What a fun little ride this newest book by Cross was! Rome is ruled by the cruel hand, or maybe, say, the claw of a dragon, Cesar! Julianus the Conqueror is his nephew, a legendary Roman General…and whoops, he's gone and fallen in love with a slave. But it’s more than just the smut! I enjoyed the conspiring coup and war tactics aspect and was more invested in that story than the romance. Malina and Julian’s romance spins pretty quickly despite the fact she's his slave, and he’s responsible for killing everyone she's ever loved…it’s written very well, and I enjoyed the audio immensely, although when the narrator, Kale Williams, did the female voices, it reminded me a bit of when your husband does your nagging wife voice! The characters had enough depth to make you want to know what was going to happen to them, and I enjoyed the banter between Malina and Julian. There was world-building, but to be honest, it didn’t really stand out for me. I am excited to get my deluxe edition and to read the next book in The Fire That Binds series. Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this advanced audio copy. ((&)) a little PR: don’t listen to the spice when you're walking through Hobby Lobby, LOL!

Ok, wow I was VERY surprised by how much I enjoyed this?? I was definitely hooked from the beginning and enjoyed how the story built from there.

* dragon shifters
* fated mates
* take on Ancient Rome
* Enemies (kinda) to lovers
* Touch her and die vibes
* Dual POV
* open door

Was it A LITTLE insta-lovey? Kinda but not in a way that overly bothered me (the fated mates also makes that hard to not have SOME sort of instant attraction). Simple world building made this enjoyable and not daunting - I was easily able to follow everything that was going on. Malina was a badass FMC with really cool empath powers and Julianus was a great MMC who was so much more than what his surface showed.

This audiobook was great - I really enjoyed my listen!

This is a romantasy I can see becoming very popular following in the footsteps of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and The Stars are Dying.

The magical elements of the story are very fascinating and will draw in many lovers of ancient Rome and other ancient history.

The romance was not one that I would reach for and the elements of the characters' proximity left me with a poor taste in my mouth.

Thank you Bramble and Macmillan Audio for the ALC, I am so grateful.

I listened to the audiobook of this, so my review is in two parts:

Story: It didn't rock my world, but I liked it and stayed engaged the whole time. I appreciate that the world-building didn’t require large exposition dumps – it felt like the author was trusting that we had a general understanding of the Roman Empire and could build her dragon lore on top of it. I really enjoyed the relationship between Julian and Malina – I’m a sucker for fated mates, and was well aware of the master-slave dynamics going in, so it didn’t weird me out like it seems it did a lot of other reviewers. It felt like more of a societal issue than a relationship one - if he hadn't named her his slave upon their return to Rome, they both likely would have been executed for his actions on the battlefield.

Audio: Dual narration. I generally liked both of the narrators, and felt they did a good job with clearly different voices to distinguish between the characters, as well as not feeling the need to make casual conversation or description unnecessarily dramatic. Her Man Voice and his Lady Voice are a bit strained and distracting, but that's something that plagues pretty much every audiobook so no points off.

Rating: 4.25/5
Spice: 2.5/5

Tropes:
- Fated mates
- Dragon shifters
- Ancient Rome
- Enemies to lovers
- Prophecies
- Touch her and die
- Dual POV

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for the chance to listen to an advance copy.

Thank you, NetGalley for this advanced copy of the audiobook. It is my first book to read by this author, but I absolutely loved it. Sometimes I don’t like the fact that the characters are instantly in love however, I didn’t feel like this book was overly done with that theme. I loved the characters, the plot, and the spice. I felt like it was all really well done and it kept me very engaged. At first, I thought that this was a standalone book however, the way that it left off, I feel like it will be there will be a second book. And I am super excited to read the second in the series.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Malina and her sisters are the best of the best when it comes to dancing, and when a Roman centurion gives her a gift, she's not only surprised, but she is determined to keep it close to her. Now, years later, they meet at the end of a battle that has her on the losing side, her life in danger. Which his when Julianus shifts into his dragon form to save her, and claim her, because deep down he knows she is his. He's known for his brutality, but he shows her nothing but kindness. And deep down, her own soul seems to reach towards him. But there are secrets he's keeping, secrets that can change the entire empire. Will they survive long enough to be together? Or were they doomed to end before they even began?

UGH WHY. WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2?!

