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Ascendance #4
The Captive Kingdom
Acclaimed author Jennifer A. Nielsen marks a return to the world of her beloved New York Times bestseller The False Prince in this fourth book of the Ascendance Series!
In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him -- but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last.
On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage. The mysterious captors and their leader, Jane Strick, accuse Jaron of unthinkable acts. They are also in possession of some shocking items -- including the crown and sword that belonged to Jaron's older brother, Darius. The items unearth a past Jaron thought he had put behind him.
Though it seems impossible, Jaron must consider: Could Darius be alive? And what does Strick want from Jaron? Against his will, Jaron will be pulled back into a fight for the throne -- and a battle to save his kingdom.
Return to Carthya to uncover new secrets, high-stakes action, and Jennifer A. Nielsen's signature breathtaking twists.
In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him -- but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last.
On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage. The mysterious captors and their leader, Jane Strick, accuse Jaron of unthinkable acts. They are also in possession of some shocking items -- including the crown and sword that belonged to Jaron's older brother, Darius. The items unearth a past Jaron thought he had put behind him.
Though it seems impossible, Jaron must consider: Could Darius be alive? And what does Strick want from Jaron? Against his will, Jaron will be pulled back into a fight for the throne -- and a battle to save his kingdom.
Return to Carthya to uncover new secrets, high-stakes action, and Jennifer A. Nielsen's signature breathtaking twists.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2020
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
52 books9,933 followersJennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,156 reviews
September 29, 2020
alright this one might take a while so strap yourselves in, grab a snack and a warm drink, plug in your headphones (i suggest carrie & lowell by sufjan stevens because thats what i was primarily listening to as i read this book) and let’s get started *cracks knuckles*
first i want to say i have been anxiously awaiting this book for, probably, half of my life. i first read the false prince in elementary school and reread it every year, multiple times. i am now a senior in high school for your reference. this series practically raised me and im not even joking when i say that
jaron’s courage and selfless love inspired me as a young girl and has most definitely shaped me into the person i am today. it sounds funny to say but a piece of him will always live in me
overall
was it the strongest in the series? no, but i was hardly expecting it to be. the closest it can be related to is runaway king, the two felt pretty similar. however, one of my favorite parts of the series, the plot twists, were no disappointment. i figured out the first one pretty quickly but after that they just kept coming and i couldn’t keep up with them so kudos to the author she delivered exactly where we wanted her to
my favorite part - jaron
as i said before, i have a soft spot for jaron. he is by far one of the greatest, most well written and deep characters i have ever read about. and i LOVE his growth in this book. i think he gets away with a little too much in the first three, but he finally gets called out on his bs a little bit, which is good to see. there are two characters that he butts heads with quite a bit in this book, and it’s interesting to see their dynamic and jaron put into his place by them. he finally, FINALLY, is able to take a step back and really THINK about how his actions affect his loved ones and it was beautiful to read. this book allows us into his head and inner thoughts more than the others, and it’s fascinating watching everything unfold to him. sometimes it takes longer than it should have and you just want to give him a stern thwack on the back of his head, but he gets there eventually. and of course, his sense of humor was better than ever. he had me practically rolling on the ground with his little quips and jabs. no one can make me laugh quite like he does.
other characters
we got to see mott, roden, and fink shine the most in this book. some of mott’s past is revealed, and so is some of connor’s *wink wink*
same as jaron, we got to see in roden’s head a little bit and see how he’s feeling. obviously, he’s tired of being in jaron’s shadow and he’s done pretending that he isn’t bothered by it
and fink. adorable as ever. god, fink, you’re just the cutest
imogen, tobias, and amarinda were kind of pushed aside a bit which was sad to see. i hope they shine through in the next book.
what bothered me the most was that some characters did not return. they were nowhere to be found, not even mentioned. weird😳✋🏻
i am anxiously awaiting the sequel and if anyone of influence is reading this i totallyyyy would not mind being sent an arc. like at all. that’d be cool i think. chill. super fun. alright im done now but just, yaknow, think about it❤️sincerely jaron’s biggest fan (there might be more i need to say about this book but ill wait until after the release date and my thoughts are more put together)
update: whew. what a ride. im emotionally drained and exhausted. rtc when im not crying so hard i can actually see what im typing
update: WE ARE GETTING A FIFTH AND POSSIBLY SIXTH BOOK!!!!! my heart cant handle this
i have never been so excited for a book in my entire life
first i want to say i have been anxiously awaiting this book for, probably, half of my life. i first read the false prince in elementary school and reread it every year, multiple times. i am now a senior in high school for your reference. this series practically raised me and im not even joking when i say that
jaron’s courage and selfless love inspired me as a young girl and has most definitely shaped me into the person i am today. it sounds funny to say but a piece of him will always live in me
overall
was it the strongest in the series? no, but i was hardly expecting it to be. the closest it can be related to is runaway king, the two felt pretty similar. however, one of my favorite parts of the series, the plot twists, were no disappointment. i figured out the first one pretty quickly but after that they just kept coming and i couldn’t keep up with them so kudos to the author she delivered exactly where we wanted her to
my favorite part - jaron
as i said before, i have a soft spot for jaron. he is by far one of the greatest, most well written and deep characters i have ever read about. and i LOVE his growth in this book. i think he gets away with a little too much in the first three, but he finally gets called out on his bs a little bit, which is good to see. there are two characters that he butts heads with quite a bit in this book, and it’s interesting to see their dynamic and jaron put into his place by them. he finally, FINALLY, is able to take a step back and really THINK about how his actions affect his loved ones and it was beautiful to read. this book allows us into his head and inner thoughts more than the others, and it’s fascinating watching everything unfold to him. sometimes it takes longer than it should have and you just want to give him a stern thwack on the back of his head, but he gets there eventually. and of course, his sense of humor was better than ever. he had me practically rolling on the ground with his little quips and jabs. no one can make me laugh quite like he does.
other characters
we got to see mott, roden, and fink shine the most in this book. some of mott’s past is revealed, and so is some of connor’s *wink wink*
same as jaron, we got to see in roden’s head a little bit and see how he’s feeling. obviously, he’s tired of being in jaron’s shadow and he’s done pretending that he isn’t bothered by it
and fink. adorable as ever. god, fink, you’re just the cutest
imogen, tobias, and amarinda were kind of pushed aside a bit which was sad to see. i hope they shine through in the next book.
what bothered me the most was that some characters did not return. they were nowhere to be found, not even mentioned. weird😳✋🏻
i am anxiously awaiting the sequel and if anyone of influence is reading this i totallyyyy would not mind being sent an arc. like at all. that’d be cool i think. chill. super fun. alright im done now but just, yaknow, think about it❤️sincerely jaron’s biggest fan (there might be more i need to say about this book but ill wait until after the release date and my thoughts are more put together)
update: whew. what a ride. im emotionally drained and exhausted. rtc when im not crying so hard i can actually see what im typing
update: WE ARE GETTING A FIFTH AND POSSIBLY SIXTH BOOK!!!!! my heart cant handle this
i have never been so excited for a book in my entire life
December 22, 2020
Update: I hated this. I had such high hopes and was completely let down. From the beginning I knew that I probably wasn’t going to love this as much as the other books in the series, but I thought it would be a fun 4-star read. The dialogue was still funny, and I thought the plot was going in an interesting direction. It also seemed like the characters were going to get some pretty significant character development which I was looking forward to.
Unfortunately, around the half-way mark the story took a turn that I really didn’t enjoy and it never fully recovered. The plot of this book just…doesn’t make sense. At all.
This series relies heavily on plot twists and information being hid from the reader, but in general all of the twists make sense and in hindsight you can see the clues. The twists in this book essentially retconned a lot of the series and completely changed the motivations of various characters. The plot twists seemed to come out of nowhere because they were clearly not planned in earlier books. The only twist that was done well was the one.
Other things that bothered me:
Honestly, I’m just going to pretend that this book was never published. I know there’s going to be a fifth book, but I’m not interested in reading it.
Pre-Read Review
I really liked where the series ended, but I'm still super excited to see the author takes the characters. Hopefully it's as good as the first 3 in the series!
Unfortunately, around the half-way mark the story took a turn that I really didn’t enjoy and it never fully recovered. The plot of this book just…doesn’t make sense. At all.
This series relies heavily on plot twists and information being hid from the reader, but in general all of the twists make sense and in hindsight you can see the clues. The twists in this book essentially retconned a lot of the series and completely changed the motivations of various characters. The plot twists seemed to come out of nowhere because they were clearly not planned in earlier books. The only twist that was done well was the one.
Other things that bothered me:
Honestly, I’m just going to pretend that this book was never published. I know there’s going to be a fifth book, but I’m not interested in reading it.
Pre-Read Review
I really liked where the series ended, but I'm still super excited to see the author takes the characters. Hopefully it's as good as the first 3 in the series!
December 7, 2020
3 Stars // 74%
Unpopular opinion here. The Captive Kingdom, which follows the adventures of King Jaron six months after the end of The Shadow Throne, is not a bad book by any means. Jennifer Nielsen is still very capable of incorporating oodles of shocking plot twists with a well-crafted plot, and Jaron is still one of the best protagonists of all time. His growth in this book was particularly strong. And yet, The Captive Kingdom still feels like author fanfiction trying too hard to be canon.
The main problem I have with this book is the tone. While The False Prince is fairly snarky and easygoing, the following installments of this series are decidedly more mature, to its benefit. But this book seems to have receded back to the happy-go-lucky nature of the first, and it's quite hard to take anything seriously. Part of it is a problem with the plot: unlike the original trilogy, which centered around war and conflict resolution, The Captive Kingdom sends readers on a treasure hunt to the death...which is a much more middle grade concept than previously offered. Maybe I'm just getting old?
