I loved this! I loved the vampire school setting and dark academia vibes. I wasn't a fan of all the bullying and it was a little slow in the middle but otherwise I'd definitely recommend this for fans of romantasy and vampires + dragons!

Firstly. I read this awhile but took me forever to review! Let's just say I loved this book so much I bought it immediately after reading plus preordered the deluxe version to be pretty as a shelf trophy.

This has all the tropes, Dark Academia Check, Forbidden love Check, more plot over spice check! . If you want a kick butt female character this one is probably for you. Immediately draws you in, I am trying not to spoil it because I could easily because to me this book was everything of Fourth wing but MORE. Plus a brooding shadow daddy in all his glory. The tension was nice and the academy setting was brilliant.

This book started out so good! I mean, I originally thought they were older and then it went into this dark academia plot but that was still okay. It was a little reminiscent of Twilight to me...the girl who is just different then anyone...smells better...is at risk for her life all of the time...and then the moody MMC who is working his butt off to resist his bodies call to her. Then it turns into Fourth Wing, which again, another very entertaining read so we're looking good. It felt original in its blending of ideas and plot lines. We're 60% in and I'm thinking this is a 4.5 star read. Then it becomes Interview with the Vampire/Hunger Games (which hey, 2 more stories I love so I'm thinking we're still on the right track) but suddenly it just tanks. If it's trying to be a slow burn, then do that. If were trying to build yearning and hold it, do that. Instead it just kind of wishy washy jumps between the two. 60% in when they finally kiss and then suddenly he's fingering her and then that whole plot line just drops off. Suddenly he doesn't know her at all. Suddenly this sweet hearted core of a man doesn't understand what consent is or why its important? It got cringy, repetitive, horrific and twisted without cause or advancement of the plot. It just turned into a hot pot mess that felt like so many other stories just cut and pasted and reworked into trying to rush through and finish this novel. It dropped from a 4.5 star to closer to a 3. Was I still entertained? Yes. Will I read the next one? Eventually...but I'm not in any rush. Honestly bummed out because how was it so good for so much of the book and then just had 0 follow through or focus? Well... no regrets on reading, but the potential felt tangible.

On Wings of Blood is a fast-paced, addictive dark fantasy that blends academy drama, forbidden magic, and a fierce enemies-to-lovers romance. Medra Pendragon, a half-fae outcast and supposed last dragon rider, is thrust into Bloodwing Academy where vampires rule and danger lurks behind every beautiful face. Briar Boleyn delivers sharp banter, brutal politics, and a brooding love interest in Blake Drakharrow. With deadly rituals, explosive secrets, and a heroine who refuses to be tamed, this book is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Perfect for fans of dark academia and slow-burn fantasy romance.

I really liked this book! It was exciting and kept me interested the whole time. The characters were cool and the story moved fast. Definitely a good read if you like action and fantasy.

I thought i was going to love this as I really enjoyed his other series but I struggled to get into it.

The pacing felt slightly off and it felt like there was too much being packed into the story.

Overall it was still an enjoying read but just didnt compare to the other series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Starwater Press for providing me with this arc

On Wings of Blood had all the ingredients to completely hook me: vampires (one of my favourite lores), a brooding atmosphere, and a premise that promised high stakes and seduction. Add to that the hype surrounding the book online, and I went in with high expectations.

The story delivered moments of intrigue and darkness, and I can absolutely see why it’s gained so much attention. However, while it had its strong points, it didn’t fully land for me.

It wasn’t a bad read, but it didn’t blow me away either. I’d say it sits somewhere in the middle, a solid introduction to what could be a gripping series. I’m definitely curious enough to pick up the second book and see where things go from here.

Overall, On Wings of Blood was a mixed bag: some tropes I love, a few pacing issues, and a vibe that kept me intrigued, if not completely enchanted.

Brilliant beginning to this series. Fantastic world building, interesting characters. Engaging dark academia at its finest.

I am completely obsessed with this series.

I went into the blind without really knowing much about it. And it was SUPERB.

It didn’t have to break my heart the way it did.

Blake needs a good punch to the throat and I will fully support Medra to do it.

Creepy uncle needs to calm down.

Creepy sister also needs to calm down.

Vampires, Dragons, Fae?! Sign me the eff up.

I really enjoyed this book.
It would seem I am reading a lot of vampire books lately (totally by accident!) and this was a good one to continue the 'blood streak'.
Loved the world building, the characters and the pacing continued well. I'll look forward to the next one!

This was such a great read! I picked it up because it kept popping up on my feed and wow... Blake Drakharrow is definintely morally black and I'm here for it. Medra Pendragon is a half fae who is forced to attend a school of highblood vampires and has to fight to keep from etting toppled and tormented. Unfortunately, she's been targeted by Blake Drakharrow and somehow gets bethrothed to him.

It's such a great epic romantasy that somewhat ends in a cliffhanger because why not? Along the way, Medra forgets who Blake is beacuse the banter and tension gets really good and sucks you into thinking that Blake might just be different. When it's every man/woman for themselves, Medra has to remember that not everything is as it seems and she has to fight her way through and show them that she's not one to be pushed around. She'll burn everything to the ground.

