Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet novella romance of beloved character from Book 1.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In POWERFUL, after Paedyn is taken to the castle for the Purging Trials, her best friend Adena is left in the slums of Ilya to fend for herself. While she knows her way around the Loot, she's terrible at stealing and is chased by Imperials after lifting a sticky bun for breakfast. She only escapes imprisonment with a stranger's help when he grabs her and phases through a wall. Adena is surprised to meet another Phaser like her, and even more surprised when the stranger, Makoto, offers her a proposition: He will buy her a sticky bun every day while she sews him a passable Imperial uniform. Someone Makoto loves is also in the Purging Trials and this way he can sneak into the castle and see her. At first their partnership is cold and businesslike, but it doesn't take long for the bubbly and optimistic Adena to get dour Mak to adore her.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of the Powerless series and the minor character Adena in particular may have mixed feelings about this romantic novella featuring a character who suffered a grisly death in the first book. And now they get to read about the death twice, but after the character's tender experience of first—and last—love. At least readers know to have the hankies handy. The opposites-attract vibe is fully activated between chatty, hopeful Adena and silent, smile-resistant Makoto. Adena wears Mak down and their encounters have a sweet, wholesome quality, despite their desperate circumstances as they await the fates of their loved ones in the Purging Trial—this is to the point that when Mak gets terrible news it's hastily glossed over to get back to the romance. Powerful is sweet and wholesome while also relying heavily on clichés and gender stereotypes. Adena often insists she's "a lover and not a fighter" and Mak insists Adena learn how to throw a punch. Still, Adena is such a likable character that seeing her in love is a joy … until, of course it's a tragedy instead.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Adena in Powerful. Makoto discovers she can't throw a punch and she calls herself "a lover, not a fighter." How can Adena's empathy and hopefulness also be powerful?
Is it harder to read about this budding romance already knowing the tragedy to come? Or easier to let go at the end because you know?
Are there other supporting characters in the Powerless series that deserve a novella all their own?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Arts , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : April 30, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 2, 2026
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