This title has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year ever since I saw it listed on Waterstones. Everything about this seemed so intriguing and so unlike every other romance fantasy that is out there right now.
I was most intrigued by the prospect of this one being like A GAME OF THRONES X ROMAN HISTORY X DRAGON SHIFTERS. You can’t tell me that this doesn’t sound super cool?!?!

For a title that is quite obviously based on history, I really think it did an amazing job of keeping some things quite factual/truthful even when parts were embellished for drama, or slightly tweaked to make more sense in a fantasy setting. It’s just very obvious that the author had done their research beforehand which is something I appreciated immensely.

Overall I also think that the pacing of this one was perfect. We were given just enough right at the start for us to be left with questions, intrigued where the plot was going to go, and excited about the different relationships that might form (even if they can be seen as problematic)
There wasn’t a single moment when reading this that I was bored or dreading to read what was going to happen next, and it felt like just the right mix of romance and fantasy drama.

Another thing that shocked me was just how much I enjoyed this being a slow burn, but then it makes perfect sense when you think about the power dynamics between the two main characters, as well as just how much they were having to overcome. They weren’t really intimate with each other until after the 50% marker other than longing glances, flirting, and possessive behaviour from his dragon.
It was obvious that they were going to have a romantic relationship right from the beginning, but again, I LOVED that they didn’t just jump straight into anything, or that there was any coercion/manipulation for things to happen. I’m obviously saying this because the FMC Malina is captured by the Romans, and more accurately by Julianus, and made to be his body slave for ”protection”. It doesn’t come across as being for her benefit straight away, but as soon as the intentions and behaviours of some of the other characters are revealed, it becomes so blatant that Julianus is actually the good guy here, and has only given her that title to keep people off of their backs, and to also make sure that she is protected and always near him.

There was so much drama all the way throughout this one, and so many interesting parts to the plot and world building that I didn’t see coming either!
I especially loved the fact that Malina wasn’t entirely powerless because she has her own magic that she can use to manipulate the emotions of those around her. It seems like a really freaking cool contrast to their being LITERAL dragon shifters, and even more exciting because of the prospect of gods and goddesses being actual entities in this book (instead of just a religious figure)

Again, I loved this one and was so intrigued the whole way through. I didn’t see the ending coming at all, and can’t wait to see what will happen in the second book (especially because Malina and Julianus have just gotten their happyish ending)

Tropes: Dragon shifters, Empathic powered FMC, Touch Her and Die, Fated Mates, Alternative ancient history timeline

Malina has endured trauma after trauma at the hands of the Roman Empire.  She lost her family, then her adopted Celtic clan.  But when she is saved by the one person she has ever felt a connection to - she grasps onto that little light of hope.

Julianus may be the feared conqueror but he is nothing like his image.  He's strong, determined and a feared warrior.  But he takes no enjoyment from his job, he does not enjoy killing or seizing lands from the so-called enemies of her uncle, the Emperor.  He is well aware of the evil his uncle is spreading and is determined to somehow rid the empire of him.  He is slowly amassing allies but his plans almost unravel when he comes upon Malina fighting off the advances of some of his men.  Men who he had directly ordered NOT to injure, assault or otherwise harm the survivors.

His dragon sends a clear message and whisks Malina off to safety.

There is no glossing over of the politics in this book, it paints the Roman Empire, even one with dragons, as the corrupt society it was.  That even those who tried to do good were also guilty of some other "sin" themselves.

This is not your average Romantasy.  It is darker in tone and even though it has a power imbalance between the two MC's (something I usually loathe) due to the setting of the storyline, there could really only ever be an imbalance unless it was two MC's from the same strata of society.  But there is no time when Julianus uses his "superiority" as a weapon against Malina, in fact he only uses his elevated status as a way to save people.  Does he work within a corrupt and evil-tainted system, yes.  Does he have to do bad things to protect his proto-rebellion? Also yes.  But as an actual ancient historian, I can vouch for the fact that as with any "empire" through history, just because you work within the system, does not mean you blindly obey the system.  For a modern illustration - look no further than the current politics of the world!

So even though there are some elements of the book that might make you squirm or feel uncomfortable, they are there for that very reason.  To make sure you know how privileged you are to be able to dissent, pick at, and hold accountable those very systems. There are many scenes, especially with the Emperor and Cipranis, that are uncomfortable and downright hard to read, especially as a SA survivor myself.  But they are also cathartic as I raged, swore and plotted their ends in my head.

