The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Series, Book 3)

Written by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Narrated by Charlie McWade

Jennifer A. Nielsen takes readers on an extraordinary journey with the False Prince in this third installment of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Series.

War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go wrong does.His friends are flung far and wide across Carthya and its neighboring lands. In a last-ditch effort to stave off what looks to be a devastating loss for the kingdom, Jaron undertakes what may be his last journey to save everything and everyone he loves. But even with his lightning-quick wit, Jaron cannot forestall the terrible danger that descends on him and his country. Along the way, will he lose what matters most? And in the end, who will sit on Carthya's throne?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, 2014
• ISBN: 9780545640077

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.

[Celeste B · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good ending to the trilogy even with all the fight scenes

[Anna Bigham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this series! From the stubborn personality of Jaron to the loyalty to Carthya and its king from Roaden to all of the many people I ended up feeling for in this series.

[mrnattania · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Though after reading the other two books, I felt I knew what might happen with Sage and his band if characters. Only 3/5. Here's looking at her new series

[Diane · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I wish i could post a review but sadly I can’t because this book is and I quote “not available in my country “.

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

Great book! In fact, great Trilogy. Enraptured throughout the read.

[Noah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

fantastic! the writing the characters the descriptions! i couldn't put it down.

[Scott Molvar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this series! Probably one of my favorite series' ever. The characters are well written and are amazing. I loved every minute of listening/reading this book. I was sad to see it end! Highly recommend this series PLUSS the other series' by this author

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

I’m so happy this isn’t really the last one! I can’t put this series down

[jami_leigh · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Plot: 4 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Style: 3 stars
Pace: 3 stars

This was almost a 4 star book. It just didn't hold my attention well enough to draw me through it. (Though I'll admit, that might be because the sheer volume of other reading I'm doing). The ending rocked it though, which saved it somewhat.

[Sasha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read the trilogy and loved it! I am so sad it is over .?

[ElanaBurke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is really a good book!Just love it!

[Faiza Browne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a series!

The ascendance trilogy is captivating and the twists and turns have you on edge beginning to the end!

[bmt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great series lots of plot twists.

[nursebob-254919 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first two books were quite good but by the third book all the swordplay, derring-do, and impossible escapes have lost their freshness and our young royal protagonist's insufferable attitude has grown old. Nice fairy tale ending however, but I can't believe the author is milking the trilogy into a series.

[mollygroff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Shadow Throne is the third in the series (though, guess what...there's two more that she wrote much later!!) It tyes the trilogy up nicely and I loved it. So, yeah. If you read the False Prince, then you just had to read the other two.

[jmoncton_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The final book in a very satisfying series! I read this entire trilogy back to back. And although I'm not usually a binge reader for a series. I like to give some space in between so I can process and mull over the individual books. But in this case, the series was strong and I was definitely looking for a fiction escape from our current situation. I read this series in the midst of 2020, which will be known as the year of the pandemic. It's been 14 weeks since we've been sheltering in place, wearing masks and reciting the alphabet song as we wash hands. And it's been 14 weeks since I've had a professional haircut (and it shows...). This series is perfect escapist fiction. There are evil kings, and pirates, and assassins, and everyone kingdom surrounding Carthya wants to capture it and enslave the population. But never fear, because Carthya has a leader who is selfless, heroic, and understands his role as a leader is to his people -- not getting re-elected or getting great TV ratings. Did I mention that this Carthyan king also reads? This was a classic story of good vs evil, battling against insurmountable odds ... exactly the type of fairytale we all need now.

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

I really like how they handed all of the relationships in this. And it was super interesting to see everything come together! I figured Jarron was planning something but had no idea what and I doubted him several times!

[mrnattania72 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Though after reading the other two books, I felt I knew what might happen with Sage and his band if characters. Only 3/5. Here's looking at her new series

[humouress · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

{Third of 3: The Ascendance Trilogy children's, fantasy}

This is the third book of the [Ascendance trilogy] with events following on soon after those in the second book, much as that follows months after the events in the first book.

The threat of war has hung over the landlocked country of Carthya since the previous king’s reign. King Jaron has been making preparations ever since he came to the throne and now it is upon them. Things look desperate for Carthya with her troops outnumbered and enemies approaching from all sides but that is when Jaron is at his best. Jaron has always been clever, mischievous, impulsive and a little reckless but has always managed to pull off his daring plans. How is he going to manage this time, though, especially when his friends’ lives are put in danger?

I like Jaron; he cares for his friends and his people though I find his habit of running headlong into danger to rescue them, as though he couldn’t command anyone else to and against advice, a little disconcerting. He always claims to have a plan even when he doesn’t actually have one - but sometimes that’s a double bluff. He seems to be an eternal optimist and is willing to go through physical pain to pull off his plans. Sometimes I did find the coincidences in the plot a little too fortuitous despite his forward thinking.

On the whole, the plotting was well done and this is a nicely written children’s book. I like the way politics and strategy shows through in Jaron’s duty to his country and his forward planning. I must confess that there was an event that was foreshadowed that I could see going badly but it was handled quite well in the end. All the loose ends were tied up - but perhaps a little too neatly.

4 stars ****

[bookcharms-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There's always worry that the final book in the series won't be able to live up to everyone's expectations, but Jennifer A. Nielsen is able to dash away any doubts with this last book, offering everything needed to satisfy fans of the series and more. The Shadow Throne is by far the best book in The Ascendance Trilogy.

I tend to do most of my reading before bed, which in hindsight is actually a really bad habit because if a book is really good, I can kiss any chance of sleep that night good bye. The Shadow Throne was no exception. With war finally arriving in Carthya's doorsteps, Jaron's pushed to the limits as he travels from one end of his kingdom to the other to fend off every attack King Vargan has in store for him. With such fast-paced action, there weren't any parts where I could just put the book down and take a breath. I just had to know what happened next.

