I feel like we’ve been talking about this book FOREVER! But it’s finally here, and I hope you will love it!
If you ordered from The King’s English, I will be going there later this week to sign all copies. If you wanted it signed with your name but forgot to put that in the order, please call them to correct that or send me an email from my CONTACT page with the name you want signed into the book.
If you ordered elsewhere and want swag, I will send whatever extra I have out to you. Send me an email with your name and address from the link above.
Either way, thank you. Thank you for supporting this book and the series, for your love of these characters and enthusiasm for their story to continue.
I turned in edits for book 5 yesterday and I hope I will be able to announce the title soon.
If you have not picked up a copy of THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM, please consider doing so, or requesting a copy from your local library. Or please recommend the series to a friend. All of these are enormous helps.
And finally, if you have not seen the 360 Trailer for the series, check it out HERE!
If you still want to order a book, here are some quick links you can use!
145 Comments
AAAAAAAAAAAH
FINALLY!!!!!
IM FREAKING OUT
EEEEKKK!!!!! I’m so excited!!! I’ve been waiting for today all year!!! My cousin and I had a little party for it’s release yesterday, and it was hard to sleep today. I can’t believe it’s going to be in my hands today!!!
Thank you!
I wish there was another book for The Mark of the thief series.
Perhaps one day!
AHHH!! I’m so excited!! I can’t wait till my copy comes today! 🙂
Thank you!
OMG!!!!! So Excited!!!!
Thanks SOOOO Much Mrs. Nielsen!!
Thank you!
I’m getting my copy today!! And I’m SO excited! I’m going to read it nonstop until I finish it.
Thank you!
YEYYYY! I’m so excited it’s finally here I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you!
YAY! I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you!
I’m SOOOOOOO excited to read this!!!!!!!
Thank you!
Happy Release Day! I just copy my copy and am excited to read it! Can’t wait to have you at Literary Rambles tomorrow!
Thank you – I’m looking forward to it too!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I’m SO excited, my copy better get here soon or there is a serious risk of me dissolving into a puddle of disappointment (hehe I love Fink). I stayed up far too late last night re-reading the end of The Shadow Throne AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR MORE JARON AND IMOGEN AND MOTT AND RODEN AND TOBIAS AND AMARINDA AND EVERY RANDOM PERSON IN CARTHYA, THEY ALL MAKE ME SO HAPPY AHHHHHHHH!!! I literally cannot thank you enough for making another not just one but TWO books full of Jaron wit in such a cool world built by fabulous writing… I’m excited beyond belief. Thank you so much!!!
Thank you!
I’m so psyched! I’ll definitely be making a trip to Barnes and Noble today. You’re the best!!!
Thank you!
I am so excited to get my hands on this book! I read the trilogy 6 years ago and was so surprised and excited when I saw that there was going to be a 4th book! Thanks so much for your incredible work!
Thank you!
*sooo happy right now*
Congrats, Mrs. Nielsen! I’ve ordered the book and can’t wait for it to arrive. 😀
I’m so happy for The Captive Kingdom. Thank you, Mrs. Jennifer, for the online launch party that happened Thursday. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you!
So if we order from The Kings English we automatically get swag and a signed copy without having to pay any racetrack money? And I love your writing so much, Ms. Nielsen!
Sorry, I mean extra, not racetrack. Oops!
Yes, no extra money.
Thank YOU, Jennifer, for the Ascendance Series (and all your other books, of course). And, of course, I recommend The False Prince to basically everyone I run in contact with. *I even loaned one of my MANY copies of The False Prince to a friend, who seemed really excited to read it*
Did you know, including my ARC, once all the books I made my family order of The Captive Kingdom come in, we’ll have five copies in our house? Plus when the paperbacks are released, I’ll need one of those, too *I think I’m obsessed*
Anyway, to end my long comment, I’m SUPER excited The Captive Kingdom is FINALLY released. The wait’s been tooooo long. 😉
Thank you!
Hello Ms. Nielsen! I just wanted to say that The Captive Kingdom launch party was magical, I loved “meeting” you! I hope you can do more virtual launch parties in the future for us far away! Second, I was absolutely MINDBLOWN with the trailer that Chase made, my heart was literally racing! So please tell him my thanks for making such an amazing trailer!!! I can’t wait to receive book 4 and hear more about book 5! 🙂
Thank you!
I am so excited to read The Captive Kingdom. Thank you for continuing the series.
