I was so exited to delve back into this world and I was not disappointed. The world building continues to be complex and interesting. Although the first third of the book is a little slow I did appreciate learning as Jai learnt about his culture.

The political intrigue continues to be an exciting storyline with addition of Jai’s uncle and the snake that is Nazeem. I will not say more without spoilers but I have a visceral reaction to that character.

And that ending I will be counting the days till the next book.

Thank you negalley and Harper Collins for the eARC.

Thank you to the publishers for granting me an arc.

I definitely enjoyed this book more than the first one. It was great to see Jai taking charge of his own fate and destiny, though he would never have done it without the help of companions he met along the way.

Looking forward to book 3!

The story continues after Jai's escape from the prison with Erica and the Huddites.

Personally, there is too much talk of mana and soulbreathing and Jai's thoughts are repetitive.

I found the pacing slow, and it only really picked up in the last 50 pages. If you enjoyed book one and didn't mind that, you will likely enjoy this too.

The following review contains HEAVY SPOILRES!!!!!

Dragon Rider was one of my favorite reads because it had such a unique feeling and atmosphere. I was really excited to read The Tainted Khan, but sadly this book turned out to be a huge heartbreak for me.
I am confused by the huge writing style difference between the two books that I'm like “What happened?!” .
The pacing was excruciatingly slow that 70% in, and you feel like you haven't moved an inch from the starting point.
The biggest disappointment in my opinion was Jai's character and the lack of growth for him.
The same stumbling and unexperienced Jai from Dragon Rider we saw the same in The Tainted Khan. Although in the first book it was normal for him to be so unaware of the world around him because he was locked inside the palace for so many years, by the second book, he already went through so many things to be this foolish.
Like he is not doing anything, and he is stumbling from one person to another to hold his hand and guide him and tell him what to do, and I never took him seriously and certainly not as a khan.
I was fuming at the way he threw around the most precious thing he got—the diary with all that experience and information given to him in a golden platter. Yet, he gave it carelessly to anyone who asked to read it, without realizing what vital information it holds. And at the end of the day, the small bits that he contributed were things stolen from the same diary.
The love interest between them felt kind of childish and strange given that both of them are rulers of their people, yet somehow they didn't make a decent conversation about what is that between them what they feel(Jai mentioned he doesn't feel worthy of her and the topic wasn't raised again to be solved) and what it means for them.
Furthermore, there were repetitions of things that were already covered, and I don't know how many times I read the word “sniffed” used frequently as a reaction or maybe as a substitute for shrug?
The review got a bit emotional, bordering on a rant, but I really felt heartbroken that one of my most anticipated reads wasn't what I hoped it would be.

Maybe it’s just me, but The Tainted Khan didn’t quite live up to the momentum I was expecting. In fact, the pacing felt completely off—I would’ve loved a slower, more immersive build in book one, but this sequel slows down just when it should be ramping up.

Jai’s long-awaited journey to connect with his people ends up being more disheartening than enlightening. He’s constantly reminded he doesn’t belong, and the clan’s interest in him seems more transactional than personal. There are big themes at play—identity, belonging, survival—but I never felt emotionally pulled in. The third-person POV created just enough distance that I struggled to connect with Jai’s internal journey.

One of the biggest disappointments for me was the reunion with Erica. After everything they’d been through, I expected tension, catharsis, *something*—but it was flat, brief, and surprisingly dull. A real missed opportunity for emotional weight.

And the magic? Pretty much on autopilot. We don’t dive much deeper into the system, and instead get repetitive beats like “I used mana” and “I refilled mana” over and over again. It started to feel like a checkbox rather than something that enriched the world or plot.

The battle scenes were plentiful, but not in a satisfying way. They popped up at odd moments, often felt oddly placed, and wrapped up with jarring speed or resolution that left me scratching my head. It was hard to feel any real tension or stakes when the rhythm felt so inconsistent.

As for Winter, Jai’s dragon—she was barely there unless the plot urgently needed her, and their bond came across as awkwardly sentimental rather than genuinely moving. I wanted to feel something there, but it just didn’t land.

The worldbuilding around the tribes had potential, but it leaned heavily on explanation and felt a bit flat. I was hoping for more cultural richness—traditions, costumes, daily life—but most of it stayed on the surface.

Overall, The Tainted Khan feels like a more introspective second act, but not in a way that resonated for me. The pacing was off, the emotional moments didn’t quite hit, and the things I loved from the first book—magic, character dynamics, depth—felt like they were either missing or muted.

Still curious to see how it all wraps up, but definitely hoping for more spark in the next one.

Thank you Harper Voyager for allowing me to read an eARC of this book!! I rated this one 4.5 ⭐️ I loved this book just as much as Dragon Rider! This series deserves way more hype! The battles, the trials, the YEARNING! It is one of a kind! A lot more world building in this book, I can’t wait to read book 3 especially after that last line!

The Tainted Khan by Taran Matharu is an action-packed, immersive fantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Matharu’s world-building is exceptional, creating a vivid and detailed setting that draws you in immediately. The political intrigue, rich lore, and high-stakes adventure all blend together seamlessly, making for a thrilling and enjoyable read.

The characters are well-developed, with complex motivations that evolve throughout the story. The protagonist’s journey is both compelling and emotional, and Matharu does a fantastic job of balancing action with character growth. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed slightly, but overall, the story kept me engaged and eager to see what happened next.

What really stands out in The Tainted Khan is the depth of the world and the stakes of the story. It’s clear that Matharu has crafted a series with incredible potential, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.

