HarperVoyager has netted an epic new adult fantasy trilogy from Taran Matharu in a six-figure pre-empt. 

Vicky Leech Mateos acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to the trilogy from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment. David Pomerico acquired North American rights, also in a major six figure pre-empt, from Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency on behalf of Mushens. Dutch rights were pre-empted by Van Goor with more deals expected during the fair. The first book in the series, Dragon Rider, will publish in July 2023.

Dragon Rider is described as “a tale of dragons and the riders who bond with them” set against the brutal backdrop of an uprising against the empire. The story follows Jai, a royal hostage and now lowly servant to the empire that slew his family and rule his people. When the emperor’s son is betrothed to Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom she brings with her a gift: dragons. Only Dansk Royalty can soulbond 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, and Jai uses the opportunity to finally escape. The dragon egg he takes with him will change his fate, and that of the world, forever. 

Matharu said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to publish my first adult series with HarperVoyager, a publisher whose books line my shelves more than those of any other. I can think of no better team to bring my Dragon Rider novel to life, and to bookstores across the English-speaking world.” 

Leech Mateos added: “I’ve admired Taran’s work for a long time and am so thrilled to be part of his step into the adult fantasy arena. With Dragon Rider, he has created a world full of rebellion, magic, fire and heart that his existing readers will leap to and newcomers will love. The epic fantasy I’ve been looking for that will set the world on fire.”