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enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I’m so unused to someone wanting me. Choosing me. Finding me worth the effort. Because I’m completely undeserving of it. Of her. If darkness is the absence of light, then that is what I am when she is not around. And I wonder how I’ve stumbled this long without her to guide me...
I’ve spent my whole life wishing to be wanted. And here he is, begging me to let him... He is my fantasy. This is my reality. With that realization, all hesitation vanishes. And I kiss him.
This novella gives us the POV of a supporting character from book 1 while big events were happening (you have to read book 1 first). Boy, oh boy, this was an emotional ride. Without spoilers, it’s strange to any time we move through an established timeline, but learn new things because we get to see a new POV. So, while many of the events in this novella weren’t new per se, witnessing the Trials, balls, etc. from Adena and Mak’s POVs was interesting. This is significantly more emotional than the last book (hence why there’s an emotional rating on this graphic) and it’s fast-paced because of the shorter format. But we still get swoon-y lines, colorful writing, lovable characters and we get to see some book 1 faves.
“I count the stars,” she says softly. “To help me sleep... I always wondered how something could shine so bright, even while being swallowed in darkness... I hope they know how admired they are up there,” she murmurs. “I mean, I count them before bed every night.”
I shake my head at the sight of her admiring something far duller than she. “I’m quite sure that even the stars are envious of you... Because one day—far from now—you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one." ...
"And will you be beside me up there?”
“If I should be so lucky.”
“Promise me,” she murmurs sternly. “I don’t want to be alone.”
I nod against her hair. “I promise, Dena.”
Okay, real talk. This book wrecked me. Without spoilers, let me say knowing the basic outline of events (since this book takes place during book 1’s timeline), does NOT make it easier to read. It just makes it more crushing.
I’ve never been much good with pain. Never needed to be. But I refuse to be ashamed of my softness. Gentleness is the strength that fragility lacks.
It would be one thing, if there was a reason behind it. But as I’m writing this, I’ve already finished Reckless, the next book in this series, & it doesn’t seem like Powerful was necessary to understand the series. Like, are new characters gonna prove important to this world? It doesn’t seem like it. So why hurt us like this, Lauren? Why?! 😭 Maybe it will pay off in book 3? I don’t know... but I still loved this book... it just hurts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
honeyviv's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
chloesterol74's review against another edition
4.5
lauren robert’s you sneaky conniving little evil genius why do you have to do this to me i’m ugly crying rn and the COVER?? i cried enough from paedyn’s perspective but this whole book is just torture. i kinda wish mak died too bc then they could be in the stars together. this book was emotional abuse on me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, and Classism
enzopudge's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
findmereading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Violence
sammymilfort's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Sexual harassment
izzyreads13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I loved powerless and was very excited to get into powerful. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the dynamic between Adena and Mak, as it was very different tot he relationships we see in Powerless. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s a lot of funny banter between the two of them and it’s engaging and makes you want to proceed with the story. Since it is a Novela, their relationship does progress rather quickly, but it never doesn’t make sense, it manages to speed up and get to where it needs to be without sacrificing a lot of relationship building between the two of them. I also do personally relate a lot to Adena so I loved seeing her perspective and her story and this book did give me all the more reason to love her.
Due to the short nature of the book, there’s not a lot this book focuses on besides her relationship with Mak which is this books only “set back” to me, as I’d hope to see more interactions with Paedyn but I understand why that maybe couldn’t be possible. Despite that however I did enjoy the mentions of all the other characters from the first book.Kai, Kitt and the king all make appearances and we get to see how they each interact with Adena and her thoughts on each of them. I
Overall, I did enjoy this book and piece of the story, I loved their dynamic, how different it was from the first books dynamics, how they progressed with one another and grew. The only reason I don’t rate this higher is simply because of the fact that it’s short (which is a given) so some things that I may have personally liked to see more of, didn’t occur. But the story itself was beautiful and well written as was powerless and if you’re a lover of the grumpy x sunshine trope I HIGHLY recommend this book to you.
Happy reading!
Due to the short nature of the book, there’s not a lot this book focuses on besides her relationship with Mak which is this books only “set back” to me, as I’d hope to see more interactions with Paedyn but I understand why that maybe couldn’t be possible. Despite that however I did enjoy the mentions of all the other characters from the first book.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and piece of the story, I loved their dynamic, how different it was from the first books dynamics, how they progressed with one another and grew. The only reason I don’t rate this higher is simply because of the fact that it’s short (which is a given) so some things that I may have personally liked to see more of, didn’t occur. But the story itself was beautiful and well written as was powerless and if you’re a lover of the grumpy x sunshine trope I HIGHLY recommend this book to you.
Happy reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
j_day's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment