Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Genocide
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The writing was juvenile and the plot lacked originality. Basically a mashup of Hunger Games and other dystopian YA. Nothing new or creative. Everything was underdeveloped, incl. worldbuilding and characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Classism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Pandemic/Epidemic
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
》Second read 2025: 4☆
Omg, Powerless is one of my favourite reads. That ending is absolutely amazing, heartbreaking, and had me, even the second time, in a chokehold.
The vibes were amazing. The ball scenes were so fun to read. My absolute favourite scene was Paedyn and Kai standing in the pouring rain outside and their realisations about their feelings for each other.
Let's start with the main characters.
To be honest, Paedyn Grey is far from my favourite fmc. At least in this book. I enjoyed her more on Reckless and have yet to read Fearless. So we'll see.
I think she was a little annoying at times, but I don't really blame her after what she went through. She had her character development at the end, where she finally was the badass girl she thought she was the whole book and stood her ground. I think she was a little selfish at times, especially with her so-called best friend Adena. But she did realise this at the end, and I love when people acknowledge their faults and want to do better.
I did love her teasing, her jokes, sarcasm, her ruthlessness, confidence, determination, and dedication. Also, her bravery and beliefs to do what is right. Also, her outfits ate fr.
And then there is Kai. OH MY GOD. Kai, the man you are. He got me giggling and kicking my feet, giving me butterflies. He was my favourite character in this book.
I was really interested in his backstory and felt sorry for him after everything he went through. Being the pawn for his father to assassinate and take out people. My poor boy was traumatised and was never really loved and cared for. Never really seen and comforted before he met Paedyn.
Also, everything he says is so poetic. It's beautiful and got me swooning. The way he speaks about Paedyn and talks to her is everything. And don't get me started on all his gestures, touches, moves, and teasing with her. Bro, had we screaming. The way he always wanted to protect her.
I honestly couldn't care less about the other characters. They were bland and they were boring, I mean especially in comparison with Kai. So they were just there, yk. Just the average side-characters without a deep personality. That was kinda disappointing.
I always felt there was something off about Kitt. Also, I think it was really unrealistic how his personality did a 360 and changed completely. When you've been kind and soft YOUR WHOLE LIFE, you can not turn freaking psycho and heartless in less than three days. Where's the logic in that? His whole character was thrown away. The only reasonable explanation is that he always was that cruel deep down but just pretended to be otherwise. Maybe he really is just like his father.
Okay, now for the story. Honestly, the reason why I enjoyed this book so much was because of the vibes, the scenes between Paedyn and Kai. I LOVED them.
The plot was interesting, I mean the concept of people having powers and how others don't. But I was a little disappointed with how the story didn't dive deeper into this concept. I think a little more explanation and world building would've made this book sooo much better.
It was mainly character driven, with the focus on Paedyn and Kai, which I didn't mind. I ate that up. But I would've loved to know more about the world, history, story, and other characters.
Overall, I really liked Powerless. It had the bickering, bantering, teasing, romance with fantasy elements, and really lovely scenes and conversations that had we blushing. It's an easy read, not complex to understand, immaculate vibes, and you just enjoy reading without thinking too much. It's a comfort read for me.
But I'll be honest, Reckless was definitely better. So I'm excited to read that one again.
~ Caitlin out💋
Omg, Powerless is one of my favourite reads. That ending is absolutely amazing, heartbreaking, and had me, even the second time, in a chokehold.
The vibes were amazing. The ball scenes were so fun to read. My absolute favourite scene was Paedyn and Kai standing in the pouring rain outside and their realisations about their feelings for each other.
Let's start with the main characters.
To be honest, Paedyn Grey is far from my favourite fmc. At least in this book. I enjoyed her more on Reckless and have yet to read Fearless. So we'll see.
I think she was a little annoying at times, but I don't really blame her after what she went through. She had her character development at the end, where she finally was the badass girl she thought she was the whole book and stood her ground. I think she was a little selfish at times, especially with her so-called best friend Adena. But she did realise this at the end, and I love when people acknowledge their faults and want to do better.
I did love her teasing, her jokes, sarcasm, her ruthlessness, confidence, determination, and dedication. Also, her bravery and beliefs to do what is right. Also, her outfits ate fr.
And then there is Kai. OH MY GOD. Kai, the man you are. He got me giggling and kicking my feet, giving me butterflies. He was my favourite character in this book.
I was really interested in his backstory and felt sorry for him after everything he went through. Being the pawn for his father to assassinate and take out people. My poor boy was traumatised and was never really loved and cared for. Never really seen and comforted before he met Paedyn.
