Had me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't put it down and the spice, good lord the spice is so so delicious. We jump back in right were we left off in book 1. I knew there was going to be secrets to unfold, but there are so many lies and truths to unravel that you never really know who to trust and what their true motives are. The cliffhanger in this one is down right painful. I cannot wait for book 3.

This series gives off some Games of Thrones vibes. Its a ruthless world and your not sure who to trust or if anyone is going to die. No one is safe but I absolutely love it.

This was a fantastic continuation of the Bloodwing Academy series. If you are looking for dark academia, high stakes political scheming, steamy romance, and dragons, this is a perfect book for you.

Medra is still stuck in an unfamiliar world full of vampires, trying to convince them of her worth as a dragon rider. She struggles to determine who she can trust and finds herself questioning if she can break the bonds she formed in the first book, or if she even wants to.

My only complaint about this book is that it had a fair amount of spelling and punctuation errors, as well as one pretty obvious continuity error. I am deducting one star for that reason.

I would absolutely still recommend this book to people you love fantasy romance and dark academia, but be aware that this is not a sweet love story, even if there is romance throughout.

Thank you to Starwater Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my review!

This book had more of everything! More dragons, drama, and spice! I liked how perfectly balanced the perspective switches were between Medra and Blake giving the reader a look into each character’s thoughts without revealing too much at once. This book ended on such a cliffhanger I found myself practically screaming at my phone when I realized there were no pages left. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book to be released!

I was generously gifted both this book from Starwater Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Double review posted to instagram 1/5/2025.

I devoured this book ! I could not put it down. I loved the first book in the series so much and was so happy that the second one was out so fast. This series gives you serious Dramione vibes. The banter between the enemies to lovers is perfection. The writing was well done and easy to follow the plot. This series has great side characters, especially the fluffin. This book had plenty of spice, shocking twists, betrayals, and a cliffhanger. I will be thinking of this book until the third comes out in the spring. This book series is perfect for anyone who loves dark academia, enemies to loves, witty banter, vampires, magic, and dragons. I highly recommend picking up this series and reading it !

Thank you Netgalley and Starwater Press for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the Bloodwing Academy series, a new adult romantasy. While this series is a spin off of the author’s prior series, you do not need to read that series before starting this one. This is a sort of vampire take on Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing. Tropes and themes include dark academia, dragons, bullying, vampires, arranged marriage, and touch her and die. This book is a bit darker than book one so please check the content warnings.

The Lovely: I loved the FMC, Medra. She’s clever and determined, but also confused and volnerable, as she tries to navigate her situation. This makes her all the more complex, while she maintains that sassy, stubborn identity.

The Mundane: This book was noticeably more fast paced than book on and we quickly hopped from event to event. However, I feel like, because of that, we didn’t get to spend as much time with the characters and their relationships. I found myself missing that element of the story.

Rating: 4/5 Stars 2/5 Flames

Recommendation: I received an early copy and my opinions are my own. I definitely got dark academia vibes from this book. If you liked Harry Potter and/or magical/supernatural schools in general, I think this book would be something you would enjoy. I’m interested to see how the absolute chaos at the end is resolved when book three comes out in Spring 2025.

Ahhh if I loved the frost book in this series I love this one even more! Fell more in love with more of the characters this book and can’t wait to see how some characters develop. The cliff hanger AHHH can’t wait for the third book in May!

Broken again and again reading this.

Dark academia mixed with Vampires, dragons and so many twists and turns of who to trust so brilliantly. It has to be a read this now five start read from me for this the sequel in the Bloodwing academy series.

The whole dynamics of Medra and Blakes connection is perfectly hot and dangerous. The will they wont they vibes are perfect.

Add in Medraas friendship with Florence, a cute Fluffin, a grumpy dragon and behind the scenes betrayal and I was hooked.

The ending of this was just OMG no. Repeatedly. And I loved every second!

Brilliant world, fantastic characters and so many twists I cound not put this down! I'm DESPERATE for book three in the series.

Briar has crafted yet another brillant tale of courage, sass, friendships, romance, blood and betrayal.

Read this now.

Did I drop everything to read this book? Yes. Was it the best decision ever? Also yes.

This is the second book in the Bloodwing Academy series and it picks up right after the events of book one. After accidentally waking up Nyxaris, a dragon, Medra Pendragon spends the summer waiting for the Tribunal to decide her fate while trying to navigate her bond with Blake Drakharrow.

This sequel was so amazing. I couldn't put my kindle down and absolutely loved continuing to follow Blake&Medra through their respective POV's. I won't spoil anything, but you'll also get to enjoy another character's POV for a few chapters :)

Special mention to Theo&Visha who were oh so great in this book and I adored getting to know Nyxaris and the banter between him and Medra was hilarious!

The ending... ahhhhh what a plot twist/cliffhanger DAMN. I cannot wait for book 3!

A huge thanks to Briar Boleyn and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book!

P.S.: Neville, our favorite fluffin, having roomies at inappropriate times was something I didn't know I needed ahah

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a wild ride of magic, danger, and betrayal that’ll keep you turning pages. The story follows Medra, who thought surviving her first year at the deadly Bloodwing Academy would be enough—until she accidentally awakens a dragon, and suddenly, she’s got a legacy that everyone wants to control. The second book picks up right where the first one ended, so you can imagine my joy when this book was available on Netgalley.

The mix of dragons, vampires, and high-stakes intrigue was a page-turner, and the world-building really pulls you in. Medra is a complex character. She’s got a dragon legacy, but the twist is that she’s not the one in control of it—something that makes for some seriously tense moments. And let’s talk about Blake Drakharrow, the guy Medra thought she could trust, only to find herself tied to him in a messed-up, blood-bond situation. I definitely would have liked a little more chemistry between Blake and Medra and sometimes I just felt like they were not clicking. But I am rooting for them in the next installment.

What really stands out is the gritty, no-holds-barred world Boleyn has created. There’s no cutesy, demure fairy tale stuff here—only power struggles, betrayal, and characters who are trying to survive in a world where trust is a luxury they can’t afford. Medras' journey is unpredictable, and honestly, just when you think you’ve got things figured out, the story takes a sharp turn. The ending was great and the story really picked up around the last third of the book. That ending definitely has me pining after the next book.

If you like dark fantasy, complex characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, On Wings of Blood is totally worth the read. It’s a mix of action, suspense, and emotional twists that will keep you hooked until the last page.

Rating: 3.75 stars 🌟

Thank you Netgalley, Briar Boleyn and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own

Oh my! This was amazing, adorable, crazy and hectic! I LOVED IT!!!!! And that plot twist? I will never recover unless i get book 3 in my hands!!!!

**ARC READ**

"It felt good. So fucking good to know I could make her do more than hate me. Dangerously good."

Yup, so this book... this book. I'm so wrecked but in a good way. Briar Boleyn, you're one of my favourite authors and I've only read On Wings of Blood and now The Bond That Burns. I was very invested in continuing on from book 1 and omg you did not disappoint. I didn't want it to end. I wish I could read this book for the first time again. You made me feel all the feels. So many twists in this book and the cliffhanger!!! Omg, that cliffhanger!!! I need book 3 right now. I'm extremely invested in this series and physical copies of these books will sit on my shelf for multiple re readings.

Pretty good 2nd book to the series. Read it in a couple of days and ended up disappointed the 3rd book isn't out yet! I don't usually like books/animes where the main character just pops in a new world but I really liked this one. Every character has been developed deeper. Waiting to read the next one!

Wow, so good! I was absolutely drawn into this book and had a hard time putting it down! The last 15% especially was so intense and consumed me!
This story had a lot of development for Blake I think, though it takes a while. His little unintentional confessions just had me wanting to cry! Loved watching their bond grow and change.
So thankful to have received an ARC for this book and looking forward to book 3 in spring, especially after that cliffhanger!
🌶️🌶️/5

Well this was quite the emotional rollercoaster! Briar Boleyn really knows how to deliver a fantasy romance that rips your heart out, stomps on it, and then hands it back with a bittersweet smile. This instalment in the series is packed with tension, drama, and just the right amount of swoony moments to keep you hooked.

The story picks up where the last book left off, with Aria and Kael facing impossible odds. Their bond is tested (hence the title!) in ways that are both gut-wrenching and incredibly satisfying. Boleyn dives deep into themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the messy, complicated nature of love. The stakes are high, not just for our favourite couple, but for the entire kingdom...and believe me, you'll feel every single moment.

What I loved most is how much Aria has grown. She’s fierce, vulnerable, and refuses to back down, even when the odds are stacked against her. Kael is, of course, broody and complicated in all the best ways. Their chemistry? Off the charts. I found myself mentally yelling, “Just kiss already!” more than once because the tension there was HIGH!

The pacing is solid, though a few chapters in the middle dragged a bit with some very detailed (maybe too much so?) world-building. That said, the explosive climax and emotional ending more than make up for it. And can we talk about that ending? No spoilers, but it’s going to stick with me for a long time.

If you’re into angsty, magical romance with a side of kingdom-saving, this one’s for you!

4.5 stars...that extra half is for the ending alone!

This review will be published on Instagram (@kerryreadsbooks_) in January 2025.

Review of The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn
* * * * *
Tensions, magic and fires rise as the vampires crave for more power from their new rider, and the dragon she has brought forth. What secrets and truthes will be known as our warrior fights for the life of her friends and dragon.

Medra has done something that was believed impossible, and now, she is being demanded to control the ancient beast.
The vampires families are demanding her in their house and under the power, or have her destroyed.
Medra, however, is not taking their venom. She is fighting back, learning from her mistakes, and bonding with the dragon that could destroy them all or be her salvation.

