With Hearts of Flame: A Novel

Bloodwing Academy

by Briar Boleyn

They say love makes you foolish. At Bloodwing, it makes you dangerous.

I thought surviving a vampire academy was the hardest thing I’d ever have to do.

Then I fell in love with a boy who can turn into a dragon.

After the events in Veilmar, my only concern is for Blake. Will he survive the monster who possesses him? But as I fight a battle for the soul of the man I love, my dearest friend is up against the greatest danger a dragon rider can ever face.

Meanwhile, as Bloodwing reels from loss and betrayal, an ancient prophecy tightens its grip, and an unexpected triad is rising—one powerful enough to change the balance of power in Sangratha forever.

As the Veil cracks and the dead come back to haunt us, love becomes a weapon—sharp enough to destroy the world or strong enough to forge a new one.

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!

READ THE ENTIRE BLOODWING ACADEMY SERIES!
• Book 1: On Wings of Blood
• Book 2: The Bond That Burns
• Book 3: The Wings That Bind
• Book 4: With Hearts of Flame

FOR FANS OF:
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Dark Academia
• Morally Grey Men
• Forced Proximity
• Vampires and Dragon Riders
• Fourth Wing meets A Court of Thorns and Roses with a hint of Vampire Academy

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Dragons, Vampires, Dark Academia, Fantasy Romance, Romance

617 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 20, 2026

About the author

*** I am most active on Instagram!
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BRIAR BOLEYN is the author of more than twenty-five romance books and novellas. Her novels have become New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times and Spiegel bestsellers and have been sold in over a dozen countries. As a child, she endlessly scribbled stories in every genre, from murder mysteries to time travel romances to dystopian sci-fi. Briar lives with her family in Manitoba, Canada. 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 also writes under the name Fenna Edgewood.

Reviews

[QuirkyTofurkey]

[Ellimac]

I have a confession guys...

I don't know if I can wait until October. I NEED MORE OF THIS AMAZINGNESS!! I LOVED THE THIRD BOOK SO F-... uh.. there might be children around... um- FREAKING MUCH!! IT'S AMAZiNG!!

(Also, to said children... easy warning: If you're under thirteen um.. don't read this book series? I think it's a bit too spicy for tweens, but thankfully not plain smut [...I think...])

[Cassie Nosko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Briar Boleyn for allowing me to read and review this fourth and final book in the Bloodwing Academy series! I am so so torn! This finale is so bittersweet as I've fallen deeply in love with this world and all the characters; I don't want this series to be over 😭

This book held a whirlwind of emotions; this book truly highlights the elusive House Orphos and presents the opportunity for this house to shine. The rhythm of this book is so fast paced, and certain aspects escalate quickly. The banter is unmatched throughout and I will reiterate certain chapters will rock your world 😉 (I'm looking at you in particular chapter 40).

I love that this series had cross-over references and characters from Blood Of A Fae series. It truly made this series SO special and speaks tremendously on Briar's talent!

This book surpassed all my hopes and dreams! Bloodwing Academy will forever hold a special place in my heart!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

[Kyli · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓹𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮… 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓱𝓮𝓻.

I still can’t quite believe we’ve reached the end of Bloodwing Academy :’)  I’m going to miss my pathetic, yearning, tortured soul Blake sfm

“𝓘 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓕𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓭, 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓮, 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓶𝔂 𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼. 𝓝𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓷𝓸 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓬𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓶 𝓶𝓮.”

Just gonna give a PSA right now, don’t read this in public unless you’re okay with blushing beet red and sweating because girlies, there is a certain scene that had me doing precisely those things.

“𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓻. 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽.“

Blake’s inner dialogue had me loling a lot, like how is he such a comedian but like unintentionally??

“𝓓𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓭𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽. 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓼𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓜𝔂 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷’𝓽 𝓯𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓱.“

I loved Medra’s love and encouragement for Blake. She was really his number one cheerleader (while still humbling him ofc)

I liked how this wrapped up for the most part, especially because I feel like if Briar ever wanted to revisit this world and some characters I feel like she could! (But that’s just my interpretation and possibly wishful thinking oof)

There was something that happened that was sad, but it had the potential to be soul crushing and emotionally devastating if there had been some more background for it in the previous books. 

Big huge thank you to Briar & team and Harlequin for the arc!

[Christina Schall]

Book 4, releasing October 2026

[GetLitWithRed | Jaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great final installment to this series! 🤌 This book had me HOOKED from the start! New POVs from characters we’ve already met but haven’t gotten inside the heads of before added such a fun new layer to the story, and the spice showing up almost immediately?! HECK YES! 🔥 I was HERE FOR IT. And the LGBTQIA+ representation was absolutely fantastic, with some delicious polyamorous/triad energy sprinkled in that had me SHIPPING SO HARD! 🤌

And can we PLEASE talk about Nyxaris?! Because we have a NEW SWOON-WORTHY BOOK BOYFRIEND! 🥵🫠 Between the romance, the chemistry, and certain commanding MMC moments, I was NOT OKAY. Blake also had me absolutely SWOONING, and I loved seeing the different ways these characters express love, support one another, and embrace who they truly are. Plus, the body positivity and characters confidently standing up for themselves and their relationships? YES. 👏

The world-building continued to expand in such interesting ways, and I loved getting to experience more of the magical creatures, shifters, and interconnected elements of this world. There were definitely moments that gave me The Golden Compass vibes🐻, and I was living for it! Add in a new café that sounds like every book girlie’s DREAM, magical fluffins, slutty little glasses, and a random Paw Patrol nod, and this book somehow managed to give me both emotional devastation AND moments that had me laughing. 😂

The twists and turns had me questioning EVERYTHING. 🤯😱 I had theories upon theories, and while some may have been wildly off base, I was having SO MUCH FUN trying to piece everything together. There are some absolutely jaw-dropping reveals throughout, but I’m saying NOTHING because you NEED to experience them for yourself!

The final portion of the book was INTENSE. 😥 The emotional stakes are incredibly high, and there were definitely moments where I was staring at the page thinking, “PLEASE, I CANNOT HANDLE THIS.” 😭💔 This final installment does not shy away from heartbreak, sacrifice, or difficult choices, and I WAS NOT OKAY more than once.

Overall, this was another emotional, chaotic, spicy, and twisty addition to the series that gave me ALL THE FEELS. I loved the character growth, the relationships, the representation, and watching these characters continue to find their place in this ever-expanding world. There were moments that made me SWOON, moments that made me laugh, and moments that absolutely DESTROYED me. MY HEART!!! 🥹💔✨

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Six stars may seem like a lot to some, but I love this series so much.

Last year i really wanted to read a fantasy novel with dragons. I searched on kindle unlimited and found On Wings of Blood. I wasn’t sure what to expect but read the book in less than 3 days. How could I not when the main FMC wakes up naked on a pile of dead bodies and is betrothed to the vampire who found her.

I read the entire series and waited patiently for the final installment With Hearts of Flame. I’m lucky enough to say I had the opportunity to read it ahead thanks to Briar Boleyn and Harlequin Trade Publishing.

This book is heart-wrenching because you truly find yourself loving the characters as if you know them personally.

The emotional toll this book took out of me while also stopping at times to make me laugh.

This book gave me Fourth Wings vibes mixed with both A Court of Thorns and Roses & Vampire Academy. And I truly hope we get to return to Bloodwing Academy in the future because I love this series so much and am saddened I finished it.

Series Order:
* Book 1: On Wings of Blood
* Book 2: The Bond That Burns
* Book 3: The Wings That Bind
* Book 4: With Hearts of Flame

This Book Has:
* Enemies-to-lovers
* Dark Academia
* Morally Grey Men
* Forced Proximity
* Vampires and Dragon Riders
* A Secret Dwarven Quest

Thank you again to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and of course Briar Boleyn for an eARC copy of the book for an honest review!

[Marilyn Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Briar Boleyn and the team for my ARC of With Hearts of Flame. It was a journey and loved every minute of it.

First off. This is an infinite star series for me. I loved the first book and loved each one more and more. This was absolutely my favorite installment. I finished it this morning and sat in my feelings (and tears) for a minute before I could conceptualize a review. But here we are.

I was hooked from the first chapter. This installment picks up where we left off in Book three. Multiple POVs are provided, mainly for Medra, Blake, Regan, and Florence. Each character added a different, and essential, depth to the story as it progressed. Pacing was perfection. The balance between action and emotional ruin was exactly what I love in a fantasy book. I never felt bored or that a lull was too long, more of a necessary break to gather my thoughts.

The emotional damage from this one...yikes. I loved the plot twists and get it. I understand the direction the plot had to go in and I agree with it...but I was left staring at a wall for a minute. Regan was, hands down, my favorite character. And if you've been following this series, that's saying something. Her character growth was incredible and she's a character I will be thinking about for a long, long time. I loved the conclusion, but daresay, did we have a set up for another series??? Hmmm.

