“On Wings of Blood” follows Medra, a fae who ends up in an alternate world after a display of magic goes wrong. This new world is full of vampires.

Medra is taken hostage and told that she has blood of a dragon rider in this world where dragons have been extinct for thousands of years. Her captors think her arrival is an omen for the possible return of dragons. She is then betrothed to a vampire noble, Blake, and told she will have to attend a school for vampires and mortals to hone her dragon rider skills, even though the new world she is in no longer has dragons.

Medra and Blake’s relationship is beyond toxic and the enemies to lovers trope did not hit in this.

This book felt like a bad Harry Potter fan function, but with vampires. The writing was not good and the character development was rather lacking in my opinion and it just wasn’t very compelling.

This definitely was not for me and I do not plan on continuing the series. It probably would’ve been a DNF if not for the ARC I received.

WHAT A RIDE! I devoured this book in two days. It was so hard to put down. The FMC was so relatable. I loved her strong character, and the banter between her and the MMC was to die for. So entertaining to read. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like the MMC because of the bully romance going on, but when I got to his POV chapters, I became feral for him. IDK what it is about a possessive man that does it for me, but gods did I eat it up. I laughed, I cried, I giggled and kicked my feet- it was just a great start to a series. I immediately ordered book two half way through this book. Cannot wait to see what happens next. THAT ENDING THO!

Tropes you will find in this book:
- Bully Romance
- Forced Betrothal
- Bridal Competition
- Touch her & die
- Dual POV
- Slowest of burns
- Great Banter
- Dark Academia with Vampires/Dragons

Thank you, NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book!

I could hug NetGalley, Briar Boleyn, and the publisher Starwater Press (Indie) for giving me the opportunity to read On Wings of Blood as an eBook. 📖✨ Published in October 2024, this gem is currently flying under the radar, and it's a crying shame that more readers haven't discovered it! 😱

Overview
On Wings of Blood is the first book in the Blood Wing Academy series, with Book 2 already out and Book 3 coming in May 2025. 🗓️ Briar Boleyn, the author (a pen name), made an impressive shift in genres, reeling me in from the very first page. This novel is a breathtaking mix of fantasy and intrigue and has completely captivated my attention. ❤️

Plot Highlights
The story begins with Medra, a female fae noble, who awakens in a bizarre new world, completely nude and surrounded by dead bodies. 😳 She was supposed to be dead, so how she ended up here is an intriguing mystery! Enter a weaselly character reminiscent of Sméagol from The Lord of the Rings—only, surprise! He’s a vampire. 🧛‍♂️ This world is dominated by vampiric forces, and as she navigates this dark territory, Medra is saved by Blake, the Prince of House Drakarro. 👑

The plot unfolds with a gripping pace; never a dull moment! 🚀 Medra finds herself bound to Blake's nephew as his betrothed, which sets her on a tumultuous path of learning the harsh ways of the vampire high court, while also attending the Blood Wing Academy. The potential for character and world-building is immense, and I can’t get enough of it! 🌌

My Enthusiasm
I adored every single page—Boleyn has a knack for crafting engaging narrative threads that never slacken in tension. 💖 Although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, particularly the burgeoning relationship between Medra and Blake, there's so much room for growth. 🌱 I suspect that the next books will delve deeper into their dynamic. For now, I’m left craving more! 🤤

The world-building feels akin to an adult version of Harry Potter, only with dragons (well, at least one for now) and darker elements. 🐉 I can say without hesitation that I am completely obsessed, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds in the next installment! 🙌

Final Thoughts
On Wings of Blood is an enchanting story that deserves to be read and cherished. If you enjoy fast-paced fantasy with intricate world-building and complex characters, I urge you to dive into this series. Don’t miss out on this indie treasure! 💎✨

