I have mix feelings about this book. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Yet, I did find myself struggling through some parts of the books, and it did feel long by moment. It is a great debut, and it does set us for what could really be a great story. It has the Hunger Games vibe, but I also felt like there was a bit of a Defy the Night vibe. It just felt like for the pace the story was set to, I would have wanted a little more world building and more backstory to some of the characters.

Still, I’m really excited for Reckless, and I really want to see what will happen next to Paedyn and Kai. I really want to know where the story will take them and their love/’hate’ relationship. The second half of the book definitely made up for the first half of the book, where I struggled to get into the story. July 2024 feels so far away.

I can't get over how fantastic this book was! I was completely glued to it and I could not stop reading!

As someone who is just starting out in the fantasy genre, this book was so easy to get into and I never felt lost or confused. The plot and characters were riveting and I was highly invested! The world building was done so well that it made it easy to follow along!

The action in this book was intoxicating and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I was captivated by Paedyn and her journey. She was such a badass and I enjoyed seeing her prove people wrong. She has become one of my favorite characters!

The tension between her and Kai was incredible! Throughout the whole book you arrived just internally screaming for them to just kiss already! Kai is such a dark twisted soul and I felt such empathy for him.

This book gave me the same feelings that reading Hunger Games did. But this book is a story all of its own and I am fully obsessed! I am struggling to accept that I have to wait until July next year to read the next book!

4/5

In a world built for those with powers, or Elites, Paedyn has trained and fought her whole life to blend in even though she was born an Ordinary. She was born powerless. After a run in with the kingdoms second Prince, a Prince raised from birth to hunt and kill Ordinaries and dole out any of the other punishments his father deems got, Paedyn is suddenly swept into the deadly competition called the Purging Trials. Will Paedyn be strong and smart enough to fool all those around her and complete the games with her life? Or will he budding relationships with both Princes ultimately spell her doom?

This novel was jam-packed. From start to finish it was decently paced and there were some great action and fight scenes. It felt like a mix between Hunger Games and the Young Elites.

Paedyn was an excellently written character. Kai was also great, but I’m always biased towards female perspectives.

The world building was really well done. I feel like I have a firm understanding of what the author was imagining when creating this world.

My one problem was the over-explaining of metaphors or feelings that the characters had. There was always 3 examples for every metaphor or whatnot. I guess I wish the writing was a bit more succinct. Also there was a chapter towards the middle which was 90% expository (imo).

Overall an excellent addition to badass female leads in fantasy YA, and I’m very excited to pick up the sequel in July 2024.

I struggled getting into the story.

I felt like the opening reminded me of a significantly less polished Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas. I was constantly questioning the thought process of the MC and her actions. How can you mistake your own blood for honey? If you've taken the risk of stealing valuable material, described honey covering the pockets that I'm assuming the material was stashed as well as the characters hands and then the said character grabs at it you're just making a mess and ruining the fabric you risked your life over.

The way that Blair was described was sexist. We know nothing about her but her walk is described as a strut (vain, pompous bearing), she has curves and is wearing tight clothing. And the male MC immediately calls her a bitch. She smirks, conveying conceit, she offers a smile that's anything but sweet, fake pouts, giggles, whatever. You haven't shown her as a villain, you've described a woman with disdain and shallow stereotypes which is very outdated and frankly it seems like lazy writing. Blair tries to showcase her powers and it doesn't work. You can make her a villain without relying on these awful sexist stereotypes.

I couldn't suspend my disbelief and criticism long enough to attempt to continue to persevere through this and with how Blair was described I knew this wasn't a book I wanted to support.

An incredible whirlwind of a debut novel by Lauren Roberts!

This is a fantasy novel for those who fell in love with The Hunger Games growing up. Very similar vibes but with a bit more of a fantasy aspect in regard to people possessing different powers. I thought that aspect of the book was extremely fascinating with how many different powers are in the world. It added a layer of complexity and excitement that really helped the book get me truly invested.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the way it was laid out, and really liked the characters as well. There were many twists that I had no idea were coming. This first one really gets your interest going for the second book! I thought the plot was well thought out and the characters all had their moments to shine. The side characters are all important and relevant, they add something meaningful to the story.

I will say, I can agree with some reviews I’ve seen that mention this book really ensures a lot of popular tropes are in it. I got a little bit of Hunger Games and ACOTAR/TOG vibes. I had no issues with it at all, but wanted to mention it as it’s just something to note going into it, as there may be some tropes/micro tropes in here that may not be for everyone!

