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The Soulbound Saga #3
Emperor's Dragon
Not yet published
Expected 8 Dec 26Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 18:02:42
25 copies available
U.S. only
The exhilarating journey of Jai and his dragon Winter comes to a bloody climax in this stunning conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Taran Matharu’s cultivation fantasy trilogy, the Soulbound Saga.
The war for the empire has reached its breaking point. And if Jai is to succeed, he must continue to cultivate his powers so that he is strong enough to defeat the tyrannical Sabines.
As High Khan, Jai has sacrificed everything to protect his people, forging fragile alliances, learning from those who would help him progress beyond a mere warrior, and fighting desperate battles against the Sabine Empire. Now, though, the stakes are higher than ever. The coalition Jai has painstakingly built is threatened from within by betrayal and from without by the overwhelming might of Emperor Titus.
As armies clash and dragons and gryphons fight tooth and claw for dominance of the skies, Jai must navigate a treacherous landscape of political intrigue where a single misstep could mean the end of his world. With his soulbound dragon, Winter, at his side, he must not only level up, but confront his own heritage and make impossible choices that will determine the fate of empires. To secure a future for those he loves, he may have to risk becoming the very thing he fights against.
The war for the empire has reached its breaking point. And if Jai is to succeed, he must continue to cultivate his powers so that he is strong enough to defeat the tyrannical Sabines.
As High Khan, Jai has sacrificed everything to protect his people, forging fragile alliances, learning from those who would help him progress beyond a mere warrior, and fighting desperate battles against the Sabine Empire. Now, though, the stakes are higher than ever. The coalition Jai has painstakingly built is threatened from within by betrayal and from without by the overwhelming might of Emperor Titus.
As armies clash and dragons and gryphons fight tooth and claw for dominance of the skies, Jai must navigate a treacherous landscape of political intrigue where a single misstep could mean the end of his world. With his soulbound dragon, Winter, at his side, he must not only level up, but confront his own heritage and make impossible choices that will determine the fate of empires. To secure a future for those he loves, he may have to risk becoming the very thing he fights against.
528 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication December 8, 2026
About the author
Taran Matharu
38 books4,696 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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an arc and this is my honest review
Emperor's Dragon is the final installment in Jai's journey to unite the various clans and tribes in his effort to overthrow his cousin Titus.
I enjoyed the book, though it took me a while to finish. I wished we saw what happened with Feng's sister, it seemed she was mentioned in the second book and then we didn't see her again. Unless I'm misremembering something from book two. There was a lot to keep track of in this one.
There was Jezebel's people, Mei's people and Erica's people but I was never confused by what was happening and there was a lot happening.
Jai's character growth is noticeable. He's no longer a boy, but a man leading his armies to take back what is rightfully his, but of course Titus isn't willing to just hand it over. There were a few times where I thought it was the end for Jai and I won't say more on that because I don't want to spoil it for people.
Emperor's Dragon is the final installment in Jai's journey to unite the various clans and tribes in his effort to overthrow his cousin Titus.
I enjoyed the book, though it took me a while to finish. I wished we saw what happened with Feng's sister, it seemed she was mentioned in the second book and then we didn't see her again. Unless I'm misremembering something from book two. There was a lot to keep track of in this one.
There was Jezebel's people, Mei's people and Erica's people but I was never confused by what was happening and there was a lot happening.
Jai's character growth is noticeable. He's no longer a boy, but a man leading his armies to take back what is rightfully his, but of course Titus isn't willing to just hand it over. There were a few times where I thought it was the end for Jai and I won't say more on that because I don't want to spoil it for people.
October 6, 2026
I don’t give five stars to a series finale simply because it manages to reach the end. For me, a final book has to justify everything that came before it: the character growth, the politics, the relationships, the magic system, and all those promises made in the first two books. Emperor’s Dragon actually did that.
This felt like the book where Jai finally becomes the character the entire trilogy has been building toward.
