The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, Book 1)
Description
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!
"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." -The Wall Street Journal
"[A] swashbuckling origin story... Sage is a quick wit, and Nielsen showcases it with terrific dialogue... chock full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." -Los Angeles Times
*"Sage is deftly characterized through humorous first-person narration, quickly establishing himself as a beguiling antihero... [A]n impressive, promising story with some expertly executed twists." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"[A] terrific story that carries readers along to the very (surprising) end and will leave them clamoring for the next book in her trilogy." -BookPage, featured "Top Pick" review
"[M]ore Harry Potter (minus the magic) than Hunger Games... with authentic characters, a convincing sense of danger and a genuinely high-stakes plot." -The Hollywood Reporter
"[A] surefire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." -Horn Book
"Would you ever be on my side, even if I chose you above the other boys?" Conner asked.
"I'm only on my side. Your trick will be convincing me that helping you helps me," I replied.
"What if I did? How far would you go to win?"
"The better question, sir, is how far you will go to win."
I looked him steadily in the eyes as I spoke. "You killed Latamer. So we know you're willing to murder to win."
"I am." Conner backed up, speaking to all of us again.
"And I'm willing to lie, to cheat, and to steal. I'm willing to commend my soul to the devils if necessary because I believe there is exoneration in my cause. I need one of you to conduct the greatest fraud ever perpetrated within the country of Carthya. This is a lifetime commitment. It will never be safe to back down from my plan and tell the truth. To do so would destroy not only you but the entire country. And you will do it to save Carthya."
PUBLISHER:
Scholastic Inc.
ISBN-10:
1546180486
ISBN-13:
9780545391665
BINDING:
Compact Disc
BISAC:
Juvenile Fiction
PUBLICATION YEAR:
2012
NUMBER OF PAGES:
81400
AUDIENCE TYPE:
Children
LANGUAGE:
English