it had only been five days since finishing the first book, On Wings of Blood, but i was so happy to be back with Medra, Florence, Blake, and Neville the fluffin. the bond between Medra and Florence continues to demonstrate the power of female friendships. the second installment of the Bloodwing Academy series absolutely blew me away! Briar's effortless writing style seamlessly transported me back to the gothic hallways of Bloodwing Academy, where vampires lurk and danger is always present. she has a stunningly dangerous way of giving you just enough information to keep you interested and wanting more, confirming my stance of being my first (and favorite) auto-buy author.

i highly recommend checking out On Wings of Blood and The Bond That Burns if you're interested in dark academia, dragons, vampires, blood magic, and more. both available on Kindle Unlimited now!

thank you so much, Briar & NetGalley, for granting me an ARC copy of this dark and adventurous story! i’m absolutely hooked and cannot wait until the next installment.

Wow! I really enjoyed the first book, but this one was fantastic. I was getting frustrated with Blake for the step(s) backwards he took. He was so much more of an arse in this book than book 1. But the character growth from everyone was superb! I was getting a little worried that we were gonna go right back to the beginning again with Blake and Medra but thankfully we didn’t! I love Nyxaris, and I love the fact that he is like a Tairn. I genuinely thought I had the ending of this figured out but I was proven to be wrong, and very much wrong at that! I cannot wait for the next book!

This series if filled with everything I love: romantasy, dark academia, dragons, vampires, tension, enemies-to-lovers, court intrigue, power struggles, morally grey characters, secrets, and banter!

An addicting character-driven dark academia romantasy with dragons and dragon lore. Book two jumps right back in - year 2 of the academy. 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙧𝙖 is still fierce, determined, and just. 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙠𝙚 is still grumpy/broody vampire house leader with interesting character growth. The tension and banter is done well. Mainly dual POV but we have some of Florence’s POV in book two! I like 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. She is smart, kind and loyal. 𝙆𝙖𝙜𝙚 still has my attention. I’m not sure what is roll is going to end up being. I feel there are still a lot of secrets! I hope to get some of his POV in the next book. I still want to know more behind Medra’s death and the world that she left behind. And, without giving too much away, the shifter piece in book two is 🔥!!! I’m all for it and cannot wait to see what is in store in book three. I could not put down the last 10% of this book. So much happened and now I need book three ASAP!

Genre: Dark Academia Romantasy
Pages: 581

Thank you @netgalley for a copy of this book.
Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you Briar and Starwater press for the Arc and in exchange here is my honest review.

5 Stars
2 spice rating

If you liked the first the book you will love the second book. This book starts off right where the last one ended. There is action right from the start and doesn't let up right to the very end.

Medra has to be one of my favourite FMC's. Medra is strong and stands up for herself, she doesn't let anyone tear her down and she fights for her friends. She has been trough a lot in her short life and instead of shutting down she rises up and stands up for what is right. She can definitely be stubborn but it is earned.

I love all the side characters, Theo, Visha, Florence and Kage. Briar does and amazing job developing these Characters and making you fall in love with them. Theo is just the lovable guy with a good heart that is loyal to a fault. Visha has attitude and sass and tells how it is even if you don't want to here it. Florence is smart and loyal and a little shy, I can't wait to see how her character grows in the next book. Kage keeps Blake on his toes causes tension where tension is needed and fore the most part is a good guy. It's a great balance of personalities among all the Characters.

We are introduced to the Nyxaris the Dragon is this book and if you love Tarin from Fourth Wing, Nyxaris gives the same grumpy, sassy vibes.

Blake....
"I looked away from her, my jaw clenching. "When you're in danger, I feel like I'd gladly give up my life and everything in it to keep you safe."

I have had a love hate relationship with this man and it was a little rocky at the beginning of this book. I wanted to reach my hand through my kindle and shake some sense into this man.
At last Briar has won me over to the blond haired handsome mans side and I have fallen in love with Blake. He definitely puts the "grey" into "morally grey" I mean the library scene, that was hot.

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have done that. There. I'm on my fucking knees, Begging you, Pendragon."

The plot twists at the end of this book and everything that was happening had my mind spinning.
I'm excited to see where the next book is going to lead us and what is going to happen to Florence, Medra and Blake.

Ahhhh I was so excited to get back to Bloodwing Academy with Book 2, The Bond That Burns.

