The Runaway King

The Runaway King follows Jaron, the young ruler of Carthya, as he faces threats from both inside and outside his kingdom. After learning of an assassination plot, he makes the dangerous choice to leave his throne behind and infiltrate a notorious band of pirates. His mission requires him to return to his former identity as the orphan thief Sage while navigating treachery and violence. Along the way, Jaron must rely on his wit, physical skills, and a few trusted allies to survive. With themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice woven throughout, this second book in The Ascendance Series builds on the foundation of political intrigue established in The False Prince. The story explores what it means to be a true leader and the costs of protecting those under one's care.

Readers found this second book in the series maintained the quick pacing and plot twists of the first installment. Multiple reviews note the protagonist Jaron shows more character growth while retaining his signature wit and cleverness. Liked: - More action scenes and sword fights - Deeper exploration of political intrigue - Strong character development for supporting cast - Humor integrated throughout tense moments Disliked: - Some found the protagonist's decisions frustrating and reckless - Middle portions drag compared to beginning/end - Romance subplot feels forced according to several reviewers - Less court intrigue than book one Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (51,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (800+ reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Notable reader comments: "Even better than the first book - more danger and higher stakes" "The main character can be annoyingly arrogant but grows on you" "Perfect blend of action and strategy for middle grade readers"

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen The first book in the Ascendance series follows an orphan's competition to impersonate a missing prince, featuring political intrigue and hidden identities.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas An imprisoned assassin must compete against other killers for a chance to serve as the king's champion while uncovering palace conspiracies.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner A clever thief joins a dangerous quest to steal an ancient treasure and becomes entangled in royal politics.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan A castle ward trains as a ranger and protects the kingdom while navigating political schemes and threats to the crown.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard A commoner with hidden powers infiltrates the royal court and becomes caught between rebellion and monarchy.

🔹 Author Jennifer A. Nielsen originally planned for The False Prince (first book in the series) to be a standalone novel, but the story and characters demanded more exploration, leading to The Runaway King and a complete trilogy. 🔹 The book's main character, Jaron, was partially inspired by Nielsen's own teenage son, who shared similar quick-witted and sometimes rebellious traits. 🔹 Throughout the novel, the pirates' fighting techniques and ship terminology were extensively researched by Nielsen to ensure authenticity in the seafaring portions of the story. 🔹 The Runaway King debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at #6 for Children's Middle Grade novels in 2013. 🔹 The novel's themes of leadership and sacrifice were influenced by Nielsen's study of historical young rulers, particularly those who ascended to their thrones during times of political upheaval.