The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Reviewed by Lori
False Prince
Title: The False Prince

Series: The Ascendance Trilogy

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 69857

Description:  In the country of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be selected to impersonate the king's long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil war.

Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It!

Why I Read It: I actually picked this book out for my husband to read as he's a fan of the fantasy genre.  However, he left it on his desk and I snatched it up after reading the first chapter.

Lori's Notes:  The royal family is dead.  King Eckbert, Queen Erin, and the Crown Prince Darius have been killed - the country of Carthya just doesn't know it yet.  The King and Queen's youngest son, Prince Jaron, has been missing for the last four years and presumed dead.  To prevent a possible war with the surrounding countries or a takeover by one of the twenty regents, Bevin Connor recruits four orphan boys - Sage, Tobias, Roden, and Latamer from orphanages around Carthya to impersonate the young missing prince.  But Connor's motives are far from honourable.  The four boys have only two weeks to make themselves into the missing prince.  Sage shares some of the same character traits as Prince Jaron but Tobias is smart, and Roden is strong and the boys plot against one another to be the one chosen as Prince.  Otherwise, their fate is likely to be the same as poor sickly Latamer.  Sage is a strong character, wily and intelligent, with more than a few secrets of his own. Connor's motives are devious and well thought out.  The supporting characters also help round out the story.  Although the beginning was a little slow the book definitely picked up a sense of urgency during the boys training leading up to their presentation at court.  The final reveal while being slightly predictable was well done.

Recommended Readers: A good book for anyone who likes the fantasy genre.  Ideal for Grade 6 and Up.

Themes: Fantasy, Orphans, Family Expectations, False Identities, Royalty, Heirs, Political Intrigue, Impersonation, Books in Series, Princes, Secrets.

Cross-Genre Links: 
Media Search: The Two Princes of the Tower of London
Media Search: Kaspar Hauser - The Missing Prince of Baden
TV Movie: The Lost Prince (2003)
Movie: Anastasia (1997)

Possible Discussion or Essay Questions: 

  • Who are the orphans and why are they chosen?  
  • Why is it important that Carthya have an heir to the throne?
  • What are Connor's motives for finding a boy to impersonate Prince Jaron?  What does he hope to accomplish?
  • Why does Sage throw the sword into the river?  What does it signify?
  • Why does Prince Jaron run away?  

Other Books in the Ascendance Trilogy:
Book 2: The Runaway King
Book 3: The Shadow Throne




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