Medra already has enough school work on her plate, and dealing with a-hole teachers and elder vampires. Now, she's packing in on her extra studies and dragon riding lessons.
Her bond with Blake has taken a turn after his betrayal, but Blake - though wishing to make her miserable one moment and craving her the next - will do anything to make sure she is aware she is his...thought he has his own problems.
Something strange is happening.
A new change.
Evolution? Magic? A sickness?
More betrayals. More death. More to come!!

"It felt good. So fucking good to know I could make her do more than hate me. Dangerously good."

Excuse me!?
EXCUSE ME
I FEEL LIKE IVE RUN A MARATHON. My heart is pounding, I’m shaky, I’m feeling all the emotions, I can’t breathe.
Ohmygod

“Magnificent. Utterly magnificent.” And it was his tone of voice that caught me off guard this time. Reverent. No, worshipful.

Okay, I got my shit together.

This was everything I wanted and more. Blake was perfect. Medra was perfect. Florence was a cute little bean. Tanaka was swoony. Theo and Visha stepped up. Neville has my whole heart and I would end the world for him.

“But you bring the fire. You make even the darkness shine. Even dragon fire can’t compete with the way you burn, Pendragon.”

This book picks right up where the last one ended, on the cliffhanger, and OH this one has a cliffhanger to, so get ready to DIE. I’ll be here to consol you in hell (babes, we’re not going to heaven at this point lmao).

"So, my girl was a princess. It wasn’t that much of a surprise, really. She’d always looked like a queen to me."

Medra takes absolutely no shit. I love it and her. She stands up for herself all the time and for her friends. There wasn’t a time where I got annoyed because she wouldn’t say anything, you know, when you’re screaming at a character to stand up for themselves, Medra was just great.

"I thought of how close we’d become last year. How good it had felt to think, just briefly, that she was on my side. The two of us against the world. Now I was alone again."

Blake, our little bully vamp turned into an obsessive bully vampire AND something is happening to him, some change that I won’t say to spoil it but OHMYGOD YES. AND TANAKA. YES. All the yeses.

"She was deep inside me now. Woven into my blood. Carved into my heart. But maybe these feelings were poison. Sweet but deadly."

I don’t think it’s gonna happen but I am rooting for MFM or MMF but I have a feeling I know where it’s going based on the ending now, so while I’m sad, I still like the how this is all playing out.

"I’m going to die, aren’t I?
You are not going to die, Nyxaris answered. You will not fall. I will not allow it. I will not permit you to humiliate me in such a ridiculous way."

Nyxaris. That’s all.

"Pendragon hated me. I already knew that. But what I hadn’t realized was that her dragon did, too."

What even is this review? What a fucking mess lmao

“You survived your first year because I allowed it. Don’t make me prove that to you now.” He suddenly pushed his chest up against mine, shoving me backwards. His breath was hot against my ear. “Why don’t you just fall in line, like a good little girl?”

Omg!!!!! I'm still so hooked lol. Definitely has some Fourth Wing vibes, and some Zodiac vibes. Bully romance, academy, dragons, betrothal, consort, and a vampire prince. Not much more you could ask for!!! Awesome book!

Part two of the Bloodwing Academy series sees Medra facing the consequences of awakening a dragon in a world in which they’ve long since been exorcised. We see the return of familiar characters in Blake, Florence and Theo among others, with some newer ones making an appearance too.

My thoughts? It was good…it wasn’t great.

As much as it pains me to say that as I adore Briar Boleyn, I have to be honest. The Blood of a Fae series is one of my all time favourites and On Wings of Blood (part one to this book) was excellent, I finished it desperate for part two, but this one just seems to fall a little short.

It felt a little rushed. The whole way through, everything seemed to just skim the surface and not ever get any deeper. I was really hoping to find out more about Medra and where she’d come from. What was her life like in Camelot and what happened there for her to end up in a whole new world? I felt like we just didn’t learn enough and too many questions from part one remained unanswered in part too also.

That being said, it’s not unlikeable, I did enjoy it and will look out for part three. I just felt like I needed more from this one.

Thank you for the ARC and I wish the book every success upon release.

Oh my Goddess! This was a perfect follow up! I allways get nervous when the first book is great, and then you start on the second, but the gripping story continues in The Bonds That Burns 🔥

We follow the tension-felt relasionship between Merda and Blake (A shout out to my man Blake!), we get more dragon-time and twists, turns and a tribunal hearing.

I personally don't know why more pepole are'nt talking about this series.
It has everything: Vampires, Dragons, Wolves, Dark academy, found family, spice and a great worldbuilding!
Need the next one ASAP

Post on IG the 15 of jan. 2025 with both On WIngs of Blood & The Bond that Burns

I was intrigued after book one. Unfortunately this just wasn't for me. I liked the academic setting, the basic outline of the plot, and some of the characters.

Maybe it's just timing and I'll have to revisit this book another time, but I started liking Medra less and less. I understand the betrayal, but the constant outward anger just didn't resonate for me. I'm not saying she's wrong, just the approach is something I would literally walk away from in the real world.