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A review by caitsreadingcorner
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.25
It took me a long time to finish this book. Let me first state that I went into this book completely blind. That said, I was not expecting it to be so similar to The Hunger Games.
I’m extremely conflicted about this book for several reasons, the first being that it was entirely too long. I’m sure many people will disagree but the beginning of this book was set at a creeping pace with a lot of recycled playful sarcasm and banter between Kai and Pae.
I understand that Paedyn and the two princes are enemies but I didn’t really find it to be true enemies to lovers, as Kai was instantly attracted to her. I see a lot of other reviewers raving about their budding relationship but I didn’t feel butterflies or swoon until towards the end of the book. I was also slightly annoyed by the use of the word darling. I find it more condescending than flirtatious.
A lot of the scenes leading up to the trials were hit or miss for me.It wasn’t until Paedyn started learning more about the resistance that I started to really appreciate the plot line. That said, Adena’s death was predictable and very cruel. It felt necessary to drive home the malice of the king but her character felt so neglected the entire story considering she was supposed to be Pae’s BFF .
With their battle of sarcasm and the undeniable tension, I do hope there is some sort of physical payoff between Kai and Pae in the next book. I really enjoyed seeing Kai soften but I could have used more scenes of Kitt. I feel like he’s underrated. Not saying I think he’s right for Pae but seeing them become friends and him slowly trusting her and realizing he could be different from his father was refreshing.
Personally, I think this book redeemed itself in the last 200 pages because the plot thickened and there was more intrigue. The trials didn’t do all that much for me but maybe that’s just because it’s been done before. I do have higher hopes for Reckless because the book got significantly better towards the end and just felt more original and flushed out. I think there is still a lot of growth for all of the characters and I’m interested to see how loyalties and relationships pan out and what becomes of Ilya.
If you want book that has smug men with beautiful smiles, a stubborn FMC with stabby tendencies, lots of dancing, battling to the death and extremely drawn out sexual tension, this is for you.
Just be warned, there is a quite a bit of filler in this book. There were some very pretty paragraphs but also a lot of forgettable ones. still, mad respect for Lauren Roberts for publishing and having a bestseller at such a young age.
I’m extremely conflicted about this book for several reasons, the first being that it was entirely too long. I’m sure many people will disagree but the beginning of this book was set at a creeping pace with a lot of recycled playful sarcasm and banter between Kai and Pae.
I understand that Paedyn and the two princes are enemies but I didn’t really find it to be true enemies to lovers, as Kai was instantly attracted to her. I see a lot of other reviewers raving about their budding relationship but I didn’t feel butterflies or swoon until towards the end of the book. I was also slightly annoyed by the use of the word darling. I find it more condescending than flirtatious.
A lot of the scenes leading up to the trials were hit or miss for me.
With their battle of sarcasm and the undeniable tension, I do hope there is some sort of physical payoff between Kai and Pae in the next book. I really enjoyed seeing Kai soften but I could have used more scenes of Kitt. I feel like he’s underrated. Not saying I think he’s right for Pae but seeing them become friends and him slowly trusting her and realizing he could be different from his father was refreshing.
Personally, I think this book redeemed itself in the last 200 pages because the plot thickened and there was more intrigue. The trials didn’t do all that much for me but maybe that’s just because it’s been done before. I do have higher hopes for Reckless because the book got significantly better towards the end and just felt more original and flushed out. I think there is still a lot of growth for all of the characters and I’m interested to see how loyalties and relationships pan out and what becomes of Ilya.
If you want book that has smug men with beautiful smiles, a stubborn FMC with stabby tendencies, lots of dancing, battling to the death and extremely drawn out sexual tension, this is for you.
Just be warned, there is a quite a bit of filler in this book. There were some very pretty paragraphs but also a lot of forgettable ones. still, mad respect for Lauren Roberts for publishing and having a bestseller at such a young age.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Death of parent