The Bond That Burns picks right back up from the ending of On Wings of Blood and Medra is having to navigate her new normal after betrayal. Blake is back to being his super büllying self which had me shaking my fist at him so many times, if he thinks being mean to Medra is going to make her fall in line he has another thing coming. Medra is not one to be trifled with and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

But Blake and Medra are forced to get close again and as much as they may hate each other they truly cannot deny their feelings towards one another. Just when you think things are moving in the right direction for them, all hell breaks loose and we are left on the edge of our seat with a heck of a rollercoaster ending.

I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Returning to Bloodwing Academy, and so soon, was the best Christmas present ever. Boleyn’s vibrant world and interesting characters are the perfect form of escapism and we pick up right where we left off from book one and take the next part of this story at breakneck pace. A dragon awoken, a blossoming romance fractured, and our fierce Medra, a woman out of place and time, fighting for her survival in a den of killers but with a sassy dragon by her side. The Bond that Burns unpacks the characters that we were introduced to in the first novel, delving deeper into who they are, who they want to be, and what makes them tick. The romance is equal parts frustrating (that tension!! that bully romance!!!) and swoon worthy (the library!! the bathroom!!!) I devoured this ARC; every twist and turn making me gasp, scream, laugh and cry. The final 10% is VIOLENT, and so is that agonising cliffhanger. I can’t wait for book three!

The Bond That Burns is a fantastic follow up to On Wings of Blood, and I loved it even more than book one!

Blake and Medea’s relationship in this book is even more delicious than in the previous. Their banter is so good, but they also had massive character growth. Blake in particular changed for the better. Of course, he’s still hot, mean, and down bad, but we also get to see a much sweeter side of him as well.

I loved the addition of Nyxaris in The Bond That Burns. He’s such a grumpy, sassy old dragon, and his banter with Medra was incredibly fun. Florence and Medra have a really lovely friendship as well. It really ends up more of a sisterhood, and I just really love that for Medra. I love that she gets to form these relationships that she’s never really had before.

Anyway, I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next in this story! I don’t know how I’ll survive in the meantime. Probably by thinking about Blake and Medra daily.

Thank you so much to Briar Boleyn for the early copy of The Bond That Burns. All opinions are my own!

BRIAR BOLEYN!!!
By the Bloodmaiden this book had my heart in my throat!
It had me squealing with joy, then dropped me into despair and I didn't want it to end!! It ran the gamut of all the emotions you want a book to evoke.
I was so invested with seeing the storyline of these characters continue in The Bond that Burns. The desires, uncertainties, relationships and
friendships just draw you in and hold you.
You want...
Vampires✔️
Dragons ✔️
Wolves ✔️
Dark Academia ✔️
Enemies to Lovers ✔️
Spice ✔️
Found Family ✔️
World Building ✔️
Heart pounding, page turning, kicking and screaming, cheering, audible gasps ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
What a way to wrap up 2024!!
Grab this one as soon as it releases!
So grateful to have been a part of this ARC read.

My love for the Bloodwing Academy series is 100% solidified again with book 2, The Bond That Burns.

The story picks up with our FMC Medra, our only dragon rider, finally getting close to a dragon. Their relationship needs some work as Nyxaris has a grumpy alpha energy that needs a little warming up to. Media is working on it as she struggles with trying not to be unalived by all the power-hungry vampire highbloods. Florence is still the bestie worth fighting and dying for with Neville by her side. The political drama and history of dragons + riders being revealed throughout adds a lot of depth to the story building.

Blake decides to level up his aggressive behavior with Medra causing a greater rift between them as well as with his friends. He goes through the most character development this entire book — physically, mentally, and to his utter horror — emotionally. Kage starts to build a more solid friendship with Medra while also driving Blake mad with jealousy he doesn’t want to admit. The ending of book 2 has all the drama. An important side character initiates a chaotic chain of events leaving Florence in a precarious (understatement) position, more dragon mayhem to emerge, the loss of lives (yes plural), a sacrifice by mommy dearest, and Medra barely hanging on to a thread of her sanity.

If you love a fantasy story filled with political drama, social class & racial disparities, finding friendships in unexpected places while also discovering the magnitude and consequences of life-altering choices… READ THIS BOOK! I feel like this has to be at least 4 books because I cannot imagine this wrapping up in one more and I am here for all of it.

