Powerful

Book by Lauren Roberts

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

Synopsis: 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.

No spoiler review:

I am very happy this book exists. It was a real tearjerker but it does fill in the gap of what happened when Pae and Adena weren't together. I loved every part of it. Since I started this novel I couldn't put it down. It was so gorgeous, so sweet!!! I feel like it has such a different vibe than the other two books. This one is mostly a healthier version of the others. I loved the team work, the love, the care, the positive communication the characters had! Even though this book was TRULY HEARTBREAKING, it gives me peace of mind, knowing that a story like this happened to sweet Adena.

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Spoiler Review:

I wrote this review in my travel journal, so there are 2 parts to this review: one during the read and the other when I ended the book.

Part 1:

Currently, I love this story. I'm about 30% in, and Adena and Mak have my heart. I love how he falls for her and how joyful she is. I love he is her new protector, finally a male figure by her side. It makes me feel better about her time in the slums without Pae. A happy moment before her death. She lived a life full of love before dying.

Part 2:

OH MY GOD.

I'm bawling on my flight to Miami. my sweet Adena. I will never forget such a lovely character. I'm so glad the author gave us more of her, and Makoto's love is by far my favorite. He truly loved her.

It hurts to see that she was put through so much pain. breaking her fingers, making sure her spirit was broken too, and the worst part is that she never knew why.

She didn't deserve this fate. My heart is broken.

I have never highlighted a book as much as this one. so much beauty. The author has gotten so much better. I'm glad I read this one after Powerless, which hits much harder.

I NEED FAN ART. ALL THE FAN ART, PLEASE

Okay, its been almost a month, and I have let this book simmer in my heart. I loved it so much.

The way that we had a glimpse of true, "healthy" type of love since we don't get any of that in the other 2 books, haha.

I wish Paeydn could read about them together. I wish she could know that her best friend had a beautiful life before she went into the castle. But thinking about it... if she knew, maybe she wouldn't have brought Adena into the castle.

After finishing all the powerless books, this one is by far my favorite; it has less bickering, which I truly appreciate.

I hope more people feel good about this book like I did! It's a true gem!!

Favorite Quotes:

“You make even the stars envious,” I repeat softly, leaning toward her. “Because one day—far from now—you will be up there beside them, outshining every single one.”

“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.”

“In the end, it was all light and dark, loud and soft. I knew nothing but the memory of those I loved. One, a friend. The other, unfinished. And that alone is what I took with me into the next life. But I watched, warm and bright and high above. Just as he promised.”

“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.”

“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. Even worse, I fear that I am, in fact, beginning to enjoy her. What a terrifying realization, to admit one’s admiration for another.”

“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.” He slowly lifts a hand, and I hold my breath when his fingers run down a loose curl. “And it scares the shit out of me.”

“There is not a single cynical thought to deny the fact that she may be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on. She’s intimidatingly peaceful – a contradiction in itself. And I almost want to despise her for it. Because I fear there is a chance that I may begin to enjoy her.”