The False Prince

By Jennifer Nielsen

This is one of my favorite books to read to kids. I've read it to a few of my classes, and they always enjoy it.  It is quick-witted, action-packed, and full of twists and turns.

In the beginning of the books, you meet Sage, a 14 year old orphan who just stole a turkey.  He's stopped and bought by a wealthy noble named Connor Bevin.  Connor has a plan, a devious plot that is dangerous. Besides Sage, Connor has also bought 3 other 14 year old boys, all orphans that are similar in size and description. One of the boys, Latamer, decides he doesn't want to participate so Connor has him killed to show how serious this is. Sage is furious, but listens well. He's all about what's best for him, and what's best for him right now is not getting killed.

Connor's plan is simple but dangerous. The King, Queen, and Crowned-Prince Darius were killed. The other prince, Jaron, went missing 4 years ago and is assumed dead though no body was ever found. Connor's plan is to take one of the remaining boys and turn him into the lost Prince Jaron, helping him to ascend to the throne.  Connor will not take no for an answer, nor will be be gentle. They have 2 weeks.

Sage is not one for taking orders or doing anything that makes him work.  He defies Connor at every turn, his mouth and quick-wit often getting him into trouble. But he knows that if he's not chosen to be prince, he will be killed.  Sage is also one for many secrets, finding others and keeping his.  He sneaks out every night, climbing around the outside of the manor or tiptoeing through the secret passageways, gathering information.
In the end, Sage makes sure he's the one chosen as Prince. He's got a great secret up his sleeve that thwarts Connor's ultimate plan, and he saves the other two boys. In the end, Sage becomes the Prince.  Many people are not happy, especially Connor who is arrested for killing the King, Queen, and Prince Darius, and war threatens the borders of the country.  All set up for a second book!

What I liked: I love Sage! He is smart, quick, and lively.  He does what is best, even if you don't see it right away. Everything he does has a purpose and reason. He always has a secret plan up his sleeve and a witty remark to throw in your face. He is a fantastic main character.  Some of the side characters are just as wonderful. The story line and twists are spectacular.

There is nothing I didn't like about this book or the other 2 in the series.  These are phenomenal books! I would recommend them for middle school kids and young adults, boys and girls.  It is a fun book!

The School of Good and Evil: The Last Ever After

By Soman Chainani

I know it's been a really long time since I last wrote a post, but life has been very busy. I actually finished this book a while ago, but I haven't had time to write about it. In fact, I have to play catch up on a bunch of books.

The Last Ever After is the 3rd and final book of The School of Good and Evil series. It is a really long book. The first half I was a little bored and it took me a while to get into it. But the second half of the book was fun and action-packed!

In the beginning of the third book, Agatha and Tedros are now back in Galvadon, living in secret in Agatha's mother's house. When the townspeople realize they are there, they capture Agatha, Tedros, and Agatha's mother.  A witch's burning is planned.  Agatha and Tedros escape with some help, but Agatha's mother sacrifices herself to save them.  They run away and find a secret portal into the other realm.  Princess Uma, one of the former teachers are the School of Good and Evil, takes them to the League of Thirteen, the most powerful heroes. However, time has not been good to the heroes.  They are old, overweight, and cranky.  Their plan is the capture Sophie, have her destroy the ring on her finger, and then crown Tedros and Agatha.

Sophie, meanwhile, is living at the School of Good and Evil with her true love, Rafal, the evil School Master. He is now young and incredibly handsome. Because she wears his ring, he has power because he has love on his side. And he will do anything to have Sophie keep it there.  The School of Good and Evil is messed up though. All of the students, Evers and Nevers, are combined into one school and crammed into the School of Good.  They are all taught to be villains.  At the other school, the School of Evil, old villains have returned and are plotting their revenge. These zombie-like, famous villains gain power by killing their heroes, and they are all out to find their counterparts so they can change their stories.  With each hero that is killed, a bit of Galvadon's protective border is removed.  This is part of Rafal's plan.  He wants the border to be brought down so he can attack the village and kill all the Readers.

Tedros and Agatha disguise themselves and sneak into the School, kidnap Sophie, and hide out with the other members of the League in a secret refuge, which also hides Guinevere and Lancelot.  Tedros must face his mother and what she did by leaving him long ago. The League also decides they must practice together, an old hero and a young hero/villain.  It's hard at first, but they learn to work together for good.

Sophie tries once again to get Tedros to love her. She's unsure whether Rafal or Tedros is her true love, but when she kisses Tedros, she realizes there is nothing there between them. She goes back to Rafal before the final battle.

In the final battle, the stakes are high.  The army of villain is massive while the heroes are few.  Surprises happen throughout, but in the end, evil is defeated. Sophie realizes that she doesn't need anyone to be her true love. She can be alone and happy. Agatha and Tedros plan to marry and be crowned at Camelot. Sophie becomes one of the new Deans at the new School of Good and Evil. And the end is sweet.

What I liked: I liked some of the new characters, like Merlin and Guinevere. Their stories and the twists were great.  The returning side characters like Dot and Anadil were fantastic and always good for comic relief or perspective.  The struggle of the main characters was realistic and interesting.

What I didn't like: The beginning was slow.

I would recommend this book/series to upper elementary and middle school kids who like fairy tales. This story also had a lot of action, adventure, and goriness so boys might like it more too.  It is good, clean, and fun.