Gyfted

by D.W. Lewis, Alec Hutson (Editor), Daniel Schmelling (Illustrator)

With their colossal chains that spear the land, the Daevan Empire rules Eudos from the center of the world, Sanctum Spire.

When Kal’s childhood friend, Ovet, is taken by the Daevans, he’ll have to use all his street smarts to get her back. But how will he navigate a society based around the gyft, when he, a hollowborn, is unable to wield it? Will he stay true to the tales of heroes told to him as a child? Or will he cast aside his morality for the greater good?

Backed by outcasts and thieves, Kal will soon come to learn that there are no heroes in a rebellion. And the cost of vengeance might be more than he’s willing to bear.

475 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2025

About the author

D. W. Lewis is a Welsh author, daydreamer, and lover of all things fantasy and sci-fi. When he’s not crafting worlds to immerse your-self in or characters to fall in love with, you can find him trying his best to get through his ever-increasing backlog of books and video games. He currently lives in Shanghai with his wife, Rui, lazy dog, Leia, and mean cat, Boyo.

Reviews

[Scott Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so imagine a world literally chained by an empire, yeah, that’s Eudos. The Daevan Empire rules everything, and if you don’t have a “gyft,” you’re basically background noise. Enter Kal, a hollowborn kid with zero magic but a ton of heart, and a very bad habit of running straight into danger.

When his bestie Ovet gets snatched by the Daevans, Kal decides to do the impossible: bring her back. Armed with street smarts, sarcasm, and a crew of thieves, he dives headfirst into a world where power rules and kindness gets you killed. And honestly? Watching him outsmart everyone without a drop of magic? So satisfying.

The worldbuilding in Gyfted is wild, massive empires, chained lands, and a system that’s totally messed up (but fascinating to read about). It’s got that perfect blend of grit, emotion, and "oh no, he didn’t just do that" moments.

Kal’s story hits because it’s not about being the chosen one, it’s about surviving when the world’s stacked against you. He’s messy, brave, and just the right amount of reckless. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a rebel with a cause?

If you’re into dark fantasy with big emotions, bigger stakes, and a hero who fights dirty when he has to, Gyfted is your next obsession. Get ready for some jaw-drop moments and moral chaos.

[Eric Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite having enough criticisms to normally keep me from giving out five stars, the fact is, I enjoyed it a lot. This is due entirely to the quality of the characters. Lewis's prose is good, and he writes characters that truly struggle and feel pain. This is a fairly stark narrative with straightforward, literally black and white motives—although the characters don't feel that way.
So, the rest will sound like either praise or criticism, depending on what sort of writing the reader prefers. The worldbuilding progresses in a steady drip without revealing any history of the realm. We only know the Daevan oppressors came from elsewhere. The setting is a sort of city-bound sword and sorcery with a light dusting of Arcanepunk. This increases as the dystopian aspect comes to the forefront and the characters escape to other cities by way of gyftengine-powered boat or airship. The narrative itself is an entirely ground-level struggle from the viewpoint of just a handful of rebels facing a steady supply of largely faceless magic-nazis. Beyond the immediate heroes and villains, few other characters appeared for long enough to need names or stories, especially after the first quarter. What carries this book is its action-oriented plot and the protagonist's headlong rush into certain doom. We're given just enough enticement to carry us to the next in the series. Editing is fine with minimal typos.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 stars

A Story of Struggle, Loyalty, and Hidden

Gyfted by D.W. Lewis pulled me in with its emotional depth and vivid storytelling. The world is dystopian, harsh, and full of tension, yet it’s brought to life with a striking mix of danger and wonder. The characters carry a beautiful mix of strength and vulnerability, and the bonds between them give the story heart amidst the bleakness and uncertainty of their environment.

By the end, I was completely invested. The final chapters and epilogue deliver tension, heartbreak, and a powerful sense that this world still has secrets to uncover. It’s a story about resilience, family, and finding light in the darkest places

[Thomas Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful debut that features such well-rounded, finely-crafted characters that make each plot twist feel both surprising and inevitable. Lewis has constructed an incredible fantasy world in which he spins an epic underdog story. While the story builds to a more than satisfying conclusion, it also perfectly sets up teh next book in the series. Can't wait for The Gyft Book 2!

[Fiamma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just started reading Gyfted, and I am already captivated! The world-building is immersive, rich and layered, and I can't get enough of it.

Can't wait to see how Kal's journey unfolds. I highly recommend diving into this intriguing grimdark fantasy novel and can't wait to read more!