From page one, the reader is swept away into a vivid world shrouded in political intrigue and merciless survival. Never have I ever started my reading journey in a pile of corpses, yet author Briar Boleyn paints a cold-blooded picture of death and rebirth in the opening scene of On Wings of Blood effectively drawing in the reader. Throughout the story, Boleyn portrays the discomfort of being thrust into a world that is sold as “perfect” from the eyes of one who “sees it as it is.” The imagery used to describe the Dragon Court made the reader feel as though they were the ones listening to the Headmaster’s orientation or being selected for a House.
The characters are so believable and each with a distinct personality that makes them memorable. Friends, enemies, allies, targets, victims, bullies – each person feels real and it provokes genuine emotions in the reader. And Medra is at the top of my list of favorite heroines. Fearless in a world of monsters and she spoke the coldest line I’ve read in a story in a long time:
“I’ll never be yours, Blake Darkharrow. Ever. If you’re looking for a girl who will do what you want, you won’t find her here. Remember that.”
I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoyed stories similar to The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and Fourth Wing. I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second book of this trilogy. This book has a satisfying ending, but there are still questions I want answers to and a lot of world left to explore!

I loved this! After completely devouring her Blood of a Fae series last year, I was so excited to get another series from Briar and she did not disappoint!

This book wrapped me in from the very start. If you like magical schools, brooding, males, and dragons. This is right up your alley. This is a combination of what feels like zodiac Academy, Harry Potter, and a bit of fourth wing.

Medra and Blake are forced together when she stumbles into his world and is marked as a dragon rider. Is what’s known as a highborn a.k.a. a vampire with an instant attraction to. Medra. Medra must Navigate the complexities that come with being in a new world, making new friends, deciphering who’s your enemy all while going to school. Eagerly anticipating reading the second book of the series and looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.

Om wings of blood includes:
dark academia
bully romance hate to love
obsessive mmc
no nonsense fmc
vampires
dragons

After the book hangover I got from onyx storm this book was exactly what I needed in the best way. It includes vampires and dragons which are probably some of my favourite things to read about.

On wings of blood includes a no nonsense fmc called medra and a cold mmc called blake who is actually a softie for medra who loves saying “she’s mine” 😍

The other characters are just *chef’s kisses* with how perfect they are and I would say the book also includes a found family dynamic with how they all protect and look after each other.

But the fact it left off on a cliffhanger 😱 I mean the 2nd book is an immediate read.

If you need to get over a bookhanger that you just can’t get rid of, this series is the one for you.

This book was absolutely phenomenal!
From the first page to the last, I was hooked. The world-building was rich, the tension was delicious, and the mix of vampires, fae, and dragons was everything I wanted—All the angst and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers was really good. The action, court intrigue, and dark academia vibes made it impossible to put down. 🔥🩸🐉

Thank you Net Galley for this e-Arc! First of all, if you love a good slow burn then this is the perfect book for you! I love a good vampire, dragon, dark academia, gothic vibe and this book delivered on that. There was action, fast pacing, and a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more. Our FMC is a very strong minded and outspoken woman who basically won’t put up with any BS! Our MMC is broody and stubborn and puts on this facade of hatred but in reality has a big softie heart. Overall, I can’t wait to continue with this series!

I thought this was a good book! “On Wings Of Blood” kept me entertained. In my opinion , this book is fast-paced and has good world building! I definitely recommend reading it!

Friends, this book is a great fucking time.

What do you get when you mix Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, and a little bit of Westeros? A wild ride is what you get. We’ve got dragons, vampires, and fae, FANTASTIC world building, enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, deadly trials, betrayal, touch-her-and-die, and morally gray characters all rolled together in an academic setting and wrapped in a perfectly chaotic bow.

My apologies to the book I read next because it’s going to be hard to top this one (unless I decide to go right into book 2, in which case, let’s goooo).

I really enjoyed this book. It was a wild ride from the start. I included it in 3 posts including full review on TikTok account

On Wings of Blood is a romantasy book filled with dragons, vampires, and mischief. The book centers around Medra Pendragon, the last dragon rider who has found herself in a new world. Medra must navigate the challenges of Bloodwing academy, all while dealing with her new betrothed mate. Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. I was a bit confused in the beginning, as there is quite a bit of world building and information dropped, but eventually it picks up. The book made me feel all the feels with found family, betrayals, and surprising plot twists.

*Although it is easier to understand this book if you’ve read the Queen of Roses series by Briar Boleyn, it is not necessary

Features -
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Arranged marriage
- Vampires
- Academia
- Dragons riders/dragons
- Found family

I am absolutely obsessed with this book!

Fourth Wing and Harry Potter vibes galore! We have an academy filled with young adults (like early to mid 20s I would say) where most are vampires and some are humans.

Tons of academia time which I loved! We got to be in the classes with Medra and dealing with library study time and extra essays and I eat that stuff up!

There's also so much mystery surrounding how Medra got here and into this situation (I recommend reading the Blood of a Fae series first so the ending isn't spoiled).

There's a bit of a love triangle forming, but also so many characters are trying to manipulate others, so I'm really not sure where they're all going.

I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!

Read if you love:
-Dragons
-Dark academia
-Bully romance (just a bit)
-Vampires
-Steamy tension

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a gifted copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This is a fantasy book compared to a lot of things but it still is its own. Medra wakes up in a new world, not understanding how she ended up there, and this is a good set up to introduce the world to the reader, and avoids some info dumping (there's still, but very little). She then meets Blake, and realizes vampires are real in this world, and has to find her place among vampires.

She's identified as a dragon ridder because Medra is fae, and in this world, faes used to control dragons. As both fae and dragon are considered extinct (but there aren't distinction between humans and faes), Medra is valued for her blood, and Blake's family wants to keep her, so Medra ends up linked by future marriage to Blake, and has to go to the Academy. There is some convenience regarding the beginning of the school year starting in a few days after Medra entered this new world, and I would like more if the Academy was presented as a military academy instead of a school, it would distance the world from the Harry Potter world, and make the threat of a civil war between the vampire houses more imminent.

I liked the characters and their relationship. I usually don't like bully romance because I can't understand how can a person fall in love after being taken down by the same person, but at least there's some explanations why Blake is rude to Medra. Their relationship is a slow burn, and with dual POVs, the romance is well written. Some people may dislike that the main character is a bit self-aware, as she points out that Blake has a sob story, but I liked because it shows the reader that the author is avoiding certain clichés, and she mostly got it right. I wish Regan (the other consort of Blake) was more fleshed out, it would be more interest if she realized that Medra was valuable and the three became a triad instead of the girl fight. Regarding the writing, Brian Boleyn kept my attention, the fighting scenes were good, the sexy scenes too (that one after the ball specially), but there wasn't a sparkle, a sentence that I wanted to highlight and write in my reading journal. However, I already got the second book from a store, and will start next.

Vampires, dragons, and a redheaded dragon rider—oh my! House of the Dragon meets Hogwarts, wrapped in a dark academia boarding school setting with a touch of romantasy. Despite its length, the pacing kept me engaged, making this an easy book to get lost in.

I enjoyed the seasonal shifts throughout the story (another similarity to Harry Potter) that added an immersive touch to the world without overwhelming the world-building. The magical creatures, particularly Neville the fluffin and Medra’s friendships, brought some delightful whimsy to the story.

At its heart, this book has everything I adore:

🩸 Vampires & dragons (a superior combo)

🎓 Dark academia & boarding school intrigue

🔥 Enemies to lovers with an arranged marriage twist
💀 Morally grey characters (my favorite kind)

❤️ Slow burn romance with just a dash of spice

🏡 Found family dynamics

Excellent!!! This book is a sure cure to your Onyx Storm hangover!!! This book blended so many of my favorite things
- dragons
- castles
- University student life
- VERY morally grey men

Well written and engaging prose as well! The story is addictive from start to finsih! Thank you NetGallery for this title! Unto book 2!!!

Medra Pendragon is found naked on a pile of dead bodies. The same day she’s captured and forcibly bonded to Blake Drakeharrow, nephew of the regent Viktor. Forced to attend Bloodwing academy, where vampires are all-mighty highborn and she’s bullied alongside other “blight-borns”, Medra tries to find out what her dragon blood means and how to get rid of the voice in her head. In addition she walks a thin line between hate and love for her gorgeous, cruel vampire betrothed.

