The False Prince (The Ascendance #1)

by Jennifer A Nielsen (Author)

The False Prince (The Ascendance #1)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: The Ascendance

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. 

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ALA/Booklist

Sage is a likable hero full of smart-alecky snarkiness. Especially appealing are the friendships he forges: one with his bodyguard and teacher; another with a mute serving girl. Though lacking in subtlety, Nielsen’s plot twists keep coming, and readers will want to see how they play out as Sage’s adventures continue.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

This highly enjoyable medieval fantasy from Nielsen (the Underworld Chronicles), set in the medieval kingdom of Carthya, centers on 15-year-old Sage, an angry and pugnacious orphan, who is unexpectedly purchased by Conner, one of the king's regents. The entire royal family--king, queen, and heir--has recently died under mysterious circumstances, and to prevent civil war, Conner is collecting orphans who might believably be substituted for the dead king's younger son, who was reported lost at sea years earlier. Sage is soon engaged in a deadly, winner-take-all contest with two other boys to earn the right to impersonate Prince Jaron. Sage is deftly characterized through humorous first-person narration, quickly establishing himself as a beguiling antihero: "I'd never attempted roast thievery before, and I was already regretting it," he says when readers first meet him. "It happens to be very difficult to hold a chunk of raw meat while running." Secondary characters are equally fleshed-out. First in the Ascendancy Trilogy, this is an impressive, promising story with some expertly executed twists. Ages 8-14. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Apr.)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

No one knows that the king, queen, and heir to the throne of Carthya are dead. Conner, a king's regent, chooses three orphans to vie for the role of Prince Jaron, the remaining heir, presumed dead, but whose body has never been found. In two weeks, Conner plans to reveal that he has found the missing prince. The boys are thrown into a brutal rivalry, knowing that if they are not chosen, death will soon follow. No one's true intentions are clear, especially those of wily Sage. One of the orphans, he subverts authority at every opportunity, yet never gives up his quest to become the pretender to the throne. On the day of the announcement, a truth is revealed that changes everything for Conner, the orphans, and especially Sage. Fast-paced and exciting, this book will appeal to readers who enjoy intrigue mixed in with their adventure. Although the twist at the end is predictable, the events that precede it are not. The characters' motivations may not always be clear but they remain consistent. Full of machinations and surprises, this book will keep students reading until the last page and eager for the second in the trilogy.—Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"A page turner. . . ." —THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

"Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel." —WALL STREET JOURNAL

"This kickoff to her new Ascendance Trilogy is a swashbuckling origin story. . . . Sage is a quick wit, and Nielsen showcases it with terrific dialogue . . . chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." —LOS ANGELES TIMES

Such an amazing book

This book was incredibly hooking and I adore the narrator's voice. Even years after reading it, I can remember it vividly and fondly. It was so clever and exciting. It's not the type of book I typically read, and I'm not one to stray from my comfort zone, so I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. It was phenomenal.

The False Prince

The False Prince was a mysterious book with lots of thievery and misfortune they had lots of twists and fun heists they were brave they never would back down. If they had a goal the only they would want to do is achieve the goal.

Jennifer A Nielsen
Jennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Series: The False Prince, The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne, The Captive Kingdom, and The Shattered Castle. She also wrote the New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game and its sequels, The Deceiver's Heart, and The Warrior's Curse; the New York Times bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy: Mark of the Thief, Rise of the Wolf, and Wrath of the Storm; the standalone fantasy The Scourge; and the critically acclaimed historical thrillers A Night Divided, Resistance, Words on Fire, Rescue, Lines of Courage, Iceberg, and Uprising. Jennifer collects old books, loves good theater, and thinks that a quiet afternoon in the mountains makes for a nearly perfect moment. She lives in northern Utah with her family, and is probably sneaking in a bite of dark chocolate right now. You can visit her online at jennielsen.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @nielsenwrite
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780545284134
Lexile Measure
710
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Scholastic Press
Publication date
April 01, 2012
Series
The Ascendance
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV013050 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Orphans & Foster Homes
JUV034000 - Juvenile Fiction | Royalty (kings queens princes princesses knights etc.)
Library of Congress categories
Orphans
Secrecy
Secrets
Princes
Courts and courtiers
Impersonation
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Commended 2013 - 2013
Cybils
Winner 2012 - 2012
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
E.B. White Read Aloud Award
Finalist 2013 - 2013
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Rhode Island Children's Book Awards
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Keystone to Reading Book Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Virginia Readers Choice Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Rhode Island Teen Book Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Beehive Awards
Winner 2014 - 2014
Truman Readers Award
Nominee 2014 - 2015

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