Roman Empire x Dragons x Magic - what else could a reader want?!

I devoured this audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job. The only thing that could have made this better would be a duet style. BUT I still ate it up and enjoyed every minute.

I loved that this explores the darker side of Roman history through many different aspects of the empire and the various cultures/peoples that were impacted. I know it has a fantasy aspect to it, but it still felt like being in ancient Rome.

I loved the romance, the dragons, the history... all of it! I cannot wait for the next book!

The epilogue had me absolutely reeling in the best way!!

I loved loved loved this book!!!! It kind of gave me the vibe of the movie The King, mixed with Game of Thrones. The characters were both likeable and the spicy scenes were well written! The spice to story ratio was good… it wasn’t overpowering. I liked the storyline, it was intriguing and kept me entertained! You can tell that the author took care in researching the topics and theme of the book! I recommend! 😊

If you're craving a dark romantasy that throws you headfirst into a world where dragons rule Rome and the chemistry between the leads could melt steel, then buckle up. This book is a wild ride.

The "House of the Dragon meets From Blood and Ash" comparison? Honestly, it's pretty spot on. You've got that epic fantasy feel with powerful creatures and political intrigue, mixed with a seriously intense and steamy romance. The ancient Roman Empire setting infused with dragon lore is genuinely cool and unique – Cross has built a fascinating backdrop for this story.

From the moment Roman General Julianus Dakkia, nephew to the emperor and a dragon shifter himself, becomes captivated by the Dacian dancer/witch Malina, you know you're in for a passionate journey. Their connection is PALPABLE, even across years and a brutal battlefield.

The spice level is a solid 2 out of 5, the heat between Julianus and Malina is undeniable. It's the kind of slow-burn intensity that makes the payoff even more satisfying.

Now, it's important to note the trigger warnings mentioned. This book delves into some dark themes, including elements of a master/slave relationship and instances of attempted sexual assault and dubious consent (though these are not between the main characters). It definitely adds a layer of complexity and darkness that won't resonate with all readers, so heed those warnings.

For me personally, this was a 5-star read. The unique world-building, the scorching chemistry between the main characters, and the overall epic feel of the story really grabbed me. It was a steamy and engaging change of pace.

So, if you're open to darker themes and a master/slave dynamic in your fantasy romance, and you're looking for a book with incredible world-building and seriously hot chemistry set in a dragon-ruled ancient Rome, then Firebird might just be your next obsession. Just be sure to check those trigger warnings to see if it aligns with your reading preferences!

This was absolutely, such a fun book and one of my TOP FAVORITES of the year so far.

I love that Juliette Cross used the general template of ancient Rome to quickly establish the setting and not have to do a lot of world building so we could dive right into the story. The added dragon, fantasy, slight espionage aspect with the established historical and cultural issues is so intriguing.

Only note: Some of the dragon dialogue/inner-monologue was a bit off at times but that's the only negative I can immediately think of (it took me out of the story and laugh awkwardly a few times).


I'm already looking forward to book 2 (about to pre-order book 1 for my physical book shelf (looks gorgeous)). That last line of the epilogue though 👀 like bravo (great kinda cliffhanger but not really) and WHAT?!?!?! (I just need to confirm that it's her sister and not someone else with a similar name, thanks!)

Everything and more than I expected. Juliette Cross brings you right into life in ancient Rome. A great mix of dragon fantasy and gladiator Roman lore. I very much look forward to reading the sequel, impatiently.

This was a much needed re-read, but with the audio. It's been about a year since I've read the digital ARC and I think this might be my top favorite by Juliette. Simply said, I’m ready for more! The excitement and anticipation, I just couldn’t stop putting this down. And thank goodness Juliette likes to write interconnected standalones because I’m not so patient. Dragons in Roman times, while fascinating, this world is absolutely ruthless. But it gripped me the entire way, yet eager for a lot of things to unfold.

If you’re a Juliette fan, here’s yet another one to fall in love with. Malina and Julian definitely make my list of characters to love. There’s definitely so much at stake when it comes to their relationship and I don’t think death would even keep them apart.

