Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1)

by Lauren Roberts

I take in a deep breath and look out over the crumbling, run-down buildings cast in shadows by the flickering lampposts dotting the street. There’s not much electricity here in the slums, but the king generously spared us a few lampposts. Thanks to the Volts and Scholars using their abilities to create a sustained power grid, I have to work exceptionally hard to stay in the shadows. Farther from the slums, the more the rows of shops and homes slowly improve in condition and size. Shacks turn into homes, homes turn into mansions, leading up to the most daunting building of all. Squinting through the darkness, I can just barely make out the looming towers of the royal castle and the sloping dome of the Bowl Arena that resides beside it.

The sticks and the bowl of bones

The stiff straw pokes through my clothes like one of Adena’s pincushions,

and a sister(?) who sews…

Adena’s smile could rival the sun over the Scorches Desert. “Pae, you and your sticky fingers work magic, you know that?”

light/dark comparisons and a thief

Dozens of supernatural abilities were bestowed upon Ilyans alone, all varying in strength, purpose, and power. Gifts given as a reward for surviving.

Silvers

But even if I had proof of the king lying through his teeth, it’s not as though a girl from the slums is in any position to be believed. But the king couldn’t allow his Elite society to be weakened, or worse, by mere Ordinaries. Extinction was not an option for the extraordinary.

Shes so mare coded fr

“Yield?” I can’t keep the smile from twitching my lips. He coughs out a laugh, his gaze flicking between my face and the blazing fist raised beside it.

Brothers fighting with fire? Groundbreaking

“while I’ll be fighting on the battlefield, distracting the enemy with my dashing good looks.”

Not cal's attitude, but certainly his experience

“I’m saying that we are only half brothers,

Oh my god

Imperials in training and other Elites of higher status continue their sparring as we pass, most using abilities while few use weapons.

Training, check

“A dimwitted king is a dead king.”

such an elara quote sdhjfjjfgjk

My eyes stray to the figure strutting toward us, training leathers clinging to her every curve and lilac hair whipping in the wind. “Oh, look. Bitchy Blair,” I breathe under my breath before she reaches us, causing Kitt to choke on a laugh. “Hello, boys.” Her voice is like ice, cold and smooth. “How’s the training coming?” Her gaze sweeps lazily over the both of us before returning to our faces with a slight smirk twisting her lips.

evangeline stand-in reporting for duty

“Besides, I personally think I’ll be winning the Trials.”

its giving queenstrial

With a flick of her wrist, a dagger flies from the weapons rack in response to my comment. Before I can blink, it’s suddenly suspended in the air and digging into my jugular.

SHE IS LITERALLY EVANGELINE

Her eyes meet mine from where I sit atop the counter before darting to my arm and the wound I’d forgotten was still bleeding there. With a shake of her head, she says sternly, “You better not get blood on my counter, Kai.” I crack a smile at that. “This wouldn’t be the first time.”

The utter disregard of bloodborne pathogens im gonna fight kai