Review: On Wings of Blood

After diving into 'On Wings of Blood' by Briar Boleyn, I just had to share more of my thoughts, especially since the initial review felt like just scratching the surface! The world of Bloodwing Academy truly pulls you in. It’s not just any magic school; it's a cutthroat environment where Medra Pendragon, our resilient half-fae protagonist, constantly feels like she's walking on eggshells among the elite highblood vampires. The description of "magic, competition, and blood" isn't an exaggeration – every interaction feels charged with danger and intrigue. What really stood out to me was Medra herself. Being a "last of the dragon riders" without any actual dragons left is such a powerful and poignant detail. It immediately makes you root for her. You're constantly wondering, like I was, "does Medra get a dragon?" The way she navigates this academy, trying to survive and understand her own legacy, is absolutely captivating. I was especially drawn to the contrast of her fae heritage against the dark, gothic aesthetic of the vampire world, which the book cover and art beautifully hint at – I can totally picture the grand, ominous castle and mysterious gothic library that would house such secrets. The review I initially shared on Lemon8 highlighted the magic and mystery, and I still stand by that. Briar Boleyn does an excellent job of weaving an intricate plot that keeps you guessing. The tension between the different supernatural factions, the hidden powers, and the constant threat make it a page-turner. The OCR mentioned "hands with blood" – and believe me, there's plenty of that symbolic and literal darkness to keep you on edge! It’s a rich fantasy with strong vampire themes, but it's Medra's personal journey and her legacy as a dragon rider that truly anchors the story. One thing the initial review didn't fully explore is the potential for Arthurian Legend elements, which the OCR also picked up on as an anticipation. For me, that adds another layer of excitement! Given Medra's last name, Pendragon, it's clear there's a deeper mythology at play, and I'm eager to see how the author develops this in future books in the Bloodwing Academy series. It gives the story a sense of epic scope, hinting at ancient prophecies and a destiny far greater than just surviving vampire school. If you're into dark academia, fated protagonists, and a good dose of supernatural drama with a side of "will they or won't they" get their mythical companion, then 'On Wings of Blood' is definitely worth picking up. It might feel a bit short, as my friends and I discussed, leaving you hungry for more, but that's just a testament to how engaging the world and its characters are. I'm already counting down the days until the next installment to see where Medra's blood-soaked, magical journey takes her and if she'll ever truly embrace her dragon rider heritage.