For those of you who are still super excited about The Captive Kingdom, check this out- https://www.teenwritersnook.com/2020/10/06/the-captive-kingdom-is-released/ – you’ll love it.
I’m finished and I am dead it’s amazing, thank youuuuu!!!!
Thank you!
I’m super excited! Do you have a date for when they will be shipped from the bookstore? I’ve been anticipating it so long!!
I hope you’ve got the book by now.
Whoa!!! I finished! I won’t spoil, but that was amazing. I sent a super long email to Mrs. Nielsen about what I treasured about this book, but I wanted to recap something, because I feel like so many of us understand.
We grew up with Jaron, and he’s grown up with us. And that experience is very special.
Thank you, Mrs. Nielsen, for writing a real hero. He is flawed and sometimes foolish, but I love him deeply and for what he always fights for. Jaron is real, and it was (and will continue to be) an honor to hear his story.
❤️
Oh my gosh your comment was so heartfelt and true, it made me tear up.
Is this from the same world as the Ascendance Trilogy. My sister loved those books and made our Mom read them out loud to us.
Also, is Jennifer Nielsen seriously replying to everybody’s comments?
Hi yes, I am Jennifer Nielsen and I am replying!
I can’t believe today finally came. Ever since I found out there was going to be a fourth book of the Ascendance series, I’ve been counting down for this day, and it did not disappoint! My book arrived this afternoon and I spent the entire rest of the evening reading it until I finished it just now. It was such an amazing book with a stunning plot and I just can’t explain how great it was to hear Sage’s voice again. Thank you so much Mrs. Nielsen, for writing such a remarkable book and for letting us see these characters again! I am a writer and when I fail to voice such amazing characters and come up with such intricate plots, I read a book like this and am inspired to keep trying. The Ascendance series is so amazing and this book was just as good as the last three. I know that the truths revealed in it were not things you knew when writing the first three, but they fit in so well I am surprised they weren’t part of the story you knew all along (or did you know them?) Sorry for the long comment, and thank you so much for this amazing book that just made my day (and year.) I cannot wait for book five!
Thank you!
Is there any updates on when the paperback version will be released? I can’t wait to read this! But, my first 3 in the series are paperback.
Thank you for writing these books! The Ascendance series is seriously one of absolute favorites, if not my ABSOLUTE favorite. I’m pretty picky about storylines and characters and I thoroughly enjoy everything in this series. Several times I made screams of joy and surprise while reading a new twist. I am recommending this series to anyone who will listen. I just ordered the ‘Mark of the Thief” series. I wish they offered same day shipping on amazon.
I am ecstatic to hear there will be a 5th book!!!!
Thank you – though I expect it will be nearly a year before the paperback is released.
THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHINGLY FANTASTIC. I’ve been looking forward to it for SO LONG and it was SO GOOD!!!!!!!! Thank you for choosing to extend the series, and bringing back my favorite fictional characters of all time, jaron!! I have read numerous book series but this one STILL remains my favorite
Thank you!
I got it from my library today, it’s so pretty! I’ve only read a few pages but it already made me laugh out loud
I finished TCK today and it was so amazing! I loved the reference to The Duel short story from the audiobook so I was wondering when an audiobook will be released for TCK, if there will be one?
The audiobook should be released soon, if it is not released already!
Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. I just finished The Captive Kingdom! It was awesome! I really liked it! I really want to yell all my favorite parts, but I won’t for those of you who have yet to read it. You will not be disappointed!
i just finished it and i think this is the best book you have ever written!!!!!!
\
Thank you.
Jenifer, I LOVED THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM!!! I was wondering something, though. Since living in the castle, has Fink begun to use/develop a Carthyan accent?
He’s tried, but he still has the Avenian accent.
I just finished the book today, I do not want to spoil the book for anyone that has not finished it yet but I can tell you right now that it is a AMAZING BOOK. Jennifer you are my FAVORITE AUTHOR, I LOVE all your books!!!
Thank you.
I just finished it! Thank you for another fantastic story and I can’t wait to follow Jaron on his adventures in Book 5!
Thank you so much for giving us more of Sage/Jaron’s story! I finally got to pick my copy up from the post office yesterday afternoon and couldn’t put it down. I loved it so much and I can’t WAIT for the next installment.
Thank you!
