Welcome back to Ancient Rome
Bloodsinger
The Fire That Binds
Romantasy
Bramble
April 7th, 2026
Hardcover, ebook, audiobook
400
Welcome Back to Ancient Rome
“Bloodsinger” is the fantastic follow up story to Juliette Cross’ “Firebird”, the first book of a dark Romantasy series centered in an alternate Ancient Rome where the ruling party is dragon shifters. Firebird introduces the struggle of the citizens of Ancient Rome, highlighting the imbalanced power dynamics and the disruption of the status quo. The plot of the overarching story initially develops through the story of Malina and Julian, and altogether begs for the trilogy to inevitably set the world on fire.
Cross doubles down on the disruption of government with the building plot to create a new, better world throughout “Bloodsinger”, but as we all know, nothing worth it is ever easy. Trajan and the allies of the rebellion are all under further scrutiny after Julian’s betrayal and escape. Cross’ description of the aftermath in Rome brings us right back to where “Firebird” left off, and has readers ensnared from page one.
The Romance
Where sometimes the middle book in a trilogy acts as a placeholder or breath between books of action, “Bloodsinger” manages to hold readers captive throughout the middle of the story arc by giving us a female main character to champion, and a male main character worthy of our heroine. Lela has been beaten down but is not broken. She just needed the reminder, and also the trust that someone will have her back.
Trajan is such a dynamic male character, and I loved getting to know him and see his differences compared to the other dragon shifters of Ancient Rome, even his best friend Julian. Where Julian, while still enamored with his mate, was cold and harsh and rigid (be cool), Trajan feels more emotionally available right off the bat. Malina and Julian felt inevitable; Lela and Trajan developed more earnestly, and, to me, their relationship feels warmer and more solid because of it.
It’s no surprise that Juliette Cross is a Hive favorite. Fellow bee Kristin also read “Bloodsinger” via audio, and this to say about it:
Bloodsinger is a beautiful story of love after trauma. There is so much patience and care from these characters as they navigate their relationship in a tumultuous
What You Should Know About the Series
Some novels function well as an interconnected stand-alone story set in the same world, but I would caution readers to read this series in publication order. It’s integral to the story to know what happened throughout “Firebird” so that you can appreciate the depth and building of the overarching story in “Bloodsinger”.
Final Thoughts
I really only had one small critique about “Bloodsinger” but it didn’t deter me from giving this story five stars. There was one portion that seemed a little redundant at the end of the novel, but I can’t really speak to it without giving a big part of the story away. Maybe Juliette Cross was onto something because I’m so intrigued by how the ending of this story played out and how it will impact the beginning of Book 3. The plot thickens, and I am here for it.
I can’t wait to see how the final book will add to the dynamic stories told through “Firebird” and “Bloodsinger”. I’m eager to get my greedy hands on the beautiful finished editions of “Bloodsinger” and to share my thoughts on justice for Val names with Juliette in person on her book tour.
I’m Val, and I’m excited to share my love of books with you! I’m a sassy Sour Patch kid from New Jersey, dog mom to Chance the beagle, and much like the rest of the Hive, I’m a coffee lover (I think it’s a requirement to be here). The first book I remember reading voluntarily involved a boy wizard who lived in the cupboard under the stairs, and I’ve been chasing magic ever since. I love Happily Ever Afters, and I love love. My favorite genres are romance and rom-coms, fantasy, and young adult/new adult. If I’m not reading, I’m probably kayaking, watching the Great British Baking Show, or discovering a new craft beer.
