Taran Matharu
Taran Matharu has published 12 books across 3 series. The recommended reading order starts with Origins (2015).
Taran Matharu is a fantasy author from London. He began writing his Summoner series at age twenty-two during NaNoWriMo, sharing his work on Wattpad.com. A sample of the story went viral, reaching over three million reads in less than six months and leading to his publishing deal. The Summoner series has been translated into 15 languages and sold more than a million copies in English. His Contender series, which began with The Chosen, is also notable. Matharu was born in London in 1990, and his books are published internationally by Hachette, Macmillan, and other publishers.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Contender Books
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasyDescriptionCade is settling into a new boarding school when he is transported to another realm. This new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and people who, like Cade, have vanished with no explanation throughout history. Cade and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game controlled by mysterious overlords. But who are these beings, and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle, because hiding is not an option in this young adult fantasy novel. The Chosen, first published in 2019, is part of the Order of Contender Books series.Publication dateJune 4, 2019Amazon rating4.5/5Print length368LanguageEnglishPublisherFeiwel & Friends
- Tags---DescriptionCade Carter and his friends have survived the first battle of the Game, but the trials are just beginning. The stakes are higher than ever for the second book in Taran Matharu's Order of Contender Books series, published in 2020. When the group discovers their next foe will be more ferocious than the last, Cade leads them on a quest into their strange new world to find anything that might give them an edge. But what they find in the wilds could prove to be even more dangerous than the impending battle. The Challenger is a YA novel that pushes its characters to their limits.Publication dateAugust 11, 2020Amazon rating4.7/5Print length400LanguageEnglishPublisherFeiwel & Friends
- Tags---DescriptionThe Champion is the explosive final book in the Order of Contender Books series, where Cade and his friends face the ultimate battle for their lives and the fate of Earth. Cade has barely survived his duel with the Hydra Alpha, but the Games orchestrated by the cruel and mysterious Pantheon are far from over. Now, under the order of their overlord Abaddon, Cade and his allies are sent to war against the Greys, a technologically advanced humanoid race on their home planet. This mission to climb the leaderboard leads Cade to a game-changing revelation: the alien masterminds behind the Games have a weakness. With the right artifacts scavenged from the land of Acies and a heavy dose of courage and luck, Cade has one chance to end their tyranny forever. But if he fails, the lives of his friends and the survival of Earth itself will be forfeit. This 384-page novel, first published in 2022, leaves readers with the question of whether Cade can succeed against impossible odds.Publication dateAugust 9, 2022Amazon rating4.6/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherSquare Fish
Order of Summoner Books
- Tags---DescriptionArcturus is an orphaned stableboy who discovers he can summon demons from another world. His ability to summon demons from another world sends him to Vocans Military Academy, where the lost arts of summoning, spellcraft, and demonology are taught to the empire's noble children. As the first commoner gifted with this ability, his discovery challenges the nobility and the established powers. At the academy, Arcturus quickly makes enemies. With only his demon Sacharissa by his side, Arcturus must prove himself as a worthy Summoner in this prequel to The Novice, the first book in the Order of Summoner Books series. Origins, published in 2015, offers a glimpse into the action and adventure of this world.Publication dateMay 1, 2015Amazon rating4.5/5Print length135LanguageEnglishPublisherFeiwel & Friends
- Tags---DescriptionA Fine Welcome is an e-short that details Othello's path to Vocans Academy. Readers familiar with Fletcher's dwarven classmate from The Novice, Book One in the Summoner Trilogy, will learn how he arrived at the academy against all odds. This story explores the events that led Othello from his village to the halls of Vocans, setting the stage for his future adventures in the Order of Summoner Books series.Publication dateMarch 15, 2016Amazon rating4.1/5Print length12LanguageEnglishPublisherFeiwel & Friends
