The Runaway King Review

352 pages
Release date: March 1st, 2013

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

Review (ARC):
I completely fell in love with Jaron in the first novel and he just doesn't disappoint in the second one. Jaron is an amazingly brave and wily main character, and despite his feelings about being king, he is still willing to help keep his country safe. I think the thing I admire most about Jaron is he doesn't just sit back and let others do things for him but instead he is ready and willing to get his hands dirty. A lot of familiar characters return and we are also introduced to some new ones which are either endearing or horrific. A bit of a love triangle emerges but it isn't a main factor of this story. There are plots to assassinate Jaron and as the mystery behind who is responsible unravels, quite a few surprising revelations are brought to light. There is a lot of action and a great adventure which is both exciting and dangerous. This novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I can't wait to see what happens next. I definitely recommend that you read this if you love a good fantasy novel but make sure you read The False Prince first.