Nielsen, Jennifer. Runaway King.

Nielsen, Jennifer.  Runaway King. (series: The Ascendance Trilogy)      Scholastic Press  2013  331p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-545-28415-8 jr/sr       Fantasy     VG-BN

King Jaron, formerly known as Sage, must save his kingdom and his throne by leaving the country in disguise to seek out a dangerous pirate gang, risking more than just his life.  This is the sequel to The False Prince, which introduced the intriguing character Sage, who began the book pretending to be the lost heir to the kingdom and turned out by the end to be the real heir.  He is a clever, charming young man who inspires loyalty and love, and this book continues his story after he has been crowned King Jaron.  In addition to contending with the doubt from within, Sage must face a dual threat from a band of pirates and the enemy ruler who is backing their aggression.  To combat this threat, the king goes undercover to save his kingdom.  Readers who loved the first book will not be disappointed by the second volume, and even those who are reading the series out of order will enjoy the story and the characters Nielsen has created for this installment.      

Kings-Fiction, Princesses-Fiction, Court life-Fiction --Bethany Geleskie

Nielson, Susin. Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom.

Nielson, Susin.   Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom. Tundra Books  240p      $10.95      978-1-77049-295-0       ms/hs   VG-BN     Realistic fiction

Violet’s parents are divorced.  Her father is a Hollywood producer who is remarried to a blonde starlet and living upscale; her mother is working as a hairstylist in Vancouver and living in a run-down house.  Violet bitterly resents her father’s new family and is appalled by her mother’s choices of boyfriends.  The latest is, most unfortunately, named Dudley Wiener.  Violet must deal with her dysfunctional life in the best way that she can, but her anger and unhappiness tend to overwhelm her.  When she visits her father in Los Angeles again, she dreams up a wonderful scheme.  The next time that she accompanies her father to his television set in a major studio, she plans to find George Clooney and ask him to marry her mother.

Nielsen has written a book filled with strong, unforgettable characters, an interesting plot, realistic descriptions of a split family and, of course, a romantic interest.  Told as a first-person narrative, Violet’s story will both tug at the readers’ heartstrings and make them laugh aloud.  She is a most appealing character with real problems, and her attempts to solve them and reconcile her feelings for both her families make for compelling reading.    What more could anyone want?  This is sure to be a hit in the middle-school library.  It is highly recommended.

Divorce–Fiction, Families-Fiction                                -- Susan Ogintz   

The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1)

Nielsen, Jennifer A.    The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1) Scholastic/Grolier/Childrens Press/Watts     2012  342p      $17.99      978-0-545-36160-6 hs    E-BN      Fantasy    

Civil war is brewing in the country of Carthya.  Conner, a devious nobleman, conceives a cunning plan to unite the divided people.  He will place an impersonator of the kingdom’s long-lost crown prince on the throne.  Four orphans are found to compete for the role, including 15-year-old Sage.

Sage questions Conner’s motives, but is forced to play Conner’s games or be killed.  The other orphans have their own agendas as well, and as Sage moves from derelict orphanage to sumptuous court, a truth is revealed that may prove more dangerous than all the lies and deceit combined.

This novel will appeal to fans of Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games.  Readers will find Sage an engaging, clever, witty character with a lively sense of humor.  The plot is well-planned and paced; it’s the type of book that will keep readers turning pages long into the night.  The plot twist may catch even experienced readers by surprise! 

Don’t be fooled by the drab cover art.  This novel is outstanding!  I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!      

E-BN  Hilary Welliver   Princes, Orphans, Impersonation,  Courts and courtiers, Secrets