This book has it all! Vampires, fae, dragons, dwarves, magic, romance, and adventure! I went into this book blind and am so happy I did. It’s like the authors combined everything I ever liked about romantasy and put it into this book! Another universe where vampires rule and there’s a special academy for students that are deemed worthy. There is a lot of world building, but not so much that I ever felt overwhelmed, Medra is a strong main character dumped into this world and academy and this allows the reader the learn the world and rules with the book. Fantastically written and I cannot wait for the next book! #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC

I recently had the privilege of reading "On Wings of Blood" and was thoroughly enthralled. The world-building and characters drew me in, and the slow-burn romance kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially loved the portrayal of Medra Pendragon, a strong and determined heroine. I would be overjoyed if you considered sending me a physical copy of this novel so that I can add it to my collection and delve further into this captivating world.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Medra Pendragon, the Female Main Character (FMC) of "On Wings of Blood." Her strong and determined personality, coupled with her well-hidden reserves of loyalty and goodness, made for an intriguing mix. What's even better is that she stands by her decisions while remaining open to new information that may change her perspective. And let's not forget - redheads forever!

And then there's the Male Main Character (MMC), Blake Drakharrow. He's a character that fits the classic romance/romantasy trope of "You're mine". This is the kind of alpha male character that loves to use the phrase - "You're mine" in every possible way. He's even willing to take the phrase "touch her and die" very seriously, as evidenced by his behavior from the first page. With his arrogance, possessiveness, and violent tendencies, he's got serious Draco Malfoy vibes (think Bloodwing Academy cross between Hogwarts and Basgiath meets Game of Thrones). The only saving grace for him is his affinity for dogs, so perhaps we'll see if he manages to redeem himself enough to become our new book boyfriend.
The slow burn in "On Wings of Blood" kept me eagerly anticipating the moment when the romance would ignite, and when it did, it absolutely packed a punch. The chemistry between these characters was palpable and kept me engaged even in the absence of frequent intimate scenes.

However, there was one aspect that slightly bothered me - the lack of emphasis on the FMC's previous life in Camelot. Despite some hints that it may be developed in future installments, I couldn't help but feel that the concept of her being a 'princess from Camelot' could have been easily replaced with her waking up with no memory of her past life. This didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book, as I found myself captivated by the engaging story and quickly devoured it in one day. However, as I neared the end, the thought of only having 30 pages left and knowing that big things were still to come caused me to freak out a bit. And then, to my surprise, the book ended on two cliffhangers - one that was heavily foreshadowed but no less devastating, and another that caught me off guard more than it should have.
This novel features a number of tantalizing tropes:
- Enemies to lovers (though this aspect is presented somewhat unconventionally)
- Vampires
- Dual Point of View (POV)
- Dragon riders and magical academy
- The alpha male "touch her and die" trope (quite literally, as it appears immediately)
- The heroine as a 'chosen one'
- An arranged marriage between the characters
- A bully romance element
- A slow burn buildup of suspense and chemistry that eventually leads to spicy scenes (though limited in number, they pack a punch).

I'm thrilled by your rating of 5 out of 5, and the spice level of 3.5 out of 5 for this intriguing book! The anticipation of those spicy scenes must have been well worth the wait, culminating in a satisfying climax.

I'm keen on acquiring a physical copy of this book and would kindly like to request one directly from the author.

Rating: 4/5⭐️
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Series: Book 1
Cliffhanger: Yes
POV: multi-1st person
Relationship: M/F

Darkness Rating: 2/5 🖤
This is a bully fantasy romance similar to the Cruel Prince but with more death & gore.

Spice Rating: 1.5/5 🌶️
Just 2-3 explicit, open door scenes.

I LOVED this book. I cannot wait to read book two!

Am I a sucker for anything vampires yes, blame twilight for that. The world briar built feels so amazing and nostalgic from fantasy from the 90s. And I loved every minute of it. I think thier is so much more to happen with these characters I cannot wait for it

Medra, half-fae winds up in a world full of vampires. She is supposedly the last of the dragon riders and studies alongside the humans as well as the vampires at Bloodwing Academy. Blake is a vampire also attending Bloodwing, and they are betrothed. Plot twist Blake has a second betrothed (whom he does not really like and she HATES Medra).

Medra is an amazing female main character. She is strong and determined, and amazing with her friends. She created beautiful connections with Florence & Naveen, and it was beautiful to see how she always tried to help her friends and always fought for the underdogs. Florence is an amazingly awesome wingwoman and best friend always standing by Medra's side no matter what.

Blake really hides his inner self very well. He's extremely annoying in the beginning but becomes HOTTER and HOTTER with every turn of the page. He transforms from arrogant to caring over time. The way the author inserted his POV a bit here and there throughout the book really made you see how much he holds to himself and slowly opens up once he understands he can trust Medra. His relationship with his sister and Neville really make you want to swoon <3

The book keeps you interested throughout and the world building was well paced. I hope that in the second book we'll get more information about Medra's home world. Also want to add that I love that she had her mother by her side during this whole book.

Tropes:
- Dragons and Vampires
- Enemies to lovers
- Dark academia
- Arranged marriage
- Touch her and you die… literally

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for providing me with an arc!

I was instantly hooked from beginning to end with this story. Be prepared to be swept into this amazing world and this adventure.

On Wings of Blood is the first book of the spin-off series and you should definitely read Blood of the Fae first, as Medra (the FMC) recounts certain events and people from that series.

Wow, I could not put this book down! I was a bit nervous since we changed from Fae to vampires and to Medra as FMC but it was captivating. It has all the popular tropes as dark academia, vampires, dragonriders, enemies to lovers (ish)... The tension was great!

It ended with a very promising event and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you Netgalley, Starwater Press and Briar Boleyn for the copy I received.

This book is 5 stars all around. I absolutely DEVOURED it. It has been a while since I’ve felt such a strong need to read something constantly. Every spare moment I had, I was reading, and when I wasn’t, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The world Briar Boleyn has created is incredible, so vivid, immersive, and full of intrigue. Bloodwing Academy is as dangerous as it is fascinating, where power games, deadly competitions, and secrets around every corner make survival feel impossible. Medra Pendragon’s journey pulled me in completely. Her resilience and determination, even when everything seems stacked against her, made her such a compelling character to root for. And then there is Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and oh so infuriating, yet you can’t help but be drawn to him. The chemistry between them is absolutely electric, and I loved every bit of their push and pull dynamic.

The vampire and dragon lore felt so fresh and unique, and I couldn’t get enough of the court politics, ancient rituals, and mysterious legends woven into the story. It has everything I love in a romantasy, from banter and tension to high stakes and that addictive feeling where you just have to know what happens next.

If you are a fan of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, or A Court of Thorns and Roses, you need this book on your shelf.

"On Wings of Blood" is a dark academia fantasy romance filled with vampires, fae, and dragon lore. It reminded me of ACOTAR/Fourth Wing, and I was here for it. Medra Pendragon is believed to be the last of the dragon riders, as no dragons are left. When vampires notice Medra's distinctive red hair, they resolve to capture her. At Bloodwing Academy, Medra, alongside other blightborns, must battle for survival. She is coerced into marrying Blake Drakharrow, a haughty vampire, as part of an age-old ritual. Yet, Medra is ready to fight, concealing a lethal secret—a secret shaped like a dragon. All she needs to do is endure. They believe they can dominate and exploit me, but they are unaware of what they have stirred. This dark academia romance is brimming with suspense and enchantment. I adored the character-driven narrative, balanced with the perfect blend of tension and angst. I eagerly anticipate the sequel.

Absolutely loved the house of dragon meets Harry potter
Vibes of this book! Such a fun read I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to start the second book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this - Vampires, Fae and Dragons? Yes, please but the “romance” left me unsatisfied. The world building was very intense, maybe a bit too much fluff. I wish they would have used the time to explore the relationship between Medra and Blake a bit more. The time gaps made me confused as to how one minute they hate each other and the next they’re exchanging “I miss you”s, I clearly missed something here! Ending was beautifully written, I’ll be diving right into book #2 and hope Briar gives Medra the justice she deserves!

