Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one. I attempted to read the early copy and had to put it on hold. I also received a copy in the bookish box so I picked it up again but it’s just not for me.

I enjoyed aspects of this book but it didn’t feel fully flushed out and I had issues with pacing. It was a fast read though and I’m looking forward to the next one.

Any book that is marketed as a fantasy romance automatically skyrockets to the top of my TBR and this book was no exception. Give me the dragons, give me the 'I hate you but let's kiss anyway' moments with a sexy dragon hunter, GIVE ME THE POLITICS !!

The whole political aspect of this book definitely elevated this book for me more than anything else. Otherwise, you probably would've been looking at an average rating. I really enjoyed the plot but where it fell short for me was definitely the romance. The tension wasn't as built up as I would've liked it to be and overall that kind of affected the whole romance arc in my opinion. Despite that, I did actually like the characters individually.

Thank you to Netgalley & Wednesday Books for the ARC !!

Together We Burn, by Isabel Ibanez, is a truly unique spin on the dragon fantasy trope we all know so well.
I enjoyed this book more for it’s sheer unique-ness and concept than for its execution, but you have to give the author big points for the aforementioned.
I also enjoyed the main character, Zarela, quite a lot.
Overall, enjoyable, but not amazing.
3/5 ⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

One of the best parts of this book was the inspiration from medieval Spain for the cultural aspects. Featuring flamenco dancing and bull fighting (with the twist of dragons), this story was steeped in Spanish culture.

I love the subtle magic elements that were at work in this story as well as the systemic nature of the community that our main character lives in.

Let’s talk about romance. Slow-burn, hate-to-love, hiding deep dark secrets… what more could you possibly want in a fantasy romance?! This burn was so, SO slow, but immensely well done and worth the eventual love affair.

Additionally, I loved the depth of the side characters and their relationships with each other and the main characters. The only thing that was perfect to me was that I figured out the “bad guy” pretty quickly. However, that did not take away from the big reveal at the end and finding out why the villain did what they did.

Overall, this is a five star read that I would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy romance, adventure, slow burn, hate to love, and the importance of family.

TOGETHER WE BURN by Isabel Ibanez

Although this may be listed in the YA fantasy genre, I, an adult, loved it and was fully submersed in the world created by Isabel. I believe young adult fantasy authors are among some of the best world builders there are in writing—weaving and crafting together lush, fully detailed, elaborate, uniquely creative, and highly visual worlds for the reader to dive and escape into. In this particular novel, Ibañez has pivoted on today’s world of the Spanish matadors and bull fighting as well as flamenco dancing, exchanging them instead for dragonadors fighting fire-breathing flying dragons in centuries old family-owned arenas. Adding to the magic, enchanted wands are sold in the markets that when broken can grant small wishes and needs all the way up to immensely catastrophic fatal spells or beneficent soaring dreams.

Where I believe the author really shines is in her beautifully worded descriptions and intricate scene creation: from the traditional Spanish food and delicacies to the gorgeous dresses and choreography of flamenco. You will crave wine filled with juicy oranges, hard cheeses with crusty breads topped with tomatoes and olive oil, and sugary churros dipped in melted dark chocolate. You will hear the crescendo of guitar strains and feet stomping as you see the flourish of vibrant red dresses amongst white sand. You will fall in love with the strong bold women characters and their fierce loyal bonds of friendship. I loved all of the rich cultural touches and representation the author infused into this story, folding in another gorgeous layer into the fantasy storyline/genre (the chapter numbers are even in Spanish).

This is the first novel I have read of Ibañez, but it surely won’t be my last. I was familiar with her work through her associations and collaborations with another favorite fantasy author featured here frequently on The Erudite Bibliophile with Wanderlust, Adrienne Young. They actually just released together this past holiday season 2022, their ‘The Storytellers’ Workbook’. I look forward to jumping into more of Ibañez’s worlds!
#isabelibañez #togetherweburn #theeruditebibliophilewithwanderlust

Of note :
-note depending on age of the reader: This is listed as teen/YA genre, but does have mild sexual content
-note photos are courtesy of the author’s FB

Overall, a great read. But I will say that it took me a hot minute to get into this story. I don't know if it's because I'm a mood reader and just wasn't feeling this when I started. Or if it's actually because this story wasn't immediately gripping. Which would be weird. Because dragons!

Once I was really in it, though, I quickly started to enjoy it. It was fairly typical for a standalone fantasy--which is fine. I loved the spunky, determined heroine and the grouchy love interest. Plus, you know, dragons! The world was fun and lovely.

