‘A dazzlingly epic and richly complex world of dragons, magic, and rebellion’Amélie Wen Zhao, bestselling author ofNew York TimesSong of Silver, Flame Like Night

'Dragons with depth… Taran Matharu masterfully layers the history, politics and soulful magic of his world with page-turning ease, all the while delivering shocks, bloodshed and a splash of slow-burn spice'Cari Thomas, bestselling author ofSunday TimesThreadneedle

FROM THE ASHES OF AN EMPIRE, A HERO WILL RISE…

Jai has spent his life forced to serve the cruel empire that killed his family and now rules his people.

To grow ever more powerful, the emperor’s young son is betrothed to Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom. An unconquerable realm, where ancient beasts roam. The princess brings with her a priceless gift: dragons. Only Dansk Royalty can bond with these magical beasts to draw on their power and strength. Until now.

When the betrothal goes wrong, a bloody coup leads to chaos at court. Finally, Jai has a chance to escape. He flees with a fierce Dansk warrior, Frida, but not before stealing a dragon egg.

To vanquish the empire, he must do the impossible: bond with a dragon. Only then he can seize his destiny, and seek his revenge …

An epic new fantasy from bestselling author Taran Matharu, where dragons fly and empires fall.New York Times

'Eragon and Sapphira, Laurence and Temeraire, and now Jai and Winter. A brilliant beginning!'Michael R. Miller, bestselling author of the Songs of Chaos series

‘Bloody, glorious, and irresistibly compelling, is a riveting epic that is at once sweepingly vast and heart-wrenchingly personal’Dragon RiderSarah Beth Durst, award-winning author ofThe Bone Maker

‘Brutal politics, intricate worldbuilding, and edge-of-the-seat battles’Prashanth Srivatsa, author ofThe Spice Gate

classic fantasy adventure that reminds me of the novels I loved growing up, but with a flair of cultivation from the novels I love now’‘AWill Wight, bestselling author of the Cradle seriesNew York Times

READ THE EPIC FANTASY WITH SCORCHING FIVE-STAR READER REVIEWS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

‘After falling in love with the dragons in and … did not disappoint in any way. I was hooked’Fourth WingIron FlameDragon Rider

‘What an absolutely amazing ride this was!’

‘Fans of and will love this book!’Iron FlameDragonfall

‘Okay, this is a must read! If you like dragons, political intrigue and machinations, and a touch of violence, pick it up!’

FROM THE ASHES OF AN EMPIRE, A HERO WILL RISE…