He is no longer simply the young man trying to survive the Sabine Empire. He is now the High Khan, responsible for people who depend on his decisions, carrying alliances that could collapse because of one mistake and facing Emperor Titus with far more at stake than his own life. The coalition he has built is threatened both by the Sabines and by betrayal from within, so leadership becomes just as important as physical strength.
That change in Jai was probably the most satisfying part of the book for me.
His progression has always been tied to cultivation and becoming physically stronger, but here power stops feeling like a simple ladder he has to climb. Every increase in strength brings more responsibility. He is constantly being forced to ask not only whether he can defeat his enemies, but what he is willing to become in order to do it. The possibility that saving his people might require him to resemble the very rulers he hates gives the story a darker moral tension that I really enjoyed.
And thankfully, Winter never becomes just a fantasy accessory.
Jai and Winter’s bond has been one of the reasons I stayed invested in this trilogy, and seeing them reach this final stage together gave the battles much more emotional weight. There is something very satisfying about looking back at where their partnership began and then seeing them enter a war that could determine the future of entire empires.
The dragons themselves also feel appropriately important in the finale. This isn’t simply a war happening on the ground while dragons occasionally appear for spectacle. Dragons and gryphons are part of the military balance of power, and the aerial conflicts make the scale of the war feel enormous.
Some of the action sequences are huge.
But strangely, those weren’t always the parts that impressed me most.
I became much more interested in the moments surrounding the battles: alliances being tested, Jai having to decide whom he can trust, political manoeuvring and the constant fear that a coalition built under desperate circumstances could fracture just as easily as it was formed. There is betrayal in this book, but the political tension works because by this point we understand what Jai stands to lose.
The confrontation with his heritage also gives the final book a much more personal layer. The war might involve empires, but Jai’s identity has always been tangled up in the people who conquered his homeland, his father’s legacy and what it means to reclaim power after growing up under oppression. The finale finally forces those threads together.
That balance between the personal and the epic is where Taran Matharu’s writing worked best for me.
His prose has never been extremely ornate, and I think that benefits this series. The writing is clean, cinematic and extremely readable. Huge battles don’t become difficult to follow, while the cultivation system remains understandable even as Jai’s abilities grow more complex.
There is also noticeably less of the heavy exposition that slowed parts of the earlier books. One early ARC review similarly found this third instalment considerably quicker than the first and praised the way existing characters and plotlines are brought back for the conclusion.
That difference in pacing really stood out to me.
There is so much unresolved going into the book that almost every section feels connected to something important: the war, the cultivation progression, the political alliances, Jai’s heritage, Winter, Titus and the fate of the people Jai has fought so hard to protect.
I also appreciated that the book didn’t suddenly introduce endless new conflicts simply to make the ending feel bigger. There are new pressures and complications, but much of the satisfaction comes from returning to people, rivalries and consequences established earlier in the trilogy. That makes the conclusion feel like a payoff rather than an entirely new story wearing the label “finale.”
And Emperor Titus finally feels like the threat this trilogy has been building toward. His power is not merely personal; he represents the entire imperial structure Jai has been fighting against. That makes the conflict between them feel ideological as well as physical.
One aspect I especially enjoyed was how victory never feels guaranteed just because Jai has become stronger.
Cultivation fantasy can sometimes fall into a pattern where the protagonist simply levels up until the enemy becomes beatable. Here, strength matters enormously, but Jai’s political decisions, alliances and ability to lead matter just as much. Being the strongest person in a room cannot automatically hold an empire together.
That made his evolution from survivor to ruler much more satisfying.
There are moments of brutality here too. The series has never treated war as harmless spectacle, and this conclusion does not suddenly become gentle. People have sacrificed too much for the final conflict to feel clean. The book understands that even a necessary victory can leave damage behind.
By the final stretch, I realised I wasn't reading quickly because I wanted to know who wins. I was reading because I wanted to know what winning was going to cost Jai.
That distinction made the ending work for me.
