Firebird

I first read this book when a sample was sent out and I couldn’t wait to read the rest. It did not disappoint. The next book come out in a few months and I already have it on preorder. The plot, the MMC and FMC are sooo good. I feel that the next book will be new MMC and FMC. I can’t wait to hear their story. Well done Juliette! Well done!

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! Think ancient Roman Empire and Roman mythology plus dragons. Just enough spice to keep it interesting and up the romance aspect. Overall, I absolutely loved the story. It was a fantastic listen, and I am looking forward to the second book!

“She may have been a slave, but she looked at me like I was the one in chains.”Firebird is a dark, slow-burning romantasy that blends Roman-inspired political intrigue, dragon-shifter lore, and mythology in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. As the first book in The Fire That Binds series, Juliette Cross sets the stage for a dangerous empire where power, prophecy, and rebellion all clash and at the heart of it is a forbidden bond between a Dacian empath and a Roman dragon general.While the love interest is known from the beginning, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the slow burn was executed. There’s a simmering tension between the leads that had me hooked. One side feels the pull instantly, while the other goes through layers of denial, fear, and rejection. It felt believable and well-earned. Despite the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, nothing felt rushed or forced, which is a testament to Cross’s pacing and character development.I’m a sucker for dual POV, and this one delivered exactly what I was hoping for. Seeing both internal struggles and emotional growth really deepened my connection to the characters. Even with one character being clearly “all in” from the start, their journey still felt full of angst and growth.The Medusa and Olympian god lore was another element I really enjoyed as it added a unique twist to the world-building and brought in a level of mysticism that felt ancient and powerful. I’m definitely curious to see how that aspect expands in future books.As for the male main character? Dragons are already peak fantasy, but a possessive dragon shifter? Irresistible. No one does intense, all-consuming devotion quite like a dragon, and Cross leans into that in the best way without crossing into toxic territory.The story’s pacing is on the slower side, but that actually worked in its favor. It gave space for the emotional stakes, the worldbuilding, and the tension to build naturally. There were moments I wished for slightly more action or urgency, but overall, there was just enough plot movement to keep me engaged and eager to see what’s coming next.If you enjoy dark romantasy with forbidden love, strong mythological underpinnings, dual POV, and dragon-shifter obsession… this is one worth picking up.I’ll absolutely be continuing the series!

I enjoyed the historical fantasy setting - and the lore of the dragons! Especially appreciated Proserpina and Minerva.The romance was a bit insta-lusty, but I suppose that makes sense with fated mates? This was my first shifter book. I know there's some controversy about the main romance, but after reading everything in context, it didn't seem as bad as folks were making it out to be.The text was easy to read, and I was sucked into the plot. Will be looking into the next book in the series.

This was an amazing book. It was captivating and the world building was so amazing. I loved the characters and the bond between them. I even loved the side characters. They were well fleshed out and just so much fun to read about. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.