BOOK REVIEW: Powerless {The Powerless Trilogy, # 1} by Lauren Roberts

"She’s bewildering as much as she is beguiling. That pretty mouth of hers says one thing, but those ocean eyes say another. She pulls a knife from my back only to say she’ll bury another one there. She’s confusing, captivating, and we’re completely wrong for each other in all the right ways. She’s a flame, and I’m going to get burned. An ocean and I’m going to drown."
I didn't realize how much I needed this book until I found myself awake at 2:00am devouring the pages. Though characteristically similar to The Hunger Games, Lauren Roberts' Powerless is a billion times more. The characters are endearing, the trials and tribulations are captivating, and the romance is slow-paced and sweet as opposed to the continual smut that keeps repeating in literature nowadays. Though I'm only just now putting pen to paper to review this powerful tale, I have already read the accompanying novella, aptly titled Powerful {highly recommend}, and have Reckless queued up to read next. But for now, more about Powerless...

The kingdom of Ilya has room only for one kind within its walls: the extraordinary. Those who are powerful, entitled...Elite. Eighteen-year-old Paedyn 'Pae' Gray doesn't fall within that category. For the past five years {since the untimely murder of her father} Pae has resided in the slums, utterly powerless, yet pretending to be something more in order to preserve her life. You see, Paedyn is an Ordinary, and Ordinaries have no business within Ilya. In fact, Ordinaries were banished long ago; therefore, Paedyn is a felon. But she has survived. She has thrived {if thieving is something you call thriving} by playing the role of clairvoyant. People believe Paedyn is Psychic, so she is allowed to remain, stealing for survival. The clincher? Paedyn is no such thing. What Paedyn is, is observant. She can observe traits about you, and spin them seamlessly into something believable that sells her story, and protects her person; but she's about to enter a world where her powerlessness is unlikely to keep her safe.

Following the unexpected rescue of one Kai Azer, one of Ilya's princes {the one who will take on the role of Enforcer within the kingdom}, Paedyn finds herself selected as one of the players in the deadly Purging Trials. A brutal competition held yearly to showcase the powers of Ilya's Elites, the Purging Trials is known for the untimely violent deaths of contestants, leading to a morbid thrill for viewers. Kai himself will be a part of this years Trials, but he is armed with the rare, and highly powerful, ability of wielding - a power that allows him to borrow the power of any Elite within range, making him veritably indestructible in combat. Pae, on the other hand, will be entering the Trials powerless, requiring that she rely on her wits and strength to keep her safe in an arena where everyone is trying to kill her. But perhaps the greatest thing she has to lose isn't her life...it's the secret of her Ordinariness being exposed to the very boy she has developed feelings for. A boy who will kill her if he learns that she's not the Elite she has pretended to be.

This book y'all...I am gutted. The characters are positively phenomenal. Paedyn is a literal badass babe who has a sharp tongue and killer strength at her fingertips; but it's her loyalty that really makes her a standout. Her relationship with and protectiveness of her bff Adena {who is legit the sweetest character ever; and a seamstress with the Phasing ability to boot} is one of my favorite bits of the book; and even though we don't get a ton of Adena in Powerless, Powerful is all hers {bring tissues though}. While the future crown prince, Kitt did v little for me, Kai had me weak in the knees. It was at Chapter 45 that I officially learned what it meant to have a book boyfriend; because during that chapter I fell head over heels for none other than Kai Azer. He is perfect - aside from the fact that he's expected to be a cold-blooded, heartless killer. Details...

Yes, the romance is a slow burn, enemies to lovers, which some people may not enjoy; but I personally loved the slow-pacing of it, as it was sweet to see it build, and sweetness is something that far too many books are missing nowadays when it comes to romance {at least IMO}. This is one you absolutely must read - especially if you're looking for something to fill The Hunger Games void in your life, as the Trials are v reminiscent of the games in regards to brutality. But the relationship-building? That, my friends, is in a class of its own.



Star Rating: ****1/2


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