Review: Together We Burn - Isabel Ibanez

 Hi Readers,

Let's talk Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez. 

First off, this is from my large Owlcrate TBR list that I am slowly starting to attack.  This is important because this edition is GORGEOUS!  Seriously, this thing has an eye-catching cover, an adorable reversible cover, and the book itself is decorated with the quote "We catch on fire under a million stars."  Not to mention the red dragon scales on the inside of the book.  Whew!

All that being said, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book.  I don't typically find that I have a ton of interest in more fantasy focused books.  Was I wrong?  Yeah.  Did I end up enjoying this book more than I thought I would.  Definitely.

Together We Burn was focused on Zarela, a flamenco dancer who needs to step up to help save her family business and home after a disaster that left her family's dragons dead and her father injured and no longer able to continue as a Dragonador (a matador for dragons!).  If you love a book with a strong female character, look no further.  Zarelea is probably one of the strongest characters I have come across in a while.  She is stubborn almost to a fault and endlessly determined to achieve her goals.

The story also focuses on her connection with Arturo, a former Dragonador and current dragon tamer that she hires to help her train to take over for her father since he is no longer able to fight in the ring.  Is he handsome and mysterious?  Yes, yes he is.  It also focuses on the mystery of who is trying to destroy the family business and why.   

Overall, I ended up enjoying this book quite a bit more than I thought I would.  There were a couple of moments early in the book where the pacing struggled, but it definitely picked up about half way through.  If you have trouble with a bit of a slow burn, stick with it!  The payoff for this one feels worth it.

I've been eyeing another book by Isabel Ibanez - Woven in Moonlight - and I'm pretty convinced I should go for it after this....

4/5 ⭐

Until next time! 

Kattie

PS - If you are wondering what the Owlcrate TBR currently looks like...