Reckless Book Review

I have been putting off reading this book after finishing Powerless last year because I was so afraid of what would happen after that ending. I wish I was wrong, but I was correct to be afraid, in the best and worst way possible. It's interesting how all of Lauren Robert's books make me almost happy to feel pain... like I know that I am going to be absolutely crushed afterwards, but I also need this book series injected into my veins, which sounds super weird but that's the best way I can describe it.

Reckless by Lauren Roberts is the second book in the Powerless trilogy. This YA series is such a fun romantasy read. It brings me back to my middle school years, when I was really getting into reading, and it just brings me so much joy. It also reminds me of the Red Queen series, which is the series that got me into fantasy, so that makes the Powerless series even more special to me. Reckless follows Paedyn, Kai, and Kitt after the events of Powerless. All three of these characters are dealing with grief and their complicated feelings for each other. Before you read this book (and this post to avoid spoilers), be sure to read Powerless and the novella Powerful beforehand!!

At the end of Powerless, Kitt gives Kai his first mission as Enforcer: to hunt down Paedyn, which is where Reckless picks up. Paedyn has been on the run ever since killing the King of Ilya, Kitt and Kai's father. The book follows Kai as he hunts Paedyn across the desert and into other cities within the world of Powerless. Of course, Paedyn's stubbornness would never let her go down without a fight, and Kai and Pae struggle with their obvious feelings towards each other as opposed to the hurt they have caused one another. The tension in this book is incredible for this reason, and the forced proximity trope really helps to emphasize the complication of their relationship.

As for the plot, I did feel that it wasn't as exciting as Powerless, but I think I thought this way because it didn't seem as though the stakes were as high, and there weren't many as many events within the book itself, like the trials and balls in Powerless. I do think that the internal conflict made up for what the plot lacked in eventfulness. All this being said, there still were many plot twists, unexpected moments, and clever little details that kept this book extremely entertaining. You learn a lot about the magic of the Elites, the world-building expands, and you discover a lot about Kai, Pae, and even Kitt's pasts. I guess what I'm saying is that it wasn't as entertaining in action compared to Powerless, but more entertaining in terms of the information that is revealed and the character development.

I think my favorite thing about this series in general is the characters. They are all so lovable (besides Kitt and Calum...) and just so human, despite most of them being magical and all. I absolutely love Paedyn and her stubbornness. I love how she defies all odds and fights for what she believes in. I also enjoyed getting to see the less brave and strong version of Pae in this book. She was much more vulnerable in her struggle with the death of her father, Adena, and all of the people she had to kill to survive, both in her internal thoughts and in front of Kai. Kai was also more vulnerable with Pae, sharing a family secret, his experience as Enforcer, and his feelings for her. I feel like both of these characters are forced to put up a facade to survive, and since they were alone with each other for most of this book, away from the reality of their situation, they let done their guard for one another throughout the book, which helped me to get to know them better and understand them on a deeper level.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

I was literally crying when reading the prologue of this book. The similarities between Adena and Ava literally breaks my heart. What do you mean they both loved sticky buns and had the nickname A? And when I realized that Ava was buried under the willow tree where Kai and Pae were talking after the ball, and that Adena was killed with a branch...literally sobbing because of these parallels.

As for the major info that was revealed in this book, I was half surprised and half not. I knew that the Ordinaries weren't diseased, and expected that the King would be doing something to bribe the Healers into lying in order to "strengthen" the Ilya. The whole disease thing made no sense to begin with and it was right within the King's character. As for Paedyn's father not being her biological one, I kind of guessed it after learning about the Mixes, but I thought that maybe her mother cheated on her father, not that she was actually an orphan that appeared on her father's doorstep. I actually felt so bad for Pae after learning this. It was crushing, actually.

I was SO happy that Abigail and Lenny made an appearance in Reckless! I was not expecting for Abigail to return, and I loved Kai's reaction to seeing her again and realizing what he created. She really is just a little Paedyn! I was so anxious though when I realized that she was going to lead him straight to Pae. I knew he could never hurt her, but I felt the fear that Paedyn was feeling. Anyways, I absolutely ADORE Lenny and was so happy that he was alive. I loved getting a glimpse into his life when we meet the Mixes. He is the sweetest and I love him and Pae's friendship. I love how he calls her Princess and compares her to a cockroach lol. They are just too cute! I wish he was in more of the book.

Okay, now to rant about the inevitable: Kitt. Like WHAT. THE. HECK! I am sooo conflicted about him and his intentions. On one hand, he really did seem interested in hearing Paedyn's views on Ilya concerning the Ordinaries in Powerless, but on the other hand, he is such a daddy's boy and wants to please this father so bad, even in death, which is especially demonstrated in the bonus chapter of Kitt's POV as a young boy in the Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition of Reckless. I can't tell if he wants to marry Paedyn because he wants to bring about change, or wants to punish her and even maybe Kai?? And why wouldn't he torture or kill Calum? What made Kitt listen to him and choose him as his advisor? And what is up with the journaling, Kitt? I know he's trying to process, but it's very confusing because I feel like every one of his actions or thoughts contradict each other.

I think the thing that makes me hate Kitt the most is his complete disregard for Kai's feelings and how he treated him like crap after becoming king. Even before Kitt stepped into his father's role, he stood by when what his father was doing to Kai and what he was turning him into, despite knowing the pain Kai was going through. Kai is literally Kitt's younger brother, and Kitt still loved his father after all he put Kai through. He also continued to go after Paedyn when it was painfully obvious that Kai was falling for her. And then he had the audacity to question Kai's loyalty because he didn't murder children!!! And let me address the obvious. How on EARTH could he make Pae his bride knowing that Kai loves her and that Paedyn's heart belongs to Kai as well??