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A review by nikimorr
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Book Tok sold me on this book as it has many others. I love romantasy, but I am not normally interested in YA books. Adults far and wide said it’s worth it, and in many ways it is, but it is still very much YA in writing and story, often lacking in detail and maturity. However, the plot ends up making it worth it.
This story is set in a world where a disease (the Plague) led to some people getting powers/heightened senses, while others remained unchanged. It is told from multiple POVs - Paedyn is an “Ordinary,” homeless and living on the streets, barely surviving and hiding who she is (and her lack of power) while living in a world that has purged anyone that lacks powers. Kai is a Prince with the unique ability to use the powers of anyone around him, and who happens to hunt and kill those that are Ordinary. Their two worlds collide when they are thrown together for the Trials - a bloody set of tests on teenagers in honor of the purge that eradicated most of those that are Ordinary.
I almost fell disappointed. By the end of the first half of the book, I was struggling to want to pick it up. Although Paedyn and Kai had all the romantic tension and banter, I just was not sold on them as a couple or even as individuals. However, once the Trials actually started, I really began to enjoy the book. It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games with youth fighting to the death for the entertainment of others. In many other ways, however, this book is unique, and I was drawn in to the plot, wanting to know what is next. I also began to cheer for Paedyn and Kai, buying into their romance more and more as they endured the Trials together. If you love forbidden romances and “touch her and die,” these tropes are heavy in this book.
Despite me initial disappointment, once the plot picked up, it is well worth the finish, and now I am excited to pick up the sequel.
I loved the ending, especially now that Kai is hunting Paedyn. Both have killed the other’s father, so you know there is a lot of conflict to come (although we all know that they will not be able to resist each other). There is so much potential to come!
This story is set in a world where a disease (the Plague) led to some people getting powers/heightened senses, while others remained unchanged. It is told from multiple POVs - Paedyn is an “Ordinary,” homeless and living on the streets, barely surviving and hiding who she is (and her lack of power) while living in a world that has purged anyone that lacks powers. Kai is a Prince with the unique ability to use the powers of anyone around him, and who happens to hunt and kill those that are Ordinary. Their two worlds collide when they are thrown together for the Trials - a bloody set of tests on teenagers in honor of the purge that eradicated most of those that are Ordinary.
I almost fell disappointed. By the end of the first half of the book, I was struggling to want to pick it up. Although Paedyn and Kai had all the romantic tension and banter, I just was not sold on them as a couple or even as individuals. However, once the Trials actually started, I really began to enjoy the book. It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games with youth fighting to the death for the entertainment of others. In many other ways, however, this book is unique, and I was drawn in to the plot, wanting to know what is next. I also began to cheer for Paedyn and Kai, buying into their romance more and more as they endured the Trials together. If you love forbidden romances and “touch her and die,” these tropes are heavy in this book.
Despite me initial disappointment, once the plot picked up, it is well worth the finish, and now I am excited to pick up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Police brutality