On Wings of Blood: A Novel (Bloodwing Academy Book 1)
4.2 | 32,074 ratings
Price: 11.99
Last update: 01-21-2026
Product details
- ASIN : B0DJZSJHJF
- Publisher : MIRA
- Accessibility :
- Publication date : June 17, 2025
- Language : English
- File size : 6.3 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 587 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-0369775702
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 3 : Bloodwing Academy
- Best Sellers Rank:#354 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- Paranormal
- Contemporary Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:4.24.2 out of 5 stars(31,537)
Top reviews from the United States
- Myranda ElliottTrue enemies to lovers with dragons***contains some spoilers***
I’d give this 6 stars if I could. Absolutely wonderful. Was it the fanciest writing? No but the vibes were top notch. Also the sprayed edges are perfection.
True enemies to almost lovers, slow burn, tension for days. The hatred competing with their feelings for each other….***chefs kiss***. Arranged marriage, dragon rider, vampires. All the things you can hope for in a dark romantasy.
The FMC is fierce, stubborn almost to the point of self-sabotage, yet inspiring for always standing her ground. I love, love, love the world building with ties to Camelot. I can’t wait to see how this ties into the storyline more.
I don’t know how these authors keep finding ways to write a romantasy with an academy setting in a unique way, but Briar Boleyn sure did. The storyline sucked me in from the first pages and kept me hooked. I wasn’t ready for it to end. There was just enough excitement and story progression without feeling rushed. This book is certainly not hyped enough IMO. Sometimes the time jumping was less obvious than I would like but it also illustrated the progression through Medras experience well. I actually liked not focusing on her grief for Naveen because the whole story had focused on her feminine rage. To have deviated from that would have ruined the character arc. Instead she just used his death to continue to fuel her goals and choices. The emotional damage is there, you can feel the undertones from this, the way Blake grapples over Aenia, etc. but they aren’t taking over the story.
As for the MMC, absolutely love Blake. I love that he’s not the typical pining after her in the most obvious way. He keeps making all the wrong choices, conflicted in so many ways, in a tortured soul kind of way.
Plus we get several other spicy gentlemen that I’m sure we will see more of in the future like Kage.
I also love that both the main characters are scorched earth types. Instead of one or the other, it’s clear they both aim to do whatever it takes to survive and protect who they care about. It really explores some deep issues like weighing loyalty to family vs the realm vs those you care about. - 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) - Mom Needs A ChapterEnemies to Lovers, Vampires, and Dark Academia Done RightOn Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn hooked me from the very first page. Medra Pendragon wakes up in a world ruled by highblood vampires and quickly learns she’s far more than an outsider. With dragon rider blood running through her veins, she’s the last of her kind and suddenly a powerful pawn every ruling house wants to control.
She’s forced into a political betrothal with Prince Blake Drakharrow, a cold and powerful vampire who is just as unhappy about the arrangement as she is. Their tense dynamic unfolds alongside Medra’s enrollment at Bloodwing Academy, a brutal, elite institution that gave me dark academia vibes with a gothic edge.
The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, and the mystery surrounding Medra’s past kept me completely invested. The romance is a true slow burn, enemies-to-lovers done right, with simmering tension and emotional payoff rather than instant attraction.
The ending is a cliffhanger that broke my heart and somehow still left me hopeful. I immediately picked up book two.
Overall Rating: 5/5 Definitely recommend!
Spice Rating: 3/5 (slow burn but explicit)
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, forced betrothal/political engagement, dark academia, vampires & dragon riders, magical academy, powerful FMC, royal intrigue, cliffhanger Ending