Midnight Manuscripts

Have you ever stared at your overflowing bookshelf and still couldn’t find something you wanted to read? Well, it happened to me this week.

I just happen to be one of those readers who finds something to love in every book. Now, I’m not saying every book is five stars, but I usually enjoy almost every book I read. This week, however, that was not the case. So what do you do when nothing hits just right? You do a comfort re-read. My go-tos are usually something by Sarah J. Maas or Fourth Wing, but I found myself craving Powerless by Lauren Roberts. Suddenly, I was thrust back into a world filled with intrigue, powerful magic, and a sparkling romance full of banter and wit.

In a kingdom where magic is power, those without magical abilities (the Ordinaries) are hunted by the rulers of the kingdom to maintain control and stop the spread of weakness. Paedyn Gray has spent her life surviving in the shadows, hiding the fact that she is powerless in a world that would kill her for it.

To stay alive, she poses as a Psychic, blending in among the Elite using nothing but her sharp instincts and quick thinking. But when a heated encounter with a stranger throws her off balance and into the path of the kingdom’s Enforcer – the skilled Ordinary hunter, Prince Kai – everything changes.

Paedyn suddenly finds herself selected for the kingdom’s deadly magic trials. To survive and gain her freedom, she must make it through the trials without anyone discovering her secret. In this competition, only the strongest survive, and Paedyn has no choice but to win at all costs. If she wants to survive, she must rely on her resilience, wit, and shaky alliance with Kai to make it through.

But as tension across the kingdom rises, so does the tension between Kai and Paedyn. Even though he represents everything she was taught to hate. And she represents everything he was trained to kill. Their connection slowly, but surely, becomes undeniable. With secrets unraveling and loyalties being tested, Paedyn must confront a dangerous truth; survival may cost more than just her life.

Now, I knew I loved this book the first time I read it, but honestly, the second time around was even better. I don’t know if that is cause I was in the right mood or I knew what was going to happen, so I was able to pick up on the more subtle details, but it was great. It was honestly exactly what I needed at just the right time.

The plot is fast-paced and even. It is very twisty and keeps you on your toes, which I love. This is one of those worlds where it really throws you in and makes you fall in love with all the right characters and hate all the wrong ones. Lauren Roberts does a really good job of capturing the push-and-pull between Kai and Paedyn, which is my favorite part. I hate a story that makes the two MCs fall in love 120 pages into the book, where’s the fun in that? Suffering to get the payoff three books later is the BEST kind of romance in my opinion (which is why I love Once Upon a Broken Heart so much).

Something I really enjoyed about Lauren Roberts’ writing is her ability to truly allow you to feel exactly how the characters feel. She portrays emotion and feelings in some of the best ways I’ve ever read (next to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or Throne of Glass, because they are always top tier).

I do have to add one more tiny point – I adore Kitt and no one can tell me otherwise. The more you read this series (three books and two novellas), the more you might disagree with me. But I have a soft spot for the misunderstood characters; Kitt, they can never make me hate you.

Now, I will say, the world-building is good, but it definitely could be better. I really wish Lauren had jumped more into all the power possibilities and the magic system a bit better than she did. It was a very tell-not-show plot point that was missing. But overall, I did not have many complaints, and I highly recommend reading this book.

Final Thoughts: Powerless was exactly the comfort read I didn’t know I needed. With its fast-paced plot, tension-filled romance, and characters you can’t help but root for, it completely pulled me out of my mini book slump.

Until my next midnight read…🌙

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (4.5/5)

Spice: 🌶️ (1/5)- witty banter, tension, light innuendos, and a few kisses

Tropes:

• Forbidden Romance
• Reluctant Allies to Lovers
• Magical trials
• Hidden Identity
• Slow-burn tension
• Class Divide (Elites v. Ordinaries)