Review - The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The Shadow Throne

Author: Jennifer A Nielsen

Series: 3rd (The False Prince, The Runaway King)

Pages: 336

Published:  February 25th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

ISBN:  9780545284172

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: One war. Too many deadly battles. Can a king save his kingdom, when his own survival seems unlikely? War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go wrong does. His friends are flung far and wide across Carthya and its neighbouring lands. In a last-ditch effort to stave off what looks to be a devastating loss for the kingdom, Jaron undertakes what may be his last journey to save everything and everyone he loves. But even with his lightning-quick wit, Jaron cannot forestall the terrible danger that descends on him and his country. Along the way, will he lose what matters most? And in the end, who will sit on Carthya's throne? 

I Give This ...

 Anticipation could not have been higher when it came to this book.  I'll be the first to sing my praises for this series, so this last book in the series had a lot to live up to.  Jennifer Nielsen pulled it off with a bang.

 

I've come to expect a lot from Jaron.  He's basically the complete package.  He's smart, resourceful, courageous, and cares for his country.  He's going to do anything in his power to prevent a complete takeover from another country.  It also kills him to know that to do this there will be loss of life on both sides.  It's a price he has the hardest time paying and I think that shows honor as well.

I admired that fact that the author was not afraid to take this story to the brink of despair.  Characters die that you would think would make it to the very end.  I honestly had no idea if Jaron would save the day because King Vargon always seems one step ahead. How is it that Jaron never really gives up hope?  Even when it seems like there is no way out, Jaron is willing to trade his life to bargain for his people.   

Our cast of characters fill out the rest of the story beautifully.  They all have a role to play even if they don't know the ultimate plan that Jaron has. It makes those final moments that much more suspenseful.  I even got one of those rare surprises and someone ultimately wasn't on the side I thought they were on.

I can not recommend this series enough!  It's well rounded, has awesome characters, and rich world building.  I think I need to seek out this author's previous books and I look forward to what she offers in the future!

Review - The Runaway King (The Ascendance Trilogy #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The Runaway King

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Series: 2nd (The False Prince)

Pages: 352

Published: March 1st 2013 by Scholastic Press 

ISBN:  9780545284158

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description:  Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom? 

I Give This ...

  

I anticipated this one a great deal.  I loved the first one and had extremely high hopes that the sequel would live up to the build up.  I was so pleased to have it be exactly that!

Jaron really captured my heart.  I believe his desire to rule his people is true.  The problem lies in the fact that he is head strong.  His regents aren't use to having a king that might actually rule for the good of the people.  They want a docile king so that they can continue to enjoy the kickbacks that come their way.  However, I knew that Jaron would not sit back and let his country be taken from him.

What I did not expect were the lengths he would go to ensure the safety of his kingdom.  He's able to cross his countries borders and integrate into the very group that could do some of the worst damage.  He has to prove himself over and over again.  His wiliness to go through some of most excruciating circumstances becomes the stuff of legends.  In the end, he earns back the person he wants most to lead his army.  What remains to be seen is who will at his side to rule as Queen.   

I think one of things that makes this series so enjoyable is the dialogue.  Nielsen has a way with words that make the characters seem alive and real.  The story may be fantasy, but it rings true.  I can't wait to read the next in the series! 

 

Waiting on Wednesday - The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

 

Title: The Runaway King

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

 

Description:  Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVED the first book, so I am extremely excited to read this one.  I hope it lives up to the first!

 

 

Review - The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The False Prince

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Series: 1st

Pages: 342

Published: April 1st 2012 by Scholastic 

ISBN: 9780545284134

Source: Library 

Description: In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.  As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

I Give This ...

The minute I saw this one, it went on my to-read list.  I was shocked to see it at my library (my library never gets things that quick after release date).  I immediately picked it up and took it home!  It was just as good as all the reviews say it is!

Sage is an interesting narrative.  While all the boys are picked from the orphanages, there's something different about Sage right from the start.  He knows what the world is like because he's seen it.  He's not one to settle in and barely get by.  He's had to fight for every little thing he has.  I was also impressed that despite his hard life, he has a sense of humor and quite a lot of sarcasm.  From the start I wondered what he might have been compensating for.  I enjoyed him, but felt there was way more to the story.

I loved learning about the country along with the boys.  The way the kingdom is(was) run is interesting.  The royal family must have been highly despised to have created so many enemies.  Enemies that are very patient in waiting for just the right time to strike.  I was amazed at just how deep the treachery went.  I often wondered who was a faithful follower and who wasn't.  I also really enjoyed the training the boys went through.  I think it really helped shine a light on each of their strength and weaknesses.  I debated to myself and who would make the better prince.   I also think it brought forth their true colors.  It's amazing who will snap under the pressure.

I have to be honest and say I completely expected the twist in the story.  Although, I loved how they explained it all.  I really couldn't figure out the how's.  The ending really left me wanting the next book.  Such a long wait ....