Together We Burn

March 21, 2022
Olive-skinned flamenco dancer Zarela Zalvidar, 18, and her father, renowned “Dragonador” Santiago, are staging a show to celebrate the 500th anniversary of their family’s dragon-fighting arena, La Giralda, when tragedy strikes. Several dragons somehow escape the dungeons and attack the crowd, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more—Santiago included. Zarela’s mother was herself killed by a dragon one year earlier, which means that La Giralda’s fate now lies with Zarela. The head of Hispalia’s dragon guild, who despises Santiago for unknown reasons, will seize control of the arena unless it can safely and profitably reopen. Repairs and victim restitution leave Zarela with enough money to purchase new dragons, but not to hire a new Dragonador, so she persuades handsome, surly dragon hunter/tamer Arturo Díaz de Montserrat, 20 and amber-skinned, to train her for the job. Meanwhile, Zarela must stop the saboteur she suspects is targeting her family. Shallow character work and underdeveloped fantasy elements weaken this standalone from Ibañez (Written in Starlight), but readers will savor the plentiful action; richly textured, medieval Spain-inspired backdrop; and Arturo’s efforts to change attitudes toward dragons. Ages 13–up. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic.

June 1, 2022

Gr 10 Up-This fantasy novel is set in a mythical version of Spain, where instead of bullfighting, dragons are captured and brought to an arena for death at the hands of a dragonador-a dragon killer. A long tradition rooted in saving villages from the ravages of dragon attacks produces a setting that tolerates killing dragons for entertainment. When 18-year-old Zarela's family legacy is undermined by an unknown enemy, she has to save La Giralda. She must capture more dragons, train to become a dragonador, pay off a debt, and discover who the enemy within is, all while falling in love with Arturo. The story takes a turn when Zarela challenges the tradition of killing dragons for entertainment. Instead, Zarela, with the help of Arturo, studies the dragons, learning from them. What she discovers allows her to avoid killing and still save her family's legacy. This young adult romance-fantasy-mystery novel delivers a slow burn. VERDICT Recommended for collections serving older teens.-Stephanie Creamer

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Starred review from April 1, 2022
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* Romance, intrigue, and drama weave together in this magical, ethereal romp, inspired by medieval Spain. Eighteen-year-old flamenco dancer Zarela Zalvidar descends from a family of Dragonadores, people who fight dragons in arenas before great crowds. One day, Zarela's father, the greatest Dragonador of all time, is tragically injured, and Zarela is left to take care of La Giralda, the family's home and arena. Though music runs through Zarela's veins and she lives to dance, she realizes that the only way to protect her family is to become a Dragonadora herself. Her conviction only grows when she discovers that her dad's accident may have been planned by someone attempting to destroy her family's legacy. The problem is, she needs dragon-hunter Arturo D�az de Montserrat to train her. Brooding and strict, Arturo cannot stand Zarela's family, so she must pull out all the stops to secure his help. A satisfying, slow-burning romance ignites between the two as they work to prevent the Zalvidars from losing La Giralda. Iba�ez has fashioned an immersive fantasy with complex characters in whom readers will quickly become invested. She explores the thin divide between love and hate, how deep passion can drive someone, and the importance of heritage. Spinning magic with mystery, this gorgeous tale will light up your shelf.

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Starred review from March 15, 2022
A flamenco dancer, a dragon hunter--and the ancient tradition that pulls them together. Eighteen-year-old Zarela Zalvidar is descended from a long line of Dragonadores, those who face down dangerous dragons and entertain crowds in arenas across Hispalia. Zarela's father is the most renowned and skilled Dragonador of all, but when a life-altering injury takes him out of commission, Zarela must take charge of La Giralda, their ancestral home. She discovers that Pap�'s accident was not an accident at all but part of a plot to destroy what her ancestors have built over hundreds of years. A flamenco dancer like her late mother, Zarela decides that becoming a Dragonador herself is the only way to turn their fortunes around--but the only person available to train her is Arturo D�az de Montserrat, an infuriatingly stubborn dragon hunter who abhors everything her family stands for. However, Arturo is her last hope, and Zarela will do anything to convince him to help her. As sparks fly between the two, fire and smoke fall on Zarela's home. This beautifully written romantic fantasy features Spanish-speaking characters as well as a gripping, sexy enemies-to-lovers romance with fierce, strong-headed protagonists who dance around--and toward--each other. At its core lie magic, a mystery that pulls no punches, and thoughtful examinations of tradition and inheritance. A terrific stand-alone fantasy. (list of guilds, list of dragons) (Fantasy. 14-adult)

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