Saddle up for this one!

All the stars for the narration by Blair Dade and Kale Williams, both new to me narrators! They did such a great job bring everything forward with Malina and Julian.

Please take note of the content warnings.

4.25/5

I was SUCKED INTO THIS WORLD.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts.

I am a light-fantasy reader. I never read Greek mythology retellings. But I enjoyed myself in this story. A lot.

I know there were things I missed, but the dystopian reality Malina is facing has her scared, yet her fierce spirit lives on. That's where Roman general and nephew to the emperor Julianus Dakkia's nickname from her stems from... Firebird. She captures his attention once, and years later, his dragon recognizes her right away, and his dragon stops at nothing to protective Malina. Because she is HIS.

I loved that this had a modern feel to the story. I enjoyed learning about this setting as we went, learning about the rules and how society functions alongside Malina. She's brought in to be Julianus' "slave," but really, she's his partner. He shares things with her. He protects her. And he *takes care of her* both with and without his dragon... *iykyk*

It was a super quick listen via audio! I liked both narrators. I don't remember all the details of things, but I know I'll be excited when book 2 comes out!

Okay so this premise had me and I needed to know more about this book! I loved the concept, the idea of it, and the characters in their own spaces. This is a book that teeters on romantasy and a little bit of dark romance. You've got the dragons, the magic, and at the same time there's a pretty heavy master/slave dynamic, that you really have to take in stride in this book.

This is a book space that I didn't necessarily think I'd expect to see master/slave dynamics, but I was intrigued. I didn't love it, but I found it curious & I'm excited to see where book two takes us in this storyline! Mind the triggers in the beginning & buckle in for the ride!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

This is a DARK Romantasy so please keep that in mind when reading. This book I know for sure is going to do well. I love how they weaved the story of Medusa, Dragons, and the Roman Empire together. I found this book interesting and intriguing, however, I know this book will not be for everyone. There were some character development fall backs, but since it is gearing up for a series it seems then the author may be leaving room for future growth for characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy of Firebird by Juliette Cross.
The narrators for this one are Blair Dade and Kale Williams. I listened to it at 1x speed.
The male narrator really shines. I could hear emotions in his voice, like a hint of sarcasm here and underlying humor there… It had a nice cadence to it. I really enjoyed listening to his chapters, so much so that I immediately went to Audible and searched for what else he narrated.
Now on to the story. This is my first book by this author.
I knew there would be slavery, conquered peoples, military slaughter in this… Hello? Rome! I am still kind of new to audio books, and it was a surprise to me that situations that don’t phase me while physically reading, that when narrated made me react. For this reason, I think I prefer to listen to this one over reading my physical copy. The world felt more superficial when I was reading the chapters with my physical copy if that makes sense.
The master/slave dynamic didn't bother me here because he is not going to mistreat his treasure/insta-love-mate. He claims her as his slave only to save her life. I just focused on the romance and was able to enjoy the unique setting and mythology (Roman gods!)
I am interested in continuing the series. Solid 3-4 stars.

Let me start by saying that Julian was very definition of “touch her and die” 😩😱

He was portrayed as the villain but from their very first interaction I didn’t see any of this. This doesn’t mean I didn’t like it, no in this case I loved it. He saved Malina so many times his possessiveness was actually hot. And can we take a moment to talk about the fact that he can shape shift into a dragon 🤩 this guy was battling 2 personalities at times I felt like I was reading a monster romance too.

I enjoy the world a lot though I would have like a lil more of would building, more explanation as why there were humans and humans shaped shifters. Also that we have gone into more detail about Malina’s magic.

What I like most is the way that sex is talk about and narrated in this book. Like it was so matter of fact and natural without flowery frases for example a dick is a dick and not a velvety wrapped steel 🙂 it was just so refreshing.

There were so many loose end that I hope get resolved or explained in the next book.

The book those contained some heavy topics like SA so check for triggers before reading.

