The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy, Book 1) [Hardcover]

New York TimesbestsellerThe False Princethrills with wild twists and turns, danger and deceit, and the revelation of 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.

Praise forThe False Prince:

ANew York TimesNotable Children's Book
APublishers WeeklyBest Book of the Year
Winner of the Cybils Award for Middle-Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction

A page turner.... --New York Times Book Review

Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel. --Wall Street Journal

This kickoff to her new 'Ascendance Trilogy' is a swashbuckling origin story. . . . Sage is a quick wit, and Nielsen showcases it with terrific dialogue... chock full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys. --Los Angeles Times

* Sage is deftly characterized through humorous first-person narration, quickly establishing himself as a beguiling antihero. . . . FirlÓà