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The Shadow Throne
(Ascendance #3)
by
One war.
Too many deadly battles.
Can a king save his kingdom, when his own survival seems unlikely?
War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go ...more
Too many deadly battles.
Can a king save his kingdom, when his own survival seems unlikely?
War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go ...more
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Hardcover, 317 pages
Published
February 25th 2014
by Scholastic Press
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Kathy
first one is definitely the best of the three, but they all give work together to make a series worth reading with a worthy ending.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy, #3)

My reaction when I saw that cover:

I can't wait.
I will legit break down.
I need this book.
I need it now!
COME ON GUYS! ONLY 4 MORE MONTHS!!!!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!
I lied. I can't wait this long.
The cover; IT'S TOO AWESOME FOR WORDS!
I'm going to start crying.
CRYING BECAUSE IT WILL BE EPIC!
I WILL RUN ALL THE WAY TO BARNES AND NOBLE IF IT MEANS I WILL GET THIS BOOK!
Alright! We are at 23 days and counting. SO EXCITED!!!!!
OK YA'LL WE ARE AT 15 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
We are at 6 days. WE CAN DO THIS EVERYONE!!! ...more

I can't wait.
I will legit break down.
I need this book.
I need it now!
COME ON GUYS! ONLY 4 MORE MONTHS!!!!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!
I lied. I can't wait this long.
The cover; IT'S TOO AWESOME FOR WORDS!
I'm going to start crying.
CRYING BECAUSE IT WILL BE EPIC!
I WILL RUN ALL THE WAY TO BARNES AND NOBLE IF IT MEANS I WILL GET THIS BOOK!
Alright! We are at 23 days and counting. SO EXCITED!!!!!
OK YA'LL WE ARE AT 15 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
We are at 6 days. WE CAN DO THIS EVERYONE!!! ...more

The first book in this trilogy is better as a stand-alone than with the other two. The second was good enough. This... I felt like I wasted my day reading it.
There were so many obvious twists, it was sort of pathetic. The main character felt sort of bland at this point. It also seemed like it was trying to be an actiony-adventure war story, but at the same time trying to apologize for making war look interesting, with what felt like throwaway lines about how horrific it all was. All in all, it j ...more
There were so many obvious twists, it was sort of pathetic. The main character felt sort of bland at this point. It also seemed like it was trying to be an actiony-adventure war story, but at the same time trying to apologize for making war look interesting, with what felt like throwaway lines about how horrific it all was. All in all, it j ...more

My heart is aching while I'm writing my review on the final sequel of this series because it's hard to say goodbye to the books/novels you've been deeply attached with,especially with the best characters you'll surely miss..
In here,Sage's character had grown strong because of his anger to what had happen to his country,that he plunges himself into a dangerous,reckless(as usual)attempt to save his country,his friends and the people he loves as he face the WAR from three different countries/kingdo ...more
In here,Sage's character had grown strong because of his anger to what had happen to his country,that he plunges himself into a dangerous,reckless(as usual)attempt to save his country,his friends and the people he loves as he face the WAR from three different countries/kingdo ...more

Dear Universe,
I have just finished reading The Shadow Throne, so you may not want to talk to me for a while. And unless you want to hear me jabbering about the sheer awesomeness of Jaron, Mott, and Amarinda, I don't want to talk to you either. You see, this book delivers. Remember in the first book of the trilogy, when Jaron fooled us all with his unreliable narrator skills? Remember the second book, when we bashed our heads into the pages shouting, "What are you doing, you stupid boy? You'll ge ...more
I have just finished reading The Shadow Throne, so you may not want to talk to me for a while. And unless you want to hear me jabbering about the sheer awesomeness of Jaron, Mott, and Amarinda, I don't want to talk to you either. You see, this book delivers. Remember in the first book of the trilogy, when Jaron fooled us all with his unreliable narrator skills? Remember the second book, when we bashed our heads into the pages shouting, "What are you doing, you stupid boy? You'll ge ...more

A series going downhill on a shallow slope
As nothing has fundamentally changed my opinion, it's worth repeating the entire review that I prepared for THE RUNAWAY KING.
In THE FALSE PRINCE, the opening novel in THE ASCENDANCE TRILOGY, Jaron Eckbert was characterized as a raffish, picaresque, young rogue with an attitude and a comical mouth that often wrote cheques coming disastrously close to being dishonored. But for all that, he was both loving and lovable and there couldn’t possibly have been a ...more
As nothing has fundamentally changed my opinion, it's worth repeating the entire review that I prepared for THE RUNAWAY KING.
In THE FALSE PRINCE, the opening novel in THE ASCENDANCE TRILOGY, Jaron Eckbert was characterized as a raffish, picaresque, young rogue with an attitude and a comical mouth that often wrote cheques coming disastrously close to being dishonored. But for all that, he was both loving and lovable and there couldn’t possibly have been a ...more

