Dragons and romance sign me up. This story was a wild ride. An epic Ya Fantasy romance. I really enjoy this author and I’m loving each book a little more than the last! Arturo and Zarela are a great enemies to lovers story mixed with a ton of fantasy in an epic world! This is a must read!

I loved Isabel's Woven in Moonlight book and was super excited for this one since I went to Spain and learned about the legend of the dragon knight, and saw a performance by flamenco dancers. I was enthralled with their dancing and was ready to be reminded of that trip.

Well, I read the first chapter or two and didn't continue reading. I'm not sure why. It just wasn't clicking for me. I might try again another time. I would still recommend reading for anyone else because you might love it.

I'm going to be honest. I love almost everything that Isabel writes but, this book was a miss for me. I DNF'd it about 50% through. It was hard to get into and connect with the characters. Maybe it just wasn't the right book for me at the right time.

This book was a perfect blending of flamenco dancing, "dragon" fighting, and the Spanish culture. I loved Zarela so much. She is everything you want in a main character and more! I just wish I had read this sooner!

I really enjoyed this book. I think it’s my favorite Isabel Ibañez book yet but I haven’t read her November 2023 book yet.

I thought the romance was really fun and I loved the enemies to lovers banter. I also liked the world building and thought it was unique and not overly complicated. I could also see myself enjoying spin off books set in this world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Much different than I was expecting, but overall definitely glad I picked this one up!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

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.