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.

🖤❤️”And what about you? Are you so very different? Are you not angry? Are you not lost?”❤️🖤

This was somehow so much better than the first, and the first was great to begin with. But this was beautiful and haunting and ended in such a tense way that I do not know what to do with myself until the next book comes out. Everything about this was enjoyable, but specifically the second half was so emotional and tense and I honestly can’t quite put it into words. If you liked the first book you should read this immediately.

🧛🏻‍♀️I am on this authors street team (thank you!❤️) and received an ARC of this book. I am leaving an honest review voluntarily🧛🏻‍♀️

5 freaking stars ! If I could give it more I would!

Briar, you had me hooked from the first page. I could not put this down. I loved the first book, but this book was even better!!!

Nyxaris, what a character he is! He is such a grumpy boy and he can do no wrong in my eyes.

Blake, ugh he infuriated me so much at the beginning of the book. But then the bathroom scene happened. I’m still thinking about it. It was HOT.

The spice was 🔥🔥🔥 - perfection. The perfect amount.

And all the twists at the end ??? And now we have to wait for book three?!! I am so invested in this series.

I loved the first one, and I love the second one. It's addictive and exactly what I love to read when it comes to academy type books. Vampires, dragons, what else do you need? It's hot and full of tension and suspense. I could see myself rereading these in the near future. The pacing and story kept me wanting to flip the next page, and I finished it on a Tuesday morning because I couldn't stay up past 2am to finish in Monday night. Haha.

I love the main character, and I won't give away much from the book, but I am a huge fan of her friends and how the story unfolds. I love Blake's pov and it adds so much more to the story and character arcs. And... I need book 3 so badly. So so so good. Highly recommend to all romantacy people who love plot and spice and a fast-paced story with great character growth in an academy setting.

"I already knew what else I'd find in her eyes if I looked hard enough. Hatred. Desire. Two sides of the same coin. I knew because they were mirrored in my own eyes."

The Bond That Burns covers Medra's second year at the Bloodwing Academy, as she deals with the fallout of the night everything changed at the end of her first year.

First off, I liked that she didn't let Blake off the hook right away, but as they worked their way forward I was incredibly engaged by the connection they have. Trust and betrayal are big themes throughout the book, between multiple characters, but especially between Blake and Medra. I also liked that we started to explore the fact of Medra's past life a bit more in this book. It was something I wanted to see more of in the first book as well, but we are starting to get it now and I think it enhances her character.

Much like the first book, you get chucked headfirst into a mega cliffhanger, so fingers crossed that the author is keeping up her ridiculous pace of production (Book 1 came out like two months ago!) and we won't have to wait too long to read about Year 3.

Also, Neville: 10/10, would die for.

Rating: 4.25/5
Spice: 2.5/5

Tropes:
- Dragons
- Vampires
- Bully romance
- Magic academy
- Forced betrothal
- Found family
- Touch her and die
- Possessive morally grey MMC
- He falls first
- Dragon rider FMC
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Betrayal
- Dramione-coded
- Dual POV

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

As the second installment in Briar Boleyn’s captivating trilogy, The Bond That Burns raises the stakes in the deadly and treacherous world of Bloodwing Academy. Following the events of the first book, the protagonist finds herself grappling with the explosive consequences of awakening a dragon—an ancient creature tied to myth, fire, and death.

This sequel expertly builds on the intrigue and danger of its predecessor, plunging readers deeper into a world where alliances are fragile, power is everything, and trust is a luxury few can afford. The heroine’s struggle to control the dragon’s legacy, while navigating betrayal—especially from Blake Drakharrow—adds a heart-wrenching and complex dynamic to the story. Their toxic yet magnetic bond is fraught with tension and vulnerability, heightening the drama and emotional stakes.

Boleyn’s writing is as sharp as ever, weaving a fast-paced plot with jaw-dropping twists and moments of unexpected tenderness. The dark academia setting, combined with themes of survival, love, and power, keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The Bond That Burns is a powerful sequel that doesn’t shy away from exploring the darkness within its characters or its world. A must-read for fans of the trilogy, it sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling finale.

Briar is easily one of my favorite authors. It never fails to be a great time while immersed in the world they create. Phenomenal read

The Bond That Burns (Bloodwing Academy Book 2) by Briar Boleyn
Publish Date: Dec 27th

Four and a half stars!

As a reader, I can’t say I have come across many books which are the second in a series which I have enjoyed more then the first. ‘The Bond That Burns’ is a rare exception for that. I devoured this book, the need to know what happens next overtook sleep, and I am so glad it did, because I enjoyed every second.

The first thing that hooked me, was the amazing tension following the events in ‘On Wings of Blood’. Not just tension between our main girl Medra (and if you know, you know), but the tension Briar has created in all her characters. Aside from the tension, this book also had everything I desire in a book, including some political intrigue, sassiness, betrayal, found family, hidden histories, personal growth and, above all else, dragons. And the ending! It was unpredictable and truly amazing.
Extremely excited to continue this series!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

★★★★.5

“𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙣𝙤 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙨. 𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙚, 𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨. 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮”

the bond that burns was everything i wanted and more ♥️ briar has seriously delivered with book two of the ‘bloodwing academy’ series, and i’m absolutely hooked

this series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine this year 🤭 faes, vampires, shifters, dragons—what more could you possibly ask for?

the world-building is chef’s kiss, the characters are perfection, and the storyline is so addictive i couldn’t put the book down

i’ll admit, i was not thrilled with blake’s behavior towards medra at the start of the book 🙂‍↔️ i was actually really disappointed in him

but getting his pov made such a difference - learning more about his true intentions and that jaw-dropping revelation about who/what he actually is?? i’m still recovering 😦

and those plot twists?

briar has mastered the art of keeping us on the edge of our seats

the ending shattered me in the best way, and now i’m stuck counting down the days until spring to find out what happens next 🐉if you love fast-paced fantasy with a ton of heart and surprises, you need this series in your life

“𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧, 𝙞 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞’𝙙 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚”