Ancient Rome and Dragons. What More Could I Ask For?
Firebird by Juliette Cross
⭐⭐⭐
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.
Firebird is an adult romantasy novel that contains dark themes, including slavery in Ancient Rome, which may be uncomfortable for some readers.
Spoiler Heavy
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Spoiler Heavy 🐉
Every now and then, I pick up a myth‑inspired fantasy that promises fire, fate, and ancient intrigue—and Firebird by Juliette Cross definitely had all the right ingredients on paper. A Roman retelling with dragons, magic, and political tension should’ve been an easy win for me, especially as someone who loves mythology in all its forms. But after finishing the book with a very middle‑of‑the‑road reaction, I realized this review needed to be a little more candid than usual.
Because this landed at an average three‑star rating for me, this CAWPILE breakdown will include spoilers. There’s no way to explain what worked—and what absolutely didn’t—without digging into the details. If you’re still deciding whether to read it, consider this your gentle warning before we step into the flames.
Characters: Great Villains, Lukewarm Lovers (7/10)
Julian, our red‑dragon MMC and Caesar’s nephew, has all the ingredients of a scorch the earth, morally grey love interest but somehow never fully cooks. Malina, the empathic “witch” he calls his treasure, has an interesting power set but not enough emotional depth to make me root for her.
By the end, I didn’t feel strongly about either of them, but the villains? Oh, they were deliciously awful. If only the protagonists had matched that energy.
Atmosphere: Ancient Rome, But Make It Dragon‑Shifter Fantasy (8/10)
A Roman retelling with dragons, magic, and political scheming? Yes, please.
This world had so much potential: Rome on a conquest spree, magical beings woven into the empire, and a historical setting rarely used in romantasy. But the execution made it hard to visualize. The “half‑skin” forms, the sentient‑ish magic, the dragon/man duality; all intriguing ideas but not clearly explained.
Still, points for originality. Ancient Rome with fire‑breathing dragon shifters is a vibe.
Writing: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition (7/10)
Juliette Cross has a devoted fanbase, but her writing style just doesn’t click with me. It lacks the lyrical flow I gravitate toward, and certain phrases or beats repeat often enough to pull me out of the story.
The tropes are all here. Enemies to lovers, Beauty and the Beast energy, touch‑her‑and‑die, fated mates but I don’t think they don’t land with the emotional punch they’re aiming for.
Plot: Too Much, Too Fast, and Somehow Nothing at All (6/10)
There are several plot threads, and none of them feel fully developed:
• Malina’s empath magic and her ability to manipulate emotions
• The sacking of Malina’s village
• Her enslavement “for her own protection”
• Julian’s secret plan to overthrow Caesar
• A bastard dragon child thrown in for jealousy fuel
The romance moves at lightning speed with very little emotional groundwork. Malina’s jealousy and her actions? Wild. Especially considering her station and the power imbalance between who she is interacting with.
Intrigue: I Stayed for the Emperor’s Downfall (6/10)
Did I care about the characters? Not really. Did I care whether the emperor got stabbed in the gut? Absolutely. The story kept my attention enough to finish, but not enough to make me feel invested.
Logic: Dragons… Trapped by Fire? (7/10)
A few things didn’t quite add up:
• Dragons caught in a fire trap
• A magic system with no clear rules
• Malina switching religions overnight
• Roman gods gifting powers to someone who didn’t worship them
• The pet name Firebird (eye roll activated)
• A character in Ancient Rome referring to someone as “the devil” — centuries too early. Historical fantasy still needs historical continuity. That slip alone cost a point.
Enjoyment: Predictable and Not My Flavor (6/10)
This one didn’t hit the way I hoped. Maybe ACOTAR ruined me for mate‑bond romances for a while. Maybe I just need my enemies‑to‑lovers couples to actually hate each other before they fall into bed.
Either way… meh.
⭐ Final Score: 6.7/10 — A Fiery Premise That Sizzles Instead of Burns
Firebird had the bones of a sweeping myth; dragons woven into the fabric of Ancient Rome, gods whispering through bloodlines, and a heroine caught between fate and empire. But even with all that potential, the story never fully transformed into the epic story I wanted it to be. Some sparks glowed, especially in the worldbuilding and the villainy. I also enjoyed reading something different. I’ve never read a story where the love interest was the dragon, but the emotional core and romantic tension never quite ignited.
Now I would like to hear from you:
• Have you read Firebird, and did the Roman‑dragon blend work better for you?
• What’s your favorite Ancient‑world fantasy that actually sticks the landing?
• Do you prefer your dragon romances more shifter‑leaning or more high‑fantasy?
Tarot Card Pairing: The Knight of Wands (Reversed)
This card captures the vibe perfectly: impulsive passion, chaotic decisions, rushed connections, and a whole lot of fire with nowhere meaningful to land. It’s the energy of a story that wants to soar but keeps tripping over its own feet.
Now I’m curious:
• Have you read a Roman‑inspired fantasy that actually nailed the worldbuilding?
• Do you prefer your dragon romances more shifter‑leaning or more high‑fantasy?
📚 Who Is This Book For?
You might enjoy Firebird if you’re someone who loves:
• Dragon‑shifter romances
• Fated mates and possessive MMCs
• Roman‑inspired fantasy worlds
• Quick, easy romantasy reads
• Political intrigue with a supernatural twist
• Beauty‑and‑the‑Beast dynamics
• “Touch her and die” energy
If you need airtight worldbuilding, slow‑burn romance, or deep emotional arcs… this one may not fully satisfy.
