The Conflict of Interests by Robert Jones is a fantasy novel that combines magic, political intrigue, and the complexities of human-dragon relations. Set in the imagined kingdoms of Franconia and Baize, the story follows Donovan Francis, a young magician whose meteoric rise to becoming a Sorcerer and his ability to transform into a dragon form the narrative’s theme. His journey explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the challenges of bridging divides between species and kingdoms. The characters are diverse and well-developed, each with their own story arcs. The bond between Donovan and Rachel is captivating, as their ability to transform into Great Dragons adds a unique dimension to their characters, highlighting their adaptability and courage.

The world-building is intricate and well-done, with detailed descriptions of the Wizards Academy, the Great Salt Flats, and the dragon clans. The political tensions between Franconia and Baize are engaging, adding stakes to the unfolding events. The interaction between humans and dragons is especially captivating, emphasizing the complexities of coexistence and the unclear boundaries between allies and enemies. The pacing of the novel is expertly managed, with moments of intense action, like dragon battles and magical duels, balanced by quieter scenes of strategy and personal reflection. Robert Jones writes sharp dialogue that reveals characters' personalities and motivations while pushing the plot forward. The Conflict of Interests offers adventure, magic, and political intrigue. It’s a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and tales of human-dragon alliances and those who enjoy Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series or The Stormlight Archive.

In the first three books of Robert Jones's The Honor of Dragons series, the dragon Gek learns to survive against human attacks, discovers dragon history, and seeks other shapeshifting dragons to prepare for war. Donovan, son of a Battle Mage, trains at the Wizards Academy and uncovers dragon-fighting strategies. King Henry’s forces plan expeditions against dragons while conspiracies within the court and the Wizards Academy manipulate events toward a human-dragon conflict. Gek and allies gather intelligence and face threats from humans posing as allies, as battles, kidnappings, and strife across the kingdom determine whether there will be war or negotiation. Now, in The Conflict of Interests, Donovan undergoes the Sorcerer's Test while Gek and Azure raise one dragon and one human child as the catalysts determining Franconia and Baize’s fate ignite.

The Conflict of Interests by Robert Jones is the fourth book I have read in the series, and Jones continues to strengthen an already spectacular world with even greater detail. Donovan adapts in real time in possibly the most magnificent transformation in the series to date, and his growth and coordination with military forces show him using magic as a tool for statecraft. The Dragon Council carries much more personal weight in this novel and becomes a direct threat to Azure and Gek’s unprecedented birth of twins that confound physiology. Celeste’s role as Official Dragon Messenger is elevated, and she remains a favorite character of mine. Where Jones shines is in landscapes, and we traverse seas, swamps, and caverns, as well as ice fields and urban ambushes. The writing is tight and clear, and with family responsibilities intersecting with broader magical, political, and military structures at a new extreme, this is the best book in the series to date.

Donovan Francis, a magic prodigy in Franconia, has just passed the legendary Sorcerer’s test, accomplishing a new feat as the first student to be able to change into a dragon. Everything seems to be going well for him until his wedding to his fiancée, Rachel, is attacked by a changed one, a dragon disguised as a human. The attack highlights the growing threat of dragon infiltration in Franconia. Through Wizard Noland, the kingdom deploys Donovan and his wife to the elite Royal Expeditionary Force to investigate and mitigate the changed one crisis in Franconia. But their new assignment is about to lead them straight into a war. Will they survive? But that’s not all. The Great Dragon Gek and his mate Azure have newborns, and one of them is human. Amid the rising tensions between dragons and humans, what will be the fate of Gek’s family? Find out in The Conflict of Interests by Robert Jones.

Robert Jones creates a quasi-medieval setting in which a tale that blends mythic grandeur with methodical magic unravels. I got lost in a world of make-believe, steeped in politics, war, military strategies, betrayal, sacrifices, love, and more. The conversations were purposeful and character-driven, marked with flashes of warmth, tension, and urgency. They gave me insight into the cast’s layered traits and emotions, making it easy to connect with them. Donovan may be exceptionally talented in his craft and of unquestionable ethical standards, yet, as he falters in instances of great temptation, he reveals how even the greatest men succumb to the influence of power, pride, and impulsiveness. Some of his choices also raise questions about justice and accountability. Lovers of young adult epic fantasy novels with a touch of adventure and action will find The Conflict of Interests an enthralling read.

Robert Jones’s The Conflict of Interests is an inventive fantasy that follows the intertwined fates of Franconia and Baize, two magical kingdoms threatened by both human rivalry and the cunning of dragons. The story opens as Gek the dragon and his mate Azure welcome not only a dragon daughter but, unexpectedly, a human son. As Azure and Gek struggle with their unusual family, the human realms face escalating tensions. Wizard Edward Francis, a leading Franconian magician, is tasked with preventing war by helping Baize halt an environmental disaster. Meanwhile, his son Donovan is preparing for his Sorcerer’s Test and subsequent wedding to his mentor, Rachel. As Donovan’s magical talents and moral choices are tested, the kingdoms edge closer to open conflict, dragons negotiate uneasy truces with humans, and personal loyalties are strained. What follows is a series of high-stakes negotiations, magical battles, and a wedding that’s anything but perfect.

The plot is intelligently developed, making you wonder what could happen next. The characters are elaborately drawn, from the sorcerers to the dragons. Donovan is portrayed as a brilliant and disciplined person, but he is plagued by uncertainty, and that makes him a genuinely flawed character. You’ll love Edward’s pragmatic idealism, and Gek’s conflicted loyalties add a complex angle. Wizard Rachel, Mage Kathy, and a host of magicians, mentors, soldiers, and dragons provide distinct perspectives, their relationships marked by mentorship, rivalry, and romance. The plot is tangled, and the best parts for me were Donovan’s creative approach to the Sorcerer’s Test, the logistical and emotional chaos of the wedding planning, Edward’s civil engineering feat, and shifting alliances between human and dragon factions. The Conflict of Interests by Robert Jones features a stunningly imagined and cleverly executed world, comprising academies, battlefields, salt flats, and enchanted islands. If you love epic fantasy, then this one is for you.