Review Detail

What I Loved: King Jaron has a dark journey in this third book of the Ascendance series. Barely recovered from his broken leg and returning from being named King of the pirates, he learns that 3 other countries have invaded his landlocked kingdom of Carthya. Not only does he fear for his people, but Imogen has been captured as a trap for him. Mott convinces him it is too dangerous for him to attempt a rescue. However, he must go once Mott is captured too and their torture is assured. The escape goes wrong, and he watches in horror as Imogen is struck with an arrow and he is captured.
This is a much darker book as King Jaron loses the will to fight, grieves for a love he never acknowledged and undergoes physical torture at the hands of Avenia. It takes his friends getting captured to force him to use his famous stubbornness and brilliant wit to get them all free.
Along the way, his friends find their place in their new roles better. Tobias works to become a physician. Amarinda and Jaron come to an understanding of their betrothal. Roden rises to his potential as the Captain of the Guard and learns a vital secret about his past. Jaron enlists the help of his pirates, and a few clever tricks fall into place to ensure a peaceful resolution. And since this is middle-grade fiction, not everyone believed to be dead is, in the end, letting the story plots wrap up nicely for a happy ever after.
Final Verdict: I absolutely love the character of King Jaron/Sage. Yes, his luck allows for a lot of fantastical plans to be pulled off with few hitches. But the grand reveal of his plots and his self-deprecating humor is very engaging. Each book is fast-paced and leaves you guessing how he could possibly win. However, being middle-grade fiction things turn out rosy and well at the end. This book was originally the end of a trilogy. So, when I found out there are two more books it was worth the re-read as I prepare to immediately start the fourth book in the series.