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Bloodwing Academy #3

The Wings That Bind

Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26
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The night's chaos left us breathless. Now the real nightmare begins.

A second dragon has awoken–her heart tainted and her power commandeered by two ruthless highbloods whose cruelty knows no bounds.

My dearest friend teetered on the brink of death. A dragon saved her, but now she's tied to him in a way I can scarcely understand. What will this new bond do to the woman I've come to love as a sister?

And then there’s Blake. Once my relentless tormentor—he betrayed me again, nearly condemning Nyxaris to a cursed, stone-cold fate. Now something has shifted in him. His gray eyes hide a secret he’s desperate to keep.

I saved Blake’s life, despite everything. Yet now my every heartbeat questions where we go from here.

With Bloodwing Academy in turmoil and a new headmaster no one saw coming, only one thing is This is going to be one hell of a term.

At Bloodwing Academy, power comes with blood, and betrayal is as common as ambition. This dark fantasy series tackles mature themes. Readers are advised to consult the trigger warnings before embarking on this intense, morally gray/black journey through the realm of Sangratha!

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 10, 2026

196 people are currently reading
47756 people want to read

About the author

Briar Boleyn

17 books4,952 followers
*** I am most active on Instagram!
Please Note: Goodreads won't let me follow any more people, but please feel free to add me as a friend! :) ***

Briar Boleyn is the New York Times, Sunday Times, and USA Today bestselling fantasy romance author of the Bloodwing Academy and the Blood of a Fae series. Briar once wrote scholarly papers on Dumbledore, Dragon Age, and King Arthur before finally realizing she could create her own worlds where all three might coexist–with significantly more kissing. After wandering through English literature departments at four universities across Canada, she took a detour to teach in the Arctic, where her students would sometimes run out of class to chase polar bears. When not raising fictional dragons from the dead, Briar enjoys reading all types of sci-fi and fantasy, cultivating an unhealthy Disney World obsession, and playing RPG video games. She has written fourteen historical romance novels as Fenna Edgewood.

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5 stars
116 (60%)
4 stars
58 (30%)
3 stars
12 (6%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Ali.
1,174 reviews204 followers
November 29, 2025
Hey, so what the fuck was that?

The third installment in the Bloodwing Academy series dropped on Edelweiss, and I downloaded that bitch the very same day. Currently, it's unavailable to download, which leads me to believe there's more changes being made.

My history with this series is simple, I read the first two books, On Wings of Blood and The Bond That Burns back in May. I ate both up and gave them both four stars. Since May, the series has been traditionally republished in the US, with the second book rereleasing this Tuesday, November 10, 2025. I knew I wouldn't be able to put off The Wings That Bind until next year, so I apologize for reading this DRC 5-ish months before the release date. Forgive me?

However, I don't know if I'm somehow forgetting the first two books, which I don't do, or perhaps there is some editing that's been done with the new traditional releases, but even though I enjoyed the HELL out of this book, I felt like I didn't know these characters. Regan, for example, in an attempt not to spoil anything because this book doesn't come out until May, and I prioritize reviews that will enhance the reading experience, feels CRAZY different. Once again, this could be an editing issue. I read the independently published releases, and this book is also a proof copy, so things can and may have changed, but WHO IS SHE? She feels miles different than the character that I knew, but I am actually very excited to see where her story leads. Kage is someone I've LOVED from book one, in fact sometimes I was wondering what a romance with Medra could have looked like, and MMM MMM MMM I cannot wait for his plot to develop. Medra's best friend, Florence, becomes more important as the book grows, and even finds herself with a romantic development in this book that I am finding questionable LOL.

Briar Boleyn is a pen name for two authors, and from this book alone, I can see their growth as authors. There was definitely an editor at hand here, because the writing is Boleyn's best so far. In the first two books, we are told it is a bully romance between Medra and Blake. Both of them detest each other and detest the way their hearts beat for each other the same. At the end of the second book, this HUGE moment happens that, while handled very well with Medra, I expected it to blow up in our faces in book three. However, that's not the case. In fact, these two have finally learned proper communication skills– at least when it came to that particular problem. In this book, the romance finally blossoms into something more than just a physical relationship, yet it still somehow feels like we're being held back from their potential.

