Reviews with content warning for Grief - Powerful

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Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

40 reviews

mayvee's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

5.0

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booklover6000's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad medium-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

4.0

That was so sad. I got emotional a couple of times, the end of it was my undoing. I don’t know why, but I got quickly attached to those characters. I think it was because I saw the main characters downfall through three different eyes. Also having to relive it in the novella. The perspectives of character themselves (trying to not spoil), the boy she cared for, and her best friend. It was different hearing the dying characters perspective because I thought she could hear Paedyn, but she actually couldn't, not even feeling pain. And when I read the perspective of her Mak, oh man I felt empty inside. The complaint I do have though is that I felt like a lot of it was just repeating the same thing over and over again. Like how she was the sun and he’ll be lonely without her. I read through some of it without actually reading because I heard it 50 times before. Other than that though, it was good.

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jehansen127's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective tense medium-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

4.0

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enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition

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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.

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avialaeleigh's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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? No

5.0

Okay what the fuck. I did not expect to cry. And it was so much worse reading it from Adena and Mak's pov's. It was so good though just hate that it made me cry and that Adena and Mak didnt get more time together.

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carlyjoann's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I was excited to get more about Adena and what happened to her but this was a big letdown.

I knew what was coming the whole time and it just made me sad. Also the fact that we still got no reason other than the King hated Paedyn is upsetting but not surprising.

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enzopudge's review against another edition

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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

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madi_reads13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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savvyrosereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rating: 4/5 stars

A novella set during the same timeline as POWERLESS, this is the story of Adena’s experiences during the trials.

This is a short and fast read (I read it mostly in one sitting), and adds a lot of color, depth, and context to the POWERLESS universe and characters. Overall, it definitely didn’t grab me quite the way POWERLESS did, but I LOVED Mak, and the story was definitely super emotional. I’m hopeful that some of the events and characters here will tie into the rest of the trilogy, but I’m glad I read this either way.

CW: Violence/blood/death/grief; child abuse; sexual harassment

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eviej2010's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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