Deception

Deception is the singular, dominant, and overarching theme of Jennifer Nielsen's novel "The False Prince." It occurs in two major areas of the book, concerning the characters of Sage and Conner.

Deception concerning Conner has to do with his love of his country, and his willingness to do anything at all to ensure its safety and survival. Originally, he is dissatisfied with King Eckbert's indecisiveness and inability to protect the country's borders. While feigning loyalty to the king, he arranges to have the king's son killed by Avenian pirates, to prompt a war with Avenia. Though peace is temporarily established, the king carries on in an indecisive fashion, leading Conner to personally murder the royal family, and arrange for an imposter prince to take the throne -an imposter that he will personally manipulate for the interests of the country.

Deception concerning Sage has to do in part with...