The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is the third book in the pentalogy The Acendance Series. It is action-packed, thrilling, and always keeps readers on their heels. First, a recap of the first two books. The first book (The False Prince) takes place in the kingdom of Carthya, which is without a king. The main protagonist in the first book is a fourteen-year-old orphan boy named Sage. Sage, as well as two other boys named Tobias and Roden are kidnapped by a rich noble named Bevin Conner. Their task is to impersonate the long-lost prince, Jaron (because they all look like him). One of them, after a series of trials, is responsible for claiming the throne, acting as a false king, and doing what Conner tells them to. Sage befriends Conner´s right-hand man Mott and uses his help to become Conner´s first choice. Sage claims the throne but there is a big plot twist, Sage is Jaron! Jaron then orders Conner to be sent to prison for treason. In the second book (The Runaway King), Jaron is faced with a declaration of war from a neighboring country, Avenia. Avenia is allied with the pirates. Jaron knows that his country cannot defeat the Avenians and the pirates, so he decides to go undercover and confront the pirates. Jaron defeats the pirate king in a duel and assumes leadership of the pirates. With the pirates on his side, the war is much more winnable. In the third book (The Shadow Throne) the war has finally come. However, there is a twist. Avenia has aligned itself with two different nations Mendewal and Glen. Because of this, the advantage has shifted back to Avenia. After days of fighting, Carthya is on its last leg. Jaron offers himself to Avenia in order for them to pause the fighting and let his men recover. Jaron learns that Bevin Conner has escaped from jail and is transpiring with Avenia. Jaron is going to be hanged at Bevin Conner´s old home in front of the army of Avenia and all of the nobles in his kingdom. However, Jaron has a plan. He sends word to the pirates to come to Conner´s home and hide anywhere they can find. Also, one of Jaron´s nobles has convinced the king of Mendewal to turn against Avenia, he is being brought to the house to tell his men to fight Avenia. Right before Jaron is about to be hanged, the pirates, Mendewal, and what is left of Carthya´s army start to fight. Jaron captures the king of Avenia and forces him to tell his men to surrender. This book was definitely a pleasant read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fighting, comedy, and a little bit of romance.
Nicholas R.
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