Hunter. Hunted. Destined for each other?
A world full of powers, royalty, and status. And then there’s Paedyn. As an Ordinary—someone without powers—in a society of Elites, she hides her true identity in an attempt to stay alive. In Ilya, being powerless is a death sentence determined at birth.
Lauren Roberts’ “Powerless” trilogy has become a global sensation, thanks to its immersive storytelling, compelling characters and deeply woven plot. Each chapter leaves its reader wanting more, and the plot twists make the series unpredictable, leaving the reader wondering why they didn’t see it coming.
Roberts’ first book, “Powerless,” was on the New York Times bestseller list for 34 consecutive weeks, and the novella that followed, “Powerful,” was on the list for nine weeks. The quick surge of popularity in this series helped start its path to success.
With the recent release of the trilogy’s third book, “Fearless,” old fans are submerging themselves back into the series, while new fans are discovering a new world to engross themselves in.
Despite the worldwide praise, the series’s critics voice their opinions just as loudly. “It reminded me of a stereotypical, standard, and ordinary novel that was highly predictable,” describes freshman student Annie Elsen. “Honestly, it completely lacks originality and is a boring read.”
She explains how many aspects of the book are strikingly similar to other popular dystopian books, such as “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard, which revolves around a girl being ostracized in a magical society for having no power, as well as Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games,” where children are selected to undergo a dangerous trial to survive.
Despite the criticism Roberts’ series has received, we still believe that it is a fun, leisurely read with compelling characters and an intricately constructed storyline. Even though there are a few similarities between moments in the series and other books, we encourage critics to recognize the difficulties in creating a completely original story rather than insulting somebody else’s efforts.
The wide range of opinions about the “Powerless” trilogy can make it difficult to determine whether it is worth reading. In spite of the various standpoints, let’s pretend that this series won’t have its readers on the edge of their seats!
