Bloodwing Academy #1

On Wings Of Blood

Specs:

What The Vibes Are

What It’s About

What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy.

I didn’t sign up for this.

A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That’s a recipe for torment.

I’m Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon ride-[p\rs, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn’t stopped the vampires from deciding I’m worth capturing. Now, I’m stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything, and blightborn like me? We’re just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.

But that’s not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He’s been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we’re betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I’m not going down without a fight.

Bloodwing isn’t just a school—it’s a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you’re weak? You’re dead.

Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I’m starting to think the real danger isn’t the academy—it’s what I’m becoming in this twisted game of power.

And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.

They think they can control me. They think they can use me.

But they have no idea what they’ve awakened.

Bestselling epic fantasy author Briar Boleyn returns with a new series perfect for fans of hate-to-love romance, heart-pounding action, and dark magic.

On Wings of Blood is a dark academia fantasy romance featuring a bully villain with Draco Malfoy energy who (eventually) gets the girl, all the tension and banter, and a tantalizingly dangerous blend of court and school intrigue all set in an intricately crafted world with unique vampire and dragon lore. Bloodwing Academy may have crossover characters from the world of Blood of a Fae but can be enjoyed completely independently. If you’re a fan of original mythology, unique world-building, and character-driven romantasy series such as Crowns of Nyaxia, Blood and Ash, and A Court of Thorns and Roses, you won’t want to miss out on this riveting new saga.

What I thought about it

***Possible Spoilers below

On Wings Of Blood by Briar Boelyn was so much more than I expected. After defeating her fae tyrant of a grandfather, Medra Pendragon believed she was dead; instead, she woke up in another world — one run by vampires known as Highborns. Due to her appearance, red hair and pointed ears, Medra was forced before a council who believed she was the long lost heir to the extinct Dragon Rider bloodline. There, she was forcibly bonded to the asshole who found her, Blake, then was compelled to attend a war college where she’ll have to prove herself and her strength to stay alive. That and figure out how to be a Dragon Rider with no dragon…

I loved the way Boelyn took the lore of Harry Potter and turned it into something almost entirely different. She took the concepts of the four houses but elevated them more. The houses became more of ruling clans, who all mirrored Slythern if we’re being honest. She also coded a lot of her characters to mimick the traits of JK Rowlings’; for example, Blake was so incredibly Draco coded, I almost forgot I wasn’t actually reading about him. Then you had Blake’s Uncle Viktor who was Lucius Malfoy to a fucking T. Medra was a combination of Heromine and Harry, to me at least. A lot of those characters’ strengths melded together into Medra’s character arc.

The lore and worldbuilding was immersive and rich; I particularly enjoyed the historical tragedies that led to the rise of the Highborns. It was interestingly vague and in favor of a oppressive, lecherous regime so it wasn’t a massive shocker to find out that what they were preaching was all bullshit. Victors write the history books, and they’ll always write their version of it.

Favorite Quotes

“In my dreams, she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.”

“She stood up to me, which no one else dared to do, and by the Bloodmaiden, it was annoying. But at the same time, it was…impressive. And infuriatingly attractive. Fine. It was fucking hot.”

“Medra Pendragon was mine. And I was prepared to die before I let any harm come to her.”

“Blake Drakharrow was beautiful in a way I didn’t want to admit. In a way that made my blood simmer and my mind spin with confusion. How could someone so vile be so compelling? Blake suddenly stopped, his eyes flicking towards me before I could turn away. Our gazes locked and a slow smirk curled over his lips. My heart skipped a beat and for the first time I saw something in those pale, silver eyes. Awareness. Did he know the effect he was having on me?”

“Blake’s mouth was hot against my ear, his hands tight and possessive on my waist. ‘You’re mine, Pendragon. Let another man touch you like I just did and you’ll find out just how much of an asshole I can really be.’”

Conclusion

Briar Boleyn’s On Wings of Blood was a decadent read that grabbed me by the ear and dragged me through the plotline’s turmoil, skipping and giggling, before it booted me onto my ass as I frantically scrambled to purchase the sequel. Its filled with jealous, possessive vampires, banter, combat & conflict, and a world so twisted, you’ll question how any character can find happiness.

Have you read On Wings of Blood? What did you think of Blake and Medra’s relationship? Do you think they compliment each other or are too toxic for each other? How about what Blake does for everyone behind the scenes? Do you think Medra will ever make it back to her world? Lastly, what did you think of the ending? How do you think it’ll affect Medra’s status within this already unwelcoming realm?

I can’t wait to hear what you have to say! Drop a comment!

♡ G&P