In anticipation of the last book of the Powerless Trilogy, we have prepared a list with trending book recommendations that are not Sarah J. Maas or “Fourth Wing”. Sounds challenging, right?
The following titles share the vibe, the exceptional world-building, and formidable characters of our beloved Y.A fantasy romance, “Powerless” by Lauren Roberts. From slow-burn romances to science fiction, dystopian, and enemies-to-lovers trope, this list has BookTok’s stamp on it, curated with magic by Crewfiction for each and every type of reader.
Get over your reading slump, dear book lovers, or pause and explore the world of “Powerless” by reading our summary and getting to know the protagonists. If the storyline of your preference is an action-packed love story that will leave you with a broken heart, then this is the list for you!
1. Red Queen (Red Queen, Book 1)
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Pages: 398
Year of Publication: 2015
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Mare Barrow’s blood runs red, meaning she is forced to serve the Silver-blooded elite that rules her world. From a mere thief, she will become the king’s pawn, pretending to be the lost Sliver princess, forcibly married to the king’s son. However, Mare won’t forget her origins and despite her conflicting emotions, she will join a rebellion to put an end to injustice. Betrayal, intrigue, power, and passion combine to create an epic romantasy series that will sweep you off your feet.
Get started with the first book in the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard right away!
2. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, Book 1)
Author: Susanne Collins
Pages: 387
Year of Publication: 2008
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Katniss Everdeen is only sixteen years old when she volunteers to participate in the deadly Hunger Games in the place of her sister. The Capitol, the merciless metropolis that governs all 12 districts in the nation of Panem, makes a show of the trials for the elite’s entertainment. Katniss will soon discover that winning the audience’s sympathy is the only way to survive. However, her skill and selfishness will mark her as a symbol. She will set the foundation of a rebellion against the Capitol, reminding everyone that power is in the numbers.
Find all the books in order on our page, The Hunger Games series.
3. Lightlark (Lightlark, Book 1)
Author: Alex Aster
Pages: 416
Year of Publication: 2022
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
The Centennial is a deadly game, happening every 100 years on the Lightlark island. What makes this game unique? The rules of the six realms are to compete, their only goal being to win and lift the curse that plagues their kingdom. The young ruler of Wilding, Isla Crown, needs to free her people from a particular wicked curse; they are cursed to kill whoever they fall in love with. However, for each curse to be lifted, a ruler must die during the Centennial.
With the second book of the trilogy, “Nightbane”, trending for the last year, and in anticipation of the last book, “Skyshade”, in November 2024, it is a great chance to see for yourself if it is worth the hype.
4. Defy the Night (Defy the Night, Book 1)
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Pages: 483
Year of Publication: 2021
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
The kingdom of Kandala is plagued by a deadly disease. The only cure is the Moonflower Elixir, a medicine available to the wealthy—of course. Tessa Cade risks her life every night, stealing Moonflower petals, and providing the elixir to the poor people in need. At the same time, inside the palace doors, Prince Corrik is responsible for keeping the outlaws at bay, and preventing any attempt of a rebellion. In other words, he serves as the king’s Enfoncer, like Kai Azer in “Powerless”. He also has a brother who is the kingdom’s only hope. A possible love triangle?
5. Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts, Book 1)
Author: Carissa Broadbent
Pages: 520
Year of Publication: 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Tisaanah is a survivor, a former slave who escapes to join the Orders, the most powerful group of magic wielders. However, to join them, she will have to fight for her life, and leave her best friend behind. To prove herself worthy of their time, she needs to work with the formidable and mysterious Maxantarius Farlione, a fire wielder whose appreciation for the Order is non-existent. Tisaanah needs to get strong and go back for her friend, while whispers of an upcoming war create an uproar.
6. A Court This Cruel and Lovely (Kingdom of Lies, Book 1)
Author: Stacia Stark
Pages: 560
Year of Publication: 2023
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
In this slow-burn romance, with a promise of more spice as the series progresses, Prisca discovers she has magical powers, in a world where magic is forbidden. She is corrupt, having kept her power from the gods, who are protecting the humans from the deadly Fae. Now, she needs to hide, and escape with a man who she has only met in her dreams—not in the romantic sense, though. When she strikes a deal with him and joins his group of mercenaries, she will find herself in a dark hole of secrets that can end the world.
7. The Book of Azrael (Gods and Monsters, Book 1)
Author: Amber V. Nicole
Pages: 491
Year of Publication: 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
To save her sister, Dianna will go to the greatest lengths; even sell her soul to Kaden, and swear to bring him back a powerful relic that contains the secret to ending the world. Dianna is the hero, though, and she cannot help but do anything to save the world. She will gamble her life and ally with Liam, the infamous World-Ender, to prevent the pending chaos in case the book falls into Kaden’s hands. Dianna finds herself between two powerful and equally deadly leaders, but do not ever underestimate her wit or skill.
