Powerless by Lauren Roberts: Spoiler-Free Review

So, I finally picked up Powerless by Lauren Roberts, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. 

You know how sometimes you just see a book popping up everywhere on BookTok and BookTube, and you start thinking, “Okay, maybe I should see what the hype is about”? Well, that was me. I’ve been telling myself I want to read more fantasy, and this one kept coming up, so I figured, why not?

Here’s what you should know: I usually read romance and contemporary books. Fantasy isn’t normally my thing. But Powerless felt like the right place to start because so many people said it’s easy to follow, and I’m happy to report they were right.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate link. 

Spoiler-free Summary

Powerless by Lauren Roberts is a young adult fantasy perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, dangerous competitions, and immersive worldbuilding. The story follows Paedyn Gray, a girl born Ordinary in a kingdom where only the powerful are allowed to thrive. In Ilya, magic is everything; those with abilities, known as Elites, are celebrated, while anyone without powers is outlawed. To survive, Paedyn disguises herself as a Psychic, using her sharp instincts and wit to pass among the gifted.

Her careful life of hiding unravels when she crosses paths with one of Ilya’s princes. Suddenly, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials, a deadly series of contests meant to showcase Elite powers, the very thing she doesn’t have. Trapped in a competition she was never meant to survive, Paedyn must rely on her cleverness and courage while also facing a forbidden connection that could expose her biggest secret.

Getting into the story

I’ll be honest, at first, it took me a little while to adjust. Jumping into a new fantasy world when you’re used to lighter, everyday romance is like walking into a room where everyone’s speaking a slightly different language. But once I got the hang of it, I was hooked.

The chapters are short (which I love because it makes you feel like you’re flying through the book), and the dual POV makes everything so much more engaging. You know that feeling when you finish a chapter and think, “Okay, just one more”? Yeah, that was me the entire time.

What I loved

One of my favorite parts was just discovering the world and the characters. There’s this thrill in slowly piecing together how everything works, and Powerless gives you that in such a fun way. Nothing felt too complicated or overwhelming, which is a big win for me as someone still dipping her toes into fantasy.

I also really enjoyed how the book balanced action with quieter, more character-driven moments. It wasn’t all battles and magic; you actually get to know the characters, their struggles, and their personalities. That made it easier for me to connect with the story and kept me invested.

And the dual POV? Loved it. It gave me that feeling of getting to peek behind the curtain of both sides, which makes everything more dynamic. Honestly, I think it’s part of the reason I finished it so quickly.

Anything I didn’t like?

Surprisingly… not really! There wasn’t a single thing that made me roll my eyes or feel frustrated. Usually, even with books I enjoy, there’s at least a small “meh” moment, but not here. The pacing worked, the characters kept me interested, and the story felt fresh enough that I never got bored.

Who I’d recommend it to

If you’re someone like me who mainly reads romance and contemporary but wants to dip into fantasy, Powerless is the perfect first step. 

It’s young adult fiction, so the writing style is approachable, and you don’t have to worry about complicated world-building that takes 100 pages to explain.

Basically, if you want a fantasy book that’s exciting, easy to follow, and just plain enjoyable, this one’s for you.

Final thoughts

I read Powerless in just a few days, and I’m so glad I picked it up. It was different from what I normally read, but in the best way possible. It reminded me that sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone with books can actually be really rewarding.

And yes, I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel this fall. I’m already excited to dive back into this world and see where the story goes next.

So, what do you think? Have you read Powerless yet, or is it sitting on your TBR pile like it was on mine for months? If you’re looking for a fantasy book that won’t scare you away with overly complicated plots but will still give you that magical escape, I think this one’s worth checking out.