I really enjoyed the romance in here as well. Very much a slow burn, it has me wondering what the second book will bring in regard to the romantic relationships we saw throughout this first book. I don’t read too much YA romance, but I truly thought it was very well done in this book.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

Thank you Simon & Schuster & NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Powerless was definitely made for romantasy readers by a romantasy reader!

A kingdom where the king banishes Ordinaries (those without powers) to keep an Elite-only (those with powers) society. Paedyn, our main female character, lives amongst the Elites while pretending to possess a power of her own. Then we have Kai, our main male character, who is the prince and his main duty to the kingdom is to hunt for Ordinaries.

The first 20% of the book, I had some difficulty really getting into it with the build up but it was still interesting enough to keep me going. There was a lot of repetition of information throughout that it felt like overkill and it was hard keeping up with all the different types of Elite powers and their titles (Brawny, Hydros, Blinks, Sights, etc… the list goes on).

Many people compare this book to The Hunger Games, and some other popular fantasy books, and I felt that too! However, it still had its own uniqueness to it. The balance of romance and action was perfect for my taste in fantasy romances. Their banter was a lot of fun and I found myself swooning over some of the things Kai would say all throughout the book while still thoroughly enjoying every moment of action. It’s amazing to me that Lauren Roberts is only 20 years old and this is her debut novel!

I’m excited for book two!

Fast paced epic tale of a King that only wants to rule the advantaged, the strong. In walks the very type of person he has been trying to eliminate from existence. To top it off both of his sons are captivated by her refreshing take on life.

This was such a fun and entertaining book! It sucked me in immediately and i went through it so quickly. The storyline was solid, the characters great and ouff THE TENSION 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. i cannot wait to read more from this series, but also just by this author in general. Great debut.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending romance and fantasy seamlessly to create an enthralling narrative. From the very first page, I was hooked, and it didn't let go until the final word. The story revolves around a world where extraordinary abilities define one's status in the society of Ilya, creating a sharp divide between the Elites and the Ordinary.

The characters, especially the fierce and resourceful Paedyn, are a highlight of this novel. Paedyn's journey from pretending to be an Elite to her unexpected entry into the Purging Trials is a gripping ride filled with tension, courage, and self-discovery. She's a character who truly shines and keeps you rooting for her every step of the way.

And then there's Kai, the charismatic prince with a flair for banter and an intriguing backstory. The chemistry between Paedyn and Kai is electric, and their forbidden love story is beautifully crafted. Their interactions are filled with tension and charm, making them a captivating pair.

While the book is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy, it's not without its flaws. Some readers might find it overly long, with scenes that feel self-indulgent and repetitive. The repeated use of certain tropes, like a knife to the throat, could have been handled more creatively. The book occasionally tells rather than shows important character traits, missing opportunities for deeper character development.

Despite these minor issues, "Powerless" is a delightful fantasy read that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. The mix of romance, magic, and suspense creates a truly immersive world, and the characters will stay with you long after you've finished the last chapter. If you're a fan of thrilling, magical romances, this book is definitely worth your time.

I heard so many great things about this debut that I had to request it and I’m disappointed to say that I found this one just ok. I think what would have helped my enjoyment a little more was more world building. This one to me felt really similar to the hunger games and red queen and while I like both of those books, I was just looking for something a little more original. Overall not my favourite but would still recommend for those who enjoyed those two books and want something similar

Rating - 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - October 27, 2023
First Publication Date - January 31, 2023
New Publication Date - November 7, 2023

*I received an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @laurens1ibrary, @simonschusterca and @netgalley!

Powerless gives off Hunger Games vibes so if you liked that book and enjoy a bit of magic, Powerless would be perfect for you!

I love the dedication in this book. It is perfectly short but strong. Don’t skip over it!

From the first line, this book throws you right into the action and never really stops. There was no point where I got bored. In fact, I found myself reading past the time I would tell myself that I would put the book down because I had to know what would happen next.

I love how descriptive this book is. It was easy to visualize, which is important in any book but especially in fantasy books where you are in a completely different world.

I also have to say that I love Paedyn's badass attitude and bad bitch energy! The romance is extremely slow-burn but the banter is amazing! There’s a hint of a love triangle, which is not my favourite, but it was subtle enough that I didn’t mind it.

Powerless does end with a cliffhanger, so beware and consider yourself warned... but it’s so worth it!

I highly recommend this book and I am so excited for the second one!

*Please check trigger warnings*

This was a great work of fantasy romance that many readers will relate with Hunger Games.

The author presented two sociates. After the Plague that killed thousands of Ilyas, some people possessed a special power. They were called Elites. The Ordinary people hadn't developed special abilities and being considered as carriers of undetectable diseases, they were banished from the kingdom.

The main plot focuses on the Trials where young people who possess a special ability, compete against each other to win. Paedyn doesn't have any special power; however, she was nominated to compete after she stole from Prince Kai and later saved his life. She's determined to win for the better life of the Ordinary people and for her father's revenge. She will fight against those who have special power and against prince Kai, the future Enforcer who was born to kill.

Cleverly crafted story filled with constant actions, violence, and tension. I never really found interest in any of the dramatic and brutal-fighting books, but this book was much more than that. I really enjoyed the humorous interactions between Paedyn and Kai. The ending was not what I expected and the Paedyn story will continue in a second book from this series which is coming in June 2024. Great debut novel that I think will be made into a movie.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the arc!

3.5/5 ⭐️

About:
• Survival game/trial

Read this if you're into:
• Rivals to lovers
• Dual POV
•The Hunger Games

If you're looking for an easy YA fantasy read, this book's world building was so simple to follow.

"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."

It's there in the synopsis. The basis of this story. Kai is an Ilyas prince who is to be the next enforcer. His training has involved hunting Ordinaries that are found in Ilya. Since the Plague they've been banished from the kingdom in order to preserve the Elite's powers. But Paedyn has been hiding in plain sight since. Living in the slums, she'd learned how to survive through being a thief and pretending to be Elite. When she saves Kai's life, she ends up being voted into the Purging Trials- where elite showcase their powers in competitions. Powers she does not have as an Ordinary. Even if she can survive the trial, if Kai finds out what she is, she's as good as dead.

I enjoyed this one. This story gave me Hunger Game vibes, mixed in with a splash of Fourth Wing and even some These Hollow Vows sprinkles. There is an element of secrets and suspense. While bringing action through competing trials where only the strongest survive. All while connections form. And not just between the two main MC's. Though I loved them both too. I very much enjoyed their banter. How their connection grew. The element of a romantic connection was one that I certainly felt. And found myself longing for more! There was definitely some major swoon. They felt much wiser than their young years too. A maturity I didn't expect.

All that said, this story felt long. It felt slow. As much as I enjoyed it, it didn't have that extra oomph to keep me locked in and turning the pages. Not until the end anyway, where the pace picks up and I couldn't read it fast enough. I'm super intrigued by these characters and the story overall, so definitely can't wait to read more! A solid debut forsure!

*I received an ARC from Simon & Schuster CA via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Enjoyed the author's penchant for alliteration and all that slowburn banter and sparks, wasn't a fan of all the violence, and the ending was stressful but finding out this book was the first in a trilogy was like what's gonna happen next.

Wow what a ride!

I loved this book!

I loved the Hunger Games vibe, but it was still unique.

After so many over powered “strong female leads” it was refreshing to have a strong women who wasn’t strong because she had the biggest and strongest powers.

She was strong because she had to work at it. It shows! She came across as more relatable and realistic.

The story flowed well and I can not wait for book 2!!

3.75 stars

She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.
*Can I just ask why we need to send out an incredibly powerful prince to hunt people with 0 powers?
He is the very thing she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.
*Actually, he's not. She has been pretending she has powers, but she has been pretending to be mundane, and amongst the hierarchy of those with powers, they are essentially scum. He is like fucking top tier. It's not comparable. Nice hook, but not accurate.

Paedyn has been trained by her father since a young age to pretend that she has psychic abilities. She uses observation skills to make assumptions and educated guesses, as is typical with most scammer psychics. What I didn't like about this was that no one had ever heard about this ability, not even the king, and she was found not to respond to a Silencer (someone who can quash abilities in others) AND Kai, the prince whose power is to feel and utilize powers around him, did not feel anything from her. She has a song and dance to explain this, but they have fucking people with powers to tell if you're lying. Why would a paranoid egomaniac king not have one of those in his presence at all times? Why wouldn't they just call one over to see if she's bullshitting? It's not like she was making mindblowing predictions. It didn't make sense to me. Oh my dad says this is a really rare ability. Oh, and your dad knows why? Why do we believe/trust your dad? No one fucking else knows about this shit.

This is a really typical YA fantasy which uses the love triangle among brothers trope. It also has the FMC being found interesting/intriguing by the princes because she's rude to them. So refreshing.

Prince Kai is the dark haired (of course) bad boy, second in line to the throne and meant to be his brother's future Enforcer (like a general/head of security/torturer type situation). What was interesting about that is that there is no mention of a current enforcer. There is no explanation as to why this prince, second in line for the throne, is being sent repeatedly into situations where he risks his life in order to capture and torture people. Are you so hard up? Do you not have anyone else who can do this? I could understand for certain situations you want someone highly specialized and who you can trust, but he seems to be his dad's bitch, sent out to do like all the dirty work.

Throughout this book, Paedyn repeatedly laments that prince I can't remember his name, the blonde one who will be king, has the same eyes as his father and therefore she cannot look at him without being reminded of his father who killed HER father, <spoiler>Significant spoiler: It is later detailed that she actually mentally switched Kai for the king in her mind because she knew him better and already hated him? And Kai was actually the one who killed her father. Fuck off.</spoiler> and so she doesn't connect with him like she does with Kai. Still, she flirts with him all the time, goes to all the balls with him, bla bla bla.

Prince forgotten name steadfastly believes his father's bullshit about the Ordinary being diseased and therefore hazardous to the Elite because this supposed disease will drain their powers. He therefore thinks that the genocide of Ordinary people is totes worth it.

I am slow blinking.

Prince forgotten name also knows the fucked up shit his father has done to his brother all in the name of training him up to be his future Enforcer, and yet he still licks daddy's ass and does everything he says and believes he's ultimately a good person.. Like, how can you not hate him? He's a piece of shit little pussy bitch. I hate him.

It is pointed out that the Ordinary had lived amongst the Elites for decades with no evidence of the supposed disease repercussions being bandied about. Again, this is a society with people who have the ability to tell if you're lying.

There are just a lot of irritating plot holes, and the book has been done, like it has been done left, right and upside down. This shit has been done to death.

However, what I did enjoy was the very gradual building of feelings/acceptance of those feelings between Kai and Paedyn. I thought that was done well. I'm also interested to see where the significant cliffhanger this book ended on leads in the next book.

Despite the fact that I have bitched substantially for 95% of this review, and despite the fact that I am sure to be equally if not more irritated by it, I do want to read the next one.

If you're a prolific reader of YA fantasy, god knows you're used to shit being done and redone. You probably won't regret adding this one to the tbr pile.

5⭐️

This was heavily inspired by the hunger games (described as hunger games meets red queen), I haven't read red queen so I can't say much about that but I did see a lot of resemblance to the hunger games. I loved the hunger games so I knew that I would love powerless just as much!

There was so much tension between the mcs, they don't even kiss in this book 😭 the banter was unmatched though and there's multiple knife to throat scenes + multiple ballroom events, so I guess that compensates for that. A lot of popular romantasy tropes were in this and as cliche as they all are, I still ate this book up 😩

The ending though... super messy, I wonder how the mcs are going to work out after THAT happened. This book, in my opinion, was really well written for a debut novel. I flew through the book super fast and it makes me excited to see what happens next everytime I pick it up. Reckless comes out sometime in July 2024 and I already can't wait to read it.

💌 thank you simon and schuster for the e-arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

2.25/5 stars

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was The Hunger Games meet Defy The Night type romantasy for me.

Cons.
So much dramatic and cheesy romantic dialogue between our MCs for the purpose of adding tension at the cost of repetition.
Instalove. I felt zero tension between the MCs because we know from the start when they first met that he was intrigued by her and was basically in love.
Character plot holes. I feel like there were inconsistencies with the character's personalities. For example, we know Paedyn is a strong and skilled thief who handled a grown man/silencer. How come in subsequent scenes she suddenly needed BASIC combat tips from Kai... I feel misled.

Pros.
The action scenes were scenes I looked for.
The ending. Although predictable, it adds intrigue to read the next book.
Adena's death... sad and needed so I can feel something when reading this book.

Although this book wasn't my favourite, I would probably read the next book to see how the plot pans out.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Receive this ARC made me really happy.

As a debut novel, this story is compelling and will be a great read for most romance and romantasy reader.

On my end, I found the beginning way too similar to Hunger Games. I found the chemistry between Kai and Paedyn interesting to follow. I found the book to be quite "tropey" and it could've benefitted of a lot more depth and less repetition.

All in a all, its a entertaining read, and that's what books are best at 💚