Title: The Traitor's Game Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen Series: The Traitor's Game #1 Edition: Paperback Publication: February 27th 2018 by Scholastic Source: ARC provided by the published Pages: 400 Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis:
Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's the right hand man of the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this all too well -- and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.
The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. Simon, one of her kidnappers, will have his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by force, cunning, or any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both will have to decide what -- and who -- it is they're fighting for.
Jennifer A. Nielsen introduces us to an unforgettable new heroine in this epic tale of treachery and intrigue, love and deceit.
My first book for February 2018 is done and I am glad it's The Traitor's Game by Jennifer Nielsen. I missed fantasy so much and this book quite satisfied the need. It took me a while to finish because WHAT IS BUSY LIFE and some parts just stopped picking up the pace plus there were lines that made me a little bit uncomfortable so I needed to pause. The reading experience was pleasant but I just didn't go crazy about it.
Kestra is a Dallisor - household name and enemy to all. Her father serves the evil Lord Endrick, as if being a Dallisor isn't enough. She was in exile for three year after a group of rebels kidnapped her but her father summons her for a fixed marriage. Her carriage was ambushed and her trusted trainer Darrow was held captive. The Coracks are known to be brutal and in order to save Darrow, she has to play their games. Or will she play them?
I read Jennifer's The False Prince and absolutely loved it. Jen has this amazing spin when it comes to treachery/deception of characters so The Traitor's Game really screamed JEN. But there were just too much plot twists. It is really a good thing because the story won't let you sit properly but there were parts I started getting confused. And this also made easily predict what's really up. Unraveling the mysteries with the characters wasn't that thrilling anymore and I strongly felt I was kinda let down. The revelations/discoveries of secrets was timely in the beginning then it went haywire on the latter part.
Kestra's character was also annoying most of the time. She's such a clever and tough girl but her inner monologues were too much. There were times I can barely tolerate her. But there is definitely character arc and I bet she's going to be way better in Book 2.
Lastly, I don't understand the romance part (though I am glad there's no love triangle *knock on wood). Everything took place within four days, they hated each other, they are enemies by blood then oh so suddenly, the sexual tension was that much?? Good thing Simon's good nature complimented Kestra's. Or else, I would have DNFed this haha
Though both books kinda have the same theme, The Traitor's Game didn't top my love for The False Prince. I wish it were smoother. Just because it's a title I would not recommend in a heartbeat, doesn't mean it isn't good. Would absolutely pick up Book 2 and hope for the best.
Thank you so so much for the galley, Scholastic Asia-Philippines!
"You are ripping at my heart, Kes. Every time I reach out and you pull back. Every time you offer a smile to someone who's not me. When you doubt me, or mistrust me, or hide your secrets away, it's like a claw that shreds me from within. When we're together, I forget how to breathe, but whne we're apart, I realize you've become my air. I want you to take a risk, but take it with me. Risk yourself with me."
"Life doesn't give us what we want. It gives us what we need and asks what we will do with it."
Title: The Runaway King (The Ascendance Trilogy #2) Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen Edition: Hardbound Published: March 1, 2013 Publisher: Scholastic Press Pages: 331 Source: Bought from Fullybooked Category: Romance, Fantasy Trailer: Not Applicable.
A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!
Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?
The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!
I started reading The False Prince's second installment, The Runaway King, November of last year. I was halfway through when an unforeseen burn out came in the way that I had to take a long break from the blogging world. I haven't touched a book in a month at all. But since the break is over, I know I have to finish this. I thought it would feel like a chore. Like am just going to force myself to finish it. But Nielsen's writing lifted my spirit and the story about Sage and his fight for his country seriously motivated me to go back and do what I love best -- reading.
After Sage or Jaron was crowned King, his enemies didn't stop to torment him and threaten his kingdom. In the amid of an upcoming war against Carthya, Jaron needed to act fast. The King of Avenia and the Pirates were allies in bringing Carthya down. So Jaron, as a King, needed to protect his country and did what wasn't expected at all -- he went to the beast's belly to become a pirate.
Sage/Jaron definitely matured in this installment. I loved how his sarcasm progressed and lead me to believe he was just bluffing a lot of things. I adored his overall personality that even though sarcasm is a negative trait, it made him what he's supposed to be. Courageous, loving and selfless King he is and I know he would succeed. Humility wasn't what I expected him to learn but Nielsen didn't forget to teach him a lesson! His character made such amazing impression on me in The False Prince and he carried that impression till the second book. What I loved most is that no matter how boastful he is, he finds ways to back up whatever he says. Like the word humiliation didn't exist in his vocabulary. At his young age, it is truly impressive. As a King, it is truly respectable.
