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The Gifted #2
The Broken
'I AM SO HOOKED I MAY AS WELL BE A LITTLE FISH IN A FISHING POND' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daggers ready. The battle is beginning. Every night I kill and I kill and I kill. And do you know what I do while I’m soaking my hand in blood? I enjoy it.
Cursed with a gift from the God of Death, and robbed of every person she has ever loved, Chiara lives only for destruction. Her heart is closed.
So when she is summoned by her bitter enemy the new king, Callum, to embark on a life-threatening journey into the godly realm, her answer, of course, is no. No matter that the future of the mortal world is at stake.
But Callum is no ordinary enemy. Their hatred stems from passion. She can never forgive what he has done, and yet Chiara’s dark soul still craves his.
But Gods don’t wait for human hearts to heal. War is coming. To save mankind, Chiara and Callum must join forces. When fighting the gods, Chiara is about to learn that it’s a fine line between life and death, vengeance and mercy…enemies and lovers.
⛓️⛓️⛓️
Readers are LOVING The Broken! 'A real banger!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I’m SO EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS SERIES. I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED INTO BOOK THREE BECAUSE I NEED MORE OF THIS. I AM SO HOOKED I MAY AS WELL BE A LITTLE FISH IN A FISHING POND' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow — what a sequel. Katie Galvin’s writing is sharp and addictive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tension, romance, death and destruction' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I will be delving into the next book immediately as I need to know where things are going.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The plot, characters literally everything was perfect. If you love romantasy you need to read this book.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The world building is amazing and the chemistry between the main characters is great. One to enjoy.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daggers ready. The battle is beginning. Every night I kill and I kill and I kill. And do you know what I do while I’m soaking my hand in blood? I enjoy it.
Cursed with a gift from the God of Death, and robbed of every person she has ever loved, Chiara lives only for destruction. Her heart is closed.
So when she is summoned by her bitter enemy the new king, Callum, to embark on a life-threatening journey into the godly realm, her answer, of course, is no. No matter that the future of the mortal world is at stake.
But Callum is no ordinary enemy. Their hatred stems from passion. She can never forgive what he has done, and yet Chiara’s dark soul still craves his.
But Gods don’t wait for human hearts to heal. War is coming. To save mankind, Chiara and Callum must join forces. When fighting the gods, Chiara is about to learn that it’s a fine line between life and death, vengeance and mercy…enemies and lovers.
⛓️⛓️⛓️
Readers are LOVING The Broken! 'A real banger!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I’m SO EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS SERIES. I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED INTO BOOK THREE BECAUSE I NEED MORE OF THIS. I AM SO HOOKED I MAY AS WELL BE A LITTLE FISH IN A FISHING POND' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow — what a sequel. Katie Galvin’s writing is sharp and addictive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tension, romance, death and destruction' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I will be delving into the next book immediately as I need to know where things are going.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The plot, characters literally everything was perfect. If you love romantasy you need to read this book.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The world building is amazing and the chemistry between the main characters is great. One to enjoy.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Published December 5, 2025
7 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Katie Galvin
3 books7 followersKatie Galvin lives in Perth, Western Australia. Her childhood love of fantasy and magic followed her into her adult years, resulting in her writing The Gifted. In the rare moments where she’s not running her speech therapy business or writing, Katie can be found at the gym, with a coffee in hand or rolling her eyes at her cat’s antics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 3, 2025
—— 3 ★
⤿〝 "I would ruin myself for you, Chiara. I will let my soul be dragged into the Dark if there's even the possibility that you'll be safe. So, no, it's not the realm I'm going for. It's you." 〞
! Thank you NetGalley and ONE MORE CHAPTER for the copy of the book !
⤷ I wasn't really sure what to find after the end of the first one and especially how it would be managed but I must admit that it has been written in a fairly realistic way and has not disappointed 🙂↔️
⤿〝 "I would ruin myself for you, Chiara. I will let my soul be dragged into the Dark if there's even the possibility that you'll be safe. So, no, it's not the realm I'm going for. It's you." 〞
! Thank you NetGalley and ONE MORE CHAPTER for the copy of the book !
⤷ I wasn't really sure what to find after the end of the first one and especially how it would be managed but I must admit that it has been written in a fairly realistic way and has not disappointed 🙂↔️
November 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, One More Chapter and HarperCollins for the ARC of The Broken - even though it broke me.