In The Wings That Bind we now have more character POVs: Regan, Florence, Neville, Blake, Medra, and Kage. Boleyn opens up the scene to gather more towards the plot, and while I enjoyed the POVs, sometimes it began to feel like too little too late. With the introduction of new POVs, there were also more additions to worldbuilding, lore, and magic systems. We see snippets of what is to come in book two, but so much more gets built upon here that it also felt like we're doing too much. While I enjoy it and love the concept of unpredictability (is that a word?), the world we knew in book one with vampires and blightborn seems so far away from the present. Obviously, Boleyn knew what they were doing, and we can tell just from the covers what they've been cooking up, so I can't say this book had concepts that came out of nowhere.

As for how readers will find this one, I don't know. On one hand, I think people will enjoy the romance and the smut as always. If you're in it for the politics, you'll enjoy this one too. But for plot development, I'm unsure. This doesn't really go anywhere in terms of Medra and Blake. Movements are made, and they are huge steps for them, but at the same time, I still feel stuck in quicksand. For the actual plot, things are once again happening, but for the bigger picture, I am still STUCK. It's a big book, clocking in at about 450 pages. It's not a filler book, but at the same time, reflecting on it, I feel as if we've only made a small chunk of progress, but HEY, don't take my word for it.

Now, I seem a bit negative, but I had a wonderful time. This book is so easy to get sucked into, and I found myself reading in very long sprints because I couldn't put it down. I LOVE the romance between Medra and Blake, and now that it's finally something more than just sex, UGH. Blake knows how to YEARN. I just wish they'd keep their word and be honest with each other for more than five seconds. Finally getting a Kage point of view excites me, and I'm glad the authors are opening the space for more POVs so we get more storylines. It is exciting, and hopefully, the other POVs carry their portions properly.

As for series ranking, I think this comes in second for me. On Wings of Blood was delicious, and this book is objectively their best work yet, but I ride or die for book one!

Thank you to the publisher, MIRA, for the DRC! This title is set to release on March 10, 2026. Apologies for the very early read, but I couldn't help myself :)


Original review that got me all the likes lol

The release date getting pushed back to March 2026 is my villain origin story

UPDATE: just got an ARC for this, everyone SHUT UP WEFIJNS Dzbijxn
Profile Image for Aiste Tauras.
130 reviews166 followers
January 8, 2025
This series… what was that? I devoured two parts in just a few days and want more! I really hope this series gets the recognition it deserves. As for me… I have no idea how I’m going to wait until May. It’s only the first books of the year, and it’s already at the top of my fav list!
Profile Image for kitkat (semi-hiatus ♡︎).
318 reviews920 followers
anticipated-releases
April 11, 2025
the cover of this book has OFFICIALLY been released!! it’s actually on the authors intsa, and not posted on gr yet… i love it though!! 🩶
-
yall i am so excited for this book!! i can’t believe we have to wait until june though… 🥲🥲 i can’t wait to see this cover! 🥰🥰
Profile Image for Sophie (lambsbooks).
685 reviews139 followers
Want to read
January 9, 2026
THE ARC HAS ARRIVED. I REPEAT THE ARC HAS ARRIVED AND I AM SCARED. AND DESPERATE. LIKE BLAKE.


I’m more obsessed about getting this book than Blake is obsessed with Medra, and that says something because he is gone for her. Please, have pity on me, Briar👁️🫦👁️
Profile Image for Katie.the.reader.
188 reviews34 followers
January 7, 2025
Praying to the Bloodmaiden that I get my hands on this book soon 🙏🏻

The ending to TBTB has absolutely wrecked me 😭🔥🤌🏻
Profile Image for Emmareads.
127 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 16, 2026
Full review coming later 😉🤭 not allowed to post a review atm.
Profile Image for florencia ☪︎.
46 reviews29 followers
Want to read
March 29, 2025
.ᐟ.ᐟ 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 [03.29.25]

