I feel terrible about this review because I DNF'd the book around 6%, and I actually requested this book on NetGalley, so I really wanted to love it. But I have to admit, the writing just didn’t work for me. I’ve read my fair share of books with writing that wasn’t perfect but still managed to pull me in — this one, though, just didn’t click.

I genuinely tried to pull through, but I’m in my shamelessly DNF era where if I don’t connect with a book, I stop reading it. I’m finally realizing that not every story is for everyone, and that’s totally okay. This one just wasn’t for me.

I really wanted to give it a chance because the cover is gorgeous, it’s an indie author, and the premise had me hooked with the promise of Harry Potter mixed with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots of vampires. Bloodwing Academy seemed like a dream, but sadly, I just couldn’t get into it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Briar Boleyn for providing me with an eARC of On Wings of Blood in return for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately I was unwell when I received this ARC, so it took me a little while to read (keep in mind, she is a thick book though with 60 chapters). However, just because it took me a while to read, doesn’t mean I didn’t love this book. It was incredible!!! As much as I have enjoyed Briar’s previous work, On Wings of Blood is definitely her best work yet!

The concept of this series is captivating and had me hooked from the get go. I love that Medra’s story isn’t over, it’s just getting started. Briar promises readers a mix of Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, Arthurian legend and vampires, and boy oh boy she delivers…

Lovers of enemies to lovers will obsess over the slow burn that is Medra and Blake, their relationship is incredibly complex, but you cannot help but root for them. However, this is only the first book and this would not be an enemies to lovers without a gut wrenching betrayal right? The ending of this book was just that, with a splash of a massive plot reveal for the next book in this series (2025 cannot get here fast enough).

Reader do be warned, never get too attached to any of Briar’s characters, she does have a tendency to kill off incredibly loveable characters (I swear to god Briar if anything happens to Neville the Fluffin, I will riot), and this book was no exception 👀.

Overall, I’m super excited to see where she takes this series, On Wings of Blood was a brilliant introduction to the Bloodwing Academy world!

This was so much fun! I have not read Briar Boleyn's previous series - where Medra is from - but didn't find it hard to be completely engrossed in her story. The world of Sangratha and all the vampire houses and politics felt compelling, rich and unique. Bloodwing Academy definitely took cues from both Harry Potter and Fourth Wing, though neither invented the boarding school setting with competing houses. As schools go, this one was definitely more political, with the house allegiances and classwork gearing students for war more than anything else. Blake Drakharrow though feels extremely Draco-coded, and I say that not having read any fan fiction. Not that I minded. I loved Medra's friendships with Florence and Naveen, even Theo and Vaughn and Visha. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and while this definitely included that, I definitely sense more to come. Beyond that so many great scenes and moments - a ball, some deadly trials, teachers with hidden agendas, and a fluffin! - I was fully addicted. Cannot wait for the next book!

Medra Pendragon should be dead. So when she wakes up surrounded by highblood vampires no one is more shocked than her. When taken before the Vampire council they claim she is a dragon rider, even though there are no dragons left and throw her into Bloodwing Academy. Highbloods rule the school and the blightborn are nothing more than pawns to them. One highblood in particular, Blake Drakharrow, has been tormenting Medra since he found her. And worse, they are betrothed through an ancient ritual. Now Medra has to survive, but Bloodwing and Blake have no idea just how strong she is.

My heart went out to Medra after her stunted story in the Blood of the Fae series so I was so happy this new series was based around her. It was a bit bittersweet though, cause you see how much of a badass she could have been in Camelot. Odessa would have been so proud. I am intrigued by this world and I feel like it ties back to Aercanum and the older Fae somehow. I mean the language is the biggest hint. This book is described with Harry potter and Dramione vibes and I found that super accurate. Blake fit that role to a tee. And who doesn't love the ‘touch her and die’ trope. I enjoyed this book and it basically ended just like I thought it would. I am so looking forward to the next one.