Yay!!!
hey jen!so i saw a post that translated the names of places in the ascendance series into welsh,and a lot of them fit so well like with how carchar means prison,and jaron had to hide his identity there and live a poor life where he doesn’t get decent food and lives in a bad house and got abused,so it must’ve felt like a prison to him.and gelyn means enemy but that one’s pretty obvious.i was wondering was that naming intentional?
Seriously? I haven’t seen that post – might be very interesting. I’ll have to check it out!
Do you know when they’ll be shipped from TKE?
I hope you’ve received it by now.
Oh my! I got the book in two days!! That was so quick! I reread the first three books within 15 hours and I’m honestly a bit scared of myself! I didn’t realize how much you had on your blog and from now on I think I’ll check it more often! Eeeek!
Thank you!
I LOVED THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.I have been waiting for it for almost a year and once i got it i couldn’t put it down. I love Jaron,Fink,Imogen,And Mott, and i can’t wait for more news on a 5th book i’m already excited for it!!!!!
Thank you!
Congratulations, Jennifer! This series has been an inspiration to me for years and I enjoy every re-read. I can’t wait for this next installment to arrive; I want to start reading it right away. Looking forward to it!! 🙂
I just finished the book today, I do not want to spoil the book for anyone that has not finished it yet but I can tell you right now that it is a AMAZING BOOK. Jennifer you are my FAVORITE AUTHOR, I LOVE all your books!!
Thank you!
Comment Thank you sooooooo much for writing this amazing, action field, with lots of jokes in it, book!!!!! I really really love it and cant seem to put it down (neither can I stop reading any of your other books). I really love this full entire series (and your other books like the Mark of the Thief Series, the Traitor’s Game series, The Scourge and the other books) and I have got to say, I re-read them soo many times (I think that I read the False Prince 8 times by now and listened to the audiobook 5-6 times: I am half way down to memorizing the full entire book and might be a little obsessed with it). I also really love all of your characters in the books (though my favorite is Jaron: I love him and really wish that he was real).
Once again, thank you soooooo much for writing this book and all of your other books.
Wow, thank you!
Hi! When will the book be coming out in paperback? Thanks
It’ll probably be about ten months before the paperback is released.
Absolutely loved it! What a series.
Will there be a box set of The Ascendance Series for sale? I would love to buy all the books at once with the new covers, they’re so pretty!
I’m not aware of any box set plans at this point, but perhaps at some point they will.
I’m so excited for The Captive Kingdom! If we ordered it from The King’s English, when should we expect it to arrive?
I hope you’ve received it by now.
I loved it!!! Ahhh
Okay so now when is the next one coming out? 😆
Next fall – a long time to wait, I know, but I hope it will be worth it!
Hi! A few of us are wondering what the colours of each country are. Some were mentioned in the books, but we struggled to find what Gelyn and Mendenwal are? (oh, and ******* and ******** lol)
Avenia’s colors are black and red. Bymar is blue and white. Gelyn is green and yellow. Mendenwal is white and yellow. Carthya is Blue and gold.
hi jen i just wanted to ask what are the specific heights of the main characters?
Sage is 5’10”, Roden and Tobias are both a little taller. Amarinda is 5’6. Imogen is 5’7.
I just got my order of The Captive Kingdom and finished it in one day! I’m in love with this series and can’t wait for the fifth book.
Thank you!
I heard that this one was coming out and I thought “What?! The Shadow Throne had the perfect ending! Oh well I’m going to read it anyway.” I haven’t read the whole thing yet, but I love it so much!! I’m reading Traitor’s Game right now. OMGOSH it is so so intense.
Thank you!
The Captive Kingdom was wonderful!!! Oh, my words can not describe how thankful I am with the way things turned out.
But, this book made me wonder…Could you maybe write a short story about king Eckbert as a young man? I have always wondered what made him hate war and why he seems to care so little for his boys.
Also, is book five going to be the last installment? Or will you write more? Because, honestly, I never want to part with Sage
Interesting suggestion. And Book 5 is all I have planned for now, but that might change over the next year or two – we’ll see!
I finally fot my copy in the mail today!😍😍😍
I just started reading it and it already has me laughing out loud😂
My copy came in the mail yesterday and I read the whole thing in one day! The plot twists were incredible and I kept forgetting to breathe! I want to thank you so much for continuing the Ascendance Series. You are my favorite author, this is may favorite series, and I can’t wait for the 5th book! 🙂
Thank you!
I’m loving this book!!!!!
Also, I just finished Wrath of the Storm for the second time, and realized it had a very open ending. Are there more Mark of the Thief books to come??
Yes, that wasn’t my intention when I wrote it, but I can definitely see now that it is super open ended. Perhaps one day I will resolve that.
Long time no talk! I doubt you’ll remember me. I’ve been a huge fan of you since shortly after the release of the false prince! You signed a number of books for me and responded to a good many of my comments here!
I’ve been anticipating book 4 since shortly after the announcement. I remember years ago, asking if you’d ever consider writing more on the trilogy, and you said you probably wouldn’t. It was such a surprise- a really good surprise, to see a fourth book announced.
I’m rereading the trilogy again in preparation. I’ve read them multiple times, as they’ve been my favorite books for years, but I want them to be fresh in my head now. I just finished book one!
Thank you for all you’ve done for me. For the inspiration, smiles, encouragement, and for writing such incredible books that still are so much better than anything else I’ve read.
My boyfriend bought me the 4th book for my birthday, and I’m so excited to read it.
Thanks Dakota – and yes, of course I remember you!
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
*spoilers*
hey jen i was wondering,is wilta aroace?it would be great if she was!
I agree – that’d be very cool indeed.
I finished reading it, and it was definitely one of my favorite books, quite a read! I loved all the twists and mysteries. I’m recommending this series to everyone.
Thank you!
The Captive Kingdom is INCREDIBLE. The wait for book five is going to be a big test of my patience, but I know it’ll be entirely worth it! I loved how we really got an even better peek inside of Jaron’s mind with this book. I didn’t think I could get to know him even better, but I was completely proved wrong. I love this book and this series so so so much. Can’t wait for book five!!!
Thank you!
On Goodreads, there’s a title for book five! I don’t want to put it on here in case it’s wrong or something. Is it the correct title? It’s the first I’ve heard about it. Can’t wait to learn more about the next book. 🙌🏼
😉
Hi. I have a quick question. When can we expect our bookplates for those of us who didn’t order from TKE? Thanks again!!
If you haven’t already received them, today I’m sending out the last of all the requests I received. If you still don’t get it after a week, let me know.
I know this is really of the book topic but do you know anything about the False prince movie?
At this time, there is no movie contract for The False Prince. Perhaps one day, but not now!
I got my signed book from the King’s English Bookshop today, and I just wanted to say thank you so much! I absolutely love it and all of the extra stuff in there! Getting it made my day!
Awesome!
will you post more blog posts soon?
Yes, in about two minutes…
lol! Thanks for another blog post. 🙂
Sooo excited!!!I
* Question: will bk5 continue the story where book 3 left off?
It will begin soon after the end of book 4.
The Captive Kingdom was absolutely incredible the first time through, but the second time, it’s even better. Now that I know some of the twists, I can recognize all of the subtle hints that were dropped to foreshadow them. I absolutely loved this installment of my favorite series!! Mrs. Nielsen, you really used these experiences to dive deeper into the characters we love so much. Everything happened so quickly in the first three, so our main crew definitely got to know each other well, but you see a person differently while at peace than fighting for each other’s lives at least every half hour, as they all discovered. I was expecting Jaron’s wit and comebacks and loyalty to his friends, but I was not expecting to go so deep into his relationships with these friends and their views of each other’s flaws. AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT SO MUCH!! It was masterfully done, you know these characters so well and it shows. And the twists!! I loved them!! I might’ve run around my house screaming about the twist that involves Conner (my favorite one)…good thing I was home alone.
After reading, a few questions have arisen. He’s described as in his mid-forties, but specifically, how old is Conner during the False Prince? And do you have a decided name for Imogen’s mother? Does she stay with her daughter or remain in Tithio after the war?
Thank you for adding two more books, Mrs. Nielsen, I honestly can’t thank you enough. You write the type of books I hope to write one day and all of your work has certainly influenced my current writing in some way, shape, or form. You are an inspiration, not only because of your work but because of your incredible persistence and caring. Thank you again for adding books 4 and 5! I can’t wait to see what life threatening situations Jaron find himself in in the next book! 😉
Thanks for your kind words and enthusiasm. Conner is 42 in False Prince. I do know Imogen’s mother’s name but you’ll have to wait for book 5 for that and any other information about her!
Just when I thought there was no possible way I could get more excited about book 5…
I was crying so hard at the end of this. Can anyone else relate? It was GORGEOUSLY written. (AAAAHHHH I love it so much!!) There are so many good quotes and life lessons! I’ll admit, before reading I was a little scared that it would be set way far into the future and Jaron would be old and responsible, but I am so relieved that he is still as crazy and reckless and idiotically genius as ever. I won’t spoil, but if you haven’t read it yet, there are some CRAZY plot twists so buckle up for a wild ride. (Then again, what else is new with Jaron?)
The only thing I have a problem with is all the other Ascendence books on my bookshelf say ‘Ascendence TRILOGY’ and then there’s Captive Kingdom that says ‘Ascendence SERIES’ It just doesn’t match up! Jen, you broke your streak with 3’s! (3 sets of 3 fantasy books, 3 historical fictions, 3 kids. . .)
JK I’m beyond grateful for this book and physically CANNOT wait for book 5. You are so amazing!!!!
Hi Grayce – thanks very much. Consider the “trilogy” and “series” printing an anomaly that might be rather valuable one day!
YES I CAN ABSOLUTELY RELATE!!! The book was just too amazing, like HOW DOES JENNIFER DO IT????!!!! I, too, was just so, so, so, so, so, so, so emotional. And when I finished, it was so sad, because I wanted so much more Jaron. (Inserting me screaming for the fifth book I LITERALLY CANNOT WAIT FOR!!!) Plus, is it just me or does Jaron seem way more reckless and immature and EXTRA AWESOME in this book? I love him.
#LongLiveJaronTheAscendantKing
😉
Hi Jennifer! I loved TCK so much! I was wondering, I was really sad that havanila died of a broken heart, so I like to think she just told Harlowe to tell people that so she could scour every country looking for Roden and that she’s in south mendenwal right now unaware that Roden is alive
That’s a super beautiful thought. I would love to think that is true.
Hi, Miss Jennifer HUGE fan I love this series!! I preordered from the second there was going to be a fourth book!! I am over hear hoping and pleading for a fifth book I love it soooooooooooooooooooooo much!! Anyway, HUGE fan I love all your books!!
Thank you, an dyes, there will be a fifth book!
So I am a HUGE fan and the other day I was going on Amazon to get my best friend a Christmas gift (she like to be sarcastic and stuff so ya) and on one of the T-shirts, it said, “Thats a horrible idea……. What time??” It Atamaticly made me think of Jaron. lol. I love all your books!! Please keep writing the world will never be the same without you!!!
Thanks very much, Abby! And you’re right – that’s a very Jaron thing to say.
Hi! Oh my gosh! I loved The Captive Kingdom! Thank you so much for it! I’m so happy Sage/Jaron is back!
I have been the biggest ascendance trilogy fan for so long. My friends have gotten sick of listening me talk about it. However, My opinion on “The Captive Kingdom” is probably not what you would expect and seems to be largely unpopular… I put off reading it for so long because I was worried it wouldn’t be as good as the others. So I was a little late to the game on reading it. And I was right about it not being as good. Have you ever read a series where the sequel just is not as good as the first and it leaves you disappointed? That was this book for me. The characters felt cold and unfamiliar and the new plot-lines were just confusing. Am I the only one who felt this way? No disrespect to the author, because she is obviously very talented and creative. It just didn’t seem to fit with the other books and honestly kind of ruined the series for me. Just wanted to know if anyone else felt this way?
Dear Mrs. Nielsen,
First of all, I would like to say that I started this series a year ago, and after rereading, it still brings me the same satisfaction of a good writer. I would enjoy it if you would continue to make more books like this.
Next, I would like to ask you how the story continues for Jaron. I would at the very least like to have a sneak peak of the next book in the ascendent king series. I think it would be a very big twist if the treasure was in Aveienia, and Wilta and Strick were on their way to pillage Carthya. Before they do so, however, Jaron ends up stoping them, with Roden by his side. This is where I’m coming to a blank with the ideas for the story, but I think you can do the rest by yourself. i think it would be a great idea to make a crossover from the books as an epilogue to the fifth book or a prologue to a potential sixth book.
Thank you for considering these ideas, and I hope to see them in a book.
Kind Regards,
Mr. Hrubik
As a fellow author (except I’m in sixth grade) i LOVE making up titles so…
If you write a sixth Ascendance book you should call it The Poisoned Crown
And if you write a seventh you should call it–well, never mind.
Perhaps I’ll email you
The Poisoned Crown is an awesome title for sure! I should hire you to just develop titles for me!
Thanks!
The only problem with that title is that you might have to poison a crown at some point in the book.
or have it so someone takes over the thrown so a poisonous person is on the thrown