Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Delightful romantasy - impossible to put down!
I love it when I find books I can't put down. Powerless is that kind of book. It ruined some night’s sleep, but that’s totally worth it. The world-building, plot, and characters are all marvelous. It has the perfect balance between romance and fantasy. I really hope it becomes a TV series.🤞
Powerless was Nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Award in 2023. Crazy it didn’t win.
Plot
In the world of Ilya, there are Elites (the extraordinary who have powers) and Ordinary (the powerless banished by the king). Paedyn Gray is ordinary but pretends to be an elite with psychic abilities. When she saves Prince Kai Azer's life, she is selected to participate in this year's Purging Trials. Being the only one without magical powers, merely surviving seems impossible. However, she is strong and smart. (And so cool.😍) But can she trust anyone? And what about love?
My thoughts
Powerless reminds me of the Hunger Games, but fortunately, there is no requirement for only one surviving participant. The similarity to the Hunger Games makes the plot easy to understand, so I’m a fan.
This is an enemies-to-lovers story - my favorite trope. It’s slow-burn & forbidden romance. The best kind 💙
Powerless grabs you from the first page. You don't have to wade through the first 100 pages to get to the good stuff. The story's pacing keeps you engaged and eager for more.
Of course, I plowed through book #1 (Powerless) and #2 (Reckless). We have to wait until April 1, 2025, for book #3. Torment!
If you haven't read it, don't wait any longer. Pick up Powerless and get hooked, too.