To unify the divided people in the kingdom of Carthya, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a plan to create an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four boys are taken from orphanages to compete for the role, including a feisty, defiant boy named Sage. Taken to Conner's sumptuous palace, they are trained to fight, to ride, to behave like a prince. Each of the boys realizes that the penalty for losing the contest will be death, so no one can be trusted. Layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that is both shocking and dangerous.
The second book in this trilogy, The Runaway King, is already out.
If you loved this, you'll like:
Moran, Katy. Bloodline. Candlewick, 2009.
Morris, Gerald. The Squire's Tale. Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
Pierce, Tamora. Terrier. Random, 2006.
Spradlin, Michael. Keeper of the Grail. Putnam, 2008.
The second book in this trilogy, The Runaway King, is already out.
If you loved this, you'll like:
Moran, Katy. Bloodline. Candlewick, 2009.
Morris, Gerald. The Squire's Tale. Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
Pierce, Tamora. Terrier. Random, 2006.
Spradlin, Michael. Keeper of the Grail. Putnam, 2008.