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The Gifted #1
The Gifted
Tahereh Mafi meets Sarah J. Maas in this breathless dark fantasy featuring morally grey characters, a love triangle and the biggest twists you won't see coming!Many years ago, a barrier was created between the mortal world and the realm of the gods, a barrier to ensure balance.
But although the gods could no longer walk among us they could still choose to gift their powers to a chosen few.
Some saw these gifts as a blessing. Most saw them for what they were…a curse.
Chiara is one of the Gifted, but what no one knows is that she is one of the rarest; gifted by the God of Death himself.
As a child she was sold to the king by her own mother and forced to become a weapon of destruction, cutting down the enemy with brutal precision.
But now Chiara faces an impending threat that could unravel the world. She must decide who to trust – the man whose smile and charm comes so easily, or the dark prince who's known betrayal like she has?
But although the gods could no longer walk among us they could still choose to gift their powers to a chosen few.
Some saw these gifts as a blessing. Most saw them for what they were…a curse.
Chiara is one of the Gifted, but what no one knows is that she is one of the rarest; gifted by the God of Death himself.
As a child she was sold to the king by her own mother and forced to become a weapon of destruction, cutting down the enemy with brutal precision.
But now Chiara faces an impending threat that could unravel the world. She must decide who to trust – the man whose smile and charm comes so easily, or the dark prince who's known betrayal like she has?
432 pages, Paperback
Published December 19, 2024
28 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 12, 2025
A lot of reviews made me hesitant to read this book, but I really enjoyed it. I love a stabby FMC who has had to deal with a lot of crap to get to where she is in life. Mix that in with action on nearly every single page, not one but TWO love interests, magical gifts from gods, and a cliffhanger ending....YES, PLEASE!!
December 22, 2024
I was a little hesitant about this book. There are a lot of things I like in books, but there are also a few things I rarely like. And one of those things is heroines who are mostly focussing on fighting, especially in armies and with swords. However, the summary did make me curious. Luckily I got a chance to grab a review copy via Netgalley. I'm really happy One More Chapter invited me to read and review this book.
Let me start this review with something positive. The writing was lovely. Although the book is not very short, it was an easy and fast read. I also never got the chance to get bored. There's constantly something going on. We're constantly thrown into new situations and we constantly meet new people and characters. I also quite liked the magic system, where people's gifts were literally gifted by the Gods and each set of gifts came with its own restrictions and limits.
My main issue with this book, though, is that it was all quite chaotic. That's firstly because the heroine is never really in control of her life and actions. Everything is determined for her. Where she goes, what she does, who she helps and who she hates. She's always reacting instead of acting and the times she does act it's impulsive, without much thought or tactic. By the end of the book the mythology and magic also went completely out of control. It was hard to follow and harder to understand.
I'm also not entirely sure what I think about the love triangle and the two love interests in this book. I of course don't wanna give away too many spoilers, but it was hard to root for any of them. They each came with a few too many red flags and, once more, our heroine never seemed to be in any sort of control when it came to these two guys. Although I'm in a way quite curious how the story continues, I don't think I will pick the sequel up.
Let me start this review with something positive. The writing was lovely. Although the book is not very short, it was an easy and fast read. I also never got the chance to get bored. There's constantly something going on. We're constantly thrown into new situations and we constantly meet new people and characters. I also quite liked the magic system, where people's gifts were literally gifted by the Gods and each set of gifts came with its own restrictions and limits.
My main issue with this book, though, is that it was all quite chaotic. That's firstly because the heroine is never really in control of her life and actions. Everything is determined for her. Where she goes, what she does, who she helps and who she hates. She's always reacting instead of acting and the times she does act it's impulsive, without much thought or tactic. By the end of the book the mythology and magic also went completely out of control. It was hard to follow and harder to understand.
I'm also not entirely sure what I think about the love triangle and the two love interests in this book. I of course don't wanna give away too many spoilers, but it was hard to root for any of them. They each came with a few too many red flags and, once more, our heroine never seemed to be in any sort of control when it came to these two guys. Although I'm in a way quite curious how the story continues, I don't think I will pick the sequel up.
November 3, 2025
It took me a bit to get into, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. I loved how unpredictable it was, every time I thought I knew what would happen next, it went in a completely different direction.
Liam was cute at first, but something always felt off, so I wasn’t shocked when he finally dropped the act. I liked how Chiara’s relationship with Callum developed, and his backstory added so much depth to his character. What I didn’t love was Chiara blaming him for breaking his promise when she knew the choices he had to make to survive. It felt a bit unfair, like, are you the only one allowed to choose who to save?
I think Cassie’s death was necessary for the story to move forward (even though she was a sweetheart). I’m less sure about Chiara’s choice to leave at the end - there’s a vengeful god on the loose, your dad’s kidnapped, and the traitor who killed your sister is still out there… and you just dip?
Overall, The Gifted was emotional, unpredictable, and full of great twists. Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for allowing me to read this ARC.
Liam was cute at first, but something always felt off, so I wasn’t shocked when he finally dropped the act. I liked how Chiara’s relationship with Callum developed, and his backstory added so much depth to his character. What I didn’t love was Chiara blaming him for breaking his promise when she knew the choices he had to make to survive. It felt a bit unfair, like, are you the only one allowed to choose who to save?
I think Cassie’s death was necessary for the story to move forward (even though she was a sweetheart). I’m less sure about Chiara’s choice to leave at the end - there’s a vengeful god on the loose, your dad’s kidnapped, and the traitor who killed your sister is still out there… and you just dip?
Overall, The Gifted was emotional, unpredictable, and full of great twists. Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for allowing me to read this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
A dark story of gods, powers and mortals. Chiara gifted with powers from the god of death is tied to doing the kings biding to keep her sister safe. The story was a little slow to get going but from 50% raced along. Chiara is damaged and her back story is heartbreaking I enjoyed how her relationship with the princes developed and how what she thought about them changed as more was revealed. I enjoyed the magic system of powers form the gods but each one slightly different and look forward to finding out more in the next books.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC
November 9, 2024
The Gifted follows Chiara as she deals with being gifted by the God of death—the rarest gift of all. When she was young, her mother sold her and her little sister to the king and was forced to become a weapon in his army. If she disobeys, her sister will pay the price. But when a battle reveals a threat that could destroy the world as they know it, Chiara has to figure out who to trust: a kind, charming stranger or the cruel son of the king.
This is a really great dark fantasy with morally grey characters. The world is really interesting and unique. The gods and their gifts were so fascinating and I thought it was a really great take on the genre. I found everything really easy to understand and found the world draws you in quite easily. The plot was really engaging and had a ton of twists. The ending was super intense and action-packed and made for a really cliffhanger ending that changes a lot. I’m really interested in seeing what happens in book two.
