Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Graphic violence, Death, Death of loved one, Grief, War, Trauma, Violence, Blood, Torture, Murder
The Broken
by Katie Galvin
Book 2 in The Gifted
A sequel that actually earns its hate-to-love arc. The yearning is feral, the gods are mean, and Galvin keeps the romance simmering while the worldbuilding goes nuclear.
goodreads 3.79/5 34 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length432 pages
Series statusCompleted series · 3 books
Spice1/5 · Tension / anticipation focus
PacingFast
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Slow burn
- Low
- Tension / anticipation focus
- The angst delivered
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- King / ruling monarch
- Love/hate tension
- Slow burn with late spice
- Tension finally satisfied
- Morally gray
- Morally gray x morally gray
- Longing glances
- Cathartic release
- Dark/tortured soul
- Power imbalance
- Tension / anticipation
- Book hangover incoming
- War general / commander
- Push and pull
- Tension
- Addictive read
- Anticipation
- Eye contact intensity
- Possessive/protective
Fantasy promise
- Romantasy
- Royal court / palace
- High fantasy
- Gods/deities
- Forbidden love
- Underground / underworld
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- Mythological
- Rivals to lovers
- War front / rebellion
- Grimdark / dark fantasy
- Second chance
- Captive romance
- Blood feud romance
Reading experience
- First person
- Fast
- Dark
- Heavy
- High
- MC 20-30
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- Intense
- Atmospheric
- Warrior/fighter
- Suspenseful
- Vengeful / revenge-driven
- Brooding
- Fast-paced
- Damaged survivor
- Angsty
- Emotional
- Necromancer / death magic user
- Epic
- Immersive
- Dramatic
- Forbidden desire
- Revenge arc
- Battle of wills
- War of succession
- Page turner
- Morally complex
- Cliffhanger warning
- No one is safe
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Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
446 pages Completed
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Similar because
Power imbalance · War of succession · Blood feud romance
Different because
Spice is higher (3/5 vs 1/5). Slow pacing rather than Fast.
800 pages Completed
Echo Fort
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Similar because
Power imbalance · Blood feud romance · Captive romance
Different because
Spice is higher (4/5 vs 1/5). A longer read (800 vs 432 pages).
623 pages Completed
Ruins of Chaos
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Similar because
King / ruling monarch · War of succession · Blood feud romance
Different because
Spice is higher (5/5 vs 1/5). Medium pacing rather than Fast.
Book details
- Length
- 432 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book