I also have a love-hate relationship with the plot twists. On one hand, I love Nielsen's ability to flip the switch and turn the plot every which way at a moment's notice. There are some seriously shocking new ideas introduced here. However, none of them were adequately foreshadowed, and it didn't feel like Nielsen earned them. There are many plot elements in this book that weren't even mentioned previously, and there are many plot elements in the last book that aren't brought up in this one, such as the Harlowe plot thread.
That said, were there any things I enjoyed about The Captive Kingdom? Yes, of course. The new antagonists are leagues more complex than Bevin Conner or the Avenian king, with motivations that are genuinely intriguing and backstories that shed a new light on previous events. Character motivations, betrayal, and deception take center stage—even though this is set before the epilogue in the last book, I was constantly wondering how Jaron could ever get himself out of the treasure-hunt mess. Oh, and the ending? A perfect thematic cadence that sets up the next book for plenty more court intrigue.
Overall, The Captive Kingdom is a great pick for fans of Jaron who just want more fun in the vein of the first book. It doesn't quite shatter the scope (ha! pun) and magnitude left by The Shadow Throne, and sometimes it comes across a disbelievable piece of fanfiction, but it's one of the best books in the series in terms of character development and interaction. Buddy read with Amy, check out her review :)
Unpopular opinion here. The Captive Kingdom, which follows the adventures of King Jaron six months after the end of The Shadow Throne, is not a bad book by any means. Jennifer Nielsen is still very capable of incorporating oodles of shocking plot twists with a well-crafted plot, and Jaron is still one of the best protagonists of all time. His growth in this book was particularly strong. And yet, The Captive Kingdom still feels like author fanfiction trying too hard to be canon.
The main problem I have with this book is the tone. While The False Prince is fairly snarky and easygoing, the following installments of this series are decidedly more mature, to its benefit. But this book seems to have receded back to the happy-go-lucky nature of the first, and it's quite hard to take anything seriously. Part of it is a problem with the plot: unlike the original trilogy, which centered around war and conflict resolution, The Captive Kingdom sends readers on a treasure hunt to the death...which is a much more middle grade concept than previously offered. Maybe I'm just getting old?
I also have a love-hate relationship with the plot twists. On one hand, I love Nielsen's ability to flip the switch and turn the plot every which way at a moment's notice. There are some seriously shocking new ideas introduced here. However, none of them were adequately foreshadowed, and it didn't feel like Nielsen earned them. There are many plot elements in this book that weren't even mentioned previously, and there are many plot elements in the last book that aren't brought up in this one, such as the Harlowe plot thread.
That said, were there any things I enjoyed about The Captive Kingdom? Yes, of course. The new antagonists are leagues more complex than Bevin Conner or the Avenian king, with motivations that are genuinely intriguing and backstories that shed a new light on previous events. Character motivations, betrayal, and deception take center stage—even though this is set before the epilogue in the last book, I was constantly wondering how Jaron could ever get himself out of the treasure-hunt mess. Oh, and the ending? A perfect thematic cadence that sets up the next book for plenty more court intrigue.
Overall, The Captive Kingdom is a great pick for fans of Jaron who just want more fun in the vein of the first book. It doesn't quite shatter the scope (ha! pun) and magnitude left by The Shadow Throne, and sometimes it comes across a disbelievable piece of fanfiction, but it's one of the best books in the series in terms of character development and interaction. Buddy read with Amy, check out her review :)
March 11, 2020
After you finish the last page, you just sit there for a bit, staring off into the nothingness, and you wonder. Was that it? Was that the ending? Is it really over? (No! It’s not over!) And all these questions are floating through your head, how, why, food(food is very important), when, and you're just in this state of awe( mostly because of books, but also because of food)because of the way the whole story ties together to unite in one ultimate ending. You're left reeling(I’m starving), not because the ending was a disappointment, but because it was so much better than anything you ever could have thought up, or hoped for. (I hope for some fooooooood) everyone probably thinks I’m insane, or fat now.
Well, guess what? I'm insane, but I'm sane enough to know that I'm insane, therefore I'm not that insane, only half cracked.
This is what this series, so far has done to me
Well, guess what? I'm insane, but I'm sane enough to know that I'm insane, therefore I'm not that insane, only half cracked.
This is what this series, so far has done to me
November 23, 2020
This series is so underrated and not well loved enough because this series owns my heart. I loved this book so much the plot was amazing but my favorite thing about this book and this series in general is the characters they are all so unique and not perfect at all but you can’t help but love them. I can not wait for the 5th book in this series.
September 29, 2020
What?!?!
*falls on floor*
I don't think I've ever been more excited for a series’ continuation in my life!!!
*fangirl screams*
*falls on floor*
I don't think I've ever been more excited for a series’ continuation in my life!!!
*fangirl screams*
August 10, 2025
How do these books get better each time I read them?
January 30, 2021
2.5/5
I have just decided to see this book as totally separate from the original series because otherwise I’m afraid that it’ll ruin an old favorite for me.
This book, or it’s existence in general, just makes no sense to me.
The author decided to get rid of character development that’s happened in past books to create a plot for this. And talking about the plot, the plot just makes no sense. I mean Darius being Conner’s son? The nurse that was never mentioned. Ever. Who Jaron didn’t know? Roden reverting back to not wanting to be captain of the guard? NONE OF THESE EVENTS MAKE ANY SENSE!
I’ll probably read the 5th book anyway just to see if the plot somehow gets worse.
I have just decided to see this book as totally separate from the original series because otherwise I’m afraid that it’ll ruin an old favorite for me.
This book, or it’s existence in general, just makes no sense to me.
The author decided to get rid of character development that’s happened in past books to create a plot for this. And talking about the plot, the plot just makes no sense. I mean Darius being Conner’s son? The nurse that was never mentioned. Ever. Who Jaron didn’t know? Roden reverting back to not wanting to be captain of the guard? NONE OF THESE EVENTS MAKE ANY SENSE!
I’ll probably read the 5th book anyway just to see if the plot somehow gets worse.
March 15, 2023
Oh, this was such a fun read!!! We love Jaron like so much!!! His sarcasm is always so great! We love how Roden and Jaron are always butting heads and Tobias is like the go-between...Fink, what a precious little guy! Lol...classic Fink line, "Hey, remember that time we jumped off a cliff..." Laughed so hard that little guy is the best!
Mott continues to be faithful! And Teagut was a great add...lol..."You can pay me for it later!" Ahh, Teagut never failed to add some more humor to any situation.
There definitely were some pretty major plot twists we did not see coming...like, uh, wow! Not wanting to spoil anything but this was a pretty epic! And the ending....argh!
But at least we only have a month or so to wait for book 5....this was an epically, fantastic read and we think Mrs. Nielsen has spoiled us on the action and adventure level of books...because these books are packed with it! LOl...
Mott continues to be faithful! And Teagut was a great add...lol..."You can pay me for it later!" Ahh, Teagut never failed to add some more humor to any situation.
There definitely were some pretty major plot twists we did not see coming...like, uh, wow! Not wanting to spoil anything but this was a pretty epic! And the ending....argh!
But at least we only have a month or so to wait for book 5....this was an epically, fantastic read and we think Mrs. Nielsen has spoiled us on the action and adventure level of books...because these books are packed with it! LOl...
February 23, 2021
THIS WAS SO GOOD. REVIEW TO COME ONCE I STOP SCREAMING.
UPDATE: I've stopped screaming. But this *was* very good.
I've been a fan of the Ascendance Trilogy Series for years. Sage's sass never fails to captivate me, and the wonder of Carthyan adventures is consistently on my mind. There are some stories that, for some reason, stick to you. These books? These are those types of stories...the ones with swordfights and sass, with tears and laughter. The ones with enticing aspects to them that you just...can't put your finger on.
So naturally, when Nielsen announced that the series would continue, I screamed with joy. I grabbed a copy the moment it was released and read it in a day. And I loved it.
This book wasn't perfect. I realize now that being a loyal Ascender makes me a bit biased in my review. It was definitely the least loveable in the series. The main issue is that the characters were all a bit annoying. Even Sage himself somehow managed to get on my nerves—the only one that didn't annoy me was Fink. Harlowe was only mentioned once and never appeared. And don't get me started about a new character that was introduced—they made me want to punch a wall.
BUT...did I still cry several times? Yes. Did I still hold my breath, wondering how on EARTH these characters are still alive? Oh, my...yes. And yes and yes and yes.
The ending was absolutely beautiful.
Long live king Jaron. If he leads us half as well as he entertains us, then Carthya has a truly great future ahead.
UPDATE: I've stopped screaming. But this *was* very good.
I've been a fan of the Ascendance
So naturally, when Nielsen announced that the series would continue, I screamed with joy. I grabbed a copy the moment it was released and read it in a day. And I loved it.
This book wasn't perfect. I realize now that being a loyal Ascender makes me a bit biased in my review. It was definitely the least loveable in the series. The main issue is that the characters were all a bit annoying. Even Sage himself somehow managed to get on my nerves—the only one that didn't annoy me was Fink. Harlowe was only mentioned once and never appeared. And don't get me started about a new character that was introduced—they made me want to punch a wall.
BUT...did I still cry several times? Yes. Did I still hold my breath, wondering how on EARTH these characters are still alive? Oh, my...yes. And yes and yes and yes.
The ending was absolutely beautiful.
Long live king Jaron. If he leads us half as well as he entertains us, then Carthya has a truly great future ahead.
October 1, 2024
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
“I understand you better now. You are a curiosity of opposites, leaving me to wonder if you are a brilliant mind or a great fool...”
“I am no curiosity,” I replied. “I am simply a person with whom you never should have started a fight.”
It kinda snuck up on me at how much I was enjoying it. 🥰 At first, I was hesitant & curious to see what exactly would be the conflict for the next book after the trilogy wrapped. Albeit, not in the finest forms, with its abrupt closure, but I was ready to set sail on some new adventures. ⚓
“First chance you get, take the mainsail rope and tie it around your arm. Make it tight. Understand?”
“I rarely understand you. But I’ll do it.”
And it was a new adventure! Just a new adventure set in the past to fill in the gap of that missing year before Jaron and Imogen tied the knot. A year where sixteen-year-old Jaron is well, not exactly enjoying the relative peace and harmony Carthya is facing, kinda like twitchy hands leads to twitchy results. If that is a thing. Well, unfortunately for him and his companions - it is! 🙃 For when he and his friends are sailing home after a travel mission, he and his ship and his fellow travelers are taken prisoner by their mysterious captors from a neighboring nation, the Prozarians led by the ruthless Captain Jane Strick, who believes he is responsible for his parents' death and that their sworn allegiance is only to that of his long-missing older brother, Darius, the rightful heir to Carthya — who may be alive after all.', and who may hold the answers to some of his intriguing belongings that they have in their possession. 😢
There's action and adventure, excitement and danger, banter and humor, wit and intrigue, surprises and secrets, heartbreak and heartwarming moments, and that's all peaches and cream when it comes to the battle for royal power in The Captive Kingdom. ⚔️ I did not think that this particular piece of mystery in his life needed answers - until the author wove such an imaginative one that reeled me in, entirely. I loved how the status of relationships was challenged - how an ally could easily become a nemesis with a flicker of doubt or speculation.
“When will you stop believing that the whole world is against you?”
“When I have evidence otherwise. Until then, I’ll do what I deem is best. You have no idea what it is to be king.”
He pointed to me. “And you have no idea what it is to serve a king, to serve you.”
But, I think what stole my heart truly was the dynamic between Jaron and Roden and Tobias. The rest of the supporting cast - friend or foe - had their equal moments to pave the way for some interesting scenes, but for me, just seeing how much of their own personal desires were being tested - at how their kidnapping ultimately played the biggest part in the decisive course for victory was the highlight for me. These three young boys - the synergy and complexity of their friendship ranges from frustration and selfishness to protectiveness and loyalty and sheer loyalty that outshines even their own inner battle and turmoil of wanting to hurt, in order to forgive and protect. 🥹🥹 'You are always my friend,” I echoed, though he was no longer around to hear me.' I loved seeing them duke it out with each other - each having their own sense of purpose and just cause for behaving in a certain manner, even when they're doing their level best to save each other. It was maddening! But, it was also the highlight for me. Seeing how their efforts of insubordination or seething silence or even painstaking resilience proved their strength of loyalty. It was a bonafide treat. 🌟
“Arrest the pirate. Kill the prince.”
“King,” I sighed. “I’m a king.”
And he is King; the number of times Jaron has to remind his enemies of that simple fact is comical and saddening at times. But, it never outweighs his good humor and his passionate zeal, nor his courage in the face of danger. His narration shined here, even better than book 3, because the stakes are even more personal, now. Even though he has difficulty with trusting others, he's still always trying to help others. 🥺 'I made jokes because... I needed to laugh so that I wouldn’t burn with anger at the injustices around me.' Targeted by his past to erase his present and wipe his future - it is a fierce culmination of showing the right judgment or his weakness to his enemies. And they came from all sides and shapes and faces. They definitely caught me for the loop! Each dilemma was well-crafted and well-executed. It never felt contrived or unnecessary. I liked the balance between the serious talks and the more light-hearted moments; the edge that was taken off when Jaron would advise Fink in a life-threatening moment, and he would respond with a snappy retort. It gave a certain levity to the story, which I liked. 👍🏻👍🏻
“I am about to be the curse upon your shoulders. Before morning comes, you will kneel to me.”
Whatever direction the story floated, itt gave a glimpse of a young boy who truly had lost his family and never had the chance to mourn it. Who was forced into the throne, refused to give it up, and has had to fight to earn his rightfully earned title, at the fear of returning 'to the person I always was before: Jaron, the troublemaker, the embarrassment, the fool.' It's not only a fight to save his friends or his kingdom, it's a fight to save his name - his honor - his integrity. 🥲 Who is learning the importance of family and the value of companionship - never hesitating to keep others safe - knowing that every risk to protect one, might endanger another. It offered a lot more insight into Jaron's psyche, which I appreciated. It's not an apology or explanation for his actions or choices, but an admirable view of how he cherishes the bonds with his loved ones, and how he sets his sights on a path of healing and self-discovery. 'But it is not your own death that keeps you awake at night. It is the deaths of those you love.' It is both his weakness and his strength, and the way the story wrapped makes me particularly curious to see just exactly how the rest of the story will finally conclude. 🫡👑
“I understand you better now. You are a curiosity of opposites, leaving me to wonder if you are a brilliant mind or a great fool...”
“I am no curiosity,” I replied. “I am simply a person with whom you never should have started a fight.”
It kinda snuck up on me at how much I was enjoying it. 🥰 At first, I was hesitant & curious to see what exactly would be the conflict for the next book after the trilogy wrapped. Albeit, not in the finest forms, with its abrupt closure, but I was ready to set sail on some new adventures. ⚓
“First chance you get, take the mainsail rope and tie it around your arm. Make it tight. Understand?”
“I rarely understand you. But I’ll do it.”
And it was a new adventure! Just a new adventure set in the past to fill in the gap of that missing year before Jaron and Imogen tied the knot. A year where sixteen-year-old Jaron is well, not exactly enjoying the relative peace and harmony Carthya is facing, kinda like twitchy hands leads to twitchy results. If that is a thing. Well, unfortunately for him and his companions - it is! 🙃 For when he and his friends are sailing home after a travel mission, he and his ship and his fellow travelers are taken prisoner by their mysterious captors from a neighboring nation, the Prozarians led by the ruthless Captain Jane Strick, who believes he is responsible for his parents' death and that their sworn allegiance is only to that of his long-missing older brother, Darius, the rightful heir to Carthya — who may be alive after all.', and who may hold the answers to some of his intriguing belongings that they have in their possession. 😢
There's action and adventure, excitement and danger, banter and humor, wit and intrigue, surprises and secrets, heartbreak and heartwarming moments, and that's all peaches and cream when it comes to the battle for royal power in The Captive Kingdom. ⚔️ I did not think that this particular piece of mystery in his life needed answers - until the author wove such an imaginative one that reeled me in, entirely. I loved how the status of relationships was challenged - how an ally could easily become a nemesis with a flicker of doubt or speculation.
“When will you stop believing that the whole world is against you?”
“When I have evidence otherwise. Until then, I’ll do what I deem is best. You have no idea what it is to be king.”
He pointed to me. “And you have no idea what it is to serve a king, to serve you.”
But, I think what stole my heart truly was the dynamic between Jaron and Roden and Tobias. The rest of the supporting cast - friend or foe - had their equal moments to pave the way for some interesting scenes, but for me, just seeing how much of their own personal desires were being tested - at how their kidnapping ultimately played the biggest part in the decisive course for victory was the highlight for me. These three young boys - the synergy and complexity of their friendship ranges from frustration and selfishness to protectiveness and loyalty and sheer loyalty that outshines even their own inner battle and turmoil of wanting to hurt, in order to forgive and protect. 🥹🥹 'You are always my friend,” I echoed, though he was no longer around to hear me.' I loved seeing them duke it out with each other - each having their own sense of purpose and just cause for behaving in a certain manner, even when they're doing their level best to save each other. It was maddening! But, it was also the highlight for me. Seeing how their efforts of insubordination or seething silence or even painstaking resilience proved their strength of loyalty. It was a bonafide treat. 🌟
“Arrest the pirate. Kill the prince.”
“King,” I sighed. “I’m a king.”
And he is King; the number of times Jaron has to remind his enemies of that simple fact is comical and saddening at times. But, it never outweighs his good humor and his passionate zeal, nor his courage in the face of danger. His narration shined here, even better than book 3, because the stakes are even more personal, now. Even though he has difficulty with trusting others, he's still always trying to help others. 🥺 'I made jokes because... I needed to laugh so that I wouldn’t burn with anger at the injustices around me.' Targeted by his past to erase his present and wipe his future - it is a fierce culmination of showing the right judgment or his weakness to his enemies. And they came from all sides and shapes and faces. They definitely caught me for the loop! Each dilemma was well-crafted and well-executed. It never felt contrived or unnecessary. I liked the balance between the serious talks and the more light-hearted moments; the edge that was taken off when Jaron would advise Fink in a life-threatening moment, and he would respond with a snappy retort. It gave a certain levity to the story, which I liked. 👍🏻👍🏻
“I am about to be the curse upon your shoulders. Before morning comes, you will kneel to me.”
Whatever direction the story floated, itt gave a glimpse of a young boy who truly had lost his family and never had the chance to mourn it. Who was forced into the throne, refused to give it up, and has had to fight to earn his rightfully earned title, at the fear of returning 'to the person I always was before: Jaron, the troublemaker, the embarrassment, the fool.' It's not only a fight to save his friends or his kingdom, it's a fight to save his name - his honor - his integrity. 🥲 Who is learning the importance of family and the value of companionship - never hesitating to keep others safe - knowing that every risk to protect one, might endanger another. It offered a lot more insight into Jaron's psyche, which I appreciated. It's not an apology or explanation for his actions or choices, but an admirable view of how he cherishes the bonds with his loved ones, and how he sets his sights on a path of healing and self-discovery. 'But it is not your own death that keeps you awake at night. It is the deaths of those you love.' It is both his weakness and his strength, and the way the story wrapped makes me particularly curious to see just exactly how the rest of the story will finally conclude. 🫡👑
July 25, 2021
I was thinking about Jaron... I honestly don't know what I'd think of him if I knew him in real life (as in, like, if I were part of his story). His jokes are way too funny which isn't good since I can never stop myself from laughing when something's funny. But beyond that, just like Captain Strick said, he's SO hard to figure out! And that's what makes the series great. You never know whether he has a plan or not. Does Jaron ever get panicked when he can't think of a plan to act on yet? Or does he always have a plan, always have something to do that will help? What an amazing character from an equally amazing author!
