The Runaway King (The Ascendance Series, Book 2)

Written by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Narrated by Charlie McWade

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the thrilling sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster The False Prince!

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Series takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!And don't miss the highly anticipated fourth book in the series, The Captive Kingdom, coming October 2020!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books
• Release date: Mar 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9780545570114

Jennifer A. Nielsen

#1 New York Times Bestselling author, Jennifer Nielsen, was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her family. She is the author of The Ascendance series, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; the TRAITOR’S GAME series, the historical novels, ICEBERG, A NIGHT DIVIDED, WORDS ON FIRE, LINES OF COURAGE and several other titles.  Jennifer has won multiple awards including the Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award (RESISTANCE, 2019), multiple Whitney Awards, including the Outstanding Achievement Award (2023), and several state book awards.  She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains.

Reviews for The Runaway King (The Ascendance Series, Book 2)

[Felicia Cannon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just as great if not better than the 1st one! Can wait for book 3!

[Sarah Moore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book, I love it! I also love the narration! Awesome voices and emotion!

[Finley Wells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

everything i liked where he was at the pirates. I love both books

[Caleb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked it a lot I love the blot and how smart he is. But I do not like how much he he lies. I really really liked the rest!!!

[Beau Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can’t get over how good this book is. It totally exceeded my expectations. I thought this book could never be as good as the first book of the series, but I was so wrong. I couldn’t stop listening to it unless I had to. Really I can’t believe how amazing this book is can’t wait to listen to the next one.

[Cherish Valentin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a great series to introduce to youngsters. Being an adult, a few scenes were a bit ridiculous. But, I believe a teenager would love it.

[Sara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

what an amazing book, its so fun, and interusting. #loved

[Kerthin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Didn't know what to expect from this sequel, leaving many thrilling mysteries that unveiled in riveting ways. Great from start to finish.

[bmt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was an exciting, surprising and plot twisting read. Just when you think it's happy ever after its not! On to Book 3!

[Alex Koning · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first book of this series was vastly more interesting to listen to. This book was incredibly long-winded; my husband and I were bored within the first hour, but kept hoping it would pick up. Not sure we will take the time for the final book.

[mrnattania · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Okay - middle of the road story and kinda predictable. Hope the last book gives a little more and not so predictable about Sage and his kingdom.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The adventure continues in this sequel to The False Prince. Jaron has been recognized as the new king of Carthya. However, his Regents don't trust him or think him capable. They want to appoint a Steward to oversee the kingdom until Jaron comes of age. Jaron finds this annoying but what angers him more is the Regents' failure to see the danger to the kingdom that Avenia and the Pirates pose. After a failed assassination attempt carried out by old friend turned enemy Roden, Jaron decides to leave and neutralize the pirate threat. That seems like an impossible task but Jaron is incapable of accepting defeat and he finds that he has old friends in Imogen and Mott and new friends in Master Rulon Harlow and some thieves named Erick and Fink. There are lots of adventures, and Jaron faces lots of danger, on his way to the pirates' town. There are daring escapes, sword fights, and lots and lots of Jaron's smart-mouthed quips. Jaron is the sort of character who always has deeply hidden plans that only slowly unfold for the reader. I enjoyed this story and know that students who read The False Prince will be eager for this next book of Jaron's adventures.

[nike13-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good book, pirates and double-crossing galore with some court drama as well but that only happens for a litle bit at the beginning. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Gah I can't believe this is only a trilogy! I don't know how the kingdom can be secured in just one more book.

[MollyMoonPardo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The beginning of the book was very strong. I also liked how it ended.

[Linda Negrone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can't put this down. It makes you want, no, have to know what's next. This is so well done.

[lincolnpan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Predictable and average vs a good book 1

[liveshipvivacia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The False Prince was about Jaron proving that he could be the prince. The Runaway King is about Jaron proving that he can win his country's heart in order to fill his role as the king, and I assume the third book will be about Jaron proving he can rule as king. It's a nice neat little arrangement here and I have to admit that I felt everything fit together neater than in the previous book.