The narration was incredible I love the narrator voices specifically the male one it was just perfect for the type of Julian’s character. 😍

Ps. I just received my FL edition and it’s so gorgeous. I can’t wait to add the first edition to my shelves as well.

Firebird has a lot of great elements that I loved. However, I need to start by mentioning that this book has some dark and triggering elements that readers need to be aware of before starting, so make sure to check trigger warnings. When I started reading, they weren’t as readily available as now, so that did affect my enjoyment to some degree as I wasn’t in the headspace I would’ve been had I known. The darker themes make sense in the context of the story. Many of the themes are uncomfortable, but they’re supposed to be that way. This also features a fated mates scenario, but it was a little too insta lust for me. I also struggled with it based on the master/slave dynamic between the two MCs. I did find the dragon shifter aspect to be interesting. I also really enjoyed the magical lore and world building as well as the political intrigue. I had both the ebook and audiobook for this. The audiobook was narrated by Blair Dade and Kale Williams. I thought they both did really well with the narration and bringing both the characters and world to life. Their narration also helped keep me focused on the story. I do plan to continue the series to see how the story develops in book 2.

Overall Rating: 3.5⭐️

Narrators: Blair Dade; Kale Williams did a great job in their dual narration. They flowed easily between male and female voices for both of them with very few instances that distracted me.

The book cover is brilliant and drew my eye instantly.

To start the story Julian, the nephew to the emperor, sees Malina, a Dacian dancer, when he sees her dancing and he instantly falls for her. Their characters are multifaced and unique causing this reader to become fully immersed in their lives.

So, this story really picks up momentum years later at a gruesome battle. Having some knowledge of the Roman times I was aware that this book would have slave master relationships and a lot of death. But I never felt overwhelmed by it. Author Juliette Cross did a fabulous job of balancing the violence with acts of charity and intrigue.

I did wonder how she would be able to write this storyline and keep me reading till the end and I was very pleased to finish the audio book wanting the next book.

The only thing I would change about this book is to have it include a list of characters and how to spell their names.

"Firebird" by Juliette Cross presents an intriguing blend of dragon shifters, witches, and the political landscape of an alternate Roman Empire. The story follows Malina, a witch with the extraordinary ability to read and manipulate emotions, who finds herself captured by Julian, a powerful Roman commander and dragon shifter. Their initial connection, formed years before, ignites the flames of a fast-paced, forbidden romance that is both captivating and complex.
From the start, Cross immerses readers in a vivid world where dragons are deeply entwined with Roman mythology, and the stakes are high. Malina’s unique magic and Julian’s dual nature as a leader and dragon create a compelling dynamic that had me eagerly turning the pages. The themes of possession and obsession are woven throughout the story, delivering some undeniably steamy moments that fans of passionate romances will appreciate.
However, while the chemistry between Malina and Julian is palpable, the romance often feels rushed, leaning heavily into the realm of insta-love rather than gradual development. This left me wanting more depth in their connection. Despite the promise of a slave/master dynamic, the relationship lacks the tension such a theme could bring, as Julian treats Malina with respect and care from the outset.
What truly fascinated me were the elements of Roman political intrigue interspersed throughout the narrative. Cross creatively weaves in references to Roman gods and goddesses, offering a fresh perspective on well-known myths. The use of Roman names, such as Minerva for Athena and Proserpine for Persephone, adds a unique layer to the story that I greatly enjoyed. However, at times, this rich tapestry felt a bit messy, as if the multitude of elements didn’t always coalesce into a cohesive narrative.
Overall, "Firebird" is an engaging read, particularly for those who enjoy a mix of fantasy and historical elements. While I appreciated the rapid pacing and the world Cross built, the romance felt superficial at times. I’m excited to see how the ongoing political drama evolves in Book Two and hope to see even more depth in both the characters and their relationships. If you're intrigued by the blend of dragons, witches, and Roman mythology, this book may just ignite your imagination!

Thank you for the arc. Unfortunately this book didn’t hit the way I thought it would. When I requested it and started it, I was unaware of the master/slave dynamic. After I had already started reading I saw that the author made a post on instagram stating that it is master and slave, not just captor and captive.