Want to Read
January 26, 2020OH.
MY.
SWEET.
GOODNESS.
MY.
SWEET.
GOODNESS.
October 5, 2022
Re-read edit at the bottom.
First Read: Sigh. 😔 I guess it's ok that I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I thought I would. Even in The Queen's Thief series, my favorite fantasy series of all time, there is a book I don't care for. This one stretched credulity beyond my limits, seeming like an Indiana Jones movie more times than I could handle. Furthermore.....
Minor spoilers ahead....
It also left me with concern over hard-won relationships that seemed so loyal and strong before. I am sorry, but I don't feel that Nielsen did all she could to explain the harsh, cruel words and treatment by those who were supposed to be Jaron's closest allies and friends. I know things were not what they appeared, but it was too real to not be shaken by it, then left without adequate explanation and reconciliation, imo.
However, I am invested in these characters now, so I still enjoyed the book. A 3⭐️ rating for me means I liked the book, yet had a few difficulties with it. Normally I would not reread a 3⭐️, but I might have to to figure out if I missed explanations of disloyalty and cruelty. Everyone seems perfectly ok with each other at the end. I wasn't. What did I miss??
Edit to add.... And at the very end.... I am left to wonder if Jaron learned anything at all. He's more of a jerk in this book than the others, and he still has a lot to learn about relationships. (Maybe I am just tiring of his character flaws?) However, I *thought* he already learned some of those lessons in the trilogy. He SURELY should have learned them by the end of this book, but alas, he appears not to. And that's how Nielsen leaves us. With Jaron demonstrating he learned nothing. 🙄
Edit on re-read: Since I knew what was coming, I wasn't as shocked this go around, but I was still disturbed that Nielsen did so much damage (imo) to the beautiful and poignant ending of the first three books. I only re-read this to see if I had missed clues as to certain people's true loyalties, and, while I guess I understand Roden's actions more than before, I still found much of it unnecessary and damaging overall to the story. And Mott and Imogen act as if they don't even know Jaron at times. Tobias? Well, he was quite concerned about Amarinda, so I "got" him more than the others.
I dreaded picking this up again, but I guess I am somewhat glad I did....?
First Read: Sigh. 😔 I guess it's ok that I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I thought I would. Even in The Queen's Thief series, my favorite fantasy series of all time, there is a book I don't care for. This one stretched credulity beyond my limits, seeming like an Indiana Jones movie more times than I could handle. Furthermore.....
Minor spoilers ahead....
It also left me with concern over hard-won relationships that seemed so loyal and strong before. I am sorry, but I don't feel that Nielsen did all she could to explain the harsh, cruel words and treatment by those who were supposed to be Jaron's closest allies and friends. I know things were not what they appeared, but it was too real to not be shaken by it, then left without adequate explanation and reconciliation, imo.
However, I am invested in these characters now, so I still enjoyed the book. A 3⭐️ rating for me means I liked the book, yet had a few difficulties with it. Normally I would not reread a 3⭐️, but I might have to to figure out if I missed explanations of disloyalty and cruelty. Everyone seems perfectly ok with each other at the end. I wasn't. What did I miss??
Edit to add.... And at the very end.... I am left to wonder if Jaron learned anything at all. He's more of a jerk in this book than the others, and he still has a lot to learn about relationships. (Maybe I am just tiring of his character flaws?) However, I *thought* he already learned some of those lessons in the trilogy. He SURELY should have learned them by the end of this book, but alas, he appears not to. And that's how Nielsen leaves us. With Jaron demonstrating he learned nothing. 🙄
Edit on re-read: Since I knew what was coming, I wasn't as shocked this go around, but I was still disturbed that Nielsen did so much damage (imo) to the beautiful and poignant ending of the first three books. I only re-read this to see if I had missed clues as to certain people's true loyalties, and, while I guess I understand Roden's actions more than before, I still found much of it unnecessary and damaging overall to the story. And Mott and Imogen act as if they don't even know Jaron at times. Tobias? Well, he was quite concerned about Amarinda, so I "got" him more than the others.
I dreaded picking this up again, but I guess I am somewhat glad I did....?
October 9, 2020
A joyful return that falls far short of its predecessors.
My sadness stems from Jaron’s absence of likability. The frustration that others feel with him, you feel as the reader, which is the intent. Unfortunately, there is no growth. Even the one “lightbulb” moment Jaron has regarding his Captain is shown to be fleeting at the end when he reverts to the same behavior. There is also a considerable amount of contradictory actions. One moment a character is fed up, but the next they are declaring loyalty. One scene they are shrouded in doubt, the next they’ve never wavered. These transitions aren’t gradual, they are one chapter to the next and without cause.
My final disappointment was in the “twists”. In previous books the twists felt like truths you should have seen all along. In this book you’re meant to feel that Jaron’s compulsive secret keeping (including from you the reader) ends up benefitting everyone. Instead it just feels like the author forgot to leave breadcrumbs and now is at the end of the story and must quickly explain away a solution.
I know this is negative and I feel badly since I really love this series and it’s characters. Rest assured, I’ll read the next installment without hesitation, I hope with better results.
My sadness stems from Jaron’s absence of likability. The frustration that others feel with him, you feel as the reader, which is the intent. Unfortunately, there is no growth. Even the one “lightbulb” moment Jaron has regarding his Captain is shown to be fleeting at the end when he reverts to the same behavior. There is also a considerable amount of contradictory actions. One moment a character is fed up, but the next they are declaring loyalty. One scene they are shrouded in doubt, the next they’ve never wavered. These transitions aren’t gradual, they are one chapter to the next and without cause.
My final disappointment was in the “twists”. In previous books the twists felt like truths you should have seen all along. In this book you’re meant to feel that Jaron’s compulsive secret keeping (including from you the reader) ends up benefitting everyone. Instead it just feels like the author forgot to leave breadcrumbs and now is at the end of the story and must quickly explain away a solution.
I know this is negative and I feel badly since I really love this series and it’s characters. Rest assured, I’ll read the next installment without hesitation, I hope with better results.
December 4, 2021
Author Jennifer Nielsen had initially planned a trilogy, but seems to have been inspired to continue the story of Jaron (a/k/a Sage.) Carthya's King Jaron's ship is attacked by a group of insurgents, led by Jane Strick. She accuses Jaron of killing his parents, and usurping the throne from its rightful occupant, Jaron's older brother Darius, and imprisons Jaron and his comrades for trial. Her goal seems to be to crush their spirit. Jaron mounts a daring escape, leaving some of his team in her clutches to get to a neighboring country, where he finds a big surprise. Meanwhile, Strick is seeking lenses for a spyglass to show her the way to unimaginable riches. Jaron schemes to the extent of alienating those closest to him along the way, as he tries to save the neighboring country, its people from the attacking hordes under Strick. In the end, his friends rally to his side, leaving a new leader for the neighbor.
February 12, 2025
Definitely my least favorite book of the entire Ascendance Series.
✏️ Review ✏️
I'm very torn about this fourth book in the Ascendance Series. I loved the characters and the intrigue of the plot, but I'm not sure why Nielsen thought it necessary to dig up and reconstruct relationships that were satisfyingly solidified in the original trilogy. Why did Nielsen have to uproot so much of the original trilogy's foundation? 🤨 So I definitely wasn't a fan of the that part of the plot. And the tensions between the many characters in this book seem almost forced just for the sake of making the plot more dramatic (sometimes I wish Jaron wouldn't be so headstrong 😏). So The Captive Kingdom is now my least favorite book of this series — the series would probably have been better off without it, but what's done is done. Obviously, now I need to read book five in hopes that it redeems this book.
Ok, that's said. But what did I like about this book? Well, the characters still hold their appeal (despite having tensed relationships). It was fun to watch them develop even further in this book (Fink's still my fave minor character! 😉). But also the writing style seems much improved from the last three books; and I suppose that only makes sense considering Nielsen's writing would improve throughout her writing career.
At least the ending was somewhat satisfying. Like, yeah, I'll have to read book 5 now with that kind of ending! (Please, please, please! I hope book five will redeeming to this series.) *hesitantly picks up The Shattered Castle in hopes of it redeeming book four*
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The writing style.
• The intrigue of certain parts of the plot (i.e., the Devil's Scope).
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The reconstruction of relationships that were already satisfyingly resolved in the original trilogy.
• The forced tension between characters.
• Jaron's headstrong attitude (I'll tell ya, it got a little unbearable at times).
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3/5
— 📝 Writing: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 3.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
• Mild action-adventure violence.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• (None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
✏️ Review ✏️
I'm very torn about this fourth book in the Ascendance Series. I loved the characters and the intrigue of the plot, but I'm not sure why Nielsen thought it necessary to dig up and reconstruct relationships that were satisfyingly solidified in the original trilogy. Why did Nielsen have to uproot so much of the original trilogy's foundation? 🤨 So I definitely wasn't a fan of the that part of the plot. And the tensions between the many characters in this book seem almost forced just for the sake of making the plot more dramatic (sometimes I wish Jaron wouldn't be so headstrong 😏). So The Captive Kingdom is now my least favorite book of this series — the series would probably have been better off without it, but what's done is done. Obviously, now I need to read book five in hopes that it redeems this book.
Ok, that's said. But what did I like about this book? Well, the characters still hold their appeal (despite having tensed relationships). It was fun to watch them develop even further in this book (Fink's still my fave minor character! 😉). But also the writing style seems much improved from the last three books; and I suppose that only makes sense considering Nielsen's writing would improve throughout her writing career.
At least the ending was somewhat satisfying. Like, yeah, I'll have to read book 5 now with that kind of ending! (Please, please, please! I hope book five will redeeming to this series.) *hesitantly picks up The Shattered Castle in hopes of it redeeming book four*
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The writing style.
• The intrigue of certain parts of the plot (i.e., the Devil's Scope).
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The reconstruction of relationships that were already satisfyingly resolved in the original trilogy.
• The forced tension between characters.
• Jaron's headstrong attitude (I'll tell ya, it got a little unbearable at times).
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3/5
— 📝 Writing: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 3.5/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
• Mild action-adventure violence.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• (None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• (None)
August 21, 2021
Even though it took me way longer to finish this book than I wanted, I was SOOOO glad I eventually did! This was such a satisfactory read and I SERIOUSLY would've been missing out if I never finished it.
First of all, I have to give Jennifer A. Nielsen a round of applause for spinning such a creative plot! I will admit, it wasn't as engaging to me as her other books in the series have been, but the idea of the Prozarians, the Devil's Scope, the captive kingdom, etc., was interesting enough to keep me reading! Also, Jaron has BY FAR the most adorkable sarcasm in this book yet, so I obviously had to know what he'd end up saying next. XD Plus, THE PLOT TWISTS y'all!!!! I won't say anything else because of #spoilers but, once again, Ms. Nielsen did a SPECTACULAR job by constantly catching me off guard throughout the whole book!
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was, again, it didn't keep my attention as well as the other Ascendance books have (but now that I think about it, I was kinda on a reading slump during the month which may be why I took me so long to finish it) and as much as I love Jaron, he did seem slightly arrogant at the end. Which, I get that no one's perfect and that could be one of his flaws, but even Roden briefly told Jaron that he could at least apologize for something he had done and Jaron kinda just brushed it off. So I dunno, that may just be me, but other than those things I ABSOLUTELY thought this book was worth the read!!! ESPECIALLY the ending. Seriously y'all, if you wanna read the book, read it for the ending.
Oh yeah, and Teagut. Trust me...just read for him, too. XD
First of all, I have to give Jennifer A. Nielsen a round of applause for spinning such a creative plot! I will admit, it wasn't as engaging to me as her other books in the series have been, but the idea of the Prozarians, the Devil's Scope, the captive kingdom, etc., was interesting enough to keep me reading! Also, Jaron has BY FAR the most adorkable sarcasm in this book yet, so I obviously had to know what he'd end up saying next. XD Plus, THE PLOT TWISTS y'all!!!! I won't say anything else because of #spoilers but, once again, Ms. Nielsen did a SPECTACULAR job by constantly catching me off guard throughout the whole book!
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was, again, it didn't keep my attention as well as the other Ascendance books have (but now that I think about it, I was kinda on a reading slump during the month which may be why I took me so long to finish it) and as much as I love Jaron, he did seem slightly arrogant at the end. Which, I get that no one's perfect and that could be one of his flaws, but even Roden briefly told Jaron that he could at least apologize for something he had done and Jaron kinda just brushed it off. So I dunno, that may just be me, but other than those things I ABSOLUTELY thought this book was worth the read!!! ESPECIALLY the ending. Seriously y'all, if you wanna read the book, read it for the ending.
Oh yeah, and Teagut. Trust me...just read for him, too. XD
October 13, 2020
Jaron's ability to get himself into sticky situations will never cease to amaze me! He can be an idiot sometimes but I love him XD. I can't believe there's another one! I don't wanna have to wait a long time:(
February 11, 2020
I loved The Ascendence Trilogy, but really The False Prince was my favorite. This one is right up there with it. So fun.
October 18, 2021
Love this!!! Can't wait for book 5! (as long as it's clean...) I will always love this series!!!!!!!
PLEASE READ THESE BOOKS!! XD
PLEASE READ THESE BOOKS!! XD
May 3, 2026
Jaron is back, and his wit is sharper than ever.👏
This installment raises the stakes and hits harder because the danger isn’t just lurking outside the gates. It’s creeping in from within.😫Alliances strain, patience wears thin, and suddenly Jeron isn’t just dodging enemies, he’s testing the limits of the people who once stood firmly at his side. The tension? Delicious.
Because it’s Jaron. Obviously.
But the humor doesn’t soften the blows. 🫣The story takes a darker turn, more intense, stacking impossible choices and emotional gut punches until Jeron is cornered in ways we haven’t seen before. It’s messy, high-stakes and it keeps you flipping pages like your life depends on it.
And yet, somehow, you’ll finds room for hilarity like… Rosewater. 🤣🤣🤣 If you know, you know.
👉This book fires on every level. The villains feel more dangerous, the conflicts cut deeper, and Jaron remains an absolute riot even when everything is falling apart around him. That cliffhanger? Perfect!
Best one yet. ✨ I’m already impatient for what comes next.
“I don’t forgive, I stab.” 🤣 Say less.
This installment raises the stakes and hits harder because the danger isn’t just lurking outside the gates. It’s creeping in from within.😫Alliances strain, patience wears thin, and suddenly Jeron isn’t just dodging enemies, he’s testing the limits of the people who once stood firmly at his side. The tension? Delicious.
“This is serious, why is your only response always to tell a joke?”
Because it’s Jaron. Obviously.
But the humor doesn’t soften the blows. 🫣The story takes a darker turn, more intense, stacking impossible choices and emotional gut punches until Jeron is cornered in ways we haven’t seen before. It’s messy, high-stakes and it keeps you flipping pages like your life depends on it.
“You are an embarrassment to the throne.” Ouch.
And yet, somehow, you’ll finds room for hilarity like… Rosewater. 🤣🤣🤣 If you know, you know.
👉This book fires on every level. The villains feel more dangerous, the conflicts cut deeper, and Jaron remains an absolute riot even when everything is falling apart around him. That cliffhanger? Perfect!
Best one yet. ✨ I’m already impatient for what comes next.
May 5, 2024
Best to go in blind. Most of the plot’s twists and secrets are guessable, so the surprises are greater without the blurb giving it all away.
This was originally a trilogy and then we got two more books. This one takes place before the HEA described at the end of book 3.
The book is nonstop adventure. It is literally a page-turner. I don’t know why, but the suspense in this book was maddening. It kept me up at night despite my sleep drugs — no book has done that before.
I know it has flaws, and it’s still YA/MG and so not as complex as an adult book would be with the same scenario. But it was still so much fun. It’s not meant to be taken super seriously. It’s a welcome addition to the series.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Moderate: explosions, sword/knife violence, and various injuries; not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
This was originally a trilogy and then we got two more books. This one takes place before the HEA described at the end of book 3.
The book is nonstop adventure. It is literally a page-turner. I don’t know why, but the suspense in this book was maddening. It kept me up at night despite my sleep drugs — no book has done that before.
I know it has flaws, and it’s still YA/MG and so not as complex as an adult book would be with the same scenario. But it was still so much fun. It’s not meant to be taken super seriously. It’s a welcome addition to the series.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Moderate: explosions, sword/knife violence, and various injuries; not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
October 3, 2021
4 Stars!!
“And if doing what’s right makes someone angry with me, then may I cause rage and fury wherever I go.”
We are back in Carthya!! Lets be honest- majority of the time, when an author revisits a series... for me at least... it never feels right and should have probably just been left alone. That is not the case in this series!
I was so impressed with how many new things were brought to the table in this new installment and how the author grabbed me with all the plot twists. I loved being back in this world and seeing what old characters have been up to.
Then there is Jaron- he is probably one of my favorite YA characters because his personality is SO MUCH FUN. I think we would probably be great friends in real life. I love his banter and his jokes and the way he holds on to Joy no matter the situation.
He faces it with a smile and just keeps it moving! NO DESPAIR - what a unique quality for a book character and KING :P
I am so excited that the ride doesn't stop here... there is a new book coming out in a few weeks and I am totally here for it! Cant wait. If you read and loved the False Prince Trilogy- I think you would be pleasantly surprised revisiting the world- Highly Recommend it :P
March 15, 2023
When you don't really like the plot of a book, but you love the characters so much it weasels it's way onto your favorites list anyway XD
Language: Clean, just mentions of 'he cursed' but not what that curse was.
Violence: Clean, nothing too gory.
Magic: N/A
So I'm not a big fan of the plot in this one, but can I just say, you can not not like these characters!💖 They're just so priceless!!! I love them all *hugs*. Yes, even Darrius, even tho I hate him being in the book I love his character SO much nonetheless!💖💖 And Jaron and Darrius's banter is hilarious!😂 And Tobias and Amarinda *squeals*, I'm not one to usually ship, but they are just too adorable!!💖💖
This was an interesting read with plots I didn't care for but scenes and plots I also LOVED!!!!!! Even tho this is the second time I've read it, i still don't really know what to say...lol...I just love these books and characters so much!! There just so awesome!💖
10+
Language: Clean, just mentions of 'he cursed' but not what that curse was.
Violence: Clean, nothing too gory.
Magic: N/A
So I'm not a big fan of the plot in this one, but can I just say, you can not not like these characters!💖 They're just so priceless!!! I love them all *hugs*. Yes, even Darrius, even tho I hate him being in the book I love his character SO much nonetheless!💖💖 And Jaron and Darrius's banter is hilarious!😂 And Tobias and Amarinda *squeals*, I'm not one to usually ship, but they are just too adorable!!💖💖
This was an interesting read with plots I didn't care for but scenes and plots I also LOVED!!!!!! Even tho this is the second time I've read it, i still don't really know what to say...lol...I just love these books and characters so much!! There just so awesome!💖
10+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2020
Nonstop swashbuckling, treasure-hunting action with a huge does of "who is in charge here" vibes. A fantastic new chapter in The Ascendance Series. Nielsen has once again given us Jaron/Sage in a book that makes us want to root for him while shaking a little sense into him. Is older brother Darius alive? What does an obscure kingdom group want with Jaron and the rest of his support team? Who is the true king of Carthya? Will Jaron find answers in Belland? Journey with Jaron through the twists and turns of this fourth installment.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2021
Jaron is BACK, people!
An enormous thank-you to Main Street Books in St. Charles for gifting me an ARC of this book, the fourth installment in one of my favorite series!
This will be a short, spoiler-free review, though I'll update it with spoilers once the book is published. (*entire, spoiler-filled review follows this first, non-spoiler review)
As a massive fan of the Ascendance Trilogy, delving into its expansion into the Ascendance Series was equal parts nervousness and excitement. After this trilogy, I read several of Jennifer Nielsen's other books as they came out, but was very underwhelmed by The Mark of the Thief, The Traitor's Game and The Scourge. I worried that I was no longer clicking with her storytelling. Then I read her historical fiction, and fell in love with all three (A Night Divided, Resistance and Words on Fire). So I was relieved that it wasn't her storytelling I no longer clicked with, just some of the stories. (Which, in hindsight, may not be a bad thing...perhaps that will increase their chances of clicking with other readers who have different tastes than I do.)
Jennifer Nielsen invites us to embark on another adventure, this one beginning at sea (which Jaron, with his affinity for the seaside, must have appreciated), and it is full of all of the action, twists, close calls and humor that we know, love and hope for in Jaron's escapades. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions, and one of my favorite comedic moments from the series would have to be from this fourth installment. One of my favorite things from the original trilogy is the friendships, and that was one of my favorite things to see in action in this latest escapade as well. Throughout the story, many chess pieces are being moved, and not always by Jaron, so it is definitely worth it to take your time reading the story to make sure you're following what's up; I was too impatient to know what happened next, and admit I didn't pay as good of attention as I should have to the details on my first read-through. I'm excited for the next read-through, and can't wait for fans to discover this latest installment in October, and I am PUMPED for book 5!!!
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Jaron is back, people!
First, a tremendous thank-you to Main Street Books in St. Charles for gifting me an advanced reader’s copy. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine receiving a special chance to read, months before release, the next installment in one of my favorite series. (Plus an excuse to hibernate for a week and live within its world.) Truly, my gratitude goes beyond words.
When I first heard that The Ascendance Trilogy was on the brink of expanding, thus exchanging “trilogy” for “series”, I went from ecstatic to nervous to equal parts of the two. The original trilogy is so wonderful that delving into an expansion of it felt risky. Plus, I’ve recently had a couple of less-than-great experiences with sequels and series continuations. But…I love these characters so much, that getting to spend more time with them and embark on more adventures and mischief with them…how could I not be excited about that?
Before embarking on the new adventures, I reread the original trilogy for the first time in a while. It was like coming home. Then I kept going. And I loved it.
Immediately, we find ourselves surrounded by all of our favorite characters (though I won’t lie, I do miss Errol a bit…I wonder what happened to him after The False Prince…), and we’re on a ship. Some tensions have already cropped up between some characters since we last saw them. Almost as immediately, danger approaches, and we don’t know who’s safe, who’s gone, and who to trust.
Except Erick. Erick’s definitely gone. It happened so fast I almost didn’t believe it. I don’t fully understand what he thought a few extra seconds would gain Jaron, since there’s nowhere to run, but he bravely defied Strick, standing up to her and ready to defend the ship and his crew with his life. I’m going to miss him. Rest in peace.
We meet the Prozarians, a people thought to have died out long ago, who are basically on a treasure hunt and, to get to their next step, have a deal with an apparently not-so-dead Darius to bring Jaron to the land of Belland, where a lot of things go down.
I loved the settings of this story, first on the ship (Jaron’s attempted mutiny and his later escape into the lifeboat gave me a terrific Jack Sparrow vibe), and then on the lush, gorgeous Belland (I suspect a nod to the meaning “beautiful land”), which I’m sure Jaron loved due to his affinity for the seaside. It was such fun to explore this new territory, which was so interesting with its natural formations.
The friendships Jennifer Nielsen has crafted in her stories form one of my favorite things about her stories, and I was thrilled to see the time dedicated to them and their development. I especially liked our time with the original trio from The False Prince. Tobias and Roden had kind of been off doing their own thing in The Runaway King and The Shadow Throne, so the frequent interaction of all three boys for the first time since competing to be the false prince was a great showcase of their character development, and also just fun to see. Their friendships underwent a lot of tension in this story, especially between Roden and Jaron, which tested their strength and made them stronger for it.
Expanding on Jaron’s friend group, pretty much all of his friends are pretty fed up with him doing his own thing and not trusting them with his plan and to help him. When this was getting really heated up, I actually had to put the book for a bit down to process it. My initial reaction was, “But that’s what makes Jaron/Sage who he is, and we love him!” He moves chess pieces without us understanding his endgame, or even his next move, and his moves sometimes depend on others not knowing. He keeps me guessing, and I love it. But then I realized…I’d be fed up, too. Jaron’s desire to keep others safe by withholding information in case they were to get captured by the enemy is noble and completely understandable, but this story really explores the consequences this has on those very relationships. Were I one of his close friends, I’d want him to trust me, too, to let me help him bear the burden.
One relationship I wish we’d gotten a little more information about, even though Harlowe was back in Carthya and so it would’ve had to be either via flashback or conversations, was how his and Roden’s father-son relationship was developing. But, while we didn’t really get to see that one, we got plenty of Jaron’s brother relationship with Fink, and how Darius’s return in Jaron’s life expanded his brotherhood, which I loved. Another relationship I was relieved to see stand strong was Jaron’s and Imogen’s. One of my fears with Wilta’s arrival was that she would try to flirt with both Jaron and Roden and thus cause strife between not only them, but also between Jaron and Imogen. I never suspected Jaron would be unfaithful, but I worried Imogen might be miffed. Thus, when Imogen proved how strong and smart she is, and told Jaron that Wilta’s implied romantic attention towards him didn’t bother her, I wanted to hug her.
As far as new characters go, I really liked them and what they brought to the story. I loved Darius, in particular. I loved how, when Jaron was told he was alive, he looked at the situation from both angles, accepted he could not know until they arrived at Belland, and waited. As a reader, I wasn’t sure what to expect, either. Was Darius truly alive? Or was it too good to be true? Immediately upon meeting Darius, I had a clear image in my mind of the type of person he was, and how different he and Jaron were. And as soon as it became evident that Darius assumed and expected that he would get the throne when they returned to Carthya, and that Jaron wasn’t worthy of it, I wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake some sense into him. Especially fresh off of my reread and still smarting from the abuse Jaron suffered, legit anger and hurt were stirring in me at his injustice, and I mentally screamed at Darius, “Do you realize what your brother went through for your country??? The pain he had to endure???” Sure, things couldn’t have been easy for Darius either, particularly once the strain of protecting the Bellanders from the Prozarians hit, but also, he himself admitted that he had a wonderful time living among the Bellanders. Jaron has grown so much since Darius last saw him, and when Darius finally realized that, it was incredibly gratifying.
As things began unfolding regarding Darius’s true identity, we learn the role of the infamous Bevin Conner in Darius’s life, adding another layer to a character I thought I knew so well. I admit, I absolutely did not see that coming. However, it fit so perfectly with what we already knew of the story and characters, it posed questions that I hadn’t really thought to ask, and made so much sense, that it in no way shape or form detracted from the characters or story as we knew them, only giving them further depth.
Wilta and Strick are two other big new additions. I immediately liked to dislike Strick. It took me longer to decide how I felt about Wilta. Personally, I am not a huge fan of instalove, so as soon as that poked its head between her and Roden, I started worrying it’d become a central part of the plot. Thankfully, Tobias felt the same. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard as when he chucked a boot at Roden’s head from the crow’s nest, and even better that Jaron (who Roden thought was the culprit anyways) fully approved. However, I definitely did not dislike the attraction between Roden and Wilta, and found the resulting banter among the friends a jolly mark of friendship. Still, I am happy it gracefully took the back seat, allowing other things to take the wheel. Pretty early on, though, I had a gut feeling that she could not be trusted, because of how quickly she seemed to click with them. But my guess had been a spy or double agent; I did not see her reveal as the Monarch, or as Strick’s daughter, coming.
Wilta’s reveal added another driving force to a story already full of many different moving parts. So many chess pieces were being moved by so many different characters/parties that, I must admit, it was sometimes difficult for me to keep them and the motives for certain actions or inactions straight. In addition to Jaron, his friends (particularly Roden and Tobias—I was continuously asking myself “Are their decisions and plans truly independent of his, as they claim, or are they working together from a behind-the-scenes conversation we didn’t see?”—and Mott, once Trea, another excellent new character, is introduced), the pirates, the Prozarians and Darius were all active participants in decision-making, thus constantly shifting the chessboard. Also, keeping track of who was captured, who wasn’t, and where people were versus where they were supposed to be got a little muddled. I fear in my haste to see what happened next, I didn’t pay as close attention to details and take the time to process them as I should have. For readers reading it for the first time, while I definitely understand the desire to devour it as quickly as possible like I did, I highly recommend making sure you take the time to keep track of, understand and process who’s doing what, and why. When I reread it, I will definitely be more conscious of that!
And the end…oh the end. It was beautiful and immensely satisfying, far more so than I could have imagined. I absolutely loved how we see the chess pieces come together, and that Jaron found a way to work with his friends instead of against them. Together, they freed Belland from the Prozarians and procured the tools for the treasure hunt that drove the Prozarians to orchestrate all the trouble in the first place.