And the actual conclusion felt earned. I won’t spoil where everyone ends up, but I appreciated that the trilogy takes the time to provide resolution instead of ending immediately after the biggest confrontation. The series began with a boy whose life and freedom had been controlled by an empire; finishing with the question of what kind of leader that boy will become gives the whole saga a satisfying sense of symmetry.
Emperor’s Dragon is easily my favourite book of the trilogy. It takes everything that worked before — Jai and Winter, cultivation, dragons, political intrigue, rebellion and the struggle for identity — and finally brings those pieces together instead of simply making everything larger for the sake of spectacle.
I wanted an ending that made the journey feel worthwhile.
I got one.
5/5 ⭐
Thank you so much to Taran Matharu, HarperVoyager, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read the conclusion to the Soulbound Saga. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This felt like the book where Jai finally becomes the character the entire trilogy has been building toward.
He is no longer simply the young man trying to survive the Sabine Empire. He is now the High Khan, responsible for people who depend on his decisions, carrying alliances that could collapse because of one mistake and facing Emperor Titus with far more at stake than his own life. The coalition he has built is threatened both by the Sabines and by betrayal from within, so leadership becomes just as important as physical strength.
That change in Jai was probably the most satisfying part of the book for me.
His progression has always been tied to cultivation and becoming physically stronger, but here power stops feeling like a simple ladder he has to climb. Every increase in strength brings more responsibility. He is constantly being forced to ask not only whether he can defeat his enemies, but what he is willing to become in order to do it. The possibility that saving his people might require him to resemble the very rulers he hates gives the story a darker moral tension that I really enjoyed.
And thankfully, Winter never becomes just a fantasy accessory.
Jai and Winter’s bond has been one of the reasons I stayed invested in this trilogy, and seeing them reach this final stage together gave the battles much more emotional weight. There is something very satisfying about looking back at where their partnership began and then seeing them enter a war that could determine the future of entire empires.
The dragons themselves also feel appropriately important in the finale. This isn’t simply a war happening on the ground while dragons occasionally appear for spectacle. Dragons and gryphons are part of the military balance of power, and the aerial conflicts make the scale of the war feel enormous.
Some of the action sequences are huge.
But strangely, those weren’t always the parts that impressed me most.
I became much more interested in the moments surrounding the battles: alliances being tested, Jai having to decide whom he can trust, political manoeuvring and the constant fear that a coalition built under desperate circumstances could fracture just as easily as it was formed. There is betrayal in this book, but the political tension works because by this point we understand what Jai stands to lose.
The confrontation with his heritage also gives the final book a much more personal layer. The war might involve empires, but Jai’s identity has always been tangled up in the people who conquered his homeland, his father’s legacy and what it means to reclaim power after growing up under oppression. The finale finally forces those threads together.
That balance between the personal and the epic is where Taran Matharu’s writing worked best for me.
His prose has never been extremely ornate, and I think that benefits this series. The writing is clean, cinematic and extremely readable. Huge battles don’t become difficult to follow, while the cultivation system remains understandable even as Jai’s abilities grow more complex.
There is also noticeably less of the heavy exposition that slowed parts of the earlier books. One early ARC review similarly found this third instalment considerably quicker than the first and praised the way existing characters and plotlines are brought back for the conclusion.
That difference in pacing really stood out to me.
There is so much unresolved going into the book that almost every section feels connected to something important: the war, the cultivation progression, the political alliances, Jai’s heritage, Winter, Titus and the fate of the people Jai has fought so hard to protect.
I also appreciated that the book didn’t suddenly introduce endless new conflicts simply to make the ending feel bigger. There are new pressures and complications, but much of the satisfaction comes from returning to people, rivalries and consequences established earlier in the trilogy. That makes the conclusion feel like a payoff rather than an entirely new story wearing the label “finale.”
And Emperor Titus finally feels like the threat this trilogy has been building toward. His power is not merely personal; he represents the entire imperial structure Jai has been fighting against. That makes the conflict between them feel ideological as well as physical.
One aspect I especially enjoyed was how victory never feels guaranteed just because Jai has become stronger.
Cultivation fantasy can sometimes fall into a pattern where the protagonist simply levels up until the enemy becomes beatable. Here, strength matters enormously, but Jai’s political decisions, alliances and ability to lead matter just as much. Being the strongest person in a room cannot automatically hold an empire together.
That made his evolution from survivor to ruler much more satisfying.
There are moments of brutality here too. The series has never treated war as harmless spectacle, and this conclusion does not suddenly become gentle. People have sacrificed too much for the final conflict to feel clean. The book understands that even a necessary victory can leave damage behind.
By the final stretch, I realised I wasn't reading quickly because I wanted to know who wins. I was reading because I wanted to know what winning was going to cost Jai.
That distinction made the ending work for me.
And the actual conclusion felt earned. I won’t spoil where everyone ends up, but I appreciated that the trilogy takes the time to provide resolution instead of ending immediately after the biggest confrontation. The series began with a boy whose life and freedom had been controlled by an empire; finishing with the question of what kind of leader that boy will become gives the whole saga a satisfying sense of symmetry.
Emperor’s Dragon is easily my favourite book of the trilogy. It takes everything that worked before — Jai and Winter, cultivation, dragons, political intrigue, rebellion and the struggle for identity — and finally brings those pieces together instead of simply making everything larger for the sake of spectacle.
I wanted an ending that made the journey feel worthwhile.
I got one.
5/5 ⭐
Thank you so much to Taran Matharu, HarperVoyager, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read the conclusion to the Soulbound Saga. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 3, 2026
Taran Matharu’s Emperor’s Dragon is the epic conclusion to the Soulbound Saga trilogy, his debut adult fantasy series.
You’ll enjoy this if you like: • High-stakes battles • Political tension • Epic fantasy with plenty of action (and not forgetting the dragons!)
THIS is how you close out a trilogy. Emperor’s Dragon throws you straight into the action, with huge battle sequences balanced really well with quieter, more emotional moments. It is a very satisfying conclusion to the Soulbound Saga, with storylines coming full circle and plenty of moments that feel earned after everything that has come before.
I continue to love the world of this series, particularly the visual contrasts, such as between the desert of the Great Steppe and the Tundra of the Dansk Kingdom. I think that contrast adds so much to the atmosphere of the story. I really liked the battle maps inserted in the book. They were a nice touch and helped me picture the different battles and, in particular, Jai’s strategic thinking.
If it’s been a while since you read The Dragon Rider and The Tainted Khan, I would definitely recommend familiarising yourself with the previous books before starting this one. This book doesn’t spend much time artificially reminding you of what happened previously, and instead really does throw you straight into the action.
The book delivers the return of plenty of side characters and past alliances to keep track of, and Taran kept me guessing when it came to allegiances and loyalties! No spoilers here!
Overall, Emperor’s Dragon is a very satisfying conclusion to the Soulbound Saga. One that I will be sure to return to and re-read.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review I’m very much looking forward to my physical Broken Binding edition arriving so I can complete the trilogy on my shelf!
4.5/5 ⭐️
You’ll enjoy this if you like: • High-stakes battles • Political tension • Epic fantasy with plenty of action (and not forgetting the dragons!)
THIS is how you close out a trilogy. Emperor’s Dragon throws you straight into the action, with huge battle sequences balanced really well with quieter, more emotional moments. It is a very satisfying conclusion to the Soulbound Saga, with storylines coming full circle and plenty of moments that feel earned after everything that has come before.
I continue to love the world of this series, particularly the visual contrasts, such as between the desert of the Great Steppe and the Tundra of the Dansk Kingdom. I think that contrast adds so much to the atmosphere of the story. I really liked the battle maps inserted in the book. They were a nice touch and helped me picture the different battles and, in particular, Jai’s strategic thinking.
If it’s been a while since you read The Dragon Rider and The Tainted Khan, I would definitely recommend familiarising yourself with the previous books before starting this one. This book doesn’t spend much time artificially reminding you of what happened previously, and instead really does throw you straight into the action.
