We confess ourselves utterly spellbound by the curious case of Paedyn Gray—that clever impostor navigating a kingdom where those without magic face extinction. If you, like us, emerged from Lauren Roberts’ Powerless with a heart quite thoroughly wrecked and an appetite for more, we have gathered here a collection of tales designed to satisfy that particular craving for danger, deception, and devastatingly forbidden romance.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Imagine, if you will, a military academy where the enrollment ceremony might very well be your last—for dragons, you see, are dreadfully particular about whom they choose to bond with, and those deemed unworthy are simply incinerated. Violet Sorrengail, fragile of body but fierce of spirit, was destined for a quiet life among books until her formidable mother thrust her into this deadly gauntlet instead. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Violet and the dangerous Xaden Riorson crackles with the same electricity that sparked between Paedyn and Kitt. Both heroines must hide their vulnerabilities while navigating brutal trials and discovering that the true enemy wears a familiar face.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Here we find Oraya, a human woman raised among vampires—a lamb dwelling amongst wolves, as it were, beloved only by her adoptive father, the Nightborn King. When she enters the Kejari, a tournament hosted by the goddess of death herself, she must form an alliance with Raihn, a dangerous vampire competitor whose motives remain delightfully unclear. The tournament atmosphere, the hidden identity, and the slow-burning romance that blooms between predator and prey will feel wonderfully familiar to those who adored the Trials in Powerless.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Picture a world where the revolution has triumphed and witches now face execution. By day, Rune plays the vapid socialite; by night, she dons the mask of the Crimson Moth, rescuing her kind from the gallows. When she decides to court the notoriously ruthless witch hunter Gideon Sharpe to throw off suspicion, she discovers him equally determined to unmask her—whilst falling hopelessly in love. This delicious game of cat and mouse, where one wrong revelation means death, echoes Paedyn’s desperate masquerade with magnificent intensity.
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
Lauren Roberts herself has declared this her favorite book, the very inspiration for Powerless—high praise indeed! Kazi, a reformed thief turned royal spy, finds herself quite literally chained to Jase, the young leader of an outlaw dynasty. The enemies-to-lovers progression here is extraordinary, transforming initial hostility into something far more tender. If you crave that specific alchemy of dangerous attraction, political intrigue, and protagonists who simply cannot stop trading barbs, this is your treasure.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In this world divided by blood—silver-blooded elites with supernatural powers ruling over common red-blooded folk—Mare Barrow must conceal her impossible abilities after accidentally revealing them at the royal court. Forced to pose as a long-lost Silver princess, she navigates a treacherous game where one misstep means exposure and death. The class division, the deadly secret, the dangerous princes—Red Queen and Powerless share a splendid family resemblance.
Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto
Princess Aella was banished from the Palace of Sorrows as a child and raised by the Aviary, a clandestine spy network that trains orphans into assassins. Now she must reassume her royal title and enter a series of deadly bridal trials whilst concealing the trained killer she has become. When the trials turn lethal and her former flame resurfaces as her team leader, the layered deception and forbidden romance echo Paedyn’s own desperate masquerade with thrilling complexity. With book two expected in October, 2026, now is the perfect time to catch up.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
After twelve years of torment, Lor finds herself thrust into trials to become the Sun King’s queen—a competition she never sought, filled with fae competitors who want her dead. Our heroine must navigate political machinations, deadly challenges, and an infuriating prince while discovering powers she never knew she possessed. The “ordinary human in extraordinary circumstances” premise mirrors Paedyn’s predicament beautifully.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
In a brutal empire inspired by ancient Rome, Laia infiltrates the most dangerous military academy as a spy to save her captured brother. Meanwhile, Elias, the academy’s finest soldier, secretly dreams of escape from the tyranny he’s trained to enforce. Their paths intertwine in ways neither expects, amid trials called The Trials—competitions as deadly as anything in Ilya. The desperation, the disguises, the forbidden connection—all echo magnificently.
A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker
A skilled New York thief awakens in the body of a treacherous elven princess who has just poisoned the king and queen—and finds herself face to face with their son, the new king, who is now her betrothed and very much desires her death. Romeria must somehow prove her innocence while concealing her true identity, navigating a world of elemental magic and political intrigue she barely understands. The portal fantasy premise adds a delightful twist to the familiar formula.
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
We present to you Alessandra, whose ambitions are wonderfully straightforward: seduce the Shadow King, marry him, murder him, claim his throne. She is no trembling maiden but rather a gloriously unapologetic antiheroine, and watching her fall genuinely in love while executing her schemes is pure dark delight. For those who appreciated the morally complex characters of Powerless, this tale offers similar pleasures with sharper edges.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
When rival journalists Iris and Roman begin exchanging anonymous letters through a magical connection, neither expects to fall for their competitor. But as war between ancient gods engulfs their world, Iris follows the conflict to the front lines, and Roman must decide what he’s willing to risk. This World War I-inspired fantasy offers a different flavor of forbidden romance—tender where others are fierce, but no less affecting.
The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
Sylvia has spent a decade hiding from the kingdom that destroyed her people and murdered her family. When the heir of that very kingdom discovers her forbidden magic, she must strike a bargain: become his champion in a deadly competition and help lure out Jasadi rebels. The slow transformation from hatred to something more complicated, all while concealing her true identity as Jasad’s lost heir, will satisfy anyone craving enemies-to-lovers excellence.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Evangeline Fox makes a terrible bargain with the immortal Prince of Hearts: he will stop her true love’s wedding to another, in exchange for three kisses to be claimed whenever he desires. What unfolds is a gothic fairy tale of manipulation, mystery, and magnetic attraction, where nothing is quite as it seems. The whimsical yet dangerous tone offers a lighter counterpoint while delivering equally intoxicating romantic tension.
The Stars Are Dying by Chloe C. Peñaranda
Astraea possesses only fragmented memories of the past five years. Her search for answers leads her to the Libertatem—trials in which five human lands compete for protection from the vampires who savage the night. When she makes a bargain with Nyte, a beautiful, deadly vampire who haunts her dreams, she discovers that remembering her past may prove more dangerous than forgetting. Fans of Powerless will recognize the tournament format and the thrilling tension of forbidden attraction.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
After witnessing a demon attack on her first night at a university program, Bree discovers a secret society of students descended from King Arthur’s knights—and a possible connection to her mother’s mysterious death. She infiltrates the Legendborn as an initiate, uncovering truths about magic, history, and herself while falling for a self-exiled member with his own secrets. The blend of investigation, hidden abilities, and slow-burn romance offers something fresh while hitting familiar notes.
Where to Begin Your Next Adventure
Each of these tales offers its own particular enchantment. One might suggest beginning with Dance of Thieves (given Roberts’ own endorsement) or Fourth Wing (whose dragon-rider academy has captivated millions). And yet, for those who savored the tournament aspects of Powerless, The Serpent and the Wings of Night or Trial of the Sun Queen await with deadly competitions of their own.
Whatever path you choose, we trust you shall find yourself quite thoroughly absorbed, turning pages long past when sensible folk have retired for the evening. After all, the very best books are those that make us forget the hour entirely—and every title gathered here possesses that magic.
