This was PHENOMENAL. It’s hard to believe it’s a debut novel, simply because not only is the idea interesting, but because its executed extraordinarily well. There’s a lot of angst, but it’s not all valley of doom and despair; there are enough upswings and highs to carry you through. Elaine is a deeply flawed character, but I quickly came to admire her, even when she was off impulsively doing A Stupid Thing. The setting, character arcs, and plot are all well done, and at no point did the story drag despite how long this book is. I absolutely adored it and cannot wait to read more!

An addictive reading experience!

Hard to believe that this is the author's debut work. I liked the army life, training, descriptions of different weapons and politics. I loved the slow-burning romance, friendship, and the found family.

The description of being a woman in the army and facing trauma was impressive. I felt that the world was more historical than a fantasy world, but it didn't hinder my reading experience and I believe that the fantasy elements will increase as soon as the gods get to really roar to earth.

Thanks to author Mavi Parolin and NetGalley for the early review copy!

Wow. Just... WOW. I almost have no words to express how much i loved and devoured this book. This and the raven scholar have to be my favourite reads so far this year. It has everything, fantastic world building, outstanding character development, found friends and family, the most resilient FMC i have come across, hope, loss, adventure, magic, heartbreak, and romance.
Also, the best banter ever, it had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout!

This story follows Elaine, an orphan forced into the army in order to survive since she was 12 years old, until she is gifted by the Emperor to the Commander of Barrymore, after she is hailed a hero for fighting off 4 other combatants for saving a girls life. There she will hone her skills alongside the other 29 legionnaires. They are faced with rebel attacks and plots to replace the Commander of Barrymore and face endless uncertainty when the Emperor sends some of his own legionnaires to 'guard' the Barrymore estate. All the while, Elaine is experiencing things she and her peers can't even begin to explain, why she heals so fast, why she always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and why her strength suddenly Blooms in times of dire need.

This book will have me caught up in it for a while, I just know it. Damn, wow. I look forward to the rest of this series and any other work this author does in the future.

*** Thank you to netgalley and to the author for approving the ARC for me to read. Mavi Parolin It was such an amazing story. Congratulations on your debut release, I wish you the absolute best.
The above review was my own opinion and has not been influenced in any way... Damn, Just freakin wow!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and author Mavi Parolin for the opportunity to read Gifted.
This is my honest review of the ARC I received and I truly appreciate it!

⚔️ Tropes & Themes:
- Enemies to lovers (kind of?)
- Slow burn romance
- Found family
- Military fantasy with detailed combat and political intrigue
- Closed-door romance (no explicit scenes)
- Fantasy with minimal magic (until the final 5% of the book)
- Unexpected betrayals and surprising friendships

✅ Reader Checklist:
Hate Boris and the other vile men? ✔️
Hate Hu for being a terrible general and his treatment of the FMC? ✔️
Cheer for the FMC in her battles? ✔️
Admire her strength and resilience? ✔️
FMC as a god’s chosen (sort of)? ✔️
Detailed weaponry and combat scenes? ✔️
Saving innocent women from cruel men? ✔️
Loathing Governor Courtenay? ✔️ (Why are the men in this book so awful? Sad. But hey, it’s military fantasy — maybe I shouldn’t have expected gentlemen... but still, one or two wouldn’t hurt, right?)

📚 Overall Impressions:
This book gave me Poppy War vibes but not in plot, in its tone. The military setting, the brutality, the emotional weight... it’s a mentally tough read. I’m not usually drawn to military fantasy, but Gifted pulled me in with its raw emotion and moments of lightness especially the FMC’s interactions with her friends. There’s a soul in this story, a passion from the author that’s felt on every page.

💭 My Live Reactions SPOILERS AHEAD!!!:
When the FMC was transferred to a new legion, I immediately thought: “Oh no, it’s going to get worse.” And that cold welcome from the Emperor? Brutal.

Samwell seemed sweet at first — the horse-naming scene was unexpectedly heartwarming.