The book delivers the return of plenty of side characters and past alliances to keep track of, and Taran kept me guessing when it came to allegiances and loyalties! No spoilers here!
Overall, Emperor’s Dragon is a very satisfying conclusion to the Soulbound Saga. One that I will be sure to return to and re-read.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review I’m very much looking forward to my physical Broken Binding edition arriving so I can complete the trilogy on my shelf!
4.5/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had my ups and downs with the Soulbound Saga—absolutely loving the first book, having a few issues with the second, and I can safely say that the third and final one was my favourite of them all.
The stakes are enormous, and the story takes us all around that big world, with all of its cultures, tribes, and royal families deciding which side they will choose in this massive war that is just a stone's throw away.
The thing I absolutely loved in this instalment is Jai's character. Up until now, he was always led by the hand in some form or another, but now all of his knowledge had the chance to shine and show what a leader he can be.
Truly, like a game of chess, his tactics, his alliances, and every obstacle he had to outsmart in order to secure his people’s future and grow his following were fascinating to read.
What I adored about him is that, no matter how much his power grew, he remained pure-hearted to the end, with the only goal of freeing all people and putting an end to slavery.
The one thing that felt a bit rushed was the romance between him and Erica. At one moment in particular, she moved from struggling with the truth she had learned about him to not only accepting him but even more, all in a matter of a few pages. But with all the threads and political points to sort out—which were at the core of the story—in an already long book, it was expected that this side of the story would be a bit compressed.
The other thing, which is purely my preference, is that I was curious to see the world they created after the war had ended. But maybe it’s a story for a next book or a novella—who knows? I definitely hope so.
It was a really long, winding, and gruelling campaign that I lived through alongside Jai and greatly enjoyed.
The stakes are enormous, and the story takes us all around that big world, with all of its cultures, tribes, and royal families deciding which side they will choose in this massive war that is just a stone's throw away.
The thing I absolutely loved in this instalment is Jai's character. Up until now, he was always led by the hand in some form or another, but now all of his knowledge had the chance to shine and show what a leader he can be.
Truly, like a game of chess, his tactics, his alliances, and every obstacle he had to outsmart in order to secure his people’s future and grow his following were fascinating to read.
What I adored about him is that, no matter how much his power grew, he remained pure-hearted to the end, with the only goal of freeing all people and putting an end to slavery.
The one thing that felt a bit rushed was the romance between him and Erica. At one moment in particular, she moved from struggling with the truth she had learned about him to not only accepting him but even more, all in a matter of a few pages. But with all the threads and political points to sort out—which were at the core of the story—in an already long book, it was expected that this side of the story would be a bit compressed.
The other thing, which is purely my preference, is that I was curious to see the world they created after the war had ended. But maybe it’s a story for a next book or a novella—who knows? I definitely hope so.
It was a really long, winding, and gruelling campaign that I lived through alongside Jai and greatly enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Emperor's Dragon is an epic and explosive conclusion to the Soulbound Saga and the stakes have never been higher.
After fighting tooth and claw to reclaim his power and free his people, Jai must strengthen tenuous alliances and prepare for the bloodiest battle of his life in order to crumble the Sabine Empire.
Emperor's Dragon barely left me a moment to catch my breath between the battle-ground action, the politicking, and the strategising. Where the previous books in the Soulbound Saga felt like a steady—albeit perilous—journey, Emperor's Dragon was a chaotic and desperate scramble for survival that I couldn't get enough of.
The world continues to expand outwards; giving us new creatures and exploring parts of the continent we've not yet seen. This final instalment reunites us with beloved characters, while also introducing new and intriguing players to the proverbial tablus board.
If you're a fan of dragons, coming-of-age fantasy, and immersive storytelling, I highly recommend picking up the Soulbound Saga. I adored this series from start to finish and though it feels bittersweet that it's over, I am excited to see what's to come from Taran Matharu.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and Taran Matharu for this eARC.