I so loved this story, and I was happy to get back to this world after The Gifted. Chiara was still grieving from the events of book 1 when this story started and had terrible coping mechanisms. Reading about her essentially destroying herself to numb her pain made me so sad, so I was immensely glad when she finally shifted her grief into vengeance against Vitus.
Jaxon and Deana were great additions to this story. I loved them both individually and together (something is definitely going on between them). Jaxon was great for comedic relief and Deana made me laugh with how often she had to keep him in line.
Callum! A King for real! He loves Chiara so much and was willing to do absolutely anything for her. I could not love this man more.
“I would ruin myself for you, Chiara. I will let my soul be dragged into the Dark if there's even the possibility that you'll be safe. So, no, it's not the realm I’m going for. It’s you.”
All in all, this was a solid story that set up the final book very well, and I can’t wait to read it. My only critique is that this book could use another good round of editing.
I so loved this story, and I was happy to get back to this world after The Gifted. Chiara was still grieving from the events of book 1 when this story started and had terrible coping mechanisms. Reading about her essentially destroying herself to numb her pain made me so sad, so I was immensely glad when she finally shifted her grief into vengeance against Vitus.
Jaxon and Deana were great additions to this story. I loved them both individually and together (something is definitely going on between them). Jaxon was great for comedic relief and Deana made me laugh with how often she had to keep him in line.
Callum! A King for real! He loves Chiara so much and was willing to do absolutely anything for her. I could not love this man more.
“I would ruin myself for you, Chiara. I will let my soul be dragged into the Dark if there's even the possibility that you'll be safe. So, no, it's not the realm I’m going for. It’s you.”
All in all, this was a solid story that set up the final book very well, and I can’t wait to read it. My only critique is that this book could use another good round of editing.
December 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC of The Broken.
I read this book a lot faster than the first, which in itself shows a clear improvement in both the storyline and the overall flow. The plot felt slightly stronger this time around, and I found myself more engaged with what was happening.
That said, it could still be extremely—and at times frustratingly—slow and repetitive. The vengeance speeches repeated one too many times, along with the constant near misses and “what if” moments, which began to drag the pacing down for me.
However, I did enjoy the core of the story. The relationship building between Callum and Chiara was a highlight, and Jaxon’s humour helped lighten the mood and break up some of the heavier, slower sections. Those moments kept me invested when the plot threatened to stall.
There is a third book, and I will continue the series in the hope that it continues to improve. Overall, this is definitely worth a read if you enjoy a slower-paced, more YA-led story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC of The Broken.
I read this book a lot faster than the first, which in itself shows a clear improvement in both the storyline and the overall flow. The plot felt slightly stronger this time around, and I found myself more engaged with what was happening.
That said, it could still be extremely—and at times frustratingly—slow and repetitive. The vengeance speeches repeated one too many times, along with the constant near misses and “what if” moments, which began to drag the pacing down for me.
However, I did enjoy the core of the story. The relationship building between Callum and Chiara was a highlight, and Jaxon’s humour helped lighten the mood and break up some of the heavier, slower sections. Those moments kept me invested when the plot threatened to stall.
There is a third book, and I will continue the series in the hope that it continues to improve. Overall, this is definitely worth a read if you enjoy a slower-paced, more YA-led story.
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January 1, 2026Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
The Broken by Katie Galvin is a first person-POV YA romantic fantasy sequel to The Gifted. After Chiara and Callum survived the last book, the two now have to deal with not only Callum taking the throne, but also the gods walking among mortals.
I don’t have much to say about this book as it follows a common problem I see in romantasy, which is that the second book largely feels unneeded in order to tell the story. There is some further worldbuilding, but the characters were not really expanded upon and the progression of Chiara and Callum’s relationship is stalled several times. The part I thought was interesting was going to the realm of the gods, but because of the lack of what felt like true momentum, it felt like padding.
I would recommend this to fans of The Gifted
The Broken by Katie Galvin is a first person-POV YA romantic fantasy sequel to The Gifted. After Chiara and Callum survived the last book, the two now have to deal with not only Callum taking the throne, but also the gods walking among mortals.
I don’t have much to say about this book as it follows a common problem I see in romantasy, which is that the second book largely feels unneeded in order to tell the story. There is some further worldbuilding, but the characters were not really expanded upon and the progression of Chiara and Callum’s relationship is stalled several times. The part I thought was interesting was going to the realm of the gods, but because of the lack of what felt like true momentum, it felt like padding.
I would recommend this to fans of The Gifted
November 4, 2025
This book broke me a little. It was such a good story, but wow, it hurt. I’m the type of reader who feels what the characters feel, and this one made me feel desperate and helpless in a way I wasn’t prepared for, which, honestly, just shows how well it was written.
The emotional weight really starts to hit around the 70% mark and just keeps building from there. By the time I reached the end, I felt wrecked and completely hollow, like I’d been through everything right alongside them.
It was emotional, unpredictable, and beautifully written. Overall, it’s a solid 4-star read that I’ll be thinking about for a while. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for allowing me to read this ARC.
The emotional weight really starts to hit around the 70% mark and just keeps building from there. By the time I reached the end, I felt wrecked and completely hollow, like I’d been through everything right alongside them.
It was emotional, unpredictable, and beautifully written. Overall, it’s a solid 4-star read that I’ll be thinking about for a while. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for allowing me to read this ARC.
December 11, 2025
The Broken is the second part in The Gifted series by Katie Galvin. I really enjoyed reading the first part in this series and couldn't wait to continue reading. After the exciting ending of The Gifted I was very excited for this sequel, but what kind of adventures await for Chaira?
Katie Galvin has a smooth writing style making this book an easy read. She managed to balance the roles of every character really well. I feel like balancing characters is one of the strongest sides of this author's writing style. In addition, there is enough tension to keep you hooked onto the story.
Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg
Katie Galvin has a smooth writing style making this book an easy read. She managed to balance the roles of every character really well. I feel like balancing characters is one of the strongest sides of this author's writing style. In addition, there is enough tension to keep you hooked onto the story.
Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg
December 30, 2025
This one starts right in adventure and continues it through the entire book. I loved the action and love between the characters. The ending had me and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
October 27, 2025
If I didn’t have this book lined up to read after book one, I probably wouldn’t have picked this book up. But I’m glad I have it a chance because I found myself enjoying it more than the first book.
We pick up directly after the events of book one, so we’re right in the story immediately. And then things get messy pretty quickly after that.
But the part that got me was our lovers-to enemies-to ??? Dynamic that we got between Chiara and a certain enemy of hers. The tension between them was enough to keep me going through the slower parts of this book, and I’m ultimately glad I stuck around.
In terms of action and pacing, we’re pretty much at the same place we were from book one. It moves at the same pace, we have a little more world building, but just like book one, this is very much a character driven story and world. If you’re uncertain whether it’ll be worth it to keep reading this series after book one, I say give it a try. I didn’t love book one, but I enjoyed this one. I liked it enough that I will be reading the third book in the series, but I’m not obsessing over it.
Thank you very much to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We pick up directly after the events of book one, so we’re right in the story immediately. And then things get messy pretty quickly after that.
But the part that got me was our lovers-to enemies-to ??? Dynamic that we got between Chiara and a certain enemy of hers. The tension between them was enough to keep me going through the slower parts of this book, and I’m ultimately glad I stuck around.
In terms of action and pacing, we’re pretty much at the same place we were from book one. It moves at the same pace, we have a little more world building, but just like book one, this is very much a character driven story and world. If you’re uncertain whether it’ll be worth it to keep reading this series after book one, I say give it a try. I didn’t love book one, but I enjoyed this one. I liked it enough that I will be reading the third book in the series, but I’m not obsessing over it.
Thank you very much to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
This debut high-fantasy novel is a great choice for getting out of a reading slump.
The story 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 main FMC is gifted by the God of Death, and she appears to be caught in the middle of a war between realms. Now, she bears responsibility more than ever. I truly enjoyed seeing her grow up (she’s 18 years old) and become more mature in her choices. I noticed a strong similarity between Chiara and Nesta from ACOTAR. It felt as though Nesta had been moved from the faerie realms and placed into this kingdom. I didn’t like Nesta at all; however, I do feel sympathy toward Chiara. Perhaps that’s because her cruelty and desire for killing stem from her divine blood rather than being a mere whim of character.
I also appreciate the fact that there is no smut. All the tension ends with kisses, leaving the reader to imagine whether something more happened or not. I prefer it this way, since I don’t need to skip pages to get past explicit scenes.
This novel gripped me from the very first pages, and some twists were genuinely unexpected. If you read a lot of fantasy and romantasy, unlike me, some of these twists may be obvious. Still, it remains an enjoyable read.
I rated this novel three stars because Chiara is only 18 years old (and while reading this trilogy, I realized I’m tired of all-powerful young adults). Additionally, the war scenes felt too “bloody” and chaotic—I couldn’t fully picture them in my head.
I’m thankful to have the last book in the trilogy as an e-ARC, because I’m curious to see how the story ends.
