bookaddictjax's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
accordingtobri's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I'm having trouble even articulating how much I enjoyed Dragon Rider! It felt like everything a fantasy should be, extremely well informed, and just a fun overall read.
Jai's character growth was SO GOOD. He was sniveling and small at the beginning and by the end I felt pride in his character for taking risks he would've never at the start.
The story progression felt a little slow at times but it's the first in the series so it's almost expected as the world building needs to be set up.
I loved that every character not only had a purpose, but felt WHOLE. Even the smallest of roles didn't feel flat. The same could be said for the Magick system. It's explained so well that you feel like you're learning it all right beside Jai. How mana works, soul breathing, the emotional connection with your beast, etc. It was super interesting.
Also, I want a Winter of my own.
Keep your eyes peeled for Dragon Rider to drop in April of 2024! It's definitely a must-read fantasy (also, dragons. If not just bc freakin DRAGONS)
I'm having trouble even articulating how much I enjoyed Dragon Rider! It felt like everything a fantasy should be, extremely well informed, and just a fun overall read.
Jai's character growth was SO GOOD. He was sniveling and small at the beginning and by the end I felt pride in his character for taking risks he would've never at the start.
The story progression felt a little slow at times but it's the first in the series so it's almost expected as the world building needs to be set up.
I loved that every character not only had a purpose, but felt WHOLE. Even the smallest of roles didn't feel flat. The same could be said for the Magick system. It's explained so well that you feel like you're learning it all right beside Jai. How mana works, soul breathing, the emotional connection with your beast, etc. It was super interesting.
Also, I want a Winter of my own.
Keep your eyes peeled for Dragon Rider to drop in April of 2024! It's definitely a must-read fantasy (also, dragons. If not just bc freakin DRAGONS)
kayceeisbookish's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There is nonstop action in this fantastic fantasy world that Taran has built for us. The magic system I found unique and interesting. The "soul bound" was an inventive way to have the characters interact and integrate themselves into the creatures of the world around them. The would building was so good. I'm so excited to see more from this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Vomit, Child death, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Animal death, Blood, Colonisation, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, War, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Hate crime, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Cursing, Grief, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Terminal illness
21savagesheeb's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was an absolute blast!
If you thought Fourth Wing was lacking in writing quality, but loved the dragons and violence- this is for you!
We are dropped into a world with complex and brutal politics at play. Jai is a prisoner, one living in a castle serving the elderly royal who murdered his father. He was born a third string prince to a people at war, but has lived most of his life as a hostage. His two older brothers become companions of a sort for the Sabine prince Titus, but Jai rarely leaves the palace.
The Dansk royals come to marry their princess off to Prince Titus to protect the fragile peace between their nations. Jai meets the princess' handmaiden and by luck, she saves his life. Things quickly become bloody, and it's clear that Titus has no intention of allowing a peaceful future. With Jai's life now at risk, he attempts to flee and warn the Dansk of the horrors intended for them.
During his escape he discovers a dragon egg and soul bonds with it. Individuals can soul bond with certain animals in order to gain the ability to use mana. They must cultivate it within themselves through a painstaking process. The mana allows them to use magic. Fire, light, speed, and strength are all available to those who have bonded with such a creature. In fact, the Sabine royal family has a deadly group of soldiers who are soul bound to Gryphon and they strike fear into the hearts of any who encounter them. The process is incredibly secretive and intended only for the elite.
From there it's an epic journey of survival, endearing love for his baby dragon Winter, and determination to finally be free. Jai and the handmaiden Frida team up to escape with their lives. They encounter starvation, extreme elements, battles for their life, and one man who promises to help them survive- at a high price.
The bond that forms between Jai and Winter is beautiful to watch, they pull each other through some incredibly dark moments. Jai is beaten, poisoned, and lashed within an inch of his life. This book is not for those with a weak stomach! The process of cultivating mana was creative and detailed, I could picture Jai reaching within and seeing his core, pulling mana from the world around him and directing it through the passages of his soul. I do wish that ascension was more thoroughly explained as it is vaguely described as reaching a new level of soul bound ability that is rare and makes the individual incredibly powerful. Along with that, while the process of creating mana is detailed, the actual use of magic is brushed over. This is partially due to the fact that Jai is constantly on the move, captured, tortured, or just unable to find a single moment of peace. That being said, how do the hand gestures work? What is the extent of the magical abilities? Does it consist of spells or intentional thought? I also wish that I knew Jai a bit better. I don't have much intimate knowledge of who he is personally or his motivations (other than freedom), despite closely following him throughout the book. I have a clear view of the overarching world, but would love to get deeper in his brain.