While I get that they were attracted to each other before the FMC was enslaved, it still felt icky. Why keep her enslaved?

The overall premise for the book is great, dragons and Ancient Rome. But the heavy discussion surrounding slavery was just a lot. The narrators sounded great in their roles.

3⭐️ 3🌶️

📖Dragon Shifter
📖Forced Proximity
📖Touch her and 💀
📖Magic
📖Fated Mates

**please check trigger warnings before reading**

Major Spoilers….You Have Been Warned:



I enjoyed this more than I originally thought I would. The couple in this story are master/slave and I struggled at first BUT I kept going and was completely fine with it. The MMC, Julian, does not touch FMC, Malina, while she is a “slave”. I say slave lightly because she isn’t treated as a slave…in fact none of his “slaves” are mistreated. Julian and Malina slowly make their connection and accept their chemistry. Before they do anything, they discuss that she is not his slave in any way. But because of the world they live in, she needs to keep the slave appearance to survive.

The ruler, Ceaser, is a piece of 💩 and of course is Julian’s uncle. He plans to overthrow him but it’s taking more time to gather allies.

I enjoyed Malina and Julian’s relationship. I think their chemistry was spot on and I even enjoyed the mate bond!

What I didn’t like: there’s a lot of male dominance that I just hate. I get it’s crucial for the storyline and for the world the author built, but I find it hard to read sometimes. Please check your trigger warnings on this!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Firebird is my first book by Juliette Cross but it won’t be my last. I was hooked from the very beginning.

This book follows Julianus Dakkia and Malina. Julian is a powerful dragon-shifting general in the Roman army and the nephew of the emperor. Malina, on the other hand, is a Dacian dancer who has special powers of her own. While the romance was a little insta-love for me I did really enjoy it.
The book takes place in Ancient Rome and it has master/slave dynamics. I was very interested in the world building. And I enjoyed the writing. I am very excited for the sequel.

Both narrators did an excellent job.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC of the audiobook of Firebird. I'm torn on what to rate this book but I'm thinking 3.5 stars. I didn't fall in love with the characters immediately (or even half way through the book) like I do with my 5 star romantasy reads. Others have complained about the master/slave trope but that never really stood out to me because of the setting of the book "it fit". I also didn't enjoy the language used during spicy scenes. I did enjoy the plot of the story and it did keep me intrigued...just didn't fall in love with it like I was hoping.

Thank you so much to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with this ALC experience. This book was really enjoyable and a great experience. I don’t usually find myself gravitating to audiobooks, but I am so glad I was able to listen to this one! The narration, especially that of the gentleman who voiced the MMC, was great and really allowed me to find myself within the atmosphere of the book.

The story is a fantastic darker fantasy romance that takes the myths of the Greek gods and says “but what if they were dragon shifters?” It’s an original and fun combination of dragons, mythology, and magic and the chemistry between the MC’s is fantastic. I will say that be sure to check for content warnings and do go in knowing that it is darker in nature and leans into some darker subject matter. The villain is definitely a villain and does not shy away from brutality. There is also a slave/master relationship and darker themes relating to treatment of others.

All in all though, it was such a gripping tale and I really enjoyed it! I cannot wait for the second book and need it to be released now!

This book was fantastic!! I was hooked from the very beginning. This book does contain dark elements such as slavery. This book also contains dragon shifters, witches, Roman mythology and more. I loved the world building. This book is described as from blood and ash meets house of the dragon and I definitely believe that is a great comparison. I typically have read more books about Greek gods so reading about Roman gods was a nice change. Firebird follows Malina who was a dancer in her families troupe. Roman dragons kill her entire family. She then goes to stay with the Celtics. Malina is different because she has a magical gift. The Celtics Malina is with are defeated by Roman dragons as well. This is when Julian saves her. He then takes her back to his home where he unfortunately has to make her his slave but it’s not as it seems. I love the chemistry between the two. I can’t wait for the next book! Also the narrators were fantastic
Thank you NetGalley for an audiobook arc.