Thank you to One More Chapter for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story 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 main FMC is gifted by the God of Death, and she appears to be caught in the middle of a war between realms. Now, she bears responsibility more than ever. I truly enjoyed seeing her grow up (she’s 18 years old) and become more mature in her choices. I noticed a strong similarity between Chiara and Nesta from ACOTAR. It felt as though Nesta had been moved from the faerie realms and placed into this kingdom. I didn’t like Nesta at all; however, I do feel sympathy toward Chiara. Perhaps that’s because her cruelty and desire for killing stem from her divine blood rather than being a mere whim of character.
I also appreciate the fact that there is no smut. All the tension ends with kisses, leaving the reader to imagine whether something more happened or not. I prefer it this way, since I don’t need to skip pages to get past explicit scenes.
This novel gripped me from the very first pages, and some twists were genuinely unexpected. If you read a lot of fantasy and romantasy, unlike me, some of these twists may be obvious. Still, it remains an enjoyable read.
I rated this novel three stars because Chiara is only 18 years old (and while reading this trilogy, I realized I’m tired of all-powerful young adults). Additionally, the war scenes felt too “bloody” and chaotic—I couldn’t fully picture them in my head.
I’m thankful to have the last book in the trilogy as an e-ARC, because I’m curious to see how the story ends.
Thank you to One More Chapter for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 11, 2025
Damn! The Broken by Katie Galvin is definitely no second syndrome book! Following that hell of an ending to The Gifted, I was so ready and happy to dive straight in and I was not left wanting!
Chiara destroyed by the events that concluded The Gifted has gone down a very, very dark path. Rejecting Callum and everyone from The Gifted she is now alone fighting and smothering her pain with alcohol, her only acquaintance being Jaxon, a conman who arranges her fights and shares a percentage of the winnings to fund her continued drinking.
If you thought Chiara was monstrous in The Gifted, she is even darker, more violent and more brutal in The Broken! Nothing can get past her defensive walls, despite Callum’s best efforts. Meanwhile Callum is also trying to save a broken kingdom and prepare for the next stage in a war against the horrific god Vitus. The Broken builds upon the foundations of The Gifted, a war of the gods is coming and if unchallenged it will destroy the world and all that stands between life and death is Chiara who is not ready to face her past and more importantly her future.
Katie Galvin truly delivers a second chapter in The Gifted trilogy that hits with true violence, power, emotion and depth, building an epic fantasy/romantasy that had me gripped from start to end, totally ignoring my horrible flu as I turned page after page. I was entranced by the development and growth of the relationship between Chiara and Callum, I absolutely loved the hate/love elements of it and how it grew rather than exploded like insta-love. And I’m not a hater that it wasn’t all spice, it was quite nice to read a story rather than a series of spicy scenes.
There’s no question, if you loved ACOTAR, if you loved Blood and Ash, if you love epic fantasy with a romantasy element and want to be truly gripped in the midst of a war of godly proportions, this is definitely the series for you.
Thank you One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing this arc with me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!
4.5 stars!
Chiara destroyed by the events that concluded The Gifted has gone down a very, very dark path. Rejecting Callum and everyone from The Gifted she is now alone fighting and smothering her pain with alcohol, her only acquaintance being Jaxon, a conman who arranges her fights and shares a percentage of the winnings to fund her continued drinking.
If you thought Chiara was monstrous in The Gifted, she is even darker, more violent and more brutal in The Broken! Nothing can get past her defensive walls, despite Callum’s best efforts. Meanwhile Callum is also trying to save a broken kingdom and prepare for the next stage in a war against the horrific god Vitus. The Broken builds upon the foundations of The Gifted, a war of the gods is coming and if unchallenged it will destroy the world and all that stands between life and death is Chiara who is not ready to face her past and more importantly her future.
Katie Galvin truly delivers a second chapter in The Gifted trilogy that hits with true violence, power, emotion and depth, building an epic fantasy/romantasy that had me gripped from start to end, totally ignoring my horrible flu as I turned page after page. I was entranced by the development and growth of the relationship between Chiara and Callum, I absolutely loved the hate/love elements of it and how it grew rather than exploded like insta-love. And I’m not a hater that it wasn’t all spice, it was quite nice to read a story rather than a series of spicy scenes.
There’s no question, if you loved ACOTAR, if you loved Blood and Ash, if you love epic fantasy with a romantasy element and want to be truly gripped in the midst of a war of godly proportions, this is definitely the series for you.
Thank you One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing this arc with me in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!
4.5 stars!
