JUNE BOOK CLUB: LAUREN ROBERTS' 'POWERLESS'

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Image: Simon and Schuster Australia.

Our June Book Club pick is Lauren Roberts’ Powerless.

There’s something always so fun about escaping to a new world, and that’s the case with Powerless. There’s magic, love and action, all of which combine to create a story that intrigues. If you’re a fan of Fourth Wing and Immortal Longings, you’ll enjoy Powerless. 

We follow Paedyn, our FMC, who is a bit of a rebel in more ways than one. Upon meeting our MMC Kai, Paedyn is thrown into a world that challenges who she once was, but not who she was trained to be. I really enjoyed the connection all our characters had towards each other. None more so than that between Paedyn, Kai and his older brother Kitt. I really loved the dynamic between the brothers and it was interesting to see the relationship between the two. Particularly how it forms who they are, because it’s also directly related to their roles within the world they live in, and how it further reinforces who they truly are. Or at least, who they think they truly are, as well as what they project out into the world. 

This is then heightened by their interactions with others, especially Paedyn and what we discover through her when it pertains to the brothers. Upon reflection, there’s something about it that reminded me of The Vampire Diaries, the relationship between the Salvatore brothers as well as Elena. The one thing I loved about this book is the idea of power within love. Something that’s explored throughout the book. Be it between a father and a daughter, or between brothers, or in fact between two people who have come from different sides of the track. I also enjoyed the suggested love triangle. Even though it was never an outright plot device, nothing was definitively said, this style of love triangle was more to my liking than the general/usual love triangle plot especially when it’s two brothers vying for the love of a girl (I’m looking at you The Inheritance Games). Even with this potential — the element of the brothers looking out for each other, and wanting the best for each other, was still evident. 

I also found myself wanting more insight into Kai. Even with the duel perspective within the book, I felt like there was a piece missing. This could perhaps fall in line with who he is, and may further be explored in the books that follow. Again, this is just the start of a new series and the world has a lot of promise. The magic system for one was a definite highlight, especially the unique powers, and I look forward to seeing how everything will evolve over the series.

Lauren Roberts’ Powerless is available through Simon and Schuster Australia.