If you've just devoured Powerless by Lauren Roberts and find yourself desperately searching for your next romantasy obsession, you're not alone. This BookTok sensation has captured the hearts of fantasy romance readers everywhere with its deadly Purging Trials, forbidden romance, and a heroine who must hide her true nature to survive.
The story of Paedyn Grey; an Ordinary pretending to be an Elite in the kingdom of Ilya; blends dystopian elements with swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers tension in a way that keeps readers turning pages well into the night. If you're experiencing a serious book hangover and need similar reads to fill the void, we've got you covered.
Below, you'll find our carefully curated list of books like Powerless; each featuring the tropes and themes you loved: fierce heroines with dangerous secrets, morally grey love interests, deadly competitions, and slow-burn romance that will have you absolutely feral.
1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Spoiler-Free Overview:
In the kingdom of Norta, society is divided by the colour of your blood. The silver-blooded elite possess supernatural abilities and rule over the common red-blooded population with an iron fist. Mare Barrow is a Red, a pickpocket from a poverty-stricken village who expects nothing more from life than survival.
Everything changes when Mare discovers she possesses a power of her own; something that should be impossible for someone with red blood. To hide this dangerous truth, the royal family forces her to masquerade as a long-lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of the princes. Now Mare must navigate treacherous court politics, join a growing rebellion, and guard her heart against two princes who each offer something different.
With themes of class warfare, hidden identities, and the corrupting nature of power, Red Queen is the perfect next read for fans of Powerless.
Why You Should Read It:
A heroine hiding her true nature amongst those who would destroy her
Society divided between the powerful elite and oppressed ordinary citizens
Jaw-dropping plot twists that will leave you reeling
Complex royal politics and deadly court intrigue
A slow-burn romance with compelling love interests
Themes of rebellion, identity, and fighting against an unjust system
First in a completed four-book series for those who love to binge-read
2. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Spoiler-Free Overview:
Oraya is a human living in a world that wants her dead. As the adopted daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, she's spent her entire life training to be strong enough to survive amongst creatures who see her as nothing more than prey. Her only chance to gain real power is entering the Kejari; a legendary tournament held once every century by the goddess of death herself.
The rules are simple: compete through five brutal trials, and the sole survivor wins a wish from the goddess. But surviving means fighting the most vicious vampire warriors from all three houses. When Oraya is forced to form an alliance with Raihn; a mysterious, dangerous competitor who is everything she's been taught to fear; she discovers that the greatest danger might be her own heart.
This dark romantasy combines The Hunger Games-style competition with vampire mythology and an enemies-to-lovers romance that will leave you breathless.
Why You Should Read It:
Deadly tournament setting with brutal, high-stakes trials
A human heroine fighting to prove herself amongst supernatural beings
Delicious slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance
Rich vampire mythology and dark fantasy world-building
Heart-wrenching emotional moments and shocking twists
A morally grey love interest with wings (yes, wings!)
Perfect for readers who loved the Purging Trials atmosphere
3. Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
Spoiler-Free Overview:
In the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been stripped of their power and hunted ruthlessly. Rune Winters is a witch who must hide her true identity behind the mask of a vapid socialite. By day, she plays the part of an empty-headed young woman; by night, she becomes the Crimson Moth; a vigilante who rescues her kind from execution.
When a rescue mission goes wrong, Rune decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent by courting Gideon Sharpe; the most notorious and unforgiving witch hunter in the new republic. What begins as a dangerous game of deception becomes something far more complicated when Rune finds herself genuinely falling for the man sworn to destroy everything she is.
Inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, this romantasy features a cat-and-mouse dynamic that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Why You Should Read It:
A heroine concealing a deadly secret that could mean her death
High-stakes forbidden romance between natural enemies
Dual POV storytelling that builds incredible tension
Fast-paced plot with gripping action sequences
Themes of persecution, hiding your true self, and fighting for your people
Morally complex characters on both sides of the conflict
That gut-wrenching tension of loving someone who could destroy you
4. Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
Spoiler-Free Overview:
Kazi is a legendary former street thief who now serves as one of the queen's most trusted soldiers. She's sent on a dangerous mission to investigate crimes in the lawless territory controlled by the Ballenger family; a powerful dynasty that has governed by their own rules for generations.
Jase Ballenger is the newly appointed leader of his family's empire, thrust into power after his father's death. When these two cross paths, neither expects to find themselves drawn to their natural enemy. As they play a dangerous game of deception and manipulation, the line between duty and desire becomes increasingly blurred.
Set in Mary E. Pearson's acclaimed Remnant Chronicles universe, this standalone duology-starter offers political intrigue, fierce banter, and a romance that crackles with tension.
Why You Should Read It:
A strong female protagonist with a criminal past and deadly skills
Enemies-to-lovers romance with exceptional banter
Political intrigue and power struggles
Dual POV that lets you see both sides of the conflict
Immersive fantasy world-building with rich mythology
Found family elements amongst a tight-knit group of warriors
Can be read as a standalone (no need to read The Remnant Chronicles first)
5. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Spoiler-Free Overview:
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to live a quiet life as a scribe, surrounded by books and history. Instead, her mother; the commanding general of Navarre; orders her to join the hundreds of candidates competing to become elite dragon riders at Basgiath War College.
The problem? Dragons don't bond with fragile humans. They incinerate them. With a body more breakable than most and a target on her back thanks to her mother's reputation, Violet must use her intelligence and cunning to survive. Her most dangerous threat comes from Xaden Riorson; the most powerful wingleader in the Riders Quadrant, whose father was executed by Violet's mother.
This BookTok phenomenon blends dragons, deadly academy trials, political intrigue, and an absolutely scorching enemies-to-lovers romance.
Why You Should Read It:
Dragons! Glorious, sassy, powerful dragons with distinct personalities
A heroine who overcomes physical limitations through wit and determination
Brutal academy setting where survival is never guaranteed
Intense enemies-to-lovers tension that builds throughout the book
A morally grey love interest who is absolutely swoon-worthy
High-stakes action and political conspiracy
Found family bonds amongst fellow cadets
Perfect for readers who loved the competitive, deadly trial aspects of Powerless
Find Your Next Romantasy Obsession
Each of these books captures something special about what made Powerless so addictive; whether it's the deadly trials, the forbidden romance, or heroines who must hide their true selves to survive. From vampire tournaments to dragon academies, witch hunters to royal courts, these romantasy reads will keep you turning pages late into the night.
If you're a fan of young adult fantasy romance, enemies-to-lovers tropes, and strong female protagonists, any of these books would make an excellent addition to your TBR pile. They've all earned their place on BookTok's most-recommended lists, and for good reason.
Happy reading, and may you find your next five-star read amongst these recommendations!
Books Featured in This Article
Powerless
by Lauren Roberts
OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD! THE INSTANT NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON. 'Nothing short of epic' Rosie Talbot, bestselling author of Sixteen Souls 'A thrilling fantasy with the most delicious slow-burn romance' M.A. Kuzniar, bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood '[A] titillating debut' Publishers Weekly 'A masterpiece' Goodreads Reader Review 'Everyone needs to read it' TikTok Review 'The BEST book I've read' NetGalley Reader Review 'A sizzling slice of fantasy romance' Booksellers Review Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games in this sizzling fantasy romance not to be missed. Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya . . . The exceptional. The Elites. The Elites have possessed powers for decades, gifted to them by the Plague, while those born Ordinary are just that, banished from the kingdom and shunned from society. No one knows this better than Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary posing as an Elite. When she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya's princes, Kai Azer, she's thrown into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition to showcase her 'Elite' powers. If the Trials and the opponents don't kill her, the prince she's fighting feelings for will if he discovers what Paedyn really is . . . completely Ordinary. Be swept away by the first in the smash hit, dagger-to-the-throat romantasy trilogy that's taken the world by storm. Reckless, Powerful and Fearless available now. Follow Lauren Roberts on TikTok and Instagram @LaurenRobertsLibrary
Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard
The #1 New York Times bestselling series!Red Queen, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, is a sweeping tale of power, intrigue, and betrayal, perfect for fans of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood—those with common, Red blood serve the Silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard—a growing Red rebellion—even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction.One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.And don’t miss War Storm, the thrilling final book in the bestselling Red Queen series!
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
by Carissa Broadbent
"Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust; never yield. And always-- always-- guard your heart. As the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won't be easy against the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father's crown... and Oraya's greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him. But there's no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the throne of House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone -- but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love" --
The Crimson Moth
by Kristen Ciccarelli
FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ULTIMATE ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS ROMANTASY 'Enchanting and deeply romantic' REBECCA ROSS CRIMSON MOTH is published as HEARTLESS HUNTER in North America. The only thing more treacherous than being a witch is falling in love... A HUNTED WITCH The revolution reigns. The witches who once ruled are hidden, hunted. Rune is one of them. A socialite by day, she is the Crimson Moth by night. A vigilante bent on saving her own, her next rescue demands she court Gideon Sharpe - a notorious witch hunter and unforgiving revolutionary. A WITCH HUNTER Gideon will pursue the Crimson Moth to the ends of the earth, and her trail leads him to Rune. But beneath her façade might be his match. Except what if she's the very villain he's been hunting? The dangerously romantic start to Kristen Ciccarelli's New York Times bestselling fantasy duology Spice 🥵: 🌶️ Tropes ✨: Witch x Witch Hunter 👩👨 Enemies to Lovers ❤️🔥 Heroine Vigilante 🥷 Outlawed Magic 🪄❌ Brother's Best Friend 👩❤️👨 High Stakes ⚠️ Slow Burn Romance 🔥❤️ Forbidden Desires 🚫❤️ Epic Tension 🥵 Published in the US as Heartless Hunter
Dance of Thieves
by Mary E. Pearson
Mary E. Pearson's Dance of Thieves is a new YA novel in the New York Times bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty's resentment and anger.At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.
Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
Don't miss out on the series that everyone can't stop talking about! 'Pure escapism - think Hunger Games meets Fifty Shades' -The Sun 'We weren't expecting to become obsessed with Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing, but we very much are - and we're not alone . . .' -Sunday Times Style'I couldn't put it down!' -Millie Bobby Brown'This book contains an addictive, drug like essence that will make you relinquish all responsibility until the very last word. Do not say I didn't warn you' -Glamour'Yarros had me hooked from the first chapter' -Mail on SundayWelcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College . . .Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general - also known as her tough-as-talons mother - has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.But when you're smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away . . . because dragons don't bond to 'fragile' humans. They incinerate them.With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother's daughter - like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.She'll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.Everyone at Basgiath has an agenda, and every night could be your last. So, sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die. OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION READERS HAVE ALREADY GIVEN FOURTH WING FIVE STARS. ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE WORLD OF BASGIATH WAR COLLEGE? 'If I can convince you to read one book I recommend it would be this one' 'I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, and when I finished, I had the overwhelming urge to just start it all over again' 'This book is probably the best fantasy book I have ever read''FIVE. FREAKING. STARS. There is no universe where I could give this book any less of a rating' 'There are some