December 3, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, OneMoreChapter and the author for an ARC. All opinions are my own :)
I really loved the beginning of this story. Katie Galvin did such a powerful job portraying Chiara’s pain, grief, and inner conflict. At times, the anguish felt almost overwhelming, but in a way that made sense for her character - raw, jagged, and believable. Chiara is a character shaped by trauma, and the author didn’t shy away from showing every fractured piece of her.
The character development throughout the book was one of my favorite aspects. After how the previous book ended, I genuinely didn’t think Chiara and Callum could ever find common ground again. But I was pleasantly surprised. Their shift from enemies to reluctant allies (and something gentler) was beautifully written.
And Callum? His patience, loyalty, and the quiet ways he cared for Chiara melted my heart. Seeing him show up for her again and again added so much emotional depth to the story, and made their dynamic feel both healing and earned.
The world-building also expands nicely in this installment, raising the stakes with divine threats and escalating tensions. While the story dealt with dark themes and heavy emotions, it still managed to weave in hope and connection in all the right places.
I really loved the beginning of this story. Katie Galvin did such a powerful job portraying Chiara’s pain, grief, and inner conflict. At times, the anguish felt almost overwhelming, but in a way that made sense for her character - raw, jagged, and believable. Chiara is a character shaped by trauma, and the author didn’t shy away from showing every fractured piece of her.
The character development throughout the book was one of my favorite aspects. After how the previous book ended, I genuinely didn’t think Chiara and Callum could ever find common ground again. But I was pleasantly surprised. Their shift from enemies to reluctant allies (and something gentler) was beautifully written.
And Callum? His patience, loyalty, and the quiet ways he cared for Chiara melted my heart. Seeing him show up for her again and again added so much emotional depth to the story, and made their dynamic feel both healing and earned.
The world-building also expands nicely in this installment, raising the stakes with divine threats and escalating tensions. While the story dealt with dark themes and heavy emotions, it still managed to weave in hope and connection in all the right places.
November 9, 2025
This second book in The Gifted series was a real banger! Like any good fantasy, I highly recommend reading the first book in the series to add depth to your experience. Honestly though, if this is where you picked up, the book does a great job of filling you in on the major points from the first book.
It's really hard to review without spoilers but after the events of the first book, our fmc Chiara is pulled from hiding/drinking away from her past and godly heritage by an emerging threat of divine proportions, and must work with the mortal she holds the most hate for - at least, that's what she tells herself.
This is truly a romantic fantasy, heavy on the plot and light on the spice. True spice is closed door/fade to black, but the yearning is real. There is plenty more action, fight scenes, and lore as well.
I've already started The Divine, and I can't wait to finish it!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for facilitating me with a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
It's really hard to review without spoilers but after the events of the first book, our fmc Chiara is pulled from hiding/drinking away from her past and godly heritage by an emerging threat of divine proportions, and must work with the mortal she holds the most hate for - at least, that's what she tells herself.
This is truly a romantic fantasy, heavy on the plot and light on the spice. True spice is closed door/fade to black, but the yearning is real. There is plenty more action, fight scenes, and lore as well.
I've already started The Divine, and I can't wait to finish it!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for facilitating me with a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
November 16, 2025
I was so excited to find the sequel to The Gifted is finally here - Chiara, gifted by the god of death, has sworn revenge for the shattering loss of her sister. But to lose the only person she ever loved, Chiara has nothing to stop her from truly becoming the monster she’s always known she was.
Ripped apart by pain, Chiara is not exactly likable in this book, and it took me a bit of time to come to terms with how destructive and monstrous she becomes— but there’s a certain kind of yin and yang to it all that I can appreciate even if it was hard to read how intent she was in destroying everything in her life. I loved the balance of good and bad and dark and light— everything has a complement, even two broken souls sworn on revenge.
Callum and Chiara are reunited to go on an epic quest to the realm of the gods to find out how to destroy one utterly. And it is a very good thing the third installment is releasing in very short order behind the third because I need to find out how it all ends!
I would like to thank HarperCollinsUK and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of *The Broken*, and wow — what a sequel. Having read *The Gifted*, I was already invested in Chiara’s story, but this book takes everything darker, deeper, and so much more intense.
Chiara’s transformation is brutal but brilliant — she’s no longer just surviving, she’s fighting back, and you can *feel* her rage and grief on every page. The tension between her and Callum is electric (angsty, dangerous, and impossible to look away from), and the stakes are so much higher this time around.
It’s a little heavier on emotion than world-building at times, but honestly, I couldn’t stop reading. Katie Galvin’s writing is sharp and addictive, and this book completely cements her place on my auto-buy list.
**4.5/5 — Dark, emotional, and absolutely unputdownable. Bring on book three!**
📚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📚
Chiara’s transformation is brutal but brilliant — she’s no longer just surviving, she’s fighting back, and you can *feel* her rage and grief on every page. The tension between her and Callum is electric (angsty, dangerous, and impossible to look away from), and the stakes are so much higher this time around.
It’s a little heavier on emotion than world-building at times, but honestly, I couldn’t stop reading. Katie Galvin’s writing is sharp and addictive, and this book completely cements her place on my auto-buy list.
**4.5/5 — Dark, emotional, and absolutely unputdownable. Bring on book three!**
📚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📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.25 stars.
The story has really progressed and I devoured it! I think Chiara is such a lone wolf in book 1 that I really enjoyed the connections that grow in book 2, we see her really open up and although it puts her in a precarious position at times I do think she really needs these emotional anchors.
The ankurans gave me chills, the scariest foot soldiers I’ve read on page I think, just so grim and twisted.
The romance steps up its game in this book, it ticked a lot of boxes for me without overshadowing the plot. I also want to shout out the friendships forged by the end of book 2, it’s a great dynamic. We also get some closure on some old wounds that crossed over into book 1 and I liked the full circleness of this.
I’m excited to get into book 3 I know it’s going to be a wild ride from where we left book 2!
The story has really progressed and I devoured it! I think Chiara is such a lone wolf in book 1 that I really enjoyed the connections that grow in book 2, we see her really open up and although it puts her in a precarious position at times I do think she really needs these emotional anchors.
The ankurans gave me chills, the scariest foot soldiers I’ve read on page I think, just so grim and twisted.
The romance steps up its game in this book, it ticked a lot of boxes for me without overshadowing the plot. I also want to shout out the friendships forged by the end of book 2, it’s a great dynamic. We also get some closure on some old wounds that crossed over into book 1 and I liked the full circleness of this.
I’m excited to get into book 3 I know it’s going to be a wild ride from where we left book 2!
March 31, 2026
The Broken, the second book in Katie Galvin's series, earns three stars from me. The book could really have benefited from another round of editing, as it felt repetitive and dragged in places.
I enjoyed where the story was going and found that, similar to the first book, the second half picked up the pace considerably.
The characters are well balanced. I loved seeing more of Deana and meeting Jaxon. They are great characters who really complement the story. There are some really great parts that I thoroughly enjoyed, though again, nothing particularly shocked me.
I will be continuing the series to see what happens next, in the hope that the third book continues to improve.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Overall, while the book still had issues with repetition and pacing, I did enjoy the core of the story. This is definitely worth a read if you enjoy a slower-paced, YA-led story.
I enjoyed where the story was going and found that, similar to the first book, the second half picked up the pace considerably.
The characters are well balanced. I loved seeing more of Deana and meeting Jaxon. They are great characters who really complement the story. There are some really great parts that I thoroughly enjoyed, though again, nothing particularly shocked me.
I will be continuing the series to see what happens next, in the hope that the third book continues to improve.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Overall, while the book still had issues with repetition and pacing, I did enjoy the core of the story. This is definitely worth a read if you enjoy a slower-paced, YA-led story.
October 29, 2025
The action picked right back up from the start in this second book of the series. I love how Katie Galvin seamlessly works world-building into the plot.
The love triangle from book one is d.o.n.e. so now we only have the enemies, but not really truly enemies, to lovers going on. This brings a whole new set of feelings and emotions to the story.
The storyline of the series is now at a point where I have more questions than answers. I will be delving into the next book immediately as I need to know where things are going. **spoilers..ish** For instance, Daddy Dearest (Dearil) has been waaaaaay too quiet (yes, yes, I know why, but still). Also, who exactly is Mommy Dearest?
I love how we got one chapter from Callum's POV. I certainly think we needed it.
The love triangle from book one is d.o.n.e. so now we only have the enemies, but not really truly enemies, to lovers going on. This brings a whole new set of feelings and emotions to the story.
The storyline of the series is now at a point where I have more questions than answers. I will be delving into the next book immediately as I need to know where things are going. **spoilers..ish** For instance, Daddy Dearest (Dearil) has been waaaaaay too quiet (yes, yes, I know why, but still). Also, who exactly is Mommy Dearest?
I love how we got one chapter from Callum's POV. I certainly think we needed it.