Overall, The Tainted Khan is a fantastic read for fans of high fantasy, filled with adventure, intrigue, and well-rounded characters. Highly recommend!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book early - and what a book! Wow!
I loved the first instalment and was worried that this wouldn't live up to my expectations on the continuation - but I think I loved this more. Action packed enough that it didn't feel slow or stuck but it wasn't at the detriment of the story progressing, beautifully written.
Move over Fourth Wing/Iron Flame - Dragon Rider/Tainted Khan have you beat!

The long awaited sequel to Dragon Rider, The Tainted Khan is another action packed, high tension adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you Taran Matharu and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

This book was as solid as the first installment! The dragon storyline intrigued me and had me hooked the story the entire time, despite the lag in the first few pages. Taran Matharu filled this booked up with action-packed scenes that had me envisioning it all in my head like a seamless movie in my head!

If you love political fantasy with the epic plotlines, dragons & atmospheric scenery, you'll enjoy this one for its fight scenes!

This book continues off from the ending of Dragon Rider and what a ride this book was

While it was slow to start this almost worked in its favour as it builds in the differing cultures and Jai’s feelings toward not knowing his own people.
I loved the glimpse into the Steppefolk and the way they are vastly different from the main culture in book 1, but they are complicated and not as they were painted to be from the eyes of the sabines.

Jai as a character really grew on me. I loved his journey here how he really came into his own.

There were parts that were predictable but in a way an old family book might be, I knew the point the characters would get to but not the path they’d take to get there.

The magic system was explored a lot more here (for the better) and I loved learning about it, learning more about dragons and the like and how mana works. Fascinating! Probably some of the best parts of the book for me

This book doesn’t shy away from making you as the reader uncomfortable. In part because of how the tribes work but also because it brings into question the morality of some choices.


Highly highly recommended if anyone is a dragon lover

A great book! The second in the Soulbound Saga

I've read the summoner series years ago and discovered Taran Matharu started writing adult books so I couldn't wait to read it. The Dragon Rider was immensely enjoyable and this book didn't disappoint.

There is great character development and plot. I can't wait to read the next book!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

4.5⭐️

As the growing threat of the Sabine Empire intensifies, the tribes of the Great Steppe must unite if they want to survive. Jai must fulfil his destiny, following in his father’s footsteps to become the leader his people need him to be. However, time is running out for him. He must work swiftly to develop his magical abilities, gain knowledge, and transform into a formidable warrior if he has any chance of saving his people and the woman he loves…

I loved The Dragon Rider and have been eagerly anticipating its sequel. It didn’t disappoint!

The pacing is slow, but it fits perfectly with the narrative. The Tainted Khan’s true strength lies in the character development of Jai. It’s not rushed and it feels authentic. At the start we see a boy and by the end, we have a honed warrior and strategist with a realistic chance of withstanding the threat of the Sabine Empire.

The book incorporates a diverse blend of cultural lore, transporting you into a rich and fantastical world.

It concludes on a cliffhanger, which I anticipated but nonetheless I’m excited to see where the next book takes it. All in all a great sequel!

This starts off immediately after the events of Dragon Rider I really liked this as it had the start of book two feel very cohesive and the set up felt very natural to overall progression of the plot. The Tainted Khan, expanded the world and through Jai we learn more about the Steppefolk and the tradition of a tribe. I loved learning about their culture and we are introduced to great side characters as a result. Really liked book 2 and I’m excited to continue this series as I find the writing really accessible and the plot to be captivating.

4.5 ⭐

The Tainted Khan is the second book in The Soulbound Saga series and picks up directly from the events in Dragon Rider (book 1).

The pacing in this one is slower than book one but for good reasons, it takes its time with the story telling and the world building and lore is very immersive. We see a fair bit of character development in Jai due to the situations he faces throughout the story, he continues to build on his connection with Winter and his soulbound skills, whilst also dealing with the threat of rival clans and the sabine empire. The story has a lot more political intrigue this time around which was implemented well and added to the enjoyment. It definitely kept me hooked from start to finish and I can't wait for the next installment (especially with that ending!).

I highly recommend checking out this series if you haven't already!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of The Tainted Khan in return for an honest review.

A solid next installation in this series. Matharu keeps improving as a writer which is a delight to see.

Thank you NetGalleyUk and HarperCollins Uk, Harper Fiction, for an eARC of The Tainted Khan in return for an honest review.

The Tainted Khan is the second book in The Soulbound Saga series, following the first book Dragon Rider. In this story we pick up with Jai separating from the rest of the characters in the Steppe, the land from where he originated, ready to regain the title of Khan, his birthright. This is an epic adventure from him learning the basics about life within the tribe to all of the obstacles he must cross, both to gain the trust of the people, and to wage war against their enemies.

What drew my attention to the first book was the storyline of the dragons. I felt like this was a little slow over the first 100 pages of this second book, as there was very little of Winter (Jai's dragon) in it; the book definitely picked up more as it progressed and I was very happy with how much page time we then got with Winter. This is a longer book than I would normally read, but I think the length of this (over 500pages) was perfect. The author spent the time to show us more depth to Jai, and even though he read a little young, I was rooting for him and pleased with the character progress that we got with him. I look forward to spending more time with Jai, in this world, in the next one.

I recommend this is If you like epic political fantasies, with dragons, gorgeous descriptions of the natural scenery, and well written fight scenes.

This is a slow burn sequel to Dragon Rider. The pace is slow, but it's a very good read as we immerse ourselves in the world of the Sithia, Jai's people.

The Tainted Khan focuses on Jai's journey through the levels of the soulbound as he comes to grips with becoming one of the Sithia. The book is about Jai's development as a character.

That said, there is still plenty of action, especially in the latter half of the book that keeps the plot moving forward nicely. The cliffhanger at the end sets up a nice ending for the series.

This is a very solid read and I'm looking forward to the next.

Just an absolutely beautiful series. Brings such beautiful imagery and world building.
Super exciting read, I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 3 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.