Overall, easily 5 stars. Read it. Enjoy it.

[Natalie Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to close out a series! With Hearts of Flame is the epic conclusion of the Bloodwing Academy series. With multiple POV and a ton of character development, this was a beautiful ending to the story. I loved how the world building expanded even more by including the dwarves and all the mystery around the prophecy! There was also so much going on with the relationships. It was so emotional and Briar really had me nervous for some of these characters! Most of it was completely unexpected! I felt like this really gave closure about this series and the Blood of a Fae series. I thought it was incredible how they tie together and we got to know Medra on her whole journey. There were many redemption in this as well! Overall, it was a really good time!

Medra is trying to piece together Bloodwing after the attack from Viktor. Blake is battling Vorago and feeling immense guilt about the attack. After being captured by Viktor, Regan discovers more about her bond with Kage and how she survived the attack. Kage is determined to save Regan and prove to her she is worth saving. Florence and Nyxaris’s bond deepens. With the prophecy coming to a close the leaders of the Houses come together to decide the future of Sangratha. Things take unexpected turns and they find allies with the dwarves while uncovering more of the world’s history.

[Laura Cozicar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings as I received the email with the arc for this final adventure. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited beyond words and my husband knew I would be ‘busy’ until I finished reading it. But I was also full of other emotions. Curiosity … what will happen, how will it end, who will survive and who won’t? Anticipation … will they triumph over Victor and Marcus, can they stop the fall of the veil, can Medra save Blake? These and other emotions swirled through my head as I eagerly downloaded the book and started to read the first page.

I tried to pace myself! Honest I did! I didn’t want the story to end! But each page drew me in and every chapter dared me to turn the next page! I won’t spill any secrets that would spoil things for you all, just know that you won’t be disappointed! I laughed, I cried, I held my breath a time or two and I may have even chewed off a few fingernails! So much happens within these pages that I sometimes felt my head might explode. Like, “Oh no you didn’t!” “NO!!!” Or “Why?” But also “YES” (with a fist pump) and “Awwwww” (with a heart clutch)

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. A massive thank you to the amazing author for your fabulous imagination and creativity. It is greatly appreciated!

[saba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, I was anxious, and I was completely invested from beginning to end. I basically experienced every emotion possible while reading this book.

I have loved watching these characters and their relationships develop throughout the series, and knowing this was the final book made everything feel even more emotional. I was excited to see how it would all end, but at the same time, I really wasn't ready to say goodbye.

The found family, the romance, the betrayals, the dragons, THE FLUFFINS, the danger — all the things I have loved about Bloodwing Academy were here.

I have very much enjoyed this journey from the first book to the last. It is rare for me to get four books into a series and still be this invested in the characters and their story, but Bloodwing Academy kept me invested the entire way.

Finishing this one was definitely bittersweet. I loved seeing how everything came together, but I am genuinely going to miss these characters and this world.

Thank you to Briar Boleyn for the ARC and for letting me be part of her street team. I am so grateful I got to experience this series and its final book. ❤️🐉

[Brittni Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'd think I'd be used to the emotional damage Briar Boleyn puts her readers through by now but alas, I dont think ill ever get used to her way to turn words into weapons haha. I swear to god, this took me days to read because we went through an entire emotional journey. We also went on an epic quest too which felt very rings of power/hobbits inspired. This series was absolutely magical and put me in all my feels. I truly hope this world continues with another series but the end felt like it could continue but it was also very much finished. It was like the first series, finished but also open. As an epic fantasy lover, I have to applaud Briar for her continuous persistence to give us the ENTIRE journey and not just skipping over "the boring" parts. I LIVE for the boring parts. It feels like I'm truly there and made me feel so invested with all the characters. Idk how she kept all these storylines together and merged them together by the end but it was incredible to see how it did. I cannot thank Briar Boleyn and Netgalley along with Harper Collins enough for the ARC

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

This book was everything. Honestly I absolutely loved every second of it. We got to see sides of characters we haven’t seen before and I was absolutely LOVING Florence and Nyxaris as well as Medra and Blake. Not only was there action packed adventure, but I found myself laughing quite frequently—because an emotionally charged fantasy definitely needs comedic breaks every now and again! And Regan… oh there’s so much to say there. But I think seeing who she became was the most epic character arc.

