This highly enjoyable medieval fantasy from Nielsen (the Underworld Chronicles), set in the medieval kingdom of Carthya, centers on 15-year-old Sage, an angry and pugnacious orphan, who is unexpectedly purchased by Conner, one of the king’s regents. The entire royal family—king, queen, and heir—has recently died under mysterious circumstances, and to prevent civil war, Conner is collecting orphans who might believably be substituted for the dead king’s younger son, who was reported lost at sea years earlier. Sage is soon engaged in a deadly, winner-take-all contest with two other boys to earn the right to impersonate Prince Jaron. Sage is deftly characterized through humorous first-person narration, quickly establishing himself as a beguiling antihero: “I’d never attempted roast thievery before, and I was already regretting it,” he says when readers first meet him. “It happens to be very difficult to hold a chunk of raw meat while running.” Secondary characters are equally fleshed-out. First in the Ascendancy Trilogy, this is an impressive, promising story with some expertly executed twists. Ages 8–14. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Apr.)

Praise for The False Prince:

A New York Times Notable Children's Book

A Publishers Weekly Best 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. . . . First in the 'Ascendancy Trilogy,' this is an impressive, promising story with some expertly executed twists." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Nielsen has written a terrific story that carries readers along to the very (surprising) end and will leave them clamoring for the next book in her trilogy." — BookPage, featured "Top Pick" review

"The False Prince is more Harry Potter (minus the magic) than Hunger Games... with authentic characters, a convincing sense of danger and a genuinely high-stakes plot.... " — Hollywood Reporter

"Sure to appeal to middle-grade readers, The False Prince is an imaginative, plot-driven adventure story with a classic feel.... Readers will be turning pages feverishly, especially toward the climax of the novel. Deception and betrayal abound!" — RT Book Reviews

"The delight of Nielsen's story is the discovery of the true motivations of all the characters in a fast-paced plot with plenty of action, mystery and violence." — Columbus Dispatch

"The False Prince is a gracefully written fantasy that flows from beginning to end without a hitch.... In addition to dynamic characters, Jennifer Nielsen has created a plot with twists and turns in all the right places." — Deseret News

"Ruthless ambition, fierce action and plotting, complex characters and lots of sword play and hidden passages keep pages flipping. Readers of this multifaceted, well-crafted tale will eagerly await Sage's further adventures." — Kirkus Reviews

"Fast-paced and exciting, this book will appeal to readers who enjoy intrigue mixed in with their adventure.... Full of machinations and surprises, this book will keep students reading until the last page and eager for the second in the trilogy." — School Library Journal

"A sure-fire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." — The Horn Book

In Volume One of the Ascendance Trilogy, Charlie McWade enacts the sometimes brutal transformation of Sage from roast-stealing teen orphan to prince and ruler of Carthya. McWade’s haughty tones for the ambitious regent Bevin Conner, who grooms the young orphan, contrast well with his thuggish portrayal of Conner’s creepy underling and with his depiction of the working-class Mrs. Trubeldy, of the orphanage. But when Sage is told to drop his foreign accent and sound like Carthian royalty, McWade’s one example is not cohesive, nor does his voice transform with his role. In endeavoring to evoke villainy, he has another regent sounding more like a foreign foe than a longtime royal. Despite these inconsistencies, McWade’s pacing and storytelling are strong and leave listeners awaiting the young king’s next adventures—which are hinted at in an ebullient author interview. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

A brazen 15-year-old orphan living in the imaginary kingdom of Carthya becomes embroiled in a treasonous power-play to install a false prince on the vacant throne. For years, Sage has survived by lying and stealing in Mrs. Turbeldy's Orphanage for Disadvantaged Boys. When scheming Bevin Connor removes him, Sage assumes he will serve Connor, but he quickly discovers he's one of four orphan boys chosen by Connor for a more dangerous game. Connor plans to secretly transform them into gentlemen and select one to impersonate Prince Jaron, who is missing and presumed dead. Carthya's current king, queen and crown prince have been murdered, and war could erupt at any moment. When the regents meet in two weeks, Connor plans to produce long-lost "Prince Jaron," who will rule as his pawn. Competition becomes fierce as the boys realize the one chosen to play Jaron will be the only survivor. Sage's disdain, defiance and reckless arrogance mark him for failure, but his boldness, instinct and innate decency indicate there's more than meets the eye. Could Sage become Prince Jaron? Sage reveals his story in the first person in slowly unfolding layers guaranteed to shock. Ruthless ambition, fierce action and plotting, complex characters and lots of sword play and hidden passages keep pages flipping. Readers of this multifaceted, well-crafted tale will eagerly await Sage's further adventures. (map) (Adventure. 8-14)