Firebird

The Fire That Binds, Book 1

De: Juliette Cross

Narrado por: Blair Dade, Kale Williams

An instant New York Times bestseller!

House of the Dragon meets From Blood and Ash in this epic, scorching dark romantasy.

A conqueror captivated…

A witch prophesied to save them all…

An unforgiving world where dragons rule Rome.

Julian Dakkia, Roman general and nephew to the emperor, has played his role as conqueror well. Yet, the moment he laid eyes on Malina, he was enthralled by the Dacian dancer. Years later, the fierce beauty stands before him, a captive on a scarred battlefield, her life in danger. He instinctively shifts into his fierce dragon form to save her, an action that may mean his head on the imperial gate.

The rules of their world dictate that he is the conqueror and she is the captured. But he and his dragon know one thing: their bond has nothing to do with the laws of mighty Rome. She belongs to them. And they belong to her.

Fierce and powerful, twenty-one-year old Malina has survived the loss of her family and she is determined to fight until her dying breath. Still, she can’t believe that the centurion who had once bestowed a secret talisman on her is the Roman general of legendary brutality…and now holds her life in his hands. Nor can she deny how her soul has always seemed to answer his. Slowly she learns that Julian is caught in his mad uncle’s machinations for domination, and helps him plot the downfall of the empire itself.

As they navigate a world where flying deathriders conquer and burn, their love will ignite a firestorm that can only end in heartbreak or death. Or both.

Content Warning: Firebird is an adult romantasy novel that contains dark themes, including slavery in Ancient Rome, which may be uncomfortable for some listeners.

A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.

©2025 Juliette Cross (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

A Bold Retelling Through a Dark Fantasy Lens

This is very much a dark fantasy, and I think that’s important to recognize before diving in. The book doesn’t shy away from difficult aspects of human history—nor should it. Fantasy, especially when it’s dark, often echoes the real world in sharp, sometimes uncomfortable ways. I found that to be a strength here, not a flaw.

While the prose occasionally stumbled, the emotional connection between the leads really landed for me. Their bond felt raw and real—messy, complicated, but meaningful. That kind of layered romance is something I’ll always be drawn to.

Some of the themes may not be for everyone, but I believe stories like this, which don’t sanitize the past, can offer real value. Remembering the darker parts of history—even through fiction—isn’t something to fear.

All in all, The Firebird gave me a story that burned deeply, both in feeling and in thought. I appreciated that.

Meh-Drags out for too long.

I love pretty much anything written by this author, but this story took entirely too long to get to the point along with several plot holes left. Normally I can listen almost straight through and this took several days even at a sped up speed. It got super boring and dragged. The ending was anticlimactic. It wasn’t enough after all the dragging to make it feel as if the end was worth the wait. I get there is probably going to be another book, but I’m uncertain if I’ll read it, or listen to it. I kinda get the feeling I’ve predicted what’s coming and I’m not willing to put effort into another long boring story. The premise I will say is good, but to me executed almost as if you’re sitting in a class you can’t stand. The teacher lectures in a monotone which puts you to sleep or has you daydreaming to escape the boring lecture. READ OR LISTEN AT YOUR OWN THRESHOLD OF HOW YOU CAN HANDLE DRAGGING BOREDOM. Heck if you’re tired but can’t sleep this book may do the trick whether listening or reading.

Feral female energy with dragons

HISTORICAL FICTION! First and foremost. If you can’t get past that then do not read it. It is a powerful story of a retelling in a fantasy way of how the Roman Empire was ran. “Touch her, you die” “enemies to lovers” “magic” “female power”! I loved When the Moon Hatched and this reminds me in ways to that story. I want to know what happens next!

It was a fine read

I enjoyed the narration most of all, which is why I’m giving the book 3 stars, they brought more character to Malina and Julian then the author managed to
Do by her storytelling.

Pls check the TW’s before proceeding.

Really enjoyed this book

4.5 stars This book was quite different than what I expected.
Make sure to check trigger warnings as there are some difficult things in this book.

I know a lot of the early reviewers are very upset about the power imbalance of this romance, especially when Malina is Julian’s slave, but I don’t quite understand that take. Julian and Malina met years before she was captured as a Slave & already had a connection. They never even touched each other until she knew that he was a part of the rebellion. He told her the truth of his plans and also told her that she was his “god-given treasure” AKA soulmate before ANYTHING happened between them.
I understand the thought is uncomfortable, but she knew his plan before any physical romance began & she wanted to help him. She could also feel the bond. She was helping him & was essentially only POSING as his slave in public to aid in his rebellion plans.
Not to mention, she is an empath who can feel his emotions & she is the one who initiated their first kiss & asked for more.
If it had been him initiating it, I would completely understand the reviews but it wasn’t.
He even told her she was free & he would take her anywhere she wanted. She told him she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

I love the premise of this book. Dragons (aka the Romans) and a rebellion against Caesar, the evil dragon emperor and Julian, the general, who is Caesar’s chosen successor secretly fighting to free Rome from Caesar’s evil reign.

I’m excited to learn more about the Myth of Medusa and the 3 sisters powers in the following books.

More please!

I absolutely love dragon and dragon shifter novels and this one did not disappoint in any way! I considered waiting to read it as I knew I’d only be dying for longer until we get the next book but I couldn’t resist it once it released recently. I read this book in a single day and I loved every second of it. I love all the aspects of mythology and history tied into the creation of this story. I can’t wait to see what comes next and whether Malina and Julian will find a way to overthrow or defeat Caesar! Come on Juliette, give us more!!!

Love 😍

I want book 2! Ugh so so good of a story and loved the twists and turns

the sex it was just to much and I am not apposed to sex they just took it to far

the story line was good but the sex part was just to much that's why I am not going to get the next book

Good storyline

Good storyline but very slow getting there. I almost stopped but since I paid for it I finished it. It had a better ending than start. Not sure if I will read the rest of the series

Addicting!!

I absolutely loved Firebird!! The author did a phenomenal job. I simply couldn’t get enough and can’t wait until the next book comes out.