February 13, 2026
I enjoyed this book but I will admit to skimming parts of it, especially towards the end. The vengeance monologues were a little repetitive to me. Also, even though the romance between Chiara and Callum is a slow burn, their chemistry didn't light my fire. It was a little too antagonistic for my liking. Then the spice was nil. All fade away behind closed doors, even after Callum pouring his heart out to Chiara. I don't like explicit spice, but to have nothing at all, I felt let down somehow.
I loved Jaxon's irreverent banter. He was the highlight between all the blood and gore, and there was plenty of that. I have bought the final book but I think I will leave reading it for a while as at the moment this story hasn't captured my interest as much as I was hoping.
I loved Jaxon's irreverent banter. He was the highlight between all the blood and gore, and there was plenty of that. I have bought the final book but I think I will leave reading it for a while as at the moment this story hasn't captured my interest as much as I was hoping.
October 15, 2025
Después de los sucesos ocurridos en The Gifted, Chiara lucha con el dolor por la pérdida de su hermana, mientras intenta adormecerlo con alcohol y violencia. Pero cuando se le presenta la oportunidad de obtener lo que quiere, no duda en tomarla, incluso si eso significa volver a convivir con Callum.
La historia en general me gustó, pero me sentí engañada porque pensé que Chiara y Callum serían enemigos (al menos por parte de ella), ya que la muerte de Cassie fue, en cierta medida, culpa de él. Sin embargo, Chiara nunca lo odió realmente; solo fingía hacerlo.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
La historia en general me gustó, pero me sentí engañada porque pensé que Chiara y Callum serían enemigos (al menos por parte de ella), ya que la muerte de Cassie fue, en cierta medida, culpa de él. Sin embargo, Chiara nunca lo odió realmente; solo fingía hacerlo.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
November 18, 2025
Second book is where it’s at!
It’s such a delight to see when a series has been planned in such a stringent way. First book is all character introduction and world building (and it’s good!!), second is increased pace and deep-dive. The Broken is really so well-written.
I also really enjoy how complex, yet uncompromising, Chiara is. There’s some serious emotional development going on, and it’s handled in a good way. But also: tension, romance, death and destruction.
5 stars from me just because I can see what an effort that went into this and how well-planned it’s been.
I received this as an ARC on NetGalley, provided by One More Chapter. These opinions are my own. Thank you!
It’s such a delight to see when a series has been planned in such a stringent way. First book is all character introduction and world building (and it’s good!!), second is increased pace and deep-dive. The Broken is really so well-written.
I also really enjoy how complex, yet uncompromising, Chiara is. There’s some serious emotional development going on, and it’s handled in a good way. But also: tension, romance, death and destruction.
5 stars from me just because I can see what an effort that went into this and how well-planned it’s been.
I received this as an ARC on NetGalley, provided by One More Chapter. These opinions are my own. Thank you!
October 30, 2025
I enjoyed this second book in the series. There was a continuing good storyline and character development. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Chiara and Callum.
There is a lot of adventure and intrigue as they discover a god is meddling in mortal affairs. Will they be able to stop him? Will they be able to save the people and will they be able to save the people they care the most about? Good storyline that sucked me in . I will be reading the next book in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.
There is a lot of adventure and intrigue as they discover a god is meddling in mortal affairs. Will they be able to stop him? Will they be able to save the people and will they be able to save the people they care the most about? Good storyline that sucked me in . I will be reading the next book in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.
November 16, 2025
The Broken delivers on so many romantasy essentials. The relationship dynamic is intoxicatingly addictive. The FMC has depth and history. And the plot keeps giving. Twists, reveals, emotional stakes. It builds with the kind of momentum that should leave you breathless, especially for a second book.
There is a moment meant to devastate. It is brutal, intimate, and clearly designed to hurt. But I didn’t feel it. I wanted to. I wanted to ache, to burn, to be consumed by the love and the obsession and the pain. Instead, I admired the structure and kept waiting for the spark.
The concept is brilliant. The writing is strong. The vibes are From Blood and Ash meets ACOWAR. If you are chasing high-stakes romantasy with all the right ingredients, this might still work for you. I just needed more than ingredients. I needed to feel something.
Thank you for the e-arc.
There is a moment meant to devastate. It is brutal, intimate, and clearly designed to hurt. But I didn’t feel it. I wanted to. I wanted to ache, to burn, to be consumed by the love and the obsession and the pain. Instead, I admired the structure and kept waiting for the spark.
