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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Sage/King Jaron is put through the wringer as he tries to thwart his enemies to save his country... and he has enemies in spades. Jaron's final confrontation with Roden and the aftermath felt implausible to me, some of the pirates behaviour and reactions are baffling under the circumstances, and the ending is obvious. Although there are things that didn't work for me, it is still a fun read as Jaron remains consistent with his scheming intelligence and rash foolishness. He fights with all he has for his people rather than be a target seated on a puppet throne.
Not on a par with the first book but still enjoyable.
I adored the first book in this series, The False Prince. I have recommended it to many students and teachers because I know that the book grabs the reader and takes them on a wild ride that they hope will never end. I couldn't wait for the sequel, but was also concerned since sometimes the second book in a series seems to just be marking time.
In The Runaway King, Nielsen did not disappoint. Jaron has managed to be king for about a month without incident, but then everything goes horribly wrong. An assassin shows up during the funeral observance for his family, pirates are on their way to attack, and political intrigue permeates the castle. Of course, Jaron chooses a most unorthodox way of dealing with the threats to his kingdom. Kings are usually protected and stay back out of the conflict, but he runs toward the trouble. He doesn't know if anything he is doing can possibly save anyone, but he knows he has to try.
Nielsen skillfully packed action consistently throughout the book. Just when you think Jaron has a moment of peace, everything falls to pieces. Jaron's voice continues to be humorous and charming in the midst of the many dangerous and sometimes slightly ridiculous situations in which he finds himself. In spite of all the excitement, Nielsen also manages to introduce many interesting and unique characters.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone fond of a good tale of adventure. With assassins, royalty, pirates, thieves, sword fights, and plenty of humorous lines, how could you go wrong?
Original review http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-runaway-king.html
In The Runaway King, Nielsen did not disappoint. Jaron has managed to be king for about a month without incident, but then everything goes horribly wrong. An assassin shows up during the funeral observance for his family, pirates are on their way to attack, and political intrigue permeates the castle. Of course, Jaron chooses a most unorthodox way of dealing with the threats to his kingdom. Kings are usually protected and stay back out of the conflict, but he runs toward the trouble. He doesn't know if anything he is doing can possibly save anyone, but he knows he has to try.
Nielsen skillfully packed action consistently throughout the book. Just when you think Jaron has a moment of peace, everything falls to pieces. Jaron's voice continues to be humorous and charming in the midst of the many dangerous and sometimes slightly ridiculous situations in which he finds himself. In spite of all the excitement, Nielsen also manages to introduce many interesting and unique characters.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone fond of a good tale of adventure. With assassins, royalty, pirates, thieves, sword fights, and plenty of humorous lines, how could you go wrong?
Original review http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-runaway-king.html
adventurous
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I had forgotten a lot of what happened in this book so it was a good reread. My favorite part was Jaron staying at Harlowe's. I love when heroes in books are given an opportunity to walk away from their destiny and imagine their lives as something different. Harlowe and Jaron's relationship made me emotional at times because Harlowe is the kind of father figure Jaron hasn't had.
I will say parts of this books dragged for me especially once the pirates were involved, which is disappointing because the pirates should have been the coolest part. And some plot points were a little too convenient and easy.
I will say parts of this books dragged for me especially once the pirates were involved, which is disappointing because the pirates should have been the coolest part. And some plot points were a little too convenient and easy.
I know I made the mental preparations. I was literally awaiting with bated breath. But I just can’t get over the first shock as the star-crossed lovers makes their entrance.
That’s right. They’ve been held off for a book and now they’re coming me whether I like it or not. If I’m uncontactable in the next hour it’s because I’m currently recuperating from an acute case of eye-roll sprain.
After this book I can proudly announce that I have pledged my allegiance to any side that is against Imogen’s side. Be it Devlin (RIP) or capricious Araminda (girl you’re not even trying come on) or Roden (who I believe has the potential for an enemies-to-lovers arc) please just let this ship sink I’ve had enough of it.
Why?
Well only because Miss Imogen has a horrible track record of trying to be gutsy and screwing everything up, trying to act like she’s at the cool kids lunch table and expecting her knight in shining armor to save her afterwards like a damsel in distress and pulling down the entire team by being leverage.
And I’ve had enough of this despicable behaviour. I shall continue appeasing myself swooning over fanarts of Sage because they definitely do not accurately reflect how emaciated and malnourished he is. 3 stars
That’s right. They’ve been held off for a book and now they’re coming me whether I like it or not. If I’m uncontactable in the next hour it’s because I’m currently recuperating from an acute case of eye-roll sprain.
After this book I can proudly announce that I have pledged my allegiance to any side that is against Imogen’s side. Be it Devlin (RIP) or capricious Araminda (girl you’re not even trying come on) or Roden (who I believe has the potential for an enemies-to-lovers arc) please just let this ship sink I’ve had enough of it.
Why?
Well only because Miss Imogen has a horrible track record of trying to be gutsy and screwing everything up, trying to act like she’s at the cool kids lunch table and expecting her knight in shining armor to save her afterwards like a damsel in distress and pulling down the entire team by being leverage.
And I’ve had enough of this despicable behaviour. I shall continue appeasing myself swooning over fanarts of Sage because they definitely do not accurately reflect how emaciated and malnourished he is. 3 stars
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you like the idea of a teenager sneaking around a pirate camp (not ship—this book takes place entirely on land) whilst rolling Nat 20s on every charisma, acrobatics, persuasion, etc. check the DM—ahem, the author—throws at him, this book is for you. Unfortunately, this book was not for me, which really isn’t the book’s fault. I came into the second book expecting it to be something that it wasn’t (medieval-esque court shenanigans and Arranged Marriage Angst), but there was nary a shenanigan to be found. (I think I might be in the minority here, but I found myself much more intrigued by Amarinda than Imogen, but the princess had very little page time, much to my chagrin). The book works well for what it is (though I felt like Sage’s luck dips well into the realm of implausibility, especially towards the end), but it was a bit of a drag to finish. The last chapter started to save the book for me, but the ending didn’t leave me hyped for the next entry. (I did love, however, that Sage’s plan essentially boiled down to “oh, my country/love interest is being threatened by pirates? I’m going to infiltrate the pirate camp and KILL ALL THE PIRATES”, which is incredibly on-brand for the teenager he is. AND SOMEHOW IT WORKED. Still don’t understand how this man made it to the end of the book intact.)
"Everyone gets scared at times. It's only the fools who won't admit it."
.
The Runaway King review:
Swipe for synopsis. This book is just as good as the first book in the series! I highly recommend it to fans of books like Percy Jackson!
❤️ Things I loved:
- The characters! I love Jaron just as much in this one as I did in the first one. Fink is just so cute! Mott is also just, the best.
-Again, the plot twists are just impeccably done!
.
The Runaway King review:
Swipe for synopsis. This book is just as good as the first book in the series! I highly recommend it to fans of books like Percy Jackson!
❤️ Things I loved:
- The characters! I love Jaron just as much in this one as I did in the first one. Fink is just so cute! Mott is also just, the best.
-Again, the plot twists are just impeccably done!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jaron you little shit I love you!!
Overall a strong sequel, but it was hard not to compare it with the masterful plotting of the first book.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced