I love a good dragon rider tale - this one sparked my imagination but the world building and character arcs could have been better.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was just okay for me. Though it claimed to be adult fantasy, it reads much more YA and suffers for it. The premise was really exciting but just wasn’t delivered well enough to be a good book. The magic system was way over explained and yet not actually described in depth enough, like redundant but shallow descriptions only. I loved the idea of the animal bonding and relationship,

I really enjoyed this it kept me entertained and turning the pages as quickly as I could. I loved this!! I have to have book 2 soon. I loved it!!! This is the book you need when you want to curl up on the couch and not move all day.
I just reviewed Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu. #DragonRider #NetGalley
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3.5 stars. I really liked the premise and the characters in this book. I thought all the characters were well-done. I liked how the author showed the complicated relationship between Jai and Leonid. I also loved all the animals that could be soul-bonded with, but especially Winter. The relationship between Jai and Winter was exactly how I imagine animal companion relationships. The twist was good and not one that I expected.

The book was a little slow, but it picked up towards the end. I was disappointed though that there was no real conclusion. It just kinda stopped and you have to wait to read the rest until the next book comes out.

One thing that I found a little redundant was all the soul breathing. Every time, the author went into great detail about it, which I felt was unnecessary. I think a description in the beginning and then only when he ascended would have been better.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I look forward to continuing the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions expressed within are my own.

Despite being an awesome idea, Dragon Rider fails to keep the reader engaged without falling onto fantasy tropes that leave your bored. It takes far too long to jumpstart the plot into the action, only for it to slow down again until the climax (only for a bland cliffhanger).

Also, none of the characters are particularly interesting nor do they feel of sound like fantasy characters. The magic system is also somehow underdeveloped yet over-explained? I found myself skimming through extensive descriptions of meditation and concentration to interact with the worlds majik with mana.

I will also add, this story doesn’t read as an adult fantasy. It reads very YA or even New Adult at best,

My one plus was the story maintaining the magical beasts as animals. They do not speak verbally, but express themselves through a physical/mental connection.

Despite my hopes, this didn’t deliver. I won’t be reading the rest, but it was still nice to visit the Dragon Rider fantasy genre I loved as a teen.

I enjoy Taran Matharus writing. Always have.
It reminds me a lot of the books I enjoyed when I was in middle school. That is a compliment btw.

However this isn't the book I was looking for. There is no dragon riding in the book. Not really at least.

This book was hard to get into this book initially. It did get more interesting as the book went on.

Personally I think I read this book at the wrong time. That being said, I do plan on purchasing a copy of this book when it comes out to reread a better time

This book was a wonderfully woven tale of adventure, friendship, and surprises around every corner. I really enjoyed the attention to detail in the world building in this book. The unlikely friends made along the way made the book even more captivating. A word to the wise, this book is long. It’s a great tale, but it’s a long one. Also, since this is part of a series, the ending of this book is also a beginning. Lovely writing overall.

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu is full of fantastical beasts, magic, and an empire at war. Matharu took time to focus on the world building in this novel, and as the first book in the series it really sets the groundwork for what is to come next in this epic saga.

I really enjoyed learning about the different cultures that Matharu created, and the bonds that the "soul bound" have with the creatures of their regions.

The story does start off a bit slow, as it takes time to paint a picture of the empire and the as we get to learn more about the main character, Jai. Things really start to pick up about a third of the way into the book, with a constant flow of action and character development.

I look forward to next book in this saga!

Rating 3.5

"Dragon Rider" by Taran Matharu: A Promising Start to an Adult Fantasy Series

In the realm of fantasy literature, size doesn't always matter, and Taran Matharu's "Dragon Rider" is a testament to that notion. While not an epic tome, this book packs a punch that's worth experiencing. I'll admit, the journey through its opening chapters felt like a slog, but patience is rewarded as the narrative unfolds.

The story introduces us to Jai, the youngest son and a de facto prince of a tribe that has fallen under the oppressive rule of the Sabine empire. He finds himself a hostage, a pawn in a precarious game orchestrated by his uncle, who happens to be the tribe's king. All three heirs are thrust into servitude within the Royal Family, setting the stage for a tale rife with tension and intrigue.

In a literary landscape where female-led fantasies have taken center stage, "Dragon Rider" offers a refreshing change of pace. While my personal preference leans toward such narratives, I couldn't help but be captivated by the book's latter half. Matharu's growth as a writer becomes evident, showcasing an improved writing style compared to his previous works.

However, "Dragon Rider" leans heavily on the promise of sequels rather than standing resolutely on its own. The character development and worldbuilding, while engaging, leave room for improvement. Some elements felt somewhat lacking, given the potential they held.

Nonetheless, "Dragon Rider" marks a promising beginning for Taran Matharu's foray into adult fantasy. It weaves a tapestry of imaginative world-building, complex characters, and a captivating blend of magic and intrigue. Matharu's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a compelling addition to the genre. For fans of epic fantasy and those yearning for dragon-centric stories, this is undoubtedly a must-read. With anticipation for what lies ahead in this new series, "Dragon Rider" has laid a solid foundation.

A new fantasy world rife with politics, betrayal, and soul-bonded humans and magical creatures. Matharu did a thorough job with the world building and political layering without it being overwhelming or becoming stale. Slave to the emperor who killed his father and doomed his people to a life of slavery we follow Jai as he discovers a dragon while escaping the Sabine Court as chaos explodes. His escape also includes a handmaiden, Frida, to another court who holds secrets herself. They find themselves relying on each other to survive a dangerous adventure on their return to their homelands.

Most of the story is spent with the main characters on the run while Jai has to learn the secrets to bonding with the hatchling dragon, Winter. I love Winter! So fierce and cute! Matharu describes Jai’s experiences of training so vividly you can feel his triumphs and pain. Jai is a true testament to strength of the mind and perseverance of the body.

I recommend this series to lovers of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, and Game of Thrones by George R. Martin. I cannot wait to read the rest of this saga!

Find the first book in this series on April 2, 2024!

Thank you to @NetGalley, @AvonBooks, and @HarperVoyagerUS for the opportunity to read and review this book with my own honest opinions!

Dragon Rider by Taren Matharu


Summary:
Can an orphan captive learn the secrets of the Dragon Riders to stand up and avenge his people?
Jai lives as a royal hostage in the Sabine Court—ever since his father Rohan, leader of the Steppefolk, led a failed rebellion and was executed by the very emperor Jai now serves.
When the emperor’s son and heir is betrothed to Princess Erica of the neighboring Dansk Kingdom, she brings with her a dowry: dragons. Endemic to the northern nation, these powerful beasts come in several forms, but mystery surrounds them. Only Dansk royalty know the secret to soulbonding with these dangerous beasts to draw on their power and strength. This marriage—and the alliance that forms—will change that forever.
But conspirators lurk in the shadows, and soon the Sabine Court is in chaos. With his life in danger, Jai uses the opportunity to escape with the Dansk handmaiden, Frida, and a stolen hatchling. Hunted at every turn, he must learn to cultivate magic and become a soulbound warrior if he has any chance of finding safety, seizing his destiny…and seeking his revenge.

Review: 3-Star

This book was just alright. I struggled to get into the storyline and could put the book down for days without even thinking about it. The only positive thing I can say is that it’s well edited.


I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

This book is very slow at first and has a lot of imagery building, but the plot falls short. This book doesn't have a lot of balance between plot, character building, and scene building.

Wow! I found this to be a slow start, but there was a lot of storyline that had to be established. I loved the characters, especially the relationships with the dragons, and the plot twists. I wish I could have seen a map. This reminded me of Game of Thrones, with the political intrigue, blended with Eragon. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Dragon Rider had a bit of a complicated start but if you stick with it and enjoy epic high fantasy series this could be a great pick.

E-ARC review via NetGalley, all views expresses are my own.

