The Runaway King (Ascendance Series #2)

by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Overview

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the thrilling sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's New York Times bestselling blockbuster The False Prince!

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 Series takes readers on a roller coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King.And don't miss the highly anticipated fourth book in the series, The Captive Kingdom, coming October 2020!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545284165
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	01/28/2014
Series:	Ascendance Series , #2
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	18,218
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

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.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The False Prince:A New York Times Notable Children's BookA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's Book SelectionWinner of the Cybils Award for Middle-Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction"A page-turner." — 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 Reviews"Should appeal to fans of . . . Suzanne Collins. . . . A sure-fire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." — The Horn BookPraise for The Runaway King:"High adventure abounds with nail-biting drama." — Kirkus Reviews"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

From the Publisher

Gr 5–8—Jaron, aka Sage, from the The False Prince (Scholastic, 2012), has been king of Carthya for a month. On the night of his family's funeral, he is attacked by Roden, his former friend. The assassination attempt fails, but Roden warns him that pirates will destroy Carthya if he does not surrender in nine days. Knowing that the people closest to him are in the most danger, he sends Imogen away by pretending he no longer cares for her. Gregor, the captain of the guards, wants him to go into hiding and have a steward installed until he is of age, but Jaron has a plan. He will once again become Sage and go to the pirates alone. Through Fink, a local boy, Jaron joins a band of thieves whose leader, Erick, escorts him to the pirates. Once Jaron is branded as a pirate he must decide the best way to challenge Devlin, the pirate king, and stop the impending war against Carthya. Complicating matters is Imogen's presence as a serving girl, her attempts to save Jaron from himself, and the arrival of Gregor. The truth emerges after Roden returns from sea and paves the way for a resolution that satisfies everyone. Despite the intricate and often convoluted plot, this is a fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up. Students will likely devour it and eagerly anticipate the conclusion to the trilogy.—Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL

School Library Journal