Dragon Rider

Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu weaves a breathtaking tale of courage, magic, and rebellion. In a world where the ashes of a shattered empire lay barren, a hero emerges from the shadows.

Jai, a young man burdened by the cruelties of an oppressive empire that annihilated his family, finds himself entangled in the intricate web of royal politics. The emperor's ambitious son seeks to consolidate power by marrying Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom, a formidable realm teeming with ancient beasts. This marriage comes with an extraordinary gift: dragons. Only the royalty of Dansk possess the ability to bond with these majestic creatures, harnessing their potent strength and magic. But this careful alliance soon spirals into chaos when the betrothal is violently disrupted by a deadly coup, offering Jai a shred of hope for freedom.

Seizing the opportunity amidst the ensuing pandemonium, Jai escapes with Frida, a formidable Dansk warrior. Yet, he does not leave empty-handed—he steals a precious dragon egg, setting in motion a journey that promises both peril and power. To overthrow the tyrannical empire, Jai must achieve the seemingly impossible: he must bond with a dragon, an act that could unlock his true destiny and fuel his quest for vengeance.

New York Times bestselling author Taran Matharu delivers an epic fantasy that brims with intricate worldbuilding, vibrant characters, and pulse-pounding action. Matharu's narrative deftly intertwines the past and current struggles of a richly complex world where dragons soar and empires topple.

"A dazzlingly epic and richly complex world of dragons, magic, and rebellion," praises Amélie Wen Zhao, author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night. Cari Thomas, bestselling author of Threadneedle, lauds Matharu's skill in crafting "dragons with depth," praising the layered history, politics, and soulful magic that breathe life into every page. Michael R. Miller, bestselling author of the Songs of Chaos series, celebrates the book as a brilliant beginning comparable to the great tales of Eragon and Temeraire.

Dragon Rider is hailed as "bloody, glorious, and irresistibly compelling" by Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Bone Maker. Prashanth Srivatsa, author of The Spice Gate, commends the novel for its "brutal politics, intricate worldbuilding, and edge-of-the-seat battles," while Will Wight, author of the Cradle series, finds it reminiscent of the classic fantasy adventures that captivated his youth, enriched with a modern flair.

Join the legion of readers who have awarded this epic fantasy with five-star reviews, calling it "an absolutely amazing ride" and "a must-read for fans of political intrigue, dragons, and gripping action." Dive into the spellbinding world of Dragon Rider and let your imagination soar.