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Ascendance #1-3
Ascendance Trilogy: The False Prince, The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne
THE FALSE PRINCE, The RUNAWAY KING, and THE SHADOW THRONE is the thrilling journey in a brand new trilogy filled with danger, deceit and adventure.
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 (Jaron) 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.
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 (Jaron) 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.
MP3 CD
First published February 1, 2013
83 people are currently reading
976 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
53 books9,615 followersJennifer 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 forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
September 22, 2020
The False Prince - 4.5 stars
This took me by surprise. I suspected and unsuspected throughout the book about certain things but I came to love Sage and his cleverness by the end. I loved it.
The Runaway King - 3.5 stars
This wasn't as clever as The False Prince but it was still pretty good.
The Shadow Throne - 3 stars
This final book ties things up nicely but it lacked the cleverness of first book and the action of the second book. A decent read still.
This took me by surprise. I suspected and unsuspected throughout the book about certain things but I came to love Sage and his cleverness by the end. I loved it.
The Runaway King - 3.5 stars
This wasn't as clever as The False Prince but it was still pretty good.
The Shadow Throne - 3 stars
This final book ties things up nicely but it lacked the cleverness of first book and the action of the second book. A decent read still.
June 15, 2015
The Ascendance Trilogy - listened to and reviewed by Samuel ~ 10 years old
Describe the Ascendance Trilogy in 5 words:
Funny
Adventurous
Awesome
Exciting
Interesting
Favorite Character(s): Sage and King Jaron. Sage is smart and funny. Lots of unexpected stuff happens, but I can't tell you because it would spoil it, so just trust me.
Least favorite character: King Vargan because he's rude and evil.
Narrator: He did a good job!
Final Verdict: I wish there was more!
Describe the Ascendance Trilogy in 5 words:
Funny
Adventurous
Awesome
Exciting
Interesting
Favorite Character(s): Sage and King Jaron. Sage is smart and funny. Lots of unexpected stuff happens, but I can't tell you because it would spoil it, so just trust me.
Least favorite character: King Vargan because he's rude and evil.
Narrator: He did a good job!
Final Verdict: I wish there was more!
July 26, 2021
I highly recommend this series!!!
September 7, 2015
A very unexpected series that made my mind blown away for all three books. Screaming and shouting was like a must when I read. Highly recommended for people who wants to have a headstart on thriller books.
June 10, 2020
I love this series so much I read it twice in a row!
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April 30, 202030 April 2020: $3.99 on Kindle
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January 26, 2017All three of these books were amazing. The whole series was fantastic with traitors and twists and turns at every second, making the book impossible to put down. Greate series for fantasy readers and people who like reading about the old times.
February 19, 2015
wonderfully written series. Books with depth and heart as well as humor and action. Kept my entire family riveted.
November 15, 2015
AWESOME!!!
April 15, 2022
I've read these books several times and although they are really enjoyable with lots of cool details and stuff they're also pretty predictable. Once you've read one or two you realize:
1) There's gonna be some crazy problem or impossible situation.
2) Jaron will know more than everyone else and not tell anyone anything and he'll make his friends mad (I guess in book one he doesn't really have any friends but whatever).
3) Jaron will be tortured or injured.
4) Jaron will solve the crazy problem despite being in not-so-great/horrible shape.
5) Jaron will end up being fine.
6) None of Jarons friends stay dead.
7) Happily ever after.
But I would give it 2.5 stars anyway. Actually 3, 'cause I'm a sucker for fantasy and books where the characters are always in danger and actually get injured instead of escaping unscathed. So it's not the best thing I've ever read but I still like it. And the pros are (because I listed the cons I should list some pros too):
1) It'll have you guessing till the end.
3) There's some really great character development.
4) Witty jokes (although sometimes maybe a tad too witty... like he just comes up with them out of nowhere despite any situation which might be unrealistic)
1) There's gonna be some crazy problem or impossible situation.
2) Jaron will know more than everyone else and not tell anyone anything and he'll make his friends mad (I guess in book one he doesn't really have any friends but whatever).
3) Jaron will be tortured or injured.
4) Jaron will solve the crazy problem despite being in not-so-great/horrible shape.
5) Jaron will end up being fine.
6) None of Jarons friends stay dead.
7) Happily ever after.
But I would give it 2.5 stars anyway. Actually 3, 'cause I'm a sucker for fantasy and books where the characters are always in danger and actually get injured instead of escaping unscathed. So it's not the best thing I've ever read but I still like it. And the pros are (because I listed the cons I should list some pros too):
1) It'll have you guessing till the end.
3) There's some really great character development.
4) Witty jokes (although sometimes maybe a tad too witty... like he just comes up with them out of nowhere despite any situation which might be unrealistic)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2023
This series has ALWAYS been one of my favorites.
