What do you think?
Rate this book
The Soulbound Saga #1
Drakenrijder
Stap in de magische wereld van de Soulbound-trilogie!
De vijftienjarige Jai is gijzelaar aan het keizerlijk hof van het Sabijnse Rijk, sinds zijn vader jaren geleden door de keizer werd verslagen. Al lange tijd wil hij wraak nemen, maar er was nooit een kans. Dan komt de zoon van de keizer aan de macht en die verklaart de oorlog aan Jais volk. In de chaos die uitbreekt weet Jai te ontsnappen. Tijdens zijn vlucht vindt hij een drakenei, dat al snel uitkomt. Dankzij hulp uit onverwachte hoek weet hij een magische band met zijn draak, Winter, te ontwikkelen. Hij ziet wat Winter ziet en voelt wat Winter voelt. En dan wordt het eindelijk tijd voor wraak...
Drakenrijder is perfect voor alle lezers die hebben genoten van A Game of Thrones, Eragon en The Poppy War. Deze nieuwe fantasy-serie van Taran Matharu is een verhaal over draken en epische veldslagen, maar ook over verbinding en het vinden van jouw plek in de wereld. Drakenrijder is een episch fantasyboek voor lezers vanaf 15 jaar, waar zowel Young Adults als volwassenen urenlang in meegesleept zullen worden. Een must-read!
De vijftienjarige Jai is gijzelaar aan het keizerlijk hof van het Sabijnse Rijk, sinds zijn vader jaren geleden door de keizer werd verslagen. Al lange tijd wil hij wraak nemen, maar er was nooit een kans. Dan komt de zoon van de keizer aan de macht en die verklaart de oorlog aan Jais volk. In de chaos die uitbreekt weet Jai te ontsnappen. Tijdens zijn vlucht vindt hij een drakenei, dat al snel uitkomt. Dankzij hulp uit onverwachte hoek weet hij een magische band met zijn draak, Winter, te ontwikkelen. Hij ziet wat Winter ziet en voelt wat Winter voelt. En dan wordt het eindelijk tijd voor wraak...
Drakenrijder is perfect voor alle lezers die hebben genoten van A Game of Thrones, Eragon en The Poppy War. Deze nieuwe fantasy-serie van Taran Matharu is een verhaal over draken en epische veldslagen, maar ook over verbinding en het vinden van jouw plek in de wereld. Drakenrijder is een episch fantasyboek voor lezers vanaf 15 jaar, waar zowel Young Adults als volwassenen urenlang in meegesleept zullen worden. Een must-read!
592 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2024
783 people are currently reading
38357 people want to read
About the author
Taran Matharu
29 books4,596 followersTaran Matharu is the New York Times bestselling author of the Summoner series, which has been translated into 15 languages and has sold over a million copies in English. He was born in London in 1990.
Taran began to write the SUMMONER series in November 2013 at the age of 22, taking part in ‘Nanowrimo 2013’ and sharing his work on Wattpad.com. The shared sample of the story went viral, reaching over 3 million reads in less than six months. THE CHOSEN is his first book in his new CONTENDER series, out now.
His books are published by Hodder Children’s (Hachette) in the UK, Australia and Commonwealth, Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) in the US and Canada, Hachette Jeunesse in France, Heyne in Germany, Planeta in Spain, Crown in Taiwan, Record in Brazil, EKSMO in Russia, Jaguar in Poland, Ecliptic in Bulgaria, Alpress in the Czech Republic, Ithaki in Turkey, Forlaget Forar in Denmark and Unieboek in the Netherlands.
Taran began to write the SUMMONER series in November 2013 at the age of 22, taking part in ‘Nanowrimo 2013’ and sharing his work on Wattpad.com. The shared sample of the story went viral, reaching over 3 million reads in less than six months. THE CHOSEN is his first book in his new CONTENDER series, out now.
His books are published by Hodder Children’s (Hachette) in the UK, Australia and Commonwealth, Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) in the US and Canada, Hachette Jeunesse in France, Heyne in Germany, Planeta in Spain, Crown in Taiwan, Record in Brazil, EKSMO in Russia, Jaguar in Poland, Ecliptic in Bulgaria, Alpress in the Czech Republic, Ithaki in Turkey, Forlaget Forar in Denmark and Unieboek in the Netherlands.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,177 reviews
June 29, 2024
Conflicting thoughts but promising idea.
Let me start off by saying that this is NOTHING like Fourth Wing. I saw so many people on bookstagram compare and in fact claim it's better than that. Not only that makes it falsely advertised, it also creates expectations and in my case, unrealistic expectations. While Fourth Wing is a romantasy, this is an epic fantasy- two completely different things. Just cause a book has dragons in it, does not make it like Fourth Wing. We need to stop comparing books this way🤦♀️
Anyway, coming to Dragon Rider. It had a confusing start, took me about 100 or so pages to fully immerse myself into the story. The political intrigue is done really well. Anyone looking for more politics in fantasy, will eat this up. The world building is interesting, I found it to be slightly confusing but I believe I got the hang of it. The creatures mentioned apart from dragons surely makes it an interesting mix.
Do note that the writing is descriptive and if it's not your kind of thing, you might find it frustrating. I personally liked it as I was fully mesmerized especially when it came to action sequences. It was like following around the main character in his journey. The chapters are short so that was easy to fly through. But I would have appreciated it a lot more had it not had a slow pacing.
One thing that really bugged me about the way it's written tho is that at times it felt like a lot of things were written but there was actually nothing happening. I felt there was a lack of purpose for things, direction and not a clear motive. I realised that when I crossed the 60% mark. There was too much talk about the mana cultivation as well, that got boring at one point.
I also found it difficult to connect with the characters, any character. They lacked emotional depth and the character dynamics is weak. Sure, I get to learn how bad things are for Jai and how he feels sorry for himself but I never really connected to him. For a main character, I still don't have a clear picture of his personality. He is not charming, humorous, witty or spontaneous. Frida is comparatively more interesting and I would like to learn more about her than Jai. She is more lively and relaxed. I also liked that we get to see her grieving and connecting again. I didn't really like Rufus. I liked Winter tho, she is cute and wholesome. I can't wait to see how she grows up to be a badass dragon🐉
There is also no romance in it although I see on bookstagram it's being marketed as a slow burn. Maybe in the latter books? The chemistry between Jai and Frida presently is very minimal for it to eventuate.
The book could have been a little over 370 pages and nothing more. I enjoyed the ending a lot tho. I didn't see the plot twist come and I was shook. To see Jai own up to being who he is at the end is a good way to end the book and I can't wait to see where his story goes. Although it wasn't a perfect book at all but I see a lot of potential.
~•~•~
Been seeing people claiming this is better than Fourth Wing. Let's put it to test😉
Also, it's a slow burn 👀
Let me start off by saying that this is NOTHING like Fourth Wing. I saw so many people on bookstagram compare and in fact claim it's better than that. Not only that makes it falsely advertised, it also creates expectations and in my case, unrealistic expectations. While Fourth Wing is a romantasy, this is an epic fantasy- two completely different things. Just cause a book has dragons in it, does not make it like Fourth Wing. We need to stop comparing books this way🤦♀️
Anyway, coming to Dragon Rider. It had a confusing start, took me about 100 or so pages to fully immerse myself into the story. The political intrigue is done really well. Anyone looking for more politics in fantasy, will eat this up. The world building is interesting, I found it to be slightly confusing but I believe I got the hang of it. The creatures mentioned apart from dragons surely makes it an interesting mix.
Do note that the writing is descriptive and if it's not your kind of thing, you might find it frustrating. I personally liked it as I was fully mesmerized especially when it came to action sequences. It was like following around the main character in his journey. The chapters are short so that was easy to fly through. But I would have appreciated it a lot more had it not had a slow pacing.
One thing that really bugged me about the way it's written tho is that at times it felt like a lot of things were written but there was actually nothing happening. I felt there was a lack of purpose for things, direction and not a clear motive. I realised that when I crossed the 60% mark. There was too much talk about the mana cultivation as well, that got boring at one point.
I also found it difficult to connect with the characters, any character. They lacked emotional depth and the character dynamics is weak. Sure, I get to learn how bad things are for Jai and how he feels sorry for himself but I never really connected to him. For a main character, I still don't have a clear picture of his personality. He is not charming, humorous, witty or spontaneous. Frida is comparatively more interesting and I would like to learn more about her than Jai. She is more lively and relaxed. I also liked that we get to see her grieving and connecting again. I didn't really like Rufus. I liked Winter tho, she is cute and wholesome. I can't wait to see how she grows up to be a badass dragon🐉
There is also no romance in it although I see on bookstagram it's being marketed as a slow burn. Maybe in the latter books? The chemistry between Jai and Frida presently is very minimal for it to eventuate.
The book could have been a little over 370 pages and nothing more. I enjoyed the ending a lot tho. I didn't see the plot twist come and I was shook. To see Jai own up to being who he is at the end is a good way to end the book and I can't wait to see where his story goes. Although it wasn't a perfect book at all but I see a lot of potential.
