Format: Hardcover, 576 pages
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Source: Publisher
Genre: Fantasy / Dragons & Mythical Creatures
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--bonded to his dragon so he can finally fly!--if he has any chance of finding safety, seizing his destiny…and seeking his revenge.
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 an unbreakable determination. This is an adult story featuring two teens trying to understand their destinies.
Key Characters: Jai, son of Rohan, King of the Kidra People, and Princess Erica, daughter of King Ivar of the Dansk Kingdom. Jai has lived 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. In this world, conquered tribes pay yearly tributes, and warriors already captured remain fettered. Tribes send their children to be raised in the Sabine Court until they reach the age of 20.
When the emperor’s son and heir is betrothed to Princess Erica of the neighboring Dansk Kingdom, she brings with her 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.
Jai is years away from his freedom, but his older brothers, Arjun and Samar, are close to gaining their freedom after years of being faithful to Prince Titus. Until Titus commits patricide against his father, Constantine. He also kills Jai's brothers and King Ivar, and most of his people in an ambush. Jai is blamed for the death of Leonid, the former Emperor, and forced to go on the run from the walled city of Latium to save his own life. Shortly thereafter, Jai finds that he has been soulbound to a baby dragon named Winter that was been born way too early.
Jai's struggle to return to his homeland brings about a tenuous alliance with the supposed handmaiden to Princess Erica, Frida, and an old Gryphon Guard named Rufus who promises to teach Jai the secrets to being soulbound, while guiding him and Frida away from those who are chasing them including Titus, and Magnus, Lord Commander of the Gryphon Guard who helped Titus commit an act of war against the people his father was trying to make peace with.
*Thoughts* Whenever you hand me a book that features dragons, I'm all in. It's like catnip for my soul. I absolutely adored the relationship between Kai and Winter, and look forward to watching it grow as the series continues. In this story, the Sabine Warriors are soulbound to Gryphon's but they are eager to learn how to be soulbound to Dragon's. They must cultivate it within themselves through a painstaking process. As Jai learns through a very painful process, being soulbound gives you access to Fire, light, speed, and strength. This story is dark at times, especially after Jai is captured, and tortured after being captured. The book ends on a cliffhanger that gives readers a peak into what they can expect next.
No comments:
Post a Comment