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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This was a clever and fun read! I enjoyed it immensely. Great for teens especially those that love a good story but aren't into romance.
I like the plot.
There is this one kind book where you expected A will become B. But I guess what anyone would want is different, so they may be a lot alternatives of B. But as a reader, I dont think that far. Hence the plot twist leave me smiling.
A lot of
"... ooo... that's why..." *flick back to the pages before
"i see i see...."
and
the story line is ok, but the plot twist that left me satisfied and smiling. for me, this book dont leave me hanging, or make me want to read 2nd book. just a good book that make my day.
There is this one kind book where you expected A will become B. But I guess what anyone would want is different, so they may be a lot alternatives of B. But as a reader, I dont think that far. Hence the plot twist leave me smiling.
A lot of
"... ooo... that's why..." *flick back to the pages before
"i see i see...."
and
the story line is ok, but the plot twist that left me satisfied and smiling. for me, this book dont leave me hanging, or make me want to read 2nd book. just a good book that make my day.
Reread this book this year and still LOVED it. I remember reading this for the first time a long time ago and I remember being so shocked by all the plot twists. I actually don't think I'll read the rest of the series though, because I really love the end and I love this book as a stand alone too much to read the whole series. Still definitely recommend.
I thought it was very good. Lots of action and manipulation. Started a little slow, but picked up quick. Twist and turns. Good story.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
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
I had a hard time getting into this book. It wasn't until chapter 37 that I really cared what happened. A lot of kids Like it though, so good job getting them interested in reading.
1.5...Maybe?
Let me just preface this review by saying that I really wanted to like this. I didn't read it intending to write negatively, but there were just so many problems, especially thinking critically and retrospectively, that I really couldn't justify anything above 2 stars.
The story had a good premise and with a 4.22 rating, I had generally high expectations. But the book just felt sooooo lacking in true substance. There was no proper action, no real tension until the last quarter of the book and I felt that the twist didn't really add much and was kind of predictable.
But my biggest issue with this book was the world-building.
My favourite element to a brilliant fantasy novel is a well-established setting and developed world-building. And it wasn't just sparse in this book, it was non-existant. I read the entire book and yet I am still completely clueless as to anything about the Carthya or the lands beyond. An excellent example of phenomenal world-building is in [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459349344l/23437156._SY75_.jpg|42077459] and [b:Crooked Kingdom|22299763|Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763._SY75_.jpg|42090179] by [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]. (Yes, I know; I can barely go a single review without mentioning the SoC Duology!). From the first chapters of SoC the world is clearly set out and its steampunk Amsterdam setting is built. But with [b:The False Prince|12432220|The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, #1)|Jennifer A. Nielsen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585683740l/12432220._SX50_.jpg|16221764] I had no idea what the landscape, architecture or customs were like. It was so bland and lacking that it became extremely hard to lose myself in the story because I had nothing to work from. The main reason why the world felt so absent was because we spend almost the entirety of the book in Conner's estate. This is another reason why the plot felt so missing of action. We basically just hear all about their training to impersonate the prince. But even that was so dull to hear about. I know books and films aren't really comparable, but take the film 'Kingsman: the Secret Service' which also spends time showing training. But with 'Kingsman' it is dynamic and is balanced out with fight scenes and quick pacing whereas [b:The False Prince|12432220|The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, #1)|Jennifer A. Nielsen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585683740l/12432220._SX50_.jpg|16221764] is so static it becomes boring fast. As well as that, the training for Sage to become the prince is so boring in itself- like he pretty much just has to read about the Carthya's history and learn how to use his cutlery properly, like what?? Am I supposed to entertained by this shit??
I also found the main protagonist, Sage, extremely annoying at times. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole pick-pocket misunderstood criminal type, but Sage just came across as so smug and self-satisfied and you could tell that he thought he was so much smarter than everyone else around him. He was clever, don't get me wrong, but because every bad thing that happened to him was explained to be part of his greater schemes, I could never really feel any sense of anxiety for him. Because he came across as so flawlessly in control and smart, I never felt like he was in any danger. You can have smart protagonists, but don't make them omniscient, especially not all of the time like it was in this. It gives the character an annoying, untouchable God-complex and completely saps the tension from the narrative.
Wasted potential and just super anti-climactic.
Let me just preface this review by saying that I really wanted to like this. I didn't read it intending to write negatively, but there were just so many problems, especially thinking critically and retrospectively, that I really couldn't justify anything above 2 stars.
The story had a good premise and with a 4.22 rating, I had generally high expectations. But the book just felt sooooo lacking in true substance. There was no proper action, no real tension until the last quarter of the book and I felt that the twist
Spoiler
that Sage is really JaronBut my biggest issue with this book was the world-building.
My favourite element to a brilliant fantasy novel is a well-established setting and developed world-building. And it wasn't just sparse in this book, it was non-existant. I read the entire book and yet I am still completely clueless as to anything about the Carthya or the lands beyond. An excellent example of phenomenal world-building is in [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459349344l/23437156._SY75_.jpg|42077459] and [b:Crooked Kingdom|22299763|Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456172607l/22299763._SY75_.jpg|42090179] by [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]. (Yes, I know; I can barely go a single review without mentioning the SoC Duology!). From the first chapters of SoC the world is clearly set out and its steampunk Amsterdam setting is built. But with [b:The False Prince|12432220|The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, #1)|Jennifer A. Nielsen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585683740l/12432220._SX50_.jpg|16221764] I had no idea what the landscape, architecture or customs were like. It was so bland and lacking that it became extremely hard to lose myself in the story because I had nothing to work from. The main reason why the world felt so absent was because we spend almost the entirety of the book in Conner's estate. This is another reason why the plot felt so missing of action. We basically just hear all about their training to impersonate the prince. But even that was so dull to hear about. I know books and films aren't really comparable, but take the film 'Kingsman: the Secret Service' which also spends time showing training. But with 'Kingsman' it is dynamic and is balanced out with fight scenes and quick pacing whereas [b:The False Prince|12432220|The False Prince (The Ascendance Series, #1)|Jennifer A. Nielsen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585683740l/12432220._SX50_.jpg|16221764] is so static it becomes boring fast. As well as that, the training for Sage to become the prince is so boring in itself- like he pretty much just has to read about the Carthya's history and learn how to use his cutlery properly, like what?? Am I supposed to entertained by this shit??
I also found the main protagonist, Sage, extremely annoying at times. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole pick-pocket misunderstood criminal type, but Sage just came across as so smug and self-satisfied and you could tell that he thought he was so much smarter than everyone else around him. He was clever, don't get me wrong, but because every bad thing that happened to him was explained to be part of his greater schemes, I could never really feel any sense of anxiety for him. Because he came across as so flawlessly in control and smart, I never felt like he was in any danger. You can have smart protagonists, but don't make them omniscient, especially not all of the time like it was in this. It gives the character an annoying, untouchable God-complex and completely saps the tension from the narrative.
Wasted potential and just super anti-climactic.
I picked this book up expecting to enjoy it, I did not pick this book up expecting to LOVE it.
The draw of this book is it's main character, Sage. There is so much to love about him as the "hero" of the book. He is an orphan from a foreign land who survived by pickpocketing, stealing, lying and taking whatever he could get his hands on. He presents himself as a troublemaker who cares for no one, likes being a lone, and would prefer a life of crime on the streets to anything else. And he can't ever seem to help himself from being a smart-alec even when it may cost him a few bruises.
In other words, he is everything a prince isn't. So he can't understand why a nobleman would want to make him into one. But Belvin Conner plans to do just that. Actually, Conner has bought not only Sage from his orphanage but also two other boys: Tobias and Roden. Conner plans to have the boys compete to be his "prince". Their country, Carthya, is beginning to fall apart. Noblemen of the king's council are gearing up to take the throne for themselves. And now that the king, queen and their eldest son have been murdered; its only a matter of time before the country erupts into civil war. Conner believes he can model one of orphan boys into Prince Jaron (who died at sea four years earlier) and pull off an elaborate scheme to put him on the throne and save the country from war.
Sage knows he doesn't possess the right qualities to be a prince. And he doesn't want to have to live a lie. But Conner doesn't plan to let the two unchosen boys go free after their challenge is over. Sage knows he has no choice to go along with Conner's plan or risk losing his life. But it doesn't mean he will give in quietly or obediently.
Spoiler
Am I the only one who suspected Sage's true identity at one point but kept explaining it away becuase I couldn't make the pieces of the puzzle come together in my head?! Now that I have finished the book, I want to go back and re-read to see what hints I missed the first time! I was thoroughly impressed that Sage had been carrying out his own deceptive plan the entire time and no one (including myself) had any idea!
Additionally...am I the only one who was a little sad to see Sage go? I mean, he is really Jaron but how will he change now that he can't be Sage anymore? Now that he has to rule a country? It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the next book.
The draw of this book is it's main character, Sage. There is so much to love about him as the "hero" of the book. He is an orphan from a foreign land who survived by pickpocketing, stealing, lying and taking whatever he could get his hands on. He presents himself as a troublemaker who cares for no one, likes being a lone, and would prefer a life of crime on the streets to anything else. And he can't ever seem to help himself from being a smart-alec even when it may cost him a few bruises.
In other words, he is everything a prince isn't. So he can't understand why a nobleman would want to make him into one. But Belvin Conner plans to do just that. Actually, Conner has bought not only Sage from his orphanage but also two other boys: Tobias and Roden. Conner plans to have the boys compete to be his "prince". Their country, Carthya, is beginning to fall apart. Noblemen of the king's council are gearing up to take the throne for themselves. And now that the king, queen and their eldest son have been murdered; its only a matter of time before the country erupts into civil war. Conner believes he can model one of orphan boys into Prince Jaron (who died at sea four years earlier) and pull off an elaborate scheme to put him on the throne and save the country from war.
Sage knows he doesn't possess the right qualities to be a prince. And he doesn't want to have to live a lie. But Conner doesn't plan to let the two unchosen boys go free after their challenge is over. Sage knows he has no choice to go along with Conner's plan or risk losing his life. But it doesn't mean he will give in quietly or obediently.
Spoiler
Am I the only one who suspected Sage's true identity at one point but kept explaining it away becuase I couldn't make the pieces of the puzzle come together in my head?! Now that I have finished the book, I want to go back and re-read to see what hints I missed the first time! I was thoroughly impressed that Sage had been carrying out his own deceptive plan the entire time and no one (including myself) had any idea!
Additionally...am I the only one who was a little sad to see Sage go? I mean, he is really Jaron but how will he change now that he can't be Sage anymore? Now that he has to rule a country? It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the next book.
A surprisingly entertaining middle grade/YA fantasy that delivers some interesting twists. The book has some death and violence committed by adults against children but the violence is not gratuitous or explicit. Recommended for kids 9-13.