On Wings of Blood: Bloodwing Academy, Book 1
4.2 | 27,737 ratings
Price: 43.66
Last update: 11-30-2025
Top reviews from the United States
- ElaineTwilight meets Fourth Wing⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn completely hooked me. It felt like the perfect mix of Fourth Wing meets Twilight — the academy setting, the danger, the tension, and that electric pull between the characters. I loved the world-building and the way the story balanced romance and action without ever slowing down. It gave me all the dark, addictive, can’t-put-it-down vibes I’ve been missing lately. I’m already ready for book two! - Amaliecan't wait to see where the story goes nextOn 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) - ShaesiclesA DARK ACADEMIA ROMANTASY WITH DRAGONS, VAMPIRES, AND A WHOLE LOT OF TENSION.ACTUAL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Tension & 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. - rutsAn average slow-warm romance.If you like YA, this book will probably be a hit for you.
If you came looking for an adult academy romance with vampires and dragons, then you may end up frustrated too.
The story idea is solid, and the world-building is strong—vampires, dragons, academy setting—all great. Unfortunately, it just didn’t live up to the hype for me.
I don’t understand the obsession people seem to have with this book. It’s a decent read, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not this amazingly written, mind-blowing, angsty, slow-burn romance to rival the ages as people are touting it to be.
It’s... okay.
This book is the latest viral “it” recommendation, and the way it’s been talked about, I genuinely expected to be blown away.
It’s average.
The slow burn is more of a slow warm.
Angst? Where?
Swoon? Who?
Banter? Must’ve missed it.
Dark fantasy? Huh?
Are the dragons in the room with us??
The tropes aren’t troping.
The FMC is likable, but her flaws are frustrating. She’s just another heroine who can’t be bothered to tap into the power we’re told she has—should have—but doesn’t.
The MMC is mid. He’s a bully with a heart, but he’s being touted as morally gray? Meh.
Also—we KNOW his full name. We knew it after his first introduction. We definitely knew it after the second. Then we read it again. And again. Seventy times, to be exact. SEVENTY. TIMES.
I think if I were a teen, this might’ve slapped. But I’m not. So it didn’t.
Maybe I’m the problem here, but if you’re an adult reader who loves a true angsty slow burn with an eventual hookup as a reward, you might walk away just as underwhelmed as I did.
Still, it’s a decent book and worth a read.