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The Powerless Trilogy #1.5
Powerful
Set during the time of the New York Times bestseller Powerless, fan favorite Adena gets a story all her own as she attempts to survive on the streets of Loot...and falls for a mysterious—and dangerous—Elite.
Adena and Paedyn have always been inseparable. Fate brought them together when they were young, but friendship ensured they would always protect each other and the home they built in the slums of Loot. But now Paedyn—an Ordinary—has been selected for the Purging Trials, which means almost certain death.
Now alone in Loot, Adena must fend for herself. After attempting to steal, she's rescued by a mysterious man from the market. Mak's shadowy past and secretive power set him apart from the other low-level Elites of Loot. And as the pair team up to see their loved ones before the Trials, the quest tests their loyalty, their love, and their lives.
Adena and Paedyn have always been inseparable. Fate brought them together when they were young, but friendship ensured they would always protect each other and the home they built in the slums of Loot. But now Paedyn—an Ordinary—has been selected for the Purging Trials, which means almost certain death.
Now alone in Loot, Adena must fend for herself. After attempting to steal, she's rescued by a mysterious man from the market. Mak's shadowy past and secretive power set him apart from the other low-level Elites of Loot. And as the pair team up to see their loved ones before the Trials, the quest tests their loyalty, their love, and their lives.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2024
About the author
Lauren Roberts
6 books27.9k followersWhen Lauren Roberts isn't writing about fantasy worlds and bantering love interests, she can likely be found burrowed in bed reading about them. Lauren has lived in Michigan her whole life, which makes her very familiar with potholes, snow, and various lake activities. She has the hobbies of both a grandmother and a child: knitting, laser tag, hammocking, word searches, and coloring. Powerless is her first novel (now a New York Times Best Seller), and she hopes to have the privilege of writing pretty words for the rest of her life. If you enjoy ranting, reading, and writing, Lauren can be found on both TikTok and Instagram @Laurenrobertslibrary for your entertainment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 19,754 reviews
July 3, 2024
This book was solely written for the masochists. It is love, it is PAIN, it is heart break, and it is RAGE.
One, two, three, four, FIVE SHINING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS FOR ADENA!
He pulls me close, and I'm suddenly, silently hoping he never stops. With his arm wrapped tightly round me, he leans forward until our foreheads brush. And that's when he whispers, 'I think you're my little piece of perfection.'
I kiss him fiercely. I kiss him the way I've fantasized kissing someone my whole life. I kiss him like it's the end of a fairytale.
‘You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me’
'Death is gentle in a way life never was.'
💜🏹✨
ˋ°•*⁀➷Powerless Book 1 Review
ˋ°•*⁀➷Reckless Book 2 Review
One, two, three, four, FIVE SHINING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS FOR ADENA!
He pulls me close, and I'm suddenly, silently hoping he never stops. With his arm wrapped tightly round me, he leans forward until our foreheads brush. And that's when he whispers, 'I think you're my little piece of perfection.'
I kiss him fiercely. I kiss him the way I've fantasized kissing someone my whole life. I kiss him like it's the end of a fairytale.
‘You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me’
'Death is gentle in a way life never was.'
💜🏹✨
ˋ°•*⁀➷Powerless Book 1 Review
ˋ°•*⁀➷Reckless Book 2 Review
April 16, 2024
I loved it 😭😭❤
Mak and Adena are so pure. Their journey is so pure. Their love is so pure.
✔️ Grumpy x sunshine
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Slow burn
The ending broke my heart. I have been crying for the last few hours and the more I think about their beautiful story, the more I cry. Mak is such a grump, he is the type who only cares about her and no one else. I loved how he opened up to Adena. Adena, such a sweetheart. Her vibes and the way she cares for people is everything!
But what I now find interesting is Mak's character arc. I already have a few theories but knowing what he is and what he can do, will surely make things interesting. Excited to see how it all plays out.
~•~•~
LET'S GOOOO 🤩🤩🤩
Mak and Adena are so pure. Their journey is so pure. Their love is so pure.
✔️ Grumpy x sunshine
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Slow burn
The ending broke my heart. I have been crying for the last few hours and the more I think about their beautiful story, the more I cry. Mak is such a grump, he is the type who only cares about her and no one else. I loved how he opened up to Adena. Adena, such a sweetheart. Her vibes and the way she cares for people is everything!
But what I now find interesting is Mak's character arc. I already have a few theories but knowing what he is and what he can do, will surely make things interesting. Excited to see how it all plays out.
~•~•~
LET'S GOOOO 🤩🤩🤩
May 1, 2024
I picked this up knowing it would hurt, but I did not expect it to hurt quite this much…
June 7, 2024
i still refuse to believe that ending
May 15, 2024
my heart hurts so bad after this 💔
April 20, 2024
So Lauren chose pain with that ending
May 23, 2024
4.45!
"And will you be beside me up there?'
'If I should be so lucky.'
'Promise me' she murmurs sternly 'I don't want to be alone'
I nod against her hair. 'I promise, Dena.'
This book had me screaming in a void at 3 AM because how dare you Lauren! How dare you :( this book was written in the most beautiful way ever, I fell so easily in love with Adena and especially Mak which is a surprise since it was only 180 pages but hey Wendy Heiss did it too, so there's hope for novellas after all. I just loved how everything was moving along, we knew what was going to happen but also didn't it kept me hooked.
"Don't say that' I squeeze him tighter, feeling his body shake with each breath. 'I need you.'
'Don't' he murmurs against my hair. 'I'll only disappoint you."
Adena was the purest character ever! she was the definition of sunshine> I do not think I have ever seen someone so kind, loving and passionate as Adena because she was so easy to love and so easy to read about. There were moment where I just wanted to go and hug her. She was so sweet and her relationship with Pae here was also so sweet. I loved her so much and the way she was feral over sticky buns had me wishing I had sticky buns as well. She was just so cute and loving and I dont see that in many characters, especially in fantasy books.
Mak was a pure brooding grump who hated anyone but Adena and I loved how much he loved her and how much he noticed her and the things that she did and how well he took care of her, and my heart breaks for him so much because he did not deserve that!!! he deserved so much better but I am also excited to see where his story would mix with the main plotline because he cant just vanish into thin air like that, now that Lauren has introduced him.
"I think you're my little piece of perfection."
The romance was so cute, wholesome, heartfelt and HEARTBREAKING! I knew what was going to happen but I still chose to believe otherwise because their romance was altering my brain chemistry, they were so cute and everything that they were doing was *screams into a pillow* making me feel lonely but tbh I loved them. The forced proximity, the way they communicated. The way they touched each other with this intensity and love. It was beautiful.
Go read it. NOW!
___
I loved Adena so much as a side character and i think she truly deserves a story from her own perspective but also not. a full length book so this is actually perfect? Also Mak 🤭🤭 cant wait for him either!!
"And will you be beside me up there?'
'If I should be so lucky.'
'Promise me' she murmurs sternly 'I don't want to be alone'
I nod against her hair. 'I promise, Dena.'
This book had me screaming in a void at 3 AM because how dare you Lauren! How dare you :( this book was written in the most beautiful way ever, I fell so easily in love with Adena and especially Mak which is a surprise since it was only 180 pages but hey Wendy Heiss did it too, so there's hope for novellas after all. I just loved how everything was moving along, we knew what was going to happen but also didn't it kept me hooked.
"Don't say that' I squeeze him tighter, feeling his body shake with each breath. 'I need you.'
'Don't' he murmurs against my hair. 'I'll only disappoint you."
Adena was the purest character ever! she was the definition of sunshine> I do not think I have ever seen someone so kind, loving and passionate as Adena because she was so easy to love and so easy to read about. There were moment where I just wanted to go and hug her. She was so sweet and her relationship with Pae here was also so sweet. I loved her so much and the way she was feral over sticky buns had me wishing I had sticky buns as well. She was just so cute and loving and I dont see that in many characters, especially in fantasy books.
Mak was a pure brooding grump who hated anyone but Adena and I loved how much he loved her and how much he noticed her and the things that she did and how well he took care of her, and my heart breaks for him so much because he did not deserve that!!! he deserved so much better but I am also excited to see where his story would mix with the main plotline because he cant just vanish into thin air like that, now that Lauren has introduced him.
"I think you're my little piece of perfection."
The romance was so cute, wholesome, heartfelt and HEARTBREAKING! I knew what was going to happen but I still chose to believe otherwise because their romance was altering my brain chemistry, they were so cute and everything that they were doing was *screams into a pillow* making me feel lonely but tbh I loved them. The forced proximity, the way they communicated. The way they touched each other with this intensity and love. It was beautiful.
Go read it. NOW!
___
I loved Adena so much as a side character and i think she truly deserves a story from her own perspective but also not. a full length book so this is actually perfect? Also Mak 🤭🤭 cant wait for him either!!
June 9, 2024
Lauren babe, the title should’ve been painful.
that hurt a lot.
that hurt a lot.
May 9, 2024
˗ˏˋ 5 ★ for this precious and heartbreaking novella ��ˎ˗
I was already considering going to therapy, and after reading this... I finally might schedule an appointment very soon. I knew what I was getting into when I decided to read this considering the ending of Powerless. BUT STILL, I chose my curiosity and love for this trilogy and its characters over my wellbeing. This is exactly why I don’t read books with sad endings. I’m very empathetic and I end up broken every single time. And this time? It wasn’t the exception😫
❥ 𝓐𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓪☀️ ₊˚.⋆ ☼⋆⁺₊✧
This girl was a walking ball of sunshine with the kindest soul ever😭💗 seriously, she was so sweet, caring, funny, and kind. She was the type of person who, with just her presence, filled you with good vibes and happiness. I didn’t connect with her a lot in Powerless, but here? I absolutely loved her. All I wanted to do was to put her in a glass box and protect her from all the evil in the world. The world didn’t deserve her, alright? 😭 okay- maybe Mak did, and Pae too, but the rest? She was too good for them and I’m so heartbroken and MAD about her destiny.
❥ 𝓜𝓪𝓴🌙 ₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
I don’t even know what I should say about him😭❤️🩹 this baby really deserves all the good things in the world, and I’M SO SAD AND ANGRY that he lost his two everything (aka Hera and Dena). Like, WHYYYY!? Why do the most softhearted people (like Adena) have the saddest endings and the worst blows that life can throw while the most disgusting people are living their best lives? *existential question*
He wanted to give the facade of being cold-hearted, when in reality he was the cutest and most lovable person ever. He just wanted to protect his heart since he got it crushed by life in general and the people who were supposed to love him the most. And you know what? I wanted to give him the biggest hug and put him in the glass box with Adena to protect them and give them all the happiness, love, well-being, and peace they deserved.
❥ My thoughts 💭 ✶⋆.˚
⋆˙⟡ emotional well-being? what’s that? because mine is nonexistent after reading this. I’m crushed, broken, empty, and my heart was ripped out of my chest and shattered into a million pieces.
⋆˙⟡ do I have any tears left in my body? I don’t think so. I probably ran out of tears with that ending. And the funny thing? I knew all along what was going to happen, but still: IT HURT LIKE HELL.
⋆˙⟡ I don’t even know what else I can say because I’m just devastated and my mind can’t even think properly😭 I just wanted to say that I completely loved Adena and Mak and the brief romance they had while it lastedor rather, the beginning of their romance that can never develop. They were the sweetest people who met under difficult circumstances and got something like “the right person at the wrong time." They deserved more time to continue “tripping” into each other, and to have their love story and the happiest ending ever, okay? But things needed to happen, and people needed to suffer. So, Adena left the moon aka Mak without his sun to complement him, but now he has a star that outshines every other star watching over him, just like he said she would. BUT NOT EXPECTING IT TO BE SO SOON😭💔 so… maybe in another life, they had their happy ending, right? 😫 I want to believe in that.
⋆˙⟡ ALSO, there are so many theories that blew my mind while reading possible plots for Reckless. Like, I really NEED a reunion between Pae and Mak with both of them wearing the vests Adena made for them *CRYING*😭❤️🩹 anddd maybe Mak is somehow related to Pae or Kai? He has a sliver of silver hair (LIKE PAE) that was mentioned too many times just to be some coincidence. Besides, MAK IS ALSO A WIELDER, JUST LIKE KAI. Like, OMGGGG!?? *SCREAMING*. Also, it’s mentioned a lot that Kai and Mak are “similar”. So, idk. Mak has nothing to lose now and maybe he’ll want some revenge. I see a lot of drama coming for Reckless and I’M SO READY FOR IT 🛐
❥ Other quotes just because I love them ✨
*ೃ✧˚. “You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me.” yess sir, I would always run to you too🛐
*ೃ✧˚. “Even in the midst of crying, she managed to glow, as though each tear was a drop of sunlight.” the way he always compares her with the sun🥺☀️💕
*ೃ✧˚. “But you… you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind.” I would crawl back at her too❤️🔥
*ೃ✧˚. “He stole your smile,” she whispers, “no wonder you didn’t have one to give me… “I’ll find one,” I murmur. “Steal it back if I must. For you.” *MELTING*
*ೃ✧˚. “You are the sweetest thing I have never tasted. And I doubt I’ve craved anything more.” oh my… 🦋🦋
*ೃ✧˚. “honey/ hun” for the 895783 times 🛐🥰💘
❥ Quotes that broke my heart ✨
*ೃ✧˚. “You make even the stars envious” I repeat softly, leaning towards her. “Because one day- far from now- you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one”. Okay, can we cry now? 😭
*ೃ✧˚. “You had me! You had me, and I would have kept your secret.”😫
ೃ✧˚. “I never imagined it would be this difficult to leave. Because now there is her and every moment after. I had never known happiness before her, and if there is to be an after in which she doesn’t exist, I know I never will again.” reading this and knowing what was going to happen… *sobbing*
*ೃ✧˚. “I’m so unused to someone wanting me. Choosing me. Finding me worth the effort. Because I’m completely undeserving of it. Of her.” MAK, YOU DESERVE ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN THIS WORLD. I just wanted to hug him so bad😭
*ೃ✧˚. “Her fingers are bent, swollen, broken behind her back. Her sewing fingers. They have broken her sewing fingers.” *emotional damage*
*ೃ✧˚. “Just count the stars, Dena.” MY FKN HEART WAS CRUSHED💔 *screaming and crying at this point*
*ೃ✧˚. “Thanks for picking the closest star, Dena. Looks like you’ll be around to keep me company.” ☀️😭😫 he’s completely alone now, okay? WHYY😭 I can't breathe with this thought 💔
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
Anyways, I really enjoyed and loved this novella even though it left me broken on the floor sobbing at 4 am and wondering why I read this kind of stuffapparently, I'm a masochist 💗💗💋
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
𓏲 ₊💜 𓂃 pre-read: 🍃
ready to be a masochist, feel some real pain, and end up heartbroken 💋
𓏲 ₊♡𓂃💫“See you in the sky”💫⋆𓂃ִֶָ ⊹˚
I was already considering going to therapy, and after reading this... I finally might schedule an appointment very soon. I knew what I was getting into when I decided to read this considering the ending of Powerless. BUT STILL, I chose my curiosity and love for this trilogy and its characters over my wellbeing. This is exactly why I don’t read books with sad endings. I’m very empathetic and I end up broken every single time. And this time? It wasn’t the exception😫
✨𝓢𝓹𝓸𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓐𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭✨
❥ 𝓐𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓪☀️ ₊˚.⋆ ☼⋆⁺₊✧
🌷“He’s not exactly a ray of sunshine, but perhaps something equivalent to moonlight. Mysterious and unnerving. Equally as beautiful, yet, soft enough to stare at.”🌷
This girl was a walking ball of sunshine with the kindest soul ever😭💗 seriously, she was so sweet, caring, funny, and kind. She was the type of person who, with just her presence, filled you with good vibes and happiness. I didn’t connect with her a lot in Powerless, but here? I absolutely loved her. All I wanted to do was to put her in a glass box and protect her from all the evil in the world. The world didn’t deserve her, alright? 😭 okay- maybe Mak did, and Pae too, but the rest? She was too good for them and I’m so heartbroken and MAD about her destiny.
💐“I’m tripping into you, Mak.”💐
❥ 𝓜𝓪𝓴🌙 ₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
🦋“If darkness is the absence of light, then that is what I am when she is not around. And I wonder how I’ve stumble this long without her to guide me.”🦋
I don’t even know what I should say about him😭❤️🩹 this baby really deserves all the good things in the world, and I’M SO SAD AND ANGRY that he lost his two everything (aka Hera and Dena). Like, WHYYYY!? Why do the most softhearted people (like Adena) have the saddest endings and the worst blows that life can throw while the most disgusting people are living their best lives? *existential question*
He wanted to give the facade of being cold-hearted, when in reality he was the cutest and most lovable person ever. He just wanted to protect his heart since he got it crushed by life in general and the people who were supposed to love him the most. And you know what? I wanted to give him the biggest hug and put him in the glass box with Adena to protect them and give them all the happiness, love, well-being, and peace they deserved.
💜“I think you’re my little piece of perfection.”💜
❥ My thoughts 💭 ✶⋆.˚
⋆˙⟡ emotional well-being? what’s that? because mine is nonexistent after reading this. I’m crushed, broken, empty, and my heart was ripped out of my chest and shattered into a million pieces.
⋆˙⟡ do I have any tears left in my body? I don’t think so. I probably ran out of tears with that ending. And the funny thing? I knew all along what was going to happen, but still: IT HURT LIKE HELL.
⋆˙⟡ I don’t even know what else I can say because I’m just devastated and my mind can’t even think properly😭 I just wanted to say that I completely loved Adena and Mak and the brief romance they had while it lasted
⋆˙⟡ ALSO, there are so many theories that blew my mind while reading possible plots for Reckless. Like, I really NEED a reunion between Pae and Mak with both of them wearing the vests Adena made for them *CRYING*😭❤️🩹 anddd maybe Mak is somehow related to Pae or Kai? He has a sliver of silver hair (LIKE PAE) that was mentioned too many times just to be some coincidence. Besides, MAK IS ALSO A WIELDER, JUST LIKE KAI. Like, OMGGGG!?? *SCREAMING*. Also, it’s mentioned a lot that Kai and Mak are “similar”. So, idk. Mak has nothing to lose now and maybe he’ll want some revenge. I see a lot of drama coming for Reckless and I’M SO READY FOR IT 🛐
❥ Other quotes just because I love them ✨
*ೃ✧˚. “You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me.” yess sir, I would always run to you too🛐
*ೃ✧˚. “Even in the midst of crying, she managed to glow, as though each tear was a drop of sunlight.” the way he always compares her with the sun🥺☀️💕
*ೃ✧˚. “But you… you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind.” I would crawl back at her too❤️🔥
*ೃ✧˚. “He stole your smile,” she whispers, “no wonder you didn’t have one to give me… “I’ll find one,” I murmur. “Steal it back if I must. For you.” *MELTING*
*ೃ✧˚. “You are the sweetest thing I have never tasted. And I doubt I’ve craved anything more.” oh my… 🦋🦋
*ೃ✧˚. “honey/ hun” for the 895783 times 🛐🥰💘
❥ Quotes that broke my heart ✨
*ೃ✧˚. “You make even the stars envious” I repeat softly, leaning towards her. “Because one day- far from now- you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one”. Okay, can we cry now? 😭
*ೃ✧˚. “You had me! You had me, and I would have kept your secret.”😫
ೃ✧˚. “I never imagined it would be this difficult to leave. Because now there is her and every moment after. I had never known happiness before her, and if there is to be an after in which she doesn’t exist, I know I never will again.” reading this and knowing what was going to happen… *sobbing*
*ೃ✧˚. “I’m so unused to someone wanting me. Choosing me. Finding me worth the effort. Because I’m completely undeserving of it. Of her.” MAK, YOU DESERVE ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN THIS WORLD. I just wanted to hug him so bad😭
*ೃ✧˚. “Her fingers are bent, swollen, broken behind her back. Her sewing fingers. They have broken her sewing fingers.” *emotional damage*
*ೃ✧˚. “Just count the stars, Dena.” MY FKN HEART WAS CRUSHED💔 *screaming and crying at this point*
*ೃ✧˚. “Thanks for picking the closest star, Dena. Looks like you’ll be around to keep me company.” ☀️😭😫 he’s completely alone now, okay? WHYY😭 I can't breathe with this thought 💔
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
Anyways, I really enjoyed and loved this novella even though it left me broken on the floor sobbing at 4 am and wondering why I read this kind of stuff
𓏲 ₊♡𓂃“To the girls with softer dreams- your purpose is just as powerful.”⋆𓂃ִֶָ ⊹˚
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
𓏲 ₊💜 𓂃 pre-read: 🍃
ready to be a masochist, feel some real pain, and end up heartbroken 💋
May 31, 2024
✰⋆☾ ⋆ Powerful ⭑☽ ✧˖°. Lauren Roberts ✰
🕮 LOVE the cover
🕮 Romantasy
🕮 Novella
🕮 Grumpy X Sunshine
🕮 Magic / Powers
🕮 Hunger games x Magic
🕮 No happy ending
🕮 He does her hair
🕮 Read if you want to cry, A LOT.
