4.5⭐️
I LOVED the direction Briar took this book! the development with Nyxaris in the storyline was SO good, love the grumpy old dragon vibe! Is it possible to love Medra anymore she is badass! i love her found family friendship with florence, must protect her at all costs! loved the snippets of her pov in this book!

I wanted to shake Blake so hard, he won me over again in the end! I really enjoyed the development with all the other characters. OK Kage i see you.. Mr smooth! NEVILLE little fluffball my heart! had me teary eyed 🥹

I loved that we got more history and family secrets too in this book 🤭

So many unexpected events in the last 20% of the book had me on edge in the best way! i love its unpredictability. THE CLIFFHANGER i cant wait for book 3 release im SO invested at this point i HAVE to know more!

Thankyou Briar Boleyn & netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own.
-adelereadsromance

5⭐️

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

The bond that burns pick up RIGHT where we left off with the cliffhanger of On wings of Blood..

DRAGONSSSSS 🐉

This book had me gripped and was everything it needed to be. So much going on, fabulous character development, FLUFFINS and some 🌶️- 🙌🙌🙌

I just love Blake and Medra's story and all the ups and down that comes along with it! The friendships and found family aspect in this was also just 👌

Another cliffhanger so I will be very impatiently awaiting the 3rd book - another anticipated 5⭐️ read.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

EXCUSE ME!!! THAT ENDING!?!? May I please have book 3 asap??? 🙏🏼

The Bond That Burns is an incredible continuation of the Bloodwing Academy series. It was filled with so much action, secrets, and plot twists. Blake Drakharrow's character development was amazing to watch. At first I was getting increasingly frustrated with him but by the end he had me swooning all over again. I'd also love to learn more about Kage Tanaka, Neville, and Nyxaris as the series progresses. Every scene they were in had me wanting more. Medra is still a badass fmc as usual. She does what she wants, doesn't take shit from anyone, and isn't afraid to stand up to authority. She is still profoundly protective of her found family. Overall, such a great book 2! Time flew by so quick!

Please please please read this series!

*Thank you to Netgalley, Starwater Press, and the author, Briar Boleyn, for an ARC. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

Book 1 was good, but Book 2? Amazing and such a fun time!
I absolutely loved how the characters evolved from book 1 and during book 2, im also so happy we got more about Florence she is adorable. I also liked that we got more about nyaxris, I love his grumpy ass and how his relationship with Medra developed.

Now blake I didnt really love in this book for some reason. I like that he has his own struggles and trauma to figure out. However i feel like his character went back and forth and it was just a bit off. And his relationship with Medra was a bit meh.. the spice tho was good!

I liked the plot and the twist and turns were interesting for sure! And the cliffhanger I absolutely didn't see coming! I do feel like there was too much going in the end and things felt a bit out of place but besides that the pace in the book was pleasant.

I cant wait to continue this series once the next book comes out!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

Review posted on instagram, fable, goodreads & amazon (waiting for Amazons approval so it will be up once they approve it!)

Thanks again to net galley and Briar Boylen for the arc. This sequel was perfect follow up from book 1. I love Medra’s best friend. Kage is trying to help her but I think he has other plans. I love her dragon. And the tension between her and Blake!!!! Love it all

After finishing Book 1, I dove straight into Book 2.

I absolutely love dual POV. Getting to be in both Medra and Blake's head is great. Seeing Blake's actions play out then thinking to myself "Why TF is he being like that??!" Then 2-3 chapters later I get to be in his head. Cool. Cool.

This series is very much curing my book hangover of another popular series. I love the dragon! I won't say more than that as to avoid spoilers, but I love the relationship, if you can call it that between the dragon and Medra. A mutually beneficial working relationship maybe?

If you like dragons, fae, vampires, bully romance, dual POV, shifters, found family, blood play, stabby FMC, dark academia, HP vibes, then go read book 1 and jump into Book 2, cuz book 3 is coming and I cannot wait.

Oh, be warned, she left us an a cliffhanger!!!!

**Absolutely Obsessed!**

Book 2 of this series took everything I loved in the first one and made it *bigger*. Dragons, fae, vampires—this book had it all, and the world-building just got even more intense. I loved seeing the characters grow and evolve, especially the way their relationships deepened and the stakes got higher. The tension between them was so gripping, and the character progression was amazing! Honestly, I think this one surpassed the first book for me, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!

What a wonderful second book! I wasn't sure how this would live up to the first which I adored, but this was a great read.

The most important thing to me was to see how Medra and Blakes relationship developed after the ending of book 1. I was pleased things weren't simple and it was a satisfying resolution. Now I need to know how they cope with the ending of book 2!

And the dragons obviously. Dying to find out what's going on, and what happens next. The plot moved along really well here, with plenty of surprises! Aenia broke my heart a little bit and I adore Florence and Theo.

