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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This was a good book, but suffered in my opinion because of its similarities to The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. Since it's one of my favorite series, it's hard to live up to it. Nielsen has great writing, but doesn't have the genius of Turner for turning a plot. There were no big surprises for me. Sage reminded me a lot of Eugenidies, but a bit less clever. However, he is likable and smart and vulnerable, and I will for sure be reading the rest of the series to find out his story.
Likes: Good character development. I liked Mott (who reminded me of Pol), and felt that the antagonist, Conner, had some layers to his story as well. I almost wish he could have become an ally, but he was far too ruthless. The plot was well imagined, but nothing new... again, it reminded me strongly of Turner's books.
Dislikes: All the secondary characters were interchangeable to me. At times they would seem ruthless, then capitulate. I think it was meant to add layers to the characters, seeing the good and bad sides, but the inconsistencies just made them seem like either one could have the other ones lines and it wouldn't have changed the story much. I also couldn't get a feel for the setting and world that Sage found himself in. What time period is it? Well, they use swords. And printed books, I'm assuming, since Conner had a large library. And they live in huge mansion castles. But I don't even know what times of year it was. The world building was minimal and it would have added more to the story to have a few basic details.
Over all there was a lot to like and keep the pages turning. Nothing I will probably read again, but not sorry I read it either.
Likes: Good character development. I liked Mott (who reminded me of Pol), and felt that the antagonist, Conner, had some layers to his story as well. I almost wish he could have become an ally, but he was far too ruthless. The plot was well imagined, but nothing new... again, it reminded me strongly of Turner's books.
Dislikes: All the secondary characters were interchangeable to me. At times they would seem ruthless, then capitulate. I think it was meant to add layers to the characters, seeing the good and bad sides, but the inconsistencies just made them seem like either one could have the other ones lines and it wouldn't have changed the story much. I also couldn't get a feel for the setting and world that Sage found himself in. What time period is it? Well, they use swords. And printed books, I'm assuming, since Conner had a large library. And they live in huge mansion castles. But I don't even know what times of year it was. The world building was minimal and it would have added more to the story to have a few basic details.
Over all there was a lot to like and keep the pages turning. Nothing I will probably read again, but not sorry I read it either.
Historical fiction with interesting moral dilemmas, good characters, and plenty of plot twists. Would appeal to fantasy readers as well. Highly recommended for ages 10-14.
3.5 stars. This book was slow to start for me, but then, about a third of the way in, I was totally hooked. The day to day happenings were well balanced with the big picture and the twist was incredibly satisfying. The women in this book are only a marginal element, which is ok, but the ones we do see are earnest victims that our heroes feel compelled to protect, which is the major thing that keeps me from a four star rating
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Fantastic - fabulously written, compulsively readable, great characters. I love a book that catches me by surprise and this one did.
The book centers around a nobleman's plot to install an orphan as the lost prince in a country that teeters on the edge of civil war. The rest of the royal family has just been murdered and that fact hidden while Conner selects and trains his orphans. Sage, our narrator and one of the orphans is headstrong, and impulsive yet compassionate. He quickly realizes he must become the prince or face a certain death.
There are layers upon layers in the story that by the end are all woven together. It is subtly and artfully done and provides readers with a twist they never saw coming.
Fabulous - can't wait to read the second book!
The book centers around a nobleman's plot to install an orphan as the lost prince in a country that teeters on the edge of civil war. The rest of the royal family has just been murdered and that fact hidden while Conner selects and trains his orphans. Sage, our narrator and one of the orphans is headstrong, and impulsive yet compassionate. He quickly realizes he must become the prince or face a certain death.
There are layers upon layers in the story that by the end are all woven together. It is subtly and artfully done and provides readers with a twist they never saw coming.
Fabulous - can't wait to read the second book!
If I could I would give this 10 stars!!!!
I read this book once before and going into it again all I could remember was that I thought it was amazing! Reading it again for the "first" time was such a treat! All the characters in this book are interesting, clever and very well thought out. This book is also thrilling while having no real adventure. The mystery is what makes it thrilling as well as the risk involved in Conner's elaborate plan.
I can't wait to dive into book 2!! In fact I will now! :)
I read this book once before and going into it again all I could remember was that I thought it was amazing! Reading it again for the "first" time was such a treat! All the characters in this book are interesting, clever and very well thought out. This book is also thrilling while having no real adventure. The mystery is what makes it thrilling as well as the risk involved in Conner's elaborate plan.
I can't wait to dive into book 2!! In fact I will now! :)
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The False Prince: 10/10
By: Jennifer A. Nielsen
The False Prince is the book I wish I had discovered when I was in middle school. It is boys learning how to become men, heinous villains, allies in unlikely places, political intrigue, sword play, scheming, and most of all a delightfully surprising plot that does not waste time to meander or dawdle.
