The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, Book 1)

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Apr 2012 · Sold by Scholastic Inc.

About this ebook

New York Times bestseller The False Prince thrills with wild twists and turns, danger and deceit, and the revelation of hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontented 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.And don't miss the highly anticipated fourth book in the series, The Captive Kingdom, coming October 2020!

Ratings and reviews

Sage is a thief. A boy who lives at Mrs. Turbeldy’s Orphanage for Disadvantaged Boys, Sage possesses a quick hand, fast legs and a sarcastic mouth that seems to ‘shoot-off’ at the worst possible moments. One day, as he’s running away from the butcher with the pilfered meat in his hands, he runs directly into a sour-faced, slightly annoying man by the name of Bevin Conner. It seems that Mr. Conner is going to be Sage’s new master, and although the young lad tries to run away, the ‘guards’ that Conner employs - Cregan and Mott - make sure that Sage’s freedom remains just out of reach. As Sage is thrown into the back of a carriage with three other orphan boys: Tobias, a well-educated, slightly evil young man; Latamer, a sickly, pasty-faced boy who suffers from some sort of ailment; and Roden, a large tanned dim-wit - Conner’s plan is soon revealed, and one boy pays the ultimate price. This all has to do with the treachery and intrigue that is happening behind the throne in the world known as Carthya. Bevin Conner is a loyal member to the royal family and he needs a boy - only one - to help him succeed in a plan to stop treason and halt a war that is almost ready to begin. As the boys follow the training they’re given - too scared to fight or run from the nobleman - they stumble across everything from a young, mute girl within the Conner household who may just become Sage’s only protection; to a once future Queen who has no idea that her betrothal may just be nothing more than an empty promise. Sage is an incredibly fun character who can stand face-to-face with his sometimes violent master and the other boys who he must win against in order to survive. His smart mouth, wit, and his ability to keep secrets in order to attain what he’s after has readers following his adventures with pure excitement. Quill Says: A plot that, when exposed, will leave readers breathless. This is a truly fun YA! (Reviewed by Amy Lignor for Feathered Quill Book Reviews)

I love how Sage (Jaron) never tires of adventure. He is soley what brings the whole book to life, as if the book itself couldn't breathe life into the story without Jaron setting something on fire or accidentally exploding a precious artifact, which is exactly what readers expect as they rub the next page between their fingers impatiently, their eyes skimming the book as fast as they can, and eager to flip to a whole other world. If this kind of reader is not you, it is most definitely me. I hope these kinds of books never stop being made. It's like Audra's magic on paper, and Every one of Jen's characters' subtle stubborness. I love it. - Leilany Rodriguez, 14, CA (btw Jen I so love your books, if you ever reaad this, keep up the GREAT work and please come have a book sign in Southern California sometime, that would be great thanks ) (( like maybe LA))

There's something about the simple writing style that is utterly charming - there's no distraction from fanciful words needed to bind you to the plot and characters. This series, as well as The Scourge, are two of my absolute favorite books. Strong characters, wonderful, weaving plot that allows for a natural developement into the twist (mostly False Prince on this one) and generally good morals as well. I'll likely continue periodically re-reading these until I die.

About the author

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 @nielsenwriter.