Rating 3.5 stars
*I received a review copy from NetGalley for my voluntary and honest review

overall, it's a good book! I love a good mix of dragons, vampires, fae, magic, etc
there are some major plot holes that I hope the author will address in the next book. The romance between Medra and Blake could use a LOT OF WORK. I knew this was going to be an enemy to lovers, but by the end of the book, I hated it more than I did in the beginning. I want to read the next one, but It won't be at the top of my list.
- this review will be posted on my goodreads
- review will publish (11/9)

I would like to thank Briar and Net Galley for the opportunity to arc read On Wings of Blood in exchange for my unbiased honest review.

4.5 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
I'm not sure where to start this review but I devoured this book, absolutely gobbled it up from start to finish.

I you like Dark Academia, Zodiac Academy, Vampire Diaries and dragons with the two main characters influenced by Darco and Hermoine. Yes that's right a blond morally grey MMC and I'm not mad about it, LOL! Enemies to lovers, hate filled lust and tension, you should really enjoy reading this Romantasy.

The plot, the world building were well done. I liked that you didn't get a big info dump at the beginning of the book and the world building is scattered throughout the story which makes it easier to digest.

Medra is a character from the Blood of Fae series. Anyone who hasn't read that series might feel a little lost about where her character came from as there isn't a lot of background information at the beginning of this book about her past. However, it doesn't really interupt the plot of the book and you should be fine moving forward with this story.

Medra is thrust into a world ruled by Highbloods (Vampires) where she is considered a blight blood (mortal). Medra is discovered by Blake the Vampire Prince and is forced in front of the Vampire Court for judgement where her fate will be determined.

Made to study in Bloodwing Academy and survive among the vampires elite she is bullied and humiliated. Medra is a strong FMC who is fighting for her survival and is trying to figure out who she is in this new world and where her destiny will lead her. Forced into a betrohal with the vampire Blake, yes they absolutely despise one another. Blake the royal vampire who is morally grey and will do whatever he needs, to get what he wants no mater who he hurts including Medra. There is a fine line between love and hate and with an undeniable attraction to one another there is a hate filled lust between them that is hard for them to deny. Blake is possessive or what is his and that includes Medra.

Nefarious things are happening behind closed doors, ancient beings are about to reemerge.

# Dark Magic Academia
# Blood Rituals
# Forced Betrothal
# Vampires
# Dragons
# Enemies to lovers
# Hate filled love
# A deadly game

I really enjoyed reading this book from the very beginning. I was hooked and didn't find any part of this book to move slowly. I followed Medra from the previous series and I was worried I wasn't going to like her but her character growth in this book was perfect and she quickly became one of my favourite characters.
I really enjoyed the side characters especially Florence, she is smart and loyal and I can't wait to see what happens with her and where her character will go.
Blake, the verdict is still out on him, LOL. I'm keeping an open mind but he hasn't quite one me over it. I kind of fell in love with one of the other male side characters and would like to see more from him. The plot is perfect, the romance is romancing, the spicy scenes where spicing and not over done. The cliff hanger is perfect and I'm excited to see where this story leads.

I think my only constructive critique would be that some of the chapters seemed to end abruptly and then the start of the next chapter significant time had passed. I felt I was missing information when that happened and a smother transition could possibly help that.

Four and a half
If like me you have read the Blood of a Fae series then you will agree that Medra got a pretty raw deal. Now she's miraculously alive again but has been transported to a different world and its one ruled by Vampires ! It appears that Medra's Fae powers have not manifested in this life although she's still stronger and faster than the average mortal and her startling appearance makes the Vampires believe she's connected to the Dragons that once lived there. Bonded to Blake, Medra is sent to Bloodwing Academy to learn her place but Medra isn't quite as alone as everyone believes and as she faces challenges her life takes a dramatic turn that can only mean huge consequences for everyone !
Ok I am still a little stymied by the almost instant bonding between Medra and Blake if honest and it did feel a little strange. I decided to just go with it as I really wanted to find out what was in store for Medra in this world baring in mind that she had previously matured much more rapidly than the average person. She is young but didn't appear childish which I liked although several around her felt very immature. I enjoyed the almost Hogwarts style school with Professors who felt individual and unique. Her relationship with Blake felt a tad forced and as much as I wanted him to be worthy he's definitely a product of his society and uber possessive. I think that Medra is an interesting character who has a journey ahead of her that I'm keen to follow. This was a good beginning and I look forward to what happens next.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