Oh how I’ve missed these colorful characters! Jaron’s wit sharpens with anger and whenever he and Roden are in the same country, Jaron fairly idles at anger. Admittedly though, his previous journeys seem to have smoothed out some of his rough edges and forced a bit of maturity. From the first leg of adventure when Jaron, Tobias and Roden were yanked from the orphanage in The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy, Book I) , to Jaron’s capture by pirates in The Runaway King (The Ascendance Trilogy,
...more

4 stars!
This is a really solid middle grade fantasy series. I listened to the audio and found myself wanting to stay in the car longer so I could listen to the end. Love Jarron and all the characters. I think Jennifer Nielsen ended this series really well.
This is a really solid middle grade fantasy series. I listened to the audio and found myself wanting to stay in the car longer so I could listen to the end. Love Jarron and all the characters. I think Jennifer Nielsen ended this series really well.

Nov 15, 2013
Tessa
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
masochists
*headdesk*
I loved the first book. I liked the second.
This one made me want to scream loudly and publicly and then spear it to the wall with my knitting needles.
Nielson's writing wasn't up to par. The entire book consisted of telling versus showing and I was just bored. Look at my read dates. It took me a month to read it because I was reading a copy at B&N and I didn't care enough to go back sooner. I also live an hour away from B&N, but if I was really desperate I could have wrangled it.
I was ...more
I loved the first book. I liked the second.
This one made me want to scream loudly and publicly and then spear it to the wall with my knitting needles.
Nielson's writing wasn't up to par. The entire book consisted of telling versus showing and I was just bored. Look at my read dates. It took me a month to read it because I was reading a copy at B&N and I didn't care enough to go back sooner. I also live an hour away from B&N, but if I was really desperate I could have wrangled it.
I was ...more

I should make a new shelf called 'books-that-kill-me-slowly-with-their-absence'
*narrows eyes*
MARCH 2014?
JENNIFER NIELSEN, IS YOUR PLAN TO MAKE ME SUFFER?? CONGRATZ. THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
...2014!?
ONE ETERNITY LATER
I HAVE READ THE SHADOW THRONE FROM COVER TO COVER.
*cries*
May I say this 1000% met my expectations of overwhelming amazingness!!!
*cries more*
THE SERIES IS OVER, AND SO IS MY JOY
But, AH-HA, is that a new series I hear in the distance???!??!?? THE PRAETOR WAR????
No one plays with ...more
*narrows eyes*
MARCH 2014?
JENNIFER NIELSEN, IS YOUR PLAN TO MAKE ME SUFFER?? CONGRATZ. THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
...2014!?
ONE ETERNITY LATER
I HAVE READ THE SHADOW THRONE FROM COVER TO COVER.
*cries*
May I say this 1000% met my expectations of overwhelming amazingness!!!
*cries more*
THE SERIES IS OVER, AND SO IS MY JOY
But, AH-HA, is that a new series I hear in the distance???!??!?? THE PRAETOR WAR????
No one plays with ...more

I enjoyed the first two books in The Ascendance Trilogy , but I did not enjoy this final instalment of the series quite as much.
Jaron is now King of Carthya, but he must learn how to lead quickly as Carthya is being invaded by three separate neighbouring countries. The most difficult of the invaders, Avenia, are lead by the vengeful and greedy King Vargan. To complicate matters even further King Vargan has kidnapped Imogen, the girl who Jaron loves. Jaron, with the help of his friends and allie ...more
Jaron is now King of Carthya, but he must learn how to lead quickly as Carthya is being invaded by three separate neighbouring countries. The most difficult of the invaders, Avenia, are lead by the vengeful and greedy King Vargan. To complicate matters even further King Vargan has kidnapped Imogen, the girl who Jaron loves. Jaron, with the help of his friends and allie ...more

Not sure what all else I can say about this book. But like any good high fantasy finally, it ends making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love this series, perhaps because of Jaron, who is literally one of my favorite characters that any one has written. And I love his plots and schemes, I love that he always has a plan yet never has a plan. I love a lot of the other characters. Sometimes I wish there was more detail in some of the descriptions (like about Connor) and plots, but over all I
...more

