On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a mix of dark academia, fantasy, and romance. The story follows Medra Pendragon, a half-fae dragon rider thrust into a world dominated by vampires. Forced to attend Bloodwing Academy, while navigating deadly politics, uncover secrets, and face her growing connection to Blake Drakharrow, a vampire prince.

The pacing starts out slow as the story but once it picks up, the twists and cliffhangers will have you hooked. There are a few plot holes but I’m hoping they are filled with any future books.

Overall, On Wings of Blood is perfect for fans of fantasy romance who love dragons, vampires, and a touch of dark intrigue.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me review this! I enjoyed this book so much that I couldn't put it down. I immediately went into book 2 and will now be sad until book three....

This series is fantastic!

I just fell into fantasy a few months ago and have been seeing this cover over and over. I was very happy to have the opportunity to read this thanks to NetGalley ! I was completely taken by surprise with how much I enjoyed the read. The mix of Harry Potter and fourth wing was great for me. It kept my interested and I cannot wait to read the next one.

Briar Boleyn combined magical world building and coming of age angst into a vampire boarding school based world. The FMC is from another world and is thrown into a universe where vampires rule over humans and other mortal beings referred to as ‘blightborn’, she is found by the MMC who is a vampire prince and is forced into a relationship with him. As she is suspected to be a dragon rider, which were previously considered to have been extinct along with the dragons.

It took me a little bit of time to get into this book, but from 100 pages in I was engrossed in the world.

ᗷᴏᴏꮶ ᖇɛ᥎ıɛᤐ

Rating: 4/5🌹

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: "Weak doesn't mean useless. Weak doesn't mean expendable."

ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖 ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖:

𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖:
🌹Romantasy
🌹Strong MFC
🌹Arranged Marriages
🌹Bullying
🌹Touch her & die
🌹Enemies to Lovers
🌹Dragon/Fae/Vampires
🌹Power Struggles

Τακεαωαγ:
It's not all that glitters is gold. Not everyone we see smiling or even shinning successful - doesn't have their own secrets and or their struggles. We all got something to lose.

💕🌹𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮🌹💕.
Serlina Rose - Authoress
IG @SerlinaRoseBooks

Medra Pentragon was willing to die to save Camelot. Instead she appears in a strange world and is found there from even stranger men. As it turns out she ended up in a land where vampires rule and mortals tend to their wishes.
Her half-fae blood with her pointed ears, how she looks like and her red hair is causing a scene as she represents a former group of persons which do not exist any longer – the dragon riders! Long ago dragons existed in the world and special persons were their rider. Now everybody is seeing in Medra a new dragon rider. To make sure to keep the power in the own family the vampire who is currently ruling arranges that Medra is betrothed to his youngest nephew Blake Drakharrow. None of them has a word to say in this.
So Medra is not only ending up to be betrothed, no she also must attend as it is usual the Bloodwing Academy to learn like the rest of this high vampires and especially like the dragon riders once were trained. This sound much easier as it is as Blake is not happy to be forced to have a human as consort and also his other consort hates that a human is now part of their arrangement.

This is a spin off story of the Blood of Fae story. I think you don´t need to know the story to start with this new one.
Again the author is creating here a really great fantasy setting with also lots of vibes and erotic scenes in it.
Also negative things like bullying, fighting, hurting mortals, using mortals and killing are part of the story. They bullying of some vampires is really heavy and we have the perfect B* in the story with Blake´s other consort Regan with all her nasty ways.
I really like to read how Medra is finding her way in this strange new world for her, is fighting for the right thinks and is not willing to be bullied by the high vampires at the academy. Bit by bit we learn more about the world and why humans are so willing to serve the vampires, how in the past dragons were playing a huge role and how the big four vampire families were fighting to rule and how we ended up with the current set up.

I really like to read Medra´s story here. The way she arrives in the world, how she needs to find her way around, how she handles all is for me really well written. Also that she is willing to fight against injustice and wants to save the friends she is making are her great traits.
Blake is not what is seems when you first look at him. You think he is a bully, unfriendly and thinks only about himself till you see behind the mask he is wearing. I really like his character set up and what he is all trying and doing to save people he likes and loves and what it costs him sometimes.
The chemistry between Medra and Blake is really great and how both are fighting against their feelings and yes the conflicts they have are most of the time caused due to misunderstandings and that they do not know each other and talk to each other.

For me a really start into a new series with lots of action, but also great friendship and feelings which are changing and a real surprise at the end of this book for me.

Like the Crave series meets Fourth Wing meets all the tropes you want - enemy to lovers (well sort of with a lot of swoon worthy tension) with a brutish MMC and a tenacious and strong willed FMC, slow burn romantasy, odds against them, and vampires and dragons and fae, oh and an adorable animal sidekick. Everything you could want. It was so good. I couldn’t put it down. With a high page count, I thought it was would take me while to read it. Finished in less than a week because I couldn’t stop reading.