It pains me to think of what happened to Jaron and Imogen. I know how deeply Jaron cares for her but just because she isn't royal, they couldn't be together. Selflessness again took over because Imogen understood her stand and Jaron accepted their fate no matter how much it ripped him. I am hoping that eventually, in the last installment, their love would find hope because they pretty much belong together, they compliment each other beautifully.
Nielsen never disappoints. Not in any aspect of the book. The plot was stunning, the writing was witty and "accent" sexy, characters are all well developed and thought of and the twists of every event leads to discoveries not only of secrets but motives and truth. The Runaway King deserves so much that I couldn't type and collect the right words to explain how satisfied I am with the story. Truly mind blowing. One of a kind. Magnificent.
"Everyone gets scared at times. It's only the fools who won't admit it."
Hello there lovely Blurbies!! I am so excited for this day to arrive! I have interviewed an amazing and wonderful author who wrote a magnificent high fantasy novel I totally loved! When I asked her via email if I could interview her, she gladly responded a welcoming YES and the warmth of her acceptance could be felt through her email! I totally love this person and I am hoping that someday, I would be able to meet her and thank her personally. So guys, I present to you my eighth
JENNIFER NIELSEN.
Was it difficult to write The False Prince? How long did it take you to finish it?
First of all, thank you very much for hosting me! I don’t know if The False Prince was easy to write, but it was a fast write. I started it in early October and sent it to my agent as a finished manuscript at the end of the year. Once I knew what I wanted for the story, it all came together very quickly.
Which is harder to write: The False Prince or The Runaway King?
For me, I think The Runaway King was a little more difficult. In a trilogy, there’s always a challenge with the middle book because you want to create a new and different adventure from what readers saw in the first book, but not overshadow the adventure that’s still to come in the final book. So I decided to test Sage in a totally different way – where the first book is more of a mental game, in The Runaway King, the challenge is more physical. Which of course, leaves open the question of what he’ll have to face in the third book…
What inspired you to write it?
I’d had the idea for the story for some time, but I couldn’t find the right hero to carry the weight of the story. Sage was found in a song by Eddie Vedder called “Guaranteed.” The lyrics said, “I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me, guaranteed.” From that, I had the idea of Sage, a boy who knows exactly what game he is playing, but the other players don’t realize that someone is secretly rewriting the rules.
Author space reserved today. Gonna bring this everywhere now to help me park! source
Sage is one of a kind. He's mysterious, smart, funny and brave. Is he inspired by someone?
Sage is entirely his own character – thank goodness because I’d feel bad for any real mother who’d have to raise him! However, I did borrow a couple of his traits from students I used to teach in high school. One was a boy who could roll a coin over his knuckles exactly as I describe Sage doing it. The other was a boy who could steal a watch from a person’s wrist while looking them in the eye and shaking their hand. As far as I know, he never got caught. (Luckily, he always returned the watches!) I definitely thought about him when writing Sage’s thief scenes.
This was my gift from the hubby. I've wanted an antique typewriter for years and couldn't love this more. source
What is your favorite book and quote?
I’m going to have to choose two. The first, from Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables: "It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live."
And the second, from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
When you're not writing, what other things do you usually spend time on?
I love to watch movies, and spend time with my family, and spend time in the mountains. I always have at least one book that I’m reading. In a perfect world, for whatever I’m doing, there is plenty of dark chocolate within reach.
How about your dream movie cast for the novel?
This is a tough question! For at least one of the lead roles, I would really love to see an unknown be cast, and even better if it was someone who had already been a fan of the books. Sage is going to be the trickiest to cast, because it’s not easy to balance defiance and attitude with charm and compassion. The right actor would do it brilliantly. So maybe Joel Courtney or Brendan Meyer could be a great Sage, or Roden, with someone like Liam James for Tobias. I think Hailee Steinfeld would make a wonderful Imogen, and Odeya Rush would be a fantastic Amarinda. Maybe someone like Bradley Cooper or Russell Crowe for Conner.
What's in your bag? What are the things you can’t leave home without? ;)
Three things. I’m a total Chapstick addict, so I always have a tube in my pocket or bag. I also start to get jitters without my cell phone, even when I’m not expecting a call or an email. And third is a pen – I hate the feeling that I might think of something that I want to write down, but not be able to do it. It would be very rare to ever find me without all three of these.
Your favorite world destination.
There’s no way to choose just one! I love to travel, and the most exciting destination is somewhere I’ve never been before. I’m planning a trip to Rome soon to research my next series (woo-hoo!), and I love anywhere warm with a cool sand beach. The place I’ve determined I must see one day is Iceland. (Incidentally, my nephew is living in the Philippines right now and tells me I must come for a visit there!)
Message for your Filipino fans.
Filipinos are great readers, and I am so grateful to those who have become fans of The Ascendance series. I hope the series is one that speaks to people all over the world, and the enthusiasm I get from fans in the Philippines is some of the best. It’s why I was so happy to do this interview – because I felt honored for the chance to connect with you directly!
About Jennifer
New York Times Bestselling author, Jennifer Nielsen, was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her husband, three children, and a dog that won’t play fetch. She is the author of The Ascendance trilogy, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; of The Underworld Chronicles, beginning with ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR; the forthcoming PRAETOR WAR series, and will write the sixth book of the Infinity Ring series (BEHIND ENEMY LINES). She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains.
THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.
As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.
An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.
A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!
Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?
The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!
This was revealed last June on Jen's blog over here. It was so pretty and perfect for the trilogy! I cannot wait for it!
I really really appreciate what Jennifer did for the blog! It was an honor to be featuring my favorite authors here and THANK YOU SO MUCH JENNIFER for giving me a chance to interview you and also for writing such phenomenal novel! Thank you also for answering my last question "Message to your Filipino fans" in a not so generic way! I really really loved The False Prince and I couldn't wait to read my copy of The Runaway King! Congrats on the success of your series!
The first novel in The Ascendance Trilogy, The False Prince sure did rip my brain apart! The love I have for it cannot be put into words! It had taken me by surprise and I actually didn't realize I was holding my breathe while devouring this fantastic and amazing novel! It is edgy, brilliant, magnificent novel that perfectly mixed fantasy and adventure! I can read this over and over and I am definitely okay by it ripping my brain over and over, too! THIS IS JUST TOO PERFECT!
Title: The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1)
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Edition: Hard bound
Published: April 12, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 342
Source: Gifted by Cai of Black Plume
Category: High Fantasy
Trailer: not available.
Synopsis:
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.
As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.
An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.
The False Prince is remarkably impressive!
When my favorite blogger/friend (I claim her my friend) Liz from Midnight Bloom Reads reviewed this last year, I've added it to my wish list without hesitations. I've always been a fan of high fantasy and it is perfect for my taste. Luckily, during our Pinoy Book Blogger's Christmas Party, I was able to receive a copy as a gift! Again, it took me a while to read this but geez, WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG? REALLY?
Sage is an orphan who steals and lies just to survive. While on his way back to the orphanage with a stolen roast, Conner, a noble, bought him along with three other orphans. They are bought to go sword and ride training and study history and royalty manners. At the end of their two week training, one would be chosen to pretend and claim Carthya's throne as Prince Jaron. Conner's cunning plan isn't what Sage wanted to submit to but the time has come for him to go back.
While I was reading The False Prince, I was on the verge of losing hope that something even worthy of blurb would happen. The story line built up a little slow and I was really starting to doubt it. I thought at this pace, it might not live to the hype it received. There were also some predictable parts that gave me the idea how and where the twist would turn. You know, it is always painful to be proven wrong. The last hundred pages unravel so many things at once that I heard myself screaming, "I KNEW EET! I DEFINITELY KNEW EET!". The twist alone would rip your brain apart! I LOVED EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT. That doesn't even include the world building which I expected will be phenomenal, the gorgeous Carthya and the towns that surround it, the PIRATES!!! and so much more! I feel like it was trying to squeeze my lungs out of air because I was hyperventilating the whole time!
Sage. Oh, Sage! Your sarcasm was hilarious!! I couldn't put to words how much I loved this character's difficult attitude! It may sound ironic because no one should be really agreeing to any attitude issues but his? Irresistible. His ways of dealing with dishonesty and cruelty were compelling. His strong, brave and a pain in the butt! He knows how to handle himself given the load of responsibility he has to face. How he was at war with himself whether to accept the plan or take the course to a different direction showed how vulnerable he could be but he still stood on his ground and grabbed the chance to do the right thing. He might be young but this didn't make him turn his back and be selfish. I loved him and he would definitely be a good prince. His affection for Imogen though wasn't something I ship. Conner deserved whatever he was sentenced to. He might have had good intentions but he's still evil. Oh, and I adore Mott!
The first novel in The Ascendance Trilogy, The False Prince sure did rip my brain apart! The love I have for it cannot be put into words! It had taken me by surprise and I actually didn't realize I was holding my breathe while devouring this fantastic and amazing novel! It is edgy, brilliant, magnificent novel that perfectly mixed fantasy and adventure! I can read this over and over and I am definitely okay by it ripping my brain over and over, too! THIS IS JUST TOO PERFECT!
VERDICT:
"There's an old saying in Avenia that goes, "Just because it's calmer than a hailstorm doesn't mean it's calm."