Muller... girl, why are you like this? You could’ve been friends with the FMC instead of being so nasty.

Sam giving her his jacket? Aww.

Michael being jealous of Sam? Unexpected. I haven’t seen a jealous gay character in a while — usually they’re allies, not rivals. But I get it. He loves Sam, and Sam doesn’t love him back.

If the FMC ends up with Courtenay... I’ll scream. That’s not the kind of enemies-to-lovers I signed up for.

Lizzy’s storyline? Heartbreaking. I cried for that little fighter.

Muller again... ugh. Is she jealous of FMC’s closeness to Courtenay because of Lizzy?

The FMC’s resilience is impressive. She’s gifted — literally and figuratively.

Kimathi’s son reveal? WHAT?! But that bonding moment was sweet.

I didn’t expect the legionnaires to be kind to the FMC, but they surprised me. Better than the army brutes, for sure.

Drinking scenes with Alexander? Hmm. Not sold on their chemistry yet. I was rooting for Sam, but that ship seems to be sinking.

The repeated line “You wouldn’t ask me that if I were a man” started to feel a bit overused.

Okay, so there is a light enemies-to-lovers vibe mid-book.

Hot-cold relationships? Meh. Not my thing.

Why is Lizzy’s illness such a central theme? Just wondering.

Sam’s image deteriorated fast. He couldn’t face his feelings and got jealous. Dude, speak up or lose her.

Respect for Sam: gone. Respect for Alexander: rising.

The scenes of SA against women? Devastating. I hated the men for that.

The FMC winning that challenge? YES. What a fight. Though I suspect Conwell went easy on her...

Michael’s relationship with his father? Gut-wrenching.

That spicy scene at 73%? Weird and cute at the same time.

I’m impressed by how the FMC earned the generals’ trust. She’s clearly special.

But the final 150 pages dragged. Too many quarrels, not enough fantasy. I got bored.

Where’s the lore? The gods are mentioned, but never explored. She’s “Gifted” — but gifted with what? There’s barely any magic until the end.

The book felt overly drawn out. Some scenes could’ve been trimmed. I know some readers love detail, but for me, it was too much.

The Emperor obsessing over who’s sleeping with whom? Why? Shouldn’t he care more about politics?

The FMC’s sudden shift into a brute? Didn’t sit well with me. Her treatment of Alexander was awful.

“You’re not strong, you’re deranged.” — Agatha was right.

Lizzy’s death? I’m crying again.

So now the FMC becomes Myla sort of a fire queen? But also has healing magic, destructive magic, mind manipulation, light magic... it’s a lot. Too much. Confusing. Chapter 41 lost me completely....

Possession? What? I’m so confused...

📝 My final thoughts:
As a debut, Gifted is a solid start. It could’ve been a 4-star read, but the ending lost me with its confusing magic system and relationship drama. I hope future books dive deeper into the fantasy elements and give us more adventure, less interpersonal squabbling.

If you’re into military fantasy with a strong female lead, emotional depth, and a slow burn romance , I think this one’s worth checking out.
Just don’t expect a lot of magic until the very end, and be ready for some heavy themes! <3

But I can see myself recommending that book for sure!
Waiting for sequels to come, since well, it's not the end and I need to know the fates of the characters!

Gifted has all the things I love in fantasy novels and more !! Unique world building and hierarchy systems, very compelling characters and side characters, a slow burn that’s 🔥 but also didn’t overshadow the plot that was written so beautifully you can tell the author did a lot of research ! The dynamic in the soldiers camp had me feeling like I was there at some times and was one of my favorite parts ….

Elaine is a flawed yet tenacious FMC so her growth arc was very believable and kept me rooting for her because she was very compelling to me (as an avid fantasy reader). Especially as a woman I found myself resonating with her thoughts a lot
The MMC 🥵… that’s all I’ll say. My heart hurt for them so much, they both had it so hard

I don’t think I’ll be able to get over the last 20% !! So many emotions!!!! I can’t say more without giving any spoilers but I need book 2 immediately!!!