Love and appreciate the way in which the history of the bloodborn was explained and how simple the world building was to understand. So frequently, fantasy worlds become too difficult to understand or hard to picture. This was done slowly and simply over the course the book rather than all at once or with too many unneeded descriptors.

Briar does a fantastic job giving descriptions and background while not using superfluous, unneeded language. Not once was I bored or felt like there was a lull. It hooked me from page one until the last page. I can’t wait to read book 2.

This book was soooo Good! It had me enthralled fully within the first chapter! The world building and story line are so beautifully put together. I didn’t want to put it down! It combines some of my favorite genres like vampires, dragons, Harry Potter like house factions, and a love hate relationship I couldn’t help rooting for! I can’t wait to dive into the next book!

This series has so much potential, and I cannot wait for the next book! If you like Fourth Wing, Vampires, and epic adventures, you’ll love On Wings of Blood. The main female character is absolutely amazing, and she was extremely relatable. I really enjoyed witnessing so much character development throughout the plot as it unfolds, and I love the tension and suspense! This is a very strong start to a romantasy series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

After reading the authors Blood of a Fae series I was excited to see what she had in store for Medra especially after the way that series ended. I will say it was nice to go in with a little bit of our FMC Medra’s back story of how she was a half far half human princess from a place called Camelot, however it is not necessary to read it before moving into this new series.
In Book 1 of the Bloodwing Academy series we get to see how Medra was thrusted into a new world full of vampires & blightborns and where she was believed to be the very last dragon rider in existence. She is captured forced into a betrothal with a broody arrogant high blood vampire as well as attend the prestigious Bloodwing Academy.
We get to meet our MMC Blake a vampire who is an entitled prince who loathes being forced into this unwanted betrothal to Medra. She is considered blightborn and inferior in every way to him and the rest of the vampires in this world but he is now forced to be tied to her regardless of their mutual disdain for one another because she is the only dragon rider in a world that dragons no longer exist. To top it off Blake is already betrothed to Regan.
We get to watch their relationship throughout the school year toe the line in this hate and lust. Not only do we get the whole romantacy vibes but we get the dark academia with the whole enemies to lovers in this slow burn and I can’t wait to see what is in store for book 2 in this series.

Starts with Medra waking up naked in a pile of dead bodies being found by Blake Drakeharrow. She doesn’t know how she ended up in his world, but his A$$whole of an uncle decided to basically bond them together after they realized she has rider blood in her. She is a dragon rider with no dragons. She has to fight to stay alive whether it be in school or the consort trials. This is book one, start slow with the world building and learn about the school but it got so much better. Already have book two!

Banter! Banter! BANTER!!!🔥🔥

@briarboleynauthor has crafted an addicting series that you’ll want to devour from cover to cover!

We’re introduced to our fierce FMC, Medra, a lost Fae Princess who’s found herself in a world ruled by vampires. With fiery red hair that makes her stand out among the blonde vampires and the coveted Dragon Rider mark, Medra is caught between being desirable and feared. She must use every ounce of her strength to survive.

Her survival, however, becomes intertwined with Prince Blake, our broody MMC. Bound and betrothed, Blake is the first to fall for Medra, growling “mine” and taking lives for her without hesitation. While he swears to protect her, Medra refuses to simply accept her fate—or Blake—without a fight.

It’s refreshing and infuriating to watch Medra hold her ground, refusing to fall head over heels for Blake just because they’re bonded. I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance—especially with an extra slow burn that keeps you on edge.

The addition of dragons and incredible supporting characters adds layers to the story, creating a captivating, page-turning plot that will keep you up way too late.

The tropes:
• Dark academia
• Bully MMC w/ Draco vibes
• Forced betrothal to a vampire
• Dual POV
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (definitely more spice in the second book)
• Slow burn
• The banter is bantering
• Villain gets the girl
• He falls first
• “Mine”
• Touch her and 💀
• Half-Fae Dragon Rider FMC
• Dragons
• Fourth Wing meets Zodiac Academy

"On Wings of Blood" by Briar Boleyn is a thrilling start to The Dragon Queen series, packed with magic, romance, and just the right amount of danger. The story follows a fierce heroine caught in a world of dragons, forbidden love, and high-stakes power struggles. Boleyn does a fantastic job bringing the setting to life with vivid descriptions and complex characters you can't help but root for (or against).