Chiara was a really refreshing main character. She’s very much morally grey and dark. Her storyline is absolutely tragic and she’s been through so much but she’s still fighting for herself and her sister. I really enjoyed her growth and felt so bad for her on multiple occasions. She’s a really strong character. The love triangle element was really well done and honestly, I was so sold on one side before flipping to the other and then questioning everything. I really liked the take on trope.
Overall, this is a really great dark ya fantasy and if you like morally grey characters and fascinating fantasy worlds, I’d definitely recommend checking this out!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really great dark fantasy with morally grey characters. The world is really interesting and unique. The gods and their gifts were so fascinating and I thought it was a really great take on the genre. I found everything really easy to understand and found the world draws you in quite easily. The plot was really engaging and had a ton of twists. The ending was super intense and action-packed and made for a really cliffhanger ending that changes a lot. I’m really interested in seeing what happens in book two.
Chiara was a really refreshing main character. She’s very much morally grey and dark. Her storyline is absolutely tragic and she’s been through so much but she’s still fighting for herself and her sister. I really enjoyed her growth and felt so bad for her on multiple occasions. She’s a really strong character. The love triangle element was really well done and honestly, I was so sold on one side before flipping to the other and then questioning everything. I really liked the take on trope.
Overall, this is a really great dark ya fantasy and if you like morally grey characters and fascinating fantasy worlds, I’d definitely recommend checking this out!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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December 21, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
This review is not spoiler free
The Gifted by Katie Galvin is a first person-POV YA romantic dark fantasy. Chiara has been gifted by the god of death and is now under the employ of the king, a service she wishes to leave. When she picks up Liam, a boy gifted by life, she thinks she might have found the ticket to getting what she wants, but she starts developing feelings for him and he's not sure if he can trust her. But there’s another boy named Callum who could throw everything out of whack.
This reads a lot like a YA fantasy from the 2010s but slightly aged up. There's the love triangle, there's the powerful special young woman who has to fight the system, deep first person-POV, and there's the darker elements as Chiara’s mother is a brothel madam and child prostitution is explicitly mentioned as being part of those brothels.
I would say that this is also for fans of ACOTAR as it contains a bait-and-switch romance. I am not a fan of bait-and-switch romances at all. They actually annoy me quite a bit because I don’t like being sold a romantasy and spending time with a couple only to be told that it’s not the actual endgame later on as some kind of twist. That’s not a twist for me because that’s not what a romance is. So, I put this here not to say anything negative about the book, but to help readers who feel as I do either walk in fully aware of what is going to happen or to avoid it while readers who love ACOTAR can find this book easier.
I will finish the series because I am curious about how the gods, particularly the god of death, Deril, is going to play into the plot throughout the rest of the series. I am interested in ideas surrounding young women having power over death and how that can impact their psyche and relationships.
Content warning for mentions of child death and prostitution
I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy looking for something a bit darker
This review is not spoiler free
The Gifted by Katie Galvin is a first person-POV YA romantic dark fantasy. Chiara has been gifted by the god of death and is now under the employ of the king, a service she wishes to leave. When she picks up Liam, a boy gifted by life, she thinks she might have found the ticket to getting what she wants, but she starts developing feelings for him and he's not sure if he can trust her. But there’s another boy named Callum who could throw everything out of whack.
This reads a lot like a YA fantasy from the 2010s but slightly aged up. There's the love triangle, there's the powerful special young woman who has to fight the system, deep first person-POV, and there's the darker elements as Chiara’s mother is a brothel madam and child prostitution is explicitly mentioned as being part of those brothels.
I would say that this is also for fans of ACOTAR as it contains a bait-and-switch romance. I am not a fan of bait-and-switch romances at all. They actually annoy me quite a bit because I don’t like being sold a romantasy and spending time with a couple only to be told that it’s not the actual endgame later on as some kind of twist. That’s not a twist for me because that’s not what a romance is. So, I put this here not to say anything negative about the book, but to help readers who feel as I do either walk in fully aware of what is going to happen or to avoid it while readers who love ACOTAR can find this book easier.
I will finish the series because I am curious about how the gods, particularly the god of death, Deril, is going to play into the plot throughout the rest of the series. I am interested in ideas surrounding young women having power over death and how that can impact their psyche and relationships.
Content warning for mentions of child death and prostitution
I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy looking for something a bit darker
December 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
This was an ARC from NetGalley, and overall The Gifted was an enjoyable read with some strong foundations, especially when it came to the characters. I really liked how they were portrayed, particularly Chiara. The way she sees herself compared to how Liam sees her was one of the more interesting aspects of the story, and I appreciated that contrast—it added depth to her character and their dynamic.
The relationship building was slow and steady, which I didn’t mind, but at times it felt a little underwhelming and lacked the emotional punch I was hoping for. There were moments where the pacing dipped, though the action scenes definitely helped bring the story back to life and kept me engaged through the slower sections.
There were a few things that held this back for me, mainly some repetition in wording and descriptions, which became noticeable as the story went on. That said, I still enjoyed the book overall, and it’s one of those reads where you can clearly see the potential for growth in the series.
I’ve already got the ARC for book two, and despite a few dislikes, I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing the story and seeing where things go next.
This was an ARC from NetGalley, and overall The Gifted was an enjoyable read with some strong foundations, especially when it came to the characters. I really liked how they were portrayed, particularly Chiara. The way she sees herself compared to how Liam sees her was one of the more interesting aspects of the story, and I appreciated that contrast—it added depth to her character and their dynamic.
The relationship building was slow and steady, which I didn’t mind, but at times it felt a little underwhelming and lacked the emotional punch I was hoping for. There were moments where the pacing dipped, though the action scenes definitely helped bring the story back to life and kept me engaged through the slower sections.
There were a few things that held this back for me, mainly some repetition in wording and descriptions, which became noticeable as the story went on. That said, I still enjoyed the book overall, and it’s one of those reads where you can clearly see the potential for growth in the series.
I’ve already got the ARC for book two, and despite a few dislikes, I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing the story and seeing where things go next.
November 10, 2025
This is a book with young main characters, too young, in my opinion, for the plot. But if you’re like me — and automatically age FMCs up by ten years — it’s a very good read.
Chiara is gifted by the god of death, had a very rough early life and only cares about her sister. Problem is that the evil king has a noose around her neck (literally) and Chiara must fight for him and follow his every dark whim in order for her sister to survive. It leaves her bitter, violent and rather unpleasant.
