Tournament of Kings

The Last Great Dragon War #1

by R.J. Smith

One Prince fights for his home. Another fights for his place in history. And the assassin caught in the middle.Were it not for the Calderon invasion, High Prince Troga would be at the tournament-he would be there to defend his family name against the enemies who threaten it with each passing day. The Gods, however, have other plans for Troga. Seemingly pitted against him, and withhold his vindication and retribution hostage. Meanwhile Prince Tiberius looks to add yet another tournament crown to his previous two. Known around the realms of Bellinor as one of the most talented warriors of his generation, Tiberius seeks the one thing he cannot win by mere force. The fame of being crowned champion of the realms for his third time. Will Troga have the strength to save his kingdom? Will Tiberius achieve victory in the fabled tournament? Or will something come between the two in the most unique of ways? Find out in R. J Smith’s gripping debut novel, perfect for fans of A Song of Ice and Fire, The Lord of the Rings, and Eragon.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Katie Feher · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love knights, dragons, war and spice!! This books for you!!! It gets you hooked from the very beginning. Gives you men to cheer and villains to hate. Can’t wait to read more of the series!!

[Stacey Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Tournament of Kings expecting a typical medieval fantasy, but what I got was an emotionally layered and politically tense debut with complex characters and a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. R.J. Smith has crafted a setting that clearly draws inspiration from epics like A Song of Ice and Fire and Lord of the Rings, but he manages to inject his own narrative voice that doesn’t feel derivative.

[Aurelia Hulls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I expected a straightforward tournament tale, but what I got was political maneuvering, deeply personal motivations, and a world that felt lived in. I especially loved how the author explored legacy through both Troga and Tiberius. The pacing lagged slightly in the middle, but it built toward a powerful climax that made it worthwhile. Fans of A Song of Ice and Fire will definitely find familiar territory here, but it still carves its own path.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is strong two princes, one assassin, and a war-torn kingdom. The book wants to be a sweeping fantasy epic, and in many places, it succeeds. However, I found the pacing to be uneven, especially in the middle chapters. Some plot points felt rushed while others dragged. That said, Troga’s emotional depth really saved the story for me, and the assassin’s internal conflict was done well. With a bit more polish, this could’ve been great.

[Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something almost Shakespearean about this novel. Troga is a tragic hero in every sense, his downfall feels as inevitable as it is heartbreaking. Tiberius brings the heat with his skill and stubborn drive, but it’s the moral grayness that makes this story shine. And the assassin? A dark mirror to both princes. R.J. Smith doesn't just give us a fantasy, he gives us a tale of legacy, duty, and loss. Nearly perfect.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, I was hooked. Troga’s desperation to save his home hit me in the gut, and every scene with the assassin had this tightrope tension that made it impossible to look away. I kept thinking, this would look incredible on screen. The world feels ancient, dangerous, and noble. R.J. Smith painted it all so vividly, it’s practically begging for a cinematic trailer. This story deserves a wider audience.

[Emily Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Solid Fantasy With Great Potential"
This book had a strong setup and intriguing characters, especially Prince Tiberius. His ambition felt real and relatable. Some of the world lore felt a bit underdeveloped compared to what I’m used to in LotR, but that’s often the case with debut novels. Still, the tournament scenes were intense, and the writing was crisp. I’d recommend it for fans looking for a fast-paced fantasy fix.

[Cinthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Story, Slightly Rough Execution
The premise is strong: princes clashing over honor, glory, and survival, with an assassin thrown in to spice things up. I liked the concept more than the execution, some parts dragged or felt a little overwritten. That said, the tournament scenes were cool and the ending definitely made me want to see what happens next. If the author tightens up the pacing in future books, this series could really shine.

[Juliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Characters, Even Better Action
This is the kind of book you devour over a weekend. The action is where this story shines, fast, brutal, and cinematic. I loved the contrast between Troga’s reluctant heroism and Tiberius’s hunger for glory. The assassin subplot was a clever twist and added some nice tension. Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys gritty, character-driven fantasy with a splash of court politics.

[JEFFREY SHAWN · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ASSASSIN HAD ME ON EDGE THE WHOLE TIME.
They weren't what I expected at all, far more layered, with a quite sadness behind every move. Their presence always shifted the energy of a scene. I never knew what they would do next and that unpredictability kept me hooked. Honestly, they stole the show for me.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts strong with the invasion and the stakes, but I felt the middle slowed down too much. Some character arcs took a while to land. That said, Troga’s emotional moments were beautifully written, and I appreciated the effort to go deep into the minds of the characters. The ending made up for the slower parts.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was walking through Bellinor.
The world-building is absolutely lush, customs, politics, landscapes, it’s all there. What I appreciated most, though, was the emotional grounding. Troga’s love for his people felt so real, it gave every decision weight. And the tension with Tiberius? Fantastic. A trailer could do wonders showing this world come alive.

[Drey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Modern Classic in the Making
This reminded me of the first time I read The Name of the Wind, that feeling like you’ve just stepped into a world that’s been lived in for centuries. Troga’s storyline hit me emotionally. It’s not just swords and glory, it’s about loss, duty, and surviving when the gods seem to have turned their backs on you. I’m seriously impressed this is a debut.

[Morgan Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut, this is an impressive start to what I hope becomes a longer series. Smith’s world-building, though still growing, shows tons of promise. Highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy who want familiar tropes handled with care and creativity.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s one scene, no spoilers, where Troga makes a choice that broke me. It’s written with such rawness and dignity. And the way Tiberius is slowly humbled over time? Brilliant. R.J. Smith doesn’t just tell a story he makes you feel every consequence. The moral ambiguity here gives it real weight.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way he fought for his kingdom , even when everythig seemed lost, made me tear up more than once. The ending? Absolutely worth it.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiberius was the star for me.
Say what you will, but I admired his confidence. Watching him struggle with expectations and ambition gave the book real weight.