Five-star reviews from Reader’s Favorite:

#1 Reviewed by Christian Sia

The Honor of Dragons by Robert Jones is a compelling fantasy that intertwines the narratives of two protagonists linked by fate and vengeance. The story kicks off with young Gek, a Great Dragon who escapes into the forest after witnessing the brutal murder of his mother by the Royal Guard. His journey toward survival is aided by his ancient grandfather, Ard, who imparts crucial survival skills—from hunting and magic to flying and fire-breathing. The training scenes between Gek and Ard are both heartwarming and thrilling, providing an intimate glance at dragon culture and lore. In contrast, Donovan's story offers a grim portrayal of human ambition and revenge. After losing his father, the Battle Mage Edward, to Gek's mother, Donovan's quest for vengeance leads him to the Wizards Academy and an internal struggle, particularly his reluctance to embrace magic despite his dire need.

Robert Jones excels at creating a rich, finely drawn world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and political intrigue. The king's denial of the dragons' existence and the underlying tension between dragons and humans provide a robust backdrop for the unfolding drama. The dragons, few in number but fierce in their struggle for survival, offer a fresh perspective on these often-vilified mythical creatures. The alternating perspectives of Gek and Donovan enrich the narrative, building suspense and empathy for both sides of the conflict. Jones's prose is elegant and peppered with engaging dialogues. The Honor of Dragons is a remarkable tale of survival, vengeance, and the intricate dynamics of human and dragon coexistence.

 #2 Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

The Honor of Dragons by Robert Jones is a delightful fantasy novel that follows the journeys of two protagonists. Gek is a Great Dragon who escapes into the forest after witnessing the murder of his mother by the Royal Guard. His path to survival is aided by his ancient grandfather, Ard, who imparts essential skills, from hunting and magic to flying and fire-breathing. Meanwhile, Donovan's story presents a grim portrayal of revenge. After losing his father, the Battle Mage Edward, to Gek's mother, Donovan's quest for vengeance drives him to the Wizards Academy. His desire for revenge is relentless; he will stop at nothing to destroy Gek and everything dear to the dragon. Unbeknownst to him, dragons are also determined to survive, and, despite their small number, they will fight. Does Donovan stand a chance at revenge, or will this desire lead to his downfall?

Robert Jones is a great storyteller with the ability to create worlds that are rich with magic. The intersection between the worlds of humans and dragons is exceptionally written. Using anthropomorphism adds depth to the characters, making it easier for readers to connect with these mythical creatures. Their inner worlds are expertly explored. The setting is stunningly imagined and beautifully accomplished, from the elements that characterize the wilds of forestlands to the human settlements. The narrative is suspenseful, and the alternating points of view enhance the suspense. The Honor of Dragons has excellent writing, interesting dialogues, and lovable characters; it is a gorgeous offering for fans of YA fantasy.

 #3 Reviewed by K.C. Finn

The Honor of Dragons is penned by author Robert Jones in the fantasy, action, and adventure genres for young adult readers. After his mother is murdered by the Royal Guard, young Great Dragon Gek flees to the forest and meets his ancient grandfather, Ard. Ard teaches Gek essential survival skills, including hunting, magic, flying, and fire-breathing. Gek’s mission is to find his Sea Dragon father, whom he has never met. Meanwhile, Donovan, seeking vengeance for his father’s death by a dragon, reluctantly pursues magic at the Wizards Academy to kill Gek. Unaware of dragons' true nature, the king and his forces face an unexpected challenge as the dragons fight for their existence.

Author Robert Jones uses brilliant imagination and emotive storytelling in an enthralling journey into a richly imagined world. The story of Gek, driven by survival and the quest to find his father, immediately captivated me, and the close narrative viewpoint allows us to really relate to his struggles, humanizing him as an empathetic hero. The bond between Gek and his reluctant mentor, Ard, was both touching and powerful, highlighting themes of resilience and learning with compelling dialogue that enhanced their relationship dynamic but also moved the plot forward so naturally. The misunderstanding between humans and dragons, underpinned by the king’s ignorance, creates a compelling backdrop for the unfolding conflict that is highly original for this genre of fantasy. I thought it had a suitable amount of complexity for both YA and adult readers to enjoy. Jones’s vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters brought the magical and perilous world to life, making for a gripping and thought-provoking read that kept me eagerly turning pages until the very end. Overall, I’d certainly recommend The Honor of Dragons for fantasy fans everywhere seeking an accomplished new author to enjoy.

  #4 Reviewed by Jamie Michele

The Honor of Dragons by Robert Jones begins in a kingdom under the threat of a dragon, and with Donovan, son of the Battle Mage Sir Edward, being pressed to pursue magic at the Wizards Academy. Meanwhile, the Royal Expeditionary Force, led by Captain Gerald and supported by King Henry, prepares for a confrontation with the dragon. Liza and her son Gek, the last Great Dragons, fight to survive human threats. Sir Edward investigates historical records on dragons and plans an expedition. Donovan shows real prowess with crossbows, trained by his father to take down flying dragons. As the expedition progresses, Donovan finds a hidden message from his father with dragon war secrets. Young dragon Gek also learns from Ard about dragon history, and how to survive. Plots to suppress the Royal Expeditionary Force are continuous, but Donovan remains resolute in his quest to reveal the truth to the king.

“Because dragons have honor... Even if others do not! If a Dragon gives his word, he keeps it! Forever!” In Robert Jones' The Honor of Dragons, the experiences of Donovon and Gek show us immediately that we are moving through a story with heavy themes of loss, sacrifice, and redemption. The worldbuilding is well done with its own politics, cultures, magic systems, and varied species. The standout for me is the Coral Islands, which are almost cinematic in how they're described. I really liked how Jones starts with the battle and then takes us back in time and through the lead-up. This is a risky move, but it pays off and it's actually a lot more interesting to know that everything leads to this cataclysmic moment, while still being unaware of its aftermath. Despite the complexity of the plot, the writing remains refreshingly simple and accessible, making this book not only a good read for seasoned fantasy enthusiasts but also an inviting entry point for newcomers to the genre.

 #5 Reviewed by Paul Zietsman

The Honor of Dragons by Robert Jones is an enthralling fantasy novel about a war between dragons and men, a conspiracy, and magic or wizardry. The king of Franconia learns that a dragon is wreaking havoc outside Farmdale, and farmers and villagers are fleeing in great numbers to the town of Fairview. Along with the Royal Expeditionary Force, the king dispatches a battle mage, Sir Edward, to investigate and neutralize the threat. When Sir Edward is killed by the dragon, seventeen-year-old Donovan, who accompanied him, swears revenge on the dragon race. The dragon Liza, mother to a young dragon, is also killed, and this, in turn, causes the young dragon Gek to have a similar hatred for humans. In the meantime, there seem to be forces in the kingdom conspiring to keep the existence of dragons a secret, and they go to great lengths to do so.
 
I found The Honor of Dragons to be an exceedingly absorbing story—one I could easily lose myself in. I took a strong liking to Donovan, one of the main characters, and his introduction to the Wizards Academy was especially interesting. I got to know him better and better throughout the course of the novel, and this demonstrates Robert Jones' excellent character development. Donovan assumes a leadership position early at the Wizards Academy, and the things he takes a stand for make him a positive and endearing main character. The conspiracy that lurks in the kingdom is puzzling in a good way and offers an interesting twist in the tale (of which there is more than one). An exceptionally well-written story, The Honor of Dragons is one that fantasy fans will thoroughly enjoy.