Bookseller Reviews
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A riveting fantasy debut!
This book was truly fantastic, a fantasy novel based around a set of trials, reminiscent of the Hunger Games but not too similar. The use of dual POV was a... READ MORE
Unexpectedly well done.
BRO THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!
Self published and debut novel from a girl my age?! I was a fan from the VERY FIRST tik tok Lauren posted introducing herself ... READ MORE
A brilliant slow-burn and banter tale!
A tale that has deadly trials, lies and betrayals, a perfect slow burn, beautiful witty banter and a gut wrenching ending that leaves you wanting more!
... READ MORE
An exciting debut
Full of everything you want from a fantasy- world building, danger, trials, romance and twisted morals. This has a hint of the Hunger Games with the Trials... READ MORE
This destroyed me... In a good way
This book was amazing! I loved all of the characters (except the ones I was obviously meant to hate), they were pretty much ALL grey characters which was j... READ MORE
I just couldn’t put it down!
Lauren Roberts’ has created a book that was impossible to put down and was a throughly enjoyable read from start to finish. This book is definitely for fan... READ MORE
So bingeable!
A great book to get you out of a slump, honestly I felt like I was transported back to being 14 again and devouring the hunger games & divergent trilogies ... READ MORE
Lives up to the hype
Had to finally pick up a copy of Powerless by Lauren Roberts, and I've got to say it definitely lived up to expectations! It's kinda like hunger games, but... READ MORE
I will definatley be picking up the rest of the series!!
To be honest, when I first tried to read this book last year i didn't understand the hype!!! I got around 150 pages in before I dnf'd but I am so glad I ga... READ MORE
10/10 Series
Lauren Roberts has mastered the art of YA romantasy with this stunning series. This novel takes us alongside character Paedyn and Kai through their journey... READ MORE
Great book!
Powerless by Lauren Roberts offers an enjoyable blend of romance and fantasy, capturing the essence of a romantasy novel while delivering a fast-paced adve... READ MORE
Stunning debut
This book was sublime from start to finish and such an incredible debut for an author who wrote it at just 18 years of age!! I'm currently in my fantasy er... READ MORE
My new all time favourite
This book was insanely good. So good in fact that it has become my NEW FAVOURITE, literally out of all the books I've ever read. It gives hunger game vibes... READ MORE
Compelling
While I didn’t love this as much as everyone else does, I’m still so intrigued by this world and these characters and very excited to pick up Reckless! The... READ MORE
Not groundbreaking, but so much fun!
Powerless might not reinvent the wheel, but wow, was it an addictive read. Lauren Roberts delivers exactly what I wanted - fast-paced action, a compelling ... READ MORE
Synopsis
Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya...
The Elites have possessed powers for decades, gifted to them by the Plague, while those born Ordinary are just that, banished from the kingdom and shunned from society.
No one knows this better than Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary posing as a Psychic to blend in with the Elites. When she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya's princes, Kai Azer, she's thrown into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition showcasing the Elites' powers.
If the Trials and the opponents within them don't kill her, the prince she's fighting feelings for will if he discovers what Paedyn is... completely Ordinary.
Be swept away by the first in the romantasy trilogy taking the world by storm!
Publisher information
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
- ISBN: 9781398529489
- Number of pages: 528
- Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 31 mm
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allEnthralling read.
This was a fantastic SciFi/Fantasy that has taken over my life for the last three days. An exciting, unexpected storyline with a great cast of players with... READ MORE
Great book for fans of The Hunger Games and Red Queen!!
I loved this book a lot! It had lots of elements from other books, but it was taken and spun into her own story. I loved the characters and the relationshi... READ MORE
Fantasy romance novel, mostly very good and certainly engaging.
Paedyn lives in a world where the Elites have powers and those without, the Ordinaries, are hunted down. She survives in the slums but gets involved in the... READ MORE
LOOOVEEE
NEED BOOK 2 I LOVED EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS
Addictive
I adored this novel. It’s an addictive and witty enemies-to-lovers fantasy set in a world in which those with magic powers, the Elites, are convinced that ... READ MORE
A Really Good Story
I do love a good fantasy book and this one is a good story. Aimed at young adults the story has a Hunger Games vibe but with the added element of a fantasy... READ MORE
Love this fantasy romance!!!
This book has elements of hunger games and red queen, as well as a great enemies to lovers trope
A good start to the trilogy
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Powerless introduces a promising new fantasy world with strong foundations. The characters are likeable and easy to... READ MORE
Addictive Adventure
Ever since I first saw this book in a shop I became more than engrossed. I wouldn’t put it down to the point that my mother had to force it out of my hands... READ MORE
Infuriating, amazing, heartbreaking.
I can’t lie I hit a reading slump after this. Kai is everything perfect in a book boyfriend. And the twists and turns will make you lose your mind in the b... READ MORE
Questionable
How is this an “enemies to lovers” when they are never lovers, like homegirl never kissed him cuz she cockblocked herself after saying he was hot a million... READ MORE
Seated for the rest of the series
“I don’t know that I ever lived before laying eyes on the likes of you.”
I've been meaning to read this book for months, even before the Waterstones spe... READ MORE
Enjoyable
Powerless by Lauren Roberts it's a YA fantasy romance book. And that couldn't be more accurately described.
It's definitely character driven, with easy... READ MORE
A wonderful edition of a compelling story
2025 is definitely shaping up to be my romantasy era. Suffering as I do from literary FOMO, I have been attempting, slowly but surely, to get a handle on m... READ MORE
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Great introduction to fantasy for teens!
When I saw the blurb for this book I was so excited to read it, so thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children's and Netgalley for my wish copy,
3.5/5
... READ MORE
New favourite author
Lauren Roberts is probably my new favourite author in the fantasy or enemies to lovers genre. I love the build up, I love the tension and the ending had ac... READ MORE
BEST BOOK EVER! *Spoilers
This was one of my favourite books I've ever read. When I first picked up the book I was expecting a sort of romance but this book was honestly the death o... READ MORE
My fav series ever!!
I wish I read powerless sooner it is such an amazing book with a great plot and tension which I love. The bond between the characters is so sweet and you r... READ MORE
Expected a different love interest - still a good read if you like trial-like books!
It was an alright read for me. Nice to see a main character that can take care of herself, though for me the love interest plot seemed out of place a bit. ... READ MORE
Entertaining
Paedyn has spent her short life pretending to be just like everyone else, posing as an Elite. After a plague swept through her country most survivors found... READ MORE
Amazing book!
My favourite book ever!!!! My friend recommended it to me and I was skeptical, but I am now obsessed. I read it all in three days which is saying something... READ MORE
Not all romantasy titles are created equal.
2025 is definitely shaping up to be my romantasy era. Suffering as I do from literary FOMO, I have been attempting, slowly but surely, to get a handle on m... READ MORE
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3.5
3.5 ⭐️
❌ This book is definitely overhyped, and I agree with everything that’s been said: it needed a better editor as it felt synonym reliant and repet... READ MORE
Could not put down!
As seen in the title, I could not put this book down! It was so immersive and you get a great grasp on the world it is set in. Must read!
Nope
2.25
In Germany we say: Das war ein bisschen wie ein Unfall.
There was absolutely no reason for this book to be 500 pages long.
500 PAGES ?? HELLOOO?
... READ MORE
Omg
This book is thrilling
There are sooooo many plots twiste
And so many emotions
We love Kai and pygend
A truly captivating adventure full of tension and high stakes.
'She is devil. She is deity. She is man's downfall in human form.'
Woah. Absolutely you should read this.
This does not read at all like a debut! I was c... READ MORE
Fantastic Debut!!!