🕮 slow burn
🕮 - /🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
“Run to me. Always run to me.” ❤
Yes, but no.. Just no.
???????!!!!! 😭😭😭😭
I refuse to believe the ending, Mak deserved so much better. Adena deserved so much better.
Seriously crying for Makoto rn.. What did the poor guy do to deserve so much hurt and dissapointment in his life? If he doesn’t get an happy ending in Reckless I’ll never read another book again 😭
me the whole time while reading Powerful:
Update:
Okay so.. I was not okay after this book.
Don't get me wrong, It's such a good book. Couldn't put it down and finished it within hours.
But Makoto.. The poor man.. 😭 He better finds so much happiness in Reckless or I'm personally going to find Loot and kill anyone who even dares to break his heart again.
The worst part is we already knew how this book was going to end by reading Powerless.. But The book just destroyed me anyways. 🥴
"Just count the stars, Dena." 😭
🕮 LOVE the cover
🕮 Romantasy
🕮 Novella
🕮 Grumpy X Sunshine
🕮 Magic / Powers
🕮 Hunger games x Magic
🕮 No happy ending
🕮 He does her hair
🕮 Read if you want to cry, A LOT.
🕮 slow burn
🕮 - /🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
“Run to me. Always run to me.” ❤
Yes, but no.. Just no.
???????!!!!! 😭😭😭😭
I refuse to believe the ending, Mak deserved so much better. Adena deserved so much better.
Seriously crying for Makoto rn.. What did the poor guy do to deserve so much hurt and dissapointment in his life? If he doesn’t get an happy ending in Reckless I’ll never read another book again 😭
me the whole time while reading Powerful:
Update:
Okay so.. I was not okay after this book.
Don't get me wrong, It's such a good book. Couldn't put it down and finished it within hours.
But Makoto.. The poor man.. 😭 He better finds so much happiness in Reckless or I'm personally going to find Loot and
The worst part is we already knew how this book was going to end by reading Powerless.. But The book just destroyed me anyways. 🥴
"Just count the stars, Dena." 😭
April 15, 2024
adena deserves all the sticky buns in the world
July 13, 2024
4 stars - rtc!! <3
pre-read: since i only have less than half of this book left + reckless destroyed me, i might as well finish this now <3 i know this is just going to hurt more, but let me enjoy adenamak while i can ☹️🩷
∘•········ʚ ♡ ɞ ········•∘
GUYS I JUST MET LAUREN ROBERTS. SHE WAS THE SWEETEST AND FUNNIEST PERSON EVER I LOVE HER. she also dedicated "cardigan" by taylor swift to adena and mak (specifically the "you drew stars around my scars" lyric) so safe to say, i'm going to adore this 🫶pretend i'm not alr halfway through this, i love adena so much i'm sobbing
pre-read: since i only have less than half of this book left + reckless destroyed me, i might as well finish this now <3 i know this is just going to hurt more, but let me enjoy adenamak while i can ☹️🩷
∘•········ʚ ♡ ɞ ········•∘
GUYS I JUST MET LAUREN ROBERTS. SHE WAS THE SWEETEST AND FUNNIEST PERSON EVER I LOVE HER. she also dedicated "cardigan" by taylor swift to adena and mak (specifically the "you drew stars around my scars" lyric) so safe to say, i'm going to adore this 🫶
May 1, 2024
I am here to tell you that knowing the ending DOES NOT MAKE IT EASIER! I mean wowowow Lauren really chose violence with this one bc THE WAY I SOBBED AT THE END, I didn’t know if I want to throw the book into the wall or myself…. Also, I was okay w this in book one, but getting to know Adena made this SO SO MUCH WORSE, she needs to be resurrected, idc how
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2024
thankfully the ending didn’t actually happen hahahahhahah (help me)
August 4, 2024
꒰ 4.5☆ ꒱
❝ you make the stars envious, because one day –far from now– you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one. ❞
➸ in the stars by benson boone
you took the best of my heart,
and left the rest in pieces
there’s an adenamak-sized hole in my chest. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be truly okay again.
my expectations for this book were honestly quite low after the mess (sorry <3) that was powerless, but I had some hope that it would be better– and of course, I wanted to have my heart broken. But I regret that decision deeply, as this book didn’t just break my heart. It stomped on it and tossed it in a blender.
despite my mournful state after reading powerful, I still loved it more than I ever thought I would. It was, as Mak would say, a little piece of perfection (yes, he did say that about Adena. No, I'm not crying as I write this). Seriously, this book was so pure and sweet and beautiful. adenamak are simply the most adorable couple. Mak spent his whole life believing he didn’t deserve happiness, or to smile. but Adena comes along, and being with her gives him more joy than he ever thought was possible. I just… I can’t. I cannot.
The quality of writing here has much improved since powerless. I didn’t cringe at all, which makes me even more excited for the second book's release in July. I’m both excited and terrified to see where the plot goes and how Mak will play into Paedyn’s story.
If you enjoyed powerless even a little bit, I highly recommend this little novella. Just make sure to have tissues next to you.
₊ ⊹❀ fav quotes:
➸ ❝ run to me. always run to me. ❞
➸ ❝ I had never known happiness before her. But if there is to be an after in which she doesn’t exist, I know I never will again. ❞
➸ ❝ If darkness is the absence of light, then that is what I am when she’s not around. And I wonder how I’ve stumbled this long without her to guide me. ❞
➸ ❝ He is my fantasy. This is my reality. ❞
➸ ❝ you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind. ❞
🥺🧸🩷💫
❝ you make the stars envious, because one day –far from now– you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one. ❞
➸ in the stars by benson boone
you took the best of my heart,
and left the rest in pieces
there’s an adenamak-sized hole in my chest. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be truly okay again.
my expectations for this book were honestly quite low after the mess (sorry <3) that was powerless, but I had some hope that it would be better– and of course, I wanted to have my heart broken. But I regret that decision deeply, as this book didn’t just break my heart. It stomped on it and tossed it in a blender.
despite my mournful state after reading powerful, I still loved it more than I ever thought I would. It was, as Mak would say, a little piece of perfection (yes, he did say that about Adena. No, I'm not crying as I write this). Seriously, this book was so pure and sweet and beautiful. adenamak are simply the most adorable couple. Mak spent his whole life believing he didn’t deserve happiness, or to smile. but Adena comes along, and being with her gives him more joy than he ever thought was possible. I just… I can’t. I cannot.
The quality of writing here has much improved since powerless. I didn’t cringe at all, which makes me even more excited for the second book's release in July. I’m both excited and terrified to see where the plot goes and how Mak will play into Paedyn’s story.
If you enjoyed powerless even a little bit, I highly recommend this little novella. Just make sure to have tissues next to you.
₊ ⊹❀ fav quotes:
➸ ❝ run to me. always run to me. ❞
➸ ❝ I had never known happiness before her. But if there is to be an after in which she doesn’t exist, I know I never will again. ❞
➸ ❝ If darkness is the absence of light, then that is what I am when she’s not around. And I wonder how I’ve stumbled this long without her to guide me. ❞
➸ ❝ He is my fantasy. This is my reality. ❞
➸ ❝ you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind. ❞
🥺🧸🩷💫
May 6, 2024
4.5⭐️ RTC
’See you in the sky.’ Currently sobbing🤧
- - - -
I HAVE IT IN MY HANDS.IM NOT CRYING YOU ARE
‘You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me’
- - - - - -
Since I gave away my kidneys for an ARC of Reckless. I'll give my left leg for an ARC of Powerful 😁😅
’See you in the sky.’ Currently sobbing🤧
- - - -
I HAVE IT IN MY HANDS.
‘You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me’
- - - - - -
Since I gave away my kidneys for an ARC of Reckless. I'll give my left leg for an ARC of Powerful 😁😅
July 26, 2024
ˋ°•*⁀➷ 5 🌟
“See you in the sky.”
My hearts broken & my eyes are glassy. A few pages managed to evoke a plethora of emotions. The slow building of chemistry between the two, blossoming into love, friendship, hopes & aspirations all come crashing together at the final trial erupting heartbreak in my sensitive little heart.