I’m not entirely sure what to feel about On Wings of Blood. In one way I liked it, but I was never engrossed in the story. I think it’s my own fault for being in a rather slumpy mood (pre Onyx Storm hangover) when I picked it up. I might’ve enjoyed it better to cure my hangover since it’s an enemies-to-lovers romantasy in a school setting with a fierce heroine. It’s described as Harry Potter x Zodiac Academy and I feel that vibe really fits! Medra and her two friends had a similar dynamic as Harry, Hermione and Ron which I liked. They formed an instant friendship and it was sweet how quickly they grew close and became each other’s confidantes and supporters.

I wished the world-building was a bit better. I wanted to explore more of the world and get a better understanding of why. Especially because Medra is thrown out of her own world and into a new one. I wanted to know more about that particular problem and both worlds in general. I do however think this is something we’ll see more of in the next books. Moreover I felt Medra settled too quickly. She just woke up in a new world when she should’ve been dead and gets bonded to a vampire the same day and it’s just ok? Obviously she isn’t fond of the arrangement, but why doesn’t she try to run away? Why isn’t she more curious about her past? I couldn’t understand that part, but again I hope it’s something we’ll see more of in coming books.

As for the romance I actually liked Blake. Major applause for a blond love interest! I’m kind of getting tired of all the stereotypical dark haired heros 🙈 I don’t know what to think of the relationship though. It’s a slow burn, but I’m not sure I believed the feelings at the end? This is how Medra feels because of complications so it’s greatly written by the author. Confusing the reader alongside the MC. I do wish feelings could’ve been explored more. I felt we maybe got cut off too quicky at times and didn’t get to go as deep as I’d hoped.

My favorite parts were Blake’s POV. That put a new spin on it! I throughly enjoyed reading from him. There’s a lot of questions that weren’t answered so I want to pick up the next book and follow our cast further. A good cliffhanger! I might seem very negative, but I liked the book. The concept is great, I love enemies to lovers and vampires so I have high hopes for the series! Besides, Medra is a red head. I gotta support that 🤭 I wasn’t in the right mood and that is my own fault and I hope to remedy that with the next installment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to NetGalley and StarWater Press for allowing me the privilege to read the ARC.

Was this my favorite of Briar’s? No. I could just be biased because his other series was my first series by him and it’s hard to top that series. But am I completely invested? Yes.

The world is a spin of Fourth Wing (War College) and Zodiac Academy (Initiations, Consorts, Vampires).
The writing felt choppy at times and I would’ve liked to see more from certain scenes in place of just inner dialogue. There were some grammatical errors and places where the story didn’t flow quite right. Especially when it comes to Blake’s POV. One minute he hates her (or appears to hate her) the next it’s a complete 180 but not much detail getting us to that point.

“Little Dragon” may just be my new favorite nickname 😍

Medra wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize by a band of vampires. She is taken back to their college where Blake takes responsibility of her as her archon (she’s now his consort). Enemies to lovers? Book 2 will have to answer that.
This world has magic, dragons, trials, games, and a ball.

Kage may have my vote after the ball scene 🥵 but the way Blake said mess around and find out had me weak too.

I can’t wait for book two!

I found this book quite challenging to read. Romantasy isn’t typically my genre, but I was compelled by the cover and the book description. Unfortunately, I learned fairly deep in (and only after reading Goodreads reviews), that this book is a spin-off from an existing series. The existing lore/backstory is casually referenced through the book in a way that made me think I was just missing something obvious. This was confusing and unhelpful, and I think the author would have been better served to just start a fresh series from scratch, as the main character is literally dropped into a new universe with new magic rules and new lore on page one.

The book has a number of typical romantasy tropes that audiences might enjoy: a female main character who is somehow magically excellent at things, a magical school that is so similar to Hogwarts I’m not sure why the author didn’t bother writing fanfiction, an aloof, mean male main character that has a secret soft spot and accidentally falls in love with the female main character. Things that audiences might not enjoy are baffling world building choices like having characters in this non-contemporary fantasy world wear sexy short skirts, violent homophobia (enacted by the bad guys, sure, but good lord), and what I’ve learned is called the “bully” trope, which was deeply unsexy and grim to read.

However, I do think this hodge podge of every trope imaginable will be appealing to people out there who are gluttons for the genre, and I wish them all the best.