The main romance and rebellion
Start with Powerless. Add Powerful next if the reader wants Adena's parallel story before moving to Reckless.
Reading order
How to Read the Powerless Books
Read the main trilogy in order: Powerless, Reckless, then Fearless. The plot and romance continue directly across all three novels.
For the fullest version, read Powerful after Powerless; it follows Adena during the first book's events. Read Fearful after Fearless; it retells part of the final book's timeline through Mara and Kitt. Both add another point of view rather than continuing the story as numbered sequels.
Sources: Simon & Schuster's official Powerless series, Simon & Schuster's official Fearful page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Simon & Schuster recommends these books for ages 14 and up. The romantic tension is central, with kissing and suggestive moments, while the fantasy trials and political conflict bring blood, weapons, torture, executions, repeated deaths, grief, and betrayal. The violence becomes intense and sometimes gory, so the series is best approached as older YA rather than a light fantasy romance.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1899
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023
Powerless
An ordinary girl must survive deadly trials and a forbidden romance in a kingdom of elites.
523 pages· 165,741 words· Est. 15.5 hour read
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the kingdom of Ilya, only the extraordinary thrive. Paedyn Gray, hiding her lack of powers, poses as a Psychic to survive. When she saves a prince, she's thrust into the deadly Purging Trials, where her secret could be exposed. As she navigates this perilous path, a forbidden romance with the prince complicates her fight for survival. Can Paedyn conceal her true nature, or will the trials and her heart betray her?
In reading order
The Powerless Trilogy Series
4 books · Published 2023–2025
#1
Sale price
$1899
Powerless
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023
An ordinary girl must survive deadly trials and a forbidden romance in a kingdom of elites.
#2
Sale price
$2089
Reckless
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2024
A fugitive and an enforcer clash in a kingdom on the brink of rebellion.
#3
Sale price
$2089
Fearless
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2025
A choice in Ilya will seal destinies and test loyalties forever.
Parallel companion stories
Powerful and Fearful
2 books · Published 2024–2025
These shorter books revisit events from the first and third novels through other characters. They add context without changing the trilogy's three-book count.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Powerless Trilogy series?
There are 4 books in the Powerless Trilogy series. It began with Powerless in 2023, and the newest book, Fearful, was published in 2025.
What order should you read the Powerless Trilogy books in?
Start with Powerless and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.
What ages are the Powerless Trilogy books best for?
The series is best for ages 13–17, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Powerless Trilogy book is the longest?
Powerless (Book #1) is the longest book in the series at 165,741 words (523 pages).
Which Powerless Trilogy book is the shortest?
Fearful is the shortest at 55,163 words (224 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Powerless Trilogy to life.
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