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.

I am OBSESSED. Fae, vampires, dragons - oh my! But actually, this was truly such an enjoyable read. It checked off a lot of my favourite tropes and left me wanting MORE.

I received n ARC of this book from the author in exchange for a review

I don’t know if it was the school setting or the dialogue, but this one started really slow for me. I found a lot of the early interactions between students almost cheesy. I didn’t find the dialogue believable - it felt a little over the top.
I also didn’t love the callbacks to the queen of roses series, it’s been a few months since I read that so I kind of forgot what happened to Medra in that series. It may have been helpful to have a recap in the prologue area.

Overall, I loved where this book was going. I love the he falls first trope, and what happens with the dragons, though you could see it coming miles away. Well, this wasn’t a five star read for me, it was three stars and maybe a little more. I started off slow, but it really picked up there towards the end. I loved the games and trials aspect. I think that this world and characters have a lot to offer.

I’m not sure I can forgive the author for making the MMC blonde, though!

This is an academy, bully, forced marriage, new adult vampire book. The writing was really fun and kept me intrigued but this was just a wrong story at the wrong time for me. I had to put it down for a bit but am rating the book by what i have read of it. Will pick this back up in the future and update my reviews when I do.

For context I adored Briars first series of books 'Blood of a Fae'.
I was so excited to jump into this new, connected series (Still hoping for a Draven appearance!)
I was apprehensive of an academic setting, it's not usually my go to, but Briar has done it again.

Medra has grown into a powerful woman her mother and aunt would be proud of! I loved the school setting and witnessing it all through Medras eyes, being new to the world (The Dual POV really helped with details Medra would not understand), the political intrigue, the found family were all *Chefs Kiss*, the book combines it all into a perfect mix of fantasy, suspense and romance.

The story follows Medra Pendragon, a half-fae who finds herself at Bloodwing Academy, a school dominated by highblood vampires. Medra, the last of the dragon riders, faces numerous challenges, including deadly competitions and a complicated relationship with Blake Drakharrow, a cold and arrogant vampire whom she is tied to. Can Medra figure out how to survive bloodthirsty Bloodwing? Can she uncover who is friend or foe? Can she fulfill her destiny?

The tension, pace and suspense were all perfect, and what an ending! Thankfully I'm diving straight into Volume 2!

Thank you Briar and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Vampires. Dark Academia. Enemies to lovers… my favorite combination!!

This story really brings you in and never lets go. The writing is amazing, had me hooked and the plot was fascinating!

But let me just say, Briar can really write a bully because…

These vampires are a bunch of bitches. Just because someone’s looks don’t match yours, and their status is lower, DOES NOT MEAN you can treat them like trash!

I despise Regan, it’s a good thing she’s fictional because I would’ve kicked her a$$.

Medra is a baddie, and I stand on it. She hates this man, her betrothed, Blake, for almost the whole book. Am I grateful to Briar for giving a glimpse into his mind? Yes because then we knew the feeling of hatred isn’t as mutual as it is.

I love when the women hate the men and the men are just absolute simps. (For the most part ) Because there’s is one thing I know for sure… Blake needs his head stuck in a toilet.

That ending?! I’m so excited to read book 2!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy to read! I love this book and will be buying all editions as this is now getting TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED!!! Go Briar!!!

If you want a book to get over your fourth wing hangover, with vampires, angst that leaves you grasping the page,
then you’ll love this!

-FAIR WARNING, this review was written as I was reading the book. So my raw reactions-

Personal Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

TROPES: DARK ACADEMIA, ENEMIES TO LOVERS, VAMPIRES, TRIALS

I’ve just realised I forgot to write this review because I was so side tracked by how obsessed I was with it!!

This is yet another series by Briar Boleyn that is just impossible to put down. I am so happy with the new addition of dragons, right in trend and so so good. Also, I don’t think I’ve read a vampire trope novel since twilight so this felt like returning home to my roots in the best way.

I’m obsessed with a boarding school setting as well so immediately this gets so many points from me! And, of course, after wishing to see more of Medra at the end of knight of the goddess, I was over the moon to get to experience that, and I feel extremely fulfilled.

Thank you so much Briar and NetGalley for my ARC!

4/5⭐️

Beautiful cover, and beautiful book inside and out! I found this so interesting and intriguing. I am looking forward to what else this author puts out!