"Dragon Rider" by Taran Matharu takes readers on an exciting journey through a world filled with political intrigue, magic, and dragons. While the intricate world-building and compelling magic system are highlights, some may find the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a promising start to an =fantasy series that will appeal to fans of the genre.

Let me start by saying I loved the world that Taran Matharu built in this book. The story is full of interesting, yet brutal, political dynamics and a compelling magic system. This book is worthy of a read and sets the stage for a very interesting series that I plan to continue.

My main issue with the book comes down to the pacing. I thought it started off really well, with very typical high fantasy world-building. However, as the story progressed I felt we spent too much time learning about how Jai, our MMC, develops his power. A lot of time is spent in his head while he is essentially meditating, and I feel like some of that time should have gone to other parts of the story. Then the plot picks up during the last 1/4 of the book, but I almost felt it was a bit rushed at the end. I also felt the book read a bit more YA than adult, but I feel like as the series progresses, and Jai further develops as a character, the tone of the series might shift.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC to review!

This rating is generous…. I was very on the fence with even finishing this. I almost dnf’d around 30ish %! Once I got about to the half way point though things started to pick up some.
The world building and character development is very well done. There is a ton of politics in this book which could be why I struggled.
That being said this is a very well rounded fantasy. The magic system in this was well thought out and very interesting.
There’s a little something for everyone in this.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!!!

I enjoyed this fantasy novel quite a bit. I felt like the author did a good job with the world building without bogging the reader down with too much information at one time. I'll look for another book from Taran Matharu in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon/harper voyager.
This was a very interesting book. The author did a great job of really taking the time to build the world and politics up around the reader. They also did a great job with explaining things like what it means to be soulbound.
This book was very long and did not hook me. I kept reading because I wanted to find out if the two main characters survive. We only find out what might happen to Jai, but not Frida.
I also stayed for Winter. She’s my favorite.

DNF @ 70%
After seeing that this book had dragons, I really wanted to like this one. Unfortunately it just did not do it for me. I understand that with any fantasy book, especially the first in a series, there is going to be a great deal of world building. However, I just could never get fully immersed into the story. It took a long time for the plot to move forward, and once it did, it slowed down all over again. I found myself bored and skimming through some portions. The writing was not bad at all, it just felt like nothing was happening in the story.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for my honest review

I think my review needs to come with a few disclaimers to help any fellow readers decide if this is right for them. I will fully admit I am new to the fantasy genre. After reading a few reviews about this book falling into the high fantasy category, I am not sure I have enough experience to compare/understand what classifies as a great fantasy to most readers. That all said, I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced read. I am glad I got to spend time in this world.

For me this read was like a roller coaster. There were some really good and actioned packed moments that sucked me in and had me fully engaged - thinking oh yes this is where this story picks up. I super enjoyed those moments. The world building and politics were interesting. However, it's quickly followed by some long extended sections of story that nothing really is happening and left me feeling meh and struggling to get through. I liked learning about the mana and how it works but also felt those descriptions got to be too much and started to bore me a bit. I think I was hoping for more or a different way to show the bonding between human and dragon than just the MC building up his mana skills - like make them communicate (this goes for all the soulbound in this book).

I am uncertain if I would return to this world for future releases. I wouldn't hate if I did but I also would be waiting like a child for Christmas morning for it either. I do want to know where the story goes and if Jai ever actually gets to hop on a dragon and go for a spin.

This book takes readers on an enthralling journey through a meticulously crafted world brimming with survival challenges. Along with the irresistible baby dragon Winter, the main characters steal the spotlight. There are intricate political landscapes and betrayals, but the narrative doesn't lack in intensity. Brace yourself; this isn't a tale for the faint-hearted, delving into themes of gore, torture, and the brutal realities of war.

Our time is predominantly spent with four compelling characters: Jai, Frida, Rufus, and Winter, each with their charm. They harbor secrets, hindering our connection with them. This, however, seems intentional, setting the stage for a gradual unveiling across the series.

Dragon Rider is captivating with its rich world-building, genius magic system, and exploration of royal dominance. Quiet moments allow for character and world development, with soul-bonds and dragon connections adding depth. Taran Matharu's debut into adult fantasy shows promise, blending imaginative storytelling with intricate characters and compelling magic. This is a must-read for aficionados of epic fantasy and dragon tales, promising an enchanting journey ahead.

This epic fantasy combines magic, adventure, and mythical creatures. Jai, our seemingly unlikely hero, shines through perseverance, adding depth to the narrative. Kudos to the author for pacing the romance just right—slow burns reign supreme, adding a layer of authenticity to the tale. I truly loved this story and cannot wait for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars.

For a book I largely requested simply because it had a dragon on the cover, it ended up being quite entertaining.

Dragon Rider isn't an innovative story, The story unfolded as I expected. Jai is the only one didn't see those twists coming. The relationships between the people and their magical creatures is pretty standard for the genre. There are pacing issues with the book as well. I wish the third act was more tightly written.

However, the book does include a decent amount of world-building. I was able to understand how the magic works. The main cast of characters are sympathetic and likeable. Additionally, the writing straddles the YA and Adult line making this story appropriate for a large age range. It isn't completely juvenile, but Matharu doesn't go overboard with the language or violence.

I'm interested in reading the sequel.

This book was a pleasant surprise. It started out slow, and I almost didn’t want to finish it. I held on though and it was really good. I loved how short the chapters were, it made the book read so much faster. The story itself was easy to consume and the world building was great. My only complaint was that Jai, the main character, learned everything faster and better than anyone had ever done before. Making him almost a perfect character, but his development in other aspects of his character made up for it.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC to review.

I enjoy how well Taran is able to craft these new worlds in every single one of his series. This one felt a bit like The Summoner series, but there were so many new elements that intrigued me. I really enjoy stories where the underdogs, Jai, rise up and really learn about themselves and what they are capable of throughout the course of the story.

Taran is also skilled at creating characters you love and characters you hate. Jai's partners in crime are enjoyable and are given a lot of complexity and growth as well. Now, the villans. Oh boy, do I hate them and want them to suffer when they get theirs, haha. Also, I have to applaud Winter. Best little dragon ever.

The ending was suitable and thankfully not a cliffhanger that makes me tear my hair out. I did a little fist bump in the air at how good the last line was.

This was my first foray into this author’s writing, and I think his style just isn’t for me. I was anticipating an adult fantasy, but this book read much more like YA, which I’m also not a huge fan of.

For folks who miss the world of Eragon, Dragon Rider might be just what they’re looking for. However, as someone with a ton of amazing books waiting for me on my TBR, getting through this felt like a slog. I couldn’t find it in myself to care about any of the characters, and there was just something missing. It lacked a spark to really draw me in.

Thank you to the author, netgalley, and harpercollins for the opportunity to get an early copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Jai spent most of his life serving as the personal aide to the aging retired emperor who murdered his father. Held as a political hostage, Jai hardly ever leaves the palace, where he's viewed as a slave and an enemy. When he has a chance to escape during a coup for the throne, Jai runs for his life. But escape isn't easy. Traveling through a large empire with his distinctively foreign looks, practically no money, and with enemies on his tail, Jai will need the help of a newly hatched dragon, a frosty handmaiden, a mysterious drunkard, and lots of luck, grit, and magic to survive.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminds me a bit of Eragon - a teenager finding a dragon egg, bonding with a dragon, learning magic while traveling across the empire and running from enemies... There's a lot to like here, and while this bears some similarities to Eragon, it was also very different.

Jai grew a lot throughout the book. He started off as a sheltered palace servant, and has to quickly learn survival skills. I wish there were more female characters, but the ones who are in here have a strong presence. The magic is cultivation style, mixed with a western type of fantasy setting, culture, and political system. There's a lot of fast paced action, magic, dragons and other magical creatures, and secrets to discover.

When Jai finds a dragon egg during his escape from the palace, he finally has the chance to learn magic and become a soulbound. Traveling through the vast enemy empire with his new dragon, a handmaiden in hiding, and a drinkard, Jai will need to quickly level up in order to survive and find the freedom he's longed for all his life.

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.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this earc. All opinions are my own.

I thought the book was slow to start and I wish there had been more action, the book was getting great then it was over. I did enjoy seeing the trials Jai went through to grow his core though. The story line was great and iliked the character growth but I needed more meat to the story. I know the answers to some of my questions will probably be answered in the next book but I feel like there is a ton to wrap up! Also Frida being Erica was very obvious the whole time, she was too secretive and the details she gave were suspicious. I can see why Jai believed her though. Rufus was my favorite, im hoping he survived his fight with his nephew. I also loved Winter, im excited to see her growth in the next book. I hope she has a sassy attitude.

What is that secret room?
Who is the little girl?
What's in the journal Jai took?
Why did Leonid have such a soft spot for Jai?

I need answers!!
I would definitely recommend this book.

Phenomenal!

Jai is the personal manservant to the old emperor Leonid. Once a great and ruthless leader, Leonid is now old and gray, and relies almost entirely on Jai to be his eyes and hands. Jai must serve Leonid and his family, as the third son of Rohan, a once great king of a nomadic kingdom who was conquered by Leonid. Separated from his culture, his brothers, and his birthright, Jai is nothing more than a glorified slave. When the Dansk, a neighboring kingdom, agree to join their daughter, in holy matrimony with Titus, Leonid's grandson, Jai's entire world shifts as new political players make themselves known and throw the entire geographic region back into a vicious war.

This book includes:
- dragons!! and other supernatural creatures
- geopolitical conflict with strong world-building
- a complex and well-developed magic system
- a fascinating mentor-mentee relationship between Jai and Leonid
- slow burn love story (not central to the main conflict
- Strong MC and an intelligent FMC
- TW: gore and violence

It took me a second to get into "Dragon Rider," but, listen, I ended up loving this story. Jai has such a powerful character arc where readers can see his growth from a child into a man. The author expertly defines Jai's "why" for each one of his decisions which allows us to understand how the protagonist evolves from someone who is almost cowardly, to a true hero worthy of his name and title. The magic system was so intriguing and well-developed that I was really able to visualize even the most complex of magic scenes. And it isn't just Jai who is well-developed, Frida, Erica, Rufus, Leonid, and even Hennebel are each given strong motivations no matter how minor of a character they may be.

All fantasy readers will enjoy this book and I can't wait to recommend it to my friends and family asap. I imagine fans of Eragorn, specifically, as well as "Wheel of Time," "The Hobbit," and even "Percy Jackson" will love "Dragon Rider."

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Taran Matharu, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

Imagine living your life on the brink of death at any moment.

I finished reading "Dragon Rider" by Taran Matharu, an ARC I received in advance from NetGalley. I want to thank Harper's Collins and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it. While the e-novel is unedited and contains grammatical errors, I believe it has potential.

The best part about this story is the power system hands down. And I could see it. It felt as though the author spent so much time detailing the intricacies of the magic system and left some other parts of the novel in lesser regard. The power system is mixed in with the respiratory system. As a beast “soulbonds” with a human, a core develops inside the human. The core is a receptacle for storing and dispensing mana like lungs for oxygen/carbon dioxide. How does one bring in mana? BY BREATHING!! The author goes into such detail about the Core/Mana system that it’s evident it’s a central theme of the story.

Now hear me out, this story has room for improvement in its current format. I truly believe that. The exposition is paced well to capture the reader’s attention. The plot line is predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. There are dragons, gryphons, khiros, and more fantastic beasts. There’s enough action to keep my fighter folk interested.

HOWEVERR, I have some beef with the book.

How are you going to have a novel called dragon rider but there’s no dragon riding after the first few chapters? If you have beasts that bond with humans, give them speech capabilities. It allows for much more personality growth and relationship building. I believe the novel drug out too long towards the end. This novel could have ended around the 75% mark and the effect on me as a reader would have been the same.

I will be keeping an eye on this book when it releases in April, because it has potential. What’s left to see is if that potential is achieved.

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of DRAGON RIDER by Taran Matharu through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and healthy holiday season!

Taran Matharu has done it again! Dragon rider was highly anticipated for me and this did not disappoint! I love anything to do with dragons and this book was fantastic!

I have loved Matharu's writing since I read his young adult fantasy novels. So when it came up that he was going to be doing an adult dragon fantasy. I was like YES PLEASE with Grabby Hands!! But sadly this one was a let down. It was so slow and full of politics that it didn't need. I wish he would have brought what made his YA books so good to this.