The Shadow Throne (Ascendance Trilogy #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The countries of Avenia, Gelyn, and Mendenwal have joined forces to invade Carthya. Soon after the invasion, King Vargan of Avenia kidnaps Jaron's closest friend, Imogen. When Jaron tries to rescue Imogen, he is captured and Imogen is shot down. Thinking he has lost Imogen forever, Jaron sinks into a deep depression while Vargan's soliders torture him into surrendering his land. Only Carthya's plight and his unconquerable spirit can help Jaron pull through his despair to fight for his country's future.

Nielsen beautifully completes her trilogy with The Shadow Throne. In this book, Jaron deals with some of his greatest conflicts: the possible defeat of his kingdom,  the deaths of his subjects, and the loss of his love, Imogen. In previous trials, Jaron's body was badly wounded, but his reckless spirit endured. When Jaron believes he has lost Imogen, his spirit is defeated and his future seems purposeless without her. However, when great sorrow occurs, great joy follows. A rousing series for readers ages 10 and up.

The Runaway King (Ascendance Trilogy #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

During his family’s funeral, King Jaron is threatened by Roden, one of the boys also trained by Conner. Roden—now in league with the pirates who failed to murder Jaron four years earlier—warns Jaron that the pirates will destroy Carthya if Jaron doesn't surrender himself to them. Jaron secretly runs away, disguised again as Sage, to the pirate’s camp. With a reckless plan in his head, Jaron will do anything to save his country, his friends, and his throne.

Nielsen continues on flawlessly with Jaron’s story in The Runaway King. As the book begins, Jaron has fully accepted his duty as king, in some ways: his curt tongue and impetuous attitude cannot be curbed. Once he flees the castle, Jaron easily assumes to his "Sage-persona" as he makes his way to the pirates' camp. Yet his mission at the camp isn't only about stopping the pirate conflict. As he investigates the pirates’ threats, Jaron sees war brewing between his kingdom of Carthya and King Vargan’s kingdom of Avenia. Along with a future war, Jaron also uncovers a high ranking traitor in his court who is the true murderer of his family. The final book in the trilogy is The Shadow Throne.

The False Prince (Ascendance Trilogy #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Fifteen-year-old Sage and three other orphan boys are bought by the regent, Bevin Conner. Conner’s purpose for buying the boys is to pass one of them off as the lost prince of Carthya, since the remaining royal family was recently murdered. But Conner's plan to put one of them on the throne is not for patriotic reasons and Sage knows this. But when one of the boys is murdered on Conner's orders, Sage and the two boys must fight for their lives as they compete for the throne.

Nielsen’s story mimics such classic tales as Anastasia, The Prince and the Pauper, and The Prisoner of Zenda. But what makes Nielsen's story standout is Sage’s character. Sage has a gift of seeing the truth behind people’s words and actions. Even though Conner claims that putting a false prince on the throne is “righteous”, Sage can see that Conner wants to rule the kingdom himself. But Sage does not keep this information to himself. He openly states the truth, even at the cost of his life. Nielsen beautifully showcases Sage’s grown from his time at the orphanage to accepting his royal destiny. This is the first book in the Ascendance Trilogy. The next book in the trilogy is called The Runaway King.