In this sequel to On Wings of Blood, we return to Bloodwood Academy as Medra enters her second year and struggles to find her place as a dragon rider in a world of vampires.

I really enjoyed this book, much more than the first one. Now that the world has been established, the plot and characters become more developed and we delve further into the history of the dragons and the highbloods while Medra navigates her relationship with Blake and alliances with the other houses.

A recommended read for fans of Zodiac Academy, Briar Boleyn's Blood of the Fae series, and dark academia that blends vampire and dragon lore.

Thank you to Netgalley and Starwater Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion.

As soon as it landed in my inbox, I dropped everything and started reading. I’m not exaggerating when I say I devoured it in just two days!

The Bond That Burns takes us back to Bloodwing Academy for Medra’s second year. After accidentally awakening a dragon, she finds herself caught in a power struggle, with every house fighting for control over her.

The world-building was as great as in the first book, with the added bonus of more dragon action! We get to know Nyxaris, the dragon of House Avari, who reminded me of a grumpy grandfather who is impossible not to love.

Medra really grew on me in this book. Her protective nature and bravery are truly commendable. She doesn’t hesitate to stand up for herself and her friends, even when faced with difficult decisions that take an emotional toll on her.

Blake, on the other hand, frustrated me to no end. At times, I wanted Medra as far away from him as possible. He was a bully, obnoxious, and made choices I personally would have struggled to forgive... if I could forgive them at all. That said, his eventual redemption arc reveals a more nuanced side of him, and I’m intrigued to see how his character develops in the next instalment.

I felt we didn’t get enough of Kage, which was a bit disappointing. I was hoping for more interactions with him, but the moments we do get are absolutely brilliant. He remains an enigma, and I sincerely hope we uncover more about him in the next book.

Florence and Neville were absolute rays of sunshine. I have a strong feeling they’ll play pivotal roles in the next book, and I can’t wait to see how their stories unfold.

Now, about the romance. I’m not usually a fan of love triangles and tend to avoid books that feature this trope, but I have to admit—I found myself rooting for both Blake and Kage at different points. Honestly, they could end up as a triad, and I wouldn’t mind one bit!

The plot twists, while slightly predictable due to the foreshadowing, were executed well and kept me engaged throughout.

And that ending? My GOD, that ending! I’m absolutely desperate for the third book to find out what happens next.

I fear this one includes the dreaded second book lag but unfortunately for the story, it's very necessary. I won't say I was ever bored but the plot was slowish moving and the drama with the back and forth was irritating (not because of the story by any means) because their inability to communicate strikes yet again (which is fitting to their character, its just like seriously you guys?).. but then they FINALLY start to figure things out and oh my goshhhh. This one is heavy in the groundwork, it's building up for book 3. It deals with the relationship growths of all the characters, the political intrigue a bit more, school, and jaw dropping discoveries. There's drama and no ways but as far as the plot moving a long.. there's 3 or 4 major things here and the rest was fun times hehehe and a lot of research and trying to figure out what the heck is going on. I won't say it was like reading iron flame because there was more plot than drama than there was in iron flame but also it is a lot of groundwork for what's to come next like iron flame; again necessary. Not complaining just trying to help people manage their expectations because book 1 was unreal.

Thanks netgalley for the arc

Read if you think: sassy dragons (a la Tairn from Fourth Wing or Saphira from Eragon) are better than serious dragons, the animal sidekicks are the best characters in any Disney movie, or Hogwarts could only have been improved with vampires.

Keep reading only if you've finished Book One
Medra has survived her first year at Bloodwing Academy, only to be betrayed by her (boy?)friend, abandoned by her dragon, and trapped in her room for the summer. As she enters her second year, she must convince the highborn nobility that she can become a rider and control a dragon, or they may decide to eliminate her entirely.

I had a great time reading book one, and while I enjoyed book two, I felt it was a bit too short for everything it tried to cover. You know how movies work by displaying a series of images, and our brains fill in the gaps between each shot? I think that in this book, the "frame rate" was too low, making each event feel somewhat disconnected from what came before. This was especially true for the emotional evolution of the characters, which seemed to progress too quickly from the events we were shown. I still had a lot of fun reading, and I need book three as soon as possible so I can stop hanging from this cliff!

Rating: 3

Thank you to Starwater Press for providing me with an advanced e-copy!

