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dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This in the second book in the series that I affectionally refer to as vampire Harry Potter. This is not an original story in basically any way, but it is extremely enjoyable for what it is. At the end of Medra's first year at Bloodwing Academy, she accidentally awoke a dragon, when dragons have been extinct in Sangratha for a century. The ruling highbloods demanded that she control her dragon and become their tool, but that's not so simple, and of course Medra has no intention of being used by the very beings she despises. To make things more complicated, Medra is now bonded to the bane of her existence, Blake, which means he has to feed from her every week despite her not consenting to the bond. Medra is basically in constant danger, and the relationship between her and Blake swings wildly in all different directions. It's truly so fun.
I am very happy to report that this book did not fall victim to the curse of the second book in a romantasy series! (At least to me of course lol). I adored this second installment so much. The world-building actually made more sense than in the first book, which is no mean feat: Boleyn narrowed her focus to who and what directly affected and implicated Medra, which was smart, and we got answers at a pace I appreciated while still leaving a lot up in the air. The conflict between Medra and Blake feels very real and not contrived, and although Medra's feelings are a bit all over the place, it didn't grate on me because she's fully aware of everything she's feeling and trying to make sense of it along with the reader. The spice in this book is also really, really good - truly some of the best I've read in a while (TLDR it's the definition of the female gaze). The plot moves along nicely, minor characters get fleshed out without overburdening the main narrative arc, and the book ended with a bang. Loved this one so much and can't wait for the next to book to come out in March 2026!
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Starwater Press for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
I am very happy to report that this book did not fall victim to the curse of the second book in a romantasy series! (At least to me of course lol). I adored this second installment so much. The world-building actually made more sense than in the first book, which is no mean feat: Boleyn narrowed her focus to who and what directly affected and implicated Medra, which was smart, and we got answers at a pace I appreciated while still leaving a lot up in the air. The conflict between Medra and Blake feels very real and not contrived, and although Medra's feelings are a bit all over the place, it didn't grate on me because she's fully aware of everything she's feeling and trying to make sense of it along with the reader. The spice in this book is also really, really good - truly some of the best I've read in a while (TLDR it's the definition of the female gaze). The plot moves along nicely, minor characters get fleshed out without overburdening the main narrative arc, and the book ended with a bang. Loved this one so much and can't wait for the next to book to come out in March 2026!
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Starwater Press for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Death, Torture, Suicide attempt, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
OMG OMG OMG, the last 100 pages locked me in! I need the next book like yesterday. I want more, I need to know what happens next. The first book piqued my interest, this one LOCKED ME IN. I absolutely loved it. I started this book hating Blake and thinking I could never forgive him as things went on but I’m glad he’s surprised me. THE ENDING?? Jesus, so many unexpected twists!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's been almost a day and I still haven't recovered from the end of this book. I don't know if I will any time soon or until I get my hands on book three. I was expecting everything dialed up from book one, but I think Briar Boleyn may have broken the dials. This was a 6-star read for me so could book three be my first 7-star read this year?
Nyxaris’s roar would seem like nothing compared to mine when I was through with Blake-fucking-Drakharrow.
I spent the first half of the book wanting to throw my kindle at the wall because Blake is thicker than my walls and that still may be understating it. He decides to double down on all his wrong choices and I wondered if we would ever get back to the romance part of this bully romance. At one point, I may have even considered being a traitor and rooting for Medra x Kage, but I stayed true to the end. If I were Medra, I probably would have just fucked around and found out with Kage regardless after some of the things she said to Blake. I would be lying if I denied I cried like a big baby quite a few times and the longest at the end, so you have been warned. This book toys with your emotions and makes you realize book one was just the foreplay. The spice was beautiful, intimate and everything I wanted from this novel. There might be a Visha line that will rent-free in my mind for far too long, and you are free to guess which one it is as I will not be repeating it. Enjoy an excerpt I loved instead.
The warmth of his hand was jarring. His thumb brushed against my pulse and for a moment, I felt my treacherous heart stutter. “This would be easier,” he said, leaning towards me, his voice low. “If you’d stop pretending you hate it.”
Briar continues to build upon this beautiful rich world and bless us with characters I can't help to love or despise with every inch of my being. The character growth is huge for everyone (except those damn mean girls iykyk.) The relationship between Medra and Florence is so damn beautiful and strong and I always love seeing strong female friendships, especially when they have such different strengths that compliment each other. I loved learning more about the four great houses and their important characters. These are the small details I live for. The difficult relationship between Medra and Nyxaris was so enjoyable to read because you really never knew what was going to happen next, and it was unique and full of many emotions. I cannot wait for book three and part of me doesn't want it to end, ever.
He suddenly pushed his chest up against mine, shoving me backwards. His breath was hot against my ear. “Why don’t you just fall in line, like a good little girl?”
🩸 Dark academia
🖤 Dual POV
🩸 Found family
🖤 Unlikely allies
🩸 Dangerous secrets
🖤 Forced betrothal
🩸 Villain gets the girl
🖤 Rival houses
“Mine,” I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it.
Thank you Starwater Press via Netgalley for an eARC. All opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's been almost a day and I still haven't recovered from the end of this book. I don't know if I will any time soon or until I get my hands on book three. I was expecting everything dialed up from book one, but I think Briar Boleyn may have broken the dials. This was a 6-star read for me so could book three be my first 7-star read this year?
Nyxaris’s roar would seem like nothing compared to mine when I was through with Blake-fucking-Drakharrow.
I spent the first half of the book wanting to throw my kindle at the wall because Blake is thicker than my walls and that still may be understating it. He decides to double down on all his wrong choices and I wondered if we would ever get back to the romance part of this bully romance. At one point, I may have even considered being a traitor and rooting for Medra x Kage, but I stayed true to the end. If I were Medra, I probably would have just fucked around and found out with Kage regardless after some of the things she said to Blake. I would be lying if I denied I cried like a big baby quite a few times and the longest at the end, so you have been warned. This book toys with your emotions and makes you realize book one was just the foreplay. The spice was beautiful, intimate and everything I wanted from this novel. There might be a Visha line that will rent-free in my mind for far too long, and you are free to guess which one it is as I will not be repeating it. Enjoy an excerpt I loved instead.
The warmth of his hand was jarring. His thumb brushed against my pulse and for a moment, I felt my treacherous heart stutter. “This would be easier,” he said, leaning towards me, his voice low. “If you’d stop pretending you hate it.”
Briar continues to build upon this beautiful rich world and bless us with characters I can't help to love or despise with every inch of my being. The character growth is huge for everyone (except those damn mean girls iykyk.) The relationship between Medra and Florence is so damn beautiful and strong and I always love seeing strong female friendships, especially when they have such different strengths that compliment each other. I loved learning more about the four great houses and their important characters. These are the small details I live for. The difficult relationship between Medra and Nyxaris was so enjoyable to read because you really never knew what was going to happen next, and it was unique and full of many emotions. I cannot wait for book three and part of me doesn't want it to end, ever.
He suddenly pushed his chest up against mine, shoving me backwards. His breath was hot against my ear. “Why don’t you just fall in line, like a good little girl?”
🩸 Dark academia
🖤 Dual POV
🩸 Found family
🖤 Unlikely allies
🩸 Dangerous secrets
🖤 Forced betrothal
🩸 Villain gets the girl
🖤 Rival houses
“Mine,” I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it.
Thank you Starwater Press via Netgalley for an eARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide