HOLY MOLY!

Firstly, thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was totally buzzing to get a copy of this book after reading the Empress of a Fae series prior to it, and let me tell you - it did NOT disappoint at all. In fact it was a stroke of brilliance to read about Medra and what happened to her following the previous books ( I won't spoil!). I thought I'd really miss the previous characters, however Briar did an excellent job of making us fall for all these new characters in their entirety (including Neville).

I love the plot, I love the direction the story is going. The mention of DRAGONS has us all itching to turn each of the pages. I love the politics, there were even some really brutal moments for the characters which both totally destroy us, but I have complete respect for Briar for taking the risk with these. I can't wait to see more from Blake, Florence and even KAGE!, Something's going on there surely...

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!! (review also on amazon)

On Wings of Blood offers an exciting start to what promises to be an intriguing series filled with dark magic and complex relationships. Readers who enjoy fantasy romances set in academies will likely find themselves drawn into Medra's journey at Bloodwing Academy.

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received a review copy of On Wings of Blood from the author and NetGalley! 🫶

“Why should I fight so hard to keep the monster inside when you’re so determined to bring him out”

If I was baking something and mixed up Fourth Wing, Harry Potter, ACOTAR, and Zodiac Academy together then the end result is On Wings of Blood! 🥹❤️ In other words I’m obsessed and I love this book with every ounce of my being! 🫶 I couldn’t put the book down and that cliffhanger had me screaming in shock because I didn’t see it coming! 😱 This book made me smile, laugh, cry, scream, get mad, and had me so invested in the story that I legitimately woke up one morning in bed with my kindle still in my hand! 🙊🙀

Medra wakes up on top of a pile of dead bodies in a completely different world and that hooked me in instantaneously because I had so many questions and I just had to know what was going to happen next! ☠️🖤 In other words, I was hooked with this story immediately! 😍 I think that Medra is such an incredible FMC and I love that she is raw, authentic, and always stands up for herself no matter what! 🫶 She speaks her mind and is so blunt and I love that 🥳🎉 Her friendships with Florence and Naveen are truly so beautiful and it’s wonderful how they all support one another! 🥰

Briar Boleyn seriously needs to offer a masterclass on slow burn and hate to passion because they made me have goosebumps running up and down my arms! 🤭🔥 The chemistry between Medra and Blake is simply *chef’s kiss* 👩‍🍳💋 I loved it so much along with the banter and all of the tension! 🤭

Briar Boleyn is now officially added to my list of favorite authors and I will be diving into book two immediately because I need to know what happens next! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Grothe’s writing style gave me goosebumps so many times as I was reading and it truly was so poetic and beautiful. This beautiful story is going to forever hold dearly in my heart! 🐦‍⬛🖤✨

To everyone reading my review, my words don’t even begin to capture how amazing this book is so be sure to pick it up and read when it comes out in because it’s an absolute must-read! 🫶

There was no indication this was a spin-off of another series by this author. I couldn't get behind the confusion in the beginning of this novel for that reason.

4.5 ⭐️

I totally get the hype for this book!! Fourth Wing meets Zodiac Academy with an mmc that gives Draco Malfoy vibes, count me in 🤭 Also, he falls first!!

This was super fun!! We have delicious enemies to lovers tension, a dangerous academy full of vampires and humans, deadly trials and just enough mystery to build up to a chaotic ending.

I loved all the characters in this and felt the story was well paced. Also very intrigued by the magic system and can’t wait to see the fmc explore more in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for this gifted copy

This was such an interesting take on vampires and dragons! Throw in Academia culture and it made for quite the story. Medra Pendragon has her world turned upside down as she’s literally dropped into a new one. Tethered to Blake- they work through court politics, school drama, and battle with the fact that they hate each other but can’t seem to leave each other alone. I love that Medra tries to make the best of the situation she’s forced into but also has boundaries when it comes to what she feels is right- new world culture or not. Blake, well…he’s growing on me- but he was a struggle to like. It’s a true enemies to lovers and he’s still an enemy in my mind. The ending was full of twists, turns, and betrayal!

Thank you to the publishers and author for allowing me an ARC via NetGalley!

Overall, this was an enjoyable book. It had a lot of my favourite tropes: slow burn, lots of angst, lots of character development. All of the characters were unique and fun, and I really liked the world building.
It is a bit slow at the start and takes some time to build your interest, and it can sometimes feel a bit ‘cliche’ with all the textbook tropes and events that one would expect in a fantasy novel. So I would’ve liked a bit more of the unique stamp that this author gives in all their other books!
But otherwise this was enjoyable, and if you like dark academia and vampires, this is the book for you!

