Powerless | Lauren Roberts| Book Review
In the kingdom of Ilya, only the elites with powers are allowed to stay. A plaque had hit the kingdom which left the people with magical powers as a side effect. But those who did not get the powers, were thought to carry a disease that would in time weaken the elites. Hence these powerless individuals who were called the ordinaries, were banished.
Settled amidst heaps of trash is a home that houses two friends, Paedyn and Adena. Having no resources and no family, they have to rely on stealing so that they may survive. Paedyn steals cloth for Adena who is a lovely seamstress. She makes the most amazing dresses that she later sells and makes a profit that helps them get through another day.
Life has been hard for Paedyn who has kept a dark secret about herself. She is not a psychic; she is just an ordinary girl who has disguised as someone with mundane powers. Her father taught her how to intuitively pick up signs and rely on her worldly knowledge, so that she could pose as a psychic and not come accross as powerless.
One day, she happens to save someone’s life whom she doesn’t recognize. She finds out later that he was in fact the prince of llya, Prince Kai. Now, not only has she invited unnecessary attention towards herself but also has been nominated to attend the purging trials. These trials are a brutal game of showcasing the power of elites. You either emerge victorious or get killed.
My thoughts on Powerless
If you ask for a beautiful blend between fantasy and an enemies turned lovers romance, this is it !It packs all the elements of a lovely story that one can never forget. The world building in particular is beautiful and leaves a lasting impression on you. How the author describes Kai’s eyes as being stormy gray and Paedyn,s being like the ocean, makes you want to actually meet them in person and see the magnificence of their appearance.
Good points
Initially I thought the trials will all be about battles and sword fights but the author did not fail to amaze me. It was way beyond expectation. Each round was a new challenge. Each puzzle was a new and fresh take on what a magical trail should actually look like.
I have to mention kai in the list of things that I loved about the book. Actually, I should also mention Keith. These two are the most endearing characters of the book. The fierce, strong and ruthless fighter, Kai and the sweet, well-mannered and graceful future king, Keith. I fell in love with these two and still can’t choose just one among them.
The push and pull, the love and hate of Paedyn and Kai is worth reading so many pages for. All the scenes are electrifying in the best possible way. The longing, the wait; it makes your heart burst at the seams. It also sort of has a love triangle angle, which makes things more interesting.
Adena was another notable character that I enjoyed reading about. The easy friendship that Paedyn had with her and all that they went through together makes you have a soft corner for the poor Adena who was left behind when Paedyn left for the trials. They had no idea when and if they will ever meet again.
‘His grey eyes are like chips of ice, shards of glass. Like both, his gaze is pointed and piercing, cold yet captivating. Beautiful in a way only deadly things can be.’
Negative points of Powerless
What I dislike about this book? The fact that it ended! Despite having so many pages and being longer than most books, I stick by what I said. There is nothing else that I would say was a drawback because every other detail was on point and I can’t wait to read it’s second part, ‘Reckless.’
Author: Lauren Roberts
Publish Year: 2023
writing: 4.5/5
Presentation: 4.5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Genre: Fantasy/ Fiction/Adventure