On Wings of Blood pulled me right into its world— it blended so many elements of stories I love and made them into something new! This story has a dark, captivating blend of magic, high-stakes academy life, and ancient vampire lore. I especially enjoyed the tension between the FMC and MMC as they tried to make sense of the situation and dynamic thrust upon them. I devoured this read and you will too if you love:

A fierce, quick-witted FMC
A brooding, morally complex MMC
Enemies-to-allies (or maybe something more?)
High-stakes academy life
Vampire politics and dark secrets
Strong friendships and found family vibes
Dragons, mystery, and a dash of forbidden magic

I’m eagerly waiting for book two. Thank you for the ARC—this was an absolute thrill to read! (4.5 stars)

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. It’s the first in the Bloodwing Academy series, an offshoot of the Blood of Fae series, which I highly recommend.

Medra Pendragon, daughter of Orcades and Arthur Pendragon, forfeits her own life to save the people she loves in the final chapter of the Blood of Fae series. When this book begins, she finds herself in a strange place—atop a pile of dead bodies in a destroyed/burned village. She hears strangers coming and wonders if she should pretend to be dead, but she’s discovered. highblood Prince Blake Drakharrow and his army take her, against her will, to the highblood court to present her to his uncle Viktor. There is the small issue of Medra being completely coated in blood. Naked. Blake instructs his soldiers to provide clothes and forces Medra to march to the castle. They are instantly hostile to one another, but it’s clear there’s a physical attraction neither of them wishes to acknowledge.

Somehow, Medra has ended up in a place called Sangratha, a place filled with highbloods, or vampires, and blightborn, who are not. All of the vampires have blonde hair and a distinctive look about them, and all are almost god-like in the way they carry themselves. Medra, initially considered a blightborn, has red hair which indicates she may actually be something called a dragon rider. As such, she is very valuable, even though dragons have long since ceased to exist. The head of the court is Blake’s uncle and, for reasons that are not quite clear, he responds to Medra’s presence by betrothing her to Blake. Then, he whispers an incantation and they are bound (at least, it’s the first binding; there’s more to come).

Medra is outraged and tells Blake she will never be his. Blake is disgusted and wishes his uncle hadn’t chosen her for him, but his uncle is very powerful (and cruel) so there’s not much he can do. Unfortunately, Blake already has one betrothed, Regan, who is also quite jealous and unwilling to accept Medra as the third in their triad. And thus, we have the crux of the conflict.
Neither Blake, nor Medra, nor Regan want any part of this, but Regan actively tries to end it. The more Blake comes to know Medra, the more he comes to admire her strength and tenacity, and he finally has to admit to himself that the more she defies him, the more attractive she becomes to him. And he long ago stopped being attracted to Regan, which doesn’t help her jealousy, leading to more animosity toward Medra.

Medra learns some pretty awful things about the highbloods, but she’s suspicious from the start. Unlike the residents of Sangratha, she hasn’t been enthralled to see them as somehow better and deserving of worship. And she believes Blake is just as bad as the rest of them. But the reader knows he’s not. He genuinely cares about her and wants to protect her—especially from his uncle and his older brother. But he can’t help his culture and his upbringing, so there’s a certain sense of inherent privilege that causes him to assert control over Medra to make her bond to him. She doesn’t understand their customs and, having been raised in another culture, she rebels against him at every opportunity. Sometimes, she assumes the worst of him. Sometimes, he lets her because he doesn’t want to be seen as weak.

