Book Review: Powerless Series by Lauren Roberts
The Powerless series by Lauren Roberts is a rollercoaster of trials, romance, and swoon-worthy moments—but it comes with its highs and lows. Here’s my take on the full series.
*I have really tried to refrain from spoilers as I persoanlly hate them. Read at your own risk, I have had to reference one as it is the major storyline in the Fearless.
Powerless – The Start of the Journey
Powerless starts a little slowly for me. At first, it was hard to get into, partly because it gave strong Hunger Games vibes—and knowing that influenced my expectations. But once the story dove into the Purging Trials—yes, it’s very much a trials-based story—I got hooked.
The heart of the book is in its characters. The two main male characters immediately stood out—their brotherly bond, playful banter, and loyalty made them memorable. Paedyn Gray, with her “angry girl” energy, won me over too; her mission-driven mindset adds depth, and even the darker, twisted elements of her story feel compelling.
Reckless – The Chase That Hooked Me
Book Two, Reckless, had me hooked from the very beginning. Turns out, I love the chase! Kai and Paedyn really grew as characters—their dynamic evolves beautifully. I loved the capture storyline, the playful flirting, and the brutal honesty between them. Their chemistry feels earned, and the stakes make every interaction electric. The ending is fantastic, and this book really elevates the series.
The Powerful Novella – A Disappointing Sideline
Unfortunately, The Powerful Novella was a disappointment. It’s a sideline story running alongside the first book’s timeline, but since you already know the outcome, it can feel repetitive and frustrating. The story introduces only one additional character, who ends up being important for just a chapter in the last book. While it adds some context to the series, it doesn’t bring the same excitement, character growth, or tension as the main novels.
Fearless – Strong Start, Frustrating Ending
The final book, Fearless, starts off strong and hooks you immediately. However, I (with no spoilers!) predicted the ending by halfway through. I didn’t know every detail, but I had a general sense of where it was going, which made the conclusion feel disappointing. I also disliked that Paedyn had to go through additional “trials” to prove herself (again)—this brought back the Hunger Games vibes I wasn’t a fan of. Overall, the ending didn’t fully satisfy me, even though the journey had its highs.
Fearful – A Novella I Won’t Be Reading
Lauren Roberts has now released a novella, Fearful, which I won’t be picking up. Like The Powerful Novella, it runs alongside the final book’s timeline, meaning we already know the outcome. While I’m sure Roberts is world-building to explore other characters and extend this universe, after the disappointment of Fearless, I’m not motivated to continue with it right now.
Major Concern: Spoilers in the Blurbs
I have to highlight my personal experience with the blurbs—they frustrated me immensely. The first thing I did when starting the series was pick up the books and check the back. On the versions I had, I looked at Book 2 first and immediately realized my mistake. That shouldn’t be written on the back of a book. I’m sure I’m not the only person who has done this, and as someone who really hates spoilers, it completely ruined the suspense. Whoever wrote these blurbs seriously needs to understand what a spoiler is. Major plot twists revealed before the story even begins undermine the reading experience.
Final Thoughts
The Powerless series offers thrilling trials, swoon-worthy dynamics, and strong character growth. Powerless and Reckless are the highlights of the series, while The Powerful Novel and Fearless are less satisfying. The side stories may feel optional, and the spoiler-filled blurbs are a major downside. Fans of romance and dystopian trials may enjoy the ride, but the series has its highs and lows.