- Tagscrimegraphic-novelsDescriptionFletcher is a blacksmith's apprentice who discovers he can summon demons from another world. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he is forced to flee his village with his demon, Ignatius, and travel to an academy for adepts. There, he learns the art of summoning alongside nobles and commoners, preparing to serve as a Battlemage in the Empire's war against the Orcs. The Novice, the first book in Taran Matharu's Order of Summoner Books series, was published in 2016 and spans 384 pages. The story follows Fletcher as sinister forces begin to infect his new friendships and rivalries grow. With only Ignatius by his side, Fletcher must navigate these complex relationships and decide where his loyalties truly lie. The fate of the Empire hangs in the balance, and Fletcher must confront the growing darkness within the academy and the growing threat from without. Can he master his powers and protect the Empire, or will he succumb to the dangers that surround him?Publication dateMay 10, 2016Amazon rating4.5/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherSquare Fish
- Tagsepic-fantasyfantasyDescriptionFletcher and Ignatius have been imprisoned, facing trial by the Inquisition, an institution eager for Fletcher's downfall. Shocking revelations about Fletcher's origins surface, but he has little time to process them. The graduating students of Vocans are sent on a dangerous mission into the orc jungles for the king and his council. If they fail, the orcish armies will rise to power beyond anything the Empire has ever seen. With loyal friends Othello and Sylva by his side, Fletcher must battle his way to the heart of Orcdom. The Inquisition, the second book in Taran Matharu's Summoner Trilogy, is an action-packed epic fantasy where he must save Hominum from destruction, or die trying. This 384-page novel was first published in 2017.Publication dateMay 2, 2017Amazon rating4.6/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherSquare Fish
- Tagsfantasyepic-fantasyDescriptionThe Battlemage is the epic conclusion to Taran Matharu’s Summoner Trilogy, an action-packed adventure published in 2018. Fletcher and his classmates from Vocans Academy travel through the ether on a dangerous quest to rebuild their world and broker peace. Leading a small army, Fletcher faces his greatest challenge: his nemesis, Khan, who seeks to destroy everything Fletcher holds dear. This 384-page fantasy novel, part of the Order of Summoner Books series, pushes Fletcher to his limits as he confronts the ultimate threat to his existence and the world he is fighting to save.Publication dateMay 1, 2018Amazon rating4.6/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherSquare Fish
- TagsfantasyDescriptionStable boy Arcturus accidentally summons a demon and becomes Hominum's first common summoner. This power makes him the key to a secret that the Empire's overlords will do anything to keep hidden. He is whisked away to Vocans Academy, where he is watched over and surrounded by enemies. The Summoner is a fantasy novel that turns Arcturus's life upside down as Hominum Empire is consumed by turmoil and rebellious intent simmers among the masses. He has little time to settle in before he must choose a side. Will he align himself with the rebels or the Empire, or will he watch it all crumble around him?Publication dateMay 1, 2018Amazon rating4.7/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherFeiwel & Friends
- Tags---DescriptionThe Summoner's Handbook is a guide to the art of summoning, first published in 2018. The ability to summon is passed down through blood, connecting human counterparts with demonic creatures. This volume reveals the journal of James Baker, the very book that inspired Fletcher, the hero of the Order of Summoner Books series, to discover his own summoning gifts. Within its 224 pages readers will find a complete demonology, a guide to the basics of summoning, and artwork from the Hominum Empire. What secrets of summoning did James Baker uncover?Publication dateOctober 2, 2018Amazon rating4.7/5Print length224LanguageEnglishPublisherFeiwel & Friends
Order of The Soulbound Saga Books
- TagsfantasyDescriptionAn orphan captive, Jai, lives as a royal hostage in the Sabine Court, ever since his father Rohan led a failed rebellion and was executed by the emperor Jai now serves. When the emperor's son is betrothed to Princess Erica of the neighboring Dansk Kingdom, she brings dragons as a dowry. Only Dansk royalty know the secret to soulbonding with these powerful beasts, an intricate magic system that draws on their power. This alliance will change everything. Conspirators lurk in the shadows, and the Sabine Court descends into chaos. Jai uses the opportunity to escape with Frida, a Dansk handmaiden, and a stolen hatchling. Hunted at every turn, he must learn to cultivate magic and become a soulbound warrior. Can he find safety, seize his destiny, and seek his revenge?Publication dateApril 23, 2024Amazon rating4.5/5Print length576LanguageEnglishPublisherHarper Voyager