~•~•~
Been seeing people claiming this is better than Fourth Wing. Let's put it to test😉
Also, it's a slow burn 👀
November 4, 2023
This was an absolute blast!
If you thought Fourth Wing was lacking in writing quality, but loved the dragons and violence- this is for you!
We are dropped into a world with complex and brutal politics at play. Jai is a prisoner, one living in a castle serving the elderly royal who murdered his father. He was born a third string prince to a people at war, but has lived most of his life as a hostage. His two older brothers become companions of a sort for the Sabine prince Titus, but Jai rarely leaves the palace.
The Dansk royals come to marry their princess off to Prince Titus to protect the fragile peace between their nations. Jai meets the princess' handmaiden and by luck, she saves his life. Things quickly become bloody, and it's clear that Titus has no intention of allowing a peaceful future. With Jai's life now at risk, he attempts to flee and warn the Dansk of the horrors intended for them.
During his escape he discovers a dragon egg and soul bonds with it. Individuals can soul bond with certain animals in order to gain the ability to use mana. They must cultivate it within themselves through a painstaking process. The mana allows them to use magic. Fire, light, speed, and strength are all available to those who have bonded with such a creature. In fact, the Sabine royal family has a deadly group of soldiers who are soul bound to Gryphon and they strike fear into the hearts of any who encounter them. The process is incredibly secretive and intended only for the elite.
From there it's an epic journey of survival, endearing love for his baby dragon Winter, and determination to finally be free. Jai and the handmaiden Frida team up to escape with their lives. They encounter starvation, extreme elements, battles for their life, and one man who promises to help them survive- at a high price.
The bond that forms between Jai and Winter is beautiful to watch, they pull each other through some incredibly dark moments. Jai is beaten, poisoned, and lashed within an inch of his life. This book is not for those with a weak stomach! The process of cultivating mana was creative and detailed, I could picture Jai reaching within and seeing his core, pulling mana from the world around him and directing it through the passages of his soul. I do wish that ascension was more thoroughly explained as it is vaguely described as reaching a new level of soul bound ability that is rare and makes the individual incredibly powerful. Along with that, while the process of creating mana is detailed, the actual use of magic is brushed over. This is partially due to the fact that Jai is constantly on the move, captured, tortured, or just unable to find a single moment of peace. That being said, how do the hand gestures work? What is the extent of the magical abilities? Does it consist of spells or intentional thought? I also wish that I knew Jai a bit better. I don't have much intimate knowledge of who he is personally or his motivations (other than freedom), despite closely following him throughout the book. I have a clear view of the overarching world, but would love to get deeper in his brain.
This world and the politics were expertly crafted, and the violent bloodshed is a hallmark of many of my favorite books. While the beginning is slow, it is very much needed to set up the world that Jai is living in and provide context to what is to come. If you stick with it you will be rewarded! Betrayal, subjugation, poisonings, brutal beatings, patricide, and a pinch of mystery all wait within these pages. There was nothing light and easy about this, but that makes it all the better! There is great struggle, deep pain, and honor in unexpected places if you choose to fall into this insane world. EVERYONE PLEASE READ ASAP. It's killing me that I can't discuss my theories until you all get this into your grubby little hands. :)
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
If you thought Fourth Wing was lacking in writing quality, but loved the dragons and violence- this is for you!
We are dropped into a world with complex and brutal politics at play. Jai is a prisoner, one living in a castle serving the elderly royal who murdered his father. He was born a third string prince to a people at war, but has lived most of his life as a hostage. His two older brothers become companions of a sort for the Sabine prince Titus, but Jai rarely leaves the palace.
The Dansk royals come to marry their princess off to Prince Titus to protect the fragile peace between their nations. Jai meets the princess' handmaiden and by luck, she saves his life. Things quickly become bloody, and it's clear that Titus has no intention of allowing a peaceful future. With Jai's life now at risk, he attempts to flee and warn the Dansk of the horrors intended for them.
During his escape he discovers a dragon egg and soul bonds with it. Individuals can soul bond with certain animals in order to gain the ability to use mana. They must cultivate it within themselves through a painstaking process. The mana allows them to use magic. Fire, light, speed, and strength are all available to those who have bonded with such a creature. In fact, the Sabine royal family has a deadly group of soldiers who are soul bound to Gryphon and they strike fear into the hearts of any who encounter them. The process is incredibly secretive and intended only for the elite.
From there it's an epic journey of survival, endearing love for his baby dragon Winter, and determination to finally be free. Jai and the handmaiden Frida team up to escape with their lives. They encounter starvation, extreme elements, battles for their life, and one man who promises to help them survive- at a high price.
The bond that forms between Jai and Winter is beautiful to watch, they pull each other through some incredibly dark moments. Jai is beaten, poisoned, and lashed within an inch of his life. This book is not for those with a weak stomach! The process of cultivating mana was creative and detailed, I could picture Jai reaching within and seeing his core, pulling mana from the world around him and directing it through the passages of his soul. I do wish that ascension was more thoroughly explained as it is vaguely described as reaching a new level of soul bound ability that is rare and makes the individual incredibly powerful. Along with that, while the process of creating mana is detailed, the actual use of magic is brushed over. This is partially due to the fact that Jai is constantly on the move, captured, tortured, or just unable to find a single moment of peace. That being said, how do the hand gestures work? What is the extent of the magical abilities? Does it consist of spells or intentional thought? I also wish that I knew Jai a bit better. I don't have much intimate knowledge of who he is personally or his motivations (other than freedom), despite closely following him throughout the book. I have a clear view of the overarching world, but would love to get deeper in his brain.
This world and the politics were expertly crafted, and the violent bloodshed is a hallmark of many of my favorite books. While the beginning is slow, it is very much needed to set up the world that Jai is living in and provide context to what is to come. If you stick with it you will be rewarded! Betrayal, subjugation, poisonings, brutal beatings, patricide, and a pinch of mystery all wait within these pages. There was nothing light and easy about this, but that makes it all the better! There is great struggle, deep pain, and honor in unexpected places if you choose to fall into this insane world. EVERYONE PLEASE READ ASAP. It's killing me that I can't discuss my theories until you all get this into your grubby little hands. :)
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 26, 2024
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 4 stars
Despite the slow start, I eventually became captivated by the high tension and action in the second half of 'Dragon Rider'.
Similar read: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This stunning cover art presents a significant feature of the story, and the vibrant colours make it stand out. However, the design feels somewhat plain, with the art on one side of the cover and an unremarkable text font.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The descriptive writing style gradually reveals a fascinating world filled with cutthroat politics, diverse creatures, and a creative magic system. While the intricate world-building details cause the first half of the story to drag, the writing is smooth and vivid, making it easy to get lost in the narrative. Only the occasional gore or sexual detail seemed off-putting and excessive.
"A man is shaped by the deeds of his youth. Remembered for the deeds in his maturity."
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
An extensive introduction to the world and characters made the first half of this story painfully slow (I came close to stopping several times!), but the constant bursts of action and hints of mystery kept me going. Things eventually pick up when the main character's life is in danger, and he faces intense challenges. Deep themes like grief, colonisation, and racism are also explored, adding depth to the story.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
It took me some time to invest in Jai's character as he starts off timid and passive before his newfound powers drive him to become daring in a heartwarming arc. This character development is achieved through details of Jai's backstory, emotions, and internal struggles, which make his motives clear and his character worth rooting for.
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
These characters are generally given distinct personalities and roles that help drive the story, but the intense focus on the main character leaves them with little depth beyond basic traits. Only Frida, Rufus, and Winter really made an impression on me due to their strong connections with Jai.
"When my family becomes my enemy… what does my enemy become?"
Romance: 🌟🌟
This aspect of the story is simply Jai's attraction to another character, but it is awkwardly done, and I felt no chemistry or sparks between them. However, there is room for this to develop as the series continues.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Tom Babbage's narration seemed natural and fitting for this story. His vocal effects and character voices also enhanced the audiobook, although his emotional range was limited.
Rating: 4 stars
Despite the slow start, I eventually became captivated by the high tension and action in the second half of 'Dragon Rider'.
Similar read: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This stunning cover art presents a significant feature of the story, and the vibrant colours make it stand out. However, the design feels somewhat plain, with the art on one side of the cover and an unremarkable text font.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The descriptive writing style gradually reveals a fascinating world filled with cutthroat politics, diverse creatures, and a creative magic system. While the intricate world-building details cause the first half of the story to drag, the writing is smooth and vivid, making it easy to get lost in the narrative. Only the occasional gore or sexual detail seemed off-putting and excessive.
"A man is shaped by the deeds of his youth. Remembered for the deeds in his maturity."
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
An extensive introduction to the world and characters made the first half of this story painfully slow (I came close to stopping several times!), but the constant bursts of action and hints of mystery kept me going. Things eventually pick up when the main character's life is in danger, and he faces intense challenges. Deep themes like grief, colonisation, and racism are also explored, adding depth to the story.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
It took me some time to invest in Jai's character as he starts off timid and passive before his newfound powers drive him to become daring in a heartwarming arc. This character development is achieved through details of Jai's backstory, emotions, and internal struggles, which make his motives clear and his character worth rooting for.