It’s a dark fantasy, dark themes, dark thoughts and lotsa killing. A little too dark for an otherwise YA-themed series. But I dig it!
The book dragged on for the first 40% and I wasn’t sure at all that I would like it. I’m glad I stuck to it, though, because it picks up in pace and in writing and once past that I devoured it.
I’ll continue reading just to see where Chiara’s dark mind takes her.
I received a reviewer’s copy from the publisher via NetGalley, no strings attached. Thanks One More Chapter! These are my own opinions.
Chiara is gifted by the god of death, had a very rough early life and only cares about her sister. Problem is that the evil king has a noose around her neck (literally) and Chiara must fight for him and follow his every dark whim in order for her sister to survive. It leaves her bitter, violent and rather unpleasant.
It’s a dark fantasy, dark themes, dark thoughts and lotsa killing. A little too dark for an otherwise YA-themed series. But I dig it!
The book dragged on for the first 40% and I wasn’t sure at all that I would like it. I’m glad I stuck to it, though, because it picks up in pace and in writing and once past that I devoured it.
I’ll continue reading just to see where Chiara’s dark mind takes her.
I received a reviewer’s copy from the publisher via NetGalley, no strings attached. Thanks One More Chapter! These are my own opinions.
December 26, 2024
The good:
+ I liked the way Liam was portraited, maybe a little boring BUT I imagined that he was written based on many princess-tropes that we see in fantasy. I found it refreshing, that he was small, "good" and fragile, and the heroine was the brute that always thought killing is the easiest way out of situations.
+ Fairly action packed.
+ Decent voice acting (audiobook)
The bad:
- It was a slow start, for me, the story picked up around 40%.
- Not sure the romance aspect added anything to the story. I think focusing on male friendships would be more interesting for me, at this point in the story.
The ugly:
Have to be honest, now that I'm done I realize that I am a little confused about some parts of the ending. 😅 Not sure if I'll read the second book 🤷♀️
+ I liked the way Liam was portraited, maybe a little boring BUT I imagined that he was written based on many princess-tropes that we see in fantasy. I found it refreshing, that he was small, "good" and fragile, and the heroine was the brute that always thought killing is the easiest way out of situations.
+ Fairly action packed.
+ Decent voice acting (audiobook)
The bad:
- It was a slow start, for me, the story picked up around 40%.
- Not sure the romance aspect added anything to the story. I think focusing on male friendships would be more interesting for me, at this point in the story.
The ugly:
Have to be honest, now that I'm done I realize that I am a little confused about some parts of the ending. 😅 Not sure if I'll read the second book 🤷♀️
December 4, 2024
Title: The Gifted
Author: Katie Galvin
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
I stumbled upon this book as it’s guessed for a new sub box, having seen absolutely 0 promotion of this book from either the author or the publisher I was intrigued. The premise of the story sounded good so thought I’d give it a go - sadly wish I hadn’t now.
This book is described as gripping, dark and with unexpected twists. I found it dull and predictable. I didn’t really like any of the characters, the FMC was just annoying, one of the MMCs was a drip throughout most of the book and his “twist” I saw a mile off, I didn’t mind the other MMC but he was so cliche it was ugh. The story itself had a lot of promise, I liked the stuff about the gods and the gifts they give, but you only hear about a couple and it’s incredibly repetitive.
I also found quite a lot of consistency issues, e.g. referencing a kiss that never happens from the previous chapter, or scenes where the FMC is pinned down and the next line she’s suddenly on top with no actual movement happening. Some of this seems like really obvious editing errors so I truly hope they’re addressed before release.
Please be aware that this book also doesn’t have any trigger or content warnings which I feel it should. There were a number of references to rape and abuse throughout, including of children, which I found quite uncomfortable.
Overall I gave this book 2⭐️ and that is being generous. I thought the story itself has a lot of promise but the writing was repetitive and I was bored throughout. I considered DNFing multiple times but my curiosity as to how it’s been picked for a sub box caused me to continue - I still don’t understand why it’s been chosen. I won’t be continuing the series.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a review. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and One More Chapter for this ARC.
Author: Katie Galvin
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
I stumbled upon this book as it’s guessed for a new sub box, having seen absolutely 0 promotion of this book from either the author or the publisher I was intrigued. The premise of the story sounded good so thought I’d give it a go - sadly wish I hadn’t now.
This book is described as gripping, dark and with unexpected twists. I found it dull and predictable. I didn’t really like any of the characters, the FMC was just annoying, one of the MMCs was a drip throughout most of the book and his “twist” I saw a mile off, I didn’t mind the other MMC but he was so cliche it was ugh. The story itself had a lot of promise, I liked the stuff about the gods and the gifts they give, but you only hear about a couple and it’s incredibly repetitive.
I also found quite a lot of consistency issues, e.g. referencing a kiss that never happens from the previous chapter, or scenes where the FMC is pinned down and the next line she’s suddenly on top with no actual movement happening. Some of this seems like really obvious editing errors so I truly hope they’re addressed before release.
Please be aware that this book also doesn’t have any trigger or content warnings which I feel it should. There were a number of references to rape and abuse throughout, including of children, which I found quite uncomfortable.
Overall I gave this book 2⭐️ and that is being generous. I thought the story itself has a lot of promise but the writing was repetitive and I was bored throughout. I considered DNFing multiple times but my curiosity as to how it’s been picked for a sub box caused me to continue - I still don’t understand why it’s been chosen. I won’t be continuing the series.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a review. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and One More Chapter for this ARC.
November 11, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
This had me hooked! The magic system is unique and interesting using mortals as pawns in world rife with war and political strife. The gods play a large part in this story as well. This had quite dark tones with past trauma and gore reoccuring throughout. There’s a romantic sub plot unfolding during this which brings us quite an interesting love triangle that had me shouting at the pages.
I highly recommend this for fans of fantasy with a fierce FMC full of feminine rage. Book 1 is a great intro into the world, state of unfolding events and what potential havoc may begin in book 2.
This had me hooked! The magic system is unique and interesting using mortals as pawns in world rife with war and political strife. The gods play a large part in this story as well. This had quite dark tones with past trauma and gore reoccuring throughout. There’s a romantic sub plot unfolding during this which brings us quite an interesting love triangle that had me shouting at the pages.
I highly recommend this for fans of fantasy with a fierce FMC full of feminine rage. Book 1 is a great intro into the world, state of unfolding events and what potential havoc may begin in book 2.
November 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for the advance reader copy.
Unfortunately this wasn’t a book I enjoyed. The first 30% was a b out of a struggle and then everything kind of kicked off. The ending felt very rushed.
I didn’t like any of the characters and the ‘romance’ didn’t feel like it fit into the story more as a thrown in addition.
The concept was so good and I think the execution could have been a lot better. There was a lot of room for some amazing world building and that fell to the wayside as well.
Unfortunately this wasn’t a book I enjoyed. The first 30% was a b out of a struggle and then everything kind of kicked off. The ending felt very rushed.
I didn’t like any of the characters and the ‘romance’ didn’t feel like it fit into the story more as a thrown in addition.
The concept was so good and I think the execution could have been a lot better. There was a lot of room for some amazing world building and that fell to the wayside as well.
November 12, 2025
3.5 🌟
I do believe this is pretty well written, but it just happens to be a book I don't quite connect with. I actually feel guilty that I didn't enjoy it more and am thinking I may revisit it at another time. Usually I like a strong fmc that never gives up her fight, but we just didn't mesh this time.
I do believe this is pretty well written, but it just happens to be a book I don't quite connect with. I actually feel guilty that I didn't enjoy it more and am thinking I may revisit it at another time. Usually I like a strong fmc that never gives up her fight, but we just didn't mesh this time.
January 4, 2025
Too much anger. Confusing.
January 6, 2025
Young adult
December 3, 2025
—— 3 ★
⤿〝 "I might be the villain in most people's stories, but I did not become that way by myself." 〞
! Thank you NetGalley and ONE MORE CHAPTER for the copy of the book !
⤷ this was a funny and such interesting story, i don’t have much to say about apart from the fact that I enjoyed it a lot and it was very decent for a debut
⤿〝 "I might be the villain in most people's stories, but I did not become that way by myself." 〞
! Thank you NetGalley and ONE MORE CHAPTER for the copy of the book !
⤷ this was a funny and such interesting story, i don’t have much to say about apart from the fact that I enjoyed it a lot and it was very decent for a debut
October 13, 2024
The Gifted is a really fascinating and novel take on the pantheon of gods and goddesses and their human servants in the mortal realm. In this world, the pantheon will hand select humans to “gift” with special abilities that are prized by that god. I was drawn to the story because instead of being gifted by any number of the other more mainstream gods, the main character Chiara was gifted by the god of death. The characters throughout the book were morally grey - neither all good nor all bad. I really appreciated how the author made a heroine out of a “monster.” The plot was relatively straightforward with some very enjoyable twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. The final two pages were so true to the character— it was the perfect ending for Chiara… or rather- the beginning.
This book was a fun adventure, but it was very dark. I’m not sure how appropriate it is to be classified as a YA, and it should come with some major trigger warnings because there is no darkness that is off limits in this book. Some of the triggering topics include: rape, gruesome murder scenes, child abuse, child prostitution, etc.
I would like to thank HarperCollinsUK and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was a fun adventure, but it was very dark. I’m not sure how appropriate it is to be classified as a YA, and it should come with some major trigger warnings because there is no darkness that is off limits in this book. Some of the triggering topics include: rape, gruesome murder scenes, child abuse, child prostitution, etc.
I would like to thank HarperCollinsUK and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 10, 2025
‘…[we] might be everything that people hide from in the night, but we had not been born that way. We had been carved and shaped and broken until that was all that was left of us.’
4.5⭐️
This was a brilliant, engaging and fast paced dark YA fantasy.
We have a morally grey and stabby FMC with no control over her own life, forcing her thoughts and feelings deep down so she can exist with the immense trauma she has been through and continues to exist in. To keep her sister alive she works for a cruel king, killing who he commands when he commands, knowing her acts make her a monster. But she’ll continue to do it, to save the only person she loves. So when she is tasked with collecting a mysterious charming stranger and take him back to her king, Chiara begins to hope that there may be a slight sliver of hope for her and her sister, if only she can play this game right for a little bit longer… but there is a lot Chiara doesn’t yet know, and despite her best efforts to never trust anyone, some people just manage to worm themselves under her armour and the consequences just may be devastating…
This book is filled with twists and turns, two potential love interests, magic, gods, heartache and an ending which leave you desperate for the next book.
The docked half a star is for the overuse of the word “purr”. I swear I would have searched up the word if I read this on the kindle. As a Maas fan I never really notice its use, but it felt somewhat excessive in this. There had to be another way this character could speak other then purring everything?
Some quotes I really liked:
‘Monster. Monster. Monster.
It was a refrain I had learnt to rap around myself like. Second skin. A word, a title, I had thought myself to live up to.
A monster they had wanted me to be, and a monster I had become.’
‘A goddess’s anger is no small thing. It can become a creature of its own, a thing that could rattle worlds and shake the stars.’
‘“Why are your stories never happy?” She asked, frowning.
“Because they involve gods,” I replied, lips pursed thoughtfully. “And gods are never kind.”
‘I did not speak the words to unburden myself. I spoke them to remind this man exactly what I was, and to remind him that smiles held no place in this world. Fear would serve him better.’
‘“Just because the world has been cruel to you, doesn’t mean you need to be cruel back.”’
‘“The stories are a reminder that darkness exists for all.”’
‘I would do anything to ensure she did not become a dark, monstrous creature like me.’
‘It was the sort of anger that remained chained, but was rarely tamed. The sort of fury that, when the monsters such as he and I were let out of our cages, became all-consuming.’
‘People like me-like us- we’re not made to be malleable. When hardened to stone by years of mistreatment, a well-placed thrust would not make us bend. It would make us shatter completely.’
‘“Terrible choices are what you and I are made of. The things that make us what we are.”’
‘“Chiara, […] you are a wicked creature.”’
‘“You were the deadliest, strongest and most beautiful person. I had ever seen. I was terrified of you.”’
‘“I might be the villain in most people’s stories, but I did not become that way by myself.”’
‘I was a creature who had been formed from a deep fury, a deep hatred for the cruelty of the world.’
‘Let them try. I held no fear of death. I was its master, and it was mine to command.’
4.5⭐️
This was a brilliant, engaging and fast paced dark YA fantasy.
We have a morally grey and stabby FMC with no control over her own life, forcing her thoughts and feelings deep down so she can exist with the immense trauma she has been through and continues to exist in. To keep her sister alive she works for a cruel king, killing who he commands when he commands, knowing her acts make her a monster. But she’ll continue to do it, to save the only person she loves. So when she is tasked with collecting a mysterious charming stranger and take him back to her king, Chiara begins to hope that there may be a slight sliver of hope for her and her sister, if only she can play this game right for a little bit longer… but there is a lot Chiara doesn’t yet know, and despite her best efforts to never trust anyone, some people just manage to worm themselves under her armour and the consequences just may be devastating…
This book is filled with twists and turns, two potential love interests, magic, gods, heartache and an ending which leave you desperate for the next book.
The docked half a star is for the overuse of the word “purr”. I swear I would have searched up the word if I read this on the kindle. As a Maas fan I never really notice its use, but it felt somewhat excessive in this. There had to be another way this character could speak other then purring everything?
Some quotes I really liked:
‘Monster. Monster. Monster.
It was a refrain I had learnt to rap around myself like. Second skin. A word, a title, I had thought myself to live up to.
A monster they had wanted me to be, and a monster I had become.’
‘A goddess’s anger is no small thing. It can become a creature of its own, a thing that could rattle worlds and shake the stars.’
‘“Why are your stories never happy?” She asked, frowning.
“Because they involve gods,” I replied, lips pursed thoughtfully. “And gods are never kind.”
‘I did not speak the words to unburden myself. I spoke them to remind this man exactly what I was, and to remind him that smiles held no place in this world. Fear would serve him better.’
‘“Just because the world has been cruel to you, doesn’t mean you need to be cruel back.”’
‘“The stories are a reminder that darkness exists for all.”’
‘I would do anything to ensure she did not become a dark, monstrous creature like me.’
‘It was the sort of anger that remained chained, but was rarely tamed. The sort of fury that, when the monsters such as he and I were let out of our cages, became all-consuming.’
‘People like me-like us- we’re not made to be malleable. When hardened to stone by years of mistreatment, a well-placed thrust would not make us bend. It would make us shatter completely.’
‘“Terrible choices are what you and I are made of. The things that make us what we are.”’
‘“Chiara, […] you are a wicked creature.”’
‘“You were the deadliest, strongest and most beautiful person. I had ever seen. I was terrified of you.”’
‘“I might be the villain in most people’s stories, but I did not become that way by myself.”’
‘I was a creature who had been formed from a deep fury, a deep hatred for the cruelty of the world.’
‘Let them try. I held no fear of death. I was its master, and it was mine to command.’
December 13, 2024
I was super excited to dive into this book, as this one is a speculated book box choice for december, and it was such a nice surprise to have an arc gifted by one more chapter but sadly i had to dnf at 30%. This book really wasn't what i expected.
Beware, minor spoilers ahead.
I was promised dark fantasy with morally grey characters: the main character gifted by the god of death himself. but to say i'm disappointed, is an understatement. First and foremost, this book reads very ya, and not in a good way. The writing was very boring and even the most important things didn't have any emotion in them. Mostly things just happened, and a lot of things that probably should had caused some kind of reaction in the reader were just explained badly.
Also to have a such a morally grey main character, who supposedly only cares about her little sister, to basically have a crush on a prisoner from the first moment they see each other... i mean you get the point. very insta love, and not in a good way. even though i didn't read enough to see the actual romance happening, i know i wouldn't have liked it. and i have a very good guess who this mysterious prisoner from the enemy kingdom is.
The potential was there, the gods, gifts they give to people, but somehow after this everything just fell flat. I really didn't care at all about the main character, which made dnf:ing this so much easier. The characters didn't have any depth, and to say that the characters are morally grey and then have such black-and-white beliefs for them...
This book made me think the graceling, and while i love everything about that book, this book just pales in comparison. If you want to read about "gifted" people and evil kingdoms, and rebellions, and cute love stories that are kind of like enemies to lovers, you should read that one instead!
Thank you once again one more chapter and netgalley for the arc! i really hoped that i would enjoy this one.
Beware, minor spoilers ahead.
I was promised dark fantasy with morally grey characters: the main character gifted by the god of death himself. but to say i'm disappointed, is an understatement. First and foremost, this book reads very ya, and not in a good way. The writing was very boring and even the most important things didn't have any emotion in them. Mostly things just happened, and a lot of things that probably should had caused some kind of reaction in the reader were just explained badly.
Also to have a such a morally grey main character, who supposedly only cares about her little sister, to basically have a crush on a prisoner from the first moment they see each other... i mean you get the point. very insta love, and not in a good way. even though i didn't read enough to see the actual romance happening, i know i wouldn't have liked it. and i have a very good guess who this mysterious prisoner from the enemy kingdom is.
The potential was there, the gods, gifts they give to people, but somehow after this everything just fell flat. I really didn't care at all about the main character, which made dnf:ing this so much easier. The characters didn't have any depth, and to say that the characters are morally grey and then have such black-and-white beliefs for them...
This book made me think the graceling, and while i love everything about that book, this book just pales in comparison. If you want to read about "gifted" people and evil kingdoms, and rebellions, and cute love stories that are kind of like enemies to lovers, you should read that one instead!
Thank you once again one more chapter and netgalley for the arc! i really hoped that i would enjoy this one.
December 18, 2024
A dark and intense fantasy with a very original concept of the gods and the gifts they bestow. Whilst I was slow to get into this story once I was into it I really got pulled in. I found Chiara to be a very understandable and realistic character, someone that that has experienced a lot of trauma and is changed by it and is somewhat brutal with her honesty to herself even when it hurts.
I also really liked that although the synopsis alludes to a potential love triangle it didn't feel heavy handed insta love like you see in many YA books instead I could definitely see it as infatuation with the potential to be more which was more fitting with the story. This is a big plus for me as I often feel that YA books lose a lot of plot development to the potential love story.
I think my only particular criticism would be that whilst the beginning was a little slow the last 40% felt very quick. I understand that this was probably to give time to base world building and to underpinning the characters and back story. Overall though I felt that the first journey was rather long and built up and then we flew through what to me could/would have been the main quest journey in a few chapters and didn't spend enough time on that element (which also could be said of the very end). Although that could just be because I enjoyed that part of the book the most and therefore wouldn't have minded if it was longer.
I would definitely say this is not for anyone on the young side of young adult and if you have particular things regarding violence that you choose not to read I would definitely check the trigger warnings and maybe some spoilers to make sure you will be comfortable. Whilst I don't remember there being explicit detail there is enough alluded to or bluntly phrased that you should be prepared.
I read an arc of this book through netgalley
I also really liked that although the synopsis alludes to a potential love triangle it didn't feel heavy handed insta love like you see in many YA books instead I could definitely see it as infatuation with the potential to be more which was more fitting with the story. This is a big plus for me as I often feel that YA books lose a lot of plot development to the potential love story.
I think my only particular criticism would be that whilst the beginning was a little slow the last 40% felt very quick. I understand that this was probably to give time to base world building and to underpinning the characters and back story. Overall though I felt that the first journey was rather long and built up and then we flew through what to me could/would have been the main quest journey in a few chapters and didn't spend enough time on that element (which also could be said of the very end). Although that could just be because I enjoyed that part of the book the most and therefore wouldn't have minded if it was longer.
I would definitely say this is not for anyone on the young side of young adult and if you have particular things regarding violence that you choose not to read I would definitely check the trigger warnings and maybe some spoilers to make sure you will be comfortable. Whilst I don't remember there being explicit detail there is enough alluded to or bluntly phrased that you should be prepared.
I read an arc of this book through netgalley
December 11, 2025
Firstly, a huge thank you to One More Chapter for sharing The Gifted Trilogy by Katie Galvin with me. The Gifted is the first book in a debut epic-fantasy, romantasy series by Katie Galvin that transported me away from the snivelling, snotty, cold and flu filled mess that I have been this week into a world inspired by Greek mythology, Gods and mortals!
Chiara is a weapon, sold by her mother to a dark, evil king who holds her younger sister’s life in ransom for her services. Chiara holds the gift of war, and has been used and moulded by the king’s cruelty and punishment into a monstrous weapon to fight his battles and win his war. Chiara has no choice but to obey, her sister’s life depends on it.
Whilst there is action and violence at the start of this novel, it transforms into something much more atmospheric, bringing to life a brutal, dark world that struggles with the weight of the rule of gods and the fear of those like Chiara, who are ‘gifted’ by the gods.
Unbeknownst to many, Chiara’s gift is not that of war but actually of Death, pretty much the rarest gift given and it’s no surprise that Chiara isn’t immediately likeable, and does in the first instance appear monstrous but, as the story progresses and more characters are introduced more comes to light, providing a whole new perspective on Chiara and those around her. You could say that like a book, Chiara cannot be judged by her cover.
Of course there’s a love interest and whilst it could be deemed triangular at first, fortunately it really isn’t and truly adds to the foundation of this story and the twists and turns that hit you as you progress towards the end of this first chapter.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, the plot, the characters and the many twists and turns of this brutal and often violent story (please check out the themes – there is strong violence and other themes that may impact some readers,) and was over the moon to know that I had books 2 and 3 to follow. Definitely check out my reviews!
This is a brilliant start to an epic fantasy, that doesn’t hold back on pulling you in full throttle to a world of brutality, gods, and abilities that will blow your socks off!
Thank you One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing this arc with me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!
Chiara is a weapon, sold by her mother to a dark, evil king who holds her younger sister’s life in ransom for her services. Chiara holds the gift of war, and has been used and moulded by the king’s cruelty and punishment into a monstrous weapon to fight his battles and win his war. Chiara has no choice but to obey, her sister’s life depends on it.
Whilst there is action and violence at the start of this novel, it transforms into something much more atmospheric, bringing to life a brutal, dark world that struggles with the weight of the rule of gods and the fear of those like Chiara, who are ‘gifted’ by the gods.
Unbeknownst to many, Chiara’s gift is not that of war but actually of Death, pretty much the rarest gift given and it’s no surprise that Chiara isn’t immediately likeable, and does in the first instance appear monstrous but, as the story progresses and more characters are introduced more comes to light, providing a whole new perspective on Chiara and those around her. You could say that like a book, Chiara cannot be judged by her cover.
Of course there’s a love interest and whilst it could be deemed triangular at first, fortunately it really isn’t and truly adds to the foundation of this story and the twists and turns that hit you as you progress towards the end of this first chapter.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, the plot, the characters and the many twists and turns of this brutal and often violent story (please check out the themes – there is strong violence and other themes that may impact some readers,) and was over the moon to know that I had books 2 and 3 to follow. Definitely check out my reviews!
This is a brilliant start to an epic fantasy, that doesn’t hold back on pulling you in full throttle to a world of brutality, gods, and abilities that will blow your socks off!
Thank you One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing this arc with me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!
November 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and OneMoreChapter for the ARC. All opinions are my own :)
This was such an intense, atmospheric start to a new fantasy series, and I was hooked from the beginning. The magic system is genuinely unique -mortals wielding divine gifts in a world full of political tension, war, and dangerous gods still pulling strings from afar. The divine influence adds an extra layer of depth and unease that I really enjoyed.
This book has dark tones, and it doesn’t shy away from trauma, gore, or the emotional scars these characters carry. Chiara isn’t always likable, but she is real, raw, angry, wounded, and trying to survive the only way she knows how. That complexity made me root for her even harder.
The world itself is brutal, vivid, and full of potential. You can feel the weight of the gods, the fear of the gifted, and the tension building beneath every alliance. Even though some scenes felt a little rushed or confusing, the overall emotional intensity more than made up for it.
The romantic subplot was also a surprise highlight. The love triangle here is messy, frustrating, and absolutely addictive. I found myself shouting at the pages more than once.
My only real complaint is that some of the main characters felt a bit too young for the heavy, bloody story they were placed in. But the adventure, betrayal, and high-stakes tension kept me engaged through every twist.
Overall, The Gifted is dark, emotional, and gripping, a strong series opener with a fascinating world, flawed characters, and a setup that promises even more danger (and drama) in book two. I can’t wait to continue the series.
This was such an intense, atmospheric start to a new fantasy series, and I was hooked from the beginning. The magic system is genuinely unique -mortals wielding divine gifts in a world full of political tension, war, and dangerous gods still pulling strings from afar. The divine influence adds an extra layer of depth and unease that I really enjoyed.
This book has dark tones, and it doesn’t shy away from trauma, gore, or the emotional scars these characters carry. Chiara isn’t always likable, but she is real, raw, angry, wounded, and trying to survive the only way she knows how. That complexity made me root for her even harder.
The world itself is brutal, vivid, and full of potential. You can feel the weight of the gods, the fear of the gifted, and the tension building beneath every alliance. Even though some scenes felt a little rushed or confusing, the overall emotional intensity more than made up for it.
The romantic subplot was also a surprise highlight. The love triangle here is messy, frustrating, and absolutely addictive. I found myself shouting at the pages more than once.
My only real complaint is that some of the main characters felt a bit too young for the heavy, bloody story they were placed in. But the adventure, betrayal, and high-stakes tension kept me engaged through every twist.
Overall, The Gifted is dark, emotional, and gripping, a strong series opener with a fascinating world, flawed characters, and a setup that promises even more danger (and drama) in book two. I can’t wait to continue the series.
November 28, 2025
This debut high-fantasy novel is a great choice for getting out of a reading slump.
The story is inspired by Greek mythology and introduces a system of gods who cannot freely enter the mortal world. Instead, they send “gifts”—special powers—to chosen individuals known as the Gifted.