🚨 STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING 🚨 Because On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn just ate, left no crumbs, and flew straight into my “Top Reads Ever” list 🩸🦇🐉.

Okay, imagine this: Harry Potter vibes with the deadly politics of Fourth Wing, the drama of Zodiac Academy, a sprinkle of Arthurian legend (hello, Pendragon 🐉✨), and VAMPIRES. Like, a LOT of vampires. Welcome to Bloodwing Academy, where being a half-fae blightborn is basically a death sentence. Medra? She’s our girl, and she’s not just surviving—she’s SERVING.

Medra's the last dragon rider in a world with no dragons. The vibes are immaculate. She’s fierce, sassy, and doesn’t take crap from anyone—even Blake Drakharrow, who’s basically Draco Malfoy but hotter, meaner, and somehow impossible not to simp for. 😏🔥 Their enemies-to-lovers tension? CHEF’S KISS. Every glare, every insult, every forced proximity moment had me screaming into my pillow like, “JUST KISS ALREADY!”

Blake, though… OMG, the layers. He’s the guy you love to hate until suddenly you’re rooting for him harder than you should be. The man owns the villain-to-lover arc. 🖤 And don’t even get me started on the twisty, intense betrothal thing. Who gave Briar Boleyn the right to write this much sexual tension?!

The world-building? Unreal. It’s got court drama, deadly competitions, dragon lore, and enough betrayals to make your head spin. Regan, Uncle Victor, and Marcus? Absolute trash villains, 10/10 would throw into a dragon’s mouth. But Florence and Naveen as Medra’s found family? LOVE THEM. Theo? Suspicious but fun—this man is hiding something, mark my words. 👀

And THAT ENDING. Like, I saw some of it coming, but then Briar hit us with a plot twist left hook, and I was SCREAMING. The setup for book two? ICONIC. I need it, like, yesterday.

TL;DR: If you love dark academia, epic slow-burn romance, and dragons (or the hope of dragons 🐲), RUN don’t walk to pick this up. Blake and Medra are the chaotic duo of my dreams, and this book has ruined me for anything else. 5 stars, no notes, just vibes. 💀🩸

I went on such a rollercoaster with this book! I really wasn;t feeling it until about the 30% mark, and then once we hit around the 60% mark, I was fully in it.

The beginning of the story was a bit slow and bland. Whether it was just too much worldbuilding, or just a slow plot, but I felt like there was an entire backstory I was missing. Medra kept mentioning fighting a fae god and mentioning events from her past, and even though I'm sure we will learn more about her in the coming books, it felt like backstory was missing, not being hinted at.

It took me a little while to get on board with Blake, but seeing his pov as well was so nice and absolutely made me like him a lot more. And I was SOO glad that he ended up making that decision after the Consort Trial.

Overall, I am definitely intrigued, especially with the dragons, and I'm hoping there won't be an overload of different plots and stories going on in the upcoming books. Would absolutely recommend to romantasy lovers!

On Wings of Blood had a lot of potential and offered an intriguing premise, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations. The concept seemed like it would be right up my alley, with an interesting world and the promise of compelling character dynamics. However, I struggled to connect deeply with the main characters. Medra, while stubborn and determined, could have been more fleshed out in terms of personality. Her relationship with Blake also felt a bit underdeveloped, as their chemistry didn’t come across as strongly as I had hoped.

That said, the book had some redeeming qualities. The world-building was rich and layered, offering a fascinating backdrop for the story. Although much of the political complexity was explained rather than experienced by Medra, it still added depth to the narrative. The school setting provided an interesting exploration of social hierarchies, with Blake’s attempts to quietly support Medra adding some nuance to his character, even if I wished he had taken a stronger stand.

While the story didn’t quite resonate with me as much as I’d hoped, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into crafting the world and its dynamics. With some more character development and a stronger emotional connection between the protagonists, this book could truly shine. For readers who enjoy intricate world-building and stories set in schools rife with tension, On Wings of Blood might still be worth exploring.

