4.5 Stars

This is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing and Phantasma! We’ve got a classic enemies-to-lovers setup in a dark school setting.

“He kissed me as if I were air and he couldn’t get enough.

He kissed me like wildfire, consuming everything in its path.

He kissed me as though I were the last drop of blood in the world, the only thing that could ever sate his hunger.”

PLUS, dual POVs.
“She was insufferable. Completely and utterly maddening.”

I had trouble putting this one down! If that sounds exciting to you, I highly recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to Starwater Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

WOW!

As an avid Briar Boleyn reader, this one did not disappoint at all. While I was a bit confused at the start, the book picked up quickly and had me hooked

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The story takes place in an academy inhabited by vampires and guided by ancient prophecies. Medea is forced to attend because she is identified as a dragon rider, although the dragons' whereabouts are unknown. There are morally ambiguous characters everywhere and the world is filled with intrigue and deception. Initially, the plot unfolds gradually, introducing a world where Medea is uncertain about whom to trust or what her role is. As the story progresses, it gains momentum and will have you reading late into the night and needing to immediately pick up book two!

I'm going to be honest, this book wasn't for me at all and the only reason I pushed through was because this is a long overdue Netgalley read and I wanted to review it honestly. I have read the first book in Briar Boleyn's Blood of a Fae series and I had mostly enjoyed that book, but ultimately found the writing too choppy, the pacing awkward, the side characters lacked depth, and the romance felt rushed and unconvincing. Which is exactly how I felt about this book too, but even worse this time around. I was hoping this book would be an improvement considering the other one appeared to be a debut but it wasn't, and I see that these books, five or six of them at least, have all been published within the last two and half years and that feels very fast to me. I think perhaps that has played into why this book feels messy, underdeveloped and underedited. I didn't know before going into it that it was a spin off from the Blood of a Fae series either which confused me, I was worried it might give some spoilers away but now that I have read this one I have decided I won't be reading any more of Boleyn's books.

Mostly this book just felt very juvenile and far too busy. It was like Boleyn tried to cram all of her favourite romantasy tropes into one story and in some ways that could've worked but it just did not for me in this book. We were dropped into the story with very little context at the beginning and the plot progressed very quickly from Medra essentially being held captive because she'd been found not dead on a pile of dead bodies to her being betrothed to her captor and admitted to the vampire academy in the nearby city as a student, which didn't really seem like a realistic turn of events to me. It felt a bit like those Wattpad stories where a girl gets sold to or kidnapped by One Direction. There were some inklings of an interesting plot at the beginning though, with Medra trying to understand how her death in her own world of Aercanum had led to her new life in Sangratha, and with her trying to figure out how this was happening and possibly how to get away, but this quickly dissolved into an unbelievable plot with her somehow falling for her betrothed despite him being an asshole to her at all times and there being absolutely no chemistry between them except for some very shallow attraction and lust, her deciding to fall in line for the most part and just go along with their plans for her, and her playing high school petty rivalry with her co-consort. It just... really wasn't my cup of tea.

The premise sounded like it would be something I would enjoy and I saw a few people on Tiktok raving about it, so clearly this hits the marks for certain types of readers but not for my sadly. Check your trigger warnings if you're still thinking of giving this one a go because there is a quite a lot of alpha-male speak, bullying and dubious consent to it as well as the obvious Dark Fantasy usuals such as murder, violence and deadly competition, as well as a few romance scenes that made me feel a bit uncomfortable - not because of their content but because I couldn't understand why they were getting it on when there was barely any spark between them. The writing also wasn't up to standard for me, it really felt like it hadn't been edited very well, a few turns of phrases used slightly wrong, some mispellings and extremely overused words just made it feel clunky overall unfortunately. I sadly can't recommend this book, but thank you to Netgalley and Starwater Press for giving me the opportunity to read this.

