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pipperoni32-blog · 6 months ago

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Powerless

by Lauren Roberts / 5 stars

Oh. My. Kai.

The World: When a plague blazed through Ilya, it left behind something remarkable - new abilities that will forever shape the land's power dynamic. Four tiers form: the Elites, those whose power is the strongest, and most useful. Mundanes, whose powers are either weak or not of use defensive or offensively. Fatals, whose powers are banned for being too dangerous, like mind reading or silencers who can suppress the abilities of others. And the Ordinaries, those with no magic at all. Years later, the king decrees the dangers of the Ordinaries - that they contain a disease that gradually weakens the power of the Elites. He exiles them, driving thousands out of the royal city, and any who remain are sentenced to death when found. As a reminder of the sacrifice the king made to keep the kingdom safe, the Purging Trials are formed. Games that pit the best of the Elites against each other, showcasing their abilities and bringing glory to Ilya. With Mundanes as extra fodder. The Trials that don't have to be a blood bath, but where's the fun in that? And often, there are Elites who are only too happy to oblige.

Paedyn - a thief who lives in Loot, the slums of the royal city. Most dangerous of all, an Ordinary who disguises herself as a Psychic. When she targets a handsome Elite, she doesn't know he's the second prince, nor does she ever plan to see him again. Then he's attacked by a silencer, and she can't walk away. Saving his life changes hers in ways she can't imagine. When she's selected in the Trials, Paedyn will do all she can to break all odds and survive. Little does she expect for both princes to be drawn to her, doing their best to help her navigate the palace and the upcoming Trials. Kitt, the heir, the future king whose eyes are so like his father's. The eyes she hates, those of the person who murdered her father. Kai, the enforcer, the monster... the boy who will be forced to kill her if her secret is found out.

Kai - the younger prince, trained to be the king's Enforcer. The one who tortures the prisoners, kills the enemies of the crown, and hunts down the elusive Ordinaries. With the sixth edition of the Trials about to begin, Kai knows he'll be a competitor, and that he's expected to win. He's grown up and trained with most of the Elites on the list, raised in the castle alongside him. When his adoptive brother Jaxon is also selected, Kai knows he'll do anything to keep him safe. Except a certain silver haired girl is also selected... one who makes Kai think that maybe he's not just the monster that the king made him to be. That maybe a small part of who he used to be still exists.

My impressions: wow, what a ride! While this book may be reminiscent of the Hunger Games with how the Trials play out, it's a fresh take and stands wholly on its own. The friendships and different familial bonds are refreshing and complex. Fun banter provides levity and keeps things from being too bleak. Fantastic world building, with a thought provoking sense of morality. It's easy to believe the popular story, to put your trust in those who are supposed to look out for your best interests, when you're granted wealth and privilege. But when that facade cracks, what are you willing to stand for? Everything I look for in a dystopian romantasy! Then there's Kai, who makes me rethink everything I thought I valued and wanted in a main MC...

I did a mix of reading and listening to the audiobook, then after finishing the physical book I had to finish the audiobook, because it was so good! Chase Brown might just be my new favorite male narrator. Amazing job!

#booklr #book review #audiobooks #powerless #lauren roberts #chase brown #cecily bednar schmidt #omg this book #dystopian romantasy #ya romantasy

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