I'm finally beginning to see Jaron really own his title as the Ascendant King. From the beginning, Jaron's always been clever, stubborn, and he always has an eye for the bigger picture. If there's something Jaron wants, he's ready to go for it through any means possible. Still, Jaron could be really annoyingly abrasive at times, especially in the previous books. His general attitude has always been, "I am always right." Although it's clear he cares for Carthya, I also didn't get the impression that Jaron really wanted to be the Carthya's king until this book. He finally steps it up, and it's amazing how much Jaron grew up in The Shadow Throne.

It was also nice to see Jaron and Roden's friendship develop more as Jaron places more of his trust in Roden while Roden builds up his own confidence. Most of Roden's growth, however, happened off-screen, and I wish Jennifer Nielsen focused a bit more on the side characters half as much as she did for Jaron. Imogen was another character who suffered from lack of development. While I liked her in The False Prince and The Runaway King for her strength and unwavering resolve, she didn't appear much in this last book.

The Ascendance Trilogy is considered a middle grade series, so we don't really get the same depth and details as we would in a young adult/adult high fantasy series, and there were some parts that really glossed over the atrocities of war. Things tend to fall into place quite conveniently. It might not be enough to satisfy more hardcore high fantasy readers, but it's a quick, fun read, and it's a perfect series to introduce to younger readers, especially elementary/middle school kids.

SEE REVIEW @ BOOKCHARMED

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So...I noticed something during this book - the compulsive habit that was such a part of Jaron's personality his whole life that it identified him as the true prince in the first book got absolutely no other mention once if failed to be a plot device. Kinda annoying really. But then again, everything about Jaron was pretty obnoxious. Even still, I inexplicably enjoyed this book, and - indeed - the entire series...

[cool2mom2e · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great trilogy

I really loved all three books. The story was very engaging. I also loved that it was completely appropriate for my preteen to read.

[communitylibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this series from beginning to end. This final installment was a fitting conclusion to an enjoyable series.

[elizabeth1929-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

oh. my gosh.
this book was sooo amazing.
actually, all the books in this series are amazingly incredible.
There were so many wonderful surprizes. I love the way Jaron thinks. He's awesome. All his ideas were so entertaining.
I hate that this series is ending, even though the ending was perfect. Beautiful.
I don't think there are any words to describe how much I loved this series...
so I'll just say that this is THE BEST series I have ever read.

[destinyisntfree · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This title was long anticipated, so as soon as I saw it was coming, I quickly got in touch with my contact at Scholastic and they graciously sent me an advanced copy.

I fell in love with the boy known only as Sage in the first book, and when I found out his history and what his destiny was to be, I was excited and floored all at the same time.

Though I disliked Roden in the beginning, he grew on me as the series continued. I loved him in this book.

I usually have to make myself ignore editing in ARCs, but there was nothing to ignore in this one. This was beautifully written and edited and was such a compelling story. While I was in a hurry to get it, I was so sad to see it end. I have fallen in love with these characters over the last year and am very saddened to say goodbye to them. It is like that with any series, but perhaps more so with this one, since I felt so invested in the story since I waited so long for the last book.

I think this author has a lot of great things to offer the young adult literary field and I cannot wait to see what more she has to come.

[dcoward_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A nice conclusion to the Ascendance Trilogy.

[alsparks324 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the final book of this series Jaron faces war from the countries surrounding him and possibly from within his own country. Intrigue, action, and suspense surround this final book in the series. Again Jaron is forced to make some interesting choices in order to save his kingdom. Through great personal expense and at the risk of people he loves and cares about, he fights for his people. Full of twists and turns, another great chapter in this series.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The last in this trilogy is very true to the spirit of the previous two books, with Jaron recklessly risking his kingdom and safety, suffering imprisonment, beatings, defeat, and near execution. The war which loomed on the horizon in earlier books is now in full force and Jaron's defeat appears eminent for much of the book, although Jaron excels at turning the tables on his enemies. A fully satisfying conclusion.

[asomers_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a thoroughly satisfying conculsion to the Ascendance Trilogy. It is full of action and adventure. The trilogy will appeal to a wide range of readers with it's battle scenes, humorous moments and a splash of romance thrown in.This is a great selection for a middle school library.

[theindigoshelf-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Actual Rating: 1.5 (Spoilers ahead!)

The Shadow Throne was an incredible let-down. After I had invested my heart in such a lovable character I was completely taken aback by the total disappointment that was this book. The unbelievable actions of Jaron continue. There are also many things (people) that literally jump out of the woodwork in this finale. It was just too over-the-top for me.

Jaron is fighting a war throughout the entire book with the adults we've met in the previous two books. He is captured multiple times. Oh yeah, and Imogen is thought to be dead.

Jaron witnessed Imogen being dragged away after being shot by an arrow in the heart. It turns out she wasn't actually dead. The enemy just lucked out and were able to use her as a weapon later on. I was initially shocked that she died, but just about every chapter kept referencing it/her and it was obvious how the book was going to end.

The war that Jaron is fighting was a long time coming. There were so many deceitful characters in this series and guess what... they were all adults! Shocker. Just about every adult character that we were supposed to hate from the beginning are after Jaron and they manage to capture him. But he escapes again. Everything, and I mean everything in this book is predictable! Okay, that's not true- I was NOT expecting literal people to be jumping out of the woodwork at the very end. That's a new one!

The ending was too good to be true and not in a good way. I was incredibly disappointed with the entire book because Nielsen had such a good thing going with Jaron. I feel that The Shadow Throne was supposed to be intentionally dark, but the book just couldn't pull it off. It just came off as a failed attempt at shock and awe rather than character progression.