8. Trial of the Sun Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos, Book 1)
Author: Nisha J. Tuli
Pages: 402
Year of Publication: 2023
Genre: Fantasy, Fae, Romance
A contest to win the Sun King’s heart; ten women fighting for their survival and greed to become the next Sun Queen. However, Lor only wishes to be freed from the Aurora King’s tyranny. She is no citizen of the Sun King’s court, and she does not belong in the Trials. From the moment she finds herself as a Tribute, she needs to fight for survival. The alternative is death, but that is still not the worst outcome. If she does not win the Sun King’s heart, and the Aurora King gets hold of her, she will certainly think of death as a mercy.
9. Lady of Darkness (Lady of Darkness, Book 1)
Author: Melissa K. Roehrich
Pages: 538
Year of Publication: 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Scarlet is one of the Wraiths of Death. Known as the “Death’s Shadow” she is the deadliest of the three female assassins. However, she is a mere pawn in someone else’s chessboard. Her only goal is to complete her latest mission and find answers for her mother’s death. When children start going missing in her homeland, she needs to co-operate with the new Captain of the Guard to unravel the mysterious disappearances. Deadly secrets, dark powers and forbidden love are about to break or free her.
10. Spark of the Everflame (The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 1)
Author: Penn Cole
Pages: 438
Year of Publication: 2023
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
In a mortal world colonized by gods and governed by their cruel offspring, Diem dreams of freedom. After the disappearance of her mother, a trail of mysterious revelations leads her right into the royal circle. Diem needs to navigate herself through politics, magic, and under Luther’s watchful eye, she tries to discover the truth behind her mother’s disappearance. At the same time, she has to prepare herself for an upcoming civil war. A slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance that has been popping up on TikTok for quite a while.
11. An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, Book 1)
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Pages: 465
Year of Publication: 2015
Genre: High Fantasy, Young Adult
Laia has spent her whole life under the Martial Empire’s oppression. Any resistance is dealt with death, and the Empire does not seem to care for the people’s suffering. When her brother gets arrested for treason, Laia has nowhere to turn to but the rebels. In exchange for their help to save her brother, she needs to infiltrate the Empire’s greatest military academy. Gambling her life to gain important intel for the rebels, she crosses ways with Elias, the academy’s fiercest soldier. Soon, Laia will find an unexpected ally on her side, and love will bloom in dangerous fields.
12. A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated, Book 1)
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Pages: 414
Year of Publication: 2024
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Freya dreams of becoming a warrioress. Instead, she is forced to marry and live submissively under her husband. However, her fate takes an epic turn when her husband hands her to the region’s Jarl, and she is thrown into a fight for her life. There, Freya’s magical power manifests, and she is proved to be the fated shield-maiden that will unite the nation of Skaland. Once again, she finds herself under the protection of a man; the king’s son. In her journey of empowerment, the deadliest obstacle is her growing attraction for Bjorn. The stakes are too high, but as in every forbidden romance, she is too tempted to give in and gamble her world’s fate.
13. When the Moon Hatched (Moonfall, Book 1)
Author: Sarah A. Parker
Pages: 566
Year of Publication: 2024
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
In this world, the sky is full of moons that are nothing but dragon tombs that start falling on the earth. Raeve is an assassin working with the rebellion group Fíur du Ath. After an ambush, she is captured and thrown into Gore’s prison, where her only salvation is death. Until the day Kaan Vaegor walks into the prison. Their paths intertwine, but the demons of the past still haunt them. Raeve has yet to unravel secrets about her existence, and Kaan needs to mend his broken heart. Will love be their salvation, and light their way before the world ends?
14. City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, Book 1)
Author: Kayla Edwards
Pages: 762
Year of Publication: 2022
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Loren Calla is an ordinary girl, trying to survive in the city of Angelthene, where vampires, werewolves, witches, and other magical creatures roam. When her friend is abducted, Loren must save her, even if that means she will seek the help of the most dreadful group of supernatural bounty hunters, the Seven Devils. Even if there is a reward for her head, their leader, Darien Cassel, refuses to hurt an innocent human. He is Loren’s best chance at finding her friend alive, but it is a dangerous mission, nevertheless, especially when fatal secrets are about to upend their reality.
15. For the Wolf (The Wilderwood, Book 1)
Author: Hannah Whitten
Pages: 488
Year of Publication: 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
In this re-telling of the Little Red Riding Hood, Red is born for a sole purpose; to be sacrificed to the Wolf and free the world’s gods. Carrying a curse that poses a threat to her loved-ones, she is more than willing to fulfill her destiny. However, Red will soon discover that her fate is a lot more complicated than that. The supposed Wolf from the legend is nothing but a man, and her curse is nothing but a calling for the world’s salvation. The gods she is told to free, need to be contained instead, and Red’s magic is the only key.
16. All of Us Villains (All of Us Villains, Book 1)
Author: Amanda Foody, Christine Lynn Herman
Pages: 419
Year of Publication: 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
During the Blood Moon, every twenty years, seven royals families have to pick a champion who will represent them in a bloodthirsty competition. Everyone is eager to gamble his life by ending others to gain control of the most powerful source of Magick in Ilvernath. The Lowe family has a record in this competition, and Alistair needs to follow in his ancestors’ footsteps. However, this year’s tournament is not the same. After the mysterious publication of a book giving away the families’ secret strategies and weaknesses over the years, everyone has a shot at winning.
17. Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, Book 1)
Author: Rebecca Ross
Pages: 360
Year of Publication: 2023
Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy
Iris’ strongest weapon is words, and her most formidable tool is her pen. Landing a job at the Oath Gazette is the only means to hold her family together. While the gods are waking up, thirsty for war, her mother is wasting away, drowning in her addiction, and her brother is missing at the front lines. Iris’ only means to escape is by writing letters to her brother. She would never guess that she would one day get an answer from her handsome, most irritating rival at the Oath Gazette. A bond will be forged between them, so strong that it can battle the gods.
18. The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1)
Author: Carissa Broadbent
Pages: 504
Year of Publication: 2022
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Oraya is the adopted daughter of the Nightborn King of Vampires, but her family’s name won’t just offer her a place in the world, especially when she is a mere human. She needs to prove herself by joining the legendary tournament of Kejari, where the most powerful vampires compete. She needs to listen to her instincts, and take a leap of faith by allying with one of them; Raihn, her most dreadful enemy. Oraya will be challenged in more ways than one, while her heart is exposed to emotions that have no place in the deadly competition.
19. Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth, Book 1)
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Pages: 410
Year of Publication: 2024
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
In a world where witches are hunted down for their waning magic, Rune dedicates her life to rescuing her kind from their deadly faith. By day, she poses as a normal socialite, and by night she operates as the Crimson Moth. Her plan is to infiltrate the witch hunter’s association to find important intel on the witch hunts by seducing Gideon Sharpe. However, this merciless witch hunter also has a secret agenda. Knowing there is a connection between Rune and the Crimson Moth, he joins her circles and courts her back. Nothing is as it seems, and when the masks fall, hearts will bleed.
20. Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, Book 1)
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Pages: 513
Year of Publication: 2018
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Kazi of Brightmast is a former street thief, whose exceptional skills earned her a spot in the Queen’s guard. Now, she is trusted with an important mission; she needs to travel to another kingdom and find a missing war criminal, working undercover as an investigator, examining treaty violations. However, the Ballenger clan is not an ordinary kingdom. The powerful family of outlaws govern this clan on their own rules. Kazi will have to mingle with Jase, the new ruler of Ballenger, “dancing” around dangerous truths and forbidden emotions.
We hope you have found what to read next after “Powerless”, and have stuffed your tbr list for at least a month. After the cliffhanger Lauren Roberts left us in “Reckless”, we have made sure your bookish nights will be warm and cozy—a blatant lie because reading a young adult fantasy, or a romantasy is never a walk in the park, but we have no regrets at all, dear bookworm. If you are still thinking Ilya’s handsome prince, then revisit some of his most iconic quotes and join our. Powerless World. Happy reading!
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Yes. Paedyn Grey and Kai Azer’s sizzling romance and epic adventures will conclude with the third book in the “Powerless” trilogy. “Fearless” is coming out in 2025.
The “Powerless” trilogy includes three books, “Powerless”, “Reckless” and “Fearless”, which will be published in 2025. There is a novella, “Powerful”, which is advised to be read right after Powerless or read at the same time with “Powerless” in a tandem read.
The suggested reading order is to start with “Powerless” and then continue with “Powerful”. “Powerful” is a novella, following the story of Adena, Paedyn’s best friend, during the Purging Trials. There is a tandem read guide, which may elevate your reading experience by reading the two books at the same time.
Nikki Sheryee insists that she’s “up to no good” whenever she’s in the company of books. Armed with a degree in English Language and Literature, she wields the power of words like a mischievous wizard. Her lifelong dream? To be the editor who sprinkles magic dust on manuscripts! To Nikki, a book is more alive than a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. Readers nurture it, cuddle it, scold it, and occasionally challenge it to a duel! But in the end, a book does its own thing, pulling at our heartstrings and revealing our inner human-ness. Nikki’s favorite pastime? Well, it’s none other than the noble art of daydreaming! And she wears her daydreamer’s badge with pride, sharing this delightful delusion with the crème de la crème of her friends.
