Publisher Description

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.

Author Biography

Jennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller THE FALSE PRINCE and THE RUNAWAY KING, the first two books in The Ascendance Trilogy. She has also written The Underworld Chronicles, a humorous middle-grade fantasy series. Jen lives in northern Utah with her husband, their three children, and a perpetually muddy dog.

Review

Praise for THE FALSE PRINCE

A NEW YORK TIMES Notable Children's Book
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's Book Selection
A Chicago Public Library "Children's Books for Year-Round Gift Giving" Selection
Winner of the Cybils Award for Middle-Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction

"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
"A swashbuckling origin story . . . chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." --LOS ANGELES TIMES
"An impressive, promising story." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
"Ruthless ambition, fierce action and plotting, complex characters, and lots of sword play keep pages flipping." --KIRKUS
"Should appeal to fans of . . . Suzanne Collins. . . . A sure-fire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." --THE HORN BOOK

Praise for THE RUNAWAY KING

"High adventure abounds with nail-biting drama." --KIRKUS
"Nielsen tells an exciting, breakneck tale. . . ." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." --SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"As jammed with action and violent swordplay as its predecessor." --BOOKLIST
"A great read." --THE HORN BOOK
Praise for THE FALSE PRINCE
A NEW YORK TIMES Notable Children's Book
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's Book Selection
A Chicago Public Library "Children's Books for Year-Round Gift Giving" Selection
Winner of the Cybils Award for Middle-Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction
"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
"A swashbuckling origin story . . . chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." --LOS ANGELES TIMES
"An impressive, promising story." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
"Ruthless ambition, fierce action and plotting, complex characters, and lots of sword play keep pages flipping." --KIRKUS
"Should appeal to fans of . . . Suzanne Collins. . . . A sure-fire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." --THE HORN BOOK
Praise for THE RUNAWAY KING
"High adventure abounds with nail-biting drama." --KIRKUS
"Nielsen tells an exciting, breakneck tale. . . ." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." --SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"As jammed with action and violent swordplay as its predecessor." --BOOKLIST
"A great read." --THE HORN BOOK

Details