A great second book, can't wait to continue this series.

Book two in the Bloodwing Academy series is far more fun where romance is concerned. Readers will definitely be able to scratch that romantic itch and dear old Blake’s emotional progress is well structured. I do miss the class time that was so prolific in book one but I suspect we will be able to enjoy a big learning curve regarding the dragons (I do love a good training montage) and the uncovering of further political machinations.
There are a lot of loose ends still to tie up! I look forward to reading book three.

this book includes:
badass fmc
obsessive mmc
dark academia
found family
bully romance
enemies to lovers
hate to love

The bond that burns picks up where On wings of blood left off with that cliffhanger. Which for me is one of the best things that can happen with the 1st book leaves on a cliffhanger ending.

Medra is even better in this book compared to the 1st book. She takes no shit whatsoever. One of my favourite things about her is that she stands up for whoever needs help. I absolutely hate when reading a book and the main characters can see someone needs help and they can help them but they don’t for whatever reason. Well Medra is not that type of character. If someone needs help she is the one to stand up and help them which is something I really appreciate.

Blake becomes even more obsessive in this book which you wouldn’t think is possible but it is which to me is swoon worthy 😍.

The bond that burns is full of twist and turns that will keep you on your toes and needing book 3.

This book is written beautifully in a way that draws you in and I can’t wait to read book 3 just to experience it again.

"In my dreams, she wanted me just as much as I wanted her."

The best way I could describe these books is Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing but with vampires.

These books had me hooked from page one!

Medra Pendragon is the last of the dragon riders in a world where dragons no longer exist. Yet to the vampires, she is a threat, and therefore, she is forced to attend Bloodwing Academy. There, she has to face a battleground of not only competitions but the alluring Blake Drakharrow, who is now her betrothed and slowly stealing her heart.

Book one is a lot of world building, and I found it a bit draining, especially when this book was flagged as a Dramione, and I sort of just wanted to get to that part... I would say it's a low dose Dramione, like just sprinkles on your ice cream at night time.
You can see the book one build up. You can see what it's doing, and then a cliffhanger slaps you in the face. Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised that cliffhangers exist, but they still get me.
Book two was so much better than book one, and I think it's because the back story was set up extensively prior. Medra develops so much as a character in this one. Blake somehow is more shirtless, and then the cliffhanger (yes, also hurt me again) was somehow better than book ones 🤦‍♀️

I can't wait for book 3!

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for this eCopy to review

From the very first page, I was hooked by the dark, seductive world Briar Boleyn created in 'The Bond That Burns.' It's a fantasy romance with a definite edge, and I found myself completely swept away.

The story centres on our heroine, Medra who, let's be honest, gets thrown into the deep end from page one. She accidentally awakens a dragon, a mythical creature of immense power, and suddenly, she's the centre of everyone's attention. Every powerful house at Bloodwing wants to control her, and by extension, the dragon's legacy she now carries. The catch? She has absolutely no idea what she's doing. She's basically winging it, trying to keep everyone from realising she's not the one in control. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how long she could keep up the charade.

And then there's Blake Drakharrow. Oh, Blake. He's the epitome of the 'bully villain with Draco Malfoy energy,' and I was here for it. He starts off betraying her, which, okay, not cool, but then he becomes her blood source, creating this intense, tangled bond between them. The tension was palpable! I was practically fanning myself. The author really knows how to build that slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and it was so satisfying.

The world-building was fantastic. I loved the unique blend of vampires and dragons, and the lore felt fresh and original. Bloodwing Academy itself was a character, with its dark, gothic atmosphere and its treacherous power dynamics. I was completely immersed in this world, and I couldn't get enough.

The plot was fast-paced and action-packed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. I loved the balance between the romance and the fantasy elements. The action scenes were thrilling, and the romantic moments were heart-pounding. I was completely invested in Medra's journey, and I was rooting for her to survive and find her place in this dangerous world.

I'm eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. If you're a fan of dark academia fantasy romance with strong characters and intense chemistry, 'The Bond That Burns' is definitely a must-read!"

<b>Actual Rating: 3.5⭐</b>

I love the first book, and I was very excited to read the sequel, The Bond that Burns which started right after the ending of Book 1, On Wings of Blood.
Truthfully, I have mixed feelings about this book.

Plotwise, it was fascinating. I was intrigued as Medra set out on a mission to uncover the hidden history of the dragons and their riders, as well as secrets kept from the public by the Four Houses. Not only that, but another shocking secret finally came to light.

Medra is doing her best under the immense pressure and expectations of being the only dragon rider. I admired the way she stands up for herself and her dragon, and her friendship with Florence.
And who could forget the adorable Neville ? It’s impossible not to love him; his cute antics always liven up the story!