Rating: 3/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I think a lot of people will enjoy this book. However, this one was not for me. The inspiration from Harry Potter was a little too on the nose at times. I also felt like there was too much happening in the book. Trying to combine a bunch of popular titles into one didn’t flow well for me. I really appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback for this arc.

I enjoyed the book so much that I immediately downloaded the second one! The plot started off quickly and immediately drew me in, which I really appreciated. I don’t want to reveal too much and spoil the story, but if you love vampires, a mix of hate and passion, slow-burning romance, and side characters you’ll fall in love with, along with main characters you can't help but root for, then this book is definitely for you.

—vampires
—dark academia
—slow burn
—on KU
—morally grey

Looking forward to the 3rd instalment

I really enjoyed this book though I did find it quite slow to start and it took me a while to connect to the characters. It definitely had a Zodiac Academy feel to it and I would absolutely recommend it for fans of that series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Starwater Press for this ARC.

I had a good time with this one and am not surprised because I loved Briar Boleyn's Blood of a Fae series.

It starts in a very grotesque and unexpected way which I will not spoil for others in this review but, this is the same moment that the FMC meets the MMC. No dillydallying here. However, I can confirm that there is no dreaded insta-love.

Medra does not have an easy time throughout the book - she is constantly wanted dead by many people but, she does form some really lovely friendships as well.

I really enjoyed having some chapters in Blake's POV - without these chapters, this book would have had an entirely different vibe!

I've actually already started the next one! If you like vampires, academy settings, trials - I'd recommended trying this one.

Wow, it's a fascinating world for sure. The story sucked me in from the first page. Dragons and vampires and fea? Perfect mix. The academy setting gives off Harry Potter vibes. As I said before: perfect mix.
Slow burn? ✅
Enemies to (almost-see slow burn above)lovers ✅
Great side characters ✅
Heartache ✅
Cliffhanger (the light version)✅
Off to read the second book 🏃‍♀️

This book was VERY entertaining and the perfect book to read and just turn your mind off. The found family in this book warmed my heart, and the slow burn romance was to die for. This book made me feel a wide range of emotions from rooting for the MMC to absolutely loathing him back to being on his side. If you're wanting an academy setting with found family, a SLOW burn bully romance, and (of course) dragons, then this is a MUST read!!

I absolutely loved this book two of my favourite thing's vampires and dragons !! Have been in a slumber since finishing the fourth wing series .
The story line kept me hooked and the two main characters are the perfect balance of enemies to lovers with a splattering of spice.

I love the writing in this book. I think what I had issue with was the fact that there were pretty much all the common fantasy book and generic anime events all together. There was an isekai, love triangle, vampires, an academy where the main character is the special one, women hating women for a man, deadly trials and this book had all the enjoyable parts of those things but it also had the less enjoyable parts of all of those tropes all at once. It also felt like the plot path that was started took a turn at 50% and started something completely new just so the original story path could be continued in a second book. Which Is sort of a common series pitfall I've been encountering recently.

This book was a wild addictive ride, a world filled with deadly secrets simmering rivalries and enough brooding vampire drama to make your heart race. It has Darj academia, fantasy and slow burn all in one

"On Wings of Blood" is a dark academia fantasy romance filled with vampires, fae, and dragon lore.

Medra Pendragon is believed to be the last of the dragon riders, but there are no dragons left or are there?

This book was a rollercoaster, to say the least. It was fun but nerve-wracking and made me frustrated that medra was not getting the point and Blake was not helping in the least but but the angst and back and forth between them was great, I loved the world building but it did need a touch more character development IMO but was a fantastic read regardless.
If your looking for your next great read pick it up you won't be disappointed
I can't wait to read the sequel
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this book in 3 days. Absolutely un-put-down able. I was en-THRALLED, pun very much intended. The academic set up of Bloodwing combined with the vampire politics and the physically palpable tension between Medra and Blake? A winning combination in this epic world. Immediately starting book 2.

Unfortunately this book was not was I hoping for. It felt like a combo of a few other popular books in this genre and it just didn't captivate/keep me hooked.

I absolutely loved this book, the suspense, the spice ate it all up. This is on par with fourth wing to me.
Slow burn 🔥 love/hate/love.
Can’t wait to read the next one