I'm now awaiting book 2 to see how Trajan furthers their rebellion.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥🔥

This was my first foray into a historical romance and it was great! Set in Ancient Rome with a dragon twist!
I absolutely think the Medusa and goddesses elements were fantastic.
It’s a little more slow burn that my usual choices however it is a romance and it does develop into a wonderful ending. There are some really sad parts and some bits that make you feel like there is a sense of justice!
It does feature captivity, but the negative reviews make me laugh as in no way does the MMC treat the FMC as a slave. I think it’s quite light on that front and to me was a forbidden love trope.
Can’t wait for the next book and to see how this all works itself out! How I hate the Emperor! I will definitely add some more historical books to me TBR now!

-Slow burn
-Historical
-Ancient Rome reimagined
-Dragon / Witch
-Enemies to loves
-Fated mates
-Forbidden love

3.75 / 5

Firebird is a fantasy novel set in ancient Rome that features magic and dragons.

I appreciated the fantasy twist in the ancient Roman setting and its mythology, and I found the main characters to be well-developed.

However, I wish the politics, magic system, and villains had been explored in greater depth. There were also some awkward phrases during the more intimate scenes.

This book delves into darker themes such as master/slave relationships, attempted sexual assault (not between the main characters), and dubious consent, so I would only recommend it to adult readers.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and I am curious about the next book and how the plot will unfold.

Thank you, Juliette Cross and Pan Macmillan, for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

DNF @30%

This is probably my fault. I didn't expect to have such trouble with the master/slave dynamic, but there were a few things I couldn't get past. First, I felt the author didn't write it with a clear understanding of Roman slavery practices. An example would be the fmc being shocked at a slave owning books. Indeed, many were educated and weren't just forced into manual labor. It seemed she was imposing more recent history of slavery onto her fantasy version of Rome. Second, the MMC captured the FMC to save her from SA/inevitable death, but he doesn't have intentions of freeing her. I couldn't see myself coming round to liking him, and the moment his collar went on her I went from being uncomfortable to hating reading this.

Apart from those points, I've read this author before and this is not her best writing. Clunky sentences I had to reread. Overall, the narrative didn't flow.

Firebird by Juliette Cross is a dark fantasy with master/slave romance. I would warn anyone wanting to read this to check the trigger warnings first.

That being said, this books had me emotionally wrecked! I devoured it in 24hours. There were moments I had to but it down because I was so scared for the main characters but then I had to pick it back up because I NEEDED to know what happened next.
This book definitely depicts the brutality of the Roman Empire while adding an interesting dragon twist into the mix. The FMC and MMC are very likeable and I found myself really routing for them. At every twist and turn, I was on the edge of breaking because they just couldn’t catch a break. Not being able to predict or decipher what was going to happen to them was torture especially knowing the atrocities that happened to some of the other characters.

I am so intrigued about where this story will go next and am looking forward to book 2!

Thank you Juliette Cross, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ✩°｡⋆

ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Firebird
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Juliette Corss
ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ : Book 1 of the Fire that binds series

Firebird is a fantasy with some dark themes so please be aware of these before reading! These including master/slave relationship, attempted SA (not between MCs), and dubious consent (not between MCs).

This book is he falls first, fast burn, who touched, enamines to lovers, fated mates, politics, gods/goddesses her kinda vibe!

Firebird is set in the Roman Empire, our Female Main Character, Malina is a witch who can read & manipulate emotions. During a raid she is captured by the Main Male Character, Julian who is a Roman commander & dragon shifter.

From the moment Julian laid eyes on Malina, he was enthralled by the dancer. 4 Years later, Malina stands before him on a scarred battlefield, her life in danger. He instinctively shifts into his fierce dragon form to save her knowing that she belongs to them, despite what the rules say. Malina can’t believe that the man she has briefly met 4 years ago is the Roman general of legendary brutality. She cannot deny how her soul has always seemed to answer his.

I enjoyed this book, the second half is where it got good for me. There were a few twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting and i like that the characters developed more. The plot was very unique and intriguing, there are a lot of dragon books out there and this was done really good.

Also omg the cover is so cool! its stunning along with the sprayed edges! WOOOOOW!

Looking forward to the next one.

𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠

Firebird is a captivatingly beautiful, dark, and dangerous romantasy, blending dragons, history, a fast-paced plot, and spicy romance. The world-building weaves a magical world fraught with danger, political intrigue, and a rich, imaginative, magical setting inspired by the ancient Roman Empire. It's unputdownable and will keep you devouring well past bedtime.

