Firebird

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of gender discrimination, sexual violence, death, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your emotional reactions while reading Firebird? Were there specific moments that shocked, moved, or disturbed you more than others? How did these emotions compare to those you may have experienced while reading other fantasy romances like Half-Blood or A Promise of Fire?

2. How did the alternating perspectives of Malina and Julian shape your understanding of the story? Did you find yourself more aligned with one narrator than the other? Why?

3. In what ways did Firebird meet or challenge your expectations for a fantasy romance? How does it compare to other dragon-centered or Roman-inspired fantasy novels you’ve read?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Trauma, loss, and survival shape Malina’s journey. Have you ever faced a situation that forced you to grow or adapt quickly? How did your experiences affect how you viewed Malina’s choices and resilience?

2. The theme of rebellion, whether against family, authority, or fate, runs throughout Firebird. Have you ever felt compelled to defy expectations or challenge someone in power? What influenced your decision, and how does it compare to Malina or Julian’s acts of resistance?

4. Much of Firebird is set in a rigid society where identity, gender, and bloodline determine one’s value. Have you ever felt boxed in by labels or societal expectations? How did you navigate those constraints, and do you think the characters in Firebird handled theirs realistically?

5. Firebird explores complex power dynamics in relationships, particularly in how Julian tries to protect Malina while respecting her autonomy. Have you ever struggled with wanting to protect someone while also needing to honor their independence? How do you view Julian’s approach?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Female characters like Malina and Camilla are viewed as property or symbolic tools within imperial power structures. How does Firebird challenge or reinforce historical attitudes about women’s roles in empire and rebellion?

2. Firebird blends historical elements of the Roman Empire with fantasy. How does the novel’s depiction of conquest, enslavement, and class hierarchy reflect real practices from Roman history? In what ways does it critique or reinforce those systems?

3. The novel features moments of public violence and propaganda, such as executions, rigged duels, and sexual humiliation used for control. How do these scenes reflect the ways authoritarian regimes throughout history have used spectacle to maintain power?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The Roman-inspired setting draws heavily from historical geography, class structure, and political ritual. How does the setting function as more than just a backdrop? In what ways does it shape tone, plot tension, and the moral stakes of characters’ decisions?

2. Firebird alternates between Malina’s and Julian’s perspectives. How does this dual narrative influence your understanding of their inner lives, motivations, and evolving relationship? Does it enhance or complicate the story’s central themes?

3. How does the mythology woven into the novel, particularly the legends of Medusa and the Firebird, deepen its exploration of gender, fate, and rebellion? In what ways do these stories parallel Malina’s journey?

4. Dragons in Firebird symbolize both power and identity. How does dragonkind serve as a metaphor for imperial conquest, inherited privilege, and moral responsibility throughout the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are curating a playlist to accompany Malina’s emotional journey throughout the novel. What five songs would you include, and how do they reflect key themes or turning points in her character arc?

2. Choose a side character (such as Rhea, Trajan, or Camilla) and imagine a scene told entirely from their perspective. What internal thoughts or secrets might they reveal that the original narrative kept hidden?

3. Firebird blends fantasy, mythology, and Roman-inspired politics. How would you approach its visual style if you were to adapt this story into a feature film or series? Who would you cast as Malina, Julian, and Caesar, and why?

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