By the end of book one, they’re warming up to one another, until he does something that may be unforgivable. And then, all hell breaks loose, and despite Blake’s ardent attempts to protect Medra, he realizes she may be in more danger than ever.

There are some great descriptions, of course. When Medra meets one of the first inhabitants of her new home, “His voice became like the slithering of serpents. Odious and simpering.” When Medra enters a blood brothel, she observes, “There was a sense of opulence without a sense of elegance.”

And loved this. When Medra’s friend Florence tells her about the history of the highborn and the Bloodmaiden, she says this: “The story goes that when our world was new, a demi goddess—half-mortal, half-divine—sacrificed herself and let her blood be spilled to save the world. But her family were determined to avoid her fate. Her mother and father and siblings dipped their heads into her blood and drank. She saved them, and they were granted immortality.”

“They stole her blood, cheated death because they were too selfish to help her save the world, and were turned into vampires,” Medra summarized. In fact, this is the perfect summary of Medra’s view of the highbloods, and she’s not wrong.

At times, I was reminded of Harry Potter. Medra is sent to Bloodwing Academy, a school for highbloods and a select group of blightborn, who should feel honored to join them. She makes friends with other blightborn, but it’s obvious there’s something special and different about her. She’s meant for bigger things. There’s more bullying and it’s a much darker story; it’s almost like a darker, more adult version of Harry Potter. I mean, there’s sex involved, and there are vampires, who act with impunity and torment the blightborn. It’s not just the House of Slytherin tormenting Harry and his friends, and the Mugworts, of course. And although there’s no he-who-shall-not-be-named, there are plenty of candidates for that role, especially Uncle Viktor.

And then of course, you have this forced-proximity match-up between two people antagonistic toward one another who you know will ultimately need to join forces to conquer evil. They’ll need to overcome their cultural differences and learn to trust one another. They’ll need to share the parts of themselves they keep hidden. They’ll need to find allies for the battles they’ll encounter. So far, this is a setup to a more complicated series sure to follow, and I, for one, cannot wait to read more.

Excellent! Enjoyed the story, the authors way of telling it and the characters. It seems to be the first in a series as it ends in a surprise cliffhanger. I will certainly be looking forward to the next book in the series.

oh my god. So I just finished the book and it’s 1 am here but I HAD to stay up more to write my immediate thought. I finished in less than two days and couldn’t stop reading even though I have two midterms and a paper due next week 🥹 No regrets though!
This book has
- enemies to lovers (kinda? Theyre aggressive to each other for about 50% of the book but I feel like it’s only cause they started on the wrong foot. They were never two sides of a conflict.)
- Vampires
- Strong FMC
- Morally grey MMC
- Tension
If you've read Zodiac Academy, then I’ll say Medra is the better version of Tory. I read the entire ZA series but disliked Tory (stayed for Blue and Orion!!!). But Medra/Blake definitely remind me of Tory/Darius. The secret pining, touch her and die, etc. but done better. The plot was paced nicely in my opinion. When I started getting annoyed by a situation, it would be resolved pretty soon instead being dragged on for like 10+ chapters. The book is similar to FW in that it's dark academia and has dragons. I love dragons but they weren't part of the main arc, mostly in the background for world building. There’ll be more development in the next book for sure, IYKYK. I feel like the ending was a little rushed and the cliffhanger was kinda just dropped on us but… overall an enjoyable read! I know the book just released a few weeks ago but I was already stalking the author’s IG for news about book 2 lol.

REVIEW

Book: On Wings of Blood
Author: @briarboleynauthor
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the first book by Briar that I have read.

I have to say when I requested this from Netgalley, I had not realised it had just recently been released.

 Before I even finished the first chapter I knew I wanted a copy of this for my bookshelves. 

