I found the start of this book to be a bit hard to comprehend, It did take me a bit to get into it. Once I did though did I ever. I absolutely loved the plot twists and the FMC in this book. I loved the banter between the FMC and the MMC, I found myself screaming and cheering the FMC on multiple times during this book. The book ends on a bit of a cliff hanger so I did have to continue straight into book 2.. The journey that you go on in this book is a roller coaster. Prepare yourself for fun filled adventures and banter and the want to continue in the series. The world building was beautifully written and easy to understand. It sets the book up beautifully for a continuation of the series and leaves you wanting more. Absolutely loved this book and looking forward to reading more.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. It was real written and kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. I liked the character development and the pace of the plot. I always enjoy anything that this author writes. I had to have a physical copy of this book for a bookshelf trophy. I will be reading more books by this author.

This book was fun and a great start to a new series. Lots of vampires but kind of gave me Harry Potter vibes! I can’t wait to read what comes next! Fantastic fantasy book!

I was so hyped up for this book on paper it was absolutely everything I love in a book ,dragons, enemies to lovers, magic but unfortunately it just fell flat and didnt do it for me

On Wings of Blood had an intriguing premise and some moments that really caught my attention, but overall it left me with mixed feelings. The worldbuilding is creative, and I enjoyed the darker, gothic atmosphere the author tried to weave throughout the story. There are a few scenes that pull you in and make you want to see where things are headed.
That said, I struggled with the pacing quite a bit. It sometimes dragged in places, then rushed through moments I wanted more detail on. The characters had potential, but I never fully connected with them. The romance element also leaned heavily into tropes without offering much of a fresh take, which made it feel a little predictable.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read by any means, but it didn’t quite deliver on the promise of its premise. If you enjoy dark fantasy romance with a strong aesthetic, you may still find it worthwhile, but it just didn’t fully hit the mark for me.

I felt like this one was less Harry Potter, but definitely gave me ZA vibes with more dragons….which I love. I’m a sucker for academia as well

I don’t always love British narration, but I did love this audio. I can’t to start the next one!

When I started seeing people recommending this book to help you recover from the Onyx Storm reading slump in January, I was quick to add it to my tbr but with very low expectations. I was concerned it would be either trying too hard to be similar to Fourth Wing, or it wouldn’t hook me in the same way Fourth Wing did. So when I got a complimentary e-copy of the book, I decided to just dive in - and I was not disappointed.


Bloodwing gave me what I didn’t quite realise I was hoping it would. The enemies to lovers dynamic worked really well, the plot had me hunting for clues and overanalysing stuff like books that really hook me does, and the banter and wit had me chuckling just like the suspense would have me at the edge of my seat. While I wouldn’t say it is a literary masterpiece, it was still so entertaining and had me reaching for the sequel immediately.

If I was to make a recipe for how to get over a romantasy reading slump, the Bloodwing Academy series would definitely be among the ingredients.

I don't tend to gravitate towards vampire stories and I didn't know this was one of them as I went in blind. That being said, I really had a lovely time (odd to say because that world is ruthless) and I think that was thanks to the dark academia vibes and the immersive nature of the story.

Now, this was not written well (almost gave up on it at first) and there are a lot of obvious romantasy choices but it worked and it kept me intrigued and interested the whole book.

I felt the FMC desperation and despair literally dumped into this strange and violent world where she is both an coveted and hated. I also understood the MMC dilemma and push and pull from all the pressure of this society.

The overarching mystery worked, the school setting was smart for this world building and magic system... all around a fun time.

The ending although predictable was well executed enough and left you wanting more. Thankfully I had book 2 ready to go.

A half fae is given a second chance at life when she wakes up in a world she doesn't know, only to be suddenly betrothed to an arrogant vampire who is hell bent on torturing her, thrown into a magical academy and forced to take magic and combat classes, and told she is the last of the dragon riders - with no dragons in sight.

This has so many romantic fantasy aspects that are well-loved and make for great action and tension between characters. You have fae, vampires, magic, forced proximity, morally grey characters, found family, betrayals, so many mysteries, and dragons (well, the dragons are non-existent for most of the book so I wouldn't base my reasoning to read it on the fact it has dragons BUT I'm very keen to see how they come into play as the series goes on).

This is a TRUE enemies to lovers (FINALLY!) lately I see a lot of romantic fantasy books have the 'enemies to lovers' trope slapped in the description and it's insta-lust or they're only enemies for the first 2 chapters - BUT THIS, with the bullying and tormenting that turns into yearning, THIS IS WHAT ENEMIES TO LOVERS SHOULD BE.

I'm really excited for book two now!

I loved this book! It was captivating and definitely an adventure. I can't wait for more from Briar Boleyn.

I feel like I need to preface this review with the fact that this is beyond the scope of the original timeframe that this book was to be reviewed. I’m embarrassed that I had this arc for way longer than I realized 😫. It somehow got lost in the shuffle in my order of books to be read… Anyways …
I LOVED this book. The characters, the storyline- it’s delicious and addictive! The pacing was perfect and the ending was incredible! While it has its own uniqueness, this is a similar formula to many romantasies- but that fact of the matter is that it works! I never wanted to put this book down. There’s a lot I want to say but I don’t want to ruin the story for those who haven’t read it. I’ll just say it will definitely pull you out of a reading slump!

I absolutely loved this book! I definitely know why everyone’s raving about it and I definitely regret not reading it sooner!

The tension and the enemies to lovers trope was done masterfully, I can’t wait to read the next books!

Fuck.

Encaptivating • OMG moments • first pumps. • emotional rollercoaster! (I normally only do 3 words.

First of all I’d like to thank Netgalley & Briar for allowing me to read the Arc edition of this book. It’s just taken number 1 spot for book of the year.

If you like you like vampires, if you like dradon stories if you like humans and a mix of magic this book is for you. If you like tense yearning and want to see how this absolute enemies to whatever the fuck they are then this book is for you,

I finished it a few hours ago and I just don’t know what to do with myself do I dive into the next one. Do I want a little while so I can return to the bloodwing academy?

Great characters great character developments. Story is fab I’m so excited to see where it goes!! I was absolutely enthralled with this and excited to see what happened with Medea after the Queen of Roses series which was a series I thoroughly enjoyed and I guess is the prequel to this in a different world.
5 stars, raise a glass. Bring on book 2!

✨✨

Absolutely loved this book!! Like i cant even explain!! Definitely getting it in physical form too!!

5 stars, thank you for the opportunity to read On Wings Of Blood!

On Wings of Blood was such an exciting and fascinating read! The story kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I really enjoyed every moment of it. It was an absolute pleasure to read.

Five stars for this fantasy romance! I was hooked from the very first chapter with its perfect mix of mystery, destiny, and danger. The world-building was detailed but never feeling overwhelming or hard to follow, and the fierce female leads brought so much fire and heart to the story. The enemies to lovers tension (always a win for me) between Medea and Blake made it completely addictive, and now I’m left desperate for the next book in the series. And yes…I absolutely need more dragons ASAP! If you love Fourth Wing, you’ll love this one, too!

I am going to start with saying that I did enjoy the book overall and I will continue with book 2 at least as I would like to see what happens next.

This book felt like a whole lot of world building and not much else until literally the last few pages. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it just never came. I also am not a fan of the MMC. He is useless imo. It's going to be hard for me to root for him. The whole relationship between the FMC and MMC gives me hardcore Dramonie vibes.

With the amount of info we received in book 1, I am hoping that books 2 and 3 have more action in them!

I was completely hooked by On Wings of Blood. This sizzling dark academia romantasy drops Medra Pendragon—a half-fae and supposed last dragon rider—into a brutal vampire-run academy. Forced into a magical betrothal with the cold and arrogant Blake Drakharrow, she must navigate deadly classes, highblood politics, and hidden dragon lore—all while trying not to get killed. The forbidden romance, slow-burn tension, and academy intrigue had me bingeing page after page.

What stood out most was the vivid, atmospheric world and Medra’s tenacious voice. The Bloodwing Academy pulses with power struggles, class divisions (Highblood vampires versus Blightborn), and whispers of long-lost dragons. Medra’s fight-back attitude and her evolving dynamic with Blake—brimming with banter, mistrust, and sizzling chemistry—made every moment feel electrifying.

thank you to the author and netgalley for a free arc in exchange for an honest review! this was so fun! absolutely deserving of the hype it's getting. I've always enjoyed briar boleyn's books and this one did not disappoint. gotta love a good enemies to lovers and this delivered

This is a dark academia romantasy featuring dark magic and heart pounding action.

🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂
🫦 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Dark Academia
🫦 Slow Burn
🖤 Arranged Marriage
🫦 He Falls First
🖤 Touch Her And ☠️

I am such a sucker for an academic setting and this did not disappoint. Our girl Medra finds herself dropped into a strange world where vampires rule. She has no idea what is going on and has been known to buck the rules. She soon finds herself as a consort to our vampire prince, Blake, and man does she loathe him. Oh Blake!!!!! I loved getting his point of view. He is full of angst and yearning!

You could cut that tension between Blake and Medra!!! I find myself constantly rooting for them to just both give in.