Thank you Netgally and the author for the arc.

4.5⭐️ I’m left devastated, and I know Gifted is going to be one of those books I think about for a long time. It follows Elaine Lyanthian, a hardened legionnaire shaped by a brutal army upbringing, who suddenly finds herself pulled into the elite Legion of Barrymore by an impossible twist of fate. There, she starts to find the family she never thought she deserved, along with a fierce, forbidden love and something even more powerful within herself.

This book had so much emotional depth, and it completely hooked me. It explores darker, deeper topics that many women face, and Elaine’s resilience in navigating them is truly inspiring. She carries her past and struggles with strength and vulnerability, making her journey feel real and emotionally charged. The found family felt authentic and genuine (I loved the side characters), and the slow-burn romance simmered perfectly without overtaking the story. And the MMC… let’s just say I am fully invested, he 100% grew on me and I need this slow burn not to fizzle out.

My only wish was for a little more clarity around the god lore. It would’ve made the ending land stronger, since the final moments wrapped up so suddenly they left me both confused and absolutely wrecked as everything was torn apart (IYKYK). You can feel the passion the author poured into this story, and even though the book doesn’t release until next week, I’m already counting down the days for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Fair warning: This book will break your heart and stitch it back together a thousand times, so be prepared. I'm still gutted and in tears, and I'm not even mad about it. (Okay, maybe a little)

This book was astounding. Phenomenal. BREATHTAKING. I need to go recommend this to every single person I know.

When I started this book, I expected a light-hearted romantic fantasy that would be rough around the edges as it was a debut novel (and I think self-published, too). That is not what I got with this book, and I am so happy about it. In fact, this book is everything I would never pick up had I known going into it. And even when it broke my heart and I just wanted to throw my tablet across the room in ANGUISH, I could not stop reading. I vehemently avoid books that make me this emotionally invested, but I will put myself through the pain again for book two.

I mean, wow, for a debut novel, I have never seen such intriguing writing or deep world building before. This book was written like someone who has been writing for years and has put a ton of time and effort into mastering their craft. It had me hooked from page one, and I didn't want to put it down until the end (outside of a very specific scene that still has me crying). While the plot is slow paced, there is always something happening that has stakes to keep you engaged. It was so smooth and elegant, and the climax of the book was absolutely worth the wait. I would say that you can kind of get a feel for the way things are going to go without the plot being predictable, which is just the perfect sweet spot for such a long book.

The characters are so well fleshed out, and they make you absolutely fall in love with them. Each character has their own unique personality, and nothing feels one toned or similar between them. Not a single character in this book will leave you feeling like you don't care about them (in one way or another). They go through so much growth and change, and you feel it alongside them. There are quite a few characters, but there was so much balance between them. It never felt like one was forgotten or we didn't get enough of one.

The fantastical element is very minimal up until the end of the book, but that doesn't mean that there is no action. If you're looking for a very high fantasy, magic heavy, fantastical feel, don't expect it with this book. That being said, it seems like the second book will be getting more into that, so if you have the patience to hold on, please do.

The romance was full of angst and drama, so this is not a light-hearted romantic if you are looking for that. I was completely unprepared for this book to utterly ruin me in the way that it did. Personally, I am shocked that while the romance was great, I cared a bit more about everything else in this book, which is not normal for me. Generally, I find the plots to romance-centric fantasy books to be a bit dull compared to the actual romance, but this book was so well balanced.

This book is heavy on themes that are likely to be more relatable to women, as well as topics of sexual assault in general. It makes up a good portion of the main character struggles so if that is not something that you are okay reading in graphic detail or you prefer not to read about women's struggles, this book is not for you. Not every book is for every person, but this book was definitely for me. I felt heard and understood by everything that the main character went through from the little incidences to the larger ones.

I will close this utterly long review by saying that this book has earned its way onto my favorites list. So far, I have only seen the release date for Kindle unlimited, but I am begging the author to print it. I want a special edition of this book. I don't care if you give me a paperback print copy, and I have to rebind and decorate a special edition myself. It needs to be a shelf trophy!

Also, to the author Mavi, congratulations on your debut, and please keep writing. I will be looking for more of your books in the future!

Thank you so much to Mavi and NetGalley for giving me an advanced readers copy and exchange for an honest review!

5/5 stars. World building, plot, slow burn. Let me just say I cried like real tears. I was so wrapped up and emotionally attached to the characters. Also let me say I was SHOCKED! The characters were expertly written. You literally felt like you were battling and fighting along with them. The explanations of weapons and everything they do was so well done. It wasn’t over done but gave you just enough where you could emotionally attach yourself through it like you were going through training right along side them. There is trauma in spades on all sides. Please check the trigger warnings. Very low spice but mentions. This book was like nothing I have ever read before. Gods but not the focus. Magic also not the focus but tastes of it. I cannot wait for the next book to see where our FMC journey takes her. -Kerin Ray

Gifted has such an intriguing premise! Elaine, a former soldier scarred by years in the Imperial Army, finds herself pulled into the world of the Legion, where magic, loyalty, and rebellion collide. I really enjoyed following her journey—she’s a tough, resilient heroine but also carries the weight of her past, which made her easy to root for.

The worldbuilding has some really cool ideas, especially around the Legion and the forbidden magic. While the writing style wasn’t totally my cup of tea, the story itself kept me interested, and I liked the emotional beats of Elaine’s path toward healing and finding her place.

Overall, this was an imaginative fantasy that fans of military settings, found family, and survival stories might really enjoy.

⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars – Complex, addictive, slow-burn, found family, he falls first, and one very pine and rain-scented MMC. Elaine’s journey is absolutely impossible to put down.

Elaine has survived the army as one of the very few women, a toxic affair with her general and the bottom of more than one bottle. When she’s “gifted” by the Emperor to the thirty-strong legion of Governor Alexander Courtenay—a post that looks like a death sentence—her life takes a turn she didn’t ask for.

What follows is over 800 pages of slow-burn world-building: fights, military life, new comrades who (shockingly) aren’t vile, hours of grueling training, and a fragile but indomitable governor’s sister who teaches Elaine what unconditional love feels like. Add in an MMC who smells of pines and rain (yes, here we go again) and you have the beginnings of a found-family dynamic laced with rising tension.

But Elaine’s story is also about emotional damage. An assault triggers memories of old trauma, struggles with guilt and self-blame, and she experiences mysterious abilities—unnatural fast healing, night vision, battle-mode instincts—that hint at a prophecy of the old gods. Courtenay doesn’t help by keeping secrets, and when tragedy strikes, Elaine spirals into grief, distancing herself from everyone who cares for her.

By the end, I was left with far too many unanswered questions:
• Who are the entities warring in her mind and who is she exactly?
• What’s really going on with her magic?
• What game is the emperor playing, and why target Courtenay?
• Most important: will Elaine and Alexander reunite or will I suffer more emotional damage?

The verdict: Yes, it’s long. Yes, it’s slow. But it kept me up way into the early morning hours, which in my book is the ultimate badge of honor. Immersive, detailed, painful, romantic —I need the sequel, now.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was such a fun one about survival and making your own family. Choosing your destiny and fighting for what you want is an important theme in fantasy and it was done so well here.

⚔️✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨⚔️

Gifted by Mavi Parolin
📅 Pub Date: Aug 29, 2025

“Because… you’ll become a legend, Legionnaire. You just don’t see it yet. But I do. And the gods do too.”

Y’all. This book wrecked me in the best way. Gifted is the kind of fantasy romance that makes you laugh, cry, scream into your pillow, and then immediately start begging for book two.

Elaine’s journey from a twelve-year-old orphan forced into the Imperial Army, to one of the elite Barrymore Legionnaires was everything I crave in a fantasy heroine arc. She’s flawed, fierce, and resilient. Watching her forge bonds, uncover strange powers, and find a family among soldiers was gut-wrenching and empowering all at once.