Preparing myself for Blake's pirate era to make an appearance and for Viktor Drakharrow to hopefully never make one ever again, amen 🙏🏻
Profile Image for Benedetta.
53 reviews
Want to read
June 14, 2025
The release pushed back to march 2026? Gross.
Profile Image for Sophia miller242i.
94 reviews4 followers
April 20, 2025
This book was an absolute thrill ride! Shakuru Doragon is a legendary character — stoic, fierce, and unforgettable. The world-building is gritty and vivid, and the sword fights had me holding my breath. I couldn’t put it down!
Profile Image for Alana Corey.
110 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2025
I know I’m going to eat this shit up. Need book 3 ASAP PLEASE.
Profile Image for audrey (completely gone rn).
220 reviews157 followers
Want to read
May 9, 2025
sorry but why am i not being told when these things happen?? waiting until the arc is released on netgalley
Profile Image for Tay (thatbookishb1tchx).
49 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 15, 2026
review coming in March X

thanks to Mira, netgalley and Briar for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for amy.
123 reviews
Want to read
October 18, 2025
when this got pushed back to march 2026, i think my heart shattered a bit, one of my favourite series of this year!
Profile Image for Olivia May .
Author 2 books48 followers
Want to read
October 28, 2025
I CANT WAIT TO READ THIS OMG IM SO EXCITED
Profile Image for LinsUp.
14 reviews
October 31, 2025
Stop it right now. Whattttt? I need book three yesterday
Profile Image for Pressdrip.
151 reviews13 followers
Want to read
January 9, 2026
SCREAMING over this arc!!!! Book 3 is officially in my hands!!! 😭🥹✨🥰
Profile Image for Jo.
40 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2026
Review Pending - March 10th release date
Profile Image for Hailey Goshert.
341 reviews56 followers
Want to read
May 21, 2025
omg just saw on the author’s insta that this series is getting trad published, hooray! all new covers coming out in hardback…. but also the release date for this has been pushed to next year😩 i am so happy for Briar but also so sad bc i thought I’d be reading this in june😭
Profile Image for Shelby Garrison.
15 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2025
I am OBSESSED with this series so far! How am I supposed to wait for book 3?!?! 😭
Profile Image for Kayla Hughes.
171 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 16, 2026
A Masterclass in Dark Romantasy
This story is an absolute powerhouse of tension, high stakes, and world building that feels both ancient and terrifyingly immediate. From the very first chapter, the author plunges you into a rigid, cruel hierarchy where the divide between the elite and the oppressed is enforced with lethal precision. The atmosphere is heavy with the scent of smoke and secrets, creating a "dark academia" vibe that feels truly dangerous.

The Characters & Connections
The FMC is a revelation. Her journey from staggering grief to a lethal, radiant fury is incredibly satisfying to witness. She stands her ground in a world designed to break her, and her growth feels earned and organic. Opposite her, the MMC is everything you want in a romantasy lead powerful, tortured, and struggling against an inner nature that threatens to consume him.
The connection between them is visceral and complex, moving far beyond a simple romance. It is a bond forged in betrayal and tempered by a raw, protective instinct. The "who did this to you" energy is off the charts, but it’s balanced by a deep, emotional vulnerability that makes their moments together feel earned.

The Lore & The Twist
What sets this book apart is the unique dragon lore. The distinction between those born to power and those "made" by it adds a fascinating layer to the magic system. The things that were happening were raising the stakes from political intrigue to a fight for the survival of the realm itself. The introduction of ancient prophecies and a thinning "veil" between worlds creates a sense of scale that makes the ending feel like a massive, heart pounding collision.

The Verdict
This is a five star read for anyone who craves:
• Possessive, protective shifters.
• High stakes political rebellion.
• A "touch her and die" MMC.
• Complicated "fated" bonds.

The twists are genuinely shocking, and the emotional payoff is intense. I am left desperate for the next installment to see how this world survives the fire the characters have ignited.
Profile Image for Ashley Van Durmen.
433 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 14, 2026
There was no slowing down in The Wings That Bind as it was action packed from start to finish.

Throughout the story we see all the different characters struggling with their identity in one way or another. Medra is struggling with the betrayal from the previous book and now three beings missing from her life. Blake is going through it in this book with the new side of him trying to emerge but he is fearful he will hurt the one he cares for the most.

I loved getting to see Florence’s perspective and now that she is a dragon rider, her struggling with this new life and not feeling worthy of it. But Neville is right by her side to also help tame Nyxaris.

We also get Regan’s perspective and though she was always the worst, we learn there is more behind the mask that she wears. When Kage gets to see behind the mask, there is more to her than meets the eye and he won’t let her go.

I also loved getting to see Medra and Blake’s relationship blossom, the finally started letting down some walls between them. They have come such a long way from the first book but they are both still keeping secrets from each other. Though they sizzled up the pages in this book with Blake’s darker side coming out to play, their relationship will be challenged in what is to come.

Through better or worse they all must work together to try to stop Viktor and now the plague that is threatening highbloods. After all the cliffhangers at the end of this book, I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Tiana Patel.
33 reviews3 followers
November 23, 2025
The Wings That Bind is EASILY one of my favorite installments in the Bloodwing Academy series - bold, emotional, and absolutely packed with tension. Briar Boleyn has a talent for raising the stakes with every book, and this one had me flipping pages like my life depended on it.

What I love most about this series really shines here: the character work. Medra continues to grow in ways that feel powerful and earned - she’s fierce, flawed, and fighting for something bigger than herself. Watching her step further into her own strength, magic, and identity was honestly so satisfying. And Blake… I swear, his arc keeps getting deeper and more addictive 🥹. Every scene between them crackles in that perfect “we shouldn’t, but we can’t help ourselves” way. Their dynamic evolves beautifully - it’s intense lol

The worldbuilding also expands in the best way. We get more danger, more magic, more political intrigue, and more moments where I genuinely forgot to breathe. The emotional beats hit so hard - there are scenes that feel like being punched in the chest and others that feel like being wrapped in firelight.

Briar blends action, romance, and dark academia vibes so seamlessly that I was completely immersed from start to finish. This book just flows. The twists? Perfectly done. The pacing? Sharp. The drama? Chef’s kiss.
Profile Image for Kila.
87 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for this early copy and let me tell you it did not disappoint. As always, I do vibes only reviews and the vibe on this is MAGNIFICENT.

I loved the first two books a lot but this third book in my opinion is the best Book in the series so far . The multiple POV’s especially when they were coming from the same scene added so much depth to the story. The character arcs from more unexpected characters,
those who were background characters before changed everything.

The third book is darker. It’s grittier, it explores some heavier themes and gives you a different perspective on some of these characters.

When I’m really into a book and getting anxious about what’s about to happen I keep putting it down not because I don’t wanna read it because I’m legitimately scared to finish and this was that kind of book. Had to put it down for a min here and there to breathe and calm down!

The writing felt more mature, had increased depth and was so immersive I felt like I was there with these characters

Love love love and dying for book 4 now.

I’ve now read 7 books from Briar Boleyn and I’m thinking The Wings That Bind has just slid into the #1 favourites slot for me

Profile Image for Tess.
138 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 17, 2026
The Wings That Bind absolutely kept me on the edge of my seat. All of the buildup we’ve been living in since book one… Medra and Blake, Regan, Viktor, KAGE… Florence finally comes to fruition, and somehow the stakes just keep rising.

Briar Boleyn is truly a master storyteller. This is the kind of book that lives rent-free in your head because you’re constantly anticipating what could possibly happen next. The tension is relentless in the best way, and the story never stops unfolding.

I’ll stay completely spoiler-free, but know this: the angst, tension, and banter finally come to a true head. The twists are perfectly timed, and the unpredictability is peak Briar, which means it’s incredibly intentional, emotionally devastating, and, oh, so satisfying.

I’m so grateful to have received an eARC and to get to experience this world early. Briar, your brain is beautiful. Thank you for creating something that feels this immersive and unforgettable.
Profile Image for Taylor Krasinski.
116 reviews70 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 17, 2026
4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️

(I promised the author and her team not to spoil so this will be a vibes review until release day!)

I’ve ALWAYS loved the Bloodwing Academy series! Medra will forever be a favorite FMC! Throughout the series, Medra came out swinging (literally) and that was something I immediately fell in love with. Her evolution of patience, understanding, critical thinking and letting go are new qualities I loved seeing throughout this read!

Helpful tip: If you haven’t read book 2 in a hot minute, it might be helpful to go back and re-read or listen to it on audio. The ending of book 2 was referenced a few times throughout this book, so if you do not remember those important details- you may want to revisit it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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