Jennifer Nielsen has once again gifted us with her storytelling skill, inviting us to embark on a thrilling escapade with some of our favorite characters, full of all the action, twists, turns, close calls and humor that we love. I cannot wait for the rest of her fans to discover this latest adventure, and I am stoked to see what comes next!
An enormous thank-you to Main Street Books in St. Charles for gifting me an ARC of this book, the fourth installment in one of my favorite series!
This will be a short, spoiler-free review, though I'll update it with spoilers once the book is published. (*entire, spoiler-filled review follows this first, non-spoiler review)
As a massive fan of the Ascendance Trilogy, delving into its expansion into the Ascendance Series was equal parts nervousness and excitement. After this trilogy, I read several of Jennifer Nielsen's other books as they came out, but was very underwhelmed by The Mark of the Thief, The Traitor's Game and The Scourge. I worried that I was no longer clicking with her storytelling. Then I read her historical fiction, and fell in love with all three (A Night Divided, Resistance and Words on Fire). So I was relieved that it wasn't her storytelling I no longer clicked with, just some of the stories. (Which, in hindsight, may not be a bad thing...perhaps that will increase their chances of clicking with other readers who have different tastes than I do.)
Jennifer Nielsen invites us to embark on another adventure, this one beginning at sea (which Jaron, with his affinity for the seaside, must have appreciated), and it is full of all of the action, twists, close calls and humor that we know, love and hope for in Jaron's escapades. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions, and one of my favorite comedic moments from the series would have to be from this fourth installment. One of my favorite things from the original trilogy is the friendships, and that was one of my favorite things to see in action in this latest escapade as well. Throughout the story, many chess pieces are being moved, and not always by Jaron, so it is definitely worth it to take your time reading the story to make sure you're following what's up; I was too impatient to know what happened next, and admit I didn't pay as good of attention as I should have to the details on my first read-through. I'm excited for the next read-through, and can't wait for fans to discover this latest installment in October, and I am PUMPED for book 5!!!
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Jaron is back, people!
First, a tremendous thank-you to Main Street Books in St. Charles for gifting me an advanced reader’s copy. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine receiving a special chance to read, months before release, the next installment in one of my favorite series. (Plus an excuse to hibernate for a week and live within its world.) Truly, my gratitude goes beyond words.
When I first heard that The Ascendance Trilogy was on the brink of expanding, thus exchanging “trilogy” for “series”, I went from ecstatic to nervous to equal parts of the two. The original trilogy is so wonderful that delving into an expansion of it felt risky. Plus, I’ve recently had a couple of less-than-great experiences with sequels and series continuations. But…I love these characters so much, that getting to spend more time with them and embark on more adventures and mischief with them…how could I not be excited about that?
Before embarking on the new adventures, I reread the original trilogy for the first time in a while. It was like coming home. Then I kept going. And I loved it.
Immediately, we find ourselves surrounded by all of our favorite characters (though I won’t lie, I do miss Errol a bit…I wonder what happened to him after The False Prince…), and we’re on a ship. Some tensions have already cropped up between some characters since we last saw them. Almost as immediately, danger approaches, and we don’t know who’s safe, who’s gone, and who to trust.
Except Erick. Erick’s definitely gone. It happened so fast I almost didn’t believe it. I don’t fully understand what he thought a few extra seconds would gain Jaron, since there’s nowhere to run, but he bravely defied Strick, standing up to her and ready to defend the ship and his crew with his life. I’m going to miss him. Rest in peace.
We meet the Prozarians, a people thought to have died out long ago, who are basically on a treasure hunt and, to get to their next step, have a deal with an apparently not-so-dead Darius to bring Jaron to the land of Belland, where a lot of things go down.
I loved the settings of this story, first on the ship (Jaron’s attempted mutiny and his later escape into the lifeboat gave me a terrific Jack Sparrow vibe), and then on the lush, gorgeous Belland (I suspect a nod to the meaning “beautiful land”), which I’m sure Jaron loved due to his affinity for the seaside. It was such fun to explore this new territory, which was so interesting with its natural formations.
The friendships Jennifer Nielsen has crafted in her stories form one of my favorite things about her stories, and I was thrilled to see the time dedicated to them and their development. I especially liked our time with the original trio from The False Prince. Tobias and Roden had kind of been off doing their own thing in The Runaway King and The Shadow Throne, so the frequent interaction of all three boys for the first time since competing to be the false prince was a great showcase of their character development, and also just fun to see. Their friendships underwent a lot of tension in this story, especially between Roden and Jaron, which tested their strength and made them stronger for it.
Expanding on Jaron’s friend group, pretty much all of his friends are pretty fed up with him doing his own thing and not trusting them with his plan and to help him. When this was getting really heated up, I actually had to put the book for a bit down to process it. My initial reaction was, “But that’s what makes Jaron/Sage who he is, and we love him!” He moves chess pieces without us understanding his endgame, or even his next move, and his moves sometimes depend on others not knowing. He keeps me guessing, and I love it. But then I realized…I’d be fed up, too. Jaron’s desire to keep others safe by withholding information in case they were to get captured by the enemy is noble and completely understandable, but this story really explores the consequences this has on those very relationships. Were I one of his close friends, I’d want him to trust me, too, to let me help him bear the burden.
One relationship I wish we’d gotten a little more information about, even though Harlowe was back in Carthya and so it would’ve had to be either via flashback or conversations, was how his and Roden’s father-son relationship was developing. But, while we didn’t really get to see that one, we got plenty of Jaron’s brother relationship with Fink, and how Darius’s return in Jaron’s life expanded his brotherhood, which I loved. Another relationship I was relieved to see stand strong was Jaron’s and Imogen’s. One of my fears with Wilta’s arrival was that she would try to flirt with both Jaron and Roden and thus cause strife between not only them, but also between Jaron and Imogen. I never suspected Jaron would be unfaithful, but I worried Imogen might be miffed. Thus, when Imogen proved how strong and smart she is, and told Jaron that Wilta’s implied romantic attention towards him didn’t bother her, I wanted to hug her.
As far as new characters go, I really liked them and what they brought to the story. I loved Darius, in particular. I loved how, when Jaron was told he was alive, he looked at the situation from both angles, accepted he could not know until they arrived at Belland, and waited. As a reader, I wasn’t sure what to expect, either. Was Darius truly alive? Or was it too good to be true? Immediately upon meeting Darius, I had a clear image in my mind of the type of person he was, and how different he and Jaron were. And as soon as it became evident that Darius assumed and expected that he would get the throne when they returned to Carthya, and that Jaron wasn’t worthy of it, I wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake some sense into him. Especially fresh off of my reread and still smarting from the abuse Jaron suffered, legit anger and hurt were stirring in me at his injustice, and I mentally screamed at Darius, “Do you realize what your brother went through for your country??? The pain he had to endure???” Sure, things couldn’t have been easy for Darius either, particularly once the strain of protecting the Bellanders from the Prozarians hit, but also, he himself admitted that he had a wonderful time living among the Bellanders. Jaron has grown so much since Darius last saw him, and when Darius finally realized that, it was incredibly gratifying.
As things began unfolding regarding Darius’s true identity, we learn the role of the infamous Bevin Conner in Darius’s life, adding another layer to a character I thought I knew so well. I admit, I absolutely did not see that coming. However, it fit so perfectly with what we already knew of the story and characters, it posed questions that I hadn’t really thought to ask, and made so much sense, that it in no way shape or form detracted from the characters or story as we knew them, only giving them further depth.
Wilta and Strick are two other big new additions. I immediately liked to dislike Strick. It took me longer to decide how I felt about Wilta. Personally, I am not a huge fan of instalove, so as soon as that poked its head between her and Roden, I started worrying it’d become a central part of the plot. Thankfully, Tobias felt the same. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard as when he chucked a boot at Roden’s head from the crow’s nest, and even better that Jaron (who Roden thought was the culprit anyways) fully approved. However, I definitely did not dislike the attraction between Roden and Wilta, and found the resulting banter among the friends a jolly mark of friendship. Still, I am happy it gracefully took the back seat, allowing other things to take the wheel. Pretty early on, though, I had a gut feeling that she could not be trusted, because of how quickly she seemed to click with them. But my guess had been a spy or double agent; I did not see her reveal as the Monarch, or as Strick’s daughter, coming.
Wilta’s reveal added another driving force to a story already full of many different moving parts. So many chess pieces were being moved by so many different characters/parties that, I must admit, it was sometimes difficult for me to keep them and the motives for certain actions or inactions straight. In addition to Jaron, his friends (particularly Roden and Tobias—I was continuously asking myself “Are their decisions and plans truly independent of his, as they claim, or are they working together from a behind-the-scenes conversation we didn’t see?”—and Mott, once Trea, another excellent new character, is introduced), the pirates, the Prozarians and Darius were all active participants in decision-making, thus constantly shifting the chessboard. Also, keeping track of who was captured, who wasn’t, and where people were versus where they were supposed to be got a little muddled. I fear in my haste to see what happened next, I didn’t pay as close attention to details and take the time to process them as I should have. For readers reading it for the first time, while I definitely understand the desire to devour it as quickly as possible like I did, I highly recommend making sure you take the time to keep track of, understand and process who’s doing what, and why. When I reread it, I will definitely be more conscious of that!
And the end…oh the end. It was beautiful and immensely satisfying, far more so than I could have imagined. I absolutely loved how we see the chess pieces come together, and that Jaron found a way to work with his friends instead of against them. Together, they freed Belland from the Prozarians and procured the tools for the treasure hunt that drove the Prozarians to orchestrate all the trouble in the first place.
Jennifer Nielsen has once again gifted us with her storytelling skill, inviting us to embark on a thrilling escapade with some of our favorite characters, full of all the action, twists, turns, close calls and humor that we love. I cannot wait for the rest of her fans to discover this latest adventure, and I am stoked to see what comes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
2024 audio reread: The audiobook is just as good! I especially love the bonus story, Revenge, at the end.
*I received an eARC of this book through Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review*
Jaron has returned with more trouble, but this time the stakes are much, much higher… If you think the first three books were exciting, then The Captive Kingdom will blow your mind with even more actions and emotions.
Synopsis:
After bringing peace to Carthya, Jaron and his friends are attacked by Prozarians and unfortunately held captive. What could Prozarians, a people that was believed to have gone extinct, possibly want with Jaron? Jaron is of course trying out crazy ideas to save his friends, but his captor, the Prozarian Captain Strick, seems to have just as many tricks up to her sleeve. Could Darius be alive, as Strick claims? Could Jaron save his friends? And could Roden finally, finally find a love interest?
Review:
For those who have read the trilogy and love Jaron, I’m happy to tell you that Jaron is exactly like we knew him from the trilogy. Even after so many years, the author did an excellent job getting back to Jaron’s voice. He is still naughty, mischievous, humorous, and ready for some trouble. (Speaking of humorous, I literally laughed out loud only two sentences into prologue!) The reading experience is like meeting a long lost friend. You will recognize him the first moment you see him, but you also get to see how he has grown into this person you always knew he would become. In The Captive Kingdom, we get to see more of Jaron’s past, know more of his thoughts and growth. As Jaron uncovered his past and secrets, he encountered self-doubt, friendship crisis, and inner struggles. It’s another great coming of age story that will excite you and move your hearts.
Aside from Jaron, characters we love and hate from the trilogy have also returned with their backstory. I love Jaron’s interaction with others and how he developed empathy for his friends. I especially love Jaron and Roden’s! There are also new friends and enemies with distinct personalities. There’s also lots, lots of secrets between them. You’ll have to follow closely though, because this time, everyone seems to have secrets of their own.
Also, The Captive Kingdom is full of twists and turns, ups and downs (mostly downs… after all, he’s Jaron), and brilliant plotting that will keep you on the edge of your seats. It’s a total page-turner. (I finished it in two days!) Something dramatic happens in nearly every chapter, making me want to shout, or cry, or scream. The story fits so perfectly and naturally with what happens in the trilogy, yet it’s still unexpected and surprising. You wouldn’t find the gap or awkwardness that usually happens in long-time follow-ups. I could totally believe only three months pass between book 3 and book 4.
The Captive Kingdom is strongly based on the previous books, so you will have to read them first to understand. If you read them a long time ago, I would encourage you to reread the trilogy, but it’s not necessary as long as you remember major events. If you haven’t yet, I strongly urge you to pick up the first book, The False Prince! It’s definitely worth your time!
The Captive Kingdom promises a roller-coaster ride about secrets and trust, family and royalty, friendship and love. Old readers will find themselves once again mesmerized by Jaron’s charm. For new readers, I recommend this series to people of all ages who wish to go on an epic adventure.
(And *scream* I can’t wait for book 5!!!! I believe it will be epic!!!)
*I received an eARC of this book through Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review*
Jaron has returned with more trouble, but this time the stakes are much, much higher… If you think the first three books were exciting, then The Captive Kingdom will blow your mind with even more actions and emotions.
Synopsis:
After bringing peace to Carthya, Jaron and his friends are attacked by Prozarians and unfortunately held captive. What could Prozarians, a people that was believed to have gone extinct, possibly want with Jaron? Jaron is of course trying out crazy ideas to save his friends, but his captor, the Prozarian Captain Strick, seems to have just as many tricks up to her sleeve. Could Darius be alive, as Strick claims? Could Jaron save his friends? And could Roden finally, finally find a love interest?
Review:
For those who have read the trilogy and love Jaron, I’m happy to tell you that Jaron is exactly like we knew him from the trilogy. Even after so many years, the author did an excellent job getting back to Jaron’s voice. He is still naughty, mischievous, humorous, and ready for some trouble. (Speaking of humorous, I literally laughed out loud only two sentences into prologue!) The reading experience is like meeting a long lost friend. You will recognize him the first moment you see him, but you also get to see how he has grown into this person you always knew he would become. In The Captive Kingdom, we get to see more of Jaron’s past, know more of his thoughts and growth. As Jaron uncovered his past and secrets, he encountered self-doubt, friendship crisis, and inner struggles. It’s another great coming of age story that will excite you and move your hearts.
Aside from Jaron, characters we love and hate from the trilogy have also returned with their backstory. I love Jaron’s interaction with others and how he developed empathy for his friends. I especially love Jaron and Roden’s! There are also new friends and enemies with distinct personalities. There’s also lots, lots of secrets between them. You’ll have to follow closely though, because this time, everyone seems to have secrets of their own.
Also, The Captive Kingdom is full of twists and turns, ups and downs (mostly downs… after all, he’s Jaron), and brilliant plotting that will keep you on the edge of your seats. It’s a total page-turner. (I finished it in two days!) Something dramatic happens in nearly every chapter, making me want to shout, or cry, or scream. The story fits so perfectly and naturally with what happens in the trilogy, yet it’s still unexpected and surprising. You wouldn’t find the gap or awkwardness that usually happens in long-time follow-ups. I could totally believe only three months pass between book 3 and book 4.
The Captive Kingdom is strongly based on the previous books, so you will have to read them first to understand. If you read them a long time ago, I would encourage you to reread the trilogy, but it’s not necessary as long as you remember major events. If you haven’t yet, I strongly urge you to pick up the first book, The False Prince! It’s definitely worth your time!
The Captive Kingdom promises a roller-coaster ride about secrets and trust, family and royalty, friendship and love. Old readers will find themselves once again mesmerized by Jaron’s charm. For new readers, I recommend this series to people of all ages who wish to go on an epic adventure.
(And *scream* I can’t wait for book 5!!!! I believe it will be epic!!!)
October 28, 2020
oebrfyhugoijlge mthjbfgirflmkwte trh,fmygnkn
LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean, come on, guys!! I was honestly quite surprised to find out that Jennifer Nielsen had decided to continue this series! Pleasantly surprised, mind you. :) Actually, probably more excitedly surprised.
I admit, it took me far too long to read this, and I wish I wasn't so tired all the time now.
I thought it was really great seeing the old characters returning and interacting the same way they did in the past. Jaron might be older but he's still just as sarcastic and annoying as he was before. It was also nice to see a new side of Mott (I hold Mott very close to my heart, my dear boi because who can't love Mott?) and him ! Definitely nice to see his softie side again.
The story line was pretty cool! Ms. Nielsen didn't wait a minute to jump right into the action. If there's any way to grab someone's attention, that's how. And within a page or two I was laughing because of Jaron. Somehow, as predictable as he is, he's SO unpredictable. The Devil's Scope was an interesting idea, as well, and it sort of gave the tension needed between the enemies and the good guys.
Anyway, I don't want to give away anything, so if you enjoyed the first three books, you'll love this one, too. I certainly did.
Content:
Language-N/A
Sexy Stuff/Romance-A very mild kiss, I think? Imogen and Jaron are betrothed, of course. Not a spoiler.
Violence-There are lots of pirate fights. Jaron is always blowing things up and getting into duels and getting hurt somehow. Not too descriptive.
LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean, come on, guys!! I was honestly quite surprised to find out that Jennifer Nielsen had decided to continue this series! Pleasantly surprised, mind you. :) Actually, probably more excitedly surprised.
I admit, it took me far too long to read this, and I wish I wasn't so tired all the time now.
I thought it was really great seeing the old characters returning and interacting the same way they did in the past. Jaron might be older but he's still just as sarcastic and annoying as he was before. It was also nice to see a new side of Mott (I hold Mott very close to my heart, my dear boi because who can't love Mott?) and him ! Definitely nice to see his softie side again.
The story line was pretty cool! Ms. Nielsen didn't wait a minute to jump right into the action. If there's any way to grab someone's attention, that's how. And within a page or two I was laughing because of Jaron. Somehow, as predictable as he is, he's SO unpredictable. The Devil's Scope was an interesting idea, as well, and it sort of gave the tension needed between the enemies and the good guys.
Anyway, I don't want to give away anything, so if you enjoyed the first three books, you'll love this one, too. I certainly did.
Content:
Language-N/A
Sexy Stuff/Romance-A very mild kiss, I think? Imogen and Jaron are betrothed, of course. Not a spoiler.
Violence-There are lots of pirate fights. Jaron is always blowing things up and getting into duels and getting hurt somehow. Not too descriptive.
July 15, 2021
Now that was a fun read. I just love Jaron, he's such a crack-up, but honestly I have no idea how any of his plans work. I feel like the entire book (and every book in this series so far) is like a super wrinkly shirt with only the hem ironed out nice and flat. So basically everything seems totally out of control until the last like 50 pages, where everything ends up working out perfectly. I know that's kind of a weird example, but it's just what came to mind, so I'm going with it.
I really enjoyed reading this book though, and it might be one of my favorites in terms of character development. I feel as though Jaron was really able to come to terms a little with who he was, which then helped him to realize how that could make it difficult for others who were close to him. He definitely had some trust issues, but he was slowly able to work through them so that, by the end, it felt as though he had made some slight improvement regarding that personality flaw.
I really enjoyed reading this book though, and it might be one of my favorites in terms of character development. I feel as though Jaron was really able to come to terms a little with who he was, which then helped him to realize how that could make it difficult for others who were close to him. He definitely had some trust issues, but he was slowly able to work through them so that, by the end, it felt as though he had made some slight improvement regarding that personality flaw.
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