“Dragon Rider” by Taran Matharu follows Jai, a young man who has been relocated from his home as part of a peace treaty. Jai goes through many trials, losses, and transformations throughout the story. He remains steadfast in his character, almost to a slightly humorous degree. This book is full of the hallmarks of basic fantasy and contains a few time-honored tropes as well.

I found it slightly difficult to immerse myself into the world and lore of this story in the beginning. There is an abundance of scheming, plotting, and uncertainty (political and general) in the first several dozen pages that made it hard for me to understand every moving piece. After that, it read like a regular fantasy book, and despite wanting to, I found it hard to get myself to believe in or deeply care about the characters.

I do feel like the author had some really good ideas and concepts within this story, and I hope to see these ideas and characters fully sharpened in future books within the series.

I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys reading traditional fantasy and is not looking to depart far from this genre style.

The writing/dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. Not for me. I stopped at the end of chapter 1 (2%). I’d guess a solid three stars from the target audience, four to potentially five from the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

While I was really hoping to like this one, I unfortunately did not. it's a 3.5 for me.
It reads like old school fantasy in format. Honestly the last time I encountered anything that's been written in the format I'd have to go back to early 2000's fantasy to find something that feels like this.
If very traditional fantasy is your thing, you may like this.

And although it wasn't a that big of a book, I absolutely slogged through it.
We meet Jai, who is the youngest son, technically a prince of his tribe that has been conquered and subjugated into the Sabine empire. He's a hostage from his tribe, negotiated by his uncle who is king of their tribe. All three of them in line were handed over and given to the Royal Family as servants.

There's a lot of info to gather about this country and its conquered peoples that have been absorbed, and there are many. The Sabines have a large army and a larger contingent of Soulbound warriors who have bonded with great powerful beasts, giving them the ability to become stronger physically and magically. Through Ascending and building up mana they can survive injuries, and hardships that would kill most people, and still have strength to fight.

Jai is the manservant to the blind, aging former emperor, Leonid. Jai is his eyes, informing him of what he's seeing. And while Leonid may be old, his brain isn't slow.

The Sabines are looking to marry their Heir to the Dansk, a northern people who they have battled against for hundreds of years, who have to power to Soulbond to Dragons. The princess is resilient and shrewd and will do whatever it takes to save and protect her people.

There are plots, assassinations, violence, dragons, unlikely friendships, adventure, and a young Prince who realizes he has a pathway to power if he only reaches out to claim it.
And that going home to his people has a very different meaning than he expected.

Thank you Netgalley/Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC!

DRAGON RIDER is a solid read if you can stick out the tough beginning. While I usually prefer female-led fantasy (which has overtaken the market) this was an interesting change of pace. I found the ending much more captivating than the beginning. Having read the author's previous works, I have never found his writing style all that engaging, though I do see improvements over his last series. I felt DRAGON RIDER set the stage for sequels as opposed to standing on its own regarding character and worldbuilding, meaning that I did find some of those elements more lacking than they should have been.

Also, a lack of dragon-riding. Disappointing.

First, the title is a bit misleading as Jai did not actually ride a dragon in this book.

That being said, I still really enjoyed this novel. I agree with some other readers that this book starts off a bit slow. There is some immediate world-building, then a very long build-up of Jai's backstory as he is more or less a bystander in the court.

But things start to get wild when a massacre leads fleeing Jai to stumble upon a dragon egg. As the egg hatches to save Jai's life, we are thrown into the main adventure of Jai's journey with Frida another refugee on the run. We are privy to the bond between Jai and his dragon, Winter, who is just a pure ball of light. I loved their bond and the way that the magic system is thoroughly explored throughout the book.

Where the first third was slow, the last third was full of nail-biting anxiety that had me flipping pages so I could rest. If you can push past the first part, this was a very solid start to Matharu's series.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Collins Voyager for this eARC!

I have been obsessed with reading about Dragons lately and have been looking for my next read. Dragon Rider was what I have been looking for.

We have Dragons, soulbonds, and great world building!