I really enjoyed Isabel Ibanez' Together We Burn, it was a unique take on family duty, love, and passion with a fantasy setting rooted in the presence of dragons.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this story.

Isabel Ibañez's TOGETHER WE BURN is a high stakes battle between two flames: our fear and our compassion. Zarela's story, her passionate dance, is a reminder that when we stop fighting what we do not understand, we open ourselves to impossible moments and wonder.

Watching the romance unfurl between Arturo and Zarela is like being drawn into the hushed melody of a single wisping flame, while standing before a dragon's blaze. Isabel's beautifully written scenes envelop you.

I was the sand of the arena in the ruffles of Zarela's skirt, swept along in her steps. Thrown back to Spain's sticky-sweet summer dusks, watching Flamenco for the first time in Mijas -- small mountainside pueblo overlooking the salty sea. My heart beating only when the powerful and elegant dance brings her foot stomping to the stage.

The golden glowing Santivilla of Hispalia, magic of beautiful & terrifying dragons, brave Dragonadors fighting in raucous arenas -- Isabel creates an exciting world that shows us just how much what we choose to see molds our own world.

too repetitive, sometimes boring, but enjoyable at most parts.

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.

I really struggled to get into this book. So much so that I set it down and gave myself a break before piking it back up again. I just was not able to finish it and I really wanted. The premise of this book is so good and is what hooked me into wanting to read it. Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with the characters despite loving the cultural and historical elements.

I have yet to be disappointed by an Isabel Ibanez book yet! Loved it just as much as her previous books

Isabel Ibañez is always an instant read. This book is full of excitement, delicious tension, a beautiful enemies to lovers arc that I would love to forget I've read so I can experience it again. Just such an enthralling experience! Well done!

3.5 stars, rounded up. I was entertained! I did enjoy the time I spent with Zarela, Arturo and the rest of the cast; I thought the setting and the lore were lightly done, but still enchanting. Could have used more dragons and dancing, and definitely felt the teleserye vibes at the end, but this was a fun one for sure.

An interesting and original tale that mixes Spanish into the story in a very organic way. The characters are defined and well placed making the plot straightforward and unambiguous. The writing is descriptive and measured which helps the narrative flow in a pleasing way. The magic, dragons and romance make this an excellent read!

A wholly enjoyable adventure tale with a cast of lovable characters and unique world building. I was swept away by Isabel Ibañez's Together We Burn from the start. 18-year-old Zarela Zalvidar, following in her late mother's footsteps, has become a talented flamenco dancer performing alongside her father, one of Hispalia's most famous Dragonador's. They perform dragon fights for the public, putting on a spectacle for ticket buyers, but when disaster strikes during their five hundredth anniversary show, leaving Zarela's father and many others injured, the Dragon Guild requires they pay retribution. Zarela enlists the help of a broody dragon hunter to train and prepare her as she decides to step in her father's place and save her ancestral home from ruin. But there is something or someone determined to destroy Zarela's family, and they won't stop until fire rains down on everyone.

The concept of dragon fighting in a historical society and the business behind owning and operating a dragon ring was fascinating. Ibañez mastered the world building, adding in details like dragon ring owners referring to dragons as "investments." These details helped flesh out the occupation of owning a dragon ring and made the business side of things believable. The tension between Zarela and dragon hunter Arturo was built up nicely, and one of my favorite parts of the reading experience was watching their relationship shift from enemies, to reluctant allies, to more. The fashion, food, and cultural details that were woven throughout made the story come alive in a rich, vivid way. This was such an exciting, romantic read and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was a very interesting read. I loved the concept and the world building was very intriguing, I would have loved for it to have gone in more depth because it was so different from most fantasy dragon books, and you could totally see the plot twist coming a mile away. Still I liked the characters and the plot keep my interest up so overall it was a good read.

Together We Burn was a very unique fantasy debut! I really loved the characters, and it’s really good Latinx representation. I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of Zoraida Cordova’s fantasy novels!

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez

348 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books
Release Date: May 31, 2022

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Teens, Young Adults, Dragons, Flamenco

Zarela Zalvidar is eighteen years old and the daughter of a dragonslayer and a flamenco dancer. Her mother was killed when a dragon got loose. Now with the fate of the arena in jeopardy, Zarela must do what she can to save her heritage. She does not like the idea of the dragons being killed and wants to change things. By chance, she finds they respond to music but is that enough to risk her life.

The story has a steady pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. The book has passion between the characters and between Zariela and flamenco. The author writes in a descriptive style, so you feel a part of the story. If you like fantasy stories with dragons, you will enjoy this book.