Juliette Cross's characters are gripping and evocative, and they will steal your breath away and make you fall so hard in love with them, with their character energies and wounded souls. Malina is a feisty, powerful, and fierce battle-worn character fuelled by pain and loss, who will do anything for the people she holds dear. Julianus is enthralling, gentle, honourable, and quietly vulnerable under the mask he wears to survive his uncle's tyrannical reign as the Roman Emperor. An incredibly addictive combination with their dual POV telling the story. You know from the moment Malina and Julian collide – these two are going to ignite the world. Flames spark and crackle in the sizzling heat of their fiery chemistry from the moment their eyes meet. Their enemies-to-lovers romance is brutally raw, emotionally charged, powerful yearning and moments of heartwarming tenderness.

I've read it twice now, and I'm still utterly mad in love with this book. Firebird is in the lead for my favourite book of this year! Juliette Cross has earned must-read buying status for me. Again, thank you so much to the fantastic team at @bookbreakuk, who granted my request for a proof of Firebird, and @Juliette Cross for writing this beautiful book.

Please note: This adult fantasy book has some dark themes that may be triggering for readers, including sexual violence, death, gore, and a master/slave romance. It is intended for readers aged 18 years and older.

Firebird by Juliette Cross is an exhilarating, action-packed fantasy that had me completely hooked from the very first page! The book combines swoon-worthy romance, high stakes, and just the right amount of spice to keep you on the edge of your seat. The chemistry between Julianus and Malina is absolutely electric, full of tension and longing that had me kicking my feet and giggling throughout most of the story. Their connection is undeniable and makes their journey all the more engaging.

The world-building in Firebird was immersive without feeling overwhelming. Cross did a fantastic job of creating a world where dragons rule Rome, deathriders burn the skies, and prophecies shape destinies. I loved the balance between romance and plot, which kept the story moving at a great pace throughout most of the book.

However, while the book was nearly perfect, I did feel the pacing faltered a bit towards the end. The build-up was fantastic, but the conclusion felt somewhat rushed and left me wanting more. That said, the sneak peek for the next book had me gasping, and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series!

Firebird is definitely a must-read for fans of steamy, dark romantasy with forbidden romance and intense action. The romance and world-building alone are enough to make it stand out, though the pacing hiccup near the end kept me from giving it a full 5 stars. Still, this is a book I highly recommend, and I can’t wait to dive into book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC!

Thank you Juliette Cross, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

The marketting and advertising of this book set me up for the wrong expectations while reading this book. Like many of the new fantasy book, it has all the popular tropes but I personally felt that it wasn't written well. The romance part was not done well. It was more of 'insta love' and 'fated mate'. Ofcourse, these two tropes are sometimes fun to read about but the execution did not justice to it. Overall, it felt like the romance, world-building and characters lacked depth. The premise was strong but the writing execution was done poorly.

I really wanted to love this book. Roman setting but with dragons morally grey MMC. However it just didn’t land for me.

The setting was great and the attention to detail around the Roman way of life, the celts and other tribes was written really well.

However I just couldn’t buy into the relationship between Julianus and Melina and I couldn’t get over the slave / master dynamic. The dragon mythology side of story wasn’t fleshed out well and seemed to just be thrown in the story would have worked the same if it was taken out.

A fairly enjoyable Romantasy book with dragons. In theory, I wanted to love it but it was just an ok read for me.

I couldn’t really get behind it as much as I wanted to. I lot of reviews said it was a really easy read but I personally don’t feel like it was. I found the FMC slightly cringey at times which was hard to read through.

I did like the Ancient Rome inspired setting which was really different from most other Romantasy books, though this is the second one I’ve read this year so we may be getting an Ancient Rome inspired fantasy resurgence. The magic system was fun but there was a lot of different dragon magics to keep track off.

The romance was good, with tension between the love interests done well.
I feel like this might be a book that grows on me after a re-read.

🔥 Firebird by Juliette Cross 🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

This book had me hooked from the start! The lore at the beginning of the book instantly pulled me in and I found it very hard to put down!!! With Firebird, Juliette Cross delivered a perfect mix of swoon-worthy romance, intense action, and just the right amount of spice. The chemistry between the main characters? Absolutely fire!!! Soooo much tension and so much longing that I found myself kicking my feet and giggling throughout most of the book!

The world-building was immersive without being overwhelming, and I really enjoyed the balance between romance and plot. The only reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me was that the pacing felt off in some areas, mainly towards the end. The story built up every well throughout the book but the ending felt slightly underwhelming and rushed. However, the sneak peek for the next book had me gasping out loud!!! I cannot wait to read book 2!!!!

