Lauren Roberts’ Powerless is the kind of book that feels tailor-made for BookTok—a fast-paced, trope-heavy young adult fantasy brimming with tension, witty banter, and forbidden romance. While it doesn’t do anything groundbreaking, Powerless is undeniably addictive, mixing familiar elements with just enough intrigue to draw readers in and leave them begging for the next book.

The story follows Paedyn Gray, an “Ordinary” in a world where abilities define one’s worth—and survival. Living in the kingdom of Ilya, where being powerless is a death sentence, Paedyn has learned to hide her lack of ability by posing as a Psychic. Living a life of secrecy and careful deception, Paedyn has managed to evade detection, all while hiding the truth about her lack of abilities.

However, Paedyn’s carefully constructed life is put at risk when she saves Prince Kai, the future Enforcer tasked with executing the Ordinaries. As a result, Paedyn is thrust into the Purging Trials—a deadly competition designed to showcase Elite powers she doesn’t possess. With her life hanging in the balance, Paedyn must navigate a series of high-stakes challenges while keeping her secret intact. As she tries to stay under the radar, she finds herself growing closer to Kai, who is as brooding and intense as he is powerful. With the stakes rising, Paedyn fights to survive the Trials, protect her secret, and wrestle with her deepening feelings for the very prince who threatens her existence.

The premise is all too familiar, drawing clear inspiration from series like Red Queen, The Hunger Games, and The Serpent and the Wings of Night. For some readers, this familiarity may be comforting, but it also limits the book’s originality. The plot sticks closely to well-worn tropes, leaving little room for unexpected twists or fresh worldbuilding. While the story is engaging, it doesn’t offer much that’s new or surprising.

That said, the pacing of the book is relentless in the best way. From the moment the action kicks off, Roberts ensures that there’s no lull in the story. The fast pace keeps you on edge, with the constant pressure of the Trials and Paedyn’s secret providing ample conflict. Roberts also does a solid job of weaving world-building into the dialogue, offering just enough information to immerse readers in Ilya without bogging down the plot with long-winded explanations.

At the heart of the story are Paedyn and Kai. Their chemistry is electric, and the slow-burn romance is the perfect mix of angst and attraction. Roberts teases readers with moments of tension and witty banter, keeping the payoff just out of reach, laying the groundwork for a relationship that promises to be much more intense in the next installment. It’s frustrating in the best way.

But while the central romance is magnetic, the supporting characters don’t shine as brightly. Characters like Paedyn’s best friend Aedyna and Kai’s brother Kitt have potential but feel somewhat flat. Their roles are more functional than essential to the plot, and they don’t quite leave the lasting impression that Paedyn and Kai do.

Overall, if you’re a fan of tropey YA fantasy and slow-burn love stories with high stakes, Powerless is worth picking up. It’s a promising series starter that knows its audience and delivers exactly what they’re looking for. While it may not reinvent the genre, it offers a thrilling escape and leaves readers excited to see where Roberts takes the story next.

by Megan Brown