Review: The False Prince - Jennifer A. Nielsen

Where I got it: Finished copy from publisher
Rating: 5 stars  

Cover Rating: 3 stars (I like the blue background and the representation, but it's sort of meh.)
Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: April 1, 2012

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Page Count: 342 p.

Buy it: Book Depository / Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Connor, a nobleman at the King's court holds a secret. This secret could topple the kingdom if it isn't played just right. So Connor takes off in search of an orphan. Not just any orphan, but one he can pass off as being the long lost Prince Jaron. Sage doesn't trust Connor very much, but is forced to go with him and the other boys. What Connor is doing is treason and Sage and the others are being forced to participate. There are so many lies an deceptions unveiled each day, that no one can tell where the truth lies. When Connor picks the boy who is to be the Prince though, all will become clear and things will fall into place. If only the boys can survive it.

I was really amazed by how much I loved this novel. There were so many deceptions, that you always knew things weren't quite as they seemed, but you could never be sure what they are. I really loved this aspect of it, so I am not sure how I feel about a series for this. I'm just not sure how Jennifer A. Nielsen will pull so much delicious deceit in the next novel. So much was already revealed in this one, though near the end there was that bit where... I will definitely be on the look out for the next novel though, just to see if it is as amazing as this one. I really enjoyed Sage, even his pigheadedness. He was always causing trouble, which is what made him such a fun character. The other kids were okay, but they didn't have that soul that I saw with Sage. They were over-achieving back stabbers. Sage was just surviving and coming up with plans of his own, but not back-stabbing plans. He was very conscious of the other boys and didn't seem to wish them any ill will, even if they wished it upon him. He was a joy to take this adventure with. Definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY read this book. This is now one of my favorite novels.

First Line:
"If I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen this life."

Favorite Lines:
"My father had warned me about my quick tongue countless times. Perhaps he should have warned me more often."