If you love a steamy dark romantasy with high stakes, forbidden romance and a storyline that keeps you on edge, Firebird is definitely worth picking up!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC!

I was SO excited for this book! Dragons, Ancient Rome, the Roman Empire with all its power struggles, corrupt generals, and, of course, the usual treatment of women (aka they don’t count at all). Add in fantasy elements, and I thought this was going to be amazing. Spoiler: it wasn’t.

Our protagonist has the power to feel and control other people’s emotions. Things happen, and she gets “saved” by a Roman general who makes her his body slave to protect her (because, of course, he’s not bad. OF COURSE).

Obviously, since this is a romantasy, we already know they’ll end up together, but when I tell you I did not care at all, I swear I’m not lying. Their interactions made zero sense. One moment, he’s acting like a normal person, and the next, out of nowhere, he’s all “You’re mine”. And I usually don’t mind that dynamic, but not when it happens so early in the book with no proper relationship buildup. He calls her “my fiery girl” at chapter 11 (36% in). SIR, SHE’S NOT YOUR ANYTHING.
It's basically Insta-lust disguised as fated mates. They kiss ONCE, and he’s already like, “I love you, you know that?” What in the what???

I also hated the constant nudity and sex descriptions. And I read spice, I’m not against it AT ALL. But this? It was too much, too often, too close together. It gave me the biggest ick.

And the plot? I just didn’t care. The book focused more on politics, world-building, and a grand plan that was built up throughout the entire story… only for it to lead to an extremely underwhelming payoff. I get that it’s a series, so some things have to be left open, but the way this book wrapped up made it feel like nothing was actually resolved. And when I saw “96%” on my Kindle, it made me feel like I wasted six hours for nothing.

By a certain point, I could tell this was going to be a disappointment, but I pushed through to see where it went. Then at around 68%, I just started skimming. It was too late to DNF, but I also didn’t care anymore.

And the dragons. I wanted DRAGONS. Not a weird possessive voice in his head and two seconds of “Fly on me even though it’s forbidden.” I feel scammed.

Pretty sure I won’t be reading the next one, even though Trajan seems like a better character than Julian. But I don’t think I can get over everything enough to enjoy the sequel. Bummer, I was really excited for this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was engaging, fast paced, but I wish the romance wasn't so insta-lovey.
I liked the worldbuilding and I loved the concept of the Roman Gods being dragon shifters

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.
Thank you to Netgalley and Juliette Cross for this ARC

I've seen loads of people raving about this book, and saying it's going to be THE Romantasy of the summer...

I enjoyed it. It was okay. But it wasn't one of my favourite reads this year.

I think for me, I didn't connect to the characters. They just fell a bit flat.

The things I did love though, was the fact that the man and the dragon were two separate things. The dragon co-inhabited the body, but it had its own personality. That was kinda cool.

And I loved the ending - it's actually one of my favourite things in a series (although I did guess it was coming)

I'm not sure if I'll read book two, but I'm not ruling it out either.

Rated 4.5 Stars

Firebird was a highly intense read filled with action and adventure, twists and turns, sexy times, senate politics, intrigue and so much more. I loved it dearly. I found it to be very interesting and entertaining. It held my attention from start to finish -I read it in two sittings. It was one of those books I couldn't wait to get back to. The creation myth, lore, world and magic system were awesome. I loved how they were incorporated into this Roman Empire inspired story. I can't wait to visit this world again especially after reading the first chapter of the next book. The wait to next year might just end me.

1 star

It took me way too long to read this, so I'm gonna keep it short because this book made me furious.
1. How deceiving is the blurb that it doesn't mention this is an slave/owner book (because I'm not calling it a "romance"... gross) also there isn't a trigger warning page or even a link to it and I get arc readers get "unfinished books" but we deserve (for our mental health and considering it isn't mention in the blurb) to know if the content of the book might be triggering for us especially because within the first 10% of the book we get a gang-r🍇 scene. I do hope the final product gets a TW list.
2. The hero has zero redeemable qualities. Can't root for a slave owner. And did I mention he also has child s/Aves? I had the best time reading that *eye twitches*
And 3. This is a romantasy and (even if we brushed away the fact that she's his slave) I didn't buy their romance? It felt forced, and there was no real chemistry(?) Also, the spice... their power imbalance made it not enjoyable.
Again, I had many issues with this book, but I know a lot of people will love it, so I'm going to say this just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic book to read. I have never read anything like this before and it was brilliant. Romans, dragons, magic, spice, what more could you want. Nice to read something different. Great, likable characters.