I went into Powerless expecting a fun little binge and came out having rearranged my whole week around it. Settle in for my take on the Powerless audiobook. This is Lauren Roberts’ debut and the opener of The Powerless Trilogy, and on audio it hits that sweet, addictive spot where you keep saying “one more chapter” until it’s suddenly 2 a.m. If you love slow-burn fantasy romance with a survival edge, the audiobook is a genuinely great way in. Let me tell you why it worked so well in my ears.
Get the Powerless Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printThe setup
Picture a kingdom that decided long ago it only has room for the gifted. Everyone here is supposed to be born with an ability, and those who aren’t are branded a threat and cast out or worse. Our heroine has spent her life hiding a very dangerous secret in a place where being ordinary is a death sentence, which makes every quiet scene quietly terrifying.
When a brutal competition throws her into close orbit with a prince who has every reason to be her enemy, the story turns into a taut mix of trials, alliances, and a romance neither of them is supposed to want. It’s the classic forbidden pairing done with real tension, and Roberts keeps the stakes personal rather than abstract. I’ll stay spoiler-free, but the push and pull between duty and feeling is the engine here, and it purrs.
| Author | Lauren Roberts |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Chase Brown & Cecily Bednar Schmidt |
| Length | 17h 43m |
The narration: two voices that earn their dual billing
This is a dual-narrated production, and it’s the right call. Cecily Bednar Schmidt carries the heroine with a wary, watchful warmth, while Chase Brown gives the prince a low, guarded intensity that melts exactly when you want it to. Because the chapters alternate points of view, having two distinct performers makes the story easy to follow and doubles the emotional payoff in the romantic beats. At roughly 17 hours and 43 minutes it’s a meaty listen, but the pacing never sagged for me; the trial sequences especially crackle at audio speed.
Should you spend a credit on it?
Yes, comfortably. You’re getting a nearly 18-hour production with two strong narrators and a hooky, propulsive plot, which is excellent value for a single credit. If you tend to bounce off fantasy in print because the world-building slows you down, the audio actually smooths that out and keeps you moving. I’d call it one of the easier “yes” recommendations in the current wave of romantasy.
Who I’d hand this to
Press play if you love enemies-to-lovers, competition or trial-based plots, and slow-burn tension with a YA-into-new-adult sensibility. It’s a strong pick for TikTok romantasy fans and anyone who wants character-driven stakes over dense lore. I’d skip it only if you need your fantasy free of romance, or if cliffhanger endings frustrate you, because this one absolutely sets up the sequel.
Where to go from here
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros — another trials-and-survival romantasy with a scrappy heroine and a swoony, dangerous love interest.
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout — forbidden romance, a guarded protector, and the same can’t-stop-listening momentum.
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — if you want to graduate into darker, higher-heat fae fantasy with a slow-burn core.
How to listen to Powerless
The simplest route is Audible or Amazon, where you can grab it with a credit or a free trial if you’re new, then buy it outright later if you want to keep it. Prefer reading along? The Kindle and print editions pair nicely with the audio for a Whispersync-style experience, so you can switch between listening on your commute and reading before bed.
Get the Powerless Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printA few quick questions
Who narrates the Powerless audiobook?
The unabridged audiobook is narrated by Chase Brown and Cecily Bednar Schmidt, who split the dual first-person points of view.
How long is the Powerless audiobook?
It runs approximately 17 hours and 43 minutes, so it’s a full, immersive listen rather than a quick one.
Is Powerless part of a series?
Yes. It’s Book 1 of The Powerless Trilogy by Lauren Roberts, and it ends on a setup that leads straight into the next installment.
Is the Powerless audiobook spoiler-free to start if I’m new to romantasy?
Absolutely. It’s a very accessible entry point to the genre, with a clear premise and enough romance and action to hook newcomers without requiring any prior reading.