The Novel Navigator

OK! I’m not even done with this series yet, I’m about half way through the 2nd book (there are 4 total) but I need to get this off my chest. A couple of months ago I read the first 2 books (3rd one not yet released) of a series that absolutely popped off on Bookstagram/Booktok- On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn. If you’ve read my first book review post, BR: Into the Darkness Series, then you know that I’m hesitant to read what’s super popular on the inter webs. And this book was a prime example of why!! So many people raved about this book and there were so many things I just reallllyyyy didn’t like. If you liked it, then I love that for you. Truly, it makes me so happy to hear cause I would never put someone down for liking a book I didn’t like. But damn, one of the biggest things I latched on to and have remembered to this day was that the MMC is actually just an asshole, he has no redeeming qualities and in general the book fell flat for me. But that cliff hanger ending really did what it was meant to and I came back for the second book. Again, the MMC just plain sucked but there was a second potential love interest that was waaayyy better in my opinion. I will be reading the third book when it releases later this year to see if it becomes a why choose (fingers crossed) and to see what becomes of the FMC and I really hope for my sake it has some good twists or something.

But here’s the kicker. I decided to read Queen of Roses (Blood of Fae book 1) and right after I started it, I found out that this series is the prequel series to On Wing of Blood. I am now a book and half in and completely absorbed into the world. Like I’m so into it, so far so freaking good! And it’s absolutely killing me cause of how much I dislike OWOB. Besides the FMC being referenced in the new series, I’m not drawing any connections between the two. And I guess if I really think about it and spoil the first chapter of OWOB for you, it would make sense that there are no connections between the two cause the FMC does get dropped into a completely different world than her own. BUT DANG, maybe it’s also just that the vibes are polar opposite, but I’d rather just think of these two series as fully different worlds (which they are, I knowwww) and not connected to each other at all. I’ll update y’all when I’ve completed the series and if there are any other connections I find!

ALSO, can someone please read them both and tell me I’m not crazy? Or tell me I am and then why, cause I’d love to know. ❤

UPDATE: I finished book 3 and my verdict stands- this series is fabulous. Such great lore and a twist on Arthurian legend. Book 4 here I come! The FMC from OWOB was fully introduced and now I’m understanding more of her back story and the world she comes from. TBD on if that helps me like OWOB.

The final update we’ve all been waiting for. I finished the Blood of Fae series. Had me full blown crying at the end which means I can’t recommend the series enough (not many books have made me cry). The world was magical, the characters moved through their time together with such love and loyalty, the twists were twisty, the struggles were real and I felt every moment of it. This series, while yes had a lot to do with the romance between the main characters, was really about their world and the journey they were on and the friendship and love it takes to get through the tough times and come out better on the other side. It was about how with love on your side, you can change the gold and accomplish so much good in spite of the bad.

With all that being said, as of right now I still prefer this series to OWOB, but at least I have a better understanding of Medra, the OWOB FMC. If you can, I definitely recommend reading this series before starting Medra’s series.