Powerless

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Powerless is part of a genre called “romantasy.” How does Roberts balance the fantasy and romance elements of the narrative so that both are equally important?
• The novel contains a great deal of violence and heartbreak. How does this affect your overall enjoyment of the story?
• Powerless was strongly influenced by The Hunger Games and Red Queen. Have you read either of these, or seen the movie based on The Hunger Games? What similarities and differences do you see among these stories?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The novel takes place in a dystopian society. Which elements of dystopian fantasies do you generally enjoy? Are there any aspects of this genre that you dislike? 
• One of the text’s main thematic concerns is an exploration of what power means. What different forms of power do you see in the world around you? What do you think power should be used for, and what constraints should it have?
• Kai and Kitt are both princes being raised in the same family—but their experiences are very different because of their father’s expectations for each of them.