The Tainted Khan: Book Review

Today, we will be reviewing The Tainted Khan by Taran Matharu the second book in the The Soulbound Saga series. Keep reading to find out what we thought of this novel and if you should add it to your reading list!

The Tainted Khan Summary 

Jai finds himself a prisoner of an outcast group and must fit in and learn his people’s language and culture. His presence is barely accepted but he makes a friend who helps him fit in and teach him everything he has missed out on. 

But Jai needs to reunite with his father’s tribe and lead them. What he sees there shocks him and he soon realizes that he is not safe under his uncle’s rule. Jai needs to find his place here and figure out how to survive. 

Because Jai needs to lead his people for the oncoming war. However, he has to earn their trust and respect. To do that, he has to journey alone with his dragon. 

The legionaries and Gryphon Guard of the Sabine Empire are attacking tribes and if Jai doesn’t do anything, his people will be wiped out and enslaved. Can Jai bring his people together and fight back against the Sabine Empire?

Commentary

The Tainted Khan was released in April 2025 and is an enjoyable fantasy novel that does a great job worldbuilding. Jai isn’t the most interesting protagonist but he is one that many young readers can see themselves in. 

Book two focuses on Jai integrating with his own people and learning his culture for the first time. That is a great way to also introduce the culture to readers and Matharu does this well. My biggest complaint about this novel was the pacing. 

The action is slow and in between and this is a problem I feel like always happen in book two of a trilogy. Authors often get too focused on worldbuilidng or setting up the third book that the second book feels like a bridge. 

We get to see more of the world that Jai inhabits in The Tainted Khan and it sets up a great third book. We are introduced to new characters that play an important part and will going forward. Still, it feels like the novel is missing a character that readers can get behind.

As I look back, this book feels like it would be a great television show. The target audience might be a reason why it feels like that. Even as an adult, you can still enjoy this and I wouldn’t let that stop people from enjoying this novel.

Conclusion

I have enjoyed seeing the fantasy genre grow over the past decade. The Tainted Khan and fantasy novels from authors such as Martha Wells shows that the future is bright. Novels like these can be enjoyed by both younger and older audiences. 

This is a good second novel that could have been a little better in my opinion but I still enjoyed. I am eager to read the third book and see what epic ending Matharu has in store for us. Happy reading!

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