Mark of the Thief (Mark of the Thief #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen - Starting August 3rd 2015

[Sarah Elizabeth]

When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than gold and gemstones: He discovers an ancient bulla, an amulet that belonged to the great Caesar and is filled with a magic once reserved for the Gods -- magic some Romans would kill for.

Now, with the deadly power of the bulla pulsing through his veins, Nic is determined to become free. But instead, he finds himself at the center of a ruthless conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and spark the Praetor War, a battle to destroy Rome from within. Traitors and spies lurk at every turn, each more desperate than the next to use Nic's newfound powers for their own dark purposes.

In a quest to stop the rebellion, save Rome, and secure his own freedom, Nic must harness the magic within himself and defeat the empire's most powerful and savage leaders.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Sorry for the delay!

[Reading Rediscovered]

No problem! I know you're busy with the amazing Challenges this month!

Chapter 1 & 2 (view spoiler)[ Well that started out with a bang! Definitely interested to see how Nic survives Sal and Radulf in Caesar's cave! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 4 (view spoiler)[ An earthquake because he put the bulla on? Or because of a curse on it and the cave? I like the griffin guarding the gold, just not that it's trying to kill Nic. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 9 (view spoiler)[ Hmmm...so what is this mark? It has some people wanting to kill Nic, but most are just very afraid of him! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 17 (view spoiler)[ I'm a bit confused by the politics of Rome - the rules don't seem to be consistent...but I guess that's how most laws are for people in power.... (hide spoiler)]
Ch 28 (view spoiler)[ How are Nic & Aurelia going to get out of the temple? And when will Caela show up again? I miss the griffin! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 38 (view spoiler)[ Aurelia is Horatio's daughter?!?!?! Well that throws a wrench into things. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 46 (view spoiler)[ This just got so good! Nic has the favor of the people, even though Valerius, Crispus and Radulf are against him! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 47 (view spoiler)[ Wait, WHAT!?!?!?! Radulf is Nic & Livia's grandfather?!?!!?? (hide spoiler)]
End (view spoiler)[ So good! Enjoyed the twists and turns and 'surprising' reveals. Jennifer Nielsen is an awesome author! (hide spoiler)]