The False Prince

I am bleary-eyed this morning, and it's been a while since I felt this way because I stayed up all night to finish a book...but what a book!!  I finished it in about 48 hours - could not put it down!  And on top of all that - it's not even an adult book!  It's for teens and young adults! 

The False Prince tells the story of Sage, an orphan boy in a fictitious medieval-age world who is bought from the orphanage by a mysterious, powerful stranger.  Three other boys are also chosen, and these four are pitted against one another in a contest to see which one of them can pull off their new master's plan: pretend to be the long-lost prince of Carthya in order to stave off a civil war. 

It's kind of like a cross between The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones.  Except for a younger audience, so it's not quite so gory.

Anyway, as the story wears on - told from Sage's point of view - twists and turns appear throughout the story, and you find yourself breathlessly turning the pages, waiting to see what happens next.  And just when you think you have it all figured out, there is a HUGE surprise awaiting everyone involved that turns everything in the far off land of Carthya upside down.  Nothing is quite as it seems...

This book is fast paced, well-written, and captivating.  I would recommend it to readers about 6th grade and up in a heartbeat.  I don't remember the last book I read that kept me up till 1:00 am to find out the ending.  This was worth every moment of fatigue.

As a side note, this would also be an excellent read-aloud book for middle school teachers.  There is so much you could do with inferences, point of view, and making predictions.  You could even read it through twice - once from one perspective, then a second time from another, knowing the ending.  It would also captivate a wide audience - boys as well as girls will love it. 

This is short and sweet because I don't want to give too much away.  Sufficient to say, this book is a quick read that is worth your time.  Set aside 48 hours and read it.  You won't regret it.

Whew!  I need a nap...

5 out of 5 stars.  Hands down.

What I'm Reading Now: Becoming Myself by Stasi Eldredge

Top 5 TBR:
1. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
2. Shooting Victoria by Paul Thomas Murphy
3. A Prophetic Calendar by Jill Shannon
4. Forgotten God by Francis Chan
5. The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordian