Alright, buckle up folks, ’cause we’re diving headfirst into a world where having powers isn’t just cool—it’s everything. I mean, imagine living in a place where being ordinary is basically a death sentence. Yikes, right? Well, that’s exactly the kind of high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping world Lauren Roberts drops us into with “Powerless,” the first book in her Powerless Trilogy. And let me tell you, it’s one heck of a ride.
A Spark in the Darkness: “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts
The Lowdown
Okay, so picture this: You’re in the kingdom of Ilya, where being Elite (aka having superpowers) is the norm. If you’re not packing some kind of magical mojo, you’re basically persona non grata. Enter our girl Paedyn Gray, who’s got a secret bigger than the chip on her shoulder—she’s Ordinary, trying to pass as Elite. Talk about pressure, right?
Things go from zero to a hundred real quick when Paedyn accidentally saves Prince Kai Azer’s royal behind. Suddenly, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition that’s like The Hunger Games on steroids. Oh, and did I mention she’s gotta pretend she’s got powers the whole time? Yeah, no biggie.
The Good, The Bad, and The Swoon-worthy
Let’s break this bad boy down:
The Plot: A Rollercoaster of “Oh Snap!” Moments
Roberts doesn’t mess around—she throws us right into the action and keeps the pedal to the metal. The pacing is tight, the stakes are sky-high, and there’s enough tension to power a small city. I mean, every time I thought I could catch my breath, BAM! Another twist. It’s like Roberts is sitting there going, “You thought that was intense? Hold my beer.”
The World-building: A+ for Creativity, B- for Depth
The concept of Ilya is freaking cool, no doubt. A society divided by magical ability? Sign me up. But… I gotta admit, I was left wanting a bit more. Like, how did this whole Elite/Ordinary split happen? What’s the deal with the Plague? Don’t get me wrong, what we get is solid, but I’m greedy—I wanted to dive deeper into this world.
The Characters: A Mixed Bag of Badassery
Paedyn, our girl, is a force to be reckoned with. She’s tough, smart, and has more guts than a butcher shop. I was rooting for her from page one. Kai, on the other hand… look, I get it. He’s hot, he’s princely, he’s got that whole “bad boy with a heart of gold” thing going on. But sometimes I wanted to shake him and be like, “Dude, open your eyes!”
The supporting cast is solid too. I particularly dug Andy – girl’s got spunk. And Jax? Protect that cinnamon roll at all costs.
The Romance: Slow Burn City, Population: Us
Okay, can we talk about the tension between Paedyn and Kai? Holy smokes. Roberts knows how to write a slow burn that’ll have you screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY” at 2 AM. It’s frustrating in the best possible way.
Style and Substance
Roberts’ writing style is… addictive. It’s got this snappy, no-nonsense vibe that perfectly fits Paedyn’s voice. The dialogue crackles with wit and tension, and there were more than a few lines that had me cackling out loud. (Sorry, fellow subway passengers.)
That said, there were a few moments where the prose felt a bit clunky, especially in the more action-heavy scenes. But hey, nobody’s perfect, right?
The Verdict
Look, is “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts reinventing the wheel? Nah. But it’s taking that wheel, strapping a rocket to it, and sending it on one hell of a joyride. It’s got all the hallmarks of great YA fantasy—high stakes, forbidden love, and enough angst to fuel a thousand Tumblr posts.
Sure, it’s got its flaws. The world-building could use some beefing up, and there are a few plot points that stretch believability. But you know what? I didn’t care. I was too busy turning pages like my life depended on it.
The Bigger Picture
“Powerless” sets up the trilogy nicely, leaving us with enough answers to feel satisfied but plenty of questions to keep us hungry for more. And let me tell you, I am READY for “Reckless” (Book 2). I need to know what happens next like I need air to breathe.
Oh, and for those of you who can’t wait between books, there’s “Powerful” (Book 1.5) to tide you over. It’s a novella that gives us a peek into Kai’s head. Because apparently, Roberts decided we weren’t suffering enough already.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime, “Powerless” is your jam. It’s got action, intrigue, swoony moments, and enough plot twists to give you whiplash (in a good way).
Is it perfect? Nope. But it’s a hell of a lot of fun, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need. So grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to lose sleep. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Because let’s be real, who among us wouldn’t pretend to have superpowers if we could?