The Runaway King (The Ascendance Series, Book 2)

Second book in a trilogy and the third one not out yet - and I NEED IT! This is YA and I did not list it as romance although there is a light romance running through it (that I hope ends up the way I want it to in the next book). I listed it as fantasy because it is set in a make believe land, but it is not a fantasy with dragons and such. The beauty of this wonderful story is the characters. The hero, Jaron, who is the newly crowned King but considered by some to be too young to lead, is just wonderful. He somewhat reminds me of Han in The Seven Realms series. He is resourceful, clever, has sense of humor, and I won't say totally fearless but he is able to face his fears and live up to his motto. "I never run". His once friend from the first book, The False Prince, Roden, has turned against him and is determined to kill him. But Jaron has a plan, a risky crazy plan that appears to be impossible. Lots of action, intrigue, and as I said, great characters both good and bad. There are two girls in this story, one a princess who is to marry Jaron in the future and Imogen, the serving girl who helped him throughout the first book. She plays a large part in this story too. It's not your normal triangle but I suppose when there are two girls and one boy, that makes a triangle even if different than other books. There is a lot of action in this story, and the climax of this book is a nail biter - I love Jaron with his courage and determination to never give up against the most daunting of odds. This book would be suitable for any age (encompassing my grandkids and myself!) and because it is so much the story of a boy it should appeal to boys/men as well as girls/women! I feel very fortunate that I have recently read books in three fantasy series that were so thoroughly enjoyable. I thought I was throwing out too many five stars, but maybe that is what you get when you finally learn (most of the time, not always) to choose the right books to read and whose reviews give me an idea of whether or not it will suit me. _______________________________________ Jaron: "The knots around my wrists wouldn't have been too difficult to untie, but this time, escape wasn't in my plans. All I could hope was that they gave me a chance to speak before they killed me. Although as I thought about it, it was usually only after I began speaking that most people felt like murdering me." ____________________________________________ As they began to tie me, I wanted to yell out, to release some of my fear that way, but I held it in. Imogen wouldn't be that far from here yet, and I didn't want her to know what was about to happen. If it was possible to scream on the inside, though, I was, and the sound of it was deafening." fl

I don't think I will ever get tired of characters who, no matter how terrible the odds against them are, will always have a trick up their sleeve, or plans that no one saw coming. Jaron walks the fine line between doing reckless things on the spur of the moment and doing reckless things that are well thought out and planned from the beginning. He's always unexpected in that way, and reading about his adventures is just so entertaining! There are great secondary characters in this story who contribute to truly touching friendships. Jaron surrounds himself with people who care about him, even as they are exasperated by his actions, and seeing that kind of loyalty in their group made me tear up more than once actually. The romance aspect with Imogen is really touching as well because their relationship is born of actions and not words and it is particularly emotional I think that they feel a certain way for each other but never say it. I think it was nice to see Jaron on his own and relying on his wits again in this - as there was a danger now that he is king that he would be so mired and hindered by the politics and his need to prove himself to his country. The reader sees still more of his cleverness and resourcefulness as he comes up against some very daunting odds. It's incredibly satisfying really to read every moment when he comes through on his claims despite how outrageous they may seem. I just love characters who deliver on their promises, and Jaron always does. This is such a fun book and a fantastic series so far, if you haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, I highly recommend you do and save it for when you need a diverting story where everything is possible as long as you have the will and the spirit to accomplish it.

I have been anxious to read this book from the second I finished The False Prince. After the amazing story told in the first novel, I couldn't wait to see what happens next for Jaron. Nielsen did not disappoint. Jaron has just taken the throne, but his regents only know him as the reckless child always causing problems. They aren't sure if he can lead a country. After an assassination attempt, the regents are even more convinced that the best way to keep the country safe is to appoint a steward until Jaron can lead. Jaron has a different idea about how he can save his country, one that takes him right into danger. I'm not sure word I'd use to describe Jaron. He's clever and smart, but not always in the perfect moment. He's sarcastic and likes to act as though nothing gets to him. In reality, he uses his humor to keep people at a safe distance. He's still hurt by what his family did to him, and if his only family could do that, what reason does he have to trust everyone else? He is a fascinating character and I'm so glad we have another book to spend with him. The secondary characters are just as fantastic in this novel. They play major roles, even if they aren't the main character. Jaron needs them; he wouldn't be able to find success without them. Jaron might take the lead, but he's nothing without his help. The plot of this novel was perfect. It didn't feel like one of those, "I have to sacrifice myself for the greater good" plots. Jaron is throwing himself to the wolves, but he's doing it with the intention of fighting until he can't fight anymore. And even at that point, the lowest of low, he will find a way to keep going, There's eve a little romance thrown in there for good measure. The Runaway King is a superb sequel that does not disappoint. It's just as wonderful as the first. The action is there and now the stakes are even bigger. It was only Jaron's life on the line in the first book, now the lives of those he cares about and his country are at risk. He knows what happens if he fails. Nielsen has another amazing novel and I can't wait to see what she does in the last installment.

Das Buch lässt sich mit einem Wort beschreiben: Fantastisch! Ohne große Umschreibungen steigt das Buch mit Spannung in die Handlung ein und hält diese durchgehend bis zum Schluss. Die Wendungen jedes Handlungsstranges waren nicht vorhersehbar wie bei vielen anderen Büchern, sondern interessant und abwechslungsreich. Als mitunter größten Pluspunkt würde ich die kreativen und sehr gewitzten, schlagkräftigen Dialoge, die der Autorin anscheinend nie ausgehen, bezeichnen. Es hat einfach nur Spaß gemacht, die Unterhaltungen zu lesen und ich konnte mich permanent darüber amüsieren! Ein wahrer Lesegenuss! Zwei kleine Wermutstropfen, dass die Geschichte nur aus der Ich-Perspektive des Prinzen erzählt wird und man deshalb keinen Einblick in die Gedanken der anderen hat (wie das auch schon beim ersten Band der Fall war). Und bei einem kleinen Part (ich sage nur soviel: es geht um den Konflikt zwischen Roden und Jaron) empfand ich die Richtung, in die sich der Konflikt zwischen den Charakteren entwickelte, als übereilt und auch etwas unglaubwürdig. Da es genau genommen aber ein Fantasy-Buch ist, dessen Storyline nicht haarklein der Realität entsprechen muss, fand ich es trotzdem in Ordnung. Bestünde diese Möglichkeit, würde ich 8,5 von 10 Sternen vergeben! Alles in allem kann ich jetzt schon kaum den dritten und letzten Band der Reihe von dieser begabten Autorin erwarten und bin gespannt, ob sich der 2. Band (der an sich schon den 1. Band übertroffen hat) im 3. noch toppen lässt!

厳重に包まれては来たのですが本の右下に折り目が付いていて孫が残念がっていました。

I loved reading this book just as much as reading the false Prince it was fun and entertaining I am so excited to read the next one. Please read :)

Good book for kids

The characters have just become more lovable, the plot came thick and fast, after the first book I knew it wasn't going to be an easy task to follow up but seems that Jennifer Nielsen delivered and then some ... fantastic