It involves a "Prince and Pauper" scheme to usurp the throne of a completely believable fictional kingdom, but layers of secrets and plot twists keep the story consistently engaging. It reminds me in all the best ways of Megan Whalen Turner's "Thief" series, but is not derivative of that. It also has a well-crafted plot and intriguing politics that left me hungry for the sequel. This is my favorite kind of book-driven by fascinating characters with complex motives. I spent a lot of time this summer with books in the "Hunger Games" vein, but this one was a welcome change of pace. I teach middle school, and I use summers to catch up on what's hot in adolescent fiction. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.Īs Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.Īn extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have listeners clinging to the edges of their seats.Īnd don't miss the highly anticipated fourth book in the series, The Captive Kingdom, coming October 2020!
Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point - he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage.
To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince.
In a discontented kingdom, civil war is brewing.
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