The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“The False Prince” is a story about Sage. Sage is an orphan boy who is quite defiant. He gets into a lot of trouble. In fact, it is as he is stealing some meat that he is nabbed by Conner along with 3 other boys. Conner presents a plan to the 4 boys. Sage isn’t very cooperative with the plan. He causes problems for Conner but Conner keeps him involved in his plan mostly because he doesn’t give Sage or the others any other option. This is no minor plan. Conner wants to present one of them as the long lost son of the king.

Even though Sage is a bit of a rebel rouser, I couldn’t help but thoroughly enjoy his character. I loved all of the characters of this story. I felt a part of their life as I read.

I had just finished a book before this one and so I picked this book up just to read a little to see what it was about because I was going to read it next. Next thing I knew I had been up all night and I finished it. This book is great from page 1.

One thing I like about it is that even though it is the first book of a trilogy (the Ascendance trilogy) it had a really satisfying ending. I don’t often see that in trilogies. I could see where this book was going but I also feel that many loose ends were covered. It was great.

I highly recommend this book.

Peasant Queen by Cheri Chesley

This was a fun little tale that I enjoyed.

Krystal is a girl that her brother's take care of since her mom is blind and her father has died.  Her brothers set up an arranged marriage for her.  She is not happy about it and runs away.  As she runs away though she is surrounded by some guards and kidnapped.  Magic is used and she is very far from home and taken to a castle and to King Gregory.  This is a different life and there is lots of adventure in this distant land.

One thing about the book I would have liked to have different is I kept wanting to make the main character eat. It seemed she never ate. She was always too involved in what was going on around her to bother eating.  Her stomache was often upset.

This book has magic, romance, kissing, adventure, beauty and is just a fun read.  I enjoyed it.

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

This book doesn't disappoint. It is adventurous, fun, romantic, and thought provoking. Enna is Isi's (Anni's) friend. Enna's brother finds a piece of vellum and learns how to use fire. He seems to change because of it and not in a good way.

Meanwhile, Isi is having a problem with the wind. It is very loud and her husband finds her a place that doesn't have as much wind that is low in the castle.

War is on the horizon with a country that wants to take back their land from many generations ago.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of this book. It is a delight. I had a hard time putting this book down. It is wonderful!

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I am officially a Shannon Hale fan. This book was wonderful and I want more. Fortunately, there are more books about this same place called, "The Books of Bayern." I will be reading them.

I was hooked on his book by page 2. I recounted what had happened so far from page 2 to my husband. When I said it aloud I realized that everything was intriguing and so much happens even by page 2. I relished every word and couldn't put the book down.

Ani is born with her eyes closed. She doesn't open them until her Aunt comes and tells her stories in the middle of the night. She is close to her aunt and her Aunt teaches her many things and stories that come in handy later on in the story. I don't want to say too much because there's much to be discovered on your own.

I highly recommend this book and would love to read it again--if I didn't have more of her books to try.