On Wings of Blood was my first dive into dragon fantasy, and what an introduction it was! I'm not sure what I was expecting when I went into the book because, like I said, I've never read dragon fiction before but I know it's a hugely popular subgenre so there must be a reason. To be fair, it's not heavy on the dragons (yet) as Medra, our main character who has been "dropped" into this world is supposedly a dragon rider, but there are no dragons left. I'm sure we can all see where that is going, but the story is about so much more!

This is a dark acadaemia novel at its core, so you've inevitably got a bit of a Harry Potter feel in there, but darker and more dangerous. Others have compared it to Fourth Wing and Zodiac Academy (both on my TBR!) but it has has a little bit of Hunger Games thrown in there, and of course, an ACOTAR feel too. It has excellent pacing and a lot of intrigue. There's still a lot left to discover about Medra to be explored in future books.

There's an excellent enemies to lovers relationship in this one. Blake, the other half of this partnership, is an excellent character who makes a good match in how well he's written to Medra. Someone described him as having Draco Malfoy energy - and I totally agree! There's also a found family element with a lovely friendship between Medra, Florence and Naveem.

This is one of my top new fantasy reads - it's a brand new release and I'm hoping it gets the attention it deserves in 2025!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

Briar Boleyn's On Wings of Blood is a captivating dark academia tale, rich with vampire lore, forbidden romance, and political intrigue. The world-building is immersive, and the atmosphere is both dark and alluring. I did have a bit of trouble getting into the story because I felt dropped into the middle of a story without a lot of background events explained. (But I have only read books 1 and 2 of the other series so I feel like this is my fault and not the stories.)

This dual POV story is engaging, but I also struggled with the FMC, Medra. I found her frustrating. Her character arc, while intriguing, can be inconsistent and at times, self-defeating. Despite her strong will and potential, her actions often feel impulsive and short-sighted. I definitely enjoyed the enigmatic and brooding vampire prince, Blake. Their tumultuous relationship is a highlight, filled with tension, desire, and a slow-burn romance. The supporting cast also really helped!

Overall, On Wings of Blood is a solid read for fans of dark fantasy romance. It offers a unique and captivating world, filled with danger, magic, and forbidden love.

Troupes: touch her and die, vampires, dragons (maybe), magic, found family, strong friendships
Spice 3/5
Plot 4/5
Pace 3.5/5
Character Personality 3.75/5
Character Growth 4/5
Writing Style 4/5
World Building 5/5

I don't even know where to start with this review! I just want to write - READ THIS NOW - but that would be inadequate. I need to start off by saying, that you definitely need to read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book before going any further, because there are a lot of them.

This book has everything:
-vampires and fae
-dragon lore
-unique world building
-dark academia
-enemies to lovers
-political intrigue
-forbidden love
-found family

I was hooked from the prologue and had a hard time putting it down. You will love and hate so many characters. There were a few times where it seemed repetitive, but there was so much going on that the bigger parts made up for the slower ones.

Last thought...you think it's ending in a way where you can easily wait for book 2, but no, complete cliffhanger that you will lose sleep over. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm utterly captivated by 'On Wings of Blood' by Briar Boleyn, a dark academia fantasy romance that masterfully intertwines vampires, fae, and dragon lore. Set in the foreboding Bloodwing Academy, Medra, a vampire, must navigate a treacherous world alongside other supernatural beings, each with their own secrets and agendas. With its unique blend of tension and angst, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre. The author's skillful storytelling and vivid world-building have left me eagerly anticipating the sequel. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read that will keep them on the edge of their seat. The complex characters, intricate plot, and immersive setting make 'On Wings of Blood' a standout in the dark academia fantasy romance genre.

I was surprised by how quickly this book absolutely enthralled me! I started texting friends about it very early on and insisting that they needed to read it, even though I was barely 1/4 of the way through. I was reminded of so many of my favorite series - my pitch to anyone who would listen has been “Imagine that the best parts of Hogwarts, Twilight, and Fourth Wing got tossed in a blender - this book is the result!” I love the unquestionably morally grey MMC, the sass of the FMC, and their interactions with not only each other, but with the supporting characters as well. The relationships read as authentic, and the rivalries are thrilling. I cannot WAIT for the next book!!

*On Wings of Blood* by Briar Boleyn is a mesmerizing dark fantasy that not only pulls you into an intriguing world but also tugs at your heartstrings. The emotional stakes are high, as the protagonist battles internal conflicts and external forces, all while navigating deep personal loss, betrayal, and a desperate fight for survival. Boleyn’s writing beautifully captures the raw emotions of the characters, making their struggles feel incredibly real and intense. The tension between love, power, and sacrifice adds layers of complexity to the story, ensuring you’re invested in every moment. With its rich world-building and emotionally charged narrative, *On Wings of Blood* is an unforgettable read that will stay with you long after the final page.

I was nervous at first but ended up loving this book! I think the author was right in saying it has a solid mix of inspiration from Fourth Wing, Harry Potter, and I would dare to say Hunger Games (a light sprinkle).

The things I could have used more of: more dragons, more dragons, more dragons! That part was a touch disappointing for me. I also would have loved to see the Consort Games take up a larger chunk of the book, and let some of the fluff go. Finally the beginning was a bit confusing and I'm hoping some unknowns get answered in the second book.

Thank you to Briar Boleyn, Starwater Press, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Harry Potter x Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, and vampires? **grabby hands**

After dying to save the ones she loves, our FMC Medra wakes up, but not in the afterlife as you would expect. She has somehow been transported into a bloodthirsty world, held captive by vampires. On Wings of Blood was the perfect mix of dragons, enemies to lovers and dark academia. The vibes were Dramione-esque (so of course I loved it). Medra is a strong, badass FMC and despite her heartbreaking story, she takes no bullshit. I was rooting for her from the first chapter. If you are a fan of Dramione, dragons, and ruthless academy settings I can’t recommend this book enough.

Tropes

⚔️ Trials
🥀 Villain gets the girl
⚔️ Arranged marriage
🥀 Touch her and die
⚔️ Academy setting

**Thank you to Briar Boleyn, Stillwater Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review**

This one really suprised me. I like a good vampire romance every once in awhile, but I really got into this one! When Medra Pendragon is found on a pile of bodies she can’t remember how she got there. Blake is the vampire who claims her for his own, but Medra and Blake’s uncle have other ideas.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for this eCopy to review

I recently finished reading "On Wings of Blood" by Briar Boleyn, and it was quite an adventure. The story is set in the intriguing world of Bloodwing Academy, where highblood vampires rule and the Blightborn are viewed as expendable. The academy is a dangerous place, filled with deadly competitions and power struggles.

Medra Pendragon, the last of the dragon riders, finds herself captured and brought to Bloodwing Academy. Here, she must navigate a world where highblood vampires see her as nothing more than a pawn. Among them is Blake Drakharrow, a cold and arrogant vampire who has been tormenting her since their first encounter. Medra and Blake are betrothed, adding another layer of complexity to her already perilous situation. As Medra uncovers secrets about her heritage and the academy, she realizes that the real danger might not be the academy itself, but what she is becoming.

The book is filled with tension, banter, and a slow-burn romance that kept me hooked. The world-building is rich, blending elements of Arthurian legend with unique vampire and dragon lore.

Overall, "On Wings of Blood" is a captivating read with strong character development and an engaging plot. The book's intricate world and the dynamic between Medra and Blake make it a compelling read.

I tried to finish this book but couldn’t. I disliked the writing style and there was a lot of unnecessary descriptions and dialogue I think

5⭐️

I really really enjoyed this book!! It started straight away with the action and kept me hooked all the way to the end.
The character building was great - you really started to connect with all the characters, especially Medra and Blake.
I loved the world building, and the setting of the school, Bloodwing, gave me Vampire Academy vibes.
I’m very excited to see where this story takes us next!

I fell in love with this book - a beautiful entertaining of Fourth Wing/Harry Potter/Serpents and the Wings of Night, and a few unique twists that the author incorporated to make this story special!! A strong willed, stubborn FMC with an equally stubborn but internal-war-struggling MMC, and the banter keeps the slow burn on your toes! If you love academia/romantasy/plot-driven books, this is a great one! I’d recommend this for all the 18+ romantasy readers who need to cure a good book hangover!

“It’s not protection, little dragon. It’s a claim.” 🤭


Medra is our main character she is half fae half human and she finds her self waking up in this other world full of vampires. She gets “saved” by the vampire prince and he brings her back to people in charge.(above him) She then gets enrolled in a vampire / human school. Where she is tested beyond her limits and trained by her professors on how to survive but there are a few surprises at this school that she doesn’t know about until it’s too late.


🤣“Well I can see why he doesn’t want you. Who would want a snide whiny bitch sucking them off?” 🤣😱🤭


Drake is our MMC he is a darker, crueler version of Draco from Harry Potter(love lol) He also doesn’t smell like pine and snow thank god 😂 He is very territorial and protective

I will say this book is heavier on the world building then other books I usually read and it is slightly confusing as you only know what Medra knows and what you find out from Blake later! I am hoping to get answers with the second book cause OMG! 😆

I absolutely adored this book!!! Briar Boleyn!! This was my first book I’ve read from her and I was completely blown away! The way she writes is like I’m actually in the book I feel like I have attended the school just as much as Medra had lol


“Our bond isn’t strong enough for me to feed from you…” 🩸


I can’t wait for the next book, literally the day it comes out that’s all I’m doing 🤣

This had all of the right tropes, ideas and potential. I loved the idea of a Harry Potter like academy with vampires, fae and a ruling class. The execution was poor unfortunately (in my opinion). The writing felt juvenile and there was little to no character development. Overall I will still give 3 stars though, because I did like some of the themes.

I requested this ARC because of its Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, dark academia and enemies to lovers vibes and was not disappointed!

This book follows the feisty FMC Medra, who finds herself stranded in a strange world ruled by vampires. On top of that she gets engaged to an arrogant vampire prince against her will, whom she really hates and has to attend a school, where the bloodthirsty vampires suppress the blightborn humans. She is also supposed to be dragon rider, but there a no longer dragons in this world and she has to find a way to survive in this world.

Let me tell you: the worldbuilding was heavy and detailed. I was as lost in the world as Medra was, but thankfully there was always someone to explain things to us. And we attended a lot of classes which were heavy on history, politics, fighting and the magic system. I definitely enjoyed the Harry Potter and Fourth Wing details and the dark academia vibes, but I think the Camelot aspects were over the top and played no further role for the plot or the characters. (I just found out there is another book in this series, maybe there are this things explained?)

Medra
I really liked the Medra in the first chapters, where she was feisty, mouthy and unyielding and was tossed into this world because she fought a GOD, but when she starts to attend Bloodwing she just accepts her fate and neither trys to escape or change her fate, being bonded to the ruthless vampire. I wish there was more fighting against her suppressors and the system, that made the blightborn suffer and which she hates so much. Nevertheless was she a strong and sassy FMC, who took on every challenge that was thrown in her way!

Blake
Draco Malfoy inspired bully love interest? Count me in. Blake was everything I had hoped for. Brutal, arrogant, morally grey, possessive and more. I enjoyed his banter with Medra and his POVs, because there was more to him than he let the world see. And he took the “Touch her and you die”- Trope to another level.

Medra and Blake: They hated each other with a fierceness that made the enemies to lovers(?) really great. The slow burn was really slowwww, but I enjoyed the tension. The romance in this book was it for me.

Other characters
Florence and Naveen have my heart. They were so likeable and kind. I liked that Medra found good friends in them.
I hated Regan with my whole existence. She was everything Medra hated about Bloodwing.
Surprisingly I found Kage very interesting. I would have enjoyed seeing more of him making Blake jealous.
Theo had potential to be a strong ally to Medra, but I sadly saw too little of him throughout the book.
A cute little fluffin called Neville also stole my heart.

All in all, I had a good time reading this, but it’s just 3 stars because the worldbuilding took over everything and for me it was just too much. I also hoped that Medra did more to fight this situation she found herself in instead of just accepting everything.

But I think you’ll enjoy this book if you like:
- True enemies to lovers
- Dark academia
- romantasy
- Bully romance
- Brutal Vampires
- Slow burn
- Forced engagement
- Political intrigue

Thanks to NetGalley and Briar for approving me for this eARC <3

Thank you, Netgalley and Briar Boleyn, for allowing me to read another of your books. You never disappoint!

In this new chapter, and in the aftermath of the battle of the Blood of a Faw series, we follow Medra in her new world.

She's found herself among vampires and is thrust into a courtship with the most powerful house, House Drakharrow. Her Fae blood has the same efforts as a dragon rider's blood in this world. Most precious as there are no dragon riders among their kind anymore.

Placed in a triad and in a new school, she must now find a way to live in this new life for herself and survive among those who despise her.

I cannot wait to read book 2!

Overall, this was a great book that totally sucked me in!

I was a bit disheartened when I realized that this book has a connection with the author's previous series (the FMC comes from that world). Regardless, I really wanted to read this story and it was worth it!!! I think there were a few spoilers from that timeline, but I'll still read those books sometime :) we get glimpses from the FMC's past, but everything is clear without previous knowledge.
So, back to this story. I love it when we have a strong FMC, and I especially love it when she's flawed (makes bad decisions for example) AND has some self-preservation (headstrong does not equal to stupidly stubborn IMHO). So I really liked Medra, she had all the 'green flags' for me! Blake, the MMC on the other hand... I don't know, there were some strange things about him, I don't want to spoil anything here so let's just say he's emotionally damaged and can't phrase his wants for the life of him.

Tropes in the book:
- portal fantasy
- dark academia
- morally gray MMC
- enemies to lovers
- touch her and...
- deadly trials (this one's just a mall part here, but really well done)
- vampires (& dragons)

It's a mix of so many elements, still it wasn't overwhelming. Very well written, fast paced... there's never a good time to put it down and rest a bit.
It was 4 stars for me because of the last 10-15% to be honest.... I felt like it was rushed after the trials, still happened so much but we just ran through everything. I didn't really understand what happened between the 2 MCs, and there's a huge cliffhanger which was also a bit rushed for me... so it didn't really have the desired effect on me, instead I'm a bit unsure about the next book.
BUT Briar is a great storyteller and there's so much more to this world, these characters, I have no doubt she'll work her miracle in the next book as well!

Going into anything Briar writes means going into a full blown series that is so perfectly laid out over the long term of it. IN this case, that is exactly it. The story of what is going to be an amazing series was done so well!

Briar gave us all the groundwork in this book with the settings, the world building, the magic systems, and characters which as a reader I absolutely loved! It was a great way to jump into a new series of hers!

This book was a nice little intro into the world and left me hungry for more by the end of it!

Can't wait to read more!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

I thought this book had ALOT of potential but the last 20% of the book was 3/5 and the book entirely is a 2/5. I needed more background of where the MFC came from! I needed more of the MMC parents backgroud! It felt like there was series before this book that I should have read first.