4.5 STARS

Medra Pendragon arrives in a strange land and is immediately captured by highblood Blake Drakharrow and brought into vampire society. Believed to be a dragon rider, Medra is forced to attend Bloodwing Academy, though there are no dragons left and the highborn aren't accepting of her.

I was interested to read this book, I love vampire stories and the addition of dragons sounded like a great combination. I wasn't sure about this being described as a bully romance but was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the story. Medra doesn't fit in at Bloodwing but she still finds a way to form bonds with her fellow blightborns (humans) and discovers that despite herself, she finds the classes interesting and enjoyable. Though she struggles with how she is treated by the highbloods, she stands up for herself and proves her worth. Her relationship with Blake changes and develops through the story and while I still don't really like him yet, Briar Boleyn writes him as a sympathetic character and I can understand why he is the way he is.
The plot was well paced and I enjoyed the magical academic setting. The school is well described, I could picture the courtyard where the dragon statues are built and imagine Medra's room and classrooms. I loved the addition of Neville the fluffin!
Looking forward to reading the next book!

Another book for all of us romantasy fans! Hands down a must read if you enjoy dragons, enemies to lovers, possessive mmcs, and strong female leads. Could not put this one down.

When a fantasy book is written good it is a must read. This book is just that. What makes a fantasy book even better? Romance! Briar did such an amazing job writing this book. It is the perfect romantasy book. Enemies to lover? Got it! Possessive MMC? Got it! Great Magic? Definitely! This book is written so well and keeps you hooked the whole time! I would definitely recommend this book to any romantasy book lover! Could not put this book down!

I loved Briar boleyns first series. They were my top reads of 2023 and I didn't think I'd find a book I liked more. Until I read this one!
It has everything. Dragons, magic, vampires, morally grey characters. I couldn't put it down. I've already downloaded the next book in the series, and I can't wait to start it. Briar Bolyne is the queen of cliffhangers!

For context I adored Briars first series of books 'Blood of a Fae'.
I was so excited to jump into this new, connected series (Still hoping for a Draven appearance!)
I was apprehensive of an academic setting, it's not usually my go to, but Briar has done it again.

Medra has grown into a powerful woman her mother and aunt would be proud of! I loved the school setting and witnessing all through Medras eyes, being new to the world (The Dual POV really helped with details Medra would not understand), the political intrigue, the found family were all *Chefs Kiss*, the book combines it all into a perfect mix of fantasy, suspense and romance.

The story follows Medra Pendragon, a half-fae who finds herself at Bloodwing Academy, a school dominated by highblood vampires. Medra, the last of the dragon riders, faces numerous challenges, including deadly competitions and a complicated relationship with Blake Drakharrow, a cold and arrogant vampire whom she is tied to. Can Medra figure out how to survive bloodthirsty Bloodwing? Can she uncover who is friend or foe? Can she fulfill her destiny?

The tension, pace and suspense were all perfect, and what an ending! Thankfully I'm diving straight into Volume 2!

Thank you Briar and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When Medra wakes up in an unfamiliar land, she quickly realizes she’s in deep trouble. Captured by Vampires, she’s told she’s the last of the dragon riders—though no one’s seen a dragon in years. Sent to Bloodwing Academy, she quickly learns she’s at the bottom of the pecking order. To make things worse, she’s betrothed to a man who treats her like property and is determined to control her every move. It doesn’t take long for Medra to realize that surviving this new life will take everything she’s got.

This book had its moments, but the writing style wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. The dialogue felt repetitive at times, and the pacing dragged, especially in the first three-quarters. I couldn’t help but feel the story would have been much tighter and more engaging if it were a bit shorter.

That said, I absolutely loved the fierceness of the female main character and the found family dynamic. Those aspects were the heart of the story for me and kept me invested. The character growth—especially Blake’s—was well done. The cliffhanger ending has definitely piqued my interest, and I’m curious to see where the next book takes things.