When I picked up the False Prince out of the urging of my friends, I felt smug in that I was reading exactly what I expected to, albeit written well. Boy lives in a small corner of a grand fantasy European substitute world until some stranger comes along and picks him up because of some "specialness" within the orphaned child, the orphan then goes on a quest to discover the world around him and become something greater. And the thing is, The False Prince kind of is that story, but it tells it so well and invests the reader so much that I don’t care if I’ve seen this plot dozens of times before! What matters is that The False Prince is the fantasy bildungsroman that veteran readers of the genre need, and that children deserve. Let me see if I can explain.
The False Prince immediately separates itself from other books like it by having an unreliable narrator, something that would have absolutely blown my mind should I have read it when I was 13. The narrator dodges and weaves past certain details and only reveals the truth as the reader them self is given enough information to pull the pieces together themselves making the reader feel smart and the book incredibly clever! To call it foreshadowing would be an insult, because Nielsen’s writing in this book is anything but blunt. Her writing is the type that goes right under the reader’s nose and then makes them want to run back to the start of the book and reread it to realize that the answers were there all along. Also, unlike many other middle-grade novels I have read, while the characters all start out sharing a similar voice to one another, their personalities become distinct and likable or odious as their true personas are revealed and their stark reality grips the reader and pull them in to become invested in the story. The characters in this book, like ones in real life, seem shallow at first glance and then (with only a few exceptions) display infinite depth as they reveal their motivations and flaws.
The only “flaws” I foresee readers having with this book is simply that it is written for a young demographic. There is almost zero time to pause and think as each scene is just action after action after action (which may appeal or not to you). The words used to string together this masterpiece are intended to be understood by children, so do not expect to be reading about the inner depths and exquisite tastes of feudalism. Nielsen does not pull punches for her readers just because they are young though. As a child, I might have been disturbed by some of the events and the imagery that took place in the novel, and as a young adult now, my heart pounded with rage, sorrow, and celebration with these events, even if they may have been too hard hitting for a younger version of myself.
Overall though, The False Prince is a short and hard-hitting book that respects its young readers as deep complex creatures deserving of gripping narrative and clever storytelling.
By: Jennifer A. Nielsen
The False Prince is the book I wish I had discovered when I was in middle school. It is boys learning how to become men, heinous villains, allies in unlikely places, political intrigue, sword play, scheming, and most of all a delightfully surprising plot that does not waste time to meander or dawdle.
When I picked up the False Prince out of the urging of my friends, I felt smug in that I was reading exactly what I expected to, albeit written well. Boy lives in a small corner of a grand fantasy European substitute world until some stranger comes along and picks him up because of some "specialness" within the orphaned child, the orphan then goes on a quest to discover the world around him and become something greater. And the thing is, The False Prince kind of is that story, but it tells it so well and invests the reader so much that I don’t care if I’ve seen this plot dozens of times before! What matters is that The False Prince is the fantasy bildungsroman that veteran readers of the genre need, and that children deserve. Let me see if I can explain.
The False Prince immediately separates itself from other books like it by having an unreliable narrator, something that would have absolutely blown my mind should I have read it when I was 13. The narrator dodges and weaves past certain details and only reveals the truth as the reader them self is given enough information to pull the pieces together themselves making the reader feel smart and the book incredibly clever! To call it foreshadowing would be an insult, because Nielsen’s writing in this book is anything but blunt. Her writing is the type that goes right under the reader’s nose and then makes them want to run back to the start of the book and reread it to realize that the answers were there all along. Also, unlike many other middle-grade novels I have read, while the characters all start out sharing a similar voice to one another, their personalities become distinct and likable or odious as their true personas are revealed and their stark reality grips the reader and pull them in to become invested in the story. The characters in this book, like ones in real life, seem shallow at first glance and then (with only a few exceptions) display infinite depth as they reveal their motivations and flaws.
The only “flaws” I foresee readers having with this book is simply that it is written for a young demographic. There is almost zero time to pause and think as each scene is just action after action after action (which may appeal or not to you). The words used to string together this masterpiece are intended to be understood by children, so do not expect to be reading about the inner depths and exquisite tastes of feudalism. Nielsen does not pull punches for her readers just because they are young though. As a child, I might have been disturbed by some of the events and the imagery that took place in the novel, and as a young adult now, my heart pounded with rage, sorrow, and celebration with these events, even if they may have been too hard hitting for a younger version of myself.
Overall though, The False Prince is a short and hard-hitting book that respects its young readers as deep complex creatures deserving of gripping narrative and clever storytelling.