I loved the dragon rider and in fact any books with dragons is a winner with me and this one didn’t disappoint. I would even go as far as to say that it is better than the dragon rider. I do not want to give any spoilers but you need to read this book.

I enjoyed this a lot more than Dragon Rider. Knowing what to expect going in rather than thinking it would be all dragons, definitely made a difference. I still would have preferred more of the bond between Winter and Jai, as I do think the focus is more on the magic of the soulbound than the bond itself. We did see a bit more in this book but not enough for me.

I enjoy seeing all the difference cultures featured in these books. I love the travelling nature of Jai’s people who were a huge focus of this book. There were also other cultures that Jai came across, which I don’t want to say much about because I don’t want to give spoilers, but I found them really interesting. I really hope we see more from the Dansk in the next book too.

There are a lot of things to enjoy about these series and I’m looking forward to reading more. I still think there could be more focus on the dragons though.

[ARC provided by NetGalley and HarperVoyager. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Tainted Khan.]

Rating: 3/5

The Tainted Khan is the next instalment in Taran Matharu’s Soulbound Saga, and having loved Dragon Rider when it released, I had pretty high hopes going into this. There’s definitely a lot of positives, like the varied battle scenes and the expanding world, but unfortunately, this continuation of the story didn’t go in the direction I’d hoped it would. With a sluggish start, disjointed pacing, and extensive political manoeuvrings that became tedious, I’m left feeling unsure if I’ll continue the series.

Here we see Jai reconnect with his people as he embarks on a difficult journey to reclaim his birthright. Upon meeting the ruthless clans of the Steppe, he realises that balancing this new culture with the one he grew up in will be no easy task. If he wants to be accepted, he must quickly learn the ways of his ancestors. Adding to the challenge is a looming war that threatens to engulf the region, placing Jai at the centre of a conflict that will test his loyalty, leadership, and identity. While this set-up has great potential, the execution often drags, making what should be tense and character-defining moments feel more like checkpoints on a slow-moving path.

In the first book, the pacing was incredible, and in my review I noted that it was genuinely impossible to put down. Dragon Rider struck the perfect balance between interesting characters, classic fantasy elements, and intriguing worldbuilding that had me hooked. The Tainted Khan, on the other hand, grinds all of that to a halt. Although there were bits of the plot here and there that I found myself getting pulled into, it wasn’t until after the 60% mark that I felt the story starting to develop in an exciting way. Sure, Jai’s journey throughout the Steppe was interesting, but it became tedious after a while, and I looked forward to moving away from that part of the world and back to the action.

Jai’s character development in the book was strong, but he also felt quite different from the first book. This may be because we’ve branched away from the characters we met in Dragon Rider, forcing him to forge new bonds and dynamics, but all this really did was make me miss those characters and want to get back to them as soon as possible. I also found myself less and less excited about the magic system as time went on, and wished that the dragons had more of an impact on the story. For a series that started with such a strong fantasy hook, this entry felt like it was leaning too heavily on politics and travel sequences at the expense of the wonder and momentum that made the first book shine.

Overall, I didn’t have a terrible time, and there were parts of the story that intrigued me enough to keep going. But personally, I felt this was a weak sequel that didn’t live up to the hype. I may still pick up the next instalment to see if things get going again, but I won’t be rushing to the bookshop for it.

This is the second book in the soulbound saga. Here we find Jai trying to live amongst his tribe, learning their ways and growing to become the Khan he’s been left to live up to. There are many however, who do not like this.

The first book I finished quickly, but I did also find myself skimming a lot at the start. So while I did want to read this second book I didn’t know what my expectations were. The second book is slow for the most part, it’s more a book about Jai growth and leadership starting than the plot really moving forward that much. For a series who’s first book is called “Dragon Rider”, there is not a lot of the Dragon. Winter is however my favourite and I would die for her. I enjoyed the new characters brought forward, Jai needed more people on his side and I liked how he learned from them and took their opinions into consideration. Jais characters did seem to do a 180 though, from being insecure and quiet in the first book to making commands and knowing when to strike? It happened quite quickly.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I found myself going leaving it and returning to it often. I just couldn’t sit and read through it all. I am incredibly intrigued by this world though, the people and the different tribes and kingdoms are all vastly interesting. I just wish there was maybe a bit more going on?

I will be continuing the series because I do genuinely want to know what will happen. I hope it picks up.

This series just gets better and better! This book bares witness to Jai's growth into manhood, learning to take his place alongside his people. His journey to become a soulbound continues. In this book we learn more about the tribes of the Steppe and their ways. Jai has to deal with treachory, betrayal and suspicion on his journey to become a great Khan like his father.
The pace of this book equalled the first, though on occasion, I found myself wishing the trials Jai faced were a bit more difficult to overcome. That said, this book seriously packs a punch and I'm chomping at the bit for the final instalment in this epic fantasy.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this from Netgalley (but I also bought it as well)

I found this to be a good follow up to the first book. The journey that Jai goes on, is not a new one but it was one that was fun to read. The characters were good but what stood out to me was the world building. I loved the fact that we got to see more of the world in this book from the grass plains to a new area of the world that was fascinating. It created a really rich backdrop for the story.
I will say that there was a lot in the book that I questioned. Jai seemed to quickly turn from a young boy without a clue to the world outside the palace that he grew up in, to a capable leader and strategist, which seemed quite far fetched to me. But it didn't stop me from enjoying the world and the battle scenes.

A strong continuation on the threads being sewn in the first book. I really enjoyed learning more about the steppefolk. A good second book in the adult genre for Taran.

Thankyou NetGalley for this e-arc of The Tainted Khan, second book in the series ..

I love that the book picks up right where Dragon Rider finished, making it flow from one book into the next… it seemed a little slow paced at first until things started to unfold and come together but I probably enjoyed this more than the first book!

This series is an epic fantasy dragon tale and the authors writing style is incredible with some fantastic plots and twists throughout .

If you love a fantasy / dragon inspired tale then this series is a must, I cant wait for the next book to come out !

Reading The Tainted Khan by Taran Matharu was like stepping onto the vast, unpredictable expanse of the Great Steppe alongside Jai and his growing dragon, Winter. As the next installment in the Soulbound Saga, this book dives even deeper into the challenges facing Jai, not just the physical battles against the Sabine Empire but the internal struggles of leadership, identity, and belonging.

The world building is incredible. The Great Steppe is a living, breathing setting, rich with customs, politics, and the lore of the Kidara and the Tainted tribes. Sometimes, this dedication to world-building made the pacing feel slow. There were moments when I wished the plot would pick up, but in hindsight, these slower sections served a purpose. They laid the groundwork for understanding the vast and complex world Jai is trying to navigate, which makes the eventual action-packed scenes hit even harder.

In the end, The Tainted Khan is a story about finding strength - in oneself, in one’s allies, and in the bonds we choose to nurture. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with rich world-building and a young hero struggling under the weight of his destiny, this book is well worth your time.

An exciting follow up to Dragon Rider and well worth the wait. This part of the story follows Jai as he returns to the Steppes to reclaim his birthright and his place in the Kidara tribe. Although he has left the palaces of Latium behind him, there are still court politics to navigate and survive and a tribe to unite behind him. Winter, his dragon, continues to be a delight and we see Jai embrace his identity as a soulbound, ascending even higher on its levels of accomplishment. There are new allies and new enemies which makes for a really entertaining read. I am looking forward to part 3!

The Tainted Khan, book 2 of the Soulbound Saga continues with Jai & Winter’s journey and they are captured by the Steppefolk tribe.

“I am your King, by blood, by oath and by right.” Jai

“All hail Jai, son of Rohan, Khan of the Kidara, first by name.”

“My father who you so loved, trucked with the Tainted. If what I have heard is true, he wanted to unite all of the Sithia. Every tribe. Tainted included.” Jai

I really wanted to enjoy the second book as much as the first but I found the first half of the book of Jai’s story living with the Steppefolk’s tribe story too long and the pace too slow for me and not gripping enough. There was a lot of very descriptive writing, intricate, detailed world-building of the Steppefolk tribal culture and the traditional way of life and I found it quite repetitive at times and I really wanted more of the dragon fantasy elements.

In my view, the first half of the book could’ve been much shorter. I did like that there were strong warrior female characters with Sindri and Kiran, Simran and even Meera the memory keeper.

I felt the majority of this book was very descriptive writing of the Steppefolk tribal stories of their environment, food, rival clans and their leaders, tradition’s and tribal politics and we learn about traders, hunting, fettering, tribal animals and Jai eventually reclaiming his place in the Kidara tribe from his uncle Teji and his plans to merge the tainted and untainted tribes.

Thank the fantasy God’s there was a glossary at the end of this book because with all the new characters and tribes, I definitely needed it.

The second book was very much dedicated to Jai’s character growth and development and reclaiming his place in his familial tribe. He’s growing and learning more about the ways of his tribe and becoming a man and leader of the Kidara tribe and being Rohan’s son.

