The Shadow Throne

From Goodreads:    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?

Rousing and affecting, Jaron's adventures have thrilled and moved readers in The False Prince and The Runaway King. Journey once again with the Ascendant King of Carthya, as New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen brings his story to a stunning conclusion withThe Shadow Throne.

My Thoughts:

-    I've been waiting for this book for a long time!!! It didn't disappoint.

-    I didn't feel like smacking Jaron for once. It was kinda nice, but I missed some of the stubborn foolishness.

-    The ending was awesome! I loved all the reveals! I loved the conclusion!

-    There were a few slow bits in the middle. This one didn't keep me turning pages like the previous two, except for the end.

-    Roden proved to be a great asset to Jaron. I thought Jaron was a fool for giving Roden such a high rank, but of course, Jaron's plan worked. I really admire Roden now. His character development was really fun to read.

-    I love gray characters. The ones where you don't know if they are good or bad, and this series has so many! You just never know who to trust, and the people you don't trust do surprising things.

-    I loved the part the women had to play in the war. GO GIRLS!

-    War isn't fun for anyone, and I'm glad the author portrayed that. 

-    I can't gush enough about this series! READ IT! 

Previous books in the Ascendance Trilogy

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

The Runaway King

Goodreads Synopsis:    A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!

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?

The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!

My Thoughts:

-    Wholly cow! This story was brilliant from beginning to end! I'm never going to get over this book!

-    The story starts just a few weeks after The False Prince ends, and it is a thrilling beginning. It sets the mood for the whole book, and never slows down! 

-    I loved seeing old friends and characters from the first book, but I adored the new people I got to meet. Harlowe was especially a wonderful addition. He is such a tender person, and I just love him. My heart ached for him and rejoiced for him.

-    Erick and Fink were also fabulous new characters, and I hope we see lots more of them in the third book. Fink was a bit of a pest at the beginning, but he quickly grew on me. I liked Erick from the moment we met him. He reminds of the Erak from The Ranger's Apprentice series.

-    Sage is back and he is as stubborn as ever! How can he do some of the things he does!? His character is so fun and frustrating all at the same time. I don't know whether to admire him or smack him upside the head! He probably deserves both.

-    I love that Imogen and Amarinda are friends. I was so scared about there being a love triangle in this book, and there kind of is, but it is handled so well and so nobly. I love both these women! I wish there had been more of Amarinda, but she was doing her part.

-    I really love the dynamic between Roden and Sage. There is so much going on in their relationship, but I am SO happy with the way things ended.

-    The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but I think I might be able to live with it. What I can't live with is not being able to read more about the characters! I want to know what Jaron is scheming in his head next! 

The First book in the Ascendance Trilogy

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

The False Prince

From Goodreads:    The False Prince is the thrilling first audiobook in a brand-new trilogy with danger, deceit, and hidden identities that will keep listeners hanging on to the edge of their seats.

NARRATOR: Charlie McWade
FORMAT: 7 CDs, Unabridged

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. Three 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.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved listening to this book!  It was just as fun as reading it.

-    The narrator has a nice voice.  I think it is the same guy that does The Percy Jackson series.

-    I learned and noticed new things the 2nd time through the story.  I was looking for clues and viewed Sage a little different, so it was really fun.  

-    Even thought I knew what was going to happen, I was still surprised.  I still felt like I didn't know which characters to trust and like or dislike.  

-    I loved the extra stuff at the end.  There is a deleted scene at the end about how Jaron challenged a king, and there is a interview with the author.  

-    I decided I really like the twist at the end.  In my first review, I didn't like the twist and I wanted treason and fraud and stuff, but I decided I really liked it, and it is better the way it is.

-    I'm really excited about the 2nd book.  Nielson talked a little bit about the next book, and I'm excited.  I don't like the prospect of the love triangle though.  

My Original Review

The False Prince

Goodreads Description:  THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

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.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

My Thoughts:

-    It was a nice change to read from a male perspective.  Most of the books I read are from a female point of view.  I think it is because I read more female author's books.  Sometimes a female author just can't pull off a believable guy.  I thought Nielson did a great job at capturing a believable rebellious boy.  

-    I like Sage's rebellious attitude.  At times, he can be a bit too stubborn though.  I have a bit of a rebel in me, and I always enjoy a good rebelliousness at times. 

-    The book was never dull.  I was captivated the whole time.  

-    The twist at the end was a bit of a surprise.  I kind of suspected it, but didn't really believe or linger on my suspicions.  I have to say, I wasn't too thrilled with the twist.  I kinda wanted it to play out a little differently.  

-    I enjoyed all the characters!  Each one kept me guessing at what they would do next.  Some of them were really hard to pinpoint their loyalties. 

-    Overall it was a really great book, I'm excited to read the rest of the series!!