๋࣭ ⭑⚝ ADENA ๋࣭ ⭑⚝
She is the shining sun peeking through the grey clouds on a rainy day, illuminating the world. The constellation of stars you see glowing in the sky. The pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. A girl filled with love, joy, & a heart too big in the Elites Cruel world.
ˋ°•*⁀➷
“There is quite the difference between fragility and delicacy.’
‘So, you think I’m delicate?’
She tilts her head in question. ‘Don’t you want to be handled with care?’
This leaves me speechless.”
๋࣭ ⭑⚝ MAKOTO ๋࣭ ⭑⚝
All the hardships he’s gone through in his life showcase his difficulties but he manages to pull through the sorrows & showcase his love fiercely for Hera, and Adena, his shining stars that bring light to his lonely life. On a side note- I just know he’s never going to take that vest off, it’s going to be his most prized possession alongside the knife pouch.
ˋ°•*⁀➷
“With his arm wrapped tightly round me, he leans forward until our foreheads brush. And that’s when he whispers, ‘I think you’re my little piece of perfection.”
“You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me.”
“You make even the stars envious,’ I repeat softly, leaning towards her. ‘Because one day – far from now – you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
“Something far more intimate than any kiss or touch so far. No, he pulls back far enough to let me see him smile.
It’s big and bright and beautifully his.”
“For me?’ I ask breathlessly, staring at his smile.
‘Every single one,’ he murmurs.”
“You are the sweetest thing I have never tasted.’ Another brush of his knuckles. ‘And I doubt I’ve craved anything more.”
💔😭⭐️
Heart was indeed broken.
Pre-review
Mentally preparing for my heart to be broken 💔😭
“See you in the sky.”
My hearts broken & my eyes are glassy. A few pages managed to evoke a plethora of emotions. The slow building of chemistry between the two, blossoming into love, friendship, hopes & aspirations all come crashing together at the final trial erupting heartbreak in my sensitive little heart.
๋࣭ ⭑⚝ ADENA ๋࣭ ⭑⚝
She is the shining sun peeking through the grey clouds on a rainy day, illuminating the world. The constellation of stars you see glowing in the sky. The pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. A girl filled with love, joy, & a heart too big in the Elites Cruel world.
ˋ°•*⁀➷
“There is quite the difference between fragility and delicacy.’
‘So, you think I’m delicate?’
She tilts her head in question. ‘Don’t you want to be handled with care?’
This leaves me speechless.”
๋࣭ ⭑⚝ MAKOTO ๋࣭ ⭑⚝
All the hardships he’s gone through in his life showcase his difficulties but he manages to pull through the sorrows & showcase his love fiercely for Hera, and Adena, his shining stars that bring light to his lonely life. On a side note- I just know he’s never going to take that vest off, it’s going to be his most prized possession alongside the knife pouch.
ˋ°•*⁀➷
“With his arm wrapped tightly round me, he leans forward until our foreheads brush. And that’s when he whispers, ‘I think you’re my little piece of perfection.”
“You did the right thing. Run to me. Always run to me.”
“You make even the stars envious,’ I repeat softly, leaning towards her. ‘Because one day – far from now – you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
“Something far more intimate than any kiss or touch so far. No, he pulls back far enough to let me see him smile.
It’s big and bright and beautifully his.”
“For me?’ I ask breathlessly, staring at his smile.
‘Every single one,’ he murmurs.”
“You are the sweetest thing I have never tasted.’ Another brush of his knuckles. ‘And I doubt I’ve craved anything more.”
💔😭⭐️
Heart was indeed broken.
Pre-review
Mentally preparing for my heart to be broken 💔😭
June 27, 2024
2 ⭐️
nope. sorry but i hated it. ms author seems to have rly interesting concepts but poor execution…. bc WHAT did i just read 😧 fanfiction ??? even that’s written better…
this story is trying to check mark a bunch of popular book tropes and create “iconic” book quotes for ppl to spread across sns. the entire thing felt too rushed, and even after 200 pages i don’t know anything about the main characters or this kingdom/world. mak/adena’s dialogue was SO cringy at times and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to force the grumpy x sunshine trope T__T ++ mak’s nickname for adena as “hun” or “honey” made me imagine him as a 23 y/o man and adena as a 15 y/o girl… 💀💀💀
there were also so many points in this book that had potential to answer questions from Powerless,, but then the chapter ended and then skipped to who knows when 😫 PRIME EXAMPLE – we STILL don’t know why adena was suddenly captured by the king and put at the center of the trials… this book was the perfect opportunity to talk about that and MORE T__T
the only reason i’m giving this book 2 stars is because the ending was kinda sad/good + also some quotes were cute,,, and by the end i cared less about adena than when i started. also i rly hope mak appears in book 2 because if not then WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR ALL THE INSTA-LOVE (which i found so fake btw) AND DEVOTION IN THIS BOOK ?!?!?
⊹ “you did the right thing. run to me. always. run to me.”
⊹ “it’s the way my thoughts never cease to wander towards her, my heart falling senselessly after.”
⊹ “you make even the stars envious… because one day – far from now – you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
⊹ “i don’t fall for someone. i trip uncontrollably towards them before inevitably hitting the ground.”
₊˚ʚ 🪡 ₊˚✧ ﾟ. pre-read:
im ready to get back into the world of powerless!!!
"to the girls with softer dreams – your purpose is just as powerful" the dedication omg 🥹😫
nope. sorry but i hated it. ms author seems to have rly interesting concepts but poor execution…. bc WHAT did i just read 😧 fanfiction ??? even that’s written better…
this story is trying to check mark a bunch of popular book tropes and create “iconic” book quotes for ppl to spread across sns. the entire thing felt too rushed, and even after 200 pages i don’t know anything about the main characters or this kingdom/world. mak/adena’s dialogue was SO cringy at times and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to force the grumpy x sunshine trope T__T ++ mak’s nickname for adena as “hun” or “honey” made me imagine him as a 23 y/o man and adena as a 15 y/o girl… 💀💀💀
there were also so many points in this book that had potential to answer questions from Powerless,, but then the chapter ended and then skipped to who knows when 😫 PRIME EXAMPLE – we STILL don’t know why adena was suddenly captured by the king and put at the center of the trials… this book was the perfect opportunity to talk about that and MORE T__T
the only reason i’m giving this book 2 stars is because the ending was kinda sad/good + also some quotes were cute,,, and by the end i cared less about adena than when i started. also i rly hope mak appears in book 2 because if not then WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR ALL THE INSTA-LOVE (which i found so fake btw) AND DEVOTION IN THIS BOOK ?!?!?
⊹ “you did the right thing. run to me. always. run to me.”
⊹ “it’s the way my thoughts never cease to wander towards her, my heart falling senselessly after.”
⊹ “you make even the stars envious… because one day – far from now – you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
⊹ “i don’t fall for someone. i trip uncontrollably towards them before inevitably hitting the ground.”
₊˚ʚ 🪡 ₊˚✧ ﾟ. pre-read:
im ready to get back into the world of powerless!!!
"to the girls with softer dreams – your purpose is just as powerful" the dedication omg 🥹😫
July 19, 2024
5 stars ⭐️
⤷ spoilers ahead!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
”See you in the sky.” 🌌
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ adena
my sweet sweet adena 😭😭😭 it’s so rare for a book to bring me to tears, but this one did (tears were literally streaming down my face). i’m actually so sad rn 😭💔 what made it even more heartbreaking was her unawareness of the situation until the very end, and her calmness during her final moments 😭😭😭
“And then I count. One, two, three… Death is gentle in a way life never was. I look up into the sky, seeing stars swim in my vision. What a beautiful night in the Fort. Four, five, six… I’m counting the seconds until I see her next. I’m counting the stars until I see Mak shining beside me. The stars wink at me, welcoming me home. And on the second eight, I know nothing.”
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ makoto
mak… oh mak 😭😭😭 i can’t imagine how devastated he must have been, losing both hera and adena to the trials. and the fact that he was there to witness adena’s final moments too 😭😭😭 they literally only had a few days together and he never got the chance to give her the gift he had picked out for her 😭😭💔
”Just count the stars, Dena. Just count the stars.”
“I count right along with her. One, two, three… Only, I’m counting down the seconds until I get to see her again. Four, five, six… I’ll count until I’m up in the sky beside her. Seven, eight, nine… And I suddenly wish that second would come sooner. Ten, eleven, twelve… I feel her power flicker and fade. And then I watch her die. Watch the life drain from her dark skin, steal the light from the eyes. The connection snaps. Her ability slips between my fingers. Leaving me cold and shaking without its comfort. And I’ll never feel it again. Never feel her again. Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen… When Paedyn’s hand sweeps over her eyes, shutting out the world for eternity, I stand and stumble down the path with shaky legs. Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen… Tears blur my vision; anger burns my blood. I turn down a concrete tunnel leading to the world beyond. A world without her. A world she is no longer in. And I’m not sure I can live in that world. Nineteen, twenty, twenty-one… My sobs echo off the walls, drowning out the cheers from inside the Bowl. It should have been me. I wish it was me. Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four… They are cheering. Cheering as if a sliver of the sun hadn’t just burned out before them. Twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven… When my feet meet the path outside, and my face is thoroughly doused in sun, I fall to my knees once again. I clutch the vest around me, pulling at the perfectly straight seams holding it together. Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty… Never again will I get to admire her while she sews. My head falls into my hands, collecting hot tears on my palms. Then I’m running my fingers over the vest again, tracing every bit that her fingers graced. Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three… My heart stutters at the feel of raised thread beneath a pocket. I don’t need to look at it to know what it says. Don’t need to read the words to have more tears rolling down my cheeks. ‘See you in the sky.’ I look up, choking back a sob. Thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six… The sun drenches me in warmth, coats me in comfort. It’s soothing. Gentle. Soft. I smile sadly. Laugh despite the tears still staining my skin. And there she is, outshining everyone. In a way, she’s always been the sun. Always the brightness that existed despite the presence of such darkness. Thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine… ‘Thanks for picking the closest star, Dena.’ I take a shaky breath. Forty, forty-one, forty-two… ‘Looks like you’ll be around to keep me company.’”
