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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
6 stars, I accept zero criticism on this book. I've read this book a million times, and I will continue reading this book until I die.
Seems like I can't say no to a buddy read with my pals at Buddies Books and Baubles. What's another book tossed onto the pile?
Short review cuz I’m so behind on them….
Sage is a classic rapscallion, I don’t get to use that word enough, I mean when we meet him he is running through the city trying to keep a hold of a slippery roast he just stole. The kid has a quick tongue that always seems to get him into as much trouble as it gets him out of and he seems to have a littleproblem gift with sticky fingers.
He seems like an industrious young orphan on the brink of being on his own until someone shows up and makes him an offer he literally can’t turn down. It seems like Sage will be in a competition with a few other boys, the prize is initially unclear but it soon becomes apparent that to lose would be very dangerous. So Sage must learn everything he can in two weeks or possibly not make it out of this situation alive
Middle Grade books are fun to read sometimes because I don’t have to put a ton of thought into them. This story is really readable. Sage and his discordant ways are easily likable and I enjoyed how he turned every obstacle into an advantage. He plays people off each other well and is as stubborn as a rock when he sets his mind on something no matter the consequences he must pay.
As an adult I guessed many of the twists that the book had coming in it. There were still a couple of surprises but not as many as there probably would have been if I was a younger reader. That didn’t stop it from being enjoyable though and I sped my way through the story very easily.
I didn’t only like Sage I also became attached to a few of the other characters like Hobb and Imogen. The friendships that Sage built with them along the way were some that I know will play out more in the upcoming books. There is a cute inkling of a romance with Imogen but it was totally age appropriate and it was refreshing to have something stay so innocent.
Even though this is a trilogy this first book wraps up nicely as a standalone.
Overall - If you have kids and are looking for something to read with them that won’t bore you to tears. Or if you are like me and enjoy a good fun MG fantasy every now and again with interesting characters then this should be perfect for your needs.
Short review cuz I’m so behind on them….
Sage is a classic rapscallion, I don’t get to use that word enough, I mean when we meet him he is running through the city trying to keep a hold of a slippery roast he just stole. The kid has a quick tongue that always seems to get him into as much trouble as it gets him out of and he seems to have a little
He seems like an industrious young orphan on the brink of being on his own until someone shows up and makes him an offer he literally can’t turn down. It seems like Sage will be in a competition with a few other boys, the prize is initially unclear but it soon becomes apparent that to lose would be very dangerous. So Sage must learn everything he can in two weeks or possibly not make it out of this situation alive
Master Graves was incensed and said, as punishment for my disruption, I would have to write my letters an extra ten times that day.
“Ten times the better I’ll know them, then,” I said. “How strange that you should punish me by ensuring I come out more educated than Roden, who has tried to obey you.”
Middle Grade books are fun to read sometimes because I don’t have to put a ton of thought into them. This story is really readable. Sage and his discordant ways are easily likable and I enjoyed how he turned every obstacle into an advantage. He plays people off each other well and is as stubborn as a rock when he sets his mind on something no matter the consequences he must pay.
As an adult I guessed many of the twists that the book had coming in it. There were still a couple of surprises but not as many as there probably would have been if I was a younger reader. That didn’t stop it from being enjoyable though and I sped my way through the story very easily.
I didn’t only like Sage I also became attached to a few of the other characters like Hobb and Imogen. The friendships that Sage built with them along the way were some that I know will play out more in the upcoming books. There is a cute inkling of a romance with Imogen but it was totally age appropriate and it was refreshing to have something stay so innocent.
Even though this is a trilogy this first book wraps up nicely as a standalone.
Overall - If you have kids and are looking for something to read with them that won’t bore you to tears. Or if you are like me and enjoy a good fun MG fantasy every now and again with interesting characters then this should be perfect for your needs.
The story was really predictable but I never really care about this in my book tbh.
I loved it.
I loved it.
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really fun story; the plot twists and revelations go crazy! I also really enjoyed the way that Nielsen builds mystery (and surprise) around the main character, Sage, despite the first-person narration. It is kind of unexpected, especially in a kid-oriented book. This book is the first in a series, but I felt it stands well on its own.
(copied from my blog)
It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite book. But if you ask me to pick my top five books, this one is on it.
To just get it out there, I love The Ascendance Series and The False Prince. It is seriously an amazing book. If I got to choose a book to be able to read for the first time again, I’d be tempted to choose this one. There are so many awesome twists and turns throughout the plot, and I’d love to be able to experience them all again for the first time.
But enough of me fangirling. Time for some more coherent thoughts about the book.
The characters are amazing. Sage has one of my favorite character voices. Seriously, his snark is awesome. And all of the other characters are wonderful too. Their dynamics play so well together. And there are some really amazing lines.
Like I said above, I love the plot of this book. Nielsen puts in so many twists in turns, as well as not quite telling the reader everything that’s going on.
The False Prince also perfectly sets up the rest of the series. Funny story: The first time I read The False Prince, I missed that I was a series and thought it was a standalone. I was slightly crushed when I finished it because I just wanted more of the characters and the plot. So I was very, very happy when my sister pointed out that it said book one on it.
If you haven’t read The False Prince yet, go read it. And then read the rest of the series.
Cautions: mentions of cursing; light romance; brief, non-graphic moderate violence
It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite book. But if you ask me to pick my top five books, this one is on it.
To just get it out there, I love The Ascendance Series and The False Prince. It is seriously an amazing book. If I got to choose a book to be able to read for the first time again, I’d be tempted to choose this one. There are so many awesome twists and turns throughout the plot, and I’d love to be able to experience them all again for the first time.
But enough of me fangirling. Time for some more coherent thoughts about the book.
The characters are amazing. Sage has one of my favorite character voices. Seriously, his snark is awesome. And all of the other characters are wonderful too. Their dynamics play so well together. And there are some really amazing lines.
Like I said above, I love the plot of this book. Nielsen puts in so many twists in turns, as well as not quite telling the reader everything that’s going on.
The False Prince also perfectly sets up the rest of the series. Funny story: The first time I read The False Prince, I missed that I was a series and thought it was a standalone. I was slightly crushed when I finished it because I just wanted more of the characters and the plot. So I was very, very happy when my sister pointed out that it said book one on it.
If you haven’t read The False Prince yet, go read it. And then read the rest of the series.
Cautions: mentions of cursing; light romance; brief, non-graphic moderate violence
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice book for tweens that like adventure. The story follows Sage, an orphan boy, as he makes his way in a rags to riches story that seems like it will be predictable but has enough twists and turns to keep it entertaining. There are some weird parts with the father/mother and what they do to the ten year old that rang a bit hollow to me but kids will probably enjoy it any way.
A very fitting book for a light read. Nothing complex, nothing particularly grey, likeable characters, good pace, overall an easy story to get through. I did like the book, it was definitely interesting enough for me to read in two sittings. Most of the characters were well portrayed, and some of them did go through an arc, as simple as they were. I can appreciate that for sure. Though I liked the main antagonist, Conner, I was never scared of him, because the main character never was, and that sort of lowered the stakes by quite a lot. It never felt like any danger was actually there, but I can't say it hindered much of the reading experience. Again, it was light. An actual complain I have, though, one that did detract me from the story was the dialogue. Not only did most of the characters sound the same, but every sentence was also insanely over-the-top, dramatic, and pompous! Seriously, I had to pause reading a few times just to stop giggling at some of the lines these supposedly children would say. I guess it fits well into the overall style, but I was never a fan of such dialogue, so it knocked off a star for me. All in all, good book, 4/5.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes