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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
This 2nd book in the Ascendance trilogy was quite a wild ride of decisions made by Sage/Jaren the new king. In this book he is faced with his first trials as a king and how he is going to face his problems or run from his problems. True to form from the first book, he goes about making decisions in an unconventional manner and that is what makes the entire story. It wasn’t as good a book as the first book, but definitely worth the read.
The Runaway King was an improvement from The False Prince. However, I still don’t think Jaron has been shown to be as clever as the author wants us to believe. Mostly, it feels like he just lucks out rather than winning from making smart choices. I also don’t like how one issue was solved off the page and just resolved so casually at the end. It tied up everything too cleanly and really lessened the stakes.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why pirates? But it's fine because it's cute.
For the full review check out my blog Living A Life in Books at
http://livingalifeinbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-runaway-king.html
After reading The False Prince, I was excited to see how Jaron would handle being King when he is so used to his freedom and the ability to be whomever he wants. I was a little disappointed, though.
Jaron's character is just as aggravating in this book as he is in the first. He ticks people off on purpose and pushes them away, but it somehow makes you like him more. Although I just wanted him to suck it up and go talk to Amarinda, but, because he thinks she's swooning over her captain of the guards, he refuses to do so.
Overall, I'm glad I read The Runaway King and I will be finishing the trilogy. It's fun and despite the lull in the middle, it picked up again and got me interested in the last novel. I'm worried about everyone now. I need to make sure it's all okay.
http://livingalifeinbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-runaway-king.html
After reading The False Prince, I was excited to see how Jaron would handle being King when he is so used to his freedom and the ability to be whomever he wants. I was a little disappointed, though.
Jaron's character is just as aggravating in this book as he is in the first. He ticks people off on purpose and pushes them away, but it somehow makes you like him more. Although I just wanted him to suck it up and go talk to Amarinda, but, because he thinks she's swooning over her captain of the guards, he refuses to do so.
Overall, I'm glad I read The Runaway King and I will be finishing the trilogy. It's fun and despite the lull in the middle, it picked up again and got me interested in the last novel. I'm worried about everyone now. I need to make sure it's all okay.
This ya fantasy series is probably one of my guilty pleasures. It is a series that I know is meant for an age bracket younger than me but I can't help but continue to turn the page. This book didn't have the amazing plot twists of the first but it was good enough that I will continue reading to the next book.
Generally the second book is a either a disappointment, or an astonishing masterpiece. This book was neither.
While I enjoyed this, I struggled throughout with whether or not I even wanted to finish it. It wasn't that it was bad...it wasn't. But even though I liked the story, the unreliable narrator we find in Jaron, and the character development, I just couldn't get into it, and that's saddening.
This is a great book, if you like the writing style. If not, you'll find yourself like me, distracted every other sentence.
While I enjoyed this, I struggled throughout with whether or not I even wanted to finish it. It wasn't that it was bad...it wasn't. But even though I liked the story, the unreliable narrator we find in Jaron, and the character development, I just couldn't get into it, and that's saddening.
This is a great book, if you like the writing style. If not, you'll find yourself like me, distracted every other sentence.
I read this in one sitting, it was so good. The first book in the series, I had an audio book for. I wasn't sure if I'd love it like I did if I actually read it. But I did, I loved it! I couldn't put it down.
Sage is just as unpredictable as he's always been. He still trusts no one and self sacrifices more than he should (considering his new title and name).
This one was a race to figure out what was really going on. When Sage realized the ultimate twist, my mouth dropped. It wasn't at all what I thought.
I think the biggest twist, however, was near the end. Decisions were made and paths separated, and although I could see the point of those decisions, it doesn't mean it didn't break my heart...a lot after they were made.
I'm so excited to see where this goes next. Based on the last line, the next one is going to be excellent. What on earth is in store for them now?
Sage is just as unpredictable as he's always been. He still trusts no one and self sacrifices more than he should (considering his new title and name).
This one was a race to figure out what was really going on. When Sage realized the ultimate twist, my mouth dropped. It wasn't at all what I thought.
I think the biggest twist, however, was near the end. Decisions were made and paths separated, and although I could see the point of those decisions, it doesn't mean it didn't break my heart...a lot after they were made.
I'm so excited to see where this goes next. Based on the last line, the next one is going to be excellent. What on earth is in store for them now?
This review was originally posted on Books and Ladders
This one, surprisingly, didn't suffer from Second Book Syndrome to me. I thought it was just as good as The False Prince and enjoyed every second that I was reading it.
I don't understand why Jaron was so rude to people that did not deserve it. I want to say it was all stress related and that he was trying to adjust and assert himself, but it was just unnecessary to me. In the first book he was so clever and witty but that doesn't show up in this one. He is more a child of happenstance in this one with the plot just magically working in his favour. Because he is reckless and he was definitely reckless in TFP but he is even more reckless now. I am not sure I am a fan of him as King.
And I like Roden but I don't understand the heavy favour of Jaron wanting Roden to be on his side. I think Jaron should have been doing everything in his power to ensure Roden never came near him again. I would have liked Roden to stay as his enemy and be the villain rather than join his side. But then I realize that this is Middle Grade writing and that definitely will not happen. But it would be sick if it did. I would enjoy the story 10000 times more if that were the case.
As much as I love pirates, I thought these ones needed a little work. They were built up to be so fearsome and gruesome but when we meet them they are not that scary? I would have liked them to be a bit more violent if I had my way. I just don't think they were well developed or written enough.
But I did love the plot. I loved the idea of Jaron sacrificing everything for the good of his people. And I loved the overarching plot of the story and can't wait to see where the conclusion takes us. I liked the romance and I liked how it was handled -- although I wasn't a fan of Amarinda being used to that extent.
Overall: 4/5 stars for this one!
This one, surprisingly, didn't suffer from Second Book Syndrome to me. I thought it was just as good as The False Prince and enjoyed every second that I was reading it.
I don't understand why Jaron was so rude to people that did not deserve it. I want to say it was all stress related and that he was trying to adjust and assert himself, but it was just unnecessary to me. In the first book he was so clever and witty but that doesn't show up in this one. He is more a child of happenstance in this one with the plot just magically working in his favour. Because he is reckless and he was definitely reckless in TFP but he is even more reckless now. I am not sure I am a fan of him as King.
And I like Roden but I don't understand the heavy favour of Jaron wanting Roden to be on his side. I think Jaron should have been doing everything in his power to ensure Roden never came near him again. I would have liked Roden to stay as his enemy and be the villain rather than join his side. But then I realize that this is Middle Grade writing and that definitely will not happen. But it would be sick if it did. I would enjoy the story 10000 times more if that were the case.
As much as I love pirates, I thought these ones needed a little work. They were built up to be so fearsome and gruesome but when we meet them they are not that scary? I would have liked them to be a bit more violent if I had my way. I just don't think they were well developed or written enough.
But I did love the plot. I loved the idea of Jaron sacrificing everything for the good of his people. And I loved the overarching plot of the story and can't wait to see where the conclusion takes us. I liked the romance and I liked how it was handled -- although I wasn't a fan of Amarinda being used to that extent.
Overall: 4/5 stars for this one!
cheeky, fun, audacious. one of the most fun books i've read. i like this series
The pacing was a bit slow for me. But I enjoy the characters and I look forward to seeing where this goes.