Powerless by Lauren Roberts
I first read Powerless by Lauren Roberts when my best friend, who had been raving about it for weeks, recommended it to me. I wasn’t expecting much — it was not my favorite genre, anyway, but Roberts’ impeccable writing and unique style drew me in from the beginning.
The story starts off with Paedyn Gray, an orphan girl living in the slums of the fictional kingdom Ilya. She steals food from shops, and money from the occasional unsuspecting noble, keeping herself and her close friend Adena alive in the streets. This is exceedingly difficult because Paedyn is an Ordinary, which means that she does not have a power to protect herself with. Ordinaries were banished long ago because they were believed to be the source of the Plague, which gave the Elites their powers. So, Paedyn, who is surviving in Ilya illegally, poses as a Psychic all her life to avoid arrest and execution.
Kai Azer, the Enforcer-in-training of Ilya, is the person that Paedyn has always been hiding from, even though she doesn’t know it. He hunts down Ordinaries and other traitors, killing them on the spot. He is a prince — but his older brother, Kitt, will take the throne, while Kai will serve him as his Enforcer for the rest of his life. When Paedyn steals from Kai on the street, she ends up saving his life.
Then, because of her new fame, she is placed in the Purging Trials, a brutal competition for the elitist of the Elite to participate in. Paedyn is not an Elite — but she’ll have to keep up with the rest of the competitors if she wants to survive. She will also have to keep posing as a Psychic in front of Kai, who she seems to be growing ever closer to.
Within the book itself, the lively banter between Kai and Paedyn brings humor and fun to the plot, while also showcasing both of their individual personalities. Lauren Roberts develops her characters so all of them have depth — and there is no true ‘villain’ of the story. Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, or swoon, this book is for you.
Reviewed by Teen Volunteer, 11/7/25.