The Tainted Khan: The Soulbound Saga, Book 2

by Taran Matharu

Genres: Fantasy

592 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 14, 2026

About the author

Taran 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.

Reviews

[Harrison Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

overall good world building from the second book, although felt like a lot of random new things were thrown in without much context and the last battle kind of felt like the whole story was progressing one way, then the battle happened and that was that. Allthough world building and characters are great and the progression of jai

[Mackenzie Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant sequel to the first in this series it takes a much more political fantasy take and is seriously an interesting read, introducing many new loved characters and developing the world in a further exciting way.

Jai being thrust into a world he is unfamiliar with and customs of his own people he is unsure of is an exciting read to follow along with.

[Sonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a perfect follow up to dragon rider. The emotional grasp this book builds once again and develops from its predecessor was beautiful. From Jai’s relationship with Erica to him learning more about being soul bound and developing physically and emotionally with winter was outstanding. The twist at the end was so well time as you began to settle from Jai and his long journey you are hit with something so unexpected it sort of brings you back awake and again connects you with jai emotionally. This felt like a great conclusion but I do hope there is a sequel.

[Juliet Ruston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was my first dragon fantasy and I have to say I loved every minute of this book and the previous.the characters are really thought out and the whole world you get absorbed in and I just wanted to read more of jai's story and the diary give an added depth to the characters too. would recommend.