This world and the politics were expertly crafted, and the violent bloodshed is a hallmark of many of my favorite books. While the beginning is slow, it is very much needed to set up the world that Jai is living in and provide context to what is to come. If you stick with it you will be rewarded! Betrayal, subjugation, poisonings, brutal beatings, patricide, and a pinch of mystery all wait within these pages. There was nothing light and easy about this, but that makes it all the better! There is great struggle, deep pain, and honor in unexpected places if you choose to fall into this insane world. EVERYONE PLEASE READ ASAP. It's killing me that I can't discuss my theories until you all get this into your grubby little hands. :)
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
If you thought Fourth Wing was lacking in writing quality, but loved the dragons and violence- this is for you!
We are dropped into a world with complex and brutal politics at play. Jai is a prisoner, one living in a castle serving the elderly royal who murdered his father. He was born a third string prince to a people at war, but has lived most of his life as a hostage. His two older brothers become companions of a sort for the Sabine prince Titus, but Jai rarely leaves the palace.
The Dansk royals come to marry their princess off to Prince Titus to protect the fragile peace between their nations. Jai meets the princess' handmaiden and by luck, she saves his life. Things quickly become bloody, and it's clear that Titus has no intention of allowing a peaceful future. With Jai's life now at risk, he attempts to flee and warn the Dansk of the horrors intended for them.
During his escape he discovers a dragon egg and soul bonds with it. Individuals can soul bond with certain animals in order to gain the ability to use mana. They must cultivate it within themselves through a painstaking process. The mana allows them to use magic. Fire, light, speed, and strength are all available to those who have bonded with such a creature. In fact, the Sabine royal family has a deadly group of soldiers who are soul bound to Gryphon and they strike fear into the hearts of any who encounter them. The process is incredibly secretive and intended only for the elite.
From there it's an epic journey of survival, endearing love for his baby dragon Winter, and determination to finally be free. Jai and the handmaiden Frida team up to escape with their lives. They encounter starvation, extreme elements, battles for their life, and one man who promises to help them survive- at a high price.
The bond that forms between Jai and Winter is beautiful to watch, they pull each other through some incredibly dark moments. Jai is beaten, poisoned, and lashed within an inch of his life. This book is not for those with a weak stomach! The process of cultivating mana was creative and detailed, I could picture Jai reaching within and seeing his core, pulling mana from the world around him and directing it through the passages of his soul. I do wish that ascension was more thoroughly explained as it is vaguely described as reaching a new level of soul bound ability that is rare and makes the individual incredibly powerful. Along with that, while the process of creating mana is detailed, the actual use of magic is brushed over. This is partially due to the fact that Jai is constantly on the move, captured, tortured, or just unable to find a single moment of peace. That being said, how do the hand gestures work? What is the extent of the magical abilities? Does it consist of spells or intentional thought? I also wish that I knew Jai a bit better. I don't have much intimate knowledge of who he is personally or his motivations (other than freedom), despite closely following him throughout the book. I have a clear view of the overarching world, but would love to get deeper in his brain.
This world and the politics were expertly crafted, and the violent bloodshed is a hallmark of many of my favorite books. While the beginning is slow, it is very much needed to set up the world that Jai is living in and provide context to what is to come. If you stick with it you will be rewarded! Betrayal, subjugation, poisonings, brutal beatings, patricide, and a pinch of mystery all wait within these pages. There was nothing light and easy about this, but that makes it all the better! There is great struggle, deep pain, and honor in unexpected places if you choose to fall into this insane world. EVERYONE PLEASE READ ASAP. It's killing me that I can't discuss my theories until you all get this into your grubby little hands. :)
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
kazthebookdragon69's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
3.75
**ARC REVIEW, READ COURTESY THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARPERCOLLINS**
This was a pretty good start of what looks like a series. As someone who has grown up loving dragons, and stories with dragons I can be pretty apprehensive about a story with said dragons. But I'm glad I got this ARC. If you like dragons, want more books with dragons, etc I suggest trying this when it's out.
This was a pretty good start of what looks like a series. As someone who has grown up loving dragons, and stories with dragons I can be pretty apprehensive about a story with said dragons. But I'm glad I got this ARC. If you like dragons, want more books with dragons, etc I suggest trying this when it's out.
gl02's review
1.0
Worst book I've read this year. Too long, absent plot, all twists are actually expected from any reader, the main feature of the protagonist is how bad he smells and his preoccupation with his genitalia.
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