If you're into dragons, vampires, and that dark academia vibe with a twist of romance, this book definitely delivers. The chemistry between the leads is intense, and the slow-burn tension keeps the pages turning. It’s a must-read for fans of fantasy romance who love a bit of edge to their stories. As the first in the series, it sets the stage for even more twists and heartbreak to come — and leaves you desperate for the next book.

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a wild, addictive ride that plunges you straight into the shadowy halls of Bloodwing Academy—a world filled with deadly secrets, simmering rivalries, and enough brooding vampire drama to make your heart race. It’s the perfect blend of dark academia, fantasy, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension that leaves you hanging on every page.

Medra Pendragon is exactly the kind of protagonist you want leading a story like this—tough, clever, and stubborn as hell. Being a half-fae dragon rider with no dragons left is a harsh enough fate, but throw in being captured and dumped into a school run by vampire elitists who view her as little more than walking nourishment? That’s next-level brutal. Yet, Medra doesn’t cower—she fights back, and you can’t help but root for her as she navigates the twisted politics of Bloodwing Academy.

Then there’s Blake Drakharrow. The cold, arrogant highblood heir who takes one look at Medra and decides to make her life a living nightmare—until fate intervenes and shackles them together in an ancient betrothal. Classic. But Blake isn’t just a cookie-cutter bad boy; there’s an undercurrent of something deeper in his tormenting ways. The slow unraveling of his motivations adds a layer of intrigue and makes their dynamic much more than the typical “hate at first sight.” There’s a real emotional push-and-pull as they’re forced into each other’s orbits. The sparks are undeniable—even if they’re mostly flung at each other like grenades.

The world-building in this book is rich and immersive, with the academy itself serving as a battleground where allegiances are fragile, competitions are life-or-death, and every smile hides a dagger. The history of the dragons and the myths surrounding Medra’s bloodline add a compelling sense of mystery and destiny. And while there’s a lot of familiar "dark-academy-for-outcasts" territory, Briar Boleyn keeps it fresh by weaving in the dragon lore and giving Medra real stakes beyond just surviving her classmates’ venom.

Now, let’s address the spice—or rather, the lack of it. If you’re expecting pages upon pages of steamy moments, this isn’t that book. The chemistry is there, absolutely—it’s sizzling just under the surface, all longing glances and biting banter—but it’s more of a slow-burn setup, clearly saving its fire for future installments. And honestly? It works. Instead of rushing into anything too quickly, the tension builds like a pressure cooker, making you crave the inevitable explosion. The emotional beats are strong enough to carry the story without needing constant heat.

If there’s any slight critique, it’s that some of the "mean elite academy student" tropes can feel a little expected. There’s always the gaggle of rich vampires who sneer and try to get Medra killed, and while they serve their purpose, they don’t stand out quite as much as Medra and Blake do. That said, the stakes and pacing keep things moving so swiftly that it’s easy to overlook.

At 4.5 stars, On Wings of Blood is an incredibly satisfying read that lays a strong foundation for an epic series. With its fierce heroine, tantalizing slow-burn romance, and pulse-pounding competitions, it’s everything you want from a dark, magical academy fantasy—and then some. Sure, the spice level is low for now, but you can feel the promise of future fire. If you love strong-willed heroines, complicated anti-heroes, and stories where survival means embracing the power inside you, this is one worth sinking your teeth into.

Fantastic book!

Can’t wait for book two! I loved the characters in this book and I felt that the world building was set at a great pace.

5 ⭐️

On Wings of Blood completely hooked me! It’s like Harry Potter, Zodiac Academy, and Fourth Wing all collided into this dark, magical, and chaotic story.

Finally, a FMC and MMC I actually liked! Why can’t more fantasy books get this right?

The side characters, Florence and Naveen, have my heart.

The writing was smooth and immersive, without the endless world-building that bogs down so many fantasy books. I even found myself bringing my kindle to work to read when I had breaks because I couldn’t put it down.

This book is pure escapism, and I loved every second of it - magic, dark academia vibes, and characters that feel real. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to immediately read book 2!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC!

This is my first book by Briar Boleyn and I am very curious to see where this story is going to go. There are a lot of elements in here and I am still trying to process them all in comparison to the stories that are referenced the vibes are from. I was a bit confused and lost when the book first started out, Medra's background is still relatively a mystery to me and I am trying to puzzle together the Arthurian legend aspect that I think will be brought it maybe as the series continues.

