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.

On wings of Blood is a fantastic read, pleasantly surprised as I knew I’d like it but didn’t expect to love it quite so much.

I cannot fully emphasise how amazing this book was, I was hooked from page one and literally finished this in 3 days despite the size. The plot was medium paced, packed full of action and apprehension. If you love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, a magic world and dark academia this book is for you.

This was one of my top reads of 2024 and my new favourite novel by Briar Boleyn. The level of frustration I felt after the ending of this book and not being able to read the following one straight away was immense. In other words - I gobbled this book straight up.

Thank you NetGalley and Starwater Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although I did really enjoy reading the first series prior to this, at this point in time I need to admit to myself that it's not the right fit for me anymore. It's a bit too much of everything, which perhaps will interest me again one day - so I'm not completely writing it off just yet - but that will be for future me to decide if I ever revisit this. For now, it wasn't for me.

Rating 4 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


🐉 Dramione vibes
🐉 Exntinct Dragon riders ?
🐉 War college
🐉 Hidden Identity
🐉 Half Fae
🐉 Bully romance
🐉 Dragons
🐉 Forced Betrothal
🐉 Dark Academia
🐉 He falls first
🐉 Vampire MMC

You know me I would definitely eat up anything that has Dramione dynamics! Medra Pendragon is from another plane of existence and forced to be betrothed by a vampire? Well I wouldn't say no myself but these vampires have another agenda. However, dragons don't exist anymore in this world. She is half-fae tho so she has to survive in this academy where life is a battlefield.

I have read a book by Briar where Medea where one of her siblings is from, but I haven't got to where I met her yet? But the book was definitely giving more of a Fourth Wing vibe than a Harry Potter. The Vampire do look down on the FMC because she was different however the Blake does have this undeniable hate/lust attraction so I will definitely go with the next book and excited to see how book 2 develops with the story~!

This book took me a long time to get through, not because it was bad, but because it was dense. Lots of characters and quick world building it was sometimes hard for me to remember everything. This is a SLOW BURN bully romantasy very similar to Zodiac Academy. I’m excited for the dragons in book 2 and to learn more about the world of Sangratha.

This book pulled me right out of a hangover just to throw me right back into another one. On Wings of Blood was very well written, easy to follow along with, and nearly impossible to put down. I loved how much it lingered in my mind even when I wasn’t reading. The MMC completely stole my heart, and I always looked forward to his POV.

It truly had everything I wanted and needed in a book: dragons, vampires, and fae. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book to others. Solid 5 stars from me.

Thank you so much for the ARC, and my apologies for the delay in getting this review out, life was happening, and things were difficult, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book.