Any and every reader can remember their young adult dystopian novel phase (or, you’re like me and are still in it.) I don’t refer to books like “1984” or “A Clockwork Orange”: whether it was “Hunger Games”, “Shatter Me” or even “The Selection”, almost everyone knows exactly this type of read. But, alongside these renowned series, a new contender emerges to stand among the literary stars: The “Powerless Trilogy” by Lauren Roberts. It is a known fact that modern YA dystopians can commonly fall into a basic, formulaic trope: a bad class system, a worse government, and a revolutionary who changes it all. But, in the same token, it is that that makes the genre so lovable; it is all a matter of innovating a cliche into something visionary.
On April 8, 2025, Roberts released the finale of her series, “Fearless”, a brilliant and bold end to the collection. But, before we get into that, what about the rest of the trilogy?
After the Plague, the handful that survived were blessed with supernatural powers and a select few with nothing. In Ilya, wealth and power correlate to the strength of one’s magical ability, and the main character, Paedyn Gray, is an Ordinary with nothing to her name and no extraordinary skill, aside from her sharp perception. So, in an attempt to stay alive in a society that loathes and executes ordinary people, she poses as a Psychic and lives in the Slums as a felon and thief. But when Paedyn saves the Prince and Enforcer of Ilya, their fates inexorably intertwine, and she finds herself in the Purging Trials, a violent and dangerous competition for glory or unavoidable death.
“Hunted. Hunter. Destined for each other.”
For many, “Powerless” was the best of the series with its exciting and fast-paced story. With constant action both in conflict and in relationship development, “Powerless” keeps you constantly on your toes.
Facing the fight together, Kai and Paedyn are seemingly destined for each other, despite their vastly different histories. It is unfortunately very common for FLs(female leads) to lose their independence after meeting the ML(male lead), but, thankfully, this isn’t the case in Roberts’ story; Paedyn as a female lead shows immense independence and power, even after the introduction and development between her and Kai, and she manages to maintain her strength, even through trial and tribulation. With Kai, everyone loves a male lead who can be upfront with their emotions, and this is exactly what he is. As someone who likes quick development in books, this was an amazing pick.
“Traitor. Tormented. Destined for each other.”
“Reckless”, although not favored, was my personal favorite book of the series. Of the three books, this one dives the deepest into each character following the events of the Purging Trials. Paedyn is on the run, hunted by the one who once held her after having killed the King of Ilya and the murder of her best friend. Battered and broken, she only has one goal: To survive. Kai, in order to capture or kill her, has to choose between his duty to serve the new King, his brother, and his desire to have Paedyn. This journey of cat and mouse was truly enrapturing; the story was a slower burn than its predecessor, exploring the leads and their development in incredible depth.
“Betrothed. Betrayed. Destined for each other?”
“Fearless”, the long-awaited finale in Roberts’ bestselling series, reveals the price of revolution. Married to the brother of the love of her life, Paedyn is now Queen of Ilya after being captured(a random turn of events, I know). In marrying the King, she unites Ordinaries and the empowered, but at what cost? Now, she’s married to someone she doesn’t love with her actual beloved just out of arm’s reach. It’s intense, emotional, and, best of all, morally ambiguous. Exponentially more poetic than the first two books, the writing is incredible, carrying you through the story as you’ve lived in both characters’ shoes and feel their same emotions. The way each moment is depicted is unlike any other story, being both breathtaking and heart-wrenching.
From the beginning to the end, “Powerless” exceeded all expectations that I would ever have for a series of its kind; the story itself is exhilarating, and the characters are beyond infatuating, each written with care and consideration of their development and interactions. “The ‘Powerless’ series reminds me of a ‘Hunger Games’ X ‘Unordinary’ X romance fling that never seems to satisfy my attention span,” said sophomore Elizar (Eli) Zinsmeister at The Village School, with positive inflection. “Through abysmal cliffhangers, annoying character traits, and, of course, lame superpowers that have no actual place in the plot– it just makes the book hilarious.” Written in the split perspectives of Paedyn and Enforcer Kai, each character has a clear, distinct voice. Many YA dystopian books can feel the same, but Roberts’ unique and consistent dialogue belonging to each character makes it impossible to put down; the beautiful and careful language draws you in, and the plot only adds to the experience. “Finger-grippingly, nauseatingly scream-worthy.” said Zinsmeister, rating the “Powerless” trilogy a 9/10. I personally am made to agree with him– 9/10 is due to this series for its immaculate and inevitably phenomenal writing style, which perfectly portrays the story and its characters. When it comes to Lauren Roberts’ writing, not only are the plot and characters astounding but the style and diction are unparalleled. So, if you’re looking for a book to love and hate at the same time, “Powerless” is the choice for you.