Also, everything he says is so poetic. It's beautiful and got me swooning. The way he speaks about Paedyn and talks to her is everything. And don't get me started on all his gestures, touches, moves, and teasing with her. Bro, had we screaming. The way he always wanted to protect her.
I honestly couldn't care less about the other characters. They were bland and they were boring, I mean especially in comparison with Kai. So they were just there, yk. Just the average side-characters without a deep personality. That was kinda disappointing.
I always felt there was something off about Kitt. Also, I think it was really unrealistic how his personality did a 360 and changed completely. When you've been kind and soft YOUR WHOLE LIFE, you can not turn freaking psycho and heartless in less than three days. Where's the logic in that? His whole character was thrown away. The only reasonable explanation is that he always was that cruel deep down but just pretended to be otherwise. Maybe he really is just like his father.
Okay, now for the story. Honestly, the reason why I enjoyed this book so much was because of the vibes, the scenes between Paedyn and Kai. I LOVED them.
The plot was interesting, I mean the concept of people having powers and how others don't. But I was a little disappointed with how the story didn't dive deeper into this concept. I think a little more explanation and world building would've made this book sooo much better.
It was mainly character driven, with the focus on Paedyn and Kai, which I didn't mind. I ate that up. But I would've loved to know more about the world, history, story, and other characters.
Overall, I really liked Powerless. It had the bickering, bantering, teasing, romance with fantasy elements, and really lovely scenes and conversations that had we blushing. It's an easy read, not complex to understand, immaculate vibes, and you just enjoy reading without thinking too much. It's a comfort read for me.
But I'll be honest, Reckless was definitely better. So I'm excited to read that one again.
~ Caitlin out💋
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Hunger Games but with superpowers!
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did but it was a really great story!
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did but it was a really great story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Love this book. Looking forward to read the following Powerful, Reckless and Fearless.
If you like The Hunger Games then you'll definitely like The Powerless series.
If you like The Hunger Games then you'll definitely like The Powerless series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay so I'll start by saying I had fun reading this book. This book was on my TBR for awhile and what convinced me to read it were Kai Azer edits on Tik Tok (Oh, darlin'). I'll also point out I did a immersive/hybrid read and that made it even better for me (which is when you listen to the audiobook and read the book at the same time).
Could I tell that the author probably wrote this when she was 18? (I think that's what I read on her website) Yes.
Was it a bit cheesy/juvenile at times? Yes. (Blair's mean girl attitude and the princes ruffling their brother's hair every other time they saw him).
Was it straight plagiarism of The Hunger Games (I haven't read Red Queen yet so maybe I’m missing something?) like some people claim? No.
I wouldn't go that far. The only thing that's similar to THG IMO are the trials (the balls, interviews announcer, etc) and Paedyn using a bow and arrow (which isnt even her main weapon, it's the dagger on the front cover. She only uses a bow and arrow during the trials). Kai is NOT Peeta and she is no Katniss. Again I haven’t read RQ yet.
But WHEW Kai is a poet. And I felt HARD for the characters at the end. They were all put in very difficult positions, understandably.
I would've rated it higher if that ending didn't seem as random (apparently there’s context and it's cleared up in the novella Powerful but I couldn't care less after this cliff hanger). I feel like that should've just been part of the book with multiple POVs instead of just Pae, Kai, and Kitt).
But I had a fun time, the banter was bantering, I was giggling and kicking my feet whenever Kai spoke and am going to continue to book 2. (I heard its painful so wish me luck!)
Could I tell that the author probably wrote this when she was 18? (I think that's what I read on her website) Yes.
Was it a bit cheesy/juvenile at times? Yes. (Blair's mean girl attitude and the princes ruffling their brother's hair every other time they saw him).
Was it straight plagiarism of The Hunger Games (I haven't read Red Queen yet so maybe I’m missing something?) like some people claim? No.
I wouldn't go that far. The only thing that's similar to THG IMO are the trials (the balls, interviews announcer, etc) and Paedyn using a bow and arrow (which isnt even her main weapon, it's the dagger on the front cover. She only uses a bow and arrow during the trials). Kai is NOT Peeta and she is no Katniss. Again I haven’t read RQ yet.
But WHEW Kai is a poet. And I felt HARD for the characters at the end. They were all put in very difficult positions, understandably.
I would've rated it higher if that ending didn't seem as random (apparently there’s context and it's cleared up in the novella Powerful but I couldn't care less after this cliff hanger). I feel like that should've just been part of the book with multiple POVs instead of just Pae, Kai, and Kitt).
But I had a fun time, the banter was bantering, I was giggling and kicking my feet whenever Kai spoke and am going to continue to book 2. (I heard its painful so wish me luck!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Death of parent