THE DECEIVER'S HEART (The Traitor's Game #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game, Kestra Dallisor has finally gained possession of the Olden Blade. With the dagger in her control, she attempts to destroy the tyrannical Lord Endrick. But when Kestra fails, the king strips her of her memory, and leaves her weak and uncertain, bound to obey him. Heartbroken, Simon is desperate to return Kestra to the rebel she was, but refuses to use magic to heal her. With untrusting Coracks and Halderians threatening to capture and kill her, and war looming on the horizon, Kestra and Simon will have to learn to trust each other again if they have any hope of surviving. But can a heart once broken ever be healed?

The Deceiver's Heart marks a stunning return to Jennifer A. Nielsen's gorgeously rendered world of Antora and all its treachery and magic.



Opening line:
"Barely daring to breath, I crept forward, hoping Lord Endrick wouldn't be aware of my presence until I was closer."
Because Lord Endrick needs to die! Sorry. I just finished listening to the story. 
There was so much in the story I didn't like, NO, I mean, so many motives that made me so angry and annoyed. There were so many people who made all the twists and turns because of their own stupidness and self-centeredness and idiocy and maybe a little of "I love you so much I'm going to save you by sacrificing myself." GAH
But I still love Jennifer Nielsen's writing and of course, I'll read the next book. 

 

THE SCOURGE by Jennifer A Nielsen

As a lethal plague sweeps through the land, Ani Mells is shocked when she is unexpectedly captured by the governor’s wardens and forced to submit to a test for the deadly Scourge. She is even more surprised when the test results come back positive, and she is sent to Attic Island, a former prison turned refuge—and quarantine colony—for the ill. The Scourge’s victims, Ani now among them, can only expect to live out short, painful lives there.

However, Ani quickly discovers that she doesn’t know the whole truth about the Scourge or the Colony. She’s been caught in a devious plot, and, with the help of her best friend, Weevil, Ani means to uncover just what is actually going on. But will she and Weevil survive the Scourge—and the gorvernor’s wardens—long enough to make their escape and expose the cruel plan?





  Opening line:
"Few things were worth the risk to my life, but the juicy vine fruit was one of them."

I listened to this book and couldn't stop! Another great book from Jennifer Nielsen! 

5 STARS 

A Night Divided by Jennifer A Nielsen

  From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a stunning thriller about a girl who must escape to freedom after the Berlin Wall divides her family between east and west.

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family divided overnight. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can't help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city.

But one day, while on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Then, when she receives a mysterious drawing, Gerta puts two and two together and concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?

I have a hard time reading or watching anything about WWII. It hearts my heart. I literally can only read OR watch one story about the time a year. A year! That’s how much the injustices and hardships and pains and deaths weigh on me. And then I get Jennifer’s book and I HAVE to read it, even if I’d already read a WWII book this year. Why did I HAVE to read? Because Jennifer is an awesome writer and I will read anything she writes. Even if it’s just her signature on a napkin (smiley).
This story is set right about the time the Berlin Wall went up. Gerta and her family are seperated and she’s determined to reunity them, even though she’s only twelve. She’s spunky and brave and leaves the reader wondering if we can be brave too. I found myself rooting for her and her plans, especially toward the end of the book.
A good, clean read that I would recommend to all ages but especially to younger readers (sixth grade up) to help understand a little bit what went on behind the wall.

L: No
V: Scariness because of the times
S: No

THE RUNAWAY KING (The Ascendance Trilogy #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated 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 Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!


First line:
"I had arrived early for my own assassination."
I'm really enjoying this series. There are pirates, treasures and a princess involved in this installment.
Jaron is the rightful king and after making it back on the throne, he has to leave it again to keep his country safe. He turns on the people who are close to him so they don't get hurt because of him. I( didn't really like that part.) I felt bad for both Imogen and Amarinda. I like both of them and didn't think they got treated well.
I thought Jaron was clever and I found myself rooting for him to win, even when he pulled through because something convenient happened. 
There is a lot of action and a few twists that kept me reading. Good job, Ms. Nielsen.


Rating: PG
S: No
L: No
V: Some fighting

Liked:
Jaron
Storyline

Disliked:
Roden
Why Roden??


4 1/2 STARS

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. 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. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. 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. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As 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.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

First line:
"If I had to do it all over again, I would not have chosen this life."

Loved. This. Book.
Reminded me of the Attolia series, which I also loved. Both are clever, witty, smart and I fell in love with the main characters in both.
The book opens on the day Sage's life changes. He's paid for and taken from an orphanage to learn to become the false prince. From the first day, Sage had to use his brain and muscle to stay alive and keep his benefactor, Connor, on his toes.
Sage also has to compete with two other orphans. One is brainy, one is all brawn. Sage is clever. But Connor is not impressed with him. From the beginning, the two clash and Sage is constantly testing Connor and his patience.
I figured out some of the twists but am totally not clever to figure out everything.
I'm ready for the next book! And this series will be in my personal library.

Rating: PG
V: No
L: No
S: No

Liked:
Everything Sage
Storyline

Disliked:
Having to wait for the other two books

5 STARS