The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Fantasy. 331 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
The thrilling sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen’s blockbuster NEW YORK TIMES bestseller THE FALSE PRINCE — now in paperback!
A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive?
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 Review:
I’ve been rereading this series recently (so I can finally read The Captive Kingdom which recently came out!) and listening to the audio books this time around. And, guys! It’s even better the second time! I loved this trilogy the first time, but it just gets better and better!
Sage is one of the coolest characters ever. His personality and wit never cease to intrigue and entertain me. I love how Nielsen can twist his words and leave room for misinterpretation. Every line of Sage’s is so intentionally crafted and it makes for a simply wonderful reading experience. In this sequel to The False Prince, we see his daredevil, adventurous side come to light even more than previously. He really steps into his own as king, and I love him for it!! He’s a character I can both respect and admire, and has quickly become one of my favorite heros.
We begin by following the intriguing political tension in the aftermath of Sage’s return to the throne and end up going for a whirlwind of a ride with swords and thieves and nobles and pirates and flowergirls! I loved the cast of characters, both new and old. They have quickly endeared me, and caused much tension and anticipation as I await their choices (even though I’ve already read it!!) I must also say that Harlowe completely stole my heart.
Nielsen does an excellent job of raising the stakes, both personally for Sage as well as on a larger scale for the whole kingdom! She’s a clever author and I very much enjoy her writing style. She is witty and even sometimes reminds me a little of Sherlock Holmes, though I don’t know if that is Nielsen or Sage specifically. I love the mystery elements in this trilogy and always trying to puzzle out Sage’s next step (or someone else’s!) The book was full of twists and turns and a few were expected, but well-executed, plot twists. I very much look forward to rereading the third installment of this fabulous adventure!
I cannot more highly recommend the series (but do read in order!) and hold it not only as one of my favorite MG trilogies, but one of my favorite in any genre. The book has no foul language and very little romantic tension. It does have sword fights, thieves, and pirates so there is a little bit of violence, but it’s tactfully done, nothing gory or explicit. There are characters who definitely mean harm to one another (and Sage has some pretty hair-brained ideas), so that could be a good opportunity for discussion with your kids!
More:
Book 1 in the Ascendance Trilogy is The False Prince (5 Stars)
Book 3 is The Shadow Throne (5 Stars)
Book 4 is The Captive Kingdom (5 Stars)
Book 5 is The Shattered Castle
I have reviewed the original trilogy on Goodreads. Follow the links to find more info on the books and then scroll down to see the reviews. Mine is among them. When I get to the newest book in the series, I’ll come back and update this.
This series must be read in order.
On GraceBought
If you missed it, check out my thoughts on Book 1 here and stay tuned next week for my review of Book 3.
Awesome review! Quick question, what elements do you tend to like most when you are looking for a book to read?
Thanks! It’s one of my shorter ones XD but I highly recommend the trilogy.
Hmm, I look for an intriguing premise I suppose, something that sounds like I could get into it. Mystery, intrigue, great world building potential, fantasy creatures, etc. What about you?
Definitely world building! I also love a bit of internal character conflict. IF you were going to recommend the best review you’ve written which one is it? I’m getting ready to go to bed, but I’ll check it out in the AM.
You know…I’m not honestly sure. What qualifies as a good review per say? I can easily recommend books I found good, but judging the reviews is a little more difficult for me XD
I have many, many, many more on GR than I do here, but here’s a link to the Index of the ones you can find on the site:
https://gracebought.wordpress.com/book-reviews/book-review-index/
I suppose ones like Wizard’s First Rule and The Autumn Fairy are more in depth, if that’s what you’re looking for.
I am super excited! I will check those at ASAP!
Awesome! Well, I’m happy to help and so glad you’re here. 😁 Make yourself at home and let me know if there’s any other way I can help!