Review: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The False Prince 

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher:  Scholastic
Publishing Date:  April 1st 2012

Pages: 342
Genre:  YA High Fantasy

Series: The Ascendance Trilogy #1
Source: Audio

  

        

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.

I have had this book on my TBR for a very long time. It was one of those books I wasn’t sure if I would like. It has so many booming reviews I was afraid it may be overrated.. It’s also high fantasy. I love high fantasy but I am very picky over my high fantasy. It’s also categorized as Middle School, I only read and enjoy a handful of MS books and they are usually realistic fiction or humor. I was really scared going into this book but I decided to take the plunge and I can’t believe I waited so long to start this book. I absolutely positively loved this book. It was totally surpassed my expectations. I didn’t want to stop the book, I didn’t want to take a break. I just wanted to keep listening. It was so thrilling. It was a little predictable for me but it only satisfied me when I was right. I knew there was a chance I could be wrong so it was okay that I expected things to go down a certain way. The story was amazing, the writing was so beautiful. It was tear jerking and humorous sometimes in the same breath. 

The book was filled with friendship, loyalty, love, bravery, courage, adventure, and so much more.

Sage is an orphan boy that steals for himself and the other orphans. He does not think about his parents, or talk about his parents. He ran away 4 years ago and the street life is now his life. 

Conner is nobleman that wants to find a doppelganger for the long dead prince of his country. He searches the streets and finds three boys that fit the build and look good enough. Sage is one of them. 

Conner takes these three boys and teaches then schooling, fighting, palace etiquette,  the country's history, and anything else needed to fool the country into believing Conner has found the long lost prince. As Sage learns to be a Prince he must make the decision if it is what he wants. The prize for being the prince... riches, power, a kingdom... the prize for not choosing to be the Prince... death.  

Conner isn't the only one who is hiding something. There are secrets living all around them, betrayal, treachery, and most definitely danger.

There are so many thoughts going through my head right now. This book was just wow for me. I get giddy thinking about it and talking about. The story was the perfect concoction of action, mystery, and humor. The story was just so amazing. I loved the plot line. This story revolves around treachery, betrayal, and loyalty and I love those kind of stories. The story is about a boy and his journey to find his purpose, his place, and come to terms about who he was and who he is. The journey that Sage takes is a tremendous one and although there were lots of fun moments, intense moments, and “just make me smile” moments, the story really was about Sage’s journey.

The main character, Sage, was just amazing. It takes a great author to build a male main character just right by my standards. Sage was the perfect boy for this story. He was only 15 but was all grown. He was sharp tongued and witty… loved it. He was strong and brave. He was caring and gentle. He was forgiving and unforgiving. He was a gentleman and a not such a gentleman. He did what it the moment took with careful thought. There were times he was quick to respond but when it mattered he was very calculated without anyone noticing. He was an awesome hero. Sage had so many layers and they all ran into each so smoothly it was hard to see where one ended and the next started. Sage really was two people inside his head. There was the Sage he wanted to be and the Sage he really was. He knew this to be true but he didn’t know how to decide who he should be, not knowing how they were already so very connected. He grew so much from the beginning to the end, although I am not sure I would call it growing more as understanding, accepting, and then surrendering. Sage was a very strong willed character and very intelligent which made him very witty and boy did he have mouth on him he didn’t know when to shut. I was amazed in the end when I realized how much he actually did keep to himself. One of my favorite characters this year! 

Sage wasn’t the only awesome character. There were so many. Even the bad guys weren’t just bad guys. Each character’s character was built so carefully and fully that they each stood out and blended in to fit perfectly in a story of lies, betrayal, deceit, friendship, loyalty, and bravery. It was amazing how well they all fit together to make the most amazing cast. The story would not be as wonderful if even one of the characters were missing. Everyone had a part to play and it was played so well. My favorite… well besides Sage was Mott. I He was awesome. His loyalty was amazing and it was always placed where it needed to be placed. He was a hard man, did what he had to do but it was always known he was not happy with his position or the part he had to play. His care of Sage just blew me away. In the beginning I wasn’t sure where his allegiance would lie and how far he would go… but in the end he proved himself worthy of my love!

There were so many others, it would take me forever to go through them all. Just know that they were all loved, they were all important, and they were all wonderfully written!

The writing was just supreme in this book. I will read anything and I mean anything by this author. She could right the detail of her doggies business and I would read it. She was that amazing. I forgot myself so many times during my listen because I was completely held captive by this story. The pacing was excellent, the plot was well built and executed without flaw. The action scenes kept my attention where it needed to be. (this is a huge feat, I generally skip action scenes.) The emotions just ran off the pages and into my heart with every word. It’s just that awesome. I remember every time I was taking a break (which I didn’t like to do) I kept telling my hubby “really read this book ASAP it is so awesome, I am in love” so yes READ THIS BOOK!

I pretty sure I have said this but if you missed it…. THIS BOOK ROCKS BIG SO READ IT LIKE NOW!!!!!