The concept is brilliant. The writing is strong. The vibes are From Blood and Ash meets ACOWAR. If you are chasing high-stakes romantasy with all the right ingredients, this might still work for you. I just needed more than ingredients. I needed to feel something.
Thank you for the e-arc.
December 4, 2025
The drama really heats up in the second instalment of this romantasy series.
Following Callum's "betrayal" (we shall agree to disagree) that resulted in her sister's final death, Chiara consigns herself to the fighting pits and the bottom of the bottle, building an unlikely friendship with her handler.
With every soldier Callum sends, more brutality ensues, until he can be ignored no longer. She may hate him and everything he is, but past feelings and passion cannot be ignored. They need each other to survive what is coming, Gods and all.
The passion and angst really build throughout, but the inevitable conclusion wasn't even fade-to-black...it just happened....off page. For me, a super letdown, but one I did not let diminish the overall greatness of the book.
Another shocking and horrific cliffhanger ensues at the end of a well-written story.
Following Callum's "betrayal" (we shall agree to disagree) that resulted in her sister's final death, Chiara consigns herself to the fighting pits and the bottom of the bottle, building an unlikely friendship with her handler.
With every soldier Callum sends, more brutality ensues, until he can be ignored no longer. She may hate him and everything he is, but past feelings and passion cannot be ignored. They need each other to survive what is coming, Gods and all.
The passion and angst really build throughout, but the inevitable conclusion wasn't even fade-to-black...it just happened....off page. For me, a super letdown, but one I did not let diminish the overall greatness of the book.
Another shocking and horrific cliffhanger ensues at the end of a well-written story.
December 1, 2025
Chiara and Callum are great together ❤️
We get more world building and it was fleshed out more than in book one: the Gods and the Gifted. Also seeing more of what Chiara is capable of.
Callum was my favourite character again 😍 I think he deserves everything he wants.
Overall I liked it and looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
We get more world building and it was fleshed out more than in book one: the Gods and the Gifted. Also seeing more of what Chiara is capable of.
Callum was my favourite character again 😍 I think he deserves everything he wants.
Overall I liked it and looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 27, 2025
I loved this book so much. The plot, characters literally everything was perfect. If you love romantasy you need to read this book. Without giving any spoilers, you will not be disappointed. It is definitely in my top 10 books.
Thank you to net galley, Katie Galvin and Harper Collins One More Chapter for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to net galley, Katie Galvin and Harper Collins One More Chapter for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review
February 25, 2026
This is a follow on from The Gifted, with especially the first half being great plot and speed. Love the character development of the FMC who struggles to let people in.
If you love a will they, won’t they?
This series is for you. I can’t wait to read the next one and see what is in store and how everything unfolds.
If you love a will they, won’t they?
This series is for you. I can’t wait to read the next one and see what is in store and how everything unfolds.
February 5, 2026
what a thrilling continuation of the series. i definitely am getting more invested as we further the series. i really enjoy the reveal between these characters, and i really hope they find a way to get out of all of this mess together.
thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review
thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review
netgalley
December 3, 2025DNF’d at 54%. Just not my kind of book.
February 25, 2026
Long book and again not my favourite genre but very well written. Def want to see how the third one ends
November 30, 2025
The Broken is a brutal, atmospheric, and emotionally charged dark fantasy that grabbed me from the very first page. Chiara is the kind of heroine I love: sharp-edged, wounded, angry, and impossible to look away from. Her curse from the God of Death gives the entire story a haunting tone, and her inner conflict is written with real bite.
The chemistry between Chiara and Callum is intense and beautifully messy. Their dynamic is built on hurt, resentment, and unresolved desire — the perfect enemies-to-lovers tension. Every scene between them crackles with emotion, and I loved how their past fuels the high stakes of their present mission.
The plot blends divine lore, blood-soaked battles, and a desperate journey that tests both characters to their limit. The pacing is strong, and the worldbuilding feels rich without overwhelming the story.
A gripping, darkly romantic tale about vengeance, destiny, and the thin line between love and destruction. I devoured it.
The chemistry between Chiara and Callum is intense and beautifully messy. Their dynamic is built on hurt, resentment, and unresolved desire — the perfect enemies-to-lovers tension. Every scene between them crackles with emotion, and I loved how their past fuels the high stakes of their present mission.
The plot blends divine lore, blood-soaked battles, and a desperate journey that tests both characters to their limit. The pacing is strong, and the worldbuilding feels rich without overwhelming the story.
A gripping, darkly romantic tale about vengeance, destiny, and the thin line between love and destruction. I devoured it.
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