I did become invested in Jai’s story when he reunited with Erica, Princess of the Dansk Kingdom, that was when my interest peaked and I had to keep reading to find out how their story and journey prevails.

My favourite scenes were of Jai’s & Winter’s soulbound connection and they were heartwarming, emotional and genuinely made me smile; reuniting with Erica Princess of the Dansk in Caelite will definitely pull at your romance heart strings, Erica and her dragon Regin’s scenes and the ending last scene of Leonid’s diary. What a cliffhanger!! The references and flashbacks to Jai’s brothers Arjun & Samar were also emotional and sad.

I enjoyed the romance elements in this book and would’ve liked more and was hoping to hear more about the Dansk Kingdom in this book.

This book was mainly Jai’s character growth and development, the journey of merging the tainted and untainted tribes and Jai ascending to a seventh level soulbound and ultimately proving his leadership to the tribes with a final battle at the end. All hail Jai, son of Rohan, Khan of the Kidara! With the way it ended on a cliffhanger, I’m intrigued to find out how the Soulbound Saga continues and the future of Jai’s and Erica’s journey.

Thank you to the publisher Harper Voyager UK for sending me the eARC, I really appreciated it.

The Tainted Khan picks up right where Dragon Rider leaves off—and in my opinion, surpasses its predecessor. While the series embraces many classic elements of an epic fantasy dragon tale, the author skillfully introduces fresh twists that set it apart. These innovations help immerse the reader in the intricate world, the characters’ struggles, and the layered political landscape.

The beginning unfolds at a slower pace, especially with the introduction of numerous new characters and a completely unfamiliar culture. At first, it almost feels like a separate story rather than a direct continuation. However, as the narrative progresses, all the threads weave together beautifully, enriching the overall experience.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its character-driven approach. Jai’s journey—learning, reconnecting with his people, and facing the challenges of acceptance—creates an emotionally compelling arc. His people haven’t been his for a very long time, and their skepticism toward him feels realistic and deeply personal.

As a lover of books featuring mythical beasts, I particularly appreciated the depiction of Winter and the fascinating array of newly introduced creatures. These elements added depth and excitement to the worldbuilding.

My only critique of The Tainted Khan (and perhaps the series as a whole) is its classification as adult fantasy. While enjoyable, the tone and complexity feel more suited to the lighter end of the spectrum, which could lead to misplaced expectations for some readers.

If you enjoyed Dragon Rider, I wholeheartedly recommend continuing with The Tainted Khan. This novel is perfect for fans of dragon stories who are looking for something adventurous, engaging, and accessible—with dragons that are truly unforgettable!

A huge thank you to Harper Fiction & NetGalley for the ARC!

The Tainted Khan was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025, and it absolutely delivered. After loving Dragon Rider, I reread it in preparation for this second installment—and I’m so glad I did. This sequel picks up shortly after the events of book one, and I appreciated how seamlessly it continued the story. So often second books feel like a tonal shift or a jarring transition, but this one stayed true to the original while diving deeper into its core themes.

Although it’s billed as adult fantasy, I’d say the series straddles the line between YA and adult—especially in its pacing and tone. That said, The Tainted Khan doesn’t shy away from the harsher edges of its world. It delves into the brutal realities of tribal warfare, shifting allegiances, and political intrigue, with characters frequently forced into moral dilemmas that test their loyalty and sense of identity.

The first quarter of the book is slower-paced as it leans into these deeper thematic explorations. If you found book one a bit slow, you might find this one even more of a challenge. Personally, I loved the additional depth—especially the continued development of the magic system and Jai’s struggle to master it. His connection with Winter, his dragon-animal companion, also gets more attention here, and that relationship remains one of the emotional anchors of the story.

There’s something really compelling about how this book broadens the world too—with terror birds, dragons, woolly mammoths, and other creatures tied to the various tribes, there’s a constant sense of discovery. At its heart, though, this is Jai’s hero’s journey. While the arc can be somewhat predictable—we know he’ll rise to the challenge—it’s the how that keeps it interesting. His internal battles, especially as he reconciles personal desire with responsibility, heritage, and the expectations of those around him, add emotional richness to the narrative.

One of my favorite elements was the inclusion of Leonid’s diary. I loved how important it became by the end of the book, and I suspect many readers will find themselves flipping back to revisit earlier entries with new context.

Ultimately, The Tainted Khan gave me exactly what I wanted: a deeper, richer continuation of a story and world I’ve come to love. Book three can’t come soon enough—especially as I’m eager to learn more about the Dansk and their mysterious role in this saga.

Firstly, thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this eArc.

