Medra Pendragon dies saving her world only to wake up and find herself in a new one where vampires AKA highbloods basically rule the world and the blightborns (anyone who isn't a highblood) look up to the highbloods. Blake Drakharrow, prince of House Drakharrow, finds Medra, and Lord Drakharrow, Blake’s uncle, bonds them because she is believed to be a dragon rider in a world where dragons are extinct. She joins Blake at Bloodwing Academy where she learns the ways and history of this new world and their magic system.
I loved Medra so much! She is fiery, fierce and sarcastic. She hates bullies and stands up for her friends. I loved the dual POV and Blake’s POV just showed how down bad he’s been since meeting her. The world building was amazing with so many mysteries and secrets that still need to be uncovered. I’m extremely excited to read the next one!

I cannot get over the smart writing in this book. I was completely enthralled in this world and did not want to leave. The pacing was perfectly executed and I'm hoping to be approved for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for the free copy to review!

This is not my typical genre to read, but the cover and synopsis intrigued me. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Yes, it’s reminiscent of Harry Potter, and I really loved Harry Potter. I hadn’t read the author’s other series prior, but will definitely do so to understand more about the FMC in this series.

The basics are the FMC is found by the MMC and she’s brought back to his “kingdom” to determine what is to be done with her. She is found to be part Fae and apparently a dragon rider. However, there are no more dragons. The MMC is a highblood (vampire) and his uncle decides that the FMC shall remain”kingdom” and attend the vampire school. The MMC’s uncle is in charge and immediately betroths the FMC and MMC. This creates some tension.

This book is the first in the series, so there’s a lot of world-building and character development. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and more about the kingdom. The ending had me wanting more, so I am glad the second book is out now!

First of all, thank you to Briar Boleyn, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this.
This was spectacular!!! Just wow!!!
It has so many things I love. A magical system like Harry Potter (the 4 houses, the school descriptions, the selections to the houses but, in here, its not right at the beggining), it has dragon lore and it seems will actually have dragons, the trials Medra had to participate gave me Hunger Games vibes by the way they were taken to the arena and it has vampires.
Oh I loved Medra from the start! She's a challenger, a fighter, she doesn't back down from injustice against her or her loves ones (her description gives so much Merida from Brave vibes) and she's very very fierce. I love her so much.
Blake, oh Blake... Blake was a mistery for me at first but I knew he was much more than what Medra thought and I was proved right. Blake has that hard facade but he cares, he puts himself on the line for her more than she knows (I'm so happy at a certain part of the book it started having Blake POV chapters too) and things were going on a good pace with them towards the end of the book. Why did he have to do it that way? Why couldn't he explain to her about his uncle and what he would do to her if he knew the truth? Oh Blake you unnerved me on that part. And after that, that dragon thing...
I can't believe the book ended with those 2 parts.
Gosh I need the 2nd book immediately.

Gonna be honest... I started reading this and realized the very next day that I had 6 hours until it expired in my Netgalley app. I was unable to finish 300+ pages in that time so I cannot give a real review :( I'm actually so sad because I was enjoying it!

Wow, just what I need, another Briar series obsession, at least with the other one it was complete! 😂😩
On Wings of Blood is a spin-off based on Merda, who I will admit I was not a fan of in her origin series. However, in this first book, I’m loving her. She’s head strong, opinionated, and thrust into a situation putting her in danger, but she handles it incredibly well. I won’t go too much into the plot, but essentially she’s woken up in a world different from her own and against her will she’s now betrothed to Blake, essentially a vampire prince amongst the four powerful houses. Medra’s half-fae traits have essentially guaranteed her survival, as she’s believed to be the last of a dead race know as Dragon Riders, of course the other problem is that the dragons have also died out.
Blake, I have complicated feelings about Blake. He’s hour typical, upper class male who was born into privilege, exudes an air of indifference, but of course has a hidden soft-side; he fits well into the mold of our morally grey MMC. Merda & Blake absolutely loathe each other, spend a lot of the book hating one another while fighting off how incredibly attracted to one another and the pull they’re both fighting.
There are a few wonderful side characters, some you’ll absolutely loathe, and others that are a bit of an enigma who I think we’ll learn more about as the series goes on. I had a few guesses as to where things were headed, I was wrong about most of it, and partially correct on some, which is great because she kept me guessing!
As with her previous series I read, I was enthralled with this book and couldn’t put it down, I’m excited for the next installment.

how to even put into words how this book brought me out of the biggest reading slump…I don’t think I can do it justice but I’ll try.

if you loved zodiac academy for the school, magic + bully romance

And loved rain of shadows & endings for the forced betrothal + bully romance

But add in SUPER slow burn + so much tension and very little spice…then this book is for you!

the bloodwing series may end up being a 5 star series for me which is saying something because I only finished book 1 but it was incredible!

It moves at the perfect pace, draws you in quickly & will have you in your emotions the entire time. You will hate the MMC, love the found family/ side characters & by the end, cheer for the bad guys.

This is a dark academia setting with vampires, dragons & dragon riders. Briar Boleyn really did something with On Wings of Blood & I can’t wait to start book 2 which released December 27, 2024!

I loved this book! I liked the fact it was similar dark academia trope focused fantasy like fourth wing and zodiac academy but also had its own twists. Also I am a sucker for anything that is based on Arthurian legend. My only draw back is that Blake was not as likeable in my view as other book boyfriends but I got the bully enermies vibes, hoping the sequel explores him more and I see more vulnerability and reasoning behind some of the character traits. I also liked how some of the female characters were written.

Briar Boleyn’s books are so captivating and hard to put down. I loved the dark academia fantasy vibes of this one and I’m excited to see where book two takes us. The final ~20% of this book was so strong and unputdownable. And hello, dragons?! I will say that the spider creatures are even more terrifying than those creepy kids from her other series that had me turning on all of the lights in my house at nighttime. 😅

Thanks to Netgalley, Briar Boleyn, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was all the vibes, think fourthwing mixed with zodiac academy with Dramione vibes(yes yall😩) You get a delicious, dark fantasy, slow burn, touch her &die(literally), bully mmc, great world building that you can easily follow & a fun time. This was a great book and I can’t wait to read the second !
Easy 5⭐️
3🌶️

On Wings of Blood” by Briar Boleyn is a gripping dark academia fantasy romance blending vampires, dragons, and Arthurian legend. Medra Pendragon’s journey at Bloodwing Academy—where power and secrets collide—is captivating, with tense character dynamics and vivid world-building. Perfect for fans of “Fourth Wing” and “Zodiac Academy,” this is an engaging start to a thrilling series.

4.5⭐️
Wow what a GEM of a book! I couldn’t put this down. Dark academia, dragon riders, vampires, feisty hold your own FMC, dark brooding powerful MMC, A+++.

I loved the writing style I was instantly hooked and just got better as the book went. This was 100% up my alley.

The FMC Medra was very thoughtful in a way you don’t typically get from written characters, constantly questioning things which in turn teaches you more about the realm and magic system subtly, which is my favorite way for authors to continue world building.

The side characters are so well done and I am so invested in their stories. What’s the deal with Rodriquez ?!

The way I squealed the first time he called her little dragon 🫠😩😩😩 BLAKE THE MAN YOU ARE!

- Forced proximity
- Enemies to lovers
- Dark academia
- Vampires & consorts
- TENSION & SLOW BURN
- Lore
- Dragon(s) ??

I was intrigued by the concept of vampires and dragons not quite sure how the two would fit together in one world. This book kept me hooked and ended in a perfectly satisfying way for a first book of a series. There is a small bit of spice but you can easily skim over if it’s not your cup of tea. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for their next fantasy read!

Thank you Starwater Press for providing this review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have posted my review to StoryGraph and plant to post on Instagram 1/4/2025. If approved to receive an ARC for A Bond That Burns I will make it a double feature review.

