A review by mahi_nad
Powerless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

4 stars.

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.

(Be wary of minor spoilers if you haven't read this yet)

REVIEW:
THIS.

THIS BOOK.
This has to be my new favourite fantasy book. There is no better feeling when you pick up a book you later can't put down, relentlessly turning through the pages, running alongside the characters, fighting, laughing, and crying with them. This book had me gripped and NEEDING to find satisfaction through the next book. The banter between Paedyn and Kai? Light, fun filled and had me SCREAMING "kiss already!!".

"If I am to be her enemy, I want it to be because she loathes herself for wanting me.”

Paedyn:
I rooted for her throughout the entire book. Incredibly witty, sharp-tongued and even sharper mind, this is the kind of female lead I love. I can see people comparing this to other series like Red Queen and Hunger games, since all the fmcs go through similar things, but I have to say, something about this book trumps the other two. Watching her prove everybody around her wrong was amazing. It gave me the kind of satisfaction that's incredibly hard to find. 

Kai:
At first I thought he was an idiot because he couldn't sense Paedyn's power (obviously), but I quickly grew to love him. Once again, THE BANTER. The way I felt giddy inside like a little girl every time they fought. And he braids her hair? That has to be the cutest scene I've ever read. He was smitten with her from the very beginning -- for him, she was the first girl his eyes landed on when he walked in a room. I ALSO love how he fostered her strengths instead of trying to be the cliché overprotective boyfriend and force her to hide away herself. 

The slow burn? Top tier. The way Roberts wrote this entire story was genuinely beautiful. I loved it till the very end, and this has to be the first series that made me ANXIOUS for the sequel.

--- Although, quick downside. What was with the editing? <i>Powerless</i> had one mistake too many when it came to grammar. Also, the amount of times eye colour was pointed out was definitely way too much. We got it, Roberts. Billie Eilish is probably crying through her "ocean eyes" right now.

BOTTOM LINE:
Amazing slow burn, quick and fun banter, but lots of grammar mistakes

AGE RATING:
12+
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