- TagsfantasyDescriptionJai dreams of being a dragon rider and leading his people, the Kidara, to freedom from the Sabine Empire. He has his dragon, Winter, but both are still growing in power, and the road to victory is fraught with challenges. When he finds a tribe on the Great Steppe, they are outcasts known as the Tainted, and Jai finds himself a stranger among them, ill-versed in their customs and political intricacies. His uncle rules the Kidara, and is reluctant to cede power, leaving Jai unsure if he could hold it even if offered. The Sabine Empire's legionaries and Gryphon Guard wreak havoc on the steppe tribes, forcing Jai to quickly learn to tame the khiroi cavalry, level up his magic, and become a true warrior. He must also worry over the fate of the woman he loves and strengthen his bond with Winter. Can Jai master his growing power and secure his people's freedom before the empire crushes them all?Publication dateApril 22, 2025Amazon rating4.6/5Print length592LanguageEnglishPublisherHarper Voyager
Frequently Asked Questions about Taran Matharu
Taran Matharu writes in series, and reading them in publication order is the most straightforward approach. Begin with the Order of the Summoner series, followed by the Order of Contender books, and then proceed to The Soulbound Saga. Within each series, the books are intended to be read in the order they were released.
A good starting point for Taran Matharu's books is the first book in his Order of the Summoner series, Origins, published in 2015. This series introduces readers to his distinctive blend of fantasy elements and character development, setting the stage for his subsequent works. Following this series chronologically will lead you into the Order of Contender books and then The Soulbound Saga.
Yes, it is generally recommended to read Taran Matharu's books in the order they were published. His series are structured with interconnected plots and character arcs that build upon previous installments. While some individual books within a series might offer a degree of standalone enjoyment, experiencing the narrative as it unfolds chronologically will provide the most complete understanding of the world and its characters. This is particularly true for the Order of the Summoner and Order of Contender series.
Taran Matharu primarily writes books that are part of series. His major works are organized into distinct series, such as the Order of the Summoner, the Order of Contender, and The Soulbound Saga. Each of these series features multiple books that follow a continuous storyline and character progression. While individual books within a series may have their own narrative arcs, they are best understood and enjoyed as part of the larger sequence.
As of late 2023, Taran Matharu has written at least eleven books across his published series. The Order of the Summoner series includes six books, and the Order of Contender series includes three books. He also has upcoming books in The Soulbound Saga series. This count may increase as new books are released. The exact total number of published books can vary depending on how collected editions or novellas are categorized.
The first book Taran Matharu wrote and published was Origins, which is the initial installment in the Order of the Summoner series. It was released in 2015. This novel introduced readers to the world and characters that would form the foundation of his early popular fantasy work. Following this debut, Matharu continued to build upon this narrative universe with subsequent books in the same series.
Taran Matharu's most recent book is The Champion, published in 2022, which is the third and final book in the Order of Contender series. This novel concludes the arc for that particular series. Readers looking for his newest work should note that he also has upcoming books planned in The Soulbound Saga series, with Dragon Rider set for 2024.
Taran Matharu writes fantasy novels. His books are characterized by elements such as magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests. He often incorporates themes of adventure, conflict, and personal growth within his fantastical settings. His series typically involve young protagonists who discover extraordinary abilities or destinies, navigating complex worlds filled with both wonder and danger.
Sabaa Tahir
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Emmy Laybourne
Coming soon
Christopher Paolini
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We verified the reading order for Taran Matharu's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Taran Matharu Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/taran-matharu