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ more quotes and dialogues that made my heart ache
“But you… you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind. And it scares the shit out of me.”
“I regret not buying that blue shirt from you, if only so I had your attention long enough to convince you that red suits you better. I regret not telling you how much I like it when you blow those bangs out of your eyes, or the way you clap after finishing a row of stitches. I regret smothering every smile you made me want to give you. And I regret not telling you the truth. But most of all, not saying goodbye.”
“He stole your smile. No wonder you didn’t have one to give me.”
“I’ll find one. Steal it back if I must. For you.”
“I made him, and every other man I found, memorise every one of your features. I described the color of your eyes and the length of the lashes lining them. The warmth of your skin, and the specific curl of your hair. Your nose, your lips, your smile. Down to the every scar of your palm from one of my daggers. I made them memorise you. So, yes, he knew exactly who you were and still decided to ignore my threats.”
“You make even the stars envious. Because one day — far from now — you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
“And will you be beside me up there?”
“If I should be so lucky.”
“Promise me. I don’t want to be alone.”
“I promise, Dena.”
⤷ spoilers ahead!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
”See you in the sky.” 🌌
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ adena
my sweet sweet adena 😭😭😭 it’s so rare for a book to bring me to tears, but this one did (tears were literally streaming down my face). i’m actually so sad rn 😭💔 what made it even more heartbreaking was her unawareness of the situation until the very end, and her calmness during her final moments 😭😭😭
“And then I count. One, two, three… Death is gentle in a way life never was. I look up into the sky, seeing stars swim in my vision. What a beautiful night in the Fort. Four, five, six… I’m counting the seconds until I see her next. I’m counting the stars until I see Mak shining beside me. The stars wink at me, welcoming me home. And on the second eight, I know nothing.”
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ makoto
mak… oh mak 😭😭😭 i can’t imagine how devastated he must have been, losing both hera and adena to the trials. and the fact that he was there to witness adena’s final moments too 😭😭😭 they literally only had a few days together and he never got the chance to give her the gift he had picked out for her 😭😭💔
”Just count the stars, Dena. Just count the stars.”
“I count right along with her. One, two, three… Only, I’m counting down the seconds until I get to see her again. Four, five, six… I’ll count until I’m up in the sky beside her. Seven, eight, nine… And I suddenly wish that second would come sooner. Ten, eleven, twelve… I feel her power flicker and fade. And then I watch her die. Watch the life drain from her dark skin, steal the light from the eyes. The connection snaps. Her ability slips between my fingers. Leaving me cold and shaking without its comfort. And I’ll never feel it again. Never feel her again. Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen… When Paedyn’s hand sweeps over her eyes, shutting out the world for eternity, I stand and stumble down the path with shaky legs. Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen… Tears blur my vision; anger burns my blood. I turn down a concrete tunnel leading to the world beyond. A world without her. A world she is no longer in. And I’m not sure I can live in that world. Nineteen, twenty, twenty-one… My sobs echo off the walls, drowning out the cheers from inside the Bowl. It should have been me. I wish it was me. Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four… They are cheering. Cheering as if a sliver of the sun hadn’t just burned out before them. Twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven… When my feet meet the path outside, and my face is thoroughly doused in sun, I fall to my knees once again. I clutch the vest around me, pulling at the perfectly straight seams holding it together. Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty… Never again will I get to admire her while she sews. My head falls into my hands, collecting hot tears on my palms. Then I’m running my fingers over the vest again, tracing every bit that her fingers graced. Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three… My heart stutters at the feel of raised thread beneath a pocket. I don’t need to look at it to know what it says. Don’t need to read the words to have more tears rolling down my cheeks. ‘See you in the sky.’ I look up, choking back a sob. Thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six… The sun drenches me in warmth, coats me in comfort. It’s soothing. Gentle. Soft. I smile sadly. Laugh despite the tears still staining my skin. And there she is, outshining everyone. In a way, she’s always been the sun. Always the brightness that existed despite the presence of such darkness. Thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine… ‘Thanks for picking the closest star, Dena.’ I take a shaky breath. Forty, forty-one, forty-two… ‘Looks like you’ll be around to keep me company.’”
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ more quotes and dialogues that made my heart ache
“But you… you’re the embodiment of everything I am not. And yet, here I am, crawling back to you as though I’ve left a piece of myself behind. And it scares the shit out of me.”
“I regret not buying that blue shirt from you, if only so I had your attention long enough to convince you that red suits you better. I regret not telling you how much I like it when you blow those bangs out of your eyes, or the way you clap after finishing a row of stitches. I regret smothering every smile you made me want to give you. And I regret not telling you the truth. But most of all, not saying goodbye.”
“He stole your smile. No wonder you didn’t have one to give me.”
“I’ll find one. Steal it back if I must. For you.”
“I made him, and every other man I found, memorise every one of your features. I described the color of your eyes and the length of the lashes lining them. The warmth of your skin, and the specific curl of your hair. Your nose, your lips, your smile. Down to the every scar of your palm from one of my daggers. I made them memorise you. So, yes, he knew exactly who you were and still decided to ignore my threats.”
“You make even the stars envious. Because one day — far from now — you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
“And will you be beside me up there?”
“If I should be so lucky.”
“Promise me. I don’t want to be alone.”
“I promise, Dena.”
May 8, 2024
i didn't need to go through that much pain all over again!😭😭😭
3.75 🌟
-------------------------------
OKAY, I don't remember who they are, and I read powerless almost 2 months ago !! THIS ISEMBARRASSING
Adena is the friend of pay, who is mak??? HELP 😭😭😭😭😭😭
But APRIL???😭😭
3.75 🌟
-------------------------------
OKAY, I don't remember who they are, and I read powerless almost 2 months ago !! THIS IS
Adena is the friend of pay, who is mak??? HELP 😭😭😭😭😭😭
But APRIL???😭😭
Want to read
May 3, 2024 YEAH, NOT IN THE MOOD TO SHED TEARS 🙏🏻
April 17, 2024
I.....im going to pretend the last 15 ish pages dont exist >< WWWWWTTTTTFFFF WAS THE NEED LIKE WHY POOR MAK he lost both of the only people that he let himself care about UGHHHHH
May 1, 2024
･:*:･ﾟ⁀➷ 4.25/5 ★
HOW WAS THIS SO GOOD?! 🤭🤭 I mean, it did shatter my heart into a million pieces but i loved every second if it 🌷✨️
➷ “To the girls with softer dreams – your purpose is just as powerful!”
Tropes:
🪡 Grumpy x sunshine
🪡 Romantasy
🪡 Novella
I absolutely loved powerless so i was so excited to see that this was coming out!! And it was sm better than i thought it could be 🥹
ೃ⁀➷ Writing & plot:
Lauren Roberts’ writing is soo stunning aah!! 🫶🫶 I can’t believe this is only her second book, bc her books are so compelling and easy to read it’s insane. This one transported me right back into the world and i was so happy to be back. The paedyn and kai appearances had me running happy laps around my room 🤭🤭
Honestly, this one didn’t have the strongest plot ever but did i care? Absolutely not, i was having the time of my life 🎀💘 I listened to this as an audiobook and it was the perfect short little audiobook, i would highly recommend!! I thought it was so clever to set this during the same timeline as powerless bc it filled in all the gaps so well. It was so fun seeing what was happening during the trials and i’m now even more excited for reckless to release!! I NEED IT IN MY HANDS RN 😫😫
➷ “I think you're my little piece of perfection.”
ೃ⁀➷ Characters:
The fact this novella was under 200 pages and i fell so in love with these characters?! i have no idea how it happened but i love them with my whole heart 🥹💘
➵ Adena: my precious sunshine girl i love her smm!! 🥹🥹 Her bubbly personality was so fun and she was just so wholesome & cute, i wanted to wrap her in a huge hug and protect her from the world 🫂🎀
➵ Mak: omg i love him?! 🤭🤭 The way i went into this with no idea who he was and came out obsessed with him. He was so broody, but seeing him open up to Adena was the most precious thing ever 🥹🌷 He’s definitely no kai but i still love him and i can’t wait to see what he does in the rest of the series! ✨️
➷ “You make even the stars envious,” I repeat softly, leaning towards her. “Because one day, far from now, you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
ೃ⁀➷ Romance:
‼️ major spoilers in this section ‼️
➵ Adena and Mak:
I think lauren is blessed or something bc how do her romances hit so hard?! First kai and pae, and now these two?!? 😫😫 I’m obsessed. I wasn’t convinced of their relationship at first but then they snuck into my heart and soon i was tearing up when mak started to smile for adena 🥺🥺🥺 This is honestly the best grumpy sunshine i’ve ever read, it was done so perfectly.
But the ending?! It hurt in powerless but in here, seeing mak’s reaction?! 😃 And “see you in the sky”?? 😃😃 My eyes hurt from crying sm.
They did not deserve this 💔
‼️ spoilers have ended ‼️
➷ “see you in the sky”
ೃ⁀➷ In conclusion:
Absolutely stunning… but lauren roberts is public enemy #1 after that ending 😃🔪 I would definitely recommend this series tho if you want:
✔️ Super bingeable
✔️ Great writing
✔️ Amazing characters
✔️ STUNNING romance
✔️ Romantasy series to obsess over
I just know reckless is going to be amazing 🥹🌷
《 2024 Challenge: Book 57 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
ೃ⁀➷ prereview:
➷ “see you in the sky” 💔
If anyone needs me, i’ll be crying in a dark corner for the foreseeable future
rtc 🌷✨️
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
ೃ⁀➷ preread:
➷ I am genuinely terrified to read this, but also so excited bc powerless was stunning 🤭🤭 i've got a box of tissues ready, so here we go!! 🌷✨️
HOW WAS THIS SO GOOD?! 🤭🤭 I mean, it did shatter my heart into a million pieces but i loved every second if it 🌷✨️
➷ “To the girls with softer dreams – your purpose is just as powerful!”
Tropes:
🪡 Grumpy x sunshine
🪡 Romantasy
🪡 Novella
I absolutely loved powerless so i was so excited to see that this was coming out!! And it was sm better than i thought it could be 🥹
ೃ⁀➷ Writing & plot:
Lauren Roberts’ writing is soo stunning aah!! 🫶🫶 I can’t believe this is only her second book, bc her books are so compelling and easy to read it’s insane. This one transported me right back into the world and i was so happy to be back. The paedyn and kai appearances had me running happy laps around my room 🤭🤭
Honestly, this one didn’t have the strongest plot ever but did i care? Absolutely not, i was having the time of my life 🎀💘 I listened to this as an audiobook and it was the perfect short little audiobook, i would highly recommend!! I thought it was so clever to set this during the same timeline as powerless bc it filled in all the gaps so well. It was so fun seeing what was happening during the trials and i’m now even more excited for reckless to release!! I NEED IT IN MY HANDS RN 😫😫
➷ “I think you're my little piece of perfection.”
ೃ⁀➷ Characters:
The fact this novella was under 200 pages and i fell so in love with these characters?! i have no idea how it happened but i love them with my whole heart 🥹💘
➵ Adena: my precious sunshine girl i love her smm!! 🥹🥹 Her bubbly personality was so fun and she was just so wholesome & cute, i wanted to wrap her in a huge hug and protect her from the world 🫂🎀
➵ Mak: omg i love him?! 🤭🤭 The way i went into this with no idea who he was and came out obsessed with him. He was so broody, but seeing him open up to Adena was the most precious thing ever 🥹🌷 He’s definitely no kai but i still love him and i can’t wait to see what he does in the rest of the series! ✨️
➷ “You make even the stars envious,” I repeat softly, leaning towards her. “Because one day, far from now, you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
ೃ⁀➷ Romance:
‼️ major spoilers in this section ‼️
➵ Adena and Mak:
I think lauren is blessed or something bc how do her romances hit so hard?! First kai and pae, and now these two?!? 😫😫 I’m obsessed. I wasn’t convinced of their relationship at first but then they snuck into my heart and soon i was tearing up when mak started to smile for adena 🥺🥺🥺 This is honestly the best grumpy sunshine i’ve ever read, it was done so perfectly.
But the ending?! It hurt in powerless but in here, seeing mak’s reaction?! 😃 And “see you in the sky”?? 😃😃 My eyes hurt from crying sm.
They did not deserve this 💔
‼️ spoilers have ended ‼️
➷ “see you in the sky”
ೃ⁀➷ In conclusion:
Absolutely stunning… but lauren roberts is public enemy #1 after that ending 😃🔪 I would definitely recommend this series tho if you want:
✔️ Super bingeable
✔️ Great writing
✔️ Amazing characters
✔️ STUNNING romance
✔️ Romantasy series to obsess over
I just know reckless is going to be amazing 🥹🌷
《 2024 Challenge: Book 57 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
ೃ⁀➷ prereview:
➷ “see you in the sky” 💔
If anyone needs me, i’ll be crying in a dark corner for the foreseeable future
rtc 🌷✨️
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
ೃ⁀➷ preread:
➷ I am genuinely terrified to read this, but also so excited bc powerless was stunning 🤭🤭 i've got a box of tissues ready, so here we go!! 🌷✨️
June 16, 2024
—— 4. ✰ stars.
・❥・ Mood of the book: The Last Time by Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody
Well, this book shut me up, to be completely honest, I thought it was simply going to be filler and unnecessary to the story, and although yes, it is true that it adds little more than the character of Mak, it is very much worth reading, if you weren't enthusiastic about Powerless, like I was, give Powerful a chance because I assure you it's better!
Lauren Roberts will have to pay my therapy bills, because I cried while reviewing my highlights from the book.
In this case, we follow Adena, Paedyn's best friend, and what she experiences while Paedyn is in the trials. We meet Mak, who hires her to sew him a uniform to infiltrate the castle, and feelings begin to arise.
I can't say anything else at all, since it would be a spoiler, and if you've already read the first book, you already know what I mean.
I found improvement in the author's writing, which gives me hope that I will also like the next book.
The book is much more focused on romance, which although in my opinion is a bit fast, taking into account that it is a 244 page novella, you can't ask for slow burn. This helped a lot for me to enjoy it more, although I always prefer the fantasy part in romantasy books, but in the first book I didn't enjoy it, so I was grateful for the lack of it here, even though I hope that will change on the second book.
I liked the characters, especially Mak, since we already know Adena a little from the first book, and the events of the novella leave me with expectations for the next one.
Finally, this book has DESTROYED my heart, it has been a long time since I cried like this over a book, and I value that a lot.
PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS NOVEL. (YES. I AM RECOMMENDING PAIN TO YOU)
'He’s breathtaking in the way I would imagine a stab wound to be, so handsome it’s piercing. Like a blade, everything about him is sharp and cold.'
'She is an intoxicating sort of exhausting, like running until you’ve lost your breath but enjoying the feeling all the while. And I feel as though I’ve been sprinting for days.'
'If darkness is the absence of light, then that is what I am when she is not around. And I wonder how I’ve stumbled this long without her to guide me.'
Now I will put some quotes that I consider spoilers, but I can't NOT put them, so if you haven't read the book, and above all, if you haven't read the first, DON'T READ THESE:
'Those beautiful hands of hers. Those beautiful hands that have cupped my face, created countless pieces of clothing, clapped joyfully at the smallest of things. And now they never will again.'
'She’s counting the stars. I break. All of me. Every inch of my being shattering at the realization.'
'See you in the sky.'
'Thanks for picking the closest star, Dena.' I take a shaky breath. Forty, forty-one, forty-two… 'Looks like you’ll be around to keep me company.'
➤ Powerless Series:
╰┈➤Powerless , 3. ✰ stars.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝓹𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
12/06 🪡 : I can’t see what I’m typing through the tears 😃. So much better than powerless. rtc when I stop sobbing
08/06 🪡 : I hope this is useful and not just a filler 💀
' Run to me. Always run to me.'
・❥・ Mood of the book: The Last Time by Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody
Well, this book shut me up, to be completely honest, I thought it was simply going to be filler and unnecessary to the story, and although yes, it is true that it adds little more than the character of Mak, it is very much worth reading, if you weren't enthusiastic about Powerless, like I was, give Powerful a chance because I assure you it's better!
Lauren Roberts will have to pay my therapy bills, because I cried while reviewing my highlights from the book.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 𝓅𝓁ℴ𝓉ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
In this case, we follow Adena, Paedyn's best friend, and what she experiences while Paedyn is in the trials. We meet Mak, who hires her to sew him a uniform to infiltrate the castle, and feelings begin to arise.
I can't say anything else at all, since it would be a spoiler, and if you've already read the first book, you already know what I mean.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 𝑔𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈 ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
I found improvement in the author's writing, which gives me hope that I will also like the next book.
The book is much more focused on romance, which although in my opinion is a bit fast, taking into account that it is a 244 page novella, you can't ask for slow burn. This helped a lot for me to enjoy it more, although I always prefer the fantasy part in romantasy books, but in the first book I didn't enjoy it, so I was grateful for the lack of it here, even though I hope that will change on the second book.
I liked the characters, especially Mak, since we already know Adena a little from the first book, and the events of the novella leave me with expectations for the next one.
Finally, this book has DESTROYED my heart, it has been a long time since I cried like this over a book, and I value that a lot.
PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS NOVEL. (YES. I AM RECOMMENDING PAIN TO YOU)
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑜𝓉𝑒𝓈ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
'He’s breathtaking in the way I would imagine a stab wound to be, so handsome it’s piercing. Like a blade, everything about him is sharp and cold.'
'She is an intoxicating sort of exhausting, like running until you’ve lost your breath but enjoying the feeling all the while. And I feel as though I’ve been sprinting for days.'
'If darkness is the absence of light, then that is what I am when she is not around. And I wonder how I’ve stumbled this long without her to guide me.'
Now I will put some quotes that I consider spoilers, but I can't NOT put them, so if you haven't read the book, and above all, if you haven't read the first, DON'T READ THESE:
'Those beautiful hands of hers. Those beautiful hands that have cupped my face, created countless pieces of clothing, clapped joyfully at the smallest of things. And now they never will again.'
'She’s counting the stars. I break. All of me. Every inch of my being shattering at the realization.'
'See you in the sky.'
'Thanks for picking the closest star, Dena.' I take a shaky breath. Forty, forty-one, forty-two… 'Looks like you’ll be around to keep me company.'
➤ Powerless Series:
╰┈➤Powerless , 3. ✰ stars.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝓹𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
12/06 🪡 : I can’t see what I’m typing through the tears 😃. So much better than powerless. rtc when I stop sobbing
08/06 🪡 : I hope this is useful and not just a filler 💀
July 13, 2024
4.25 stars
edited to adjust my rating
13+ | spice free | spoiler free
[in the stars]
1:04 ─〇───── 3:36
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
"cause now you're in the stars and six-feet's never felt so far"
"you took the best of my heart and left the rest in pieces"
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
tropes
⟡ grumpy x sunshine
⟡ sad ending
⟡ I hate everyone but you
⟡ mc is a cinnamon roll (or a sticky bun. haha I'm hilarious)
⟡ insta-love (it's done well though!)
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
writing
something I NEED to point out is lauren's writing in this book.
although I loved powerless the writing would annoy me a lot. too much huffing, too much "her deep blue gaze met my green one" or whatever. the writing had A LOT of room for improvement.
in this book, lauren improved SO MUCH. I believe the critiques that everyone gave truly helped her realize what she could work on and she did. the writing was still her style but she fixed the problems that we all had with powerless. reading was much more enjoyable this time
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
characters
adena ⋆⭒˚.⋆
my love. the most unproblematic main character in any book you'll ever read. I love her so, so much and she deserves all the sticky buns. she's so beautiful inside and out. knowing how the book ended didn't make it any less painful. I already miss her
"and no one can take your smile. it's yours to give, mak."
mak ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡⋆
mak is such an interesting character and I wish we got more expansion on him, his childhood, and Hera. I'm so intrigued and I want to know so much more. he did so many sweet things for adena. my heart breaks for him. he's lost everyone. I hope he is in the other books because there's so much she could do with his character in the others. and he also better be in reckless
"you make even the stars envious"
mak and adena
their chemistry was insane. they worked so well with each other. they were so perfect. I was cheated out of more time with them. and how he called her dena? MY HEART ACHES. IT HURTS SO BAD. what I would give for 5 more minutes with them.
"I'm so unused to someone wanting me. choosing me. finding me worth the effort."
"I've spent my whole life wishing to be wanted. and here he is, begging me to let him."
ALSO GUYS. WE GOT A REAL KISS. I've never been so happy *side eyes powerless*
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
slight spoiler below so skip to the quotes part if you don't want any spoilers
I believed we were going to get more insight into why adena was thrown in the last trial and killed. a lot of people were upset that we didn't get an explanation and I believe that was the point. to leave us wondering. honestly, I didn't mind it but I do hope we eventually find out the why
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
what I didn’t like
the pacing was off but it’s a novella so I understand, but I think it probably could’ve been paced a little differently. I also think it was insta-lovey but that’s to be expected if it’s a novella. I understand why it wasn’t a full length book but there was definitely room for improvement, however, I still loved this!
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
quotes
"see you in the sky"
nope I'm done. I'm dead.
"'he stole your smile. no wonder you didn't have one to give to me.'
'I'll find one. steal it back for you if I must. for you.'"
I think I'm in love with mak, don't tell dena
"dena if I looked at you while you were talking, I can't guarantee that I'd be paying attention to what you were saying."
🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️
"I thought you had me."
"do I?"
"so long as you take me."
"and if I don't?"
"then no one ever will."
this broke my heart for mak. he has worth
"because one day-far from now-you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one."
I'm going to die a slow and painful death
"and will you be beside me up there?
if I should be so lucky."
brb crying. this was my favorite scene from the whole book.
"I regret not buying that blue shirt from you, if only so I had your attention long enough to convince you that red suits you better. I regret not telling you how much I like it when you blow those bangs out of your eyes, or the way you clap after finishing a row of stitches. I regret smothering every smile you made me want to give to you. And I regret not telling you the truth. But most of all, I regret not saying goodbye."
this reminded me of 10 things I hate about you
there was so much I highlighted so I'm so sorry for all the quotes but here are the last 3
(you should seriously see my book)
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡��
"I had never known happiness before her. But if there was to be an after in which she doesn't exist, I know I never will."
"he is my fantasy. this is my reality."
"I would give him every piece of me if he only asked politely"
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
final thoughts ⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊
this is definitely one of my favorite books this year. I can't recommend this enough. some of my pages are stained with tears. I think I liked it more than powerless as well but shhhhhhh. anyways, go read it!
⊹ ࣪ ˖ pre-review ⊹ ࣪ ˖
k, not funny. rtc (12:47 AM, 12:48 AM) ignore the times, that's for my reading journal, lol
⊹ ࣪ ˖ pre-read ⊹ ࣪ ˖
bring on the pain 💪💪💪
I hope this gives mores insight on what happens in Powerless
edited to adjust my rating
13+ | spice free | spoiler free
[in the stars]
1:04 ─〇───── 3:36
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
"cause now you're in the stars and six-feet's never felt so far"
"you took the best of my heart and left the rest in pieces"
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
tropes
⟡ grumpy x sunshine
⟡ sad ending
⟡ I hate everyone but you
⟡ mc is a cinnamon roll (or a sticky bun. haha I'm hilarious)
⟡ insta-love (it's done well though!)
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
writing
something I NEED to point out is lauren's writing in this book.
although I loved powerless the writing would annoy me a lot. too much huffing, too much "her deep blue gaze met my green one" or whatever. the writing had A LOT of room for improvement.
in this book, lauren improved SO MUCH. I believe the critiques that everyone gave truly helped her realize what she could work on and she did. the writing was still her style but she fixed the problems that we all had with powerless. reading was much more enjoyable this time
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
characters
adena ⋆⭒˚.⋆
my love. the most unproblematic main character in any book you'll ever read. I love her so, so much and she deserves all the sticky buns. she's so beautiful inside and out. knowing how the book ended didn't make it any less painful. I already miss her
"and no one can take your smile. it's yours to give, mak."
mak ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡⋆
mak is such an interesting character and I wish we got more expansion on him, his childhood, and Hera. I'm so intrigued and I want to know so much more. he did so many sweet things for adena. my heart breaks for him. he's lost everyone. I hope he is in the other books because there's so much she could do with his character in the others. and he also better be in reckless
"you make even the stars envious"
mak and adena
their chemistry was insane. they worked so well with each other. they were so perfect. I was cheated out of more time with them. and how he called her dena? MY HEART ACHES. IT HURTS SO BAD. what I would give for 5 more minutes with them.
"I'm so unused to someone wanting me. choosing me. finding me worth the effort."
"I've spent my whole life wishing to be wanted. and here he is, begging me to let him."
ALSO GUYS. WE GOT A REAL KISS. I've never been so happy *side eyes powerless*
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
slight spoiler below so skip to the quotes part if you don't want any spoilers
I believed we were going to get more insight into why adena was thrown in the last trial and killed. a lot of people were upset that we didn't get an explanation and I believe that was the point. to leave us wondering. honestly, I didn't mind it but I do hope we eventually find out the why
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
what I didn’t like
the pacing was off but it’s a novella so I understand, but I think it probably could’ve been paced a little differently. I also think it was insta-lovey but that’s to be expected if it’s a novella. I understand why it wasn’t a full length book but there was definitely room for improvement, however, I still loved this!
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
quotes
"see you in the sky"
nope I'm done. I'm dead.
"'he stole your smile. no wonder you didn't have one to give to me.'
'I'll find one. steal it back for you if I must. for you.'"
I think I'm in love with mak, don't tell dena
"dena if I looked at you while you were talking, I can't guarantee that I'd be paying attention to what you were saying."
🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️
"I thought you had me."
"do I?"
"so long as you take me."
"and if I don't?"
"then no one ever will."
this broke my heart for mak. he has worth
"because one day-far from now-you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one."
I'm going to die a slow and painful death
"and will you be beside me up there?
if I should be so lucky."
brb crying. this was my favorite scene from the whole book.
"I regret not buying that blue shirt from you, if only so I had your attention long enough to convince you that red suits you better. I regret not telling you how much I like it when you blow those bangs out of your eyes, or the way you clap after finishing a row of stitches. I regret smothering every smile you made me want to give to you. And I regret not telling you the truth. But most of all, I regret not saying goodbye."
this reminded me of 10 things I hate about you
there was so much I highlighted so I'm so sorry for all the quotes but here are the last 3
(you should seriously see my book)
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡��
"I had never known happiness before her. But if there was to be an after in which she doesn't exist, I know I never will."
"he is my fantasy. this is my reality."
"I would give him every piece of me if he only asked politely"
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
final thoughts ⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊
this is definitely one of my favorite books this year. I can't recommend this enough. some of my pages are stained with tears. I think I liked it more than powerless as well but shhhhhhh. anyways, go read it!
⊹ ࣪ ˖ pre-review ⊹ ࣪ ˖
k, not funny. rtc (12:47 AM, 12:48 AM) ignore the times, that's for my reading journal, lol
⊹ ࣪ ˖ pre-read ⊹ ࣪ ˖
bring on the pain 💪💪💪
I hope this gives mores insight on what happens in Powerless
July 4, 2024
finished ⋆ 2 ≀ ȷuᥣ ≀ 24
ᯓ ☆ ˚ ⋅ 2.5 stars
I just liked the last 20%, the rest felt forced and sometimes cringy for me.
I'm not saying that I hated the characters or something. I just couldn't connect to them, especially mak. as for adena I already love her so much since powerless, she's my favorite. But this novella didn't make me contact to her more than I already am. Mak wasn't a bad character tho.
Also they had their cute moments, but as l said before about powerless, that this author just add more quotes and quotes to make the reader swoon for the characters, and it's not always feels real. and it was like that at some parts of the novella for me.
also the grumpy x sunshine felt so forced to me.
The 2.5 stars are just for the pain in the end.
︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶୭ৎ︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶
ʚɞ pre read 🪡 › .•
╰ started ⋆ 1 ≀ ȷuᥣ ≀ 24
I don't really wanna read this, but reckless is coming out in a day, so I have to read it.
I'm trying to be hopeful from all the five/four stars I've been seeing for this one. but tbh I'm not, especially since I hate everything I read rn
ᯓ ☆ ˚ ⋅ 2.5 stars
⊹˚ 🪡⋆˙⟡₊ ‘You make even the stars envious,’ I repeat softly, leaning towards her. ‘Because one day – far from now – you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.’
‘And will you be beside me up there?’
‘If I should be so lucky.’
‘Promise me,’ she murmurs sternly. ‘I don’t want to be alone.’
I nod against her hair. ‘I promise, Dena.’
I just liked the last 20%, the rest felt forced and sometimes cringy for me.
I'm not saying that I hated the characters or something. I just couldn't connect to them, especially mak. as for adena I already love her so much since powerless, she's my favorite. But this novella didn't make me contact to her more than I already am. Mak wasn't a bad character tho.
Also they had their cute moments, but as l said before about powerless, that this author just add more quotes and quotes to make the reader swoon for the characters, and it's not always feels real. and it was like that at some parts of the novella for me.
also the grumpy x sunshine felt so forced to me.
The 2.5 stars are just for the pain in the end.
︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶୭ৎ︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶
ʚɞ pre read 🪡 › .•
╰ started ⋆ 1 ≀ ȷuᥣ ≀ 24
I don't really wanna read this, but reckless is coming out in a day, so I have to read it.
I'm trying to be hopeful from all the five/four stars I've been seeing for this one. but tbh I'm not, especially since I hate everything I read rn
May 21, 2024
“𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚢–𝚏𝚊𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚠–𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖, 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
never, never has a book made me bawl my eyes out the way it did 2 mins ago. broken. shattered. im not reviewing this book because i will physically crumble if i try. 😭❤️🩹
“𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛, 𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚊. 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚖𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚢.”
never, never has a book made me bawl my eyes out the way it did 2 mins ago. broken. shattered. im not reviewing this book because i will physically crumble if i try. 😭❤️🩹
“𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛, 𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚊. 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚖𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚢.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2024
“You make even the stars envious. Because one day—far from now—you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”
I absolutely loved this book! I fell in love with this story and the characters from the first page. I enjoyed going back to this world and experiencing the events from the first book from another perspective. This book brought up all the feelings for me, I laughed, I smiled and I cried. I love Adena so much, she's so kind, resilient, hardworking, bubbly, optimistic, and has a heart of gold. I relate to Adena a great deal, I'm also kind and hardworking. I loved that Adena is such a soft and bubbly character, it's refreshing to see a soft hearted character be highlighted in a book. I'm in love with Mak, he's gruff on the outside, but has a soft and sweet side just for Adena. I enjoyed learning about Mak's past, it brought a new perspective to his character. The scenes where he was helpful and sweet to Adena warmed my heart. Both Adena and Mak have my whole heart. The chemistry and tension between Adena and Mak was amazing! The romance was so good and I loved the slow-burn aspect of the romance. There were a few scenes that made me smile and blush a great deal. I'm so glad that the romance developed over time and they both let each other be their own person. The ending was so beautiful and heartbreaking, I teared up so much at the end. Adena and Mak will stay in my heart for a long time.
"You are the sweetest thing I have ever tasted. And I doubt I've craved anything more."
I absolutely loved this book! I fell in love with this story and the characters from the first page. I enjoyed going back to this world and experiencing the events from the first book from another perspective. This book brought up all the feelings for me, I laughed, I smiled and I cried. I love Adena so much, she's so kind, resilient, hardworking, bubbly, optimistic, and has a heart of gold. I relate to Adena a great deal, I'm also kind and hardworking. I loved that Adena is such a soft and bubbly character, it's refreshing to see a soft hearted character be highlighted in a book. I'm in love with Mak, he's gruff on the outside, but has a soft and sweet side just for Adena. I enjoyed learning about Mak's past, it brought a new perspective to his character. The scenes where he was helpful and sweet to Adena warmed my heart. Both Adena and Mak have my whole heart. The chemistry and tension between Adena and Mak was amazing! The romance was so good and I loved the slow-burn aspect of the romance. There were a few scenes that made me smile and blush a great deal. I'm so glad that the romance developed over time and they both let each other be their own person. The ending was so beautiful and heartbreaking, I teared up so much at the end. Adena and Mak will stay in my heart for a long time.
"You are the sweetest thing I have ever tasted. And I doubt I've craved anything more."
April 15, 2024
Utterly powerful! 😭 God I love Adena so much, her story is beautiful. As this book is a novella, everything happens a lot quicker in this with less build up but I still absolutely adored this book. I can't wait for Reckless bc I'm not ready to leave these characters behind just yet!
July 31, 2024
ㅤㅤㅤ
“In the end, it was all light and dark, loud and soft. I knew nothing but the memory of those I loved.”
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ━ 2.8 - 3.0 ☆ ━
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊱ ──── might contain spoilers ────⊰
ㅤㅤI absolutely love books that are able to instill in me the feelings they are portraying and to determine me to visualise those specific scenes very vividly. What I am literally trying to explain in some fancy words and expressions right here is that this book successfully made me cry and sob like a baby; which was pretty much expected considering the plot and what we already knew about it.
ㅤㅤAs this is a novella, and a rather short one, I am not going to follow the normal route I am taking when writing a review for a book and will not go into all that very specific analysis of elements, but I would still like to make some small mentions about different aspects of this book. 'Powerful' follows the story of Adena and what happened to her after Paedyn was forced to partake in The Purging Trials. It is, of course, a short story following a rather short period of time, but it is quite relevant as it introduces another very intriguing character: Mak, who holds a very dangerous secret that he manages to share with Adena as they slowly also start to share feelings for each other. Of course, the book ends with the same very tragic moment that has hunted everyone ever since 'Powerless', but a new perspective on these events is surely interesting to see and read about.
ㅤㅤI have to admit, my expectations were not really high when I first heard what this novella is actually about, especially since, as a reader, I already knew where the events would lead and what the outcome would be. I was, however, pleasantlyand painfully surprised to discover that relieving that ending scene from two entirely new perspectives, definitely brought so much more to the story and made it much more impactful and heart-breaking at the same time. I cannot deny that it was indeed a very nice way of further presenting a character that clearly became very dear to the fandom and the casual readers as well, and it definitely brought some new possibilities for the further development of the plot, especially using the new character this book introduces. My interest is pretty piqued with respect to Mak and what the future holds for him and his role into the rest of the story. It would indeed be great to see some interaction, that I am sure we all beg for.
ㅤㅤHowever, I found myself pretty unimpressed by the rest of the book itself, which, for me at least, was completely saved only by the ending. I am not a fan of this sort of quickly-developing relationship, and, unfortunately, this is exactly what this book focuses on. I have to admit that in about more than half of it, I was pretty much feeling like I was reading some sort of fan-fiction; everything was just so rushed, a pretty cold and closed off character fell almost instantly for a complete stranger, the main idea of the plot was pretty weak, and it was somehow abandoned later on, and the entire progress of both the plot and the characters felt just way too unnatural due to how hasty everything was presented.
ㅤㅤConsidering how I normally enjoy complex and slow-developing relationships because they bring that genuine feeling of companionship and trust, you can totally understand why this wasn't my cup of tea at all and it did not manage to entrap me or to make me fall for this ill-fated, innocent, and pure love story blooming in the pages of this book.
ㅤㅤI want to make very clear that this is not, by all means, a bad book, but as I am reading and writing reviews mainly based on my personal taste, it is impossible to not let my own opinions shine way more in my assessment of a book. And for me, this was not really as enjoyable as I wished it was. I would definitely, however, recommend not skipping this novella since, as I mentioned above, it introduces a character that surely might have a bigger role to play in the future. And also, I think it does a great job in bringing the bittersweet realization that, before the events of Powerless, Adena managed to find a small portion of happiness as she so greatly deserved.
ㅤㅤ────────── ༻✧༺ ──────────
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ.˚౿ Pre-reading ࿐ ࿔*:･
ㅤㅤLet's go....i guess...?🥲 (i am not even sure how to behave in regards to this book)
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ━ 2.8 - 3.0 ☆ ━
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊱ ──── might contain spoilers ────⊰
ㅤㅤI absolutely love books that are able to instill in me the feelings they are portraying and to determine me to visualise those specific scenes very vividly. What I am literally trying to explain in some fancy words and expressions right here is that this book successfully made me cry and sob like a baby; which was pretty much expected considering the plot and what we already knew about it.
ㅤㅤAs this is a novella, and a rather short one, I am not going to follow the normal route I am taking when writing a review for a book and will not go into all that very specific analysis of elements, but I would still like to make some small mentions about different aspects of this book. 'Powerful' follows the story of Adena and what happened to her after Paedyn was forced to partake in The Purging Trials. It is, of course, a short story following a rather short period of time, but it is quite relevant as it introduces another very intriguing character: Mak, who holds a very dangerous secret that he manages to share with Adena as they slowly also start to share feelings for each other. Of course, the book ends with the same very tragic moment that has hunted everyone ever since 'Powerless', but a new perspective on these events is surely interesting to see and read about.
ㅤㅤI have to admit, my expectations were not really high when I first heard what this novella is actually about, especially since, as a reader, I already knew where the events would lead and what the outcome would be. I was, however, pleasantly
ㅤㅤHowever, I found myself pretty unimpressed by the rest of the book itself, which, for me at least, was completely saved only by the ending. I am not a fan of this sort of quickly-developing relationship, and, unfortunately, this is exactly what this book focuses on. I have to admit that in about more than half of it, I was pretty much feeling like I was reading some sort of fan-fiction; everything was just so rushed, a pretty cold and closed off character fell almost instantly for a complete stranger, the main idea of the plot was pretty weak, and it was somehow abandoned later on, and the entire progress of both the plot and the characters felt just way too unnatural due to how hasty everything was presented.
ㅤㅤConsidering how I normally enjoy complex and slow-developing relationships because they bring that genuine feeling of companionship and trust, you can totally understand why this wasn't my cup of tea at all and it did not manage to entrap me or to make me fall for this ill-fated, innocent, and pure love story blooming in the pages of this book.
ㅤㅤI want to make very clear that this is not, by all means, a bad book, but as I am reading and writing reviews mainly based on my personal taste, it is impossible to not let my own opinions shine way more in my assessment of a book. And for me, this was not really as enjoyable as I wished it was. I would definitely, however, recommend not skipping this novella since, as I mentioned above, it introduces a character that surely might have a bigger role to play in the future. And also, I think it does a great job in bringing the bittersweet realization that, before the events of Powerless, Adena managed to find a small portion of happiness as she so greatly deserved.
ㅤㅤ────────── ༻✧༺ ──────────
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ.˚౿ Pre-reading ࿐ ࿔*:･
ㅤㅤLet's go....i guess...?🥲 (i am not even sure how to behave in regards to this book)
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