4.5/5 - rounded up to 5

this book!! this genuinely gave me everything i went into the book expecting AND MORE!
I usually find that it takes me a while to get immersed in a new world and properly acquainted with the characters but something about this way this book is written dragged me straight into it immediately!
Truly if I didnt have a job then I could've so easily sat down and read this book in one sitting - I'm 100% absolutely obsessed! I cant wait to pick up book 2 and then (try to) patiently wait for book 3!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book - I can't wait for you future releases!

Umm hello best read of 2025! Seriously 6 stars! Absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the series! Where has Briar Boleyn been and why am I just now reading her work? Can’t wait to read the prequel series!

I see why people compare this to Zodiac Academy- forced proximity in a magical academy with multilayered characters where you end up liking people you know are flawed and not always the greatest humans. Overall I liked but didn’t love, didn’t feel invested in the characters & relationships enough YET (as always, the MMC being blonde is probably effecting this 🤷🏼‍♀️) but I see the potential and am READY for the groveling and yearning to continue in book 2. 3.75 ⭐️

What do you get when you throw together Fourth Wing, Harry Potter, Zodiac Academy, and a splash of Arthurian legend then drench it in fangs, fae, and blood fueled drama? You get On Wings of Blood, and let me just say: I. Am. Obsessed.

From the moment I met Medra Pendragon, a half-fae girl thrown into a brutal vampire academy, I was hooked. She’s fierce, sarcastic, and completely out of place which makes her the perfect heroine to root for. Bloodwing Academy is dangerous, dark, and totally addictive. The highblood vampires are powerful and cruel, the rules are twisted, and the secrets? Let’s just say this story is stacked with them.

This book is very much a set-up for something huge introducing a wild, magical world filled with politics, power plays, ancient bloodlines, and a whole lot of tension (yes, that kind of tension too 👀). The world-building is solid, and while I’m still wrapping my head around all the layers, I loved the way the mythology unfolded, especially the Arthurian twist and the dragon lore.

It’s dark. It’s magical. It’s full of bite (literally). And I can already tell this series is going to get even more intense.

Medra Pendragon wakes up on a pile of dead bodies. She is then taken by a vampire prince and becomes his betrothed against her will. On top of all of that, she is then expected to attend Bloodwing Academy where she is expected to fulfill her role as a consort. If you enjoy fantasy with dark elements, vampires, dragons, games and trials, and an academic setting, you'll enjoy this book!

⭐⭐½ – 3 ⭐

On Wings of Blood had such a promising dark academia vibe with tension and fantasy romance, almost like a mix between Fourth Wing and Silver Elite. I absolutely love this author’s other works, but I really struggled to follow the plot here—and I didn’t know much about the main characters by the end. I later found out it’s better to read the author’s previous series first, which would’ve helped a lot! As it was, I felt a bit lost, and the story didn’t hit as hard as I hoped. Still, fans of the author or those who’ve read the earlier books might enjoy it more than I did.

On Wings of Blood is basically what happens when you throw Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, and Arthurian legend into a blender with a bunch of vampires and hit puree. And somehow it actually works!

This book doesn't mess around—it dumps you straight into the dark, twisted vampire world with zero hand-holding, and I was absolutely here for it. Dark academia vibes? Check. Magic? Check. Unlikely friendships forged in supernatural chaos? Double check.

Medra is the kind of FMC you want to root for—tough, determined, and absolutely not here for anyone's BS. She's just trying to survive in this nightmare academy, and watching her navigate all the vampire politics and magical mayhem had me completely hooked from page one.

If you love your fantasy dark, your academia deadly, and your vampires actually scary, this is your jam. Already dying for book two because I need to know what fresh hell awaits these characters!

Thank you to Starwater Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5/5 Stars

On Wings of Blood was a rollercoaster. I'm interested to see how things unravel with the politics and magic of the world. I'm also hoping we learn more about Medra's home and her past! There is no shortage of danger and sarcasm, in equal doses, through the entire book. It was a little jarring to go from what felt more like a medieval beginning to a Harry Potter-esque school but we found the flow as the book continued and things leveled out. I will never be over Naveen, the little cinnamon roll. But with so many moving parts and characters, it is inevitable that not everything will be sunshine and rainbows.

Overall, I think this was a strong start to the trilogy and did a great job setting up the starting points for the rest of the series. And the callback from the first chapter in Blake's POV to the final chapter in Medra's was a really nice way to set character expectations and see how we got to such a pivotal point.

Unfortunately had some issues with getting the file to work, but eventually got there! (This does not impact the review at all).

Acadamia/Vampires/Dragons/Magic. A whole lot going on and I love it.
I live for a book that has a true enemies to lovers, and on this front, this book delivers and then some! Filled with angst and tension and ofcourse banter. Team slow burn.

It was an enjoyable and easy read, but still keeps you on your toes. The world building was easy to follow, and not info-dumping, which is something I always appreciate. It's definitely laid the ground work for the rest of the series. Whilst there is slow parts in the book, it was still very enjoyable on the whole.

Our MCs, Medra and Blake, adored. Medra is a no nonsense type of girl, and can stand on her own 2 feet. She's determined. Blake, whilst he might have a cold exterior, beneath all that, he is a softie. Special shout outs to Naveen and Florence🥰