As the Ascendance Trilogy (The False Prince, rev. 3/12; The Runaway King, rev. 3/13) draws to its close, King Jaron finds his country at war with both Avenia and Mendenwal. Overmatched, he is forced to outfox his enemies, devising plans and schemes for his cadre of friends, advisers, and allies. The princess Amarinda is sent to her home country, Bymar, to seek aid while Jaron rushes off to Avenia to save Imogen. The plot thickens, and before everything is said and done, the Amarinda/Jaron/Imogen love triangle is sorted out, Jaron proves his leadership abilities, and Carthya emerges victorious from the war. The series, which started with a bang, has gotten a little weaker with each book. Perhaps it's that the impetuous young upstart Sage was more interesting than the king he becomes, or maybe it's that the plotting and intrigue have given way to battles and war. In any case, though, there's still plenty of adventure, mystery, and romance in this concluding volume, enough to please a variety of genre readers. jonathan hunt (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Jaron, irascible, incorrigible king of Carthya, faces the loss of his kingdom, his friends and his life in the gripping finale of the Ascendance Trilogy. Fresh from his foray to the pirates in The Runaway King (2013), Jaron learns than King Vargan of Avenia and allies from Gelyn and Mendenwal have invaded Carthya and captured Jaron's friend Imogen. Determined to save Imogen, Jaron attempts a rescue and fails, leaving him a prisoner and Imogen presumed dead. As he tries to cope with Imogen's death, captive Jaron discovers how much he loved her. Relying on the skills of lying, stealing and deceiving he honed as a child, Jaron outwits his captors and returns to Carthya to rally his outnumbered troops. Resolved to save Carthya, Jaron devises a series of improbable, dangerous and ingenious plans designed to surprise his enemies as well as readers. Through his self-reflective, first-person narration, Jaron confesses friendship and love have greater power to wound him than villains, plots and enemies. In the end, friendship and love win out, as Jaron and his loyal friends confront their foes to determine Carthya's future in a harrowing conclusion. From one cliffhanging episode to the next, wily Jaron's rebellious, undisciplined spirit carries the day as he battles to save everything he holds dear. (map) (Adventure. 10-14)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this conclusion to the Ascendance trilogy, the impulsive Jaron, former orphan thief and now King of Carthya, is facing down multiple enemies and his country's invasion with his usual aplomb. There is always a trick up this royal's sleeve, though setbacks involving those closest to him and a surprise loss almost push him to give up. (Almost is the operative word.) Battles, close shaves, daring escapes, and double crosses will thrill fans who have come to expect this kind of nonstop action. There is a sobering death toll, but the emphasis is not on blood and guts. Despite there being a war on, Jaron always keeps his focus on his true enemy, the King of Avenia, and not on common foot soldiers. Despite all the adventures, there is little doubt that the story will culminate in a happily-ever-after outcome, even if the subplot involving his intended princess veers away from the expected conclusion. It's the journey to a gallows scene that owes more than a little to Pirates of the Caribbean that's the draw. Fans won't be disappointed.--Cruze, Karen Copyright 2010 Booklist