On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy)

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a wild, addictive ride that plunges you straight into the shadowy halls of Bloodwing Academy—a world filled with deadly secrets, simmering rivalries, and enough brooding vampire drama to make your heart race. It’s the perfect blend of dark academia, fantasy, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension that leaves you hanging on every page.Medra Pendragon is exactly the kind of protagonist you want leading a story like this—tough, clever, and stubborn as hell. Being a half-fae dragon rider with no dragons left is a harsh enough fate, but throw in being captured and dumped into a school run by vampire elitists who view her as little more than walking nourishment? That’s next-level brutal. Yet, Medra doesn’t cower—she fights back, and you can’t help but root for her as she navigates the twisted politics of Bloodwing Academy.Then there’s Blake Drakharrow. The cold, arrogant highblood heir who takes one look at Medra and decides to make her life a living nightmare—until fate intervenes and shackles them together in an ancient betrothal. Classic. But Blake isn’t just a cookie-cutter bad boy; there’s an undercurrent of something deeper in his tormenting ways. The slow unraveling of his motivations adds a layer of intrigue and makes their dynamic much more than the typical “hate at first sight.” There’s a real emotional push-and-pull as they’re forced into each other’s orbits. The sparks are undeniable—even if they’re mostly flung at each other like grenades.The world-building in this book is rich and immersive, with the academy itself serving as a battleground where allegiances are fragile, competitions are life-or-death, and every smile hides a dagger. The history of the dragons and the myths surrounding Medra’s bloodline add a compelling sense of mystery and destiny. And while there’s a lot of familiar "dark-academy-for-outcasts" territory, Briar Boleyn keeps it fresh by weaving in the dragon lore and giving Medra real stakes beyond just surviving her classmates’ venom.Now, let’s address the spice—or rather, the lack of it. If you’re expecting pages upon pages of steamy moments, this isn’t that book. The chemistry is there, absolutely—it’s sizzling just under the surface, all longing glances and biting banter—but it’s more of a slow-burn setup, clearly saving its fire for future installments. And honestly? It works. Instead of rushing into anything too quickly, the tension builds like a pressure cooker, making you crave the inevitable explosion. The emotional beats are strong enough to carry the story without needing constant heat.If there’s any slight critique, it’s that some of the "mean elite academy student" tropes can feel a little expected. There’s always the gaggle of rich vampires who sneer and try to get Medra killed, and while they serve their purpose, they don’t stand out quite as much as Medra and Blake do. That said, the stakes and pacing keep things moving so swiftly that it’s easy to overlook.At 4.5 stars, On Wings of Blood is an incredibly satisfying read that lays a strong foundation for an epic series. With its fierce heroine, tantalizing slow-burn romance, and pulse-pounding competitions, it’s everything you want from a dark, magical academy fantasy—and then some. Sure, the spice level is low for now, but you can feel the promise of future fire. If you love strong-willed heroines, complicated anti-heroes, and stories where survival means embracing the power inside you, this is one worth sinking your teeth into.

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn is a dark, thrilling, and utterly captivating fantasy romance that had me hooked from the very first page! As the first installment in the Bloodwing Academy series, it introduces a world filled with vampires, dragons, and a fierce heroine who refuses to be tamed.​The story follows Medra Pendragon, a fiery and headstrong young woman who finds herself in a world where magic is forbidden and danger lurks around every corner. When she is forced into an arranged marriage with the enigmatic vampire, Blake Drakharrow, Medra must navigate the treacherous halls of Bloodwing Academy, where secrets abound and trust is a rare commodity. As she uncovers the truth about her past and the power within her, Medra becomes a force to be reckoned with.​Medra is a standout heroine—strong, resilient, and unapologetically herself. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment is both inspiring and relatable. Blake, with his brooding demeanor and hidden depths, is the perfect counterpart to Medra's fiery spirit. Their slow-burn romance is filled with tension, banter, and moments that had me swooning.​The world-building in this book is rich and immersive, with a unique blend of dark academia, supernatural elements, and intricate lore. The trials and challenges faced by the characters add layers of intrigue and keep the stakes high throughout the story.​I also loved the side characters, especially Florence and Naveen, who provide moments of levity and warmth amidst the darker themes. Their friendships add depth to the narrative and highlight the importance of found family.​Overall, On Wings of Blood is a compelling and emotionally charged read that delivers on all fronts—romance, action, and character development. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, supernatural academies, and strong female leads, this book is definitely for you. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!​⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

ACTUAL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5Tension & Spice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐World-Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Banter & Sass: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Its giving... Draco Malfoy meets Bryce Quinlan at Zodiac Academy—but with dragon lore, vampires ruling the world, and enough tension to set the pages on fire. I devoured this book in a single day.Medra, a fae princess, wakes up in a new world run by vampires, where humans and anyone beneath them are considered blight-born. With her red hair and pointed ears, she’s labeled as something legendary—a dragon rider—except there’s one problem: dragons are extinct. But that title still holds power, and suddenly, she’s playing a dangerous game in a world where vampires are at the top of the food chain.This book is teeming with political intrigue, academic politics, and high-stakes power plays. It’s a true enemies-to-lovers buIIy romance with tension so thick I was screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet the entire time. It tackles some dark and heavy themes like classism, so definitely check your trigger warnings.Medra has a mouth on her, and she refuses to back down—even when it means throwing herself headfirst into danger. The MMC? Broody, cocky, misunderstood, and absolutely addictive. I ate it up.The world-building is rich, the character development is layered, and the emotional impact hits hard. This book had me in a chokehold, and I’m immediately diving into book two.