The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen

Adventure

Age -10-13

Grade - 6-8 

317 pages, hardcover

c. 2014

     The Shadow Throne is the last volume in The Ascendance Trilogy, which began with The False Prince and continued with The Runaway King. Jaron has returned triumphantly to his throne in Carthya, having become king of the pirates and restored to friendship with Rodan. However, war is about to break out with three separate neighboring countries. To make matters worse Imogen, the serving girl that Jaron loves, has been kidnapped by the evil king Vargan of Avenia.

            Prepare yourself for a roller-coaster ride of ferocious battles, improbable plans, impossible escapes, treachery, betrayal, cruelty, undying loyalty, unexpected kindness and just possibly a happy ending. All the characters have developed through the series, especially Jaron. From a self-conscious, arrogant orphan he has matured into a true leader of his people capable of inspiring great loyalty and dedication. He has learned how to trust others and accept their counsel. He still makes poor and rash decisions at times and has kept his sense of humor and love of being mischievous, but he has proved himself to be leader dedicated to his people and willing to make great sacrifices for their well- being.

            Nielsen shows great wisdom and insight about true leadership qualities in the dialog she gives several characters. Roldan, as captain of the army, is having trouble inspiring his soldiers to follow him. Jaron gives him some good advice when he says, “Nobody gives you respect in this life. You must take it, you must earn it, and then you must hold it sacred, because no matter how hard respect is to gain, it can be lost in an instant. Go get it, Rodan. People won’t follow a leader who doesn’t know where he is going. Show them that you do.” In another instance, when Jaron is tempted to give up after great personal heartache and brutal physical torture, Mott tells him, “It’s your storm, and the future of us all depends on you now. So who are you? Sage, an orphan boy who cares only for himself? Or the undisciplined, rebellious prince your father sent away? Life has tested your resilience and strength and willpower, and you have succeeded in ways nobody even thought possible. But the storm has never been worse, and it will either destroy you or define you. When everything is taken from you, can you still stand before us as Jaron, the Ascendant King of Carthya?”

            Jaron is truly one of my favorite fictional heroes and there are many secondary characters that are both realistic and inspiring. Tobit develops his own strength, though not as a soldier, and Amarinda and Imogen are both strong, resilient woman, each in their own way. Connor Bevin, the regent who kidnapped Jaron in the first book, remains an enigmatic character to me. Is he just a cruel, power hungry man or the loyal patriot he claims himself t be or something in between? I would welcome the thought and comment of other readers on this. I highly recommend this trilogy.