I read this in 48 hours! Such an easy to follow story.
Medra continues to be her take-no-crap self but learns so much too. The found family is *chef's kiss*.
That plot twist with Blake changes everything. I really didn't see that coming.

Ugh, holy cliffhanger! I'll be thinking about that for a few days.

I AM UNWELL. I don’t know what Briar puts in her writing that is so dang addicting but I could have read this one straight through if the holidays didn’t interrupt my reading time. This series feels like Harry Potter but adult mixed with Fourth Wing but also with vampires. I had some suspicions throughout the book that DID NOT END UP PANNING OUT which is a wonderful thing because I was truly shocked at the ending. There is still so much to unwrap in this series and I’m not sure how I am going to wait until the spring for book 3 but I AM SO EXCITED FOR IT after that absolute rollercoaster of an ending!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the EARC. Briar Boleyn has done it again. Once again I am transported into her world and I cannot escape. Not until the last word on the last page. I start these books and I can do nothing else but keep reading. These books consume me completely! If you haven’t started this series I do not know what you are waiting for !!!

Ok soooo I absolutely LOVED book 1 and have literally not been able to stop thinking about it so I was extremely hyped to get approved for book 2 but I have to admit I was a bit disappointed (this makes me so sad!!) the first half of the book I just found Blake was SO annoying like c’mon man read the room!! It was a bit repetitive…: Blake tries to humiliate Medra, Medra gets mouthy and embarrasses Blake, next chapter REPEAT. I was so relieved when IT finally happened and these two characters could start going in a certain direction. Second half of the book was definitely way better than the first but I didn’t enjoy as much as book 1 but I am still looking forward to reading what happens to Blake and Medra and the dragonsssss

This sequel was all encompassing, I was blown away by the non stop action. The twists and turns in the plot and that ending, wow my jaw literally dropped! This is so much more than a dark Romantasy academia, it has everything I could want in this genre and covers too many tropes to mention but boy did I love them all!!

Medra continues to develop her skills and find her place in the Bloodwing academy. She further develops strong bonds with existing friendships and cultivates some new ones. The angst and tension between Medra and Blake was gripping. So, so good even though at times I wanted to shake them both. When they explode oh boy did they explode!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the ARC I was fortunate enough to receive for this latest addition in the series. Having additional POVs was an extra treat and look forward to seeing more in the next book. Which I REALLY need to read, because that cliff hanger… man that was a way to end a book that’s for sure!

i’m grateful I’ve been able to read this early, I have been obsessed with book 1 and book 2 did not disappoint, I’m rating this book 4.5 stars.

Don’t mind the pun, but things REALLY heat up in book 2 in more ways than 1. Firstly, a dragon is back and this is causing havoc amongst the highbloods and fear amongst basically everyone. Secondly, our girl Medra gets some action and it was well deserved and I wasn’t mad at who it’s with.

Now.. at first I was lost cause I was like where do Medra’s friends come back into the story because I actually like them, they all bring value to the plot and the interactions are great. They are obviously part of the story in book 2, I just wasn’t patient about getting them on the page.

Blake and Kage’s rivalry unshockingly persists in book 2, but what we can be glad of is that Blake grows in this book. I think I frowned 40% less in this book and actually thought he might be worthy of Medra eventually way down the line.

Am I excited for book 3? Hell yes I am. That ending was wild and I’m a little hurt we have to wait now, but I’m excited!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

The Bond That Burns picks up with Medra imprisoned on campus while the Tribunal decides her fate for waking a dragon.

Things are a bit rough between Blake and Medra since he took her blood and solidified the bond without her consent. In an out of character temper tantrum, Blake refuses to acknowledge that asking for consent is a priority, despite previous behavior promoting consent.

The Tribunal gives her a temporary reprieve so she can start classes and bring the dragon to heel to ensure his compliance with Highbloods. Things become a tricky balancing act of who she can trust with the truth: Nyaxis will not be controlled.

This book is between a 3.5 and a 4 star for me. It felt a lot shorter than the first book, and some of the character relationships gave me whiplash. Blake especially seemed like a completely different person, and maybe the author intended it that way for reasons shown at the end, but it didn’t really make sense as I was reading. There are still a few plothole problems and explanations that are so flimsy they would fall over from a light breeze, but HEY its romantasy and I am just flowing with it.

Looking forward to what happens next for this growing group of characters.