3 Review(s)

Powerless and Powerful are a Young Adult fantasy duology by Lauren Roberts from the Powerless Trilogy. Powerless follows an Ordinary girl named Paedyn who must pretend to be an Elite in the kingdom of Ilya, only to be thrown into the Purging Trials after saving a prince. Powerful is a companion novella that shifts focus to her friend Adena as she navigates life in the slums of Loot after Paedyn leaves for the Trials. PowerlessPlot: In the kingdom of Ilya, where only the powerful "Elites" are allowed to live, Paedyn Gray is an "Ordinary" who has been faking her powers to survive. Her secret is threatened when she saves one of the princes and is entered into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition where she must survive against opponents and her own growing feelings for the prince who will be her downfall if her true identity is revealed. Themes: Class differences, identity, survival, and romance. PowerfulPlot: This novella is set during the events of Powerless and follows Paedyn's friend, Adena. Left to fend for herself in the slums after Paedyn is chosen for the Purging Trials, Adena must find a way to survive. Her journey leads her to a mysterious man named Mak, and they embark on a quest that tests their loyalty and will.Themes: Resilience, friendship, and self-discovery.Pacing: The novella is a shorter, more character-driven story that can be read at the same time as Powerless or after.