Okay. Malina was badass. Literally facing a legendary Roman dragon shifter who is known to be cruel and she's like alright what now. Like GIRL YOU ARE GOING TO DIEEEE. And then when she starts falling for him I was like GIRL GET HIMMMM JUMP ON IT. And yeah, that definitely happens, and the spice is very well written, but also I was so happy because Julianus. SWOON. Julianus is the nephew to the emperor and also crazy scary, but inside the dude is a cinnamon roll and a half. He is so gentle with her and patient and he would literally burn the world for her. No, like, seriously, he'd burn the world. DUDE IS A DRAGON AND HE BREATHES FIRE LIKE WHAT. I loved the historical fantasy aspect of the Roman Empire and I thought the author did a great job really grounding up in this world. And I'm like 99% sure the next book will be a new couple? Which is kind of hinted at at the end? But totally could be wrong. Either way, DON'T SLEEP ON THIS. GO AND READ THIS. There's so much that had me swooning, so much that had me sad, and the writing is just utterly gorgeous.

In a world full of dragons, there isn’t another I would rather burn it down with than Julianus Dakkia

A conqueror captivated…
A witch prophesied to save them all…
A world where dragons rule Rome.

❤️‍🔥New Release ALC Review of Firebird by Juliette Cross. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! 🔥
A powerful young witch coming of age has a chance meeting with a gorgeous, formidable and known to be cruel Dragon Shifter from a military who has taken over the realm for a cruel King. When she was working at local event, and their paths meet, their lives were tethered forever.

This book bewitched me and I am beside myself knowing how long it will be before the next book comes out 😭

This is a slow burn romance of fated mates, dragons, corrupt sadistic evil tyrants, and a man (and his inner dragon) who would burn the world for the ones he loves. Specifically for her.

❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers
⛓️‍💥 Captor/Captive
💕 Fated Mates
✨ Strong FMC w/ empath Powers
💪🏻 Possessive/Protective MMC
🐲 Dragon Shifters
🥰 Forbidden Love
🏰 Rising Rebellion
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 Dual POV

I am obsessed 😍 and ordered two hard cover copies, (because hello, the sprayed edges are different) and I have a pretty book collection issue when it comes to ones I enjoy.

I was thrilled to receive an ALC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 14%

Well this book was certainly a choice. No where in the synopsis does this book mention that this is a romance book about a slave owner and one of his slaves. I was gifted an ALC and that version of the audiobook didn't have any TW/CWs whatsoever so I had no idea that's what this book is and I think the publisher failed this book in it's marketing. This is a book that is set in a very real place in a very real time period (with a fantasy twist) that includes elements of horrible things that happened to real people trying to sell it as a 'well it's just a fun fantasy story.'

I went and looked at the authors social media and she now has some content warnings up that I personally don't think are accurate. It says "elements of master/slave relationship." This feels misleading to me. The use of the word 'elements' to me implies that this is BD$M related when the book is about a literal slave owner and one of his slaves. It isn't "elements of a master/slave relationship," it is 100% a slave owner and one of his slaves.

I am someone who loves dark romances, I feel like this book has been incorrectly marketed and promoted. This book crosses a line for me and if I would have known before picking this up I would have never attempted reading it. A book about a slave owner (even if we find out later in the book that he is secretly a 'good guy' being forced to do horrible things) in the year 2025 is a choice and sends a very strong message. Glorifying slave owners and framing them as 'misunderstood' is so gross to me and I can't in good faith recommend this book, or even finish it.

Firebird had a lot of potential, especially with its intriguing premise and the inclusion of dragons—something I always love in a fantasy book. However, despite the promise of an exciting story, there wasn’t much actually happening in the plot. It felt like it lacked the depth and momentum to keep me fully engaged.

The romance leaned heavily into insta-love, which made it difficult to fully invest in the relationship. While I enjoy strong, protective characters, the male main character’s possessiveness didn’t sit well with me. Instead of coming across as fiercely devoted, he often felt irrational—like his intelligence dropped every time he entered a “mate rage.” This took away from his appeal and made the dynamic feel more frustrating than compelling.

Overall, Firebird had elements that could have made for a great read, but it didn’t quite deliver on its potential for me.

