Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Heat Level: Closed Door
Series: The Powerless Trilogy #1
Release Date: November 7, 2023
I’ve been reading a lot more YA fantasy romance this year and it’s definitely because of books like Powerless. The chemistry + the angst + the tension was so good and I could not stop reading. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fast paced fantasy romance! **not sponsored**
SYNOPSIS
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.
REVIEW
What to expect in Powerless:
-forced proximity
-girl thief x prince boy (they’re both morally gray)
-TENSION – gah so much tension
-secrets, lies, betrayals
-Hunger Games style setup
-top tier flirting + banter + chemistry
-close door but so much angst
-who did this to you moments
-ballroom dancing (!!!)
Ok, listen. I have been influenced on more than one occasion to pick up a book I’ve seen on social media. When I keept seeing Powerless I figured I should at least add it to my tbr and see what the fuss was about. When I tell you that I literally could not keep the grin off of my face while reading this book please believe me 🤭 I was giggling, blushing and devouring the pages. I loved loved loved Paedyn + Kai together. They have that kind of chemistry that seriously sizzles on page. Everything out of that man’s mouth was pure poetry.
I don’t want to give the plot away too much, because there’s so much going on and all of it is important. I will say that Lauren Roberts knows how to weave a story that comes full circle. I felt so much while reading this book.
I have pages upon pages of highlights between Kai and Paedyn. I mean he calls her darling as a sarcastic endearment and every time he did I was 🫠. Kai was such a complex character. He’s the future enforcer to the King, so he’s trained to be a killer and yet he would go to any length to keep Payedyn safe. The way he’s a complete golden retriever for her was giving me all the feels 🥹. He was giving Aaron Warner, Cardan Greenbriar & Rhysand vibes…swoon.
And holy shit that ending 🤯 … I did not see it coming. My heart was hurting after finishing Powerless 😭
Okay that’s enough rambling thoughts for now. I just loved this book and I cannot wait until next year for Reckless
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