Books in The Ascendance Series series

Acclaimed author Jennifer A. Nielsen marks a return to the world of her beloved New York Times bestseller The False Prince in this highly anticipated fourth book of the Ascendance Series!In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him -- but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last.On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage. The mysterious captors and their leader, Jane Strick, accuse Jaron of unthinkable acts. They are also in possession of some shocking items -- including the crown and sword that belonged to Jaron's older brother, Darius. The items unearth a past Jaron thought he had put behind him.Though it seems impossible, Jaron must consider: Could Darius be alive? And what does Strick want from Jaron? Against his will, Jaron will be pulled back into a fight for the throne -- and a battle to save his kingdom.Return to Carthya to uncover new secrets, high-stakes action, and Jennifer A. Nielsen's signature breathtaking twists.

Peter Davidson’s short life has been a series of challenges.The troubles began with the loss of his mother, something his father, Big Ed, has never overcome. His brother, Eli, wants only to escape their hand-to-mouth farming existence for life in the big city. Now fate has decided to dry-up the river that nourishes their farm.Help comes from an unlikely source - a small glowing Orb that Peter finds in the river bed. Orb claims that the world was once awash in peace and prosperity under his rule. He needs Peter’s help to regain his power and his throne. In return, Orb will cure all that ails Peter, his family, and the world.Peter joins the quest to help Orb and discovers along the way that there are many different versions of the truth -and very few things in this, or any world, that are purely good.Full of nonstop action, suspense, and adventure, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills!Fans of Marissa Meyer, Suzanne Collins, and Madeleine L'Engle will love The Promise of The Orb...

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!

In this fast-paced fantasy adventure, The Promise of the Orb brings young adult readers on a thrilling ride. Peter Davidson’s short life has been a series of challenges. Help comes from an unlikely source – a small glowing Orb. Orb claims the world was once awash in peace and prosperity under his rule. He needs Peter’s help to regain his throne. In return, Orb will cure all that ails Peter, and the world. Peter agrees to help and discovers that few things in this, or any world, are purely good.

At age thirteen, Peter Davidson now has more power than any other human on the planet. Unfortunately for Peter, this power comes from the alien, Orb, who is reshaping Earth and its inhabitants to fit his vision of perfection. Peter and his friends are conflicted. Do they continue to serve Orb, decimate the world’s human population and remove the last bits of free will left on the planet, or should they risk it all and use the powers they have been given to attempt to overthrow their new master? If Orb discovers their plot, it is certain death for Peter, his friends, and their families. If they instead support Orb, it will cost the lives of billions more – and time is already running out. If you like an action-packed fantasy adventure, you'll love this series!

The war continues...The conflict has ended. Queen Sybelle nears the end of her pregnancy, yet finds herself embroiled in another dispute that will dash her hopes of maintaining peace. As his ships are plundered and his trade is stifled, King Crios of Ludorum is at his wit's end and demands that Sybelle breaks her alliance with the pirates and puts their unlawful business to an end.The decision to do as he asks weighs heavily on her mind. Should she sever all ties, she risks instability for her people. Should she defy the order, she risks their chance for peace. Now, she finds herself torn between her desires and the fear of becoming a monster.

Some wars aren't fought on battlefields...While Queen Sybelle rules her kingdoms and conducts politics from her palace in Lionessa, Gyles Arrer travels to Azura. Unsettled by the changes, the Azurians struggle with the strong presence of their longtime foes; the pirates that their new Queen has called her allies. Between friendships, old and new, the outbreak of the war with Ludorum and his own demons, Gyles is left with the task of maintaining Queen Sybelle's rule and holding an entire kingdom together.