Our FMC, Chiara, possesses powers from the God of Death, one of the rarest gifts in the mortal world. She was sold to a cruel king, along with her little sister, by her own mother. The king turned Chiara into a monster, a weapon, and used her sister to control her.
Chiara strongly reminded me of Nesta from the ACOTAR series. Her constant need to fight and kill made me uncomfortable. I’m not her fan yet, but I’ll see how her story develops in books 2 and 3. What I can say for sure is that her life is incredibly tough—few could endure so much—and I admire her inner strength and her love for her sister.
The novel started slowly for me and dragged until the last 100 pages, when the events finally took off. I’m still a bit confused about whether I liked it or not. Overall, I don’t mind a slow pace in books, but here some moments felt too drawn out, especially certain conversations. At the same time, I understand those conversations were crucial to the MMC’s development. This confusion is the main reason I’m rating the book three stars. Only the ending truly made me admire the FMC and feel intrigued by the revelations. I actually gasped and said “wow”—I wasn’t expecting them.
Thank you to One More Chapter for providing this e-ARC. I’m lucky to have books 2 and 3 as e-ARCs as well, and I cannot wait to see how the story develops.
All opinions above are my own.
The story is inspired by Greek mythology and introduces a system of gods who cannot freely enter the mortal world. Instead, they send “gifts”—special powers—to chosen individuals known as the Gifted.
Our FMC, Chiara, possesses powers from the God of Death, one of the rarest gifts in the mortal world. She was sold to a cruel king, along with her little sister, by her own mother. The king turned Chiara into a monster, a weapon, and used her sister to control her.
Chiara strongly reminded me of Nesta from the ACOTAR series. Her constant need to fight and kill made me uncomfortable. I’m not her fan yet, but I’ll see how her story develops in books 2 and 3. What I can say for sure is that her life is incredibly tough—few could endure so much—and I admire her inner strength and her love for her sister.
The novel started slowly for me and dragged until the last 100 pages, when the events finally took off. I’m still a bit confused about whether I liked it or not. Overall, I don’t mind a slow pace in books, but here some moments felt too drawn out, especially certain conversations. At the same time, I understand those conversations were crucial to the MMC’s development. This confusion is the main reason I’m rating the book three stars. Only the ending truly made me admire the FMC and feel intrigued by the revelations. I actually gasped and said “wow”—I wasn’t expecting them.
Thank you to One More Chapter for providing this e-ARC. I’m lucky to have books 2 and 3 as e-ARCs as well, and I cannot wait to see how the story develops.
All opinions above are my own.
November 22, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, harper Collins UK, and onemorechapter for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Chiara is magically gifted by a god with some mysterious powers. The king, who's a super dick, uses her sister as leverage to force her to do his bidding. She's tasked with bringing a prisoner to him, but along the way she starts to feel something for him.
This book starts incredibly dark with pages and pages of depressing murder and political abuse and phycological torture. It then implies that a parent prostitutes her small child by chaining her to a bed. As the story goes on, more torture and murder happens, and more mentions of forced child prostitution. The issue that I really had with this is that the book cover looks YA, the MC is young, and the "romance" is very young... but the triggers were intense. It didn't really feel like a dark romance, but honestly hard to get into a love triangle when the story is like "Ohh this one is a bad boy who secretly cares, this one has a secret... she's struggling with intimacy because of being sold for sex to adult men when she was six... but will she choose the blonde or the brunette?"
Ultimately I think the story could have been cool, the magic system was cool, the Gods were cool. The brutality of all the murder was a bit depressing, but could have worked if the characters were a little more charming and if there was a little more romance. But all the weird child abuse was such a gross turn off for me that I didn't enjoy a majority of the book.
Chiara is magically gifted by a god with some mysterious powers. The king, who's a super dick, uses her sister as leverage to force her to do his bidding. She's tasked with bringing a prisoner to him, but along the way she starts to feel something for him.
This book starts incredibly dark with pages and pages of depressing murder and political abuse and phycological torture. It then implies that a parent prostitutes her small child by chaining her to a bed. As the story goes on, more torture and murder happens, and more mentions of forced child prostitution. The issue that I really had with this is that the book cover looks YA, the MC is young, and the "romance" is very young... but the triggers were intense. It didn't really feel like a dark romance, but honestly hard to get into a love triangle when the story is like "Ohh this one is a bad boy who secretly cares, this one has a secret... she's struggling with intimacy because of being sold for sex to adult men when she was six... but will she choose the blonde or the brunette?"
Ultimately I think the story could have been cool, the magic system was cool, the Gods were cool. The brutality of all the murder was a bit depressing, but could have worked if the characters were a little more charming and if there was a little more romance. But all the weird child abuse was such a gross turn off for me that I didn't enjoy a majority of the book.
October 22, 2024
"The Gifted" by Katie Galvin presents an intriguing concept centered around individuals with extraordinary abilities, but my experience with the book left much to be desired.
One of my main frustrations was with the protagonist. I found her unrelatable and at times frustrating, which made it difficult to invest in her journey. Her decisions often felt inconsistent, and I struggled to understand her motivations, which detracted from the emotional weight of the story.
Additionally, the worldbuilding felt a bit lacking. While the premise of a society grappling with gifted individuals is compelling, the setting didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Key details that could have enriched the narrative and provided context were often missing, leaving the world feeling somewhat flat. This lack of depth made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story, as I didn’t get a strong sense of the rules or dynamics of this unique society.
In summary, while "The Gifted" has an interesting premise, it ultimately fell short for me due to the protagonist's unlikability and the insufficient worldbuilding. I believe there’s potential in the idea, but it didn’t come together in a way that resonated.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of my main frustrations was with the protagonist. I found her unrelatable and at times frustrating, which made it difficult to invest in her journey. Her decisions often felt inconsistent, and I struggled to understand her motivations, which detracted from the emotional weight of the story.
Additionally, the worldbuilding felt a bit lacking. While the premise of a society grappling with gifted individuals is compelling, the setting didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Key details that could have enriched the narrative and provided context were often missing, leaving the world feeling somewhat flat. This lack of depth made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story, as I didn’t get a strong sense of the rules or dynamics of this unique society.
