Powerless by Lauren Roberts has long dominated my social media feed, and I can honestly say that it lives up to the hype, and more. The story unfolds in the ruthless kingdom of Ilya, where a historic plague left survivors with unique magical abilities, elevating them to a ruling class known as the Elites. Meanwhile, the un-gifted “Ordinaries”, as they are referred to by the Elites, are deemed a threat to society and hunted by the rulers of the kingdom. The protagonist, Paedyn Gray, is an Ordinary surviving in the slums of Ilya, utilizing skills and observations taught by her deceased father to fake psychic abilities. However, after she inadvertently rescues Prince Kai- the future lethal Enforcer, or Ordinary hunter, of Ilya, she is thrust into the purging trials, a deadly, televised, tournament designed to showcase the power of the Elites.
The highlight of this book is the psychological tension and the layered character dynamics, especially with the twists near the end. Paedyn and Kai share a compelling banter that helps develop that slow burn romance for the readers, which Roberts does a phenomenal job of conveying. She keeps the high stakes tangible, especially since Kai’s literal duty is to execute people of Paedyn’s status, or “kind”, as they are called in the book, making it clear that they are viewed as a completely different species or creature in their eyes.
My only critique is that it drags a bit in the middle. Once the trials begin, the plot stalls in a repetitive cycle of training montages and circular inner monologues rather than advancing the trial’s actual stakes. Additionally, the similar structures to other dystopian classics such as The Hunger Games and Red Queen are hard to ignore, making the middle chapters somewhat predictable.
Regardless of those pacing issues, the high-stakes payoff makes it a great read that easily earned 4 stars. I highly recommend Powerless to teens who appreciate a dark romantic fantasy, high-stakes political rivalries, and witty dialogue. Because it’s the first of a trilogy, it’s absolutely necessary to read this book.
