Powerful

"4.5⭐ This book was good, but so sad! 😭 I loved Adena in the first book, so I enjoyed getting to see her POV, but the ending was, as expected, devastating. She and Mak both deserved so much better!😭"

"This book was so short and sweet but GOD DAMN did it hurt. Why did it treat me just like assasins blade did???"

"•SPOILER WARNING• I have so many thoughts and emotions it is hard to put into words. When I had first read Powerless, I was sad when Adena died. But at the same time, I felt more bad for Pae because she had lost the person most close to her. I didn’t know much about Adena and didn’t have a connection with her. This book completely changed that! I was so close to crying while reading Adena’s and Makoto’s story knowing how it would end. I have a slight feeling that in Reckless, Makoto will show up (I felt the chapter was unclear if he had actually died.) and join the rebellion. That may just be me hoping though. "

"If you read Powerless then you know what you’re getting yourself into when you start this book. It takes place during the same timeframe but from the POV of two different characters (Pae’s best friend, Adena and new character, Mak). When I tell you I cried my eyes out finishing this book…even though I knew full well what was coming…I am not exaggerating. Lauren Roberts destroyed me. “See you in the sky.” IYKYK. "

"All the stars for my Adena 😭😭😭 literally and figuratively all the flipping stars for her ok 😭"

"Loved this whole thing, until the end..... What in the world was THAT? HE JUST STANDS THERE WATCHING!??? AND WYM HE JUST LEAVES. UGH. I'll need to go calm down for a less aggressive review"

"i’m just gonna say one thing. i will never be the same"

"POWERFUL is a novella that talks about the moment when Adena first meets Paedyn and then what Adena is up to once Paedyn leaves to compete in the Purging Trials.  An unexpected alliance is made with a handsome stranger called Mak, and they devise a plan to go into the palace together for a mission important to Mak. This was before Adena was requested to be Paedyn's personal seamstress for the ball celebrations to create the most beautiful and showstopping gowns that make Paedyn stand out and even more stunning than she already is. Her not following tradition with her gown choices is something that Prince Kai is fond of, but his brother Prince Kitt likes to follow what King Daddy prefers.  Considering that Kitt is the future king, it seems that is drilled into him. While Adena works at the palace, she goes back to see Mak each night.  This serious, grumpy, beautiful man makes her feel safe and puts butterflies in her stomach.  She melts his hardened heart and he admits how he feels for her. <br/><br/><i>You are the sweetest thing I have never tasted, and I doubt I have craved anything more.</i> <br/><br/>I was hesitant to read this book considering I knew Adena's end, but she had such a small part shown in Powerless it seemed fitting that she got a proper goodbye and what led to her demise.  This story shows that Paedyn wasn't the only one falling in love and what Adena was up to while her best friend was trying to continue to fool the elites, win the Purging Trials, and return to the little fort they called home.  The self-made family they had was poor but happy.  It was nice to see Adena have more of a part in this world other than what little was mentioned in Powerless, but this book made it even more sad knowing her a bit more and what she had to lose.  Not just Paedyn, but a man who loved her and had to witness her killed and break completely.  She never had the chance to enjoy this new relationship and after Mak finally found his happiness, it was savagely ripped away before his very eyes. <br/><br/><br/>The end of this book was devastatingly heartbreaking. I have no other words.  I'm going to finish crying now..."

"What a cute, sweet, and heart-wrenching in-between to Powerless. Sadly, part of me enjoyed this story a little more than its main counterpart, but I read it reluctantly, for I knew it's ending was going to be tear-worthy. I love the view into Adena's perspective and the addition of a character I hope we meet again down the line. Lauren's did these character's dirty. Their very existence is that of tragedy and death. So sad, mournful and yet, dare I say... needed."

"Lauren, expect my therapy bill in your mail. 😭 I LOVED this book. I truly recommend it. 🤍"