While I enjoyed the storyline and love the characters, the direction of the romance wasn’t what I expected.
I spend most of the time hating Blake (Medra’s love interest) due to his attitude and action toward Medra, which angered me so much!
Initially, I was rooting for Medra and Blake, but after this book, I no longer feel the same way. I don’t’ get the Dramione vibes anymore and I think Medra deserves better than Blake…

The last few chapters were quite intense, with twist after twist, some of which were left unanswered. This left me wishing I had the next book in the series.

Overall, this was still a pretty good sequel. The easy-to-read writing style, short chapters, epic world building and loveable characters kept my eyes glued to my Kindle.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: blood, death, violence, sexual content

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It picks up right where book 1 ends and doesn't mess around getting straight back into the story.

I loved the dynamic between Medra and Nyxaris and getting to know the dragons character throughout the book. I liked getting to know more about Visha too and really love her character. I am not being dramatic when I say I would die for Neville. I did struggle a little but with Blake at the start of the book and quite frankly wanted him to get a grip.

I am really excited to see where this series goes and will definelty be diving right into book 3 when its released. This book kept me on my toes trying to figure out everyone's intentions and true allegiances and I still don't think I have it figured out.

The ending!!! You have dark academia, enemies to lovers, dragons, vampires

Trials to test how far Medra can go before she breaks. She is the only dragon rider is existence. Her and her friends fight for survival.

This is the second book in the Bloodwing academy series and highly addicting! Briar has kept the same level of suspense, tension and drama as in On Wings Of Blood. So if you love vampires, dragons, magic in a world where Harry Potter meets Zodiac Academy and Fourth Wing... put this book on your TBR! I can tell you: I can't wait for the third book!

Wow, the world-building in The Bond That Burns continues to grow richer and more complex, especially with the intricate dynamics between dragons, highbloods, and dragon riders. While I enjoyed the story, I really wanted more of Blake, and I was relieved that his bullying didn’t drag on for too long. However, some of the decisions both Blake and Medra make weren’t exactly what I hoped for. Still, the political intrigue and deeper understanding of family motivations kept me hooked. Can’t wait for book 3!

The Bond That Burns is the second book in the Bloodwing Academy series. It picks up right after the end of book one in the courtyard of dragon statues.

I absolutely loved it and devoured this book faster than book one. Although the beginning is fairly slow on the pacing, were just kind of waiting for time to pass (no spoilers), the pacing does pick up part way through and then kicks into overdrive in the last 60 pages.

I love how much some of the characters develop in this book, it's nice to see some considerable character growth.

The relationship between Blake and Medra does develop further. I'm curious to see whether or not this develops further in book 3.

The interactions between Nyraxis and Medra were fun, I appreciate the snarky dragon attitude. I appreciate that Neville is still up to his shenanigans, but I feel like we see him less in this book.

Once again, we end on a doozy of a cliffhanger. I'm dying to know what happens next and am really excited to see what happens in Book 3 - can't wait for The Wings That Bind this spring!

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, Saltwater Press (Indie), and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Wow, wow, woooooow Briar does it again and I couldn't put this book down. A must read author from me (and I will probably re read this too)

4.5 ⭐️

”She was a storm of contradictions, all fragility and fire. If she let me, I’d be the one who held her through every storm and tempest on the horizon.”🖤

I loved this book so much more than the first. I was at the edge of my seat at times and couldn’t put the book down. There were certain things that drove me a little crazy, the biggest was the constant back and forth between Medra and Blake. Now, I loved the banter between them in book 1, but I think by the time I got to reading this one, I just really wanted them to make up and be together. I think I just got tired of how much they hated one another, and it was only because they never actually talked to each other to understand one another and instead tormented each other

Blake reminds me so much of Draco Malfoy, where he resorts to bullying, disrespect, and hurting people with his words when he himself feels some kind of hurt or rejection. And Medra is such a badass & strong charcter, that she isn’t afraid of anyone or easily intimidated by them, so she very easily will put Blake in his place. Or atleast try to. She is strong & independent, but the people she cares about are her weaknesses.

“For the first time in a long time, I fell asleep believing that maybe, just maybe, I was capable of something better. Because of her.” 🖤

Eventually Medra & Blake’s relationship and understanding of one another gets better, but other challenges begin to arise. Blake will do anything for Medra, and has tried to keep her safe, but there are many secrets between them, and she doesn’t know if she can trust him.

“When you’re in danger, I feel like I’d gladly give up my life and everything in it to keep you safe.”♥️♥️

Medra is also working hard, trying to find answers for the dragon she woke, Nyxaris, who can’t remember much of his previous life. Which is pretty cool, following along as she tries to put the pieces together.

Overall, this was a great read for me, and I cannot wait until the third one comes out, because the ending was a bit insane! It left me with so many questions and I need answers! So excited to follow these characters as the series continues to develop ♥️