Powerless by Lauren Roberts

✨ First Impressions

Powerless by Lauren Roberts is one of BookTok’s biggest fantasy sensations, and after hearing so much about it, I couldn’t wait to see what all the excitement was about. That’s exactly what happened with Powerless. The hype was everywhere, and with so many readers calling it their new favourite romantasy, I went in expecting something truly special.

Instead, I found myself constantly thinking of other books I’d already loved. Powerless immediately reminded me of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, while parts of its atmosphere and political struggles echoed Half a King by Joe Abercrombie. It felt like a blend of familiar ideas rather than something entirely new.

That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. Lauren Roberts knows how to keep the story moving, balancing romance, danger and court politics in a way that makes it very easy to keep turning the pages. I was invested enough to want to know what happened next, even if I wasn’t often surprised.

By the end, I understood why so many readers have fallen in love with this world, but I also understood why it didn’t completely work for me. Powerless was an enjoyable read with some memorable moments, yet it never escaped the shadow of the stories it reminded me of. In the end, it earned a solid 3 out of 5 stars—good enough to continue the series, but not one I’ll be thinking about for years.

❤️What I Loved

One thing I have to give Lauren Roberts credit for is how effortlessly readable Powerless is. Despite being over 500 pages long, it rarely felt like a chore to pick up. The chapters are short, the pacing keeps the story moving, and there’s always just enough happening to make you want to read one more chapter.

I also enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters. While the romance follows some familiar YA romantasy tropes, the chemistry felt natural enough to keep me invested. The banter added some lighter moments to a story that is otherwise filled with tension, danger, and political uncertainty.

The world itself is another strength. Although the concept of an unequal society divided by power isn’t entirely original, Lauren Roberts builds a setting that is easy to visualise and understand. I never felt lost in endless explanations or complicated lore, which made it easy to stay immersed in the story.

The action scenes were another highlight. Whether the characters were facing physical challenges or navigating dangerous political situations, there was enough suspense to keep the pages turning. Roberts clearly knows how to end a chapter at just the right moment to encourage “just one more.”

Finally, I can absolutely understand why this series became so popular on BookTok. It has many of the ingredients readers love: enemies-to-lovers tension, high stakes, attractive characters, palace intrigue, deadly competitions, and plenty of emotional drama. Even though it didn’t become a favourite of mine, I can easily see why so many readers connected with it.

🤔What Didn’t Quite Work for Me

No book works perfectly for every reader, and Powerless was one of those stories where my biggest challenge wasn’t the writing itself—it was the feeling of familiarity.

Having read fantasy for many years, I found myself drawing comparisons to books I already knew and loved. The story immediately reminded me of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, while parts of its world and political tension brought Half a King by Joe Abercrombie to mind. Those similarities didn’t stop me from enjoying the book, but they did make it harder for the story to surprise me.

I also felt that some of the twists and character dynamics followed familiar YA fantasy patterns. As a result, there were moments when I could see where the story was heading before it got there. That sense of predictability took away some of the excitement I was hoping to experience.

That said, I completely understand why so many readers have fallen in love with this series. If Powerless is one of your first fantasy or romantasy books, it will probably feel much fresher than it did to me. Sometimes our reading experience is shaped just as much by the books we’ve already read as by the one currently in our hands.

For me, Powerless wasn’t disappointing—it simply didn’t leave the lasting impression I had expected after hearing so much praise. It was an enjoyable journey, just not one that became a new favourite.

Writing Style & Pacing

I experienced Powerless as an audiobook, and it made for an incredibly easy listen. Even though the story is over 500 pages long in print, it never felt slow or difficult to get through. The pacing kept me engaged, and I always wanted to know what would happen next.

Lauren Roberts has a writing style that is approachable and easy to follow. She doesn’t overwhelm the reader with complicated world-building or lengthy descriptions, allowing the story to unfold naturally. The dialogue flows well, the action scenes are exciting, and the quieter moments give the characters space to breathe without slowing the narrative too much.

The short chapters also help maintain momentum. They create that familiar “just one more chapter” feeling, making it surprisingly easy to keep reading—or, in my case, keep listening.

While the plot didn’t always surprise me, the storytelling itself was engaging enough that I wanted to see how everything would unfold. Whether you’re picking up the physical book or the audiobook, Powerless is the kind of fantasy that’s easy to binge.

Characters

The characters were one of the strongest parts of the novel for me. Paedyn is a determined and resourceful protagonist who refuses to let her circumstances define her. Even when she makes questionable decisions, her motivations are understandable, making it easy to stay emotionally invested in her journey.

Kai was probably my favourite character. Beneath his confidence and reputation lies a much more complex person, torn between duty, family expectations and his own emotions. His interactions with Paedyn provided many of the novel’s most enjoyable moments, especially the banter that gradually develops between them.

I also appreciated that the supporting cast wasn’t simply there to fill the background. While not every secondary character receives the same level of development, several of them add depth to the world and make the political landscape feel more believable.

The relationships—both romantic and platonic—develop at a comfortable pace. Although some character arcs follow familiar YA fantasy tropes, they were written well enough that I remained invested throughout the story.

World-Building

One of the things I appreciated most about Powerless was how easy it was to immerse myself in its world. Lauren Roberts introduces the setting gradually, allowing the reader to discover its rules and hierarchy alongside the characters. I never felt overwhelmed by complicated lore or endless explanations, which made it easy to stay focused on the story.

The society itself is built around a clear divide between those born with extraordinary abilities and those without them. That imbalance creates constant tension and raises interesting questions about privilege, survival and belonging, giving the story more depth than a simple fantasy adventure.

At the same time, I couldn’t help noticing familiar elements that reminded me of other books I’ve enjoyed. The political atmosphere brought Red Queen to mind, while some aspects of the world and its struggles echoed Half a King. Rather than feeling completely original, Powerless felt like a fresh combination of ideas that fantasy readers may already recognise.

That familiarity didn’t stop me from enjoying the journey. On the contrary, it made the world comfortable to step into, even if it rarely surprised me. Readers who enjoy competitive trials, royal politics, hidden identities and slow-burn romance will likely feel right at home here.

💜Final Thoughts

Powerless may not have become a new favourite, but I’m still glad I experienced it. Lauren Roberts has created a fast-paced fantasy with engaging characters, plenty of tension and a romance that will undoubtedly appeal to many readers.

While it didn’t completely live up to the expectations I had before starting it, it was still an enjoyable journey from beginning to end. I found myself eager to keep listening, and by the time I finished, I was curious enough to continue with the rest of the series.

Overall, I gave Powerless 3 out of 5 stars. It may not have earned a place among my all-time favourites, but it reminded me why romantasy has become such a popular genre. If you’re looking for an entertaining adventure with memorable characters, plenty of tension and a romance that keeps the pages turning, Powerless is well worth adding to your TBR.

📖 Book Details

Title: Powerless

Romanian Title: Powerless. Jocul

Author: Lauren Roberts

Series: The Powerless Trilogy #1

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Romantasy

Publisher (English): Simon & Schuster Children’s UK

Publisher (Romanian): Litera

Romanian Collection: Moon Light

Translator: Irina Stoica

Publication Date (English): 6 July 2023

Publication Date (Romanian): 2024

Pages: 522 (English Hardcover) • 560 (Romanian Paperback)

Format I Experienced: Audiobook