After fighting tooth and claw to reclaim his power and free his people, Jai must strengthen tenuous alliances and prepare for the bloodiest battle of his life in order to crumble the Sabine Empire.
Emperor's Dragon barely left me a moment to catch my breath between the battle-ground action, the politicking, and the strategising. Where the previous books in the Soulbound Saga felt like a steady—albeit perilous—journey, Emperor's Dragon was a chaotic and desperate scramble for survival that I couldn't get enough of.
The world continues to expand outwards; giving us new creatures and exploring parts of the continent we've not yet seen. This final instalment reunites us with beloved characters, while also introducing new and intriguing players to the proverbial tablus board.
If you're a fan of dragons, coming-of-age fantasy, and immersive storytelling, I highly recommend picking up the Soulbound Saga. I adored this series from start to finish and though it feels bittersweet that it's over, I am excited to see what's to come from Taran Matharu.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and Taran Matharu for this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A respectable conclusion to the series, but nothing in this book wowed me.
As with the other installments, I thought the magical creatures and the magic system in general were underutilized. However, Matharu is consistent with the world building. No super powers show up out of left field to save the day.
On the whole, the writing is consistent throughout the series. Jai and Erica remain likeable characters. I enjoyed the addition of Jezebel to the story even if the supporting cast was, overall, underused.
The story starts off slow, but once it gets going, I found myself breezing through multiple chapters in a sitting. I will gripe that while not everything goes to plan, Jai is able to get out of kerfuffle's with more ease than I thought he should have. I get he has Winter, but Jai does do some Game of Thrones final season teleporting. I do think the story could have been edited down into a tighter read as well.
Normally, I am more forgiving of awkward or silly lines in ARCs, as they are not the finished product, but I do hope sentences are cleaned up before the publication date.
I'm willing to read more by this author in the future.
I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for this review.
As with the other installments, I thought the magical creatures and the magic system in general were underutilized. However, Matharu is consistent with the world building. No super powers show up out of left field to save the day.
On the whole, the writing is consistent throughout the series. Jai and Erica remain likeable characters. I enjoyed the addition of Jezebel to the story even if the supporting cast was, overall, underused.
The story starts off slow, but once it gets going, I found myself breezing through multiple chapters in a sitting. I will gripe that while not everything goes to plan, Jai is able to get out of kerfuffle's with more ease than I thought he should have. I get he has Winter, but Jai does do some Game of Thrones final season teleporting. I do think the story could have been edited down into a tighter read as well.
Normally, I am more forgiving of awkward or silly lines in ARCs, as they are not the finished product, but I do hope sentences are cleaned up before the publication date.
I'm willing to read more by this author in the future.
I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Emperor's Dragon is the strongest entry in The Soulbound Saga and readers who have become invested in the story of Jai and his dragon Winter will be rewarded with the ending that their beloved characters have earned. On the way to that epilogue, though, there is plenty of action, politics, backstabbing, alliances, and even a small touch of romance. The dry exposition that made the first book, Dragon Rider, slow to get into is nonexistent in this one which moves much quicker. A few new players are introduced but we circle back to many that we have already met in the prior two books and everyone's story is wrapped up with a fitting conclusion. Those that have been holding out to start this series until they can binge it in the entirety need wait no longer as the trilogy is now complete. The series made for a nice read and the books do progressively get better and better.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Taran Matharu has done it again. This was the conclusion to The Soulbound Saga I was hoping for. Even more so than in The Tainted Khan, this book kept clipping along and didn't suffer from some of the lulls that Dragon Rider did due to drawn out travel and exposition. Here, the world opens further and we meet more world leaders, begin bringing those that oppose the Sabines together, and engage in war on a continental scale.
The pacing of this one was FAST. Despite its length, Emperor's Dragon pulls you in and keeps you hooked. I think I finished this one in three sittings without swapping to other books until this one was done. The one less than savory effect of this pacing is that, as I approached the end, it felt like there wouldn't be time to actually wrap up the book. This ended up being an unrealized fear, as the book closed satisfactorily. My only wish with the end would have been to hear a bit more about the politics of the world moving forward.
