I loved this book. It was a very familiar vibe, between Hunger Games and Fourth Wing, which I loved both of those books! The character development was INCREDIBLE and I absolutely loved every minute of reading this!
Paedyn and Kai.... UGH. 😍😍😍😍😍 (My new favorite cute nickname might be 'Darling' ✨
I swear they might be my new fav book duo by farrrrrrrr. I loved that there was no spice in this book, but the chemistry between the two was THERE. I'm not a huge fan of Kitt, though I'm excited to see him grow in the next book.
Violence of this book was okay, very graphic for a YA book in my opinion but honestly, so was Hunger Games. I'd suggest age 16+ for sure for this series.
Overall, this book was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 with a few minor details that caused me to give 4-stars.
... Read moreAfter raving about Lauren Roberts' 'Powerless' in my initial review, I wanted to dive a little deeper into why this YA fantasy novel captivated me so much, especially for those of you considering picking it up on your Kindle!
First off, for those wondering about a summary of the book 'Powerless' without spoilers, imagine a world where the Elites wield powers, and the Ordinaries are, well, ordinary. Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary, has to pretend to be an Elite to survive a deadly royal competition. It's truly a high-stakes, enemies-to-lovers story with political intrigue and thrilling challenges. This backdrop immediately reminded me of the intense survival aspects of *The Hunger Games*, mixed with the gripping training and dynamic relationships you find in *Fourth Wing*. If you love those kinds of immersive worlds, you'll feel right at home here.
Regarding the age recommendation of 16+, I stand by it. While it's a YA book, the violence can be quite graphic, and the emotional complexity, especially around survival, deceit, and moral dilemmas, is definitely suited for older teens. It’s not just a simple romance; it delves into mature themes of power, sacrifice, and what it means to be 'ordinary' in an extraordinary world. The decisions characters make, particularly Paedyn and Kai, have real weight, making for a compelling experience that younger readers might not fully appreciate emotionally.
Now, let's talk about the reading experience itself, particularly on Kindle. I picked up 'Powerless' on my Kindle, and it was fantastic. The cover art, with its dark, sword-laden design, looked striking even in monochrome. One thing I absolutely loved was seeing the community highlights. You know that feature on Kindle where you can see what others have highlighted? Well, in 'Powerless,' there's a particular line that stuck with me: 'She is the embodiment of a bad decision. The twin of danger and desire. The fine line between deadly and divine.' Seeing that over 4,000 others highlighted this exact passage just confirmed how impactful it is! It really adds to the shared reading experience, making you feel connected to other fans. Plus, the convenience of having such an engrossing story right at my fingertips, easy to pick up and put down, made it fly by. If you're a Kindle fan, powerless on kindle is a must-buy.
The character development, as I mentioned, is a huge draw. Paedyn is fierce and resourceful, and Kai is that perfectly conflicted, morally gray love interest you can't help but root for. Their dynamic is just *chef's kiss*. Even though there's no explicit 'spice,' their chemistry is palpable and builds beautifully throughout the book, relying on tension and emotional connection rather than just physical encounters, which I actually prefer in many YA fantasies. I’m genuinely excited to see where their story goes next, along with the growth of characters like Kitt. This really is a powerless ya book that delivers on all fronts, offering both thrilling plotlines and deeply engaging character arcs.
I started listening to this on audiobook and realized after Ch 1 I NEEDED to read it bc it sounded sooo good