Review #583
“He’s looking at me like one would a painting- drinking in every detail, delighting in its originality, deeming it a work of art.”
Powerless gets a strong 4.4/5 stars. I would’ve given it higher if Hunger Games didn’t exist prior. It has two points of view between Paedyn, an Ordinary without powers from the Slums, and Kai, the prince who was never meant to rule. Instead he’s been made into a monster, the cruel Enforcer.
I don’t like that many chapters rewinds to a few minutes before the previous chapter ended.
After finishing- the last 60 pages had me flying through. I’ll definitely be picking up the next one even though I was kind of angry about certain things in the first half.
Here are my comments and live reactions while reading. Beware of spoilers:
In the first chapter there is a lot of world building and the sickness stresses me out how it mirrors Covid.
Lauren Roberts did a great job of making me hate and like Kai at the same time. Yes, he saved the little girl, but also … is it a worse fate? Is he more cruel for making her suffer in banishment? Or are we supposed to like him because he has a heart to an extent.
There are a lot of different types of powers to learn and pay attention to.
On page 115 & I still don’t understand the rules of the Trials. Sometimes it sounds like they’ll die, sometimes it sounds like they don’t have to. So which is it?
I hate that he’s involving himself with what she eats.
If Kai’s dad (the king) needs him be the enforcer so badly then why did he put him in the Trials?
It hasn’t been explained why the Trials are happening? Why did they originate? What is the purpose? Why are the contestants young? Why are only 3 from the slums?
Since this is the 6th one have they been each year or each decade? This hasn’t been explained. Is the current king the one who came up with the idea?
Is there a reward for winning other than living? It doesn’t explain how and if someone can survive the Trials but not win?
It hasn’t explained why or how this Trials is “different” than the other 5. I usually don’t need world building like this but barely anything has been expanded upon.
At the halfway point I’m glad Paedyn & Kai have a lot of scenes together instead of being split. The healing ointment tho?… it’s a complete replica of Hunger Games plot points.
I thoroughly enjoyed chapter 35 with their teasing.
The shifting maze feels too much like Harry Potter.
The big death scene at the end during her all is lost moment doesn’t hit me as hard as a wanted because the character wasn’t in that many scenes earlier to make enough of an impact.
Kai’s reaction to what she did at the end doesn’t feel 100% believable. Maybe more like 75.
The phrase “soaked in blood” doesn’t need to be used as much in the sequel, though.
