The Tainted Khan
The Soulbound Saga, Book 2
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4.5 • 29 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
The next installment in New York Times bestselling author Taran Matharu’s Soulbound Saga--a thrilling cultivation and progression epic fantasy series--continuing the harrowing journey of Jai as he navigates returning to his own people, growing in his magic and as a warrior, fending off attacks both without and within...and, of course, bonding even more with his dragon!
Jai dreams of being a dragon rider. He dreams of freedom from the Sabine Empire and a world in which he can lead his people, the Kidara, to freedom. But even though he has his dragon, Winter, she is still growing, just as he’s still growing in his own power. And the road to victory is even more fraught than he had hoped.
Because even when he finds a tribe on the Great Steppe, they are not his people. More, they are outcasts, the Tainted, and he finds that he knows little of the customs and political intricacies that take place in these vast grasslands. He is a stranger amongst his own kind, and that is even more apparent when he reunites with the Kidara, for Jai’s uncle rules, and is loath to cede power to his nephew. And even if Jai was sure he could take the reins of the leadership, he isn’t sure he could actually hold them.
But the legionaries and Gryphon Guard of the Sabine Empire are wreaking havoc against the other tribes of the Great Steppe, and Jai is forced to learn a lifetime’s worth of knowledge in a matter of months. From taming the massive khiroi that make up the tribe’s calvary, to levelling up his magic, to becoming a true warrior, worrying over the fate of the woman he loves, and strengthening his bond with Winter, Jai is a dragon rider with a massive weight on his young shoulders. And his greatest hope is that the shoulders of Winter will soon be strong enough to help carry him.
Customer Reviews
Great Sequel! Throughly enjoyed
The Tainted Khan was a fantastic sequel to the first book. Although it had a different vibe as Jai was thrust into an entirely new circumstance and role, this book balances political intrigue, battle tactics, and dragons.
I did wish Winter, Jai’s dragon, had a bit more presence—as she sometimes felt more like an afterthought. Additionally, Jai’s military and political successes often came too easily, as nearly every plan or move seemed to work out one way or another. I would have liked to see him face occasional setbacks or failures to learn from and deepen his growth, make his journey into a great leader feel more earned.
Still, this series takes a different approach to the Dragon Rider formula that is in many ways bold and refreshing. Building upon the usual tropes, it carves its own path—gritty, unpredictable, and rich with character growth. Fans of dragon fantasy looking for something familiar yet daringly original will find a lot to love here.
Uninspiring
The first book of this series left me with great hope for this second book. However, this book did not live up to expectations. The book itself felt rushed, with so much happening in such a short period of time. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but in this book it felt as if the protagonist’s growth was unearned. The protagonist seems to excel at all things war with really no prior training or even mention of prodigious growth. I was curious how Matharu would write an adult series after his Summoner series. Unfortunately, this book is better described as another young adult series but with added sensuality.