August 2024 First in a Series BOTM - Powerless, by Lauren Roberts

[Alaina]

She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.
He is the very thing she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is—completely Ordinary.

**This BOTM thread will be open until September 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Brittni]

Finally getting into this one and I'm EXCITED.

Up to Chapter 9

(view spoiler)[So much has happened already! The poor family that Kai had to banish. It was heartbreaking but I'm of course happy he let the little girl rejoin the rest of the family. I can only hope they survive the walk across the sands but it doesn't sound promising.

I loved the meet cute between Kai and Paedyn! I thought when we got his perspective he was going to know she stole from him. And I was super impressed with her defending Kai and saving him from the silencer. Now she'd part of the games! So curious to know how that goes given her lack of powers.

Loving this book so far and a lot more than I expected! (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Up to Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[Am I in love with Kai? I think I may be. Hoping he doesn't take a turn for the worst. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Chapter 24

(view spoiler)[This is fake, right? Kitt can't be dead...

Also, loving the banter between Paedyn and Kai. Such a fun read. Oh and I think I melt every time he calls her darling. Not sure why but I'm loving it. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Chapter 24

(view spoiler)[Yep. Should have just read the next few sentences haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Chapter 26

(view spoiler)[Welcome to the book the "Who did this to you?" trope. Honestly, not normally my favourite by my goodness. - "Because I don't tolerate my toys being played with." Kai is killing me. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Well I devoured this book! I read it almost in one day. I had about 30 minutes left and couldn't keep my eyes open.

I fucking loved this book! I split between the audiobook and ebook book and I have to say that the audiobook was amazing! I am now immediately starting the novella and then Reckless.

I wasn't sure where the book was going to go. I hadn't looked much up about it before. I did expect her to kill the king. I mean, love that she did but shit. Kai is now coming for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[
Ok so hes a killer. He won't kill a mundane kid. Instead banishes her family to the desert where they will probably die.
I saw someone say they felt like Powerless was dumbed down and I can kind of feel that. The writing style feels young and a little stilted. I don't hate the way its coming along but its not flowing as well as I'd like.
I thought it was interesting her saving the prince and also theres the hint of a rebellion I was hoping for. Curious how shes going to survive these trails with no powers.
(hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

I didn't notice this is BOTM!
Okay, I'll see if I join cz I really want to read it but I'm kinda messed up with the small schedule I had.

[Brittni]

Yes! Join in. Reckless is also BOTM if you’re interested in reading both.

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Yes! Join in. Reckless is also BOTM if you’re interested in reading both."

Don't encourage me to add to my TBR! You know my self-control with series 🫣

[Brittni]

Hahahahaha. I need to distract you so I can catch up in the ZA universe.

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Hahahahaha. I need to distract you so I can catch up in the ZA universe."

Hahahaha I give you my scout's honour word to wait as much as possible, but CATCH UP!!

But if I start here I might not finish before I finish them all, I see what you're trying to do lol

[Brittni]

Haha. Don’t forget about Powerful, the novella.

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Haha. Don’t forget about Powerful, the novella."

😳😳🤓🤓

[Megan]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[
That fighting spar scene was so good. I imagine watching it would have been so good to see in person.
I do wonder how shes going to get through the trails
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[
The trials are interesting so far. So Kai has a slight advantage having been here before.
The ballroom was shocking. I was a bit surprised the ordinary attack. I don't blame her for wanting to join the rebels I would too.
(hide spoiler)]

[Hayley]

FInished (view spoiler)[ I dind't care for this at all. I thought it was wordy, poorly written, needed an editor to purge the chaf and tighten the story up a bit. I didn't find any of the characters especially memorable. Maybe i was just in the wrong mood to read it? (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 35
(view spoiler)[
Ooh OK. So she has found the resistance and its by chance or coincidence her guard is in it? Hmm.
The first trails were interesting I was wondering if it was going to end up like Hunger Games where they wouldn't allow 2 winners.
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
So I bought this book after watching a booktuber's reaction while reading it. I later found out this was inspired by the Hunger Games and now I own the novella and the 2nd book so I am invested. However I hate the Hunger Games so I'd never have gone into this knowing it was like that.
First thing its not the same. Its heavily inspired and its clear how and where the inspo has come in. But its not a copy I didn't read a newer version of The Hunger Games its just a slightly different version.
So YA fiction for me has felt very hard to get into and read and unfortunately this was sort of like that. The love triangle troupe is so over, I hate it. Just pick a love interest stick to it or don't have one lets not do this "which prince will she pick". Its just lazy. Also why are all the feminine MCs so weak in YA's shes constantly saved by the masculine MCs. Its just infuriating.
Lastly, the ending of this the little twists and turns were pretty good. I didn't expect the King to die then. I didn't expect the resistance to fail (they essentially did) he way they did. I think that earnt it 3 stars.
I didn't find this a quick read. I was listening to the audio on Everand and reading my paperback so went between both. The narrators are OK, its enjoyable to listen to, I end up always going back to physical with fantasy genres because they don't read it quick enough!
(hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Okayyy I'm here for it.
Anyone listen to the audibook? I'm considering to read-listen at the same time.

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Finally getting into this one and I'm EXCITED.

Up to Chapter 9

So much has happened already! The poor family that Kai had to banish. It was heartbreaking but I'm of course happy he let the litt..."

I agree.

I am a bit confused because some terminology is thrown in with no context and explanation. But I can overlook it cz I am figuring it out as I go.

I am surprised (view spoiler)[that she fooled him. I mean he can SENSE powers. Yes she's smart but how did she fool him? Why did he allow himself to be fooled? He's not stupid, he's overlooking it.
Does he not believe in his father's mission to kill all ordinaries?


Also, I am not sure who or what the Fatals are, looks like some kind of rebellion affiliated people. Was Pae's father one of them? Is that why the king killed him?

I really don't want Jax to die. He's such a puppy, but puppies die! (hide spoiler)]

I'm happy about the pace so far.

[Brittni]

Grace wrote: "Okayyy I'm here for it.
Anyone listen to the audibook? I'm considering to read-listen at the same time."

YES! I listened to the audiobook and read on kindle. I LOVED the audiobook. Highly recommend.

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "YES! I listened to the audiobook and read on kindle. I LOVED the audiobook. Highly recommend."

I am listening to the audiobook.
I wish it was duet not dual narration, but the voice actors are great for their respective roles.

[Grace]

=> Chp 23
So I do see the similarities with other books but I am not someone who minds this borrowing.
I personally focus more on how the book makes me feel and the delivery even if the story has common components or events.

I am worried we will have a (view spoiler)[messy love triangle.
It's obvious Kitt likes her and I do feel he'll fall in love with her... I am just worried how much Kai is willing to sacrifice for the future king.

I am upset with how much Kai is calling himself a monster...

I wonder if the attack on the ball was to attract attention.
The attention of the Elites but also Paedyn's attention. The boy made eye-contact as if he knew who and what she was.
The fact they are meeting at her house means something, did her father start this revolution? (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Grace wrote: "Brittni wrote: "YES! I listened to the audiobook and read on kindle. I LOVED the audiobook. Highly recommend."

I am listening to the audiobook.
I wish it was duet not dual narration, but the voice..."

Yes. I agree, it would have been much better to have a duet. I was really just there for Kai haha. Darling just got me every time.

You're certainly onto some things!

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 24

[spoilers removed]"

Your reactions to this made me laugh 😂 I get you, I sometimes get shocked and react before I realise it was completely unnecessary

[Grace]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 26

[spoilers removed]"

=>Ch 30

I was going to slap him, until I realised he didn't mean it. Guess I learned not to react before I finish the chapter after I read your reaction to chp 24 😂

He's perplexing yet so simple.
I think maybe Lauren is over explaining?
(view spoiler)[Like we read so many books where we read the character is calculating or smart, yet in this book Lauren kind of wants to prove to us and show us how they are calculating, how she is observing and using this to say she's a psychic, and so on.