I love a Romantasy book so as soon as I saw the blurb, I knew I had to read this book. The story is told from both the perspectives of Pae and Kai. It has ... READ MORE
Fabulous debut
I absolutely loved this book and if honest was blown away by the fact that it’s a debut ! Just about everything wowed me from the writing (obviously) to th... READ MORE
twists
well where do i start?
this book is a lot!!!
i feel like it was a very slow burner with a major plot twist at the end
i am very excited for the ... READ MORE
AMAZING!!!
The whole series is amazing as i am on the last book im dreading finishing it! Cannot WAITTT FOR FEARFUL COMING IN 8 DAYSSSS
Beautiful books but all came damaged.
I ordered 3 books and they are beautiful and I love them but they do not have any protecting in their packages at all. Books were just in the box, would ha... READ MORE
Good first book
The first book was quite nice and a good start of the series. It was written in a light way, letting you learn the whole magic system, places and stuff wit... READ MORE
I love this!
I loved this book, it is has good elements of romance and fantasy, it is perfect for any fantasy romance reader!
This edition is beautiful! The sprayed ed... READ MORE
There aren’t words to describe how much I adore this book
I can’t even begin to describe how enthralling this book was, it was so monumental and I understood but also didn’t in the best way possible. There were a ... READ MORE
BEST. BOOK. EVER!
I cannot even start to describe how much I have loved this book and all the others from the powerless series. It is so well written and the story is simply... READ MORE
An interesting start to a new series
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of the book.
My book of the year
Powerless is a romantasy that follows Paedyn, an Ordinary hiding out in the slums and posing as a psychic (a form of Elite). In a world where Ordinaries ar... READ MORE
The best book I’ve ever read!
It was gripping and you could cut the tension throughout the book like a dagger! Kai and Paedyn are the best main characters you could ask for, the wit, sa... READ MORE
AMAZING!!
This book is honestly sooooooo good!! It got me back into reading and actually made me realise I enjoy reading. I love how the author describes the setting... READ MORE
AMAZING BOOK!!!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! This is the best book that I’ve ever read!!! I’m so grateful that Lauren Roberts created this masterpiece
Literally plagued my mind.
I'm (im)patiently waiting for the second. Amazing book!! hehe :)
So so
Hype was big so I expected a lot from it. Hanger games meet The X-man. Plot could have been better and so is the twist. Repetition of same events just from... READ MORE
Brilliant!
I was hooked almost immediately.. the chemistry is amazing! The suggestion of more, the action… all of it! Hurry along the second book!
This book gave me the ‘ick.’
The other reviews are indeed correct, this is a complete rip off of ‘The Hunger Games,’ the only thing that’s slightly different is the fantasy/ kingdom se... READ MORE
Great plot with fantastically written characters but I felt it was dragged.
When I first picked up the book I was hooked, with the writing and the the great pacing at the start. I loved it, especially Paedyn’s introduction. However... READ MORE
"Vicious little thing..."
This was probably the best book I have read so far this year! I finished it in a week and could not put it down. The world, the characters, the story itsel... READ MORE
speechless
If you don’t tend to read fantasy get up and get this now. Lauren Roberts has had me staring at the wall for a good 10 minutes
AMAZING
When I say this is the best book I’ve ever read I mean it. The tension between the two characters AHHH and Kai god what a man. The only company is that we ... READ MORE
Glad I hopped onto the booktok train for this one
Took me longer than expected to finish not because the book is bad but because the storyline reminded me too much of crowns of nyaxia/hunger games (please ... READ MORE
Could not put it down!
This book had me HOOKED. I loved the overall plot, having clear inspiration from The Hunger Games, and it did not disappoint. The only negative was that th... READ MORE
Worthless
This seemed like it could be a good book, but was hugely disappointing. It's poorly written, derivative and predictable, with most of the characters being ... READ MORE
So much potential
If you make it to page 297, then this book is interesting and great.
Pages 1-296 however are so slow that it makes a snail look like an F1 car. The charact... READ MORE
Powerless
Powerless is a perfect read between dark fantasy and hunger games I read it in one sitting x
Powerless deserves the world.
This might actually be the best book I've ever read. The plot, the characters, the setting. They're all literally to die for. I think Lauren did an amazing... READ MORE
Got me out of a book slump
I was looking for something for myself as a teen, and this Y/A was perfect. This book made me love and relate to Paedyn, and no bad can be said about Kai, ... READ MORE
Doesn’t deserve the hype
Disappointing
Thrilling
The book was superb with the slow burn enemies to lovers and the unexpected plot twist at the end I was hooked from the first chapter . This will be one of... READ MORE
The Best!!
Powerless by Lauren Roberts completely swept me away. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Paedyn and Kai’s story had me glued to the pages like my l... READ MORE
5 stars from a romantasy obsessed reader!
Run don't walk. Fell in love with Kai & Pae. It's everything! The novella Powerful is great also. Can't wait to read Reckless!
Beautiful
I'm so glad I got this book edition, it is absolutely beautiful and I carnt wate to get the fearless edition when it releases!
Most beautiful book ever
Oh my gosh, this special edition might be my favorite on EVER!
The best book of this year next to fourth wing !
Honestly read this after after fourth wing and girl , goddess , god , it was the best read next to them ! I wish it came as a hardback ! And I can’t wait f... READ MORE
My favourite book ever!
I read powerless in 2023 and it has been my favourite book ever since, it has inspired me to grow my own full library of books! If I could've given it 6 st... READ MORE
It was amazing!!!
My friend recommend this to me and I fell in love with it straight away!!!
Beautiful books but all came damaged
I ordered 3 books and they are beautiful and I love them but they do not have any protecting in their packages at all. Books were just in the box, would ha... READ MORE
Love this book!!
The story is an amazing fantasy/romance story with tons of plot twists and if I could wipe my memory just to read it again for the first time I’d do it wit... READ MORE
Beautiful edition
The deluxe edition is stunning and one of my favourite books
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great read the ending broke me ?
powerless is a great book I highly recommend it I think it was peak towards the end and it had a great start
amazing read!!
i will admit this book is very plagiarised, but the actual characters and setting and everything overall is amazing!! im obsessed with this series and will... READ MORE
I love this book!
This is my favorite trilogy of all time but my copy of this special edition was printed upside down ? so the back pages are in the front of the book AND ar... READ MORE
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AMAZING
I absolutely love this book ! No comments
It's not a masterpiece
Overall, Powerless is a good book. It has an exciting and thought out plot ( though not a totally original one) , an enemies-to-lovers romance and a good s... READ MORE
absolutely amazing
Such a good book that kept making me turn the page, one of the best books I have read ever.
good storyline, too many fights
I bought this book as the storyline sounded interesting (and it is) but I found that the number of fights (and the amount of gruesome detail given) a bit ... READ MORE
SOOOOOO GOOOD !!!!!!!
If u haven't read this book it should be at the TOP of your tbr. I absolutely recommend ❤️✨️
powerless
Great
Misprint.
Careful when ordering online. Got my delivery today. Everything was upside down. Apparently there are many misprinted books.
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So pretty
I love book 1 in this series and this is such a pretty book. More beautiful in person and extra pages of fan art at the back of the book. I hope they do th... READ MORE
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BEAUTIFUL
I LOVE the powerless series so much!!! This gorgeous copy is AMAZING and finishes off my collection, it has beautiful illustrations and a gorgeous cover, w... READ MORE
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BEAUTIFUL
I LOVE the powerless series so much!!! This gorgeous copy is AMAZING and finishes off my collection, it has beautiful illustrations and a gorgeous cover, w... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Best book I have read in a long time
This edition is beautiful and worth the price and the actual book a masterpiece a slow burn romance with a dystopian feeling it is a very good power based ... READ MORE
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