TL;DR - This was an excellent ending to an excellent trilogy and is my favorite of the three.
The pacing of this one was FAST. Despite its length, Emperor's Dragon pulls you in and keeps you hooked. I think I finished this one in three sittings without swapping to other books until this one was done. The one less than savory effect of this pacing is that, as I approached the end, it felt like there wouldn't be time to actually wrap up the book. This ended up being an unrealized fear, as the book closed satisfactorily. My only wish with the end would have been to hear a bit more about the politics of the world moving forward.
TL;DR - This was an excellent ending to an excellent trilogy and is my favorite of the three.
September 7, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 50% of the way through.
I really tried, boss, I really tried...I loved the first one! I will admit to also DNF'ing the second one, but I still wanted to give the series a chance. Nope, still wasn't for me. I wanted more of Winter, the dragon, but I still barely got anything of her. It was a lot of politics and dramatic plot twists...which is fine, but, really, why advertise this as a dragon-focused series when it's not.
I do love the concept of Soulbound humans and creatures but man, it's still barely utilized here.
At least I got far enough to meet the manticores but there still wasn't much of them, personality- or action-wise, for it to stand out. The human characters barely stood out too. I did like the mouse lady but even then, she had minimal time, she was shoved along for the sake of dramatic, big political drama stuff that I really could not get into as hard as I tried to.
Alas, not for me!
I really tried, boss, I really tried...I loved the first one! I will admit to also DNF'ing the second one, but I still wanted to give the series a chance. Nope, still wasn't for me. I wanted more of Winter, the dragon, but I still barely got anything of her. It was a lot of politics and dramatic plot twists...which is fine, but, really, why advertise this as a dragon-focused series when it's not.
I do love the concept of Soulbound humans and creatures but man, it's still barely utilized here.
At least I got far enough to meet the manticores but there still wasn't much of them, personality- or action-wise, for it to stand out. The human characters barely stood out too. I did like the mouse lady but even then, she had minimal time, she was shoved along for the sake of dramatic, big political drama stuff that I really could not get into as hard as I tried to.
Alas, not for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an Advanced Readers copy revieved from netgalley.
I want to advise that the Soulbound Saga to me is as an Epic fantasy!
I pre-warn readers of this, as I know it's not everyones cup of tea. If this is your thing, then get stuck in.
There is a lot of world building, character development, intricate and detailed explanations of factions, magic systems and battle strategies throughout all the books. The story at points felt slow because of this.
This final instalment of the soulbound saga is faster paced than the previous 2 books. A lot happens and there is a lot to keep track of. Huge battles, new alliances, betrayals, plotting, failure and success.
Jai develops throughout and takes on more responsibility as the story progresses. I like how the Author makes you feel his stress, describing lack of sleep, inner termoil and the weight of his descions.
I loved some of the new characters and creatures and wish they had bigger roles within.
Overall I liked this series but would have loved a bit more of a team, banta vibe between the main characters
I want to advise that the Soulbound Saga to me is as an Epic fantasy!
I pre-warn readers of this, as I know it's not everyones cup of tea. If this is your thing, then get stuck in.
There is a lot of world building, character development, intricate and detailed explanations of factions, magic systems and battle strategies throughout all the books. The story at points felt slow because of this.
This final instalment of the soulbound saga is faster paced than the previous 2 books. A lot happens and there is a lot to keep track of. Huge battles, new alliances, betrayals, plotting, failure and success.
Jai develops throughout and takes on more responsibility as the story progresses. I like how the Author makes you feel his stress, describing lack of sleep, inner termoil and the weight of his descions.
I loved some of the new characters and creatures and wish they had bigger roles within.
Overall I liked this series but would have loved a bit more of a team, banta vibe between the main characters
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, but I was on the edge of my seat the WHOLE TIME with this book!
This was a great conclusion to the Soulbound Saga and it had all the action, strategising, politics and backstabbing that I expected!