And let’s talk about the romance. 🫠 It’s forbidden, slow-burn, and achingly intense. The angst nearly killed me, but in the best way. The banter? Perfect. The heartbreak? Brutal. The payoff? Absolutely worth every tear.

Mavi Parolin’s writing is sharp, immersive, and feels way too seasoned for a debut. The worldbuilding is rich, the Legion dynamics are addictive, and the emotional stakes are sky high. This book had me highlighting quotes nonstop.

Fair warning: this story doesn’t shy away from trauma, sacrifice, and the darker realities of survival. But it balances the heavy with moments of found family, loyalty, and hope. By the end, I was gutted and stitched back together at least a dozen times.

📖 What to expect:
⚔️ Legionnaire life + military fantasy vibes
⚔️ Strong, tenacious FMC
⚔️ Found family & soldier camaraderie
⚔️ Forbidden, all-consuming romance
⚔️ Banter + heartbreak + resilience
⚔️ Themes of loyalty, sacrifice & survival

🔥 Final thoughts: Gifted is epic fantasy romance done right: raw, heartbreaking, empowering, and impossible to put down. This debut just vaulted onto my favorites shelf, and I need the sequel yesterday.

#GiftedBook #MaviParolin #FantasyRomance #Romantasy #WhyWeRead #DebutNovel #FoundFamily #ForbiddenRomance #SlowBurn #BookTokMadeMeDoIt #ReverseHarryPotterVibes #LegionnaireLove #Bookstagram

I really enjoyed this debut romantasy book! Gifted tells the story of the FMC, Elaine, an orphan forced into the army. She begins to find that she's a bit different than the others - able to heal quickly and able to increase her strength when she needs it to survive.

The world building and unique magic system was spellbinding, and I loved the slow-burn romance laden with trauma and struggles.

I can't wait to see what book 2 has to offer!

Oh my stars I DEVOURED this book!!
There was so much packed into it and yet the pacing and layout of the story was so on point. it didn't skip over important details creating plot holes, nor did it seem to drag on.
The character development is a lot stronger than the world building (so far anyways) and the author has managed to walk the line of "predictability" and "Believability" perfectly. I couldn't peg the outcomes as I normally can. even as I hit the 80% mark in the book I still hadn't deciphered how it would all play out. I love that. I also love how much I cared for the characters, and how much Elaine, our super complex FMC felt about each of them as well.
The voice in this story is a strong warrior FMC who is finding her place and her people, with undertones of surviving sexism and assault. It's written in beautifully and respectfully. and I have to give a nod in this review for it.
There is a lot of slow burn, yearning, and tension in the second half but as far as spice goes it's very tame. There's also a bit of a cauldron going on with other tropes. we have enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, friends to enemies, enemies to friends. Then we have magic. Sort of? we have wars, duty, sacrifice, tested loyalties, etc.
This is probably my top pick of the year so far to read. I will 1000/10 recommend and will be yearning worse than Sam was, to read the next one.

I absolutely LOVED this book!
The main character Elaine was everything. She was incredibly likeable and I was so proud of the growth she made throughout the story.
The found family is in book was one of my favourites I’ve read so far! They had me crying, laughing, cheering, the filled me with hope & broke my heart. I felt all the feelings.
I loved the romance and how it developed slowly. I couldn’t put it down! Would highly recommend this.
Cannot wait for book 2! Thank you for letting me tear this early!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mavi Parolin for providing me with this ARC!

Pros:
- strong FMC
- good world building
- character growth
- found family
- the ending sets up for more magic in the future


Cons:
- somewhat slow paced, especially in the beginning
- the dialogue fell short at times, it read like NPC’s in a video game


I had high hopes for this one based on the blurb, it sounded really promising! I found Gifted to be pretty good for a debut, but I just think it wasn’t for me. I can see how the next book may be better, with the way this one left off!