There were times in this book when I winced because I could tell Jaron was about to get himself killed. That boy survives on luck, wits, and sass. Seriously, he complains about the devils beleaguering him? He has more sass than anyone should possess.

I also liked that even though the book was told in first person narrative, you could determine his character through it. Too often, first person narrative leads to a very restricted point of view, where you can only tell other characters, not how someone might be a flawed narrator. Jaron is definitely a flawed narrator.

Although there were things that he could have done better or thought through better, it seems like everything he set out to do worked in the end. Granted, he'll have permanent injuries, but he had that in the last book too.

After finishing this book, admittedly a while after its publication date, I yearn for the last book. It comes out at the end of February. Rawr. I want it sooner.

[Amy Drapeau · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good sequel! It kept me wanted to see what happens next. The only thing that I find is missing is a romantic side to the book. I know it is happening but it was still lacking. Can't wait for the third.

[Tina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The whole family enjoyed this sequel and listened to it with eager anticipation on a road trip.

[jennmullen82 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book filled me with joy! The adventure, the journey ahead, and Jaron. I love Jaron’s boldness and character. I read the book in two days! I loved it. I won’t spoil it for you readers, but Jaron, the unwanted king, goes on a journey including theives, pirates, and traders, which helped him become the beloved, brave, bold king. Jaron must bring back Sage, join theives, steal from a fatherly friend, fight pirates, end the battle with Roden, and come back, alive, to resume as King.

[Cenydd Bailey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best series ever! Not as good as the first book but still amazing! My fav character is Roden! Even though he is trying to kill Jaron! And also Mott, he is great!

[Dave Blazer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like the author, narrator, the stories, and the voices

[nursebob-254919 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Worthy second instalment in which our heroically foolhardy boy-king must contend with thieves and evil pirates...arr!...while at the same time learning a few valuable lessons about what it means to be a ruler. A great swashbuckling adventure aimed at the YA crowd (the violence is strictly PG, the sex non-existent) that ends with a nice set of resolutions and a troubling complication to set the stage for book #3.

[zeborah · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Okay that was disappointing. I'd been looking forward to see the series continue, but the first chapter again felt reminiscent of a scene in the Attolia series, and then promptly the plot got very silly. It's massively contrived for the pirates to give the king ten days to surrender himself(?!) instead of simply killing him when they demonstrably have the opportunity. And he then falls into the idiot trap of sending away the person he loves For Her Safety without telling her why; and similarly fails spectacularly to communicate with his betrothed, or with anyone else for that matter. And the scheme the council comes up with is ??? and his response to it is !!! --Okay, that part's in character at least I guess but not the part of his character I'd expected or wanted this book to be about. I stuck with it for a little more but grew more and more bored with his escapades until I decided to just leave him to it.

[mollygroff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book two in the series is pretty amazing. Even though I didn't love it quite as much as the first book, I still love it! I loved the danger and plot, and also....
..that there we pirates.

[jennybeast · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I didn't love this as much as the first one, I have to admit. The adventure was solid, but the terse writing style kept throwing me off and I felt like it was all just a little too easy.

[mutantpudding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While this book didn't grab me as much as the first book in the series I still found it hard to put down. The complex dynamics between characters and the way the story is conveyed from protagonist to reader keeps you guessing what will happen next. While sometimes a bit over the top in terms of realism I really enjoyed this book and hope to finish the trilogy soon.

[jmoncton_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm binge reading through this trilogy. Loved the first book, but I'm always anxious when I read the 2nd. Will it live up to the expectations set by a strong first book? In this case, a resounding yes. On to book number 3!

[kayis813-163108 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was just as funny, easy to read, and neat as the first book! This series is really refreshing for me especially with all the heavy literature I have to read for school.

it's the first time I've finished a book in one day in a while... That cliffhanger though!

I'm moving though and unfortunately the final book is packed away for now

[mrnattania72 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Okay - middle of the road story and kinda predictable. Hope the last book gives a little more and not so predictable about Sage and his kingdom.