Bloodwing is definitely what you get if you mix the concept of Hogwarts and throw in the bullying and murder being an ok past time from Zodiac Academy. The world building once I got into things and past the confusion of the introduction of Medra was easy to follow. Medra is tough, determined and strong willed with her beliefs on how things should be. She was quick to stand up for herself and I appreciated a FMC who relatively knew how to protect herself. Blake definitely has a mask that he shows to the whole world based on how his family dynamic is now. He has the potential to be a caring person who doesn't treat the blightborns like everyone else but seems to be very much put in a box. You get glimpses that the cold mask isn't really who he is, his openness is slow, but I imagine that it's hard to drop the hard shell in this type of world. In terms of the romance in this book, I wish we got more of Blake's POV. I didn't understand how he quickly fell to an obsession like unwanted lust/feelings for Medra from the hatred that was displayed at the beginning. The timeline with them didn't really ever fully feel right and their dynamic felt a bit incomplete. I'm hoping that as the story continues we will get a better feel for the couple, especially now that they are in the same house and their relationship/connection can have the ability to be balanced with the world building.

I really appreciated the cliffhanger! I like that ending moment and the reveal that finally came and am excited to see what comes! This was a fun and interesting read, I can see the groundwork that has been done and am looking forward to book 2!

Thank you to Starwater Press, NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for the E-ARC!

medra pendragon thought she was dead... until she wasn't.
waking up in a strange world with no idea where she is, medra must learn to adapt and survive.

while you do not have to read Queen of Roses to understand this story because there is context given throughout the book about her past, it would be helpful to read if you want to understand who she is prior to her arrival in this world.

medra is forced to attend bloodwing academy, a school primarily filled with vampire nobles and non-vampires are also attending in coexistence. bloodwing is a very prestigious school, and medra does not belong there. everyone knows it, but especially her who clings to memories of her past life while also adjusting to this new one.

during her time in bloodwing, medra attends classes while also building relationships with those around her. this story definitely has major harry potter vibes, and is FOR SURE a slowburn mixed with dark academia and everyone's favorite thing... dragons (and vampires)! 🐉🩸🗡️

there are so many twists that will keep you wanting more and honestly, i was hooked. already preparing to read the second book as we speak. i am obsessed! 🤩

i really love medra and how fierce she is, and following her journey throughout this book is such a wild ride! i also love blake drakharrow, definitely a different type of mmc from the ones i'm used to in novels and honestly, i appreciate that so much.

this world and everything about it is so amazing to me!

I am absolutely obsessed with this book—I couldn’t put it down until I finished it! Packed with action, angst, sexual tension, and an incredible fantasy world, this story had me hooked from start to finish. Although bully romances aren’t usually my thing, the author’s skillful and tasteful writing completely won me over.

Medra, is thrust into a new world ruled by vampires. She becomes bonded to Blake, a vampire prince, through a ritual orchestrated by his powerful uncle, Lord Drakharrow. The bond is forged because Medra is believed to be a “dragon rider”—a role thought to be extinct in this world. Though she is weaker than the highblood vampires, Medra enrolls in Bloodwing Academy to train as a dragon rider and learn the history and combat techniques. As Medra trains at the academy and adjusts to her engagement to Blake, their tension intensifies and the story takes unexpected twists.

The characters are rich with depth and grow throughout the story. Medra is fiercely stubborn in the best way and unyielding in the face of the highbloods. She’s clever, quick on her feet and hilariously sarcastic. Blake is her perfect counterpart: a cold, brutal vampire prince with a hidden softness beneath his icy exterior. Their chemistry is undeniable and makes for a captivating enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
The worldbuilding is done expertly. I felt like I was right there alongside Medra and Blake attending the Bloodwing Academy.

This book is a slow burn, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. The romantic tension between Medra and Blake is electric. The steamier moments were well written.

If you’re a fan of romantasy filled with vampires, dragons, tension, high stakes, and morally grey characters, all wrapped in a story so addictive you can’t stop turning the pages—this book is an absolute must-read.
I can’t wait to dive into book 2!

A big thanks to NetGalley, publisher and Briar Boleyn for providing me with this ARC!

"No matter how beautiful the man or how mesmerizing the dragon, Blake Drakharrow was still a monster."
On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn started off a bit slow for me, but once I reached the 40% mark and got his POV, I was completely drawn in. The dark academia setting, combined with Harry Potter vibes, vampires, and a dragon theme, created a fascinating world that kept me engaged.
I really enjoyed how Blake's character seemed to be inspired by Draco Malfoy, adding a familiar yet fresh twist to the story.
The magic system was well-thought-out and added a compelling layer to the plot. The enemies-to-lovers trope was done perfectly, keeping the tension alive throughout the book.
That said, I felt the story could have had better flow.
Sometimes, secrets were revealed too quickly, with one character immediately clarifying things in the next chapter, which reduced the suspense. I also wished there were more dragons and that the Medra's full potential had been explored more.
The cliffhanger, though, was intense, leaving me eager for the next book. Overall, On Wings of Blood was an entertaining and gripping read, and I'm excited to see what happens next.