The False Prince is the thrilling first book in The Ascendance Trilogy. A story filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end, The False Prince focuses around Sage (Jaron) and two other orphans who are forced to compete for princehood.
Front Cover
Choose to lie or Choose to die
Book Synopsis
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Bevin 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, Roden and Tobias, 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
Book Summary
SPOILERS AHEAD
Chapter One: Pg 1-8
We open to Sage running with a roast, with the butcher he stole from on his tail. He is tripped by Cregan and is caught by a mysterious man named Conner. He apologizes for Sage's actions and takes Sage with him. When Sage refuses, he takes him by force by knocking him out.
Chapter Two: Pg 9-17
Sage wakes up in a wagon with his hands tied behind his back. There are two other boys with him, Roden and Latamer. They are on their way to pick up Tobias at another orphanage, the Gelvins Charity Orphanage. Sage recognizes the orphanage as the one he stayed at for a time when he got kicked out. While Conner and his vigils, Mott & Cregan, go to collect the next boy, Sage, Roden and Latamer talk about what Conner could possibly want them for. It is then revealed that Conner is a friend of the king's court. Sage attempts to escape, but Cregan catches him. Then Conner and Mott come back with Tobias in tow. Sage asks once again what Conner wants them for. Conner doesn't tell him, but instead says, "Patience Sage. Patience is the mark of a ruler." Sage picks that up as a clue to what Conner wants them for, but what that is not directly revealed. Sage concludes that they are all in danger." We were all in terrible danger."
Chapter Three: To be continued...
Sage knew Tobias from when he stayed briefly at the orphanage, saying he stood out for his education and knack of reading.