Title: Powerless
Author: Lauren Roberts
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781665954884
Synopsis:
Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites. The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.
Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be keenly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can to stay alive and out of trouble…easier said than done.
When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya’s princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is…completely Ordinary.
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An absolutely stunning start to this trilogy, Powerless, is entirely the opposite of its title. This is a powerful and beautiful book with compelling and complex characters who all operate in the morally gray areas of life. Paedyn, a thief and a lier, survives in the slums with her own wit and her ability to fool others out of their coins. She is alone in this terrifying world, save for one friend, Adina. Paedyn is an Ordinary, thus, in the eyes of the King, is condemned to die. She is seen as a blight and a curse on her world and therefore must do all that she can to hide her true self.
Cai is the King’s future enforcer, thus is responsible for carrying out the King’s justice and decree on the people. It is his job to rid their world of the diseased Ordinaries, and to banish those that harbour them. He is powerful, able to sense and take on the powers of those around him, which is helpful for a killer. A predator.
In the Purging Trials, these two find themselves inexplicably drawn together in a whirlwind story. They can be entirely themselves, however numerous secrets stand between them. It is these secrets that protect them, but will lead to their demise in the end. As they fight for their lives, and for one another, they fact certain devastation at this story’s end, no matter how much one hopes for a happy ending.
The world building of this story is fantastic and sweeping. It’s easy to be soaked into the cruel and beautiful castle that stands in contrast to the cutthroat slums. The magical system is unique and vibrant, with the Elites’ power developing from the Plague, where those who were strong enough to survive also found themselves with incredible powers. There’s no explanation yet of the Ordinaries and why they are powerless, but their society has deemed them dirty and diseased, and so they must hide themselves away.
The story is cutthroat and fast-paced. It’s got a Hunger Games meets Sara J. Maas vibe to it with a tame romance that’s full of sparks and fire. I couldn’t get enough. I’m listening to it through Audible, so I’m waiting for my credit next month to get book two. I can’t wait to be swept away into the next phase of this story. I’m already hooked! One of the best fantasy books I’ve read this year, hands down.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 