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
These characters are generally given distinct personalities and roles that help drive the story, but the intense focus on the main character leaves them with little depth beyond basic traits. Only Frida, Rufus, and Winter really made an impression on me due to their strong connections with Jai.
"When my family becomes my enemy… what does my enemy become?"
Romance: 🌟🌟
This aspect of the story is simply Jai's attraction to another character, but it is awkwardly done, and I felt no chemistry or sparks between them. However, there is room for this to develop as the series continues.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Tom Babbage's narration seemed natural and fitting for this story. His vocal effects and character voices also enhanced the audiobook, although his emotional range was limited.
April 8, 2024
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a big lover of epic fantasy, and like most fantasy lovers, also have a soft spot for dragons. I was really excited to read to this book, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I don’t mind trope-y books as quick, fun reads, but this book didn’t have enough redeeming factors to look past the tired structure and predictable plot lines.
What did work for me:
- Magical creatures and soulbounding are always fun concepts to explore, and I appreciated that there was consideration of how those things change from culture to culture within the world.
- At a sentence level, the writing was clear and easy to read.
What didn’t work for me:
1) The pacing and sequence of events felt off, especially in the beginning of the book. We would make a tiny step forward in progress, only to be shoved back two for about the first 25% in a way that felt unnecessary and confusing. The latter 3/4 of the book went more smoothly.
2) There was some hyper-specific world building in some areas (i.e., specific military maneuvers or battles, speciality goods from different regions), but it felt like some very simple and essential facts were overlooked or oversimplified (i.e., basic character motivations beyond ‘being evil’)
3) A lot of the side characters felt like accessories that were designed to create impact and build Jai’s character, but there wasn’t enough follow through in his feelings or in actual consequences that made me want to care about them beyond being told that they were important.
4) Speaking of side characters, I did not appreciate the depictions of female characters within this book. They felt hollow, their personalities and motivations one-dimensional, and, somehow, Jai talks about genitals (either his or theirs) almost every single time a woman is on page.
I’m a big lover of epic fantasy, and like most fantasy lovers, also have a soft spot for dragons. I was really excited to read to this book, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I don’t mind trope-y books as quick, fun reads, but this book didn’t have enough redeeming factors to look past the tired structure and predictable plot lines.
What did work for me:
- Magical creatures and soulbounding are always fun concepts to explore, and I appreciated that there was consideration of how those things change from culture to culture within the world.
- At a sentence level, the writing was clear and easy to read.
What didn’t work for me:
1) The pacing and sequence of events felt off, especially in the beginning of the book. We would make a tiny step forward in progress, only to be shoved back two for about the first 25% in a way that felt unnecessary and confusing. The latter 3/4 of the book went more smoothly.
2) There was some hyper-specific world building in some areas (i.e., specific military maneuvers or battles, speciality goods from different regions), but it felt like some very simple and essential facts were overlooked or oversimplified (i.e., basic character motivations beyond ‘being evil’)
3) A lot of the side characters felt like accessories that were designed to create impact and build Jai’s character, but there wasn’t enough follow through in his feelings or in actual consequences that made me want to care about them beyond being told that they were important.
4) Speaking of side characters, I did not appreciate the depictions of female characters within this book. They felt hollow, their personalities and motivations one-dimensional, and, somehow, Jai talks about genitals (either his or theirs) almost every single time a woman is on page.
August 8, 2024
8.14 on CAWPILE
February 24, 2024
It feels like reading fanfiction from a guy who likes to be edgy for the sake of being edgy
August 11, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.
I'm not going to lie: I almost DNFed this book 35% into it. I thought the first third was really boring and slow; that the ratio between political talk and learning more about the mysterious dragons leaned too much towards the former rather than the latter. But as I got more towards the middle, it started getting more interesting. Jai, the main character, steals a dragon egg, which to no one's surprise, it hatches and the dragon bonds with him. He learns how to be one with the dragon (named Winter) from another dragon handler named Frida. They're both on the run and need to figure out how to get to safety.
I enjoyed how the author spends a lot of time explaining the magic system: how mana works, how it relates to the dragon, how to soul breath, etc. There is a lot of politics and discrimination and terrible, racist policies in this book, so just be aware of that. I'm glad that I didn't DNF this book, but I do wish that the beginning picked up a little more speed. Overall, it was a solid read!
I'm not going to lie: I almost DNFed this book 35% into it. I thought the first third was really boring and slow; that the ratio between political talk and learning more about the mysterious dragons leaned too much towards the former rather than the latter. But as I got more towards the middle, it started getting more interesting. Jai, the main character, steals a dragon egg, which to no one's surprise, it hatches and the dragon bonds with him. He learns how to be one with the dragon (named Winter) from another dragon handler named Frida. They're both on the run and need to figure out how to get to safety.
I enjoyed how the author spends a lot of time explaining the magic system: how mana works, how it relates to the dragon, how to soul breath, etc. There is a lot of politics and discrimination and terrible, racist policies in this book, so just be aware of that. I'm glad that I didn't DNF this book, but I do wish that the beginning picked up a little more speed. Overall, it was a solid read!
April 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this! You can tell because although I usually have a few books on the go, I concentrated almost exclusively on this- the ‘just-one-more-chapter’ syndrome. Short chapters meant this was a fast paced book. The magic in this book is based on whether you are soul-bonded or not to an animal. I loved the range of creatures in this book: dragons, gryphon, khiroi, dire wolves , amongst others who share a magical energy with their bonded humans. Jai and Frida are the two central characters but my favourite was Rufus who comes to their aid. A thumping good read.
April 26, 2025
I picked up this book to sample a chapter of the writing, then couldn't stop reading it.
It reminds me a lot of Assassin's Apprentice, which is high praise in my eyes.
It reminds me a lot of Assassin's Apprentice, which is high praise in my eyes.
March 30, 2024
This was a decent read, but it could have benefited from a cut in word count and a faster pace. It actually takes over 150 pages before the events stated in the blurb come to pass. Everything before is basically introducing characters and setting the scene. And while this book was by no means bad, I was invested enough and definitely wanted to keep reading, it was just too slow for my taste most of the time. However, I liked it well enough that I will continue this series when the next book comes out.
January 13, 2024
DNF at 50%.
This book is so long, and for what? Why does the synopsis focus on him running away with the handmaiden and they just now did that at 50%? It feels like the book literally just started. Not to mention that I feel like I'm meant to swoon after Jai soon, but he's written as a young teenager with very little (if any) maturity. I could not get into this at all, which made me extremely sad as I wanted a new dragon series to obsess over.
This book is so long, and for what? Why does the synopsis focus on him running away with the handmaiden and they just now did that at 50%? It feels like the book literally just started. Not to mention that I feel like I'm meant to swoon after Jai soon, but he's written as a young teenager with very little (if any) maturity. I could not get into this at all, which made me extremely sad as I wanted a new dragon series to obsess over.
February 26, 2025
[ współpraca reklamowa @wydawnictwojaguar ]
“Smoczy jeździec” to historia chłopaka, który żyje na dworze Sabinów w roli zakładnika. Jego ojciec został stracony, a on został sługą cesarza. Musi patrzeć z boku jak rodzina królewska poprzez małżeństwo próbuje pozyskać bardzo silnych sojuszników - lud, który wie, jak wiązać się ze smokami. Gdy to im się uda będą niepokonani. Jednak nie wszystko idzie po ich myśli i w wyniku nieprzewidzianych wydarzeń Jaiowi uda się zbiec z dworu i rozpocząć ciężką wędrówkę.
Powieść Tarana Matharu czyta się naprawdę błyskawicznie. Podzielona jest na dużo bardzo krótkich rozdziałów, z których większość kończy się tak, że ciężko jest nie zacząć kolejnego. Sam pomysł na fabułę bardzo przypadł mi do gustu - ludzie wiążący się z magicznymi stworzeniami to zdecydowanie temat, który mnie przyciąga w powieściach fantasy.
Nie wszystko jednak mi w tej powieści zagrało. W dużej mierze książka ta składała się z opisu systemu magicznego i mam wrażenie, że ten element trochę przeważył nad resztą fabuły. Miałam przez to poczucie, że bohaterom brakuje jakiegoś większego celu. Jednakże, jako że był to dopiero pierwszy tom, mam nadzieję, że kolejne przyniosą trochę więcej akcji.
Sama postać Jaia nie trafi do moich ulubieńców, natomiast dużo lepiej wypadała przy nim postać Fridy. Wydawała mi się zdecydowanie ciekawsza, a sam wątek jej żałoby trafił do mojego serducha.
Książka powinna spodobać się osobom, które lubią wątki polityczne. Tutaj jest tego dosyć sporo, i choć książka mogłaby być zdecydowanie krótsza, tak pod koniec wydarzenia nabierają tempa i odkrywają się przed nami kolejne tajemnice.
Mimo kilku wad i raczej wolnego tempa była to dla mnie ostatecznie ciekawa przygoda.
“Smoczy jeździec” to historia chłopaka, który żyje na dworze Sabinów w roli zakładnika. Jego ojciec został stracony, a on został sługą cesarza. Musi patrzeć z boku jak rodzina królewska poprzez małżeństwo próbuje pozyskać bardzo silnych sojuszników - lud, który wie, jak wiązać się ze smokami. Gdy to im się uda będą niepokonani. Jednak nie wszystko idzie po ich myśli i w wyniku nieprzewidzianych wydarzeń Jaiowi uda się zbiec z dworu i rozpocząć ciężką wędrówkę.
Powieść Tarana Matharu czyta się naprawdę błyskawicznie. Podzielona jest na dużo bardzo krótkich rozdziałów, z których większość kończy się tak, że ciężko jest nie zacząć kolejnego. Sam pomysł na fabułę bardzo przypadł mi do gustu - ludzie wiążący się z magicznymi stworzeniami to zdecydowanie temat, który mnie przyciąga w powieściach fantasy.
Nie wszystko jednak mi w tej powieści zagrało. W dużej mierze książka ta składała się z opisu systemu magicznego i mam wrażenie, że ten element trochę przeważył nad resztą fabuły. Miałam przez to poczucie, że bohaterom brakuje jakiegoś większego celu. Jednakże, jako że był to dopiero pierwszy tom, mam nadzieję, że kolejne przyniosą trochę więcej akcji.
Sama postać Jaia nie trafi do moich ulubieńców, natomiast dużo lepiej wypadała przy nim postać Fridy. Wydawała mi się zdecydowanie ciekawsza, a sam wątek jej żałoby trafił do mojego serducha.
Książka powinna spodobać się osobom, które lubią wątki polityczne. Tutaj jest tego dosyć sporo, i choć książka mogłaby być zdecydowanie krótsza, tak pod koniec wydarzenia nabierają tempa i odkrywają się przed nami kolejne tajemnice.
Mimo kilku wad i raczej wolnego tempa była to dla mnie ostatecznie ciekawa przygoda.
December 31, 2023
I am a judge fantasy book reader, after falling in love with the dragons in fourth wing and iron flame I was a little apprehensive about reading this book. Dragon rider did not disappoint in any way. I was hooked.
Dragon Rider is the first in a new fantasy series, filled with magic, warriors and dragons! The way the world is built up draws you in and I can’t wait to learn and immerse myself in it again. I adored the soul bound and found it to be an incredible way to explore the connections between the characters and their creatures.
Dragon Rider is the first in a new fantasy series, filled with magic, warriors and dragons! The way the world is built up draws you in and I can’t wait to learn and immerse myself in it again. I adored the soul bound and found it to be an incredible way to explore the connections between the characters and their creatures.
January 30, 2025
Buddy read with Ren!
Ren definitely enjoyed this a lot more than I did. To me, it just read like any other iteration of a YA fantasy novel with a Chosen One MMC.
But despite my personal feelings, I think this is a great book for YA readers to transition to more adult fantasy.
I was expecting something more adult, but this read like YA to me. I loved the first third because it set up an epic setting, pulling race and politics into play with nations either feuding or creating alliances. And I'll always be down for a BIPOC protagonist entrenched in white society.
But after that, it was very hero's journey/Chosen One trope where readers are stuck with the MMC. It wasn't really engaging for me, sad to say.
It also felt like the author pulled so many ideas from other fantasy series, so it felt like a Frankenstein's monster of fantasy tropes. ***SPOILER ALERT*** ***END SPOILER ALERT***
I agree with other reviewers who say that the secondary characters weren't given enough attention, so it was hard for me to care about them. The love interest is a badass, but the author never let her come into her own. It felt like her character was just there to cater to the MMC's goals and feelings.
The book itself was also unnecessarily long. Some scenes could've been tightened up for a more intense read. I found myself struggling to continue and finish.
I doubt that I'll continue with this series.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.
Ren definitely enjoyed this a lot more than I did. To me, it just read like any other iteration of a YA fantasy novel with a Chosen One MMC.
But despite my personal feelings, I think this is a great book for YA readers to transition to more adult fantasy.
I was expecting something more adult, but this read like YA to me. I loved the first third because it set up an epic setting, pulling race and politics into play with nations either feuding or creating alliances. And I'll always be down for a BIPOC protagonist entrenched in white society.
But after that, it was very hero's journey/Chosen One trope where readers are stuck with the MMC. It wasn't really engaging for me, sad to say.
It also felt like the author pulled so many ideas from other fantasy series, so it felt like a Frankenstein's monster of fantasy tropes. ***SPOILER ALERT*** ***END SPOILER ALERT***
I agree with other reviewers who say that the secondary characters weren't given enough attention, so it was hard for me to care about them. The love interest is a badass, but the author never let her come into her own. It felt like her character was just there to cater to the MMC's goals and feelings.
The book itself was also unnecessarily long. Some scenes could've been tightened up for a more intense read. I found myself struggling to continue and finish.
I doubt that I'll continue with this series.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.
September 24, 2024
Overall Rating : B+
"You are too timid. To scared to make a mistake, to take a risk. You are your father's son. Act like it."
Jai, a fettered "servant", only knows the walls of Latium, home of his people's enemy, Sabines. Taken from his home after his father was killed, he barely remembers what it was like, forced to serve the man who killed him, the former emperor Leonid. He keeps his head low, waiting for the day when he'll be free and leave with his brothers. But war is coming, and he'll have a part to play, especially when dragons get into the mix.
This was a great start to a High Fantasy setting. The world was very thought out and explained in heavy detail. Definitely focused more on the journey aspect of the story, with the plot on Jai understanding what it means to be soulbonded with a powerful dragon. It was almost explained to much of the process and the majik that comes with it, and some of the action sequence left me more than a little confused. But I enjoyed the ride all the same.
I do wish the side characters where expanded more, as I felt we only got a glimpse of their traits before they either left or pushed aside. I did enjoy Rufus and Frida and desperately wanted to know more about them. Jai, I'm sad to say, was a little bit of a whiny b*tch. Could never make up his damn mind and when he did, it most always was the wrong choice. I did see some character development towards the end, and hopefully will expand as the series goes on.
"You are too timid. To scared to make a mistake, to take a risk. You are your father's son. Act like it."
Jai, a fettered "servant", only knows the walls of Latium, home of his people's enemy, Sabines. Taken from his home after his father was killed, he barely remembers what it was like, forced to serve the man who killed him, the former emperor Leonid. He keeps his head low, waiting for the day when he'll be free and leave with his brothers. But war is coming, and he'll have a part to play, especially when dragons get into the mix.
This was a great start to a High Fantasy setting. The world was very thought out and explained in heavy detail. Definitely focused more on the journey aspect of the story, with the plot on Jai understanding what it means to be soulbonded with a powerful dragon. It was almost explained to much of the process and the majik that comes with it, and some of the action sequence left me more than a little confused. But I enjoyed the ride all the same.
I do wish the side characters where expanded more, as I felt we only got a glimpse of their traits before they either left or pushed aside. I did enjoy Rufus and Frida and desperately wanted to know more about them. Jai, I'm sad to say, was a little bit of a whiny b*tch. Could never make up his damn mind and when he did, it most always was the wrong choice. I did see some character development towards the end, and hopefully will expand as the series goes on.
April 20, 2024
Dragon Rider
by Taran Matharu
The Soulbound Saga #1
Epic Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Apr. 23, 2024
Avon and Harper Voyager
Ages: 16+
After his father died in the rebellion against the Sabine Court, Jai, along with his brothers, are now hostages. For years he's served as the caretaker of the elderly ex-emperor who killed his father, while his brothers serve the old man's grandson, who is to marry the Princess of the Dansk Kingdom, and she brings with her a dragon and the knowledge to soulbond with it.
Adding soulbond dragons with their legion of soulbond griffins would give the Sabines the power to rule over everyone.
But conspirators send the court into chaos, and Jai knows the truth and escapes with a dragon hatchling no one knows about. Crossing paths with the Princess's handmaiden, she and Jai make their way to the border where their two lands meet, but the lie of their 'betrayal' travels fast.
Not a whole lot of violence in this, but of what there is, it's dark. Not graphic, but if you have a good imagination... This first book has a lot of politics, and there are a lot of characters/tribes whom the Sabine rulers invaded, destroyed, or accepted their surrender without a fight, but sadly it felt as if all that information wasn't given slowly enough, so they jumbled up together, and there wasn't a lot of time to 'relate' to one before another was introduced. I'm still not sure how many other 'tribes' there are other than the three that this book is centered around, but I know there is at least one, maybe two more.
