I kid you not – I legitimately took a day off from work to read this book. Was it worth it? Hell yes.
If you’ve seen my previous review for On Wings of Blood, you already know I’ve been pining after The Bond That Burns like a lovesick teenager. So why did it take me a month to dive in? Easy – I don’t want to wait too long for book 3 coming out in March, lest I end up throwing an adult temper tantrum.
After the whirlwind plot of book one, I was anxious to hop right into The Bond That Burns – but did it meet my high expectations after all?
**Please note: Major spoilers ahead**
Plot Summary
The Bond That Burns picks up shortly after Blake’s raggedy little trick played on Medra. Now blood bound and sporting a pet dragon, Medra spends her second year at Bloodwing Academy trying to avoid a perilous fate, whether at the hands of weird uncle Viktor, or Nyxaris, her new dragon companion. Meanwhile, Blake quickly realizes that bullying the shit out of Medra might not be the key to her heart, and besides, he’s tired of being a jerk regardless.
With the odds hilariously stacked against her, Medra delves deeper into the history of the dragons of Sangratha, culminating in a twisty cliffhanger ending that may put her life, and the lives of those she loves, at even greater risk.
Quality of Writing
Rating: 4/5
I do have to take a point off from The Bond That Burns for some grammar and spelling errors, which was frustrating to see in a Deluxe Edition. If I’m paying extra, I expect extra!
Aside from that, all points go to the spectacular writing of this book. Briar is one of the few authors that manages to elicit cringe and outrage from my unfeeling Aries heart, which makes this book all the more enjoyable.
Plot Development
Rating: 5/5
The Bond That Burns did a fan-frigging-tastic job of keeping up with the incredible world building from book one. I loved learning even more about the dragons and their role in Sangrathan society, as well as Sangrathan history in general. I also very much appreciated the addition of political intrigue amongst the ruling vampire houses. As someone who hails from the Harry Potter and Twilight era, it comes as no surprise that a dark and moody setting is my vibe.
Characters
Rating: 4/5
**Major Plot Spoiler Ahead**
Given the explosive ending of On Wings of Blood, it’s only natural that The Bond That Burns starts out with Blake and Medra on some pretty rocky footing, including a spicy scene with slightly questionable consent. That being said, I was captivated by Blake’s softening character arc, and I think this development does a great job of showing what trauma can do to someone if left unchecked and unhealed.
Getting to know Theo and Visha more in book two was a pleasant treat, especially since they don’t present as generic sidekicks and have their own dynamics and romances going on aside from the main plot. I’m also intrigued by Florence’s POV toward the end of the book and very much hope this continues in book three.
Ease of Reading
Rating: 5/5
Just like book one, The Bond That Burns is a superb example of packing a book full of plot and lore without being overly complex to understand. No podcasts, fan theories, or spark notes needed here!
Ending
Rating: 4/5
Unlike On Wings of Blood, where the prologue basically showcased the ending, On Wings of Blood threw me for a loop in a great way. I am pleased to say that the love triangle I feared was developing in the first book ended up being more of an enemies-to-allies trope between Blake and Kage.
Despite the more popular opinion of the Secret Society reveal being random, I feel that there was lead up to this from book one based on the dynamic between Blake and Professor Rodriguez, so in my eyes, it did not feel forced in any way.
Would I Recommend This Book
Yes! I am screaming, crying, and throwing up in anticipation of book three, and while I feel like I have some idea of what will transpire, I’m also wildly unsure what will happen next. This series is definitely keeping me on my toes and I crave that feeling.
Overall Rating
Although I did find the spelling and grammar quality of my deluxe edition a tad frustrating, my issues were easily wiped out by the fiery plot and character development. The Bond That Burns is an easy read with plenty going on, and served up one hell of an ending that has me wanting more.
Book Rating: 4/5 (TW: Blood, Gore, Death, Child Death)
Spice Rating: 3/5 (TW: Dubious Consent)
Curious about how I rate my reads? Check out my Rating System Blog Post for more!
Let’s Talk
The Bloodwing Academy series certainly has a lot going on, between dragons, vampires, fae, and arthurian legend. Do you enjoy books that are heavy on lore and world building, or do you want to get right into the plot?
Reading Stack
Previous Book: We Who Will Die
Current Book: Bloody Black
Next Book: Rings of Fate
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