Sage/Prince Jaron

Sage is the fourteen-year-old main character, and principal protagonist in the novel "The False Prince" by Jennifer Nielsen. Sage has grown up in an orphanage, and is adept at pickpocketing. He is rebellious, defiant, and obstinate, but he has a good heart, and good head on his shoulders. He is saved from being beaten to death by a butcher when the nobleman Bevin Conner intervenes, buying him from an orphanage. Sage is one of four boys handpicked for their physical resemblance to the missing Prince Jaron, to impersonate him, secure the throne, and avert war at the hands of the evil Lord Veldergrath.

Sage endeavors to learn the ways of being a prince, overseen by Conner, and with help and encouragement from the free servant Mott. Sage also meets and becomes hesitant friends with Imogen, an indentured servant girl. Sage is ultimately selected to impersonate the...