I did like the story, and it mostly moved along at a quick pace. I'm not sure how old Jai is, I think he is supposed to be in his late teens, but a lot of the time he seemed more like a fourteen/fifteen-year-old. His 'soul-searching' did slow the story down a lot and it got boring because most of it was repetitive of his last 'search'. I get why he needed to do it, but it was the same thing over and over again, with the same outcome.
I did hate how it ended in a major cliffhanger, which did lower my excitement for the next book.
A low...
4 Stars
by Taran Matharu
The Soulbound Saga #1
Epic Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Apr. 23, 2024
Avon and Harper Voyager
Ages: 16+
After his father died in the rebellion against the Sabine Court, Jai, along with his brothers, are now hostages. For years he's served as the caretaker of the elderly ex-emperor who killed his father, while his brothers serve the old man's grandson, who is to marry the Princess of the Dansk Kingdom, and she brings with her a dragon and the knowledge to soulbond with it.
Adding soulbond dragons with their legion of soulbond griffins would give the Sabines the power to rule over everyone.
But conspirators send the court into chaos, and Jai knows the truth and escapes with a dragon hatchling no one knows about. Crossing paths with the Princess's handmaiden, she and Jai make their way to the border where their two lands meet, but the lie of their 'betrayal' travels fast.
Not a whole lot of violence in this, but of what there is, it's dark. Not graphic, but if you have a good imagination... This first book has a lot of politics, and there are a lot of characters/tribes whom the Sabine rulers invaded, destroyed, or accepted their surrender without a fight, but sadly it felt as if all that information wasn't given slowly enough, so they jumbled up together, and there wasn't a lot of time to 'relate' to one before another was introduced. I'm still not sure how many other 'tribes' there are other than the three that this book is centered around, but I know there is at least one, maybe two more.
I did like the story, and it mostly moved along at a quick pace. I'm not sure how old Jai is, I think he is supposed to be in his late teens, but a lot of the time he seemed more like a fourteen/fifteen-year-old. His 'soul-searching' did slow the story down a lot and it got boring because most of it was repetitive of his last 'search'. I get why he needed to do it, but it was the same thing over and over again, with the same outcome.
I did hate how it ended in a major cliffhanger, which did lower my excitement for the next book.
A low...
4 Stars
May 29, 2024
Character: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Plot: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Prose: ★ ★ ½ ☆ ☆ ☆
World: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
OVERALL: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I didn’t like this one at all, folks 😔🙌 After the first few chapters I was thinking this might be a two-star read, but as the book went on and I started to have more problems with it, I had to adjust my rating. This book didn’t work for me at all, and no one’s sadder about it than me.
If you want a digestible, bloody, dragon rider fantasy adventure, Dragon Rider might be right up your alley. To quickly clear the air too, Fourth Wing comes up a lot in the marketing as Dragon Rider seems to be targeting the audience that wanted a darker, less romance-heavy slant to Fourth Wing, but it’s much closer to Eragon than Fourth Wing; the only thing the books have in common are human-dragon bonded partnerships. I’d recommend Dragon Rider more to 1) those who haven’t read a huge amount of what I’ll call “traditional” adult fantasy (i.e., not Romantasy), 2) people who liked The Inheritance Cycle and are searching for more of the same, and 3) people who want to venture into adult fantasy spaces from YA ones and like the gritty aesthetics of Game of Thrones. I know I wanted the bite, edge, and smarts of Thrones, which Dragon Rider clearly takes large inspiration from, but I didn’t find it here.
Dragon Rider is Taran Matharu’s first adult book. His previous YA books have been hugely successful, and I was excited to see how he would transition to the adult market as hey, that’s the one I know best and like the most. But unfortunately, my familiarity with the genre seems to have hindered more than helped. I’ve seen most of the ideas in this book done better elsewhere, and many of my issues can be summed up as “juvenile logic, adult language and situations”, which creates a jarring contrast. It desperately wants to have that adult complexity, which it will remind you of by throwing blood, guts, viscera, swearing, and nudity and sex at you willy nilly, but Matharu doesn’t yet have the ability to execute the vision I think he was aiming for. I constantly found myself thinking, “no real human person would act like this” as we learnt more of how Jai and his brothers are treated as hostages, people get away with the most insane things with nary a shrug, warnings of conspiracies are constantly ignored or given very low priority, plans succeed because of flimsy happenstance rather than actual effort, and no one is capable of thinking beyond the next couple of hours. I went from baffled, to annoyed, to tired as stuff just kept happening because plot.
Our protagonist is Jai, son of a king who fought and lost against the aggressively expanding Sabine Empire. Jai and his elder brothers were taken as hostages by the empire as children, with eyes towards reconciliation and friendship with the defeated Steppefolk once the eldest comes of age and can return to rule them. As the third son, Jai is tasked with caring for the elderly once-emperor who killed his father.
More than a decade after his father’s death, Jai is seventeen, and a marriage is being arranged between the Sabine and Dansk royal families. The Dansk (which is just Danish for … Danish) are a pop culture Viking/fantasy barbarian peoples who form soulbonds with dragons, and the alliance will not only bring peace to the empire, but give it the power of dragons. This seems like a bad idea. Yet shenanigans are afoot, and this wedding might not go as smoothly as all parties are hoping.
Firstly, the pacing in this book is wack; like, I have not seen pacing this bad in a long time. Too much time is spent on unimportant events so everything feels lopsided and extremely slow. I felt like I read a really, really long first act, a really flat second act, and then a third act I guess? It sure sprung out of nowhere. I’m left scratching my head wondering where the editing team was for this one. The first third involves political machinations and scheming around this wedding and alliance, which leads to the coup described in the blurb (yes, it takes 1/3rd of the book to arrive at the inciting incident!), after which Jai escapes with the dragon egg that later hatches after he literally stumbles over it on his way out the door. What happened to that stealing the blurb mentioned? See: stuff just happening because. I wouldn’t mind this pacing so much if the political machinations were interesting enough to make up for it, but they’re not. It’s a very generic power grab by the comically evil prince to take the throne for reasons of power and empire expansion, but he doesn’t seem to have a solid plan beyond the Underpants Gnomes Step 1: Coup, Step 2: ???, Step 3: Profit! model (not to mention his timing of this coup is Extremely Illogical and Dumb). The people who follow him don’t have any solid reasons to help him either beyond being generically evil drones. The people who die in the coup only die because they sleepwalked into the entire affair; I mean, the warnings they get are met with the attitude of “hmm! Interesting! We shall consider what you said”, and then everyone is shocked when the coup happens. I wanted to shake everyone involved, but especially Jai. Telling one person there is a problem and then wiping your hands of it does not solve anything!
The aesthetics of Game of Thrones, but not much of the smarts, as it doesn’t seem to understand why its violence and sex works so well. Instead, it has only co-opted its imagery, which is a common trap Thrones inspired works fall into.
Speaking of smarts, Jai, frankly put, is an idiot of colossal proportions. He constantly makes the wrong decisions, to which the book is oblivious, and often fails to put two and two together that by the time he does figure out the answers to proposed questions, you the reader have been shouting those answers at him for possibly hundreds of pages. Aside from fumbling his way through a plot that was happening to him, I also found him to be an inconsistent character. One example of this relates to the very first page. He’s described as “hating” the old emperor Leonid because the guy killed his father (understandable), and Jai doesn’t relish his position of having to be this elderly man’s carer, but after the coup shenanigans happen, Jai says he loved Leonid like a father-figure. So like … which is it?
The rest of the cast can be neatly slotted into stereotypical archetypes. Not only do we have the cruel and ambitiously evil prince, but the corrupt and comically evil paladin, the icy and beautiful not-like-other-girls warrior princess, the gruffly drunk-but-competant mentor who was once a warrior like the main character, etc. I know these archetypes, not these characters, and as such I quickly grew tired of them. The situations these characters find themselves in are convoluted so, for example, exposition can be delivered and worldbuilding shown off. Which is incredibly distracting? I don’t see why any sane person would drag another on a city-wide tour just to throw them off a tower to kill them when they could, instead, just take the guy around the back wall and stab him. Your orders were just to kill him, dude. Just kill him. Please.
You can say fuck and cunt as many times as you want, kill babies and have Red Weddings galore, and worldbuild to your heart’s content, but it won’t make the book adult when the story’s conflict is firmly rooted in “and then and then and then” logic, tired stock characters, and almost no changing dynamics, rather than “therefore, but” logic supported by rounded characters with beefing personalities (here’s the explanation of “and then” vs. “therefore, but”).
Following the daring escape from the palace, Jai, and now the baby dragon Winter, run about for a bit until they find not-like-other-girls Frida and go through a training and travelling montage that reminded me of an RPG with its talk of how to acquire mana and levelling up (which takes up another third of the book; as mentioned above, the pacing is a huge issue, because this should have all happened in the first third) before falling into an action climax that I didn’t much care about the outcome of. The book ends with an invite to tune in next time, but I will not be tuning in next time, I’m sorry to say.
