Plot Summary
This book is a HUGE TikTok sensation. I chose it for the popularity. It is an Academia book with different houses kind of like a Harry Potter type of situation except that it’s a world where the top tier race are vampires. Everyone else seems to serve them and all other races are “below” them. The main character is Medra Pendragon who is sort of plopped into this world of vampires. She comes from an entirely different world. What makes her special and unique is that she has red hair and for some reason in this vampire world it is one of the signs that she is a “dragon rider.” She is found by a vampire named Blake who she is then forced to betroth and in this world a vampire can have more than one person they are betrothed to. They can be betrothed to men, women, doesn’t super matter unless they are in a hierarchy where having heirs is more important like it is for Blake. She is immediately enrolled into Bloodwing Academy and she must survive being bullied, hated by Blake’s other fiancé, and pushed to the brink by the other vampires at the school.
However, when we get to Blake’s point-of-view we come to realize that he has been smitten by Medra the entire time and he cannot stand the other person he is betrothed to. He is stuck with being the heir to a scary as heck vampire even though his parents were a loving bonded pair who died when he was young. He pretends that he is mean and hateful, but really deep down he is much more vulnerable, caring, and kind then he pretends to be. He is terrified of Medra being hurt and so he pretends that he hates her to keep her safe from everyone around her. UGH, it’s actually incredibly endearing and surprising and sweet.
Anyhoo the biggest surprise comes when Medra actually wakes up a dragon -they have simply been gone from this world and nobody actually believed that they would ever be back. The dragon is super scary, but he does (sort of?) listen to Medra and the banter between them is really funny.
Also there is a death of a main character which very much saddened and shocked me. I wasn’t prepared to cry my eyes out! Be warned!!!
Author Briar Boleyn
Briar Boleyn is a pen name of Fenna Edgewood (which let’s be honest…already sounds like a fantasy name!). She is a USA TODAY bestselling Indie author! (Goodreads, 2025).
What do I like about this book?
I got caught in the hype of Indie books recently! Read another one! I did not know that books where people go to magic school is a thing. I suppose Harry Potter is one of the ones that started this “trend.” I like the main male character – the fact that he is actually sweet deep down and not truly a giant jerk as he is pretending to be is satisfying deep down. I feel for him actually. It seems like he is having a harder time than others given the fact that his choices are taken away from him for the most part.
I like that there is a trial that happens. I like that there are classes and that a dragon appears (I always seem to enjoy books with dragons.) I love the best friends.
I especially enjoy the betrayal that Blake does to Medra that he does not tell her about. It actually shocked me. Even though it was horrible and he takes her “choice” away (I can’t spoil it -it’s that shocking!) I kind of love it. It makes him into a villain – a lovable one? I don’t know – I think some people would absolutely view his actions as unforgivable – but I can’t help but like him! I am deplorable!
Critical Evaluation For the Book:
There is A LOT happening in one book. Vampires. Forced betrothal. Different worlds. Dragons. School. Betrayal. Weird virginal blood sacrifices. A trial competition that had to be done with the fellow fiancés. A death of a friend. A furry companion. I mean, there was so much going on that I was a bit overwhelmed by all of it. It’s a long book so it is jam-packed with ideas. I think perhaps maybe too many ideas.
Creative Uses for A Library Program
Speed Round Book Talk
Medra is dropped in a world of vampires and she’s suddenly betrothed to a hot vampire prince named Blake who’s a total jerk and he already has a fiance who hates her guts. She goes to Bloodwing Academy and she finds out she’s also a dragon rider in this world and she calls forth a dragon on total accident and he barely listens to her. Blake betrays her (to save her, ok?) and it makes Medra hate his guts at the end of the book after they are JUST starting to…uh…connect. *wink*
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
There are intimate scenes between Blake, Medra, and other characters. There is killing and other violence that happens because it is a vampire book. One of the main characters is queer which does cause friction in the book. Like always, using the library policies is how I will defend these books.
Reason for Inclusion:
I love Indie books and will always include them! I read a couple of different vampire books and decided to include this one on my list. It’s a TikTok favorite. I don’t necessarily think it’s the best one that I read this semester, but it’s probably the most current popular one at the moment which is the reason for it being on the list.
Title: On Wings of Blood
Author: Briar Boleyn
References:
Goodreads. (2025). Briar Boleyn. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23051424.Briar_Boleyn
Maggy’s Mini YA Library! 