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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read The False Prince for the first time when I was about eleven years old, right at the peak of my middle school obsession with reading. The Ascendance Trilogy, (now series) became an instant favorite of mine back in the day. Naturally, while trying to revive that old hobby of mine as an adult, this was one of the first books to come to mind to reread.
The False Prince is not an overly complicated book. I already knew the ending, having read it so many times as a kid. But the hints left throughout the beginning and middle of the book pointing to the twist at the end didn't feel all too obvious, in my opinion. Other things I loved were the characters, who, though not too deep or dimensional, are lovely and interesting to read about. I completely remember why I had become so attached to our protagonist, Sage, when I read this the first time. Then the pacing. The pacing was perfect, for what I need right now. There was never a moment reading this that I felt bored, and never a moment where I felt overwhelmed with plot. I would have liked a bit more of... something, from the book, but you have to remember who this was written for. For what it is, it was a wonderful balance.
The weakest points of this book were definitely the world building, and occasionally some pretty cheesy writing. Both of these shortcomings, however, were improved immensely in the second and third books in the trilogy. I have yet to read the fourth and fifth.
I'd highly recommend the Ascendance Series to anyone, really, it can appeal to a wide variety of readers. It's a good one to curl up with on a cold evening, easy to read and understand, with lovable characters and interesting situations.
The False Prince is not an overly complicated book. I already knew the ending, having read it so many times as a kid. But the hints left throughout the beginning and middle of the book pointing to the twist at the end didn't feel all too obvious, in my opinion. Other things I loved were the characters, who, though not too deep or dimensional, are lovely and interesting to read about. I completely remember why I had become so attached to our protagonist, Sage, when I read this the first time. Then the pacing. The pacing was perfect, for what I need right now. There was never a moment reading this that I felt bored, and never a moment where I felt overwhelmed with plot. I would have liked a bit more of... something, from the book, but you have to remember who this was written for. For what it is, it was a wonderful balance.
The weakest points of this book were definitely the world building, and occasionally some pretty cheesy writing. Both of these shortcomings, however, were improved immensely in the second and third books in the trilogy. I have yet to read the fourth and fifth.
I'd highly recommend the Ascendance Series to anyone, really, it can appeal to a wide variety of readers. It's a good one to curl up with on a cold evening, easy to read and understand, with lovable characters and interesting situations.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
Abby is reading this middle grade trilogy and I picked up the first book just to get a feel for what she was reading and got sucked in...
Sage is an orphan, plucked off the streets by one of the country's top noblemen because he looks like he could possibly be the missing prince... Sage reminds me of Gen in the Thief -- mischievous, yet good hearted, and a completely unreliable narrator. I absolutely loved it.
Sage is an orphan, plucked off the streets by one of the country's top noblemen because he looks like he could possibly be the missing prince... Sage reminds me of Gen in the Thief -- mischievous, yet good hearted, and a completely unreliable narrator. I absolutely loved it.
I checked this book out from the library.
This book is a solid read with an interesting story line. The characters are complex and well-developed if not exactly the sort of people with whom you'd want to socialize. It is not spectacular for the latter reason.
I read this book with my two teen daughters and we are all on the fence about whether or not to read the next book in the series.
I give this book a B.
This book is a solid read with an interesting story line. The characters are complex and well-developed if not exactly the sort of people with whom you'd want to socialize. It is not spectacular for the latter reason.
I read this book with my two teen daughters and we are all on the fence about whether or not to read the next book in the series.
I give this book a B.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A bit slower at the start and I wasn't too sure, but it picks up into a wonderful and surprising storyline. 100% worth a read I was hooked.
Great action/adventure story with lots of twists and wonderful characters, especially Sage.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book you guys, this book!
The False Prince is THE best middle grade book I’ve read in a long time. I know that sentence doesn’t do much justice, but seriously it is. Now I love me an action packed plot but The False Prince isn’t like that. It has a slow burn plot that drives you nuts about what is going to happen. It makes you not care that your stomach is growling, that you are cutting into your time to sleep, or that your bladder is going explode into thousands of pieces. You only care about what is going to happen!
This book is full of secrets and the plot thickens all the way till the end. If I didn’t know how young the main character was I wouldn’t have ever guessed it was middle grade. It is pretty dark and intense for a middle grade series! Anyways…so I guess first I’ll try my best to explain the plot without giving too much away.
Sage is a 14 year old orphan boy. A seriously clever orphan boy that has learned to become a thief. He has lots of tricks up his sleeve. Not only is he a thief but he has an arrogance and sense of humor about him that I loved to pieces. A nobleman, Conner (one of the best villains ever!), has decided to find some orphan boys who could pull off impersonating and actually being the prince. All to keep a Civil War from breaking out.