But one of the biggest story sins Dragon Rider committed was how it bent over backwards to keep Jai as the protagonist when it should have been Frida, as all of the important beats affect her more than him. As a non-spoiler explainer, there were several points where it made more sense for Frida to do things that she just doesn’t so stuff can happen to her for Jai to deal with. And for those of you hunting for spoilers, . If anything, Jai is random collateral swept up in a story about Frida.
In summary: Dragon Rider will probably be a miss if you’re a fantasy veteran. The book relies on common tropes that are played straight, has the bark of Thrones but not the bite, and there are simply more challenging books out there to read. If you’re new to the genre, or not as demanding of it as me, you’ll probably get more out of this book that I did.
I’m still hunting for the book that will be able to scratch my Eragon itch, as unfortunately it was not this one. Maybe I’ll give Of Blood and Fire another shot….
Footnote: I have one more personal gripe that I couldn’t really fit in above. I found the short chapters aggravating. Whole scenes would be split into three chapters for no reason. Why was this decision made? I feel like this extends from the author’s Wattpad days, so I just … You know you’re allowed to write chapters that are more than four pages long, right? You’re trad publishing, you’re not following an update schedule. Just make the scene into one chapter. Please. And thank you.
Plot: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Prose: ★ ★ ½ ☆ ☆ ☆
World: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
OVERALL: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I didn’t like this one at all, folks 😔🙌 After the first few chapters I was thinking this might be a two-star read, but as the book went on and I started to have more problems with it, I had to adjust my rating. This book didn’t work for me at all, and no one’s sadder about it than me.
If you want a digestible, bloody, dragon rider fantasy adventure, Dragon Rider might be right up your alley. To quickly clear the air too, Fourth Wing comes up a lot in the marketing as Dragon Rider seems to be targeting the audience that wanted a darker, less romance-heavy slant to Fourth Wing, but it’s much closer to Eragon than Fourth Wing; the only thing the books have in common are human-dragon bonded partnerships. I’d recommend Dragon Rider more to 1) those who haven’t read a huge amount of what I’ll call “traditional” adult fantasy (i.e., not Romantasy), 2) people who liked The Inheritance Cycle and are searching for more of the same, and 3) people who want to venture into adult fantasy spaces from YA ones and like the gritty aesthetics of Game of Thrones. I know I wanted the bite, edge, and smarts of Thrones, which Dragon Rider clearly takes large inspiration from, but I didn’t find it here.
Dragon Rider is Taran Matharu’s first adult book. His previous YA books have been hugely successful, and I was excited to see how he would transition to the adult market as hey, that’s the one I know best and like the most. But unfortunately, my familiarity with the genre seems to have hindered more than helped. I’ve seen most of the ideas in this book done better elsewhere, and many of my issues can be summed up as “juvenile logic, adult language and situations”, which creates a jarring contrast. It desperately wants to have that adult complexity, which it will remind you of by throwing blood, guts, viscera, swearing, and nudity and sex at you willy nilly, but Matharu doesn’t yet have the ability to execute the vision I think he was aiming for. I constantly found myself thinking, “no real human person would act like this” as we learnt more of how Jai and his brothers are treated as hostages, people get away with the most insane things with nary a shrug, warnings of conspiracies are constantly ignored or given very low priority, plans succeed because of flimsy happenstance rather than actual effort, and no one is capable of thinking beyond the next couple of hours. I went from baffled, to annoyed, to tired as stuff just kept happening because plot.
Our protagonist is Jai, son of a king who fought and lost against the aggressively expanding Sabine Empire. Jai and his elder brothers were taken as hostages by the empire as children, with eyes towards reconciliation and friendship with the defeated Steppefolk once the eldest comes of age and can return to rule them. As the third son, Jai is tasked with caring for the elderly once-emperor who killed his father.
More than a decade after his father’s death, Jai is seventeen, and a marriage is being arranged between the Sabine and Dansk royal families. The Dansk (which is just Danish for … Danish) are a pop culture Viking/fantasy barbarian peoples who form soulbonds with dragons, and the alliance will not only bring peace to the empire, but give it the power of dragons. This seems like a bad idea. Yet shenanigans are afoot, and this wedding might not go as smoothly as all parties are hoping.
Firstly, the pacing in this book is wack; like, I have not seen pacing this bad in a long time. Too much time is spent on unimportant events so everything feels lopsided and extremely slow. I felt like I read a really, really long first act, a really flat second act, and then a third act I guess? It sure sprung out of nowhere. I’m left scratching my head wondering where the editing team was for this one. The first third involves political machinations and scheming around this wedding and alliance, which leads to the coup described in the blurb (yes, it takes 1/3rd of the book to arrive at the inciting incident!), after which Jai escapes with the dragon egg that later hatches after he literally stumbles over it on his way out the door. What happened to that stealing the blurb mentioned? See: stuff just happening because. I wouldn’t mind this pacing so much if the political machinations were interesting enough to make up for it, but they’re not. It’s a very generic power grab by the comically evil prince to take the throne for reasons of power and empire expansion, but he doesn’t seem to have a solid plan beyond the Underpants Gnomes Step 1: Coup, Step 2: ???, Step 3: Profit! model (not to mention his timing of this coup is Extremely Illogical and Dumb). The people who follow him don’t have any solid reasons to help him either beyond being generically evil drones. The people who die in the coup only die because they sleepwalked into the entire affair; I mean, the warnings they get are met with the attitude of “hmm! Interesting! We shall consider what you said”, and then everyone is shocked when the coup happens. I wanted to shake everyone involved, but especially Jai. Telling one person there is a problem and then wiping your hands of it does not solve anything!
The aesthetics of Game of Thrones, but not much of the smarts, as it doesn’t seem to understand why its violence and sex works so well. Instead, it has only co-opted its imagery, which is a common trap Thrones inspired works fall into.
Speaking of smarts, Jai, frankly put, is an idiot of colossal proportions. He constantly makes the wrong decisions, to which the book is oblivious, and often fails to put two and two together that by the time he does figure out the answers to proposed questions, you the reader have been shouting those answers at him for possibly hundreds of pages. Aside from fumbling his way through a plot that was happening to him, I also found him to be an inconsistent character. One example of this relates to the very first page. He’s described as “hating” the old emperor Leonid because the guy killed his father (understandable), and Jai doesn’t relish his position of having to be this elderly man’s carer, but after the coup shenanigans happen, Jai says he loved Leonid like a father-figure. So like … which is it?
The rest of the cast can be neatly slotted into stereotypical archetypes. Not only do we have the cruel and ambitiously evil prince, but the corrupt and comically evil paladin, the icy and beautiful not-like-other-girls warrior princess, the gruffly drunk-but-competant mentor who was once a warrior like the main character, etc. I know these archetypes, not these characters, and as such I quickly grew tired of them. The situations these characters find themselves in are convoluted so, for example, exposition can be delivered and worldbuilding shown off. Which is incredibly distracting? I don’t see why any sane person would drag another on a city-wide tour just to throw them off a tower to kill them when they could, instead, just take the guy around the back wall and stab him. Your orders were just to kill him, dude. Just kill him. Please.
You can say fuck and cunt as many times as you want, kill babies and have Red Weddings galore, and worldbuild to your heart’s content, but it won’t make the book adult when the story’s conflict is firmly rooted in “and then and then and then” logic, tired stock characters, and almost no changing dynamics, rather than “therefore, but” logic supported by rounded characters with beefing personalities (here’s the explanation of “and then” vs. “therefore, but”).
Following the daring escape from the palace, Jai, and now the baby dragon Winter, run about for a bit until they find not-like-other-girls Frida and go through a training and travelling montage that reminded me of an RPG with its talk of how to acquire mana and levelling up (which takes up another third of the book; as mentioned above, the pacing is a huge issue, because this should have all happened in the first third) before falling into an action climax that I didn’t much care about the outcome of. The book ends with an invite to tune in next time, but I will not be tuning in next time, I’m sorry to say.
But one of the biggest story sins Dragon Rider committed was how it bent over backwards to keep Jai as the protagonist when it should have been Frida, as all of the important beats affect her more than him. As a non-spoiler explainer, there were several points where it made more sense for Frida to do things that she just doesn’t so stuff can happen to her for Jai to deal with. And for those of you hunting for spoilers, . If anything, Jai is random collateral swept up in a story about Frida.
In summary: Dragon Rider will probably be a miss if you’re a fantasy veteran. The book relies on common tropes that are played straight, has the bark of Thrones but not the bite, and there are simply more challenging books out there to read. If you’re new to the genre, or not as demanding of it as me, you’ll probably get more out of this book that I did.
I’m still hunting for the book that will be able to scratch my Eragon itch, as unfortunately it was not this one. Maybe I’ll give Of Blood and Fire another shot….
Footnote: I have one more personal gripe that I couldn’t really fit in above. I found the short chapters aggravating. Whole scenes would be split into three chapters for no reason. Why was this decision made? I feel like this extends from the author’s Wattpad days, so I just … You know you’re allowed to write chapters that are more than four pages long, right? You’re trad publishing, you’re not following an update schedule. Just make the scene into one chapter. Please. And thank you.
March 5, 2024
“He felt that other. Liquid fire, burning a hole in his chest. But Jai welcomed the pain. It meant he was alive.”
This is a really difficult review to write. I was really into this book for the first half of it. In the beginning, learning about Jai’s situation and the politics of the Sabine Court - and the Empire at large - was interesting. And then the dragons got introduced, and they were really cool. From there to triggering events that snowball into the main conflict - I was there for it. Matharu does a nice job of setting up a narrative that made me want to continue reading. It was very trope-y, but I didn’t mind that; on the contrary, I love fantasy tropes as they often keep me grounded in the story.
The second half, though, is where it lost me. I did not necessarily mind where the route the narrative took, but I do think it spent too long there. It literally felt like there were only 2 places where the story took place, and that was not enough for me. I wanted adventure, but I got characters that are stuck in the mud for too long.
The other issue for me was how the characters end up working through the main conflict. There were situations where they could not speak or see each other, but somehow just knew what the other was thinking and exactly how to get out of their predicament. The characters’ actions were not believable enough.
Overall DRAGON RIDER was not bad. But there were enough aspects of it that didn’t sit well with me that took me out of the story too often. I probably will not continue the series.
Have you read DRAGON RIDER? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts.
This is a really difficult review to write. I was really into this book for the first half of it. In the beginning, learning about Jai’s situation and the politics of the Sabine Court - and the Empire at large - was interesting. And then the dragons got introduced, and they were really cool. From there to triggering events that snowball into the main conflict - I was there for it. Matharu does a nice job of setting up a narrative that made me want to continue reading. It was very trope-y, but I didn’t mind that; on the contrary, I love fantasy tropes as they often keep me grounded in the story.
The second half, though, is where it lost me. I did not necessarily mind where the route the narrative took, but I do think it spent too long there. It literally felt like there were only 2 places where the story took place, and that was not enough for me. I wanted adventure, but I got characters that are stuck in the mud for too long.
The other issue for me was how the characters end up working through the main conflict. There were situations where they could not speak or see each other, but somehow just knew what the other was thinking and exactly how to get out of their predicament. The characters’ actions were not believable enough.
Overall DRAGON RIDER was not bad. But there were enough aspects of it that didn’t sit well with me that took me out of the story too often. I probably will not continue the series.
Have you read DRAGON RIDER? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts.
April 26, 2024
The first third of the book was wild, but also a bit confusing. There were a lot of brutal events, but at the same time I couldn't see where the story was heading. It then got really interesting, until we got to 60% and my interest was really being tested again. There's a long part about mana cultivation, and that was way too long and detailed for my taste because it started getting repetitive. The chapters are short which is nice, but it also makes the book feel longer. The ending was faster paced, which made it easier to read. The writing is really good, and the worldbuilding is interesting, but sadly this felt like 50% interesting and 50% boring. I really wanted to love it, but I won't be reading more of the series.
December 2, 2024
Rating- 4 stars
(Physical Book)
As someone who had read the Summoner series and finished it at the start of this year, I was excited to see that the author was bringing out a adult fantasy book. I was super excited as I knew that it would give more depth and possibility to the novel and able to explore on mature themes.
At first reading this novel, I was very skeptical if this would turn out to be an adult novel as I was not seeing any kind of mature themes or what would be deemed as adult content. I did judge wrong and as the book went on, you could see the maturity and the mature themes added with the violence throughout.
I did really enjoy the two main characters both Jai and Freida. I really felt for Freida throughout and I did really fall for everything. If you know you know. Sometimes I could really of slapped Jai for being stupid at times and was internally screaming at some of the things that he did The blooming relationship between him and Frida was lovely to see. The slowburn was killing me throughout. I was very iffy on Rufus but as the novel went on I began to like him more.
I did also love the magic system and the way they had to soul breathe. However I did feel at times that it was way too easy for Jai. I understand that he will probably become powerful but it really felt like he was advancing way too easily. For example, he was already doing stuff that people who had just started learning magic would take years to do. It just felt so easy. At the end of the first book, he is already level 4/5 and ascended. It just felt too easy.
It did also take quite some time to get into the novel. At first, I was not sure which direction or plot the novel was going to have. It took quite a long time to establish which made the first half a trudge to get through but as soon as the second half it was quite fast paced and full of action. The scenes left me on teetherhooks.
The ending was mean. It was pure mean. I was not expecting the ending to be like that at all. I am so mad at the main character for what he did. It was so convicting so I knew why I fell for it. It was heart-breaking and the way the ending was makes me super excited to pick up the second book.
(Physical Book)
As someone who had read the Summoner series and finished it at the start of this year, I was excited to see that the author was bringing out a adult fantasy book. I was super excited as I knew that it would give more depth and possibility to the novel and able to explore on mature themes.
At first reading this novel, I was very skeptical if this would turn out to be an adult novel as I was not seeing any kind of mature themes or what would be deemed as adult content. I did judge wrong and as the book went on, you could see the maturity and the mature themes added with the violence throughout.
I did really enjoy the two main characters both Jai and Freida. I really felt for Freida throughout and I did really fall for everything. If you know you know. Sometimes I could really of slapped Jai for being stupid at times and was internally screaming at some of the things that he did The blooming relationship between him and Frida was lovely to see. The slowburn was killing me throughout. I was very iffy on Rufus but as the novel went on I began to like him more.
I did also love the magic system and the way they had to soul breathe. However I did feel at times that it was way too easy for Jai. I understand that he will probably become powerful but it really felt like he was advancing way too easily. For example, he was already doing stuff that people who had just started learning magic would take years to do. It just felt so easy. At the end of the first book, he is already level 4/5 and ascended. It just felt too easy.
It did also take quite some time to get into the novel. At first, I was not sure which direction or plot the novel was going to have. It took quite a long time to establish which made the first half a trudge to get through but as soon as the second half it was quite fast paced and full of action. The scenes left me on teetherhooks.
The ending was mean. It was pure mean. I was not expecting the ending to be like that at all. I am so mad at the main character for what he did. It was so convicting so I knew why I fell for it. It was heart-breaking and the way the ending was makes me super excited to pick up the second book.
April 9, 2025
4.25
Dałam się pozytywnie zaskoczyć, nie mogłam się oderwać. Czekam na kolejną część ♥️
Dałam się pozytywnie zaskoczyć, nie mogłam się oderwać. Czekam na kolejną część ♥️
June 12, 2025
For a book named Dragon Rider they didn’t do that much dragon riding
June 11, 2025
4,25 / 5
Często sięgam po fantastykę napisaną przez mężczyzn, z klasycznym motywem podróży i archetypem postaci od zera do bohatera, ale jeśli chodzi o smoki, to ostatnimi czasy na mojej półce było to bardziej domena kobiet i romantasy, dlatego byłam bardzo ciekawa tej książki.
Najbardziej zaskoczyło mnie to, że nie jest to młodzieżówka. Pierwsze 30% było świetne. Dostaliśmy solidny zastrzyk polityki, która jest polityką, a nie jakimś pitu-pitu przy herbatce. Przewrót pałacowy, w którego samym środku znalazł się pomiatany przez wszystkich, pierdołowaty Jai, był świetnym zawiązanym fabuły. Potem jest to już klasyczna podróż bohatera, która ma go odmienić, zebrać drużynę, odnaleźć mentora, dać mu wpaść w kłopoty i przewartościować jego cele. Ale tutaj, dodatkowym atutem jest maleńka smoczyca.
Więź Jaia i Winter jest cudowna, przeurocza i bardzo silna. Zwłaszcza na końcu, kiedy robi się paskudnie, jest tym, co trzyma ich przy życiu. Smoki nie są jedynymi fantastycznymi bestiami w tym świecie i jak na razie nie da się odczuć, by były tak potężne, jakbym sobie tego życzyła.
Jest bardzo brutalnie. Postaci drugoplanowe - świetne. Autor bardzo dużo miejsca poświęca na wyjaśnianie świata, systemu magicznego, mechanizmu czerpania mocy - many- oraz temu jak przechodzić na wyższe poziomy. Były to nudniejsze momenty, ale pewnie potrzebne w kontekście kolejnych tomów.
Czekam na ciąg dalszy, bo tu zostało zasiane ziarno, które może fantastycznie wykiełkować.
Często sięgam po fantastykę napisaną przez mężczyzn, z klasycznym motywem podróży i archetypem postaci od zera do bohatera, ale jeśli chodzi o smoki, to ostatnimi czasy na mojej półce było to bardziej domena kobiet i romantasy, dlatego byłam bardzo ciekawa tej książki.
Najbardziej zaskoczyło mnie to, że nie jest to młodzieżówka. Pierwsze 30% było świetne. Dostaliśmy solidny zastrzyk polityki, która jest polityką, a nie jakimś pitu-pitu przy herbatce. Przewrót pałacowy, w którego samym środku znalazł się pomiatany przez wszystkich, pierdołowaty Jai, był świetnym zawiązanym fabuły. Potem jest to już klasyczna podróż bohatera, która ma go odmienić, zebrać drużynę, odnaleźć mentora, dać mu wpaść w kłopoty i przewartościować jego cele. Ale tutaj, dodatkowym atutem jest maleńka smoczyca.
