Lauren Roberts’ Reckless, the second book in the Powerless trilogy, has all the ingredients for a standout sequel: enemies-to-lovers tension, an escalating rebellion, and a fantasy world begging to be explored. Unfortunately, while it starts strong, it relies too heavily on recycled banter, a stalled plot, and underwhelming character development. Ultimately, Reckless feels like a filler book—a bridge to the finale that takes too long to get there.

The story picks up right where Powerless left off, throwing readers into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Paedyn Gray, now the infamous “King Killer,” is on the run, and Kai Azer, Ilya’s new Enforcer, is tasked with bringing her to justice. The opening chapters are fast-paced and full of action, but the momentum doesn’t last. What follows is a story bogged down by repetitive romantic angst between Paedyn and Kai, with little actual plot development. For a kingdom supposedly teetering on the brink of collapse, the stakes feel oddly low.

The uneven pacing is one of the book’s greatest flaws. The opening chapters are a whirlwind, with Paedyn and Kai zipping across the country in a tense, action-packed chase. However, the energy quickly fizzles out as the middle drags, relying too much on drawn-out romantic tension and recycled banter that does little to move the story forward. By the time the action picks up again near the end, the story feels like it’s scrambling to make up for lost time—only to culminate in an ending so predictable that it undermines any sense of payoff.

The romance between Paedyn and Kai is another weak spot. Early on, their romance shows promise, teasing the enemies-to-lovers angst fans loved in Powerless. However, this excitement quickly fades as their dynamic becomes repetitive and stale. Instead of genuine conflict, we get half-hearted attempts at pretending to hate each other, constantly overshadowed by flirtation that feels recycled from book one. Their “enemies-to-lovers” relationship never fully delivers on the enemies part, leaving the romance feeling flat and lacking the bite and angst it desperately needs.

Additionally, the inclusion of Kai’s brother, Kitt, as a point-of-view character also feels unnecessary. While his chapters add some insight into Ilya’s political turmoil, they rarely advance the main story and come across as filler.

That’s not to say Reckless doesn’t have its strengths. Robert’s worldbuilding expands on the kingdom of Ilya with vivid descriptions of neighboring cities and the historical backdrop of the rebellion. The harsh Scorches and bustling city of Dor are brought to life with rich detail, immersing readers in the fantasy setting. And while action scenes are few and far between, they’re some of the book’s strongest moments—well-written, engaging, and packed with energy.

Ultimately, Reckless feels like a transition book—one that stretches its material too thin to justify its length. While it sets the stage for the trilogy’s conclusion, it sacrifices much of the urgency and excitement that made Powerless so addictive. Fans invested in Paedyn and Kai’s journey will find enough here to keep them going, but it’s hard not to feel a twinge of disappointment that this sequel could have delivered so much more.

review by Megan Brown