This is the final book in the series. While I loved the first and even second book for the most part, this felt like a bit too bland and really dragged out. I know it was a war that Jaron and his kingdom were facing from three different enemies and he used a lot of clever manoeuvres to win that war. At times, some things felt unreal and impossible that happened in the book but that wasn't the main issue. It was mostly that the book had an odd pacing.
There were few things that I was totally happy ...more
There were few things that I was totally happy ...more

Ugh. My reaction to finishing a book should not be, "Oh, thank goodness that's over!"
This is possibly a three-star book on its own merits, but compared to the first two books in this trilogy, it was a real disappointment. As this aimed for a darker and more serious, mature story line to wrap up Sage's character development from trouble-making boy orphan to a capable, adult king, it lost most of the humor, charm, and cleverness that were such highlights of The False Prince and The Runaway King ...more

After the first book, the series rapidly went downhill, IMO. I absolutely adored the first book. It was a five-star, gold medal, 1st place brilliant perfection. Second book was a bit of a disappointment, but nonetheless enjoyable.
Then The Shadow Throne happened. And I am so, terribly disappointed in how subpar this is when compared to the brilliance of The False Prince.
Firstly, let's talk about Imogen for a second. Actually, a bit longer than a second, because I have a lot to say about her. I do ...more
Then The Shadow Throne happened. And I am so, terribly disappointed in how subpar this is when compared to the brilliance of The False Prince.
Firstly, let's talk about Imogen for a second. Actually, a bit longer than a second, because I have a lot to say about her. I do ...more

Apr 19, 2016
bibliophile (Romance Addict)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
4-stars-books,
i-own,
fiction,
arranged-marriage,
historical,
children,
kidnapping
****4.25 STARS!****
I'm quite shocked honestly.
I really enjoyed reading this novel.
It waskind of dark.
Had a lot of clever plans made by Jaron.
Made me giggle with excitement.
& definitely had my eyes sweaty.
I really like it.
This is the third installment of The Ascendant Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen. ...more
I'm quite shocked honestly.
I really enjoyed reading this novel.
It was
Had a lot of clever plans made by Jaron.
Made me giggle with excitement.
& definitely had my eyes sweaty.
I really like it.
“Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant.”

This is the third installment of The Ascendant Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen. ...more

Favorites!!! Because it was awesome and it's the final installment in one of my favorite trilogies of all time that you guys should
TOTALLY
read!
Buuuuuut I had to remove a star for this one.
As much as I loved this book, I had to deduct a star because too many things were too perfect, convenient, and well-timed for our characters.
Jaron is a smart guy. Really! And he plans things so far in advance. But literally the combination of events that took place were about as normal as all the ...more
Buuuuuut I had to remove a star for this one.
As much as I loved this book, I had to deduct a star because too many things were too perfect, convenient, and well-timed for our characters.
Jaron is a smart guy. Really! And he plans things so far in advance. But literally the combination of events that took place were about as normal as all the ...more

A very satisfying ending to the trilogy, I wish a bit more time was spent at the end of the book instead of a kind of abrupt summation, it felt right. I found this book to be a bit predictable to a certain extent, and I did notice some repetitions in regards to situations the characters find themselves in. However given what this trilogy is, I enjoyed it very much. I really enjoyed the characters, the plot isn't super deep, but I think the ability for the author to make the reader connect with t
...more

I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as The False Prince and The Runaway King, and I don't know whether I'd ever reread it or not... but it was still good.
Okay, let's talk.
The Shadow Throne was just as thrilling and plot-twisty as the first two books of the series. However, in some ways it seemed quite redundant. The plot of this book seemed almost like a recycled version of the plot of the other two books. (If that makes sense.) Basically: Jaron hears that something terrible is happening to h ...more
Okay, let's talk.
The Shadow Throne was just as thrilling and plot-twisty as the first two books of the series. However, in some ways it seemed quite redundant. The plot of this book seemed almost like a recycled version of the plot of the other two books. (If that makes sense.) Basically: Jaron hears that something terrible is happening to h ...more

The Shadow Throne ends our journey with Jaron and company. It answers the questions will Carthya be saved and who will sit on the throne once and for all. But even though Jaron is as snarky as ever this final books had a little something missing for me. There was a large chunk in the center during the war that I lost interest in and I often wondered how many times Jaron could go rushing into some enemy camp just to be caught and tortured.
“Avenia thinks they're battling a king. I doubt t...more

Oh Jaron. You never cease to amaze me.
Favorite Quotes:
"Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant." I nodded my head toward the garrison. "Go get it, Roden. People won't follow a leader who doesn't know where he's going. Show them that you do." Pg. 43
"It's your storm, and the future of us all depends on you now. So who are you? Sage, an orphan boy who ca ...more
Favorite Quotes:
"Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant." I nodded my head toward the garrison. "Go get it, Roden. People won't follow a leader who doesn't know where he's going. Show them that you do." Pg. 43
"It's your storm, and the future of us all depends on you now. So who are you? Sage, an orphan boy who ca ...more

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!!! Intense, heartbreaking, amazing, action-packed, almost cried, enjoyed every moment...why does this feel so contradictory...lol...
Okay, wow!!! Jaron is just the best and everything he went through in this book and what he pulled off was incredible!!! Wish we had half his determination...he's just such a well-rounded and lovable character!!!
Mott as always was amazing!!! Tobias and Roden were so fun to read about!!!! Imogen was....aaaaa, ...more
Okay, wow!!! Jaron is just the best and everything he went through in this book and what he pulled off was incredible!!! Wish we had half his determination...he's just such a well-rounded and lovable character!!!
Mott as always was amazing!!! Tobias and Roden were so fun to read about!!!! Imogen was....aaaaa, ...more

I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised by this trilogy, a great story with some fabulous characters.
This book seemed a little rushed towards the end and a few episodes came across as a little lifeless, it took away the flavour of the full trilogy a little - however - it has not put me off the story, I've enjoyed Sage/Jaron's adventures and I was fully invested in the getting to that final destination.
I'd definitely recommend the books, they are all easy reads and very enjoyable, j ...more
This book seemed a little rushed towards the end and a few episodes came across as a little lifeless, it took away the flavour of the full trilogy a little - however - it has not put me off the story, I've enjoyed Sage/Jaron's adventures and I was fully invested in the getting to that final destination.
I'd definitely recommend the books, they are all easy reads and very enjoyable, j ...more

I thought this was a really good finish to the series.
I listened to this on audio with my kids, and the narration was excellent. Yes, maybe the story does tie up everything a little too neatly, but hey, it's middle grade fantasy, and it does that genre very well. My kids actually clapped as we listened to some of the final scenes, so that right there is worth something.
The series as a whole is very enjoyable, and I loved being able to experience it with my kids. ...more
I listened to this on audio with my kids, and the narration was excellent. Yes, maybe the story does tie up everything a little too neatly, but hey, it's middle grade fantasy, and it does that genre very well. My kids actually clapped as we listened to some of the final scenes, so that right there is worth something.
The series as a whole is very enjoyable, and I loved being able to experience it with my kids. ...more

Feb 21, 2022
RebelSoul***HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE***
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Y'all. Y'ALL. This was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Jennifer just keeps getting better throughout the series. The way she ties up all the strings in, like, the last two chapters is just incredible. Bravo to another amazing novel!!!!
...more

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It's such a bittersweet feeling when you have to say goodbye to one of your favorite series. I only became a fan of The Ascendance Trilogy recently, but I know this is one of those series that will stay with me for years to come. Jennifer A. Nielsen has written one of the best fantasy I've read in years and I really hate to say goodbye to beloved characters like Jaron and Imogen. Though it saddens me thinking that this trilogy is over, I a ...more
It's such a bittersweet feeling when you have to say goodbye to one of your favorite series. I only became a fan of The Ascendance Trilogy recently, but I know this is one of those series that will stay with me for years to come. Jennifer A. Nielsen has written one of the best fantasy I've read in years and I really hate to say goodbye to beloved characters like Jaron and Imogen. Though it saddens me thinking that this trilogy is over, I a ...more


Original Post: The Shadow Throne at FLYLeF (www.flylef.com)
IT'S ALWAYS QUITE bittersweet to reach the end of a series, particular one that I have enjoyed thoroughly and has tucked me into bed quite soundly in the early hours of the morning. The Shadow Throne , by Jennifer Nielson, is the final installment in The Ascendance Trilogy. And, it does NOT disappoint!
Though born into royalty, life has been anything but easy for Jaron. From outwitting Connor Bevin’s treasonous game in The False ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Challenge Corner: The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen -> Starting April 10th, 2018 | 5 | 3 | Apr 19, 2018 11:10AM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen Starting April 6th! | 25 | 14 | Apr 18, 2018 10:31PM | |
Booktastic Bookah...: January 2016-The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen | 1 | 4 | Aug 07, 2017 10:19AM | |
One Book Two Read...: The Shadow Throne | 3 | 2 | Dec 20, 2016 03:05PM |
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Jennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has f
...more
Other books in the series
Ascendance
(5 books)
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“Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to attain, it can be lost in an instant.”
—
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“Villains and plots and enemies are simple things to me. But friendships are complicated, and love is harder still. It has wounded me deeper than a sword ever could.”
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