2.5 ⭐️

How is this book not blowing up the internet right now?!

I was blown away by this book. It's so goood.

Elaine, an orphan from Lyanthian and was raised as a soldier was gifted by the emperor to Governor Alexander Courtenay, where she will become one of his legionnaires. Life has never been good to her. She is convinced that this thing - being a legionnaire by one of the most cruel leaders would push her to her death bed. But what she least expects, is that being Gifted would be the very thing that will breathe purpose, meaning, love and family into her - all the things she's never had in her entire life. When everything had almost felt right, it seems that the world has been keeping a big secret from her - one that she is now discovering to fill a big piece of her identity.

I can't thank Netgalley and author Mavi Parolin for the opportunity to be one of the first ones to have read this amazing novel. This book wrecked me in the best way and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that this is a debut novel. The story and the world-building is unique in its own way. The characters are phenomenal and I think it's the highlight of the novel. Each one of them were so well thought of, and I liked how each one of them portray different kinds of people and how they represent our society in the present time. They complement each other so well and feel so relatable, it's hard not. to love the kind of friendships, loyalty and love that blossoms throughout the story.

Overall, I think this is one of the best debut novels I have read this year. It deserves so much hype and I truly believe one day this novel will get all the recognition it deserves once the whole world discovers it. I can't wait for the next book!

I must admit, this was a long read, so this review may be half-baked because I'm half done. Anyway, I've never read anything coming from a Brazilian author before, so I was curious to see which elements of world-building were reflective of her culture and this did not disappoint. Make the time to read this, you'll thank yourself later.

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 Seven Deadly Thorns
✒️Amber Hamilton
💫💫💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ummm, why aren't more people talking about this book?

This was so so good! I was hooked and I felt all the feels of our FMC Elaine felt! If you love The Poppy War because of the political intrigue and emotional destructiveness, then you should read this book.

The world building is exquisite and draws you in. The characters are so well written and fleshed out. The fantasy elements was not too overpowering. There is romance, but closed door and that is okay! This book does explore a few themes that I would suggest you check the trigger warning for.

Otherwise, an amazing debut book!

Wow, I just devoured Gifted and I'm absolutely blown away! This book is seriously incredible. Elaine's journey from surviving poverty to becoming an elite Legionnaire, finding her strength, and forging a new family? So, so good. And the forbidden, all-consuming love with Alexander? 🔥 Their slow burn was pure perfection, giving me all the feels. The world-building is rich and unique, the plot is gripping, and the characters are just so easy to root for. It truly felt like everything I look for in a fantasy romance. While it didn't quite hit that elusive 5-star for me (maybe just a tiny personal preference thing), it came incredibly close and I'm already desperate for book two. You HAVE to read this! ❤️

Where to even begin. This was absolutely fantastic like not even for a debut novel just in general it was fantastic. I loved Elaine so much and her growth as a character was incredible. Elaine is an extremely flawed character but that's one of the reasons I liked her so much, she was so relatable to me even though I haven't gone through nearly the same kinds of things she has she's just so human. Even though this is def a romantasy, there weren't a ton of fantasy elements in this book but I can tell book 2 will be chock full of them and I cannot wait. I loved Elaine's relationship with Lizzie, it was so fun and real and raw and just everything you want in female friendship found family. This book was 849 pages long but I would have gladly read another 500 pages of it to have more of the story now. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.

Elaine is such a powerful character. I really enjoyed this one. Would love to read more about this entire world in all honesty, it had all the elements that I love to read! Will recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy of Gifted in exchange for my honest review.
This one wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style, and at over 600 pages, I expected a lot more to happen. The pacing felt slow, and despite the length, the story didn’t feel like it moved forward as much as I’d hoped.
That said, I can see how readers who enjoy a more atmospheric, drawn-out style may connect with it more than I did. Unfortunately, it just didn’t hold my attention the way I wanted it to.