Więź Jaia i Winter jest cudowna, przeurocza i bardzo silna. Zwłaszcza na końcu, kiedy robi się paskudnie, jest tym, co trzyma ich przy życiu. Smoki nie są jedynymi fantastycznymi bestiami w tym świecie i jak na razie nie da się odczuć, by były tak potężne, jakbym sobie tego życzyła.
Jest bardzo brutalnie. Postaci drugoplanowe - świetne. Autor bardzo dużo miejsca poświęca na wyjaśnianie świata, systemu magicznego, mechanizmu czerpania mocy - many- oraz temu jak przechodzić na wyższe poziomy. Były to nudniejsze momenty, ale pewnie potrzebne w kontekście kolejnych tomów.
Czekam na ciąg dalszy, bo tu zostało zasiane ziarno, które może fantastycznie wykiełkować.
March 10, 2024
It is my honest opinion that you can never go wrong with dragons. Of course not all books with dragons are at the same level, but I’ve yet to find a book with dragons that I didn’t at least enjoy (always because of the dragon part). And dragons in epic fantasy? Sign me in. So of course I had to request this ARC as soon as I laid eyes on it.
I will, however, admit that when I reached the middle of the book, while I was enjoying the plot and the writing, that it added nothing new to the genre. Don’t get me wrong, I was really enjoying the book, but at the same time I felt like I had seen this plot before. The main character, a boy that is far from perfect or powerful but with a good head on his shoulders and knack for doing the right thing ends up (through events that are out of his control while he tries to do right thing) bonded to a dragon. This did not diminish my enjoyment while reading, specially because the politics and world building were done right. Also, I think this book was astonishingly great in terms of the writing quality and so, Dragon Rider was a much needed reminder for me of why I adore this genre.
But I was pleasantly surprised with the development of the plot during this book. I understand, of course, that this is the first book of a series and that there was a lot of information about the characters, politics and world to pass on to the reader. But as the plot thickened and developed, I found more and more elements that made this a different take on stories I have already read in the past. The politics, the war and greed are believable. This world has a beautifully complex history that we get to be privy to exactly at the right time.
Something worth mentioning is definitely how flawed, yet likable, the main characters are. And how much potential they show not only for this book, but for the continuation of this story. Jai’s relationship with Winter was adorable and inspiring from the beginning, adding so much love to this story in the middle of all of the intrigue.
I will definitely continue this series and I stand by my statement: You can never go wrong with dragons. Specially if they are loyal and adorable like Winter!
Thank you very much HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperVoyager and NetGallery for providing me this ARC.
I will, however, admit that when I reached the middle of the book, while I was enjoying the plot and the writing, that it added nothing new to the genre. Don’t get me wrong, I was really enjoying the book, but at the same time I felt like I had seen this plot before. The main character, a boy that is far from perfect or powerful but with a good head on his shoulders and knack for doing the right thing ends up (through events that are out of his control while he tries to do right thing) bonded to a dragon. This did not diminish my enjoyment while reading, specially because the politics and world building were done right. Also, I think this book was astonishingly great in terms of the writing quality and so, Dragon Rider was a much needed reminder for me of why I adore this genre.
But I was pleasantly surprised with the development of the plot during this book. I understand, of course, that this is the first book of a series and that there was a lot of information about the characters, politics and world to pass on to the reader. But as the plot thickened and developed, I found more and more elements that made this a different take on stories I have already read in the past. The politics, the war and greed are believable. This world has a beautifully complex history that we get to be privy to exactly at the right time.
Something worth mentioning is definitely how flawed, yet likable, the main characters are. And how much potential they show not only for this book, but for the continuation of this story. Jai’s relationship with Winter was adorable and inspiring from the beginning, adding so much love to this story in the middle of all of the intrigue.
I will definitely continue this series and I stand by my statement: You can never go wrong with dragons. Specially if they are loyal and adorable like Winter!
Thank you very much HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperVoyager and NetGallery for providing me this ARC.
August 14, 2024
Jai has been a political prisoner in servitude for most of his life! Ever since his father's rebellion failed, he and his brothers were taken to the Sabine Court to keep their home country in line.. Now with his brothers serving the heir to the empire, and Jai as the ex-emperor's servant they live in stasis until they reach the age of twenty…
When the heir is engaged to the northern princess, she brings with her dragons! Only the royals of Dansk (northern kingdom) know the secret to soulbounding and with this alliance peace will be restored to the land.
However, insurrection and backstabbing erupts, and the Sabine Court is overthrown! Jai then escapes with a dragon egg and the Dansk handmaiden. Together they must make their way safely across dangerous territories before breaking off to get back to their respective homes. Jai must learn to breathe, wield and understand magic that connects to his very soul.. If he is successful, he can evade the enemy and seek his revenge! Will he be able to succeed? Dragon Rider takes you on an emotional journey of Jai’s quest!
Taran Matharu does an awesome job with pacing in this book! He perfectly reflected how Jai’s world turned upside down so suddenly and his quiet, deeply unhappy, life overnight became action filled as he toed the line of survival and ruin.
The magic system in the story was very interesting, yet complex for me to understand at first.. However, Matharu did a great job teaching us about it as Jai learnt it and I thought the references to the past were just nicely linked!
Overall, the book was joy for to read! Very different from the other dragon stories I’ve read so far and I can’t wait for the next installment in the series!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
When the heir is engaged to the northern princess, she brings with her dragons! Only the royals of Dansk (northern kingdom) know the secret to soulbounding and with this alliance peace will be restored to the land.
However, insurrection and backstabbing erupts, and the Sabine Court is overthrown! Jai then escapes with a dragon egg and the Dansk handmaiden. Together they must make their way safely across dangerous territories before breaking off to get back to their respective homes. Jai must learn to breathe, wield and understand magic that connects to his very soul.. If he is successful, he can evade the enemy and seek his revenge! Will he be able to succeed? Dragon Rider takes you on an emotional journey of Jai’s quest!
Taran Matharu does an awesome job with pacing in this book! He perfectly reflected how Jai’s world turned upside down so suddenly and his quiet, deeply unhappy, life overnight became action filled as he toed the line of survival and ruin.
The magic system in the story was very interesting, yet complex for me to understand at first.. However, Matharu did a great job teaching us about it as Jai learnt it and I thought the references to the past were just nicely linked!
Overall, the book was joy for to read! Very different from the other dragon stories I’ve read so far and I can’t wait for the next installment in the series!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
January 29, 2024
If you are looking for an innovative, fresh take on fantasy, and want to be surprised by the twists and turns, then Dragon Rider may not be your book. If anything about the plot shocked you, you have probably never encountered fantasy before. Royals in disguise, third sons becoming heirs, cruel men being cruel to get to the top, those thought to be weak finding strength - we get it all, and the bonding of dragons (and other beasts) is not exactly a shocking invention.
Still, if you are looking for a book to be angry about, to hate and to destroy, Dragon Rider may not be your book either. The plot is perhaps well trodden, but the characters are engaging and this iteration of the beast/human bond feels empathetic and believable. Yes, we have a lot of technical mana core talk, which I was not keen on, but there is a clear system behind the magic - and while energy-centric, slightly buddist fantasy has come to the fore in recent years, this is still a serviceable, thoughtful version. You can hate it, I suppose, if you're really over classic fantasy tropes - but then maybe don't read books called Dragon Rider.
I found it a pleasant read that lived on its characters and the knowledge that I might know what was coming, but not how exactly it was going to happen. You're not missing anything exciting if you don't give it a try, but after reading absurdly bad fantasy, badly written and badly thought out, this was... nice.
Still, if you are looking for a book to be angry about, to hate and to destroy, Dragon Rider may not be your book either. The plot is perhaps well trodden, but the characters are engaging and this iteration of the beast/human bond feels empathetic and believable. Yes, we have a lot of technical mana core talk, which I was not keen on, but there is a clear system behind the magic - and while energy-centric, slightly buddist fantasy has come to the fore in recent years, this is still a serviceable, thoughtful version. You can hate it, I suppose, if you're really over classic fantasy tropes - but then maybe don't read books called Dragon Rider.
I found it a pleasant read that lived on its characters and the knowledge that I might know what was coming, but not how exactly it was going to happen. You're not missing anything exciting if you don't give it a try, but after reading absurdly bad fantasy, badly written and badly thought out, this was... nice.
2024
June 3, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager
April 18, 2025
Warning: glorification of a white, blonde love interest - while the protagonist is brown/asian and his ethnicity is considered to be „ugly“ by the imperalists. As someone who rarely sees herself represented in fantasy, it felt like yet another story where whiteness is centered as the ultimate ideal, and I refuse to keep consuming narratives like that. It‘s really a shame since the author is also not white. No solidarity whatsoever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,177 reviews