The pacing was FAST and there was so much drama. I think I was about 90% of the way through and we didn't seem to be getting closer to the end so I honestly wasn't sure what was going to happen?? I kept checking to make sure that yes, this is definitely just a trilogy. 😂
Like I said - on the edge of my seat throughout. This book just hooks you in and doesn't let go.
My only criticism is that I wish the epilogue had been a bit a longer. I'd have really liked to have had a bit more time with the main characters post-war.
Brilliant ending to this trilogy and I can't wait to see what else we get from Taran Matharu in the future!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a great conclusion to the Soulbound Saga and it had all the action, strategising, politics and backstabbing that I expected!
The pacing was FAST and there was so much drama. I think I was about 90% of the way through and we didn't seem to be getting closer to the end so I honestly wasn't sure what was going to happen?? I kept checking to make sure that yes, this is definitely just a trilogy. 😂
Like I said - on the edge of my seat throughout. This book just hooks you in and doesn't let go.
My only criticism is that I wish the epilogue had been a bit a longer. I'd have really liked to have had a bit more time with the main characters post-war.
Brilliant ending to this trilogy and I can't wait to see what else we get from Taran Matharu in the future!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WHAT AN ENDING!
Well Taran did a great job of keeping the pace high in this book! There was never a chapter that didn’t go by where there was political manoeuvring or battles ongoing and I for one enjoyed this shift in pace! It kept me turning the page and I lost track of time reading this conclusion…a great sign.
After the corker of the ending in the last book I could see where this was going…but every twist and turn was oh so satisfying, there is a lot to keep up with, all the characters from the series all appear and intermingling together. Whilst I could keep most separate, I did end up flipping to the handy character guide at the end of the book to reference who was who!
I loved the descriptions of the fights, the life and death odds, the twists the turns.
There was a nod to the toll all this pressure is taking on Jai mentally and this is something I wish had been explored more deeply but alas you can only make a book so chunky <3
If you liked book 1 and 2 you’ll enjoy this one, I know I did!
This is a perfect conclusion to what has been a fun adult fantasy debut trilogy, and I look forward to what Taran writes next!
Well Taran did a great job of keeping the pace high in this book! There was never a chapter that didn’t go by where there was political manoeuvring or battles ongoing and I for one enjoyed this shift in pace! It kept me turning the page and I lost track of time reading this conclusion…a great sign.
After the corker of the ending in the last book I could see where this was going…but every twist and turn was oh so satisfying, there is a lot to keep up with, all the characters from the series all appear and intermingling together. Whilst I could keep most separate, I did end up flipping to the handy character guide at the end of the book to reference who was who!
I loved the descriptions of the fights, the life and death odds, the twists the turns.
There was a nod to the toll all this pressure is taking on Jai mentally and this is something I wish had been explored more deeply but alas you can only make a book so chunky <3
If you liked book 1 and 2 you’ll enjoy this one, I know I did!
This is a perfect conclusion to what has been a fun adult fantasy debut trilogy, and I look forward to what Taran writes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emperor's Dragon promises a spectacular finale filled with intense battles, political intrigue, powerful alliances, and difficult sacrifices. Taran Matharu raises the stakes as Jai faces betrayal, overwhelming enemies, and the challenge of mastering his own power while protecting the people he loves. The bond between Jai and his dragon, Winter, adds an emotional depth to the epic conflict, making their journey especially compelling. This conclusion looks set to deliver an unforgettable adventure for fans of cultivation fantasy, dragons, and high-stakes storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This moved at a much faster pace than the earlier books, which made it a really enjoyable read. The ending was satisfying, and there was some great character development throughout.
There were no easy wins for Jai and his allies, which kept the stakes high and made their journey feel earned.
Overall, an enjoyable trilogy, especially after struggling through book 2. The final book was a strong finish and left me glad I stuck with it.
There were no easy wins for Jai and his allies, which kept the stakes high and made their journey feel earned.
Overall, an enjoyable trilogy, especially after struggling through book 2. The final book was a strong finish and left me glad I stuck with it.
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