The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen continues the engaging adventure of Jaron with a thrilling plot and well-developed characters. The fast-paced narrative is praised, although some found parts predictable and repetitive. Overall, the book is an exciting sequel that captivates fans of the series, albeit with minor flaws.

A reader who enjoys fast-paced, adventure-filled stories with a clever, resourceful protagonist, similar to those in The False Prince and Percy Jackson & The Olympians, would be captivated by Jennifer A. Nielsen's The Runaway King. Fans of intrigue, daring escapes, and royal plots will find it particularly engaging.

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen follows Jaron, the 15-year-old king of Carthya, as he faces threats from the kingdom of Avenia and its pirate allies. Ambushed and given an ultimatum by Roden, a former friend turned assassin, Jaron disguises himself as Sage to confront the pirates and their leader, Devlin. The tale explores themes of trust, loyalty, dual identity, and leadership struggles.

Adventurous / Suspenseful / Exciting / Emotional / Contemplative

- The Runaway King is the second book in Jennifer A. Nielsen's Ascendance series, which originally began as a trilogy but later expanded with additional books due to its popularity.
- The cover art for The Runaway King was illustrated by Larry Rostant, known for his work on several other popular young adult book covers.
- Jennifer A. Nielsen received the Whitney Award for Best Middle Grade Novel in 2013 for The False Prince, the first book in the Ascendance series.

**Jaron Artolius Eckbert III**  
Jaron is the young king of Carthya who possesses a quick wit and adventurous spirit, as he strives to find his place and protect his kingdom amidst looming dangers.

**Imogen**  
A strong and clever ally of Jaron, who works at the castle and showcases her bravery through supportive actions during trying times.

**Mott**  
A loyal and brave confidant to Jaron, characterized by his strong opinions and dedication to protecting the king.

**Roden**  
An initially antagonistic figure who undergoes significant development, reflecting themes of redemption and allegiance.

**Fink**  
A young boy associated with thieves, whose eager and adventurous nature is tempered as he allies with Jaron.

**Devlin**  
The pirate king whose imposing presence and cruel methods position him as a significant adversary in the story.

**Gregor Breslan**  
Jaron’s captain of the guard, characterized by an authoritative demeanor, whose strict nature conceals deeper ambitions.

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Middle grade

Novel

Ascendance

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Runaway King reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Runaway King | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Runaway King and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Runaway King Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Runaway King Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-11

The Runaway King Chapters 1-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-22

The Runaway King Chapters 12-22 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 23-30

The Runaway King Chapters 23-30 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 31-43

The Runaway King Chapters 31-43 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Runaway King Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Runaway King Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Runaway King Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Runaway King Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Runaway King Essay Topics

The Runaway King

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Runaway King?

Reading Age

Book Details