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elizajaquays's review
I really don't love the idea of dragonfighting rings and attacking the dragons for public sport. Especially not since the viewpoint character supports this behavior. If this were told from the perspective of the person who is against it, I would give it more of a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
druzyquartz's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
londonbridget98's review against another edition
emotional
tense
4.25
Avatar the Last Airbender season 3 episode 13 timestamp 23:38
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
hilsaa's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A young adult fantasy that’s actually young adult fantasy and well-written and unique and appropriate? In this day and age???
This is my second book by Ibañez and it’s clear she can write quality young adult stories. Usually I don’t enjoy novels written in 1st person present and I always say you have to be a REALLY good writer to make that work. In this book, it works.
Minor annoyances about the rushed ending, things I thought would be addressed/wrapped up that weren’t, some of the world-building and magic(I just wanted more!) and the audiobook narration (the Spanish words were spoken much faster than the English words) but overall this is a good representation of fantasy for young adults.
This is my second book by Ibañez and it’s clear she can write quality young adult stories. Usually I don’t enjoy novels written in 1st person present and I always say you have to be a REALLY good writer to make that work. In this book, it works.
Minor annoyances about the rushed ending, things I thought would be addressed/wrapped up that weren’t, some of the world-building and magic(I just wanted more!) and the audiobook narration (the Spanish words were spoken much faster than the English words) but overall this is a good representation of fantasy for young adults.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
meeshell128's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Grief
gabibrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
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 Wednesday Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
sar_i's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
*Vague talk of the plot but nothing specific
In theory I loved this book. When I read the description I thought that it was going to be a mix between How to Train Your Dragon and the Hunger Games which was not completely wrong but didn’t come through as much as I wanted. It was incredibly slow until the last 50 pages which held most of the plot. The author kept repeating things and pointing out things that were seemingly obvious. I felt that the enemies to livers slow burn was also not well illustrated. Zarela had no reason to hate Arturo at the beginning of the book but something that is revealed much later would give her plenty of cause. However by the time that this has been revised they are in love. Overall it was a unsatisfying read that j would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
*Vague talk of the plot but nothing specific In theory I loved this book. When I read the description I thought that it was going to be a mix between How to Train Your Dragon and the Hunger Games which was not completely wrong but didn’t come through as much as I wanted. It was incredibly slow until the last 50 pages which held most of the plot. The author kept repeating things and pointing out things that were seemingly obvious. I felt that the enemies to livers slow burn was also not well illustrated. Zarela had no reason to hate Arturo at the beginning of the book but something that is revealed much later would give her plenty of cause. However by the time that this has been revised they are in love. Overall it was a unsatisfying read that i would not recommend.betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This reminded me of How to Train Your Dragon but for older readers and I am here for it. I didn't even realize this was about dragons until I started readin git, but yay! We need more YA dragon books, honestly. They don't get nearly the amount of attention that they deserve.
I basically listened to this book in one sitting because it was so on the edge of your seat. I needed to know what happened next! Ibañez does such a great job with world building, and even if the plot was a little predictable, I found I didn't mind. I was engrossed in what was happening and the chemistry between Zarela and Arturo. So well done.
All in all, if you think you'd like an aged up version of How to Train Your Dragon with Spanish influences, you'll definitely love this book!
I basically listened to this book in one sitting because it was so on the edge of your seat. I needed to know what happened next! Ibañez does such a great job with world building, and even if the plot was a little predictable, I found I didn't mind. I was engrossed in what was happening and the chemistry between Zarela and Arturo. So well done.
All in all, if you think you'd like an aged up version of How to Train Your Dragon with Spanish influences, you'll definitely love this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Confinement, Self harm, and Vomit
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Zarela Zalvidar is a character who kind of sneaks up on you. At first, I disliked her initial attitude towards the protestors who oppose dragon-fighting - a traditional sport in the fictional land of Hispalia, rather like bullfighting in Spain - but I understood her fear of dragons. But as the novel progresses, her determination, toughness, and stubbornness made me root for her. And it did seem that she
Of note too, is that Isabel Ibañez takes care to show us that Zarela's opinion is not the only one to be valid, and she does that with the character of Arturo Díaz de Montserrat, Zarela's reluctant trainer and
It is here that I need to warn you - do not read this book if you are hungry. Ibañez describes food - Spanish food, in this instance - in a way that truly makes your mouth water. I'd like a slice of toasted bread with Jamon, tomatoes, and a generous slathering of olive oil, please.
Having said all of the above, there were ways in which I think the novel fell ever so slightly short. The climax - although I loved the way in which the tension slowly built - felt ever-so-slightly rushed. And the eventual villain reveal was a bit unbelievable, which I thought could have been helped by Ibañez showing us more of his character. The timeline also occasionally confused me (
But that ending? Where Zarela ended up
A good YA read for anyone who is a fan of spicy slow-burn relationships and Spanish culture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, and Medical content
Scenes of immolation causing death via dragon fire,emmakchapman's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Vomit