I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book because I have loved this author since his first book came out, but I can honestly that I was a little disappointed with this book. It was a struggle to find the motivation to read it. At times it felt like the story really just dragged on and I just had to push through to get past it. I do appreciate his world building, but in this case it felt like there was too much world building happening. I was sad during the massacre scene and the fact that after everything Jai loses his brothers too, I was hoping one would survive. Although I will say that I called the big plot twist about Frida from the beginning and I felt pretty proud of myself for figuring it out. I do love how the magic system works in this book and I appreciate how Rufus taught Jai how to use his new abilities and how adorable Winter was. Despite the fact that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I was hoping I would, I did still enjoy reading it and can’t wait to see where the story takes us next.

WOW. This book was so good, I didn’t want to put it down. The writing is so clear that you can see everything perfectly. The characters are fully fleshed out and have their own separate stories and not just Plot Device #3. It is a little slow to start, but I have a feeling this series is only going to get better. I can’t wait!

I've never read Matharu before so I didn't know what to expect. This was a solid start to a new adult series and I will definitely be continuing.

This starts of a saga that promises to be epic in scope, it follows a young prince who escapes the empire who imprisoned him when he was wrong and along the way he find a dragon to bond with and a princess to protect.

The premise of this intrigued me but the execution was lacking and I was quite bored throughout this. It read as more YA than Adult.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

If you like magic, fantasy and dragons you will enjoy this book.

It is a bit subpar to Fourth Wing and the magic system is highly complex an difficult to understand, but the story is fantastic and it helped with my Fourth Wing / Iron Flame hangover.

The fantasy world is descriptive and complex. Once you get into it, it is addictive.

Recommend.

I have the Summoner series by Taran Matharu and they got me back into reading when I saw this book on the list I knew I had to read it!!!
This book did a wonderful job with world building. The twist and turns weren't to obvious which I like, I usually can quest how a book will end.
I like that the MC isn't a rich well train prince or anything, it feels more relatable.

I’ve loved Taran Matharu for years- I’m so glad for their branch of a more mature book! Great formula, great world building, amazing characters. I can’t wait to read more!

Gosh If you loved Fourth Wing or just Fantasy War books in general you will love this book.
It does start a bit slow but when the plot thickens and the twists start twisting, its SOOOOO GOOOD!!!!
Its a long one, so be ready for world building, relationship developments and drama!

No romance but maybe later in the series if I'm picking up on the vibe right????
The suspense and story felt so original and I couldn't put it down!

Cannot wait for the next book!

Fellow once "Eragorn" obsessed adults, gather around. This new sci-fi series is perfect for those of us who never quite grew out of our hyperspecific dragon obsession. "Dragon Rider" is epic, action-packed and full of plot heavy details. The worldbuilding is exquisite, just enough to get readers invested in the rest of the series. I love that this series uses the popular 90s and early 2000s chosen one/orphan trope, which makes me feel even more connected to my childhood spent reading about dragon adventures. As for the characters themselves, I was intrigued by Erica as soon as I read that she had a dowry of dragons - HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! The concept of soulbound warriors in this world is so fascinating and I can't wait to see it expanded upon in the sequels. The political drama, dragon lore, and complex characters guarantee that this series is the next big thing. Honestly, I'm over the "Fourth Wing' drama and I'd rather read these books instead.

I love a dragon fantasy, but the world building in this one was a little lacking. The pacing wasn't great - really slow at the start and rushed at the end. I also wasn't keen on any of the characters, unfortunately

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

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
[NetGalley URL]

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!