Oh and I hated that Sadie was killed. It was completely unnecessary for her to want to kill Paedyn, she had her immobilised and could've just taken her leather. Well of course unless someone wants Pae dead and asked Saddie to kill her. And Kai could've handled it in a different way, also without killing Saddie. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace]

Finished

(view spoiler)[As much as some things were expected, I do not accept the facts that Adena died, Blair won, and Kai killed Pae's dad.
The first 2 facts are pure denial, but the last fact is kind of a wrong thing. I mean he looks nothing like his dad, she wouldn't have mistaken them, it's just a very far fetched thing.

Kitt turning all murderous and controlled by his rage, as well as his end-note is a bit scary. Like he probably needed more time with Pae and Kai pushing him to have a mind of his own, but he's just too driven by his wanting to please his dad even in death to realise how much he should be understanding Pae and stop and think that his dad might have been lying.
I mean Kai''s first thought was to stop and think that they're not affected by the ordinaries, even though these conversations are ones Pae had with Kitt not Kai.

And I think this mind-of-his-own situation, and well bleeding heart, will drive Kai's actions in Reckless. (hide spoiler)]

Could the book be better? 100% I see so much that can be improved, but I am judging it as a debut romantasy novel and not in comparison with other things.

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Brittni]

Alaina wrote: "Starting this now!"

Woohoo! Enjoy!

[Alaina]

Ch 1-12: (view spoiler)[Okay, I'm kind of loving this so far? The audiobook is going by way faster than I thought it would. I also really like the characters. I'm intrigued to see what is going to happen next in the games and between them. I also feel like they are going to underestimate a certain someone, and they are going to wow them all when it comes down to it. Maybe!??! No idea, but I'm here for it all! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 13-20: (view spoiler)[I had a feeling she was going to stand out at this event. I also really enjoyed the sparing and need more of that. (hide spoiler)]

[Brittni]

Glad you're enjoying it! I had the audiobook as well and really liked it.

[Alaina]

Ch 21-31: (view spoiler)[Eeeeek, this is getting intense... but honestly, when he called him weak, he deserved to die. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

😭😭😭😭😭

[Brittni]

If you're where I think you are...yes, it's horrible!

[Grace]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 21-31: [spoilers removed]"

I had a mini heart attack here

[Alaina]

Ch 32-44: (view spoiler)[Not a fan of the dad. I kind of want her to win now. I have a feeling she will, but I'll contain my excitement... for now. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 45-63: (view spoiler)[OMG KILL HIM. KILL THE KING. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 64-Finish: (view spoiler)[WHAT IN THE?!?! How am I supposed to just accept that ending? Did he lie? I mean it's the King... so he most likely did. But, ugh, I need answers a nice reunion! Please don't murder one another. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Brittni wrote: "Finally getting into this one and I'm EXCITED.

Up to Chapter 9 ..."

Seriously, so much happened in this book!

[Alaina]

Brittni wrote: "Up to Chapter 12

[spoilers removed]"

Still in love with him lol

[Alaina]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 24 ..."

Yep, mini heart attacks started here for sure

[Alaina]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 24

[spoilers removed]"

LOL

[Alaina]

Brittni wrote: "Chapter 26

[spoilers removed]"

he had some good lines

[Alaina]

Brittni wrote: "Finished..."

It was so good!!

[Alaina]

Megan wrote: "Chapter 11..."

Yeah, that looked like a hard decision no matter what. One can only hope it's the right one. I also liked that she saved him too!

[Alaina]

Megan wrote: "Chapter 17"

RIGHT?

[Alaina]

Megan wrote: "Up to Chapter 28..."

I wasn't surprised by the attack, I figured something was going to happen here, lol. We can never have peaceful moments for too long in these kinds of books.