Dragon Rider
A Novel
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4.4 • 5 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author Taran Matharu’s debut adult fantasy series introduces an immersive story written in the tradition of the viral cultivation genre. Discover a rich world of magic, warriors, and dragons, in which a fearless orphan and an ambitious handmaiden flee from the empire that would imprison them, with a dream to return to their homelands and a determination that’s unbreakable…
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestselling YA author Matharu (The Summoner) kicks off his debut adult fantasy series with a riveting first volume that finds Steppefolk Prince Jai forced into servitude to the royals of the Sabine Empire after Emperor Leonid kills Jai's father, King Rohan of the Kidara tribe. Leonid now hopes to broker peace between all the kingdoms and arranges a marriage between his heir, Prince Titus, and the Dansk Princess Erica. But Titus has other plans: before the ceremony can take place, he violently betrays his family and frames Jai and the Dansk royals for his crimes, triggering a war against both the Great Steppe and the Dansk Kingdom. With the entire Sabine court hot on his tail, Jai flees for his life. Now he has only one goal: revenge. To take down Titus, however, he'll have to train as a dragon rider. Matharu masterfully lays the groundwork for what promises to be an epic series, taking his time to develop the tension and establish the worldbuilding. Fantasy readers will look forward to Jai's next move.