2⭐️

This review is based off my reading experience and I’m sure this book will find its intended audience but that is not me. I wish I looked up the trigger warnings prior to starting the ALC but I have never had something turn my stomach the way this book had so I thought nothing of it. I actually looked up the trigger warnings prior to writing this review and I didn’t find them on the author’s website (maybe I just didn’t see them) but there is a little blurb in the Amazon listing description. So I’ll put the blame on me.

The good:
It was evident the author did her research and I really enjoyed the Ancient Rome setting, the dragons and their lineage. I also really liked the FMC. After reading some of the early reviews I think readers have mixed feelings surrounding her but I liked her snippy back bone. She has been in survival mode her entire life and chapter one of this book just took that up a notch. I thought her empathic magic/inner witch was unique and from the beginning it sounds like it’s tied to Medusa or one of her sisters. Melina, FMC, will probably be forced to analyze risk with each action she takes given her position. I just hope she’s safe, I don’t even care about the romance at this point, free my girl.

The narration was great. This was my first time listening to Blair Dade and Kale Williams but I think they both did a fantastic job. I would definitely listen to other audiobooks by either of them.

The not so good, imo:
The violence on/toward women was extremely hard to stomach for me and there was A LOT. Now I love a good dark romance but I think I learned exactly what kind of dark romances I enjoy after reading this book. The sexual assault attempts and graphic descriptions start pretty much immediately. Julian’s uncle and cohort were cruel and I just wanted to skip every scene with them in it. Julian wasn’t like that, he despised his uncle and it made him just as sick BUT the fact that he’s been going along with this for several years didn’t sit right with me. Julian’s silence as a bystander is just as cruel.

The romance also fell a little flat for me. Melina is a prisoner of war from the beginning and Julian makes her his slave (all in the name of protection, sure thang buddy). It didn’t make me swoon not because of the Master x Slave dynamic but mostly because Melina and Julian’s interactions were surface level for most of the book and the deeper interaction happen late into the book so suddenly.

To summarize, check your trigger warnings folks. This book is dark. It has some very uncomfortable themes that are graphic in nature. Also, this will be a series so prepare for more.

Okay I have seen some mixed review on this one but when I got my advanced copy I was so excited to dive in and honestly, I loved it. There were a couple cringe parts where I think the author really towed the line with the slave falling in love with the person who was supposed to be her master but I feel like that was later cleared up so well. Julian truly was trying to save the people who worked for him, he had to use the collars for their safety but it seemed to me like he and those working in his house had mutual respect. All of that aside, I really did enjoy the romance aspect of this book. Malina and her powers was such a good character, she really made the book for me. Plus I am a sucker for “touch her and die”, dragon shifters and a strong stubborn FMC and this book BROUGHT IT. The narration for this was also so good, they were true magicians and had me in the rooms with the characters!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!

The only downfall of getting this an an arc is that I have to wait that much longer for the next book 😩😭

Overall, I personally really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and packed with lots of great political intrigue (and ofc good-good spice). Plus a dragon-shifting Rome was too interesting to not read.

I will try to responsibly begin, though, by mentioning this book had some darker themes alongside its romance and you should always check content & trigger warnings when reading to make sure a book is for you! Contextually and tracking with the story, I didn't personally have troubles suspending my imagination for the sake of the story being told when these themes came into play, but I could see how this would be a non-starter for someone else. There are things like unfair power dynamics (ie - master/slave) that I personally understood to be intentional and indicative of the time/place/culture of the book's setting. I think knowing that upfront is important to the reading experience, regardless.

Now onto the things I looooooooved about this book! Something I really appreciated about was the way the author Juliette painted us such a clear picture of the world and how the mythos crossed over into the magic abilities we see in play. Like there's still a lot to be explored but I think I have a good grasp on the world from the way she built it in her writing. I also can't speak more highly of the narration for this book! I listened to an ALC of this book and am really glad I did because Blair Dade (Malina) and Kale Williams (Julian) gave a phenomenal performance! I think their narrations made me like this even more. I also personally like insta-affection stories as a result of fated-mates so this one definitely scratched an itch for me in that regard. Also the possessive MMC that Julian (and his dragon) were was *chef's kiss* to me. I really

I'm really excited for the next book now! I want to know what's going to happen next after that ending 👀 Like what's the next move?? I guess I'll have to wait to find out. Side note: I always do this to myself with fantasy series when I choose to read an advanced copy of a Book 1 😩

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!