I’m very stubborn when it comes to prequels and retellings. I seem to avoid them at all costs, but then I never regret reading them once I do. The Hunger Games is a great example. I avoided Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes like the plague because I hated the idea of Snow’s perspective; once I actually read the book, I ended up loving it. You’d think I’d learn my lesson by now!

But after I finished Powerless by Lauren Roberts, I was very, very tempted to jump straight into Reckless and skip over her retelling, Powerful.

However, my friends on Bookstagram have yet to guide me wrong, and they all told me I should not skip Powerful! We had a few snow days last week, so I decided to give it the shot it deserved!

Just to preface, Powerful is the retelling of Powerless from Adena’s perspective. I thought I would be bored reading the same story twice, but honestly, everything you take in is pretty new and different coming from Adena! And you get to meet a new character, Mak, whom I just love!

I have zero regrets taking the time to read this book, and it was truthfully a pretty quick read! Also I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Lauren Roberts has officially published a new special edition of Powerful that matches the rest of the books! If you don’t know already, the current version of powerful is much smaller (in length but most importantly in height) than the rest of the series. She calls it the itty-bitty edition, which I love! lol But the new special edition will match the rest of the series in height and design a little better. Plus it’s got pretty sprayed edges and piece of pretty ribbon as a bookmark.

I’m linking them both here for you! You can pre-order the new special edition now, but the current itty-bitty, original edition is still available! If you’re anything like me, you’ll love having the new one that matches but will always appreciate your original, first edition.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

Okay, so if you don’t want to read spoilers from this point forward, skip to the bottom of my post for the Goodreads synopsis! I didn’t plan on a full summary and post for this book, but I did want to point out that the ending of Powerless retold from Adena and Mak’s perspectives really got to me more than reading the first book through. I definitely cried, not just for poor Mak but gosh, for Adena! Her death is just such a tragedy and her hands……yeah, cue the tears. This quote at the very end got to me too:

“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 did wonder why we didn’t get more of Adena and Pae during Powerless after Adena comes to the castle, so this does make a little more sense. I just can’t imagine Mak won’t play some kind of role moving forward with his powers! Also, I KNOW Kai noticed Adena, so why isn’t he questioning that at the end of Powerless….maybe that’s to come in Reckless. Also, will we see more of Al from the dungeon? I’m excited to find out!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read Powerful and your thoughts!

Goodreads Synopsis

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.

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