After he finds said boys he plans on teaching them the ways of being in with the Royal and then after a few weeks of intense “training” he intends on picking one un(lucky) boy to become the prince’s impersonator. Sage really gives Conner a run for his money and let me tell you these two are what make this book so freaking awesome. As much as Conner got on my nerves I loved him as the villain. It’s like you love to hate him.
The False Prince is THE best middle grade book I’ve read in a long time. I know that sentence doesn’t do much justice, but seriously it is. Now I love me an action packed plot but The False Prince isn’t like that. It has a slow burn plot that drives you nuts about what is going to happen. It makes you not care that your stomach is growling, that you are cutting into your time to sleep, or that your bladder is going explode into thousands of pieces. You only care about what is going to happen!
This book is full of secrets and the plot thickens all the way till the end. If I didn’t know how young the main character was I wouldn’t have ever guessed it was middle grade. It is pretty dark and intense for a middle grade series! Anyways…so I guess first I’ll try my best to explain the plot without giving too much away.
Sage is a 14 year old orphan boy. A seriously clever orphan boy that has learned to become a thief. He has lots of tricks up his sleeve. Not only is he a thief but he has an arrogance and sense of humor about him that I loved to pieces. A nobleman, Conner (one of the best villains ever!), has decided to find some orphan boys who could pull off impersonating and actually being the prince. All to keep a Civil War from breaking out.
After he finds said boys he plans on teaching them the ways of being in with the Royal and then after a few weeks of intense “training” he intends on picking one un(lucky) boy to become the prince’s impersonator. Sage really gives Conner a run for his money and let me tell you these two are what make this book so freaking awesome. As much as Conner got on my nerves I loved him as the villain. It’s like you love to hate him.
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Summary (contains spoilers)
Several lords in a kingdom plots against the royal line. Early in the story one of the prince's boats is attacked and he is presumed killed with everyone else onboard. Years later the rest of the royal family is murdered.
A lord takes in 3 orphans in an attempt to train them to pose as the missing prince. He only has two weeks to do so before a new kings is selected.
My thoughts :
I was very intrigued by the storyline but almost didn't finish the book because every character speaks the same way, same mannerisms, and choice of words.
There are three orphans, a lord, and twobguys who are basically muscle for hire. I kept thinking that all three orphans spoke in what I considered educated language. Granted one was somewhat educated and knew how to read and actually attended school, he second was supposed to have basic reading skills but barely enough to get by and the other was illiterate. Yet they were using words like 'respite'. There was no use of slang which I would expect in boys raised in the street.
Granted, the twist explains why sages inner voice is so well spoken but it doesn't explain why all orphans used proper grammar throughout and often threw in words I would expect of an a educated person. The twist doesn't explain his spoken word, per the story Sage did all he could to prevent ppl from knowing who he was, changing his looks, mannerisms, and I would assume also proper speech! Still the plot interested me enough to finish the book.
The twist did cross my mind once or twice early in the book but it honestly took me by surprise when it was revealed. I'm sufficiently impressed that I intend to continue the series and would recommend this book to anyone. I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has similar thoughts on the boys language use.
Several lords in a kingdom plots against the royal line. Early in the story one of the prince's boats is attacked and he is presumed killed with everyone else onboard. Years later the rest of the royal family is murdered.
A lord takes in 3 orphans in an attempt to train them to pose as the missing prince. He only has two weeks to do so before a new kings is selected.
My thoughts :
I was very intrigued by the storyline but almost didn't finish the book because every character speaks the same way, same mannerisms, and choice of words.
There are three orphans, a lord, and twobguys who are basically muscle for hire. I kept thinking that all three orphans spoke in what I considered educated language. Granted one was somewhat educated and knew how to read and actually attended school, he second was supposed to have basic reading skills but barely enough to get by and the other was illiterate. Yet they were using words like 'respite'. There was no use of slang which I would expect in boys raised in the street.
Granted, the twist explains why sages inner voice is so well spoken but it doesn't explain why all orphans used proper grammar throughout and often threw in words I would expect of an a educated person. The twist doesn't explain his spoken word, per the story Sage did all he could to prevent ppl from knowing who he was, changing his looks, mannerisms, and I would assume also proper speech! Still the plot interested me enough to finish the book.
The twist did cross my mind once or twice early in the book but it honestly took me by surprise when it was revealed. I'm sufficiently impressed that I intend to continue the series and would recommend this book to anyone. I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has similar thoughts on the boys language use.