4 Stars!
On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a paranormal romance set in an academy teeming with vampires, enemies, and political games. The FMC, Medra, finds herself suddenly dropped into this unfamiliar, dangerous world—bullied, tested, and tormented by strangers who quickly become enemies. She's forced into a betrothal with Blake Drakharrow, the vampire who found her, and must navigate a society where manipulation and strategy are second nature. Medra quickly learns that she's a pawn in a game she doesn't understand the rules of, and is being used for her ability to ride dragons, even though they've been thought to be extinct.

Thoughts:
Getting through the beginning of the story took me a lot longer than usual. I found it to have a slow start, and it took a while to fully capture my interest. We have an FMC who is in a new world, one where she knows nothing or no one and has to learn their ways and history while being thrust into a betrothal she didn't consent to. While Medra seemed young and naive, she was incredibly smart and talented in fighting, yet everyone underestimated her and thought her to be beneath them. Blake’s character arc was intriguing at first; the author did a great job slowly building him up. But by the end of the book, it felt like all that character development was undone. His final actions felt completely out of sync with the person we had come to know, which made the ending feel jarring and disappointing.

That said, I still enjoyed On Wings of Blood. The friendships, the slow-burn tension, and the academy setting were highlights. I’m hopeful that book two will provide more answers and a stronger sense of direction for where the story is heading.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me - it didn't say any of the trigger warnings when I first requested it, I wish it had. But I do think others would enjoy this book!

I had a hard time at the beginning of the book really getting into the story. I would say it took me to about the 25% mark until I was really into it. Medra I really loved from the beginning but Blake, not as much. I did enjoy the dual perspective and that doesn’t happen very often in the fantasy/romantasty genre.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I’m excited to jump right into the 2nd book. On Wings of Blood is perfect for fans of ACOTAR or From Blood and Ash.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book.

I loved the fact this story was a mix of Harry Potter and Fourth Wing, two of my favourite series of all-time. And throw in some vampires too. I think the world building needed a bit more depth and the pacing could be improved for the next book. Some of the characters were amazing and some were meh, but overall, I enjoyed and would definitely continue the series!

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5

On Wings of Blood delivers an intense and often brutal academy fantasy that leans hard into the tropes of secret legacies, bullying hierarchies, and an underdog protagonist navigating a hostile world. The atmosphere is dark and immersive, with a strong sense of place at Bloodwing Academy, where danger lurks both in combat training and behind every smirking rival.

The main character felt authentic, even if her growth was more subtle across this first installment. She held onto her sense of self and began to forge real connections, even while being repeatedly underestimated and manipulated by others. Some of her naivety, especially in reading relationships, was frustrating, but it added to the realism of her journey.

The magical and dragon-linked elements are introduced with restraint in this book, woven in through lore and mystery rather than spectacle. There’s promise in the idea of dragons being extinct (or not), and the story hints that bigger revelations may come in later volumes. The training scenes had impact, and the fights were some of the highlights in terms of action and tension.

The themes of bullying and isolation stood out more than anything else, and while there’s a spark of romance, it wasn’t the focus or particularly memorable here for me. The book didn’t quite hit the highs of other works from this author in my opinion, it felt more like a foundation than a climax, but I still plan to continue the series. Knowing what Briar Boleyn can deliver gives me hope for where this story could go next.

I’d recommend it to fans of academy fantasy who enjoy layered social dynamics, intense rivalries, and a heroine fighting to belong in a world built to break her.

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

Review: On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC—this review is my honest, unhinged opinion.

FANTASY ROMANCE SLUMP? Shattered.

I went into On Wings of Blood with cautious optimism, fresh off a string of disappointing reads, and holy hell—this book grabbed me by the throat and refused to let go. I devoured it in one sitting, immediately dove into book two, and am now counting down the days until the finale releases in May. (Someone check on me when it drops—I’ll be foaming at the mouth.)

Is this high literary art? No. But is it a deliciously addictive dark fantasy romance with everything I crave? ABSOLUTELY.