The Tainted Khan picks up right where Dragon Rider ended.
The beginning might feel slow to some readers, but I really enjoyed it, we got to really understand Jai's family and tribe history. Jai's growth throughout the book was really good to see.
There were a lot of new characters that were great to meet and understand them and their relationship with Jai further.

As the book progressed we got more and more time with Winter which I was really happy about and really enjoyed getting to know her better too.
The chapters being so short were also really enjoyable, it made picking it up during a really busy week easy as I was able to get a couple of chapters done in short bursts.

The ending of this book left on such a massive cliff hanger, I am so excited for book 3 already!

Thank you to Taran Matharu, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Definitely isn’t suffering from second book syndrome! Full review to come ✨

This is the sequel to Dragon Rider, which I absolutely loved so I was beyond excited to receive the ARC via NetGalley!

There was a slow start to the book, which I found a bit jarring after the high action ending to Dragon Rider, I had wanted that action to continue. But I can see that this is necessary as Jai learns about his people, their customs and way of life. There’s a huge amount of character growth for Jai, and I really enjoyed discovering his orgins alongside him.

As the pace picks up for the second half, so does the tension and action. There’s less dragons in this book, but I loved meeting other soulbound creatures. The last 15 % had me on the edge of my seat and that ending!

I can’t help but feel like it’s hotting up to be an epic action packed book 3 and I can’t wait!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the arc for review

Taran Matharu burst onto the scene with Dragon Rider, so there is a certain level of pre-build hype and expectation that comes with its sequel The Tainted Khan.

Unfortunately, the tricky second book of the trilogy is not quite the smash out of the gates that the first book was and instead is a solid continuation that is somewhat let down by a slower pace and what feels like a lot of unnecessary padding.

The sequel follows Jai - the only heir to the throne - and his continued attempts to become a dragon rider, while trying to balance life and expectations of two very different cultures, the one he was raised in and the dragon rider's culture he was torn from.

Fans of the first book will still find a lot to love here and it sets things up for an exciting next chapter in the Soulbound Saga.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. There was a part in the middle that felt rather boring and dragged out, but this changed towards the 60% mark. We got to see so much more about the culture of Jai's people and their customs. Winter is honestly such a cute dragon and I found myself smiling every time she came on the page. I hope that we'll see a certain character from book 1 in the next book again. And the epilogue?!?! I definitely have to go back to book 1 to see if there were any signs, because my jaw was on the floor when I read that.
All in all, this was a pretty solid second book and I'm excited to see where the story will go in the future books.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of The Tainted Khan by Taran Matharu, and wow-what a ride! From the very first page, I was completely pulled into this gripping fantasy world. The world-building is incredibly rich and vivid, and you can really tell how much thought and care has gone into creating it. There's a brilliant mix of political tension, deep lore, and heart-racing action that kept me totally hooked.
The characters are layered and genuinely interesting, especially the protagonist, whose journey is both emotional and powerful. I loved seeing their growth unfold alongside all the chaos and adventure. There were one or two slower parts, but overall the pacing kept me turning the pages, always keen to know what was coming next.
What really impressed me was just how immersive the whole world was.
If you're into high fantasy with a great mix of adventure, intrigue, and strong characters, l'd definitely recommend picking this one up!

I was really looking forward to reading The Tainted Khan and was not disappointed as this was a totally immersive follow up to Dragon Rider
The book begins pretty much as soon as the previous book and we are taken straight to the land of the steppes, the land of the tribe that Jai came from and where he hopes to find a home. The first part of the book is quite slow paced as both the reader and Jai learn about the lives of the tribes that make their home in this huge land. I really enjoyed reading about the lives of the Sithia and seeing Jai begin to find his place with his own people after so many years of being a hostage
The pace really begins to pick up once Jai is reunited with his father’s tribe and tries to claim his rightful place among them. My only real criticism is that Jai’s path was almost a little too easy and he seemed to be able to make the right decisions very quickly. However, I still enjoyed his growth as a character and the way he began to take control of events.
The growth of his soulbound with the baby dragon was lovely to read and although the book started off badly for the little dragon, she quite soon managed to win over the hearts of the ?????? and I enjoyed how the bond between them developed. There were also some great new character . I loved Feng and Sithri and Nazeem was a really oily corrupt politician that you justcouldn’t wait to get his comeuppance. We also meet a couple of familiar faces when Jai takes Winter off on a quest to learn more about his magic.
This was a solid second book in the trilogy which gave us a lot more information about the world and its magic as well as allowing Jai to really grow as a character. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the ending sets the scene up brilliantly for a fascinating third book.
Huge thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion