The False Prince (the Ascendance Series, Book 1): Volume 1

A modern classic by #1New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen, 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.

Read the book that started it all! #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen weaves a thrilling tale of grand adventure, intrigue, and treason packed with battles of wits and wills in this rollercoaster of a read.

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Published: 02/01/2013
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 7.40h x 5.20w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780545284141
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5
Point Value: 12
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 157422 / Runaway King


Award: California Young Reader Medal - Winner
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Winner
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee
Award: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award - Third Place
Award: Utah Book Award - Winner

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 New York Times bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy; The Scourge; and the critically acclaimed historical thrillers A Night Divided, Resistance, Words on Fire, Rescue, Lines of Courage, Iceberg, Uprising, One Wrong Step and The Free State of Jax. 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.