The ending destroyed me and healed me and I can’t stop thinking about it. I cannot believe this was the ending to such a great series—here’s to secretly hoping there will be more👀

Anyway, if you haven’t read the Bloodwing Academy series, pick it up. Dragon lovers, vampire lovers, fae lovers, will all devour this (and the books are super pretty).

[Amy Ebeid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was action packed with tons of suspense and omg the spice. I loved it. Medra continues to be the best FMC hurtling as a pure warrior and leader while Blake's development as a character is utterly fantastic....I have loved seeing him change since book 1. The side characters of this series....Regan, Florence, Lysander, Kage....and of course Neville....make this story even better. You root for so many characters and the books have just as many villains.

I'm sad to see Bloodwing Academy as a series end, but I think this book did exactly what a grande finale should do!!!! I finished it feeling like the story was complete even with the loss and heartache...there is still hope.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review- Author and through NetGalley
These thoughts are my own
Thankyou so so much for the opportunity to read this book early, this was one of my most anticipated reads.
I laughed, I gasped and surprisingly I didn’t cry. Without spoiling anything I enjoyed the crossovers we did get, I just wish we got more of it. I was happy with the ending, I think there’s potential for the worlds to be explored again. Fingers crossed for any novellas. I have loved reading both the blood of a fae series, and bloodwing academy. The characters will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m really sad it’s over, let’s hope it’s not forever.
Thankyou again

[rukyreadss🍓]

I really don’t want a Florence and Regan chapter. Especially a Regan chapter! This book was more about Florence and nyraxis rather than focusing on the main characters Blake and medra? I know I’ve said this but (Regan) her chapters was unnecessary!! And also medra was more like a side character in her own book, what was that about??? The author made her weak in this book. This was rather disappointing, I hope the next book will be better.
I know I’ve said this before but seriously we don’t need a Florence ore REGAN! Chapter.

[Mandy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I drop everything the minute this landed in my email? Yes, yes I did.

Did I read this in a little over 24 hours? Yes, yes I did.

This was the perfect way to wrap up Briar Boleyn’s Bloodwing Academy series. The revelations, the sacrifices, the surprises… it had it all. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be happy with how it ends.

This would easily be 6 stars if I could give it. I love this series (and its prequel series) so much and now I am sad it’s over.

Many, many thanks to Briar Boleyn and HTP Books for the ARC to read and review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖Book review 📖 5✨

Absolutely LOVED this final instalment of the Bloodwing Academy Series. It was the perfect finale for a series. If you loved these novels so far, you will not be disappointed with this ending.

Tropes and Topics:
🙏redemption
😭grief
🫂found family
🤫secrets
🔪betrayal
🏠family ties
❤️forbidden love
💕 fated mates
🌶️lots of spice
💤connections through dreams
🧎‍♀️‍➡️prophecy
🩸blood magic
😎protective mmc
🔥feisty fmc
🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️true friendship
🤭reuniting
😢sacrifice
🌎new worlds
⛓️‍💥breaking systems and society norms

[Ashley Cutshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Briar for the advanced reader copy.

“I worship you. I serve only you. From the beginning until the end, you are it for me. You alone, for all my days. Nothing and no one else will ever claim me.”

This was a bittersweet ending to this series. I absolutely loved this book.

The epic adventure Briar had to go on. To learning about a prophecy (was not expecting that twist).

I loved getting back into the acadamey and seeing where our friends left off.

It was fast paced with loads of banter that we all love for this series.

Oh boy the couple of spicy chapters were perfection🥵

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publishers for the opportunity to ARC read one of my most anticipated books of 2026!

This book was everything I needed and more.

Review to come closer to release day, but I’ve lost count of how many times Briar broke me, fixed me and broke me again.

I loved characters I used to hate. I cried. I laughed. I LOVED 💕

“The future is not a thing to be feared simply because it is uncertain. It is a thing of hope”

[Kristina Nichole]

Waiting patiently for the ARC



On Wings of Blood 3.5/5

The Bond That Burns 4/5

The Wings That Bind TBR

[Celina Quiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m okay. But, I’m also not okay.

I have loved this series from the beginning and I am so sad to see it end, but the ending was beautiful.

Thank you Briar for letting me be on your street team and enjoy these stories and letting me fall in love with Blake from day one.

[Karla Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️ ⭐️
I love this series so much, I cannot believe that was the last book 😭

[Ky (kys.bookish.adventures) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will miss these characters so much 🥹! Review to come :)