Why You’ll Obsess Over This:
Medra, Our FMC: Wakes up in a vampire-ruled world, gets kidnapped by a vampire prince, and is told she’s the last dragon rider alive. Casual Tuesday. She’s fierce, snarky, and hiding layers of secrets—I’m desperate for her backstory.

Blake, Our MMC: A morally grey vampire prince with a filthy mouth and a tortured soul. The way he hates Medra (until he doesn’t) had me SWOONING.

The Slow Burn: The enemies-to-lovers tension is perfection. Limited scenes together early on? Yes. Every interaction dripping with venom and unresolved lust? YES.

The World: Vampires, dragon riders, fae politics, and an academy setting? Inject it into my veins.

Found Family: The side characters are chef’s kiss—I’d die for them.

Vibes Checklist (✔️ = Hell Yes):
✔️ Academy setting with deadly secrets
✔️ TRUE enemies-to-lovers (none of this "they bicker but secretly like each other" nonsense)
✔️ Morally grey MMC who actually has edges
✔️ Forced proximity + betrothal trope
✔️ Banter so sharp it could draw blood
✔️ HE FALLS FIRST AND IT’S GLORIOUS

If you love dark fantasy romance with substance—where the plot and the romance equally wreck you—this is your next obsession. Briar Boleyn has crafted something addictive, and I’m already mourning the wait for book three.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Read if you loved: A Court This Cruel & Lovely, The Serpent & the Wings of Night, or Fourth Wing but with more bite.

PS: Blake Ferndrake has ruined me for all other vampire MMCs. Thanks for that.

On Wings of Blood - 3/5 Stars

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a fantasy romance set in a dark, fae world. It did remind me of Harry Potter or Fourth Wing as it is a dark academia romance but the dialog and writing style makes it more on the same level as zodiac academy. The book has an intriguing setting and a storyline that focuses on power struggles, court politics, and a slow-burn romance.

The world-building is detailed, which many people may enjoy but it seemed to be pretty drawn out at some points. The dynamic between the main characters was intense but I thought their relationship was immature at times which took me out of the story.

The pacing was inconsistent, with some chapters feeling slow. This book has potential and may appeal to fans of darker fantasy romance.

Oh man, I’ve enjoyed all of Briar Boleyns books so far and this isn’t an exception. If you’re into vampy enemies to…maybe lovers maybe more enemies, then you’re in luck! It’s fun, it’s easy to read, and it’s two points of view. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book, it was a solid romantasy read.

I really enjoyed this story! Though it follows the structure of a lot of Romantasies, I still enjoyed this very much and can't wait to read the next one!

This book started out with a bang: the FMC waking up on top of a pile of dead bodies, then thrust into a betrothal and enrollment in an academy within the first few chapters.

Unfortunately, I then ran into a bit of a pacing problem during a decent portion of the middle chunk, and felt the payoff for the slow burn and slow buildup was not as intense as I'd have liked after sifting through the middle bits. I am realizing I am a bit finicky with sarcastic and joking banter vs. bullying and this one went too close to the bullying for me (which hearing comparisons to ZA, I should have known).

Same with the romance: we spent a lot of time watching so little build between the characters that it didn't feel real enough to me.

The ending did leave enough questions that I might poke around the reviews before reading book 2 to convince myself.

This one is hard to rate. Although I enjoyed it, I still found plenty of stuff incredibly frustrating.

First of all, this book is what you get when you cross 75% Harry Potter, 20% Fourth Wing and 5% Mean Girls. If you like all of those, then you will like this. I did find the influence of other books and media a bit too strong at times though.

The story was interesting and enjoyable. Despite the influences, it still felt fresh. I liked the blend of vampires and dragons. The pacing was a bit all over the place but mostly I felt it was on the slow side.

The characters were decent, but I can’t say I found them particularly amazing or interesting. Especially her mother, that character just felt thrown in there without a clear purpose. Medra was too self righteous for her own good. Her coming to a whole new world and immediately starting screaming about how wrong everything is, was just plain strange and ignorant. We get that you think it’s wrong, but you shouting about it from the rooftops won’t change a thing. Blake was also a tad strange. I didn't really believe his character development, and I was right, because what was that ending?!?! Why did we throw away a books worth of development for that? My favorite character was without a doubt Visha.

I will definitely be reading book 2 because I’m very invested in this story now, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thank you thank you !! for a copy of this book!
this has literally everything you want in a book! and the story is so compelling that i couldn't stop reading and will be reading the next book. i have even recommended this to my mum!

First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Sadly I DNF at about 30%.

This was a mix of a bunch of popular franchises and what came out felt like the dessert Rachel made in that thanksgiving episode from Friends. (So sorry but I had to use that reference). Which in itself isn't thaat much of a problem, I've certainly read worse; but when you combine that with a very immature writing style and clichés galore I just have to figuratively put the book down.

Characters and plot were very predictable; I immediately knew who was going to be the friend, who was going to be the bitch, etc. The moments where we learned about the world felt forced. The FMC was thrust into this foreign world and her defiance and then compliance just didn't make any sense to me.

Can't really recommend this.

5💫‘s
1🌶️
-Enemies x Lovers
-Vampire x Fae x Dragons
-Dark Academia
-Morally Grey MMC
-Romantasy
-Forced proximity/Betrothal
-Found family
-Unique Magic
-He falls first

“You are mine Pendragon. Let another man touch you like I just did and you'll find out just how much of an
asshole I can be”
-Blake Drakharrow
Omggggg why did it take me so long to finish this book?! It was perfectly written. I swear I was telling anyone who would listen about it. The world building…??Absolute perfection. This book is everything a romantasy should be fast paced, true enemies to lovers, with just the right amount of magic, tension, and angst. Kudos to Briar Boleyn for giving us Blake and Medra, because whew… that ritual scene??!!! Had a girl squirming. Like, my girl this could’ve been spicier , and I still would’ve been fanning myself. The slow burn was so sooooo worth it. It gave me a tiny bit of Harry Potter vibes, but mostly it reminded me of Twilight, One Dark Window, and maybe a little Fourth Wing. I loved Medra’s personality. Honestly, all the characters Florence, Naveen, Theo even Kage were written so well. The love in this book was beautiful & relatable . The history & Lore Chef’s kiss. I loved how the author took the time to build the world and its past it gave wonderful imagery.
Now Blake… I didn’t care for him at first, but once that possessive, protective side kicked in? Yeah, I was hooked. The way he was with Medra?? He totally fell first, and watching him unravel while still being a bit of a bully? So fun to read. I didn’t realize there’s another series that gives more background and sets up the story!! I’ll definitely be diving into that as soon as I finish this one. And I have to say, one of the parts I appreciated most was Medra’s complicated relationship with her mother. The healing and reconnection in this book. Subtle but powerful. No spoilers, but I’m OBSESSED and can’t wait to see what happens next. This book is intoxicating. Thank you NetGalley & Briar Boleyn for an Arc of this book, it was truly a pleasure.

On Wings of Blood is the new series by Briar Boleyn, with an academic setting filled with tension, vampires and enemies to lovers. This was the perfect combination with amazing writing and a fascinating plot. The book hooked me from the start, filled with suspense, vampires and angst, i read it in one sitting.

This is a dark academia fantasy with a bit of bully romance to it and i got to say it gave me dramionie vibes which was great. This is a slow burn and it focus on the academy setting, full of characters that adds context and depth to the story. I founded this an easy story to get into, without a lot of wordlbuilding and nonsense action.

I definitely recommend this to fans of fantasy with a slow burn romance, a bit like When the Moon Hatches. This was amazing, and i cannot wait to see what will come next.

3.75⭐️
Dark academia vibes, dragons, vampires, fae? Say no more. I was here for the vibe.

Not totally sold on the romance yet, but I’m curious enough to keep going. Definitely going to reas the second book soon.