I loved the blurb for this book, I really believed I would enjoy it, however, it felt a bit childish? The premise was amazing but the execution lacked the little bit of umph to make this an excellent romantasy. If there was a bit more detail with the world building and dialogue that doesn’t feel rushed- this would’ve been my cup of tea- alas it wasn’t meant to be! However, I will lock in for the second book :)

This is such a book - the Harry Potter vibes with all the vampires? Say less.

The start of this book - around the first 30-35% was incredible. The world building was lighter than in other books and was easy to follow. I was wholly invested and intrigued by it all. The middle of the book dragged and really was where I struggled to read - I am glad I stuck it out as the last 10-15% was so well done and incredible.

I loved the characters on their own - Medra was so fierce and incredibly strong. Blake was such a softie underneath his cold hearted exterior and I loved the way he looked out for Medra. The slow burn between them was right on point, but the possessiveness was a bit too much as it came on too strong from Blake a handful of times. I never felt that they were really compatible - not sure if it was the lack of a lot of show of the emotion by Blake (we didn't have nearly enough from his POV) or what - but I just never felt that they had a really strong connection.

The other characters - the found family aspects were incredibly well done and I adored how they all looked out for each other in such caring ways.

I can't wait to see where this series will go and I do look forward to reading future books.

Thanks to NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I'm so glad u g9t accepted to get a copy of th9s book. It started off slow, and built up well. The characters are relatable and I live how it toes into the other series. The different pov is something I really enjoy, as it gives the perspective of both of the main characters, it's also a device I use. The highs and lows of the story tie you into it and make you root f9r the main character even more! Can't wait to start the second one!

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn was an excellent read.

The main female character Medra was very well written. She did come off a little naive at times but for the most part came off as capable. I might add there was the delicious component of feminine rage that maid the main female character particularly awesome.

As you learned more about Blake, the main male character, you came to appreciate him more, the dual POV was absolutely helpful for this and made the book more interesting.

The found family was so tender and heartwarming - The side characters, Florence and Naveen, were so well-written and well developed. Also who couldn’t help but fall in love with Theo? I admit Visha took some time to grow on me but eventually I was attached to them as well.

The world building in this book was quite well done. You have to applaud someone who can expertly weave magic, vampires, dragons, and plenty of intrigue without losing the reader amongst the details. I found the pace for the book to be just right which again I think the dual POV contributes to keeping the book moving though there is also plenty of action to be had as well.

Overall a great read and I’m very excited for book two!

Oh my goodness - for anyone that loved Harry Potter, Zodiac Academy and Fourth Wing then this one is for you!!!

Absolutely adored this dark academia fantasy romance and the CLIFFHANGER that we were left on - bring on book 2!!!

This ARC was a gifted copy provided by Victory Editing - thank you so much!These thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

I have to agree with the other reviewers. This book gave off some serious Harry Potter vibes. Good world building easy to follow the story line. Mid book it does slow down a bit but picks back up. I loved the slow burn romance because it gave them time for character development

4.5 ⭐

I said I wouldn't look at any more ARC because my physical TBR is stalking up. But when I saw this book and its sequel, I never applied faster. I would also like to thank the author, Briar Boleyn, for approving me equally fast.

This book was right up my alley and I can’t wait to start with the sequel.

Mendra, is a strong and capable female lead. A warrior. She has an intriguing background which could easily be a prequel to this book.

She is thrown into a new world, all alone with no knowledge about it. I do have to say, for someone with her history, she acts quite impulsive. Nevertheless, she quickly learns how things function in her new home.

She is engaged to Blake, our main lead. It's a true enemies-to-lovers trope. He is shown as a ruthless person, but things aren't as they seem. I like how we slowly learn more about him and how there is a dual POV. He is the best written character in the book.

I like how the world was built and how ruthless it is. With dual POV we can easily understand the main characters, their thoughts and actions, even if we don't agree with them.

I had so much fun reading the book and it took me a day and a half!