If you're searching for your next read and want to explore a new author, Jennifer A. Nielsen is the woman you're looking for. With a long list of literary awards under her belt and an ever-growing catalog of standalone novels and series, one of her titles is sure to grab your attention! It's just a matter of finding the perfect one to start with.
What Kinds of Books Does Jennifer A. Nielsen Write?
Jennifer A. Nielsen is known for writing fantasy and historical fiction skewed towards a young adult audience. But believe us, you don't have to be young to enjoy her captivating stories! From beloved series about far-off kingdoms saved by heroic protagonists to thrilling, edge-of-your-seat tales occurring in decades past, Jennifer A. Nielsen's books have something for anyone, regardless of your age or favorite book genre.
A Complete Breakdown of Jennifer A. Nielsen's Book Series
Fans of young adult fantasy can rejoice! If mystical and magical stories call your name, consider diving into one (or more) of Jennifer A. Nielsen's book series:
The Ascendance Series
In the kingdom of Carthya, a civil war is brewing. In an attempt to unite the divided people, a secretive and ambitious nobleman named Bevin Conner devises a backstabbing plan to find the perfect child to impersonate the king's last son in order to establish him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to fight for the role—including Sage, a pickpocketing, down-on-his-luck kid who just so happens to be perfect for the job (especially when threatened at sword point). Filled with grand adventure, endless danger, and wild twists and turns, the Ascendance Series is a young adult fantasy series that can't be missed:
- #1: The False Prince
- #2: The Runaway King
- #3: The Shadow Throne
- #4: The Captive Kingdom
- #5: The Shattered Castle
The Traitor’s Game Series
Kestra Dallisor has spent the last few years in exile—but even that couldn't stop her from being dragged into her father's palace politics in Antora. Everyone knows she's the best bargaining chip to get what they want, from the king's right-hand man to the group of rebels that kidnap her from her carriage. But she's not going down that easy! Stuffed to the brim with exciting action, massive plot twists, and never-ending backstabbing, each book in this finished trilogy will have you on the edge of your seat as young Kestra must take the throne and destroy the evil in the kingdom once and for all:
Mark of the Thief Series
It all starts when Nic, a Roman slave, is forced to enter a sealed-up cavern rumored to contain Julius Caesar's lost treasures—and finds much more than gold, gems, and riches. When he discovers an ancient amulet filled with the magic of the Gods, he finds himself at the center of a massive conspiracy to overthrow the current emperor and spark the Praetor War. Can Nic harness the magic to defeat the oncoming disaster, or will he succumb to his enemies? Find out in the adventure-filled Mark of the Thief series:
- #1: Mark of the Thief
- #2: Rise of the Wolf
- #3: Wrath of the Storm
Underworld Chronicles
The Underworld Chronicles is the perfect option for younger fans of Jennifer A. Nielsen's books, whether listened to through an audiobook service or read aloud by parents. When the brownies find themselves at the losing end of the war against the goblins, they make young Elliot their king. What follows in this whimsical fantasy trilogy can only be described as going from bad to worse to catastrophic—will Elliot be able to survive the war, prison, and a threat against the entire human race before it's too late?
- #1: Elliot and the Goblin War
- #2: Elliot and the Pixie Plot
- #3: Elliot and the Last Underworld War
Jennifer A. Nielsen's Standalone Books
If you'd rather start with a standalone novel, try one of these highly reviewed Jennifer A. Nielsen books:
The Scourge
When a deadly plague called The Scourge sweeps the land, Ani Mells is shocked to see she's tested positive and will be sent to Attic Island, a former prison turned quarantine colony for the afflicted. But soon after arriving, she discovers she may not know the truth about the disease or the colony she now calls home. Will she and her best friend, Weevil, be able to climb their way out of this devious plot?
Once Upon the Climb
Once Upon the Climb is the only standalone adult title in the list of Jennifer A. Nielsen books. With five steps to follow, each made up of hard-earned life lessons, insights, and advice, readers everywhere have found themselves inspired to search for individual success and reach their personal growth after finishing this heart-to-heart book.
Uprising
Based on a remarkable true story, Uprising has warmed the hearts of many and is the most recent Jennifer A. Nielsen book. In this inspiring tale, we follow twelve-year-old Lidia as she bravely aids captives in the Warsaw city uprising, works as a courier for the resistance, and joins the Polish nationalists to protect her home from the Nazi invaders and fight for freedom.
Iceberg
As a secret stowaway on the Titanic, Hazel Rothbury is traveling all alone to the U.S. to work in a factory in order to help her family in England make ends meet—but she harbors a secret dream. She wants to be a journalist and wonders if writing and selling a story of the Titanic's first voyage would save her from her fate in the sweatshop. But when disaster strikes in the form of an Iceberg, her dreams of investigating the ship's mystery are put on pause as she fights for her life.
Lines of Courage
As World War I takes hold across Europe, no child is left unaffected. In Lines of Courage, we follow five as they experience the trials and tribulations of wartimes: Felix, who dreams of fighting against Jewish deportations in Austria-Hungary; Kara, a hopeful Red Cross nurse in Britain; Juliette, who hopes her family can remain together in France, Elsa, who wishes her homing pigeon may bring her a friend amidst the chaos in Germany, and Dimitri, who's determined to survive fighting on the front in Russia with no weapons. Will fate bring them together in this artfully written Jennifer A. Nielsen book? There's only one way to find out!
Words on Fire
In Words on Fire, we start in occupied Lithuania in the late 1800s, where the Russian Empire was working hard to ban the culture's newspapers, books, religion, and even the language. In fact, they're insistent that everyone will become Russian—but little Audra has avoided the soldiers this far. When they abruptly arrive on their doorstep, and her parents insist that she flee and deliver an important package, she's forced to abandon her family—and land in a growing resistance movement in the process. Can the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her loved ones before the unthinkable happens?
Rescue
Rescue is an expertly woven tale of espionage, the importance of family, and resistance. Meg Kenyon's father hasn't been seen since he left France to fight for the Allies in World War II six hundred and fifty-seven days ago—she's counted. But after hearing that he may be being held prisoner by the Nazis and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to save her Papa falls in her lap (in the form of an injured British spy), she must accept the mission and crack the code to save her father from certain death.
A Night Divided
When the Berlin Wall rises, Gerta suddenly finds her family divided, with her mother and brother Fritz on the Eastern Soviet side and her father and middle brother on the West. She knows it's too dangerous to cross, but when she spots her father on a viewing platform pantomiming a plan for her to dig a tunnel to freedom underneath the wall, she sets out to find her way to freedom – the plan, however, if poorly executed, could result in deadly consequences. A Night Divided spins a story of the power of family and the bravery of one inspiring girl.
Resistance
It's not easy being a teenager—especially when you're Jewish in Nazi-occupied Poland! After Chaya’s little sister is taken away and her younger brother disappears into thin air, her family begins losing hope. Determined to make a difference, she risks it all to become a part of the resistance, couriering supplies to the ghettos. But when a mission goes wrong, her journey towards an even larger uprising is set in motion. Resistance is a Jennifer A. Nielsen book sure to inspire the impossible while bringing tears to your eyes with every page flip!
One Wrong Step
When twelve-year-old Atlas Wade is given a chance to summit the unconquerable Mount Everest, he knows it's the perfect opportunity to prove himself to his father and leave the memories of his deceased mother behind for good. But when news erupts that war has returned to Europe and Nazis may be attempting their own summit nearby, everything goes south. Faced with the impossible, Atlas, a young American named Maddie, and their injured Sherpa, Chodak, must brave the storm and survive, no matter what it takes. One Wrong Step, which will debut on March 4, 2025, expertly explores the importance of letting go of every chapter.
Jennifer A. Nielsen is considered an expert in her craft by fans and critics alike. Get lost in her inspiring tales, from the unforgettable young adult fantasy series beloved by her youngest fans to her breathtaking historical fiction books. Consider listening to any of her exhilarating novels in an audiobook or buying a physical copy from your local independent bookstore to experience the magic for yourself!