Spoilers
The False Prince
My sixth grade teacher read this to us in english, and I loved it from the beginning. The opening, with Sage being chased by the butcher, was absolutely brilliant and it definitely caught my attention. At first I was a bit doubtful- Sage kind of seemed like the stereotypical orphan but I still gave him a chance (and thank god I did). Then came Connor and the other three boys. I hated Connor from the start, but I did kind of like that he never denied what he was doing. Then the whole patriot and "I'm doing it for the country" threw me off again. I love Tobias, I found him relatable. Roden was always kind of iffy for me, he was unbearable in some parts but then ok in others. I wish we could've gotten more about Latamer (may he rest in peace). The character who immediately caught my eye though was Mott. I LOVE Mott and he definitely gets better throughout the series. He was interesting, smart, and although he didn't have a lot of parts he was entertaining. The plot twist at the end was definitely unexpected! I mean, I thought it might go down a route similar but definitely not exactly like that. Connor was probably PISSED.
The Runaway King-
This one wasn't nearly as good as the first one. I don't remember half of it, and it was kind of slow. Way to much build up to the action. I don't have a lot to say about this.
The Shadow Throne-
THIS IS MY FAVORITE ONE.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
This is the one I always reread over and over again. It's unbelievably entertaining and it had just the right amount of action. Roden and Jaron's argument was definitely interesting, although it wasn't entirely a shock when it was revealed that it was as staged one a few chapters later. Mott and Jaron's relationship was super sweet, I've always loved their dynamic. I wouldn't exactly call it a father/son relationship, that's more Harlowe and Jaron. Either way, their dynamic is always funny and chaotic. Imogen's "death" definitely threw me off, and the way that Jaron completely shut down was heartbreaking. Then we found out she's alive so it's ok. Amarinda and Tobias are super cute, and I loved the arc there. I don't remember a lot about this book despite repeatedly reading it, but one part that I always remember is when MOTT GOT STABBED. Yeah that was a bit of a heart attack. Anyways, MOTT <3
Spoilers
The False Prince
My sixth grade teacher read this to us in english, and I loved it from the beginning. The opening, with Sage being chased by the butcher, was absolutely brilliant and it definitely caught my attention. At first I was a bit doubtful- Sage kind of seemed like the stereotypical orphan but I still gave him a chance (and thank god I did). Then came Connor and the other three boys. I hated Connor from the start, but I did kind of like that he never denied what he was doing. Then the whole patriot and "I'm doing it for the country" threw me off again. I love Tobias, I found him relatable. Roden was always kind of iffy for me, he was unbearable in some parts but then ok in others. I wish we could've gotten more about Latamer (may he rest in peace). The character who immediately caught my eye though was Mott. I LOVE Mott and he definitely gets better throughout the series. He was interesting, smart, and although he didn't have a lot of parts he was entertaining. The plot twist at the end was definitely unexpected! I mean, I thought it might go down a route similar but definitely not exactly like that. Connor was probably PISSED.
The Runaway King-
This one wasn't nearly as good as the first one. I don't remember half of it, and it was kind of slow. Way to much build up to the action. I don't have a lot to say about this.
The Shadow Throne-
THIS IS MY FAVORITE ONE.
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
This is the one I always reread over and over again. It's unbelievably entertaining and it had just the right amount of action. Roden and Jaron's argument was definitely interesting, although it wasn't entirely a shock when it was revealed that it was as staged one a few chapters later. Mott and Jaron's relationship was super sweet, I've always loved their dynamic. I wouldn't exactly call it a father/son relationship, that's more Harlowe and Jaron. Either way, their dynamic is always funny and chaotic. Imogen's "death" definitely threw me off, and the way that Jaron completely shut down was heartbreaking. Then we found out she's alive so it's ok. Amarinda and Tobias are super cute, and I loved the arc there. I don't remember a lot about this book despite repeatedly reading it, but one part that I always remember is when MOTT GOT STABBED. Yeah that was a bit of a heart attack. Anyways, MOTT <3
December 24, 2019
2.5 stars, review of all three books.
Decent writing style, likable characters, decent world building. Book one, quite good. Book two, just a few of what I call "Really stupid decisions by an otherwise intelligent protagonist to advance the plot, so the author can set up a dramatic situation." So essentially, you give a big eye roll, you continue reading and try to get back into your suspension of disbelief mode, just to enjoy the story. Some crazy naive human interactions. Book three. Nothing but eye rolls. Clumsy plot forwarding from beginning to end. It was rather difficult to ignore it when it keeps happening, and you begin to anticipate the stupidity. So, read it, or don't. The plot is neither innovative, nor believable. I finished it, so I cared enough about the characters to see how it ended. Meh.
Decent writing style, likable characters, decent world building. Book one, quite good. Book two, just a few of what I call "Really stupid decisions by an otherwise intelligent protagonist to advance the plot, so the author can set up a dramatic situation." So essentially, you give a big eye roll, you continue reading and try to get back into your suspension of disbelief mode, just to enjoy the story. Some crazy naive human interactions. Book three. Nothing but eye rolls. Clumsy plot forwarding from beginning to end. It was rather difficult to ignore it when it keeps happening, and you begin to anticipate the stupidity. So, read it, or don't. The plot is neither innovative, nor believable. I finished it, so I cared enough about the characters to see how it ended. Meh.
April 16, 2018
I really like the Ascendance Trilogy. It is a good adventure and mystery series. The False Prince was my favorite book of the series because of all of the action and mystery in it. My favorite character was the main character because he reminds me of me. There wasn't a character I didn't like in the book because they all went with the story really well. I don't think there is anything the author should change about the books because they were awesome. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure and mystery.
October 28, 2020
So I finished the whole series yesterday and after some time, it gave me time to think. Man this book series is good. I read the first book and felt like I bonded with the characters. The Jennifer Nielsen really made me feel like I was a part of the book. After reading The False Prince, I immediately wanted to get a hold on the next books. I accidentally read the 3rd book before the 2nd one even though I had both of them with me😂😂. On Google, sometimes it says that there are only three books in the Ascendance Trilogy, but there's more that's out and about....Yay!
November 21, 2018
A fascinating series about friendship, love, deceit, loyalty and war. The books are full of twists and turns and will not stop till the end of the final book. A mysterious man, an orphan and a kingdom without a ruler and a country in despair makes for the perfect recipe for grand epic adventure and fantasy. A page turner and infused with complex characters. Effortless storytelling.
Full review on www.bibliogyan.com
Full review on www.bibliogyan.com
May 2, 2020
I LOVED this trilogy and listened to all three books within a month. The voices of each character were perfect and the writing was fantastic. There are many stories that talk about a prince, but this one was different in a few ways. Even though it may sound like other books, I would recommend this trilogy to others. The prince didn't want to be a king even though it was his duty. He lived as an orphan for most of his young life. He fell in love. There were twists and turns in every book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2019
I read this trilogy after I read The Traitor’s Game and The Deceiver’s Heart so in comparison, the ascendant trilogy was much slower and harder to read for me. It was just repeating the same scenarios over and over in the second and third books. The ending was good though.
December 30, 2019
One of my favorite series! This is my go to series for my advanced third and fourth grade readers when they are looking for something new to read. It has lots of action and a great twist! All of my students that have read it have loved it!
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May 13, 2020The trilogy comes to a dramatic conclusion, bound to please the reader. Jaron faces his worst fears and loses. The quote, "darkest before the dawn" holds through for this book, with tension and twists clear till the end of the book. It is a page turner.
June 21, 2020
Outstanding
Jennifer's writing is spell binding. It is very hard to put her books down. The books may have been written for middle grade but adults can get wrapped in adventure as well. Highly recommended at any age.
Jennifer's writing is spell binding. It is very hard to put her books down. The books may have been written for middle grade but adults can get wrapped in adventure as well. Highly recommended at any age.
October 15, 2021
One of my favorite series of all time! If you're looking for a rip-roaring adventure, hilarious characters, and an excellent plot, this is your series! And don't forget to check out the latest in the Ascendance Series, the Captive Kingdom and the Shattered Castle!
November 6, 2021
I love Jennifer Nielsen’s books! She is an incredible author with completely clean, appropriate books. This series follows an orphan named Sage on his wild, crazy, daring adventures that are always funny and entertaining.
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November 30, 2021So good!!
I read this with my son and we both loved it! It was so hard to put down. It was full of action, clever plot twists, and tender lessons.
We are grateful to have read this series.
I read this with my son and we both loved it! It was so hard to put down. It was full of action, clever plot twists, and tender lessons.
We are grateful to have read this series.
June 27, 2025
This is a very cleverly written series. Nielsen has a way of hiding what's really happening in plain sight, right there in the words of the POV character. The twists and surprises are fun and rewarding. The pace is just right.
June 29, 2025
I found the first of these books for very cheap at a thrift store and was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I read the whole series and enjoyed the action and the plot twists. Overall, I would recommend for a light-hearted/easy but engaging read.
July 25, 2025
This series seriously deserves so much more hype it is such an amazing series I love jaron so much he is so strong and talented and kind and so smart and funny I love the twists and turnes in the books
October 8, 2025
10/10 would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves fantasy! This is such a great world to imagine and if it was to be turned into an onscreen adaptation I would be picking apart all the details to make sure it remained faithful to the original stories.
May 8, 2018
I finished the Ascendance Trilogy in just a few days it was so good!!!
July 27, 2018
3.5 stars!!
September 12, 2018
Excellent writing - complicated protagonist and exciting and tense plot
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews