ really talk to her lol but that was really it. Even the FMC was annoying and bitchy sometimes.

I really enjoyed this book. This is the first time I have read anything by Briar Boleyn, and I was not disappointed. This one had my favorite trope with enemies to lovers and the morally grey that you shouldn't fall in love with...but you do. I think the characters were well written, and the story was plotted so well. I can't wait to read more from this author. I definitely recommend this to the fantasy/romantasy lovers out there.

Thank you Net Galley and Briar Boleyn

Really great story, compelling characters and an interesting world! Can't wait to read more!

If you're looking for a House of Dragon meets Harry Potter then this is the book for you!

Themes include:
- Dark Academia
- Trials
- Bully Romance
- Vampires
- Morally Grey Characters
- Found Family

The plot was great. I enjoyed the trials- they all seemed very interesting and unique. The twists throughout kept me on my toes and kept me wanting more!!

Medra is strong and feisty in such a good way, but also has a soft, nurturing side to her that only those closest to her get to see.
Blake was another story. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about him yet- something gives me the "ick". Don't get me wrong, I love a forced proximity "you're mine" type thing...but he just wasn't doing it for me. Especially by the end of the book. Maybe it will get better with Book 2 and he will redeem himself a bit....

Overall, a great read and am looking forward to reading Book 2!

Review has been posted to Goodreads & Fable. Will be posted to Instagram (@readingrianna) in the following days.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & the author for providing me with an e-ARC in return for my honest review: What a ride! This book was high-paced chaos (in the best way), and I couldn’t put it down. So much was happening that it felt like I was constantly catching my breath, but I was totally here for it.

Let’s talk characters: Medra is such a vivid FMC, and I adored her. She’s fierce, relatable, and just the right amount of messy. The sisterhood between Medra and Florence? Absolutely heartwarming—those two are the dream team I didn’t know I needed. Meanwhile, the rivalry between Kage and Blake? HOT! Give me more of those boys snarking at each other, please 🙏🏻

The setting threw me for a loop at first—dropping into an academic vibe took a hot minute to adjust to—but once I got into it, I loved it! It gave me Vampire Academy energy, complete with an evil mean girl, Regan, who was perfectly hateable.

But can we talk about Medra’s mom? Every time her voice popped up in Medra’s head, I couldn’t stop hearing the Dead Mom song from Beetlejuice: The Musical. (Seriously, “Hey mom, dead mom. I need a little help here…” on loop.) It was an odd subplot that I wasn’t super sold on, but it didn’t detract too much from the overall story.

Speaking of subplots: the Consort Games. I was hooked, but I wish we’d spent more time there—it was so interesting, and I wanted to savor the drama. Oh, and Teacher Rodriguez? Listen, maybe it’s just me, but by the way he was described, I was 100% expecting Medra to ditch the blonde vampire twink and start something with him instead. There’s definitely more to him than meets the eye, and I’m invested!

Overall, this book was a total whirlwind. I can’t wait for the sequel; I need more tension between houses, more dragons, and more Medra being her sassy self. Team Teacher Rodriguez? Team Blake? Let’s go!