Lauren Roberts’ first book Powerless was a bit of a TikTok sensation – it came about just as romantasy was becoming a very popular genre. Reckless, for many, is the much-awaited sequel. I suggested Powerless sat in between the other two big hitters – ACATOR and Fourth Wing, but how does Reckless compare? Does it live up to the initial hype of the first book or not?
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Reckless follows on right after the dramatic final scenes of Powerless (arguably the best bit about the whole book) and so it does feel like you’re right at home with these two main protagonists again. However, that’s quite possibly the only good thing that happens throughout the whole book as this is an incredibly underwhelming sequel.
Reckless plot – 3.25/5
I never really like to spoil the plot of a sequel as it can often ruin the first book for those that haven’t yet read that. But don’t worry, you won’t have to worry about the plot being ruined in this book because, other than the final couple of chapters, absolutely nothing of worth happens throughout this book.
The two main characters, after the events of the last book, really shouldn’t be with each other but end up spending most of the book together. However, very little ever really happens, they just chat, flirt and banter with one another whilst reminding themselves and one another how they don’t like and can’t like each other. It’s actually quite aggrevating.
As I said, like in Powerless there’s a moment at the end hat does draw in your interest. This, for me, was honestly the only part I was interested in and is literally the only reason I may consider the final book (and that I do feel I need to finish a trilogy).
Reckless characters – 3.75/5
Part of me liked these two characters, I give props to Roberts for writing two people who did actually interact with one another, as opposed to feigning some sort of relationship that doesn’t actually make me interested in them.
HOWEVER, it was all incredibly annoying once again. The flirting was cringe, the one-liners had me physically gagging and a lot of the dialogue between them simply seemed to be different ways for them to either say they disliekd one another or for them to say they couldn’t be together and they shouldn’t like each other.
What frustrates me most about these is that there’s nothing romantic about it and you know they’ll end up together so it all feels incredibly trivial.
Reckless final rating – 3.5/5
Reckless essentially took all of the good things out of Powerless (the sense of a plot, the world-building and the feeling of there being a goal) and just left in the frustrating dynamic between the two main protagonists of “will they, won’t they”. I didn’t really care by the end. I really wanted Reckless to build on everything that made Powerless a good fantasy book but instead of dumbed down and focuses purely on the flirting and cringey dialogue between Kai and Peyton. The ending and Roberts’ ability to write two characters who actually speak like people (too many fantasy books have robot protagonists) were the only saving graces in Reckless for me.
