Romantasy · Young adult
Powerless
In a kingdom where people with powers rule and those without are treated as lesser, a girl without any powers survives as a pickpocket. She is pulled into a deadly trial and a complicated attraction to two brothers.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2023
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 523
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in The Powerless Trilogy
Read this if you want a quick, YA romantasy with a lot of tension, a love triangle and a deadly contest.
Skip this if you want more complex worldbuilding or are tired of love triangles and rivals-to-lovers.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Powerless
- What is Powerless about?
- In a kingdom where people with powers rule and those without are treated as lesser, a girl without any powers survives as a pickpocket. She is pulled into a deadly trial and a complicated attraction to two brothers.
- Who should read Powerless?
- Read it if you want a quick, YA romantasy with a lot of tension, a love triangle and a deadly contest. Skip it if you want more complex worldbuilding or are tired of love triangles and rivals-to-lovers.
- How long and how fast is Powerless?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 523 pages, first published in 2023.
- Does Powerless have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Prejudice.
- Can I borrow Powerless for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Powerless; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Powerless?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Hunger Games, Red Queen, Throne of Glass.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Powerless
-
The Hunger Games
Another society-spanning contest story with a fierce young heroine and a gap between rich and poor.
-
Red Queen
A very similar premise of a powerless girl hiding among the powerful, with shifting loyalties.
-
Throne of Glass Another young-adult fantasy with a tournament, a court and a love triangle.
Romantasy