In summary, while "The Gifted" has an interesting premise, it ultimately fell short for me due to the protagonist's unlikability and the insufficient worldbuilding. I believe there’s potential in the idea, but it didn’t come together in a way that resonated.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
All Chiara ever wanted was her mother to care for her and her sister. All she wanted was to give her sister the best life possible. All she wanted was to be left alone. But people like Chiara never get what they want. They are pawns. To be used by the people who always get what they want at the cost of those around them. People like King Kane. People who buy those they want to use and turn them into their own monsters. Well lucky for him she is the monster he always wanted her to be. Unlucky for him, the monster is getting tired of her guilted cage and her short leash. The bait at the end of the line can only keep her in check so long as the King keeps it happy and healthy. At the edge of a war, there are more players coming to the table. More alliances to make. More pieces in the board. Is escape finally within reach? Can Chiara and her sister escape the life they have been living for 8 years? If they do, will Chiara be able to separate herself from the monster she has become or will she need to embrace it to make it to the other side of the war?
I really enjoyed Chiara. She is the definition of morally grey monstrous FMC and I'm truly here for every second of it. I will definitely be watching for whatever comes next!!
I really enjoyed Chiara. She is the definition of morally grey monstrous FMC and I'm truly here for every second of it. I will definitely be watching for whatever comes next!!
February 16, 2025
A fast and easy read, I literally devoured it in one sitting.
I'd say this is a classical romantasy, a palate cleanser as I like to call them - our main characters go on a quest, have to work together, get to know each other a bit better in the process; we get some nice tropes in there like tending to each others' wounds, pretending to be married in an inn etc. There's a (not that shocking) plot twist at the end and an enemy to defeat in the next book. And I eat it up every time, don't get me wrong, that's why I like these types of books, they're easy on the mind and a nice break from some heavier worldbuilding.
The characters may seem a bit one dimensional sometimes but we may see the development in the second book. There is obviously a VERY stabby FMC with dark past and fighting skills to support her constant threats. Then a cruel prince who obviously turns out not to be that cruel, just a victim of a brutal environment. You know the drill. There's also another prince but his character is so flat I didn't care about him from the beginning.
That said, I will be reaching for the next book as I really enjoyed this one!
I'd say this is a classical romantasy, a palate cleanser as I like to call them - our main characters go on a quest, have to work together, get to know each other a bit better in the process; we get some nice tropes in there like tending to each others' wounds, pretending to be married in an inn etc. There's a (not that shocking) plot twist at the end and an enemy to defeat in the next book. And I eat it up every time, don't get me wrong, that's why I like these types of books, they're easy on the mind and a nice break from some heavier worldbuilding.
The characters may seem a bit one dimensional sometimes but we may see the development in the second book. There is obviously a VERY stabby FMC with dark past and fighting skills to support her constant threats. Then a cruel prince who obviously turns out not to be that cruel, just a victim of a brutal environment. You know the drill. There's also another prince but his character is so flat I didn't care about him from the beginning.
That said, I will be reaching for the next book as I really enjoyed this one!
October 27, 2025
This is definitely a strong start to a series, but I don’t know if the plot of this book alone would’ve been enough to keep me wanting to read the series. This book has a very slow pace. We get almost nothing for at least 50% of the book, maybe even closer to 70%. It’s really a lot of filler to get to the plot, and when we get to it, I just kept waiting for something to happen. The twists were a little obvious to me, and the lack of world building disconnected me from the story and world.
I did love that the world felt very lived in. We dove right into the story and don’t waste unnecessary time learning about our characters at the start. For me personally, the first 30% was the strongest part of the book because we’re learning things with the characters and seeing the world from their eyes. After that, we have a lot of nothing. The ending was the second most redeeming part of the plot, but even then, if I didn’t have the next book lined up to read, I’m not sure I would’ve continued the series.
Thank you very much to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did love that the world felt very lived in. We dove right into the story and don’t waste unnecessary time learning about our characters at the start. For me personally, the first 30% was the strongest part of the book because we’re learning things with the characters and seeing the world from their eyes. After that, we have a lot of nothing. The ending was the second most redeeming part of the plot, but even then, if I didn’t have the next book lined up to read, I’m not sure I would’ve continued the series.
Thank you very much to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2025
I went into The Gifted not really knowing what to expect, but it completely pulled me in. Chiara, the main character, is “gifted” by the god of death — and it’s as awful as it sounds. She’s been through so much, and you really feel her anger and desperation as she tries to take back control of her life.
What I loved most is how raw and emotional it all feels. This isn’t a light fantasy — it’s dark, messy, and full of complicated people making bad choices for the right reasons. Chiara isn’t always easy to like, but she feels real, and I was rooting for her anyway.
The world itself is brutal and fascinating, with gods, power struggles, and a constant sense that something bigger is at play. A few parts felt a bit rushed or confusing, but the story’s emotion and intensity more than made up for it.
If you like dark, character-driven fantasy with a bit of heartbreak and a strong female lead, this is definitely worth picking up
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Katie Galvin and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter 📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
What I loved most is how raw and emotional it all feels. This isn’t a light fantasy — it’s dark, messy, and full of complicated people making bad choices for the right reasons. Chiara isn’t always easy to like, but she feels real, and I was rooting for her anyway.
The world itself is brutal and fascinating, with gods, power struggles, and a constant sense that something bigger is at play. A few parts felt a bit rushed or confusing, but the story’s emotion and intensity more than made up for it.
If you like dark, character-driven fantasy with a bit of heartbreak and a strong female lead, this is definitely worth picking up
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Katie Galvin and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter 📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
November 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!
This book really took me surprise and was unexpectedly brilliant. I had thought it would be a standard Romantasy but there is a lot here that appeals to the epic fantasy lover in me, including brutal battle fields and monstrous magic.
I really like Chiara as a main character because she is so complex, she is so war weary and has such sympathy for Caden on the battlefield but is so harsh on the child she catches trying to steal from her.
The magic system is so interesting in this one and really adds suspense to the plot, how can even a gifted warrior feel safe when illusionists might be waiting to ambush them at any moment.
The romantic storyline, is more of a subplot here but it’s interesting and Liam and Callum are both interesting characters.
This isn’t for the faint of heart though, there are some real gory decapitated head in a bag moments!
I’m really excited that the next in this series is already available and the third in the trilogy is coming in December.
Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
This book really took me surprise and was unexpectedly brilliant. I had thought it would be a standard Romantasy but there is a lot here that appeals to the epic fantasy lover in me, including brutal battle fields and monstrous magic.
I really like Chiara as a main character because she is so complex, she is so war weary and has such sympathy for Caden on the battlefield but is so harsh on the child she catches trying to steal from her.
The magic system is so interesting in this one and really adds suspense to the plot, how can even a gifted warrior feel safe when illusionists might be waiting to ambush them at any moment.
The romantic storyline, is more of a subplot here but it’s interesting and Liam and Callum are both interesting characters.
This isn’t for the faint of heart though, there are some real gory decapitated head in a bag moments!
I’m really excited that the next in this series is already available and the third in the trilogy is coming in December.
Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
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