Hazel Harbor Books

I enjoyed Powerless well enough overall, though I did find it fairly predictable. The story has plenty of elements that make it appealing within the YA/New Adult romantasy space, but for me, it didn’t feel especially surprising. I could often see where things were heading, which made it harder to stay fully engaged, and I did have to push myself a bit to finish it.

Strong Banter Between the Leads

One of the standout aspects of the book is definitely the banter between the main characters. Their interactions are lively and entertaining, and the dialogue helps carry the story through slower sections. If you enjoy romances where the leads have a sharp, back-and-forth dynamic, this book delivers on that front.

Character Growth and Worldbuilding

The character arc, for me, felt somewhat minimal. While there is development, it didn’t feel as impactful or transformative as I would have liked, which contributed to the story feeling a bit flatter emotionally.

For instance characteristics of characters which is established, was conveniently… ignored… to make certain scenes fit. The example I can give without giving away something: There are three princes, Oldest, the crown prince, the Middle, he is the enforcer, and the Youngest, very briefly introduced in the beginning and randomly pops up. So the Middle and the Youngest are made to compete in this possibly deadly competition. When the Oldest and the Middle find out, they express worry about the Youngest being involved. It is made to be a big deal that the Youngest is involved. During the competition, did the Middle think about the Youngest literally at all? Nope. He is convinced the Youngest will get seriously injured or die before the start, but gives him literally no thought the entire time… Like I thought I was making the Youngest up at that point and went back to make sure I understood correctly. When the first round of the competition is coming to an end, only then does the Youngest suddenly matter to him again. You know, because now the Youngest can be a convenient plot point.

That said, the worldbuilding is introduced at a solid pace. Information about the setting and systems unfolds gradually enough to be easy to follow without feeling overwhelming, which works well for readers who enjoy learning about a fantasy world alongside the characters.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Powerless wasn’t a standout read for me personally, but I can absolutely see it working well for readers who love YA or New Adult romantasy. I especially understand for those who enjoy strong banter, familiar tropes, and accessible worldbuilding. While it didn’t fully win me over, I don’t regret reading it, and it may be a great fit for the right audience.

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Powerless by Lauren Roberts – Affiliate Link