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A review by noecka
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
》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