This is the first book in the Bloodwing Academy series.  This is a dark academia book with House of Dragons meets Hogwarts with a touch of The Hunger Games vibes.

Medra Pendragon thought she had died and woke up in the afterlife.  However instead of waking up in the afterlife, she finds herself in an entirely new realm to the one she left behind.

Medra is captured by Blake Drakharrow, who drags her into the high court where she discovers this new realm is ruled by vampires.

There are four ruling vampire houses, House Drakharrow, House Avari. House Orphos and House Mortis.

Blake's uncle, Victor Drakharrow is the vampire high lord is convinced that our Medra is a descendant of extinct dragon rider lineage.

To make sure she becomes loyal to House Drakharrow, he binds her to Blake as his betrothed and second consort.

Medra is made to attend Bloodwing Academy, where she must learn their rules and also learn to survive the brutal new world she has found herself in, especially when it comes to taking part in the Consort Games.

After the ending I can't wait for book 2.

When reading the beginning of this book it is clear Medra has had her own history and I found she is first introduced In The Blood of a Fae series, which I have had on my TBR for some time now.  After reading On Wings of Blood I definitely need to hurry up and read that series.

This book was FUN.
I truly enjoyed the plot and the way that it kept me on my toes. I LOVED the fmc and mmc. More than I could ever describe. This book is GREAT and definitely recommend it to others!

I loved literally every second of this. Blake is such an ass and we love him anyway. Medra is a little badass who is going to give the high bloods a rude awakening. I just cant handle them. I’m also obsessed with Kage and hope we see more of him!

Wow, just wow! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the first book in this series. This is a very strong start to the series, I haven’t been blown away and taken into a world like this in a very long time, I read this book in two days, couldn’t put it down. This is my first Briar Boleyn book but I am about to go and do a deeeppp dive on her others!

The characters are amazing, giving off Zodiac Academy vibes. The academy itself is very much like Harry Potter. Then the trials remind me of Hunger Games. It was like the perfect melting pot. I loved the world building, the bullying, the angst. All of it fit together so, so well! On top of it all- there was just the right amount of spice added into the plot,

All I can say is wow! I have already recommended this book to multiple fellow readers because it blew my mind! Ready for February and book two!

4 ⭐️
Overall I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t something I will continue to think about or rave about. Plot for me was the best part of the book. The tropes and academy setting is one of my favorites and I did think the author managed to keep the story unique from something it could have too closely resembled (Harry Potter / Fourth Wing mix)

I will say I didn’t really like the characters or more I found them very bland and generic. Typical FMC who is confident and sassy. Brooding male who is mean and conceited. Somehow abruptly realize they’re obsessed with each other. Was weird pacing in regards to their relationship and overall they just felt very generic and I didn’t find myself caring much about them. Was more into the overall plot

Tropes:
Vampires, Academy, Dragon Rider, Arranged Marriage, Trials, Enemies to Lovers, Animal Friends

Plot
Plot was kind of slow at some points but overall I really enjoyed it. It was surprisingly unique,

World building
The history, and overall world building of the vampire clans and dragon riders was very well thought out and well done. I will say sometimes it felt like too much of an info dump that wasn’t necessary

Medra:
Was the typical fierce and confident and “unique” female main character, but nothing different than most FMC that are supposed to be that type of girl. I didn’t find anything unique about her or really find myself rooting for her at all

Oh my gosh. This is definitely my favorite work of Briar’s. I was hooked IMMEDIATELY. The world building and story is so unique. The characters are all deep and I loved how fleshed out they all are. I loved that we got a spin off on the Blood of a Fae series. My only complaint is that we have to wait for book 2. I can’t wait to see where this story takes us. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor at the end.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Briar Boleyn has done it again! Left me speechless ! I loved this ! I was upset the last series ended but here we are with a spin-off! I love everything about this book! The characters, the story - all of it ! I can’t wait for book 2!!

Wow. This was like the ultimate emotional rollercoaster, with a twist of magic, dragons, and spice that had me clutching my heart and turning pages late into the night.

Let’s start with the plot—because where do I even begin? Forced betrothal? Check. Forced mating? Oh, you bet. Betrayal? Buckle up, buttercup. The stakes are high, the emotions are intense, and every twist feels like it’s pushing you into a deeper, more thrilling abyss.

The FMC Medra is a total badass. I absolutely loved how she channeled that simmering female rage (my fellow rage-filled feminists will feel seen!). The way she battles against the confines of a world that constantly underestimates her—pure fire. And the MMC Blake, A perfect balance of swoon-worthy intensity and a well-earned redemption arc that kept me on the edge of my seat. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, and the spicy moments? Let’s just say...they definitely deliver.

But let’s talk about the fluffins. These adorable little puppy-like creatures? I can’t even! I need one in my life. They’re pure magic, adding a lighthearted, heartwarming touch.

And don’t get me started on the world-building—magic, vampires, dragons, and plenty of intrigue. The fantastical elements are rich and vibrant, with a deeply immersive setting that pulls you right in.

One thing I would suggest, though: Read the trigger warnings before diving in. The book doesn't shy away from darker themes, and it’s always better to go in prepared.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend On Wings of Blood to anyone who loves intense romance, epic world-building, and characters that feel like they're fighting for something bigger than themselves. It’s a powerful exploration of passion, power, and equality, and it definitely speaks to the fire within. I CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO. IFYKYK - no spoilers here.


Here is the Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6971415879

I purchased the physical book on Amazon and it is coming Friday!! So I plan to make a TikTok video with the physical one ❤️❤️

On Wings of Blood has been a rollercoaster ride of frolicking emotions, and there are reasons for that.

""The leaves were turning color when he found me""

When it starts with lines like these, you know you're in for one hell of a ride. Medra Pendragon's journey from being a free captive betrothed without her consent to someone who finds her footing in a strange place where all of her worst nightmares have come alive was exhilarating, to be frank.
The book started with Blake finding Medra in a heap of dead bodies and after bringing her before their council of sorts, ends up getting betrothed to her. They hate each other. Medra wants to be free, but Blake can't let that happen. His world sees highbloods like him as the ultimate power, his own uncle being the unspoken leader of such.
Medra has rider blood in her, which the people recognize in an instant. Despite her being blightborn, which essentially means non-vampire, the riders had a respected place in their society, which is why Blake's uncle deemed her too important to be wasted away, engaging her to Blake. Following which she was admitted to the Bloodwing Academy, the academy attended by every highblood and chosen blightborn.

"Fate is a cruel thing."

But as is evident from the first few chapters, written in Medra's perspective, everyone in the whole Academy, if not this society, hates her. They want her gone. People are trying to kill her. The Academy is loyal to their highbloods, who can get away with anything, and these highbloods are the ones who see Medra as a threat, some as a curse.
And yet she perseveres, and from the small, informative tidbits of Blake's povs, we see how much he wants the betrothal to Medra to be real.
But the issue lies with the system itself. It's unforgivingly racist, sexist and plain authoritatian. Highbloods can control blightborn minds, they can feed from them if they wanted to. Blightborns are treated like scum, while these people worship their highbloods like gods. The system benefits only the highbloods, and Medra sees what these disillusioned blightborns wont admit. The highbloods are the problem.
The best part of the book might be the possibility of dragons and vampires strewn into the same world, the two factions growling for complete power. Though the dragons don't make an entrance until the last scene, setting the sequel for an amazing start, the power and glory of the dragons are talked about enough.
The different noble houses of these highbloods, the races of dragons, the enriching history, all of completes the plot into a dark pit of magic and infamy. The diversity in the book is outstanding, though I would have preferred at least one of the main romantic leads to be not white.
Everything considered, On Wings of Blood delivers a promising read, packed with intrigue, betrayals, violence and swoonworthy romance.