This book totally blew me away, even better than I expected! I was really impressed by how the characters developed, especially the main female character she was amazing and super captivating. can I just say the yearning in this was top tier. This book is layered with secrets, rich with emotion, and full of hope Even though the story takes its time, it's totally worth reading and satisfying.

Nowadays, there are plenty of fantasy books by debut authors, and they mostly follow the same formula and become very predictive, so while the synopsis pulled me in I confess I didn't have a lot of expectations - but I was glad to be proved wrong! I really liked the world building and the FMC, as well as the secondary characters, and the writing pulls you in right from the start. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with the MMC and I felt like he was underdeveloped, and the book was extremely long - not that that's usually a problem, but it felt unnecessarily so, and by the end it dragged on. Overall, a really good debut book.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut. I really enjoyed this. There was a lot of depth and thought behind all of it. This book will break your heart and then put you back together again and again. This book does not shy away from any heavy topics. Their trauma, pain, healing, and growth are portrayed with raw honesty and courage. I would definitely recommend this and I think anyone who reads it will love it.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARc

4.75 ⭐

This book is a chonker, but oh so worth it. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year — and it’s a debut?! I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.

I was completely hooked on the story and characters. Not gonna lie, I shed a few tears. It’s a tale of resilience, grief, family, and finding your inner strength. Normally with romantasy, I lean hard into the romance, but here I was equally invested in the world-building, the relationships, and the mystery: why the gods’ history was erased, the shady Empire, and how it all ties back to Elaine.

Lizzy:
She's such a firecracker and a known meddler. She drives Elaine crazy in that annoying-but-sisterly way, but their bond is so pure. She just wants Elaine and her brother to see what they are too blind to notice. Both have known loneliness, and watching them find family in each other was beautiful.

"War Band":
A group of characters Elaine befriends when she joins the Legion. I loved seeing how different they were from each other and how Elaine was able to navigate their distinct personalities. I especially loved her friendship with Michael — their banter and sibling dynamic had me smiling every time.

Elaine:
Initially, Elaine is living a stagnant routine. After everything she's been through, she wants to be in the background while still trying to learn to fight and get stronger. She slowly transforms into this badass, resilient FMC. She’s always relied on herself, but once she finds people worth fighting for, she finally opens up and learns to trust. I adored her growth.

Alexander:
He's not your typical alphahole leader. He has the respect and loyalty of his soldiers and runs one of the most successful Legions in the Empire. He has a grouchy exterior, but is a softie for his sister and Elaine.

And Elaine + Alexander? Perfection. The yearning, the slow burn — chef’s kiss. Their love isn't just superficial. They love and respect who they are as a person. Although they both have their flaws, they see it more as a strength. Also, watching Alex wanting to take things slow and Elaine reluctantly respecting his wishes was funny to see since it's usually the reverse. That said, with a book this long, I kind of wished they’d gotten together a little sooner, just so we could see them happy for longer before the storm hit.

The ending left me desperate for book two. Elaine and Alex have been through so much, and I need to see them get their HEA. Also, who is Elaine really, and what do the gods want with her? I need answers ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley and Mavi Parolin for the ARC.

this book was a Rollercoaster. I have praises and critiques, so I'll start with the praises. thank you netgalley and the author for the arc

this book was a good pace not just in terms of story but also love. the growth of the main character developing right in front of your eyes. I loved the different characters and the parts they play in her development, especially Alex and lizzie. ugh I felt like I was in a tug of war between Alex and Elaine with their back and forth I hate you I love you. it kept me on my toes and kept me wanting more. I hit the end of the book and I was left with a need to find out what happens next. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!


now the critiques. there is a lot of proofreading still needed. there were a lot of misused words or random words in places they made no sense. there were also a lot of missing words all together. it made reading a challenge. this is something that can easily be remedied.

my second critique is the prologue. as I moved through the story I honestly forgot about it and it didnt really make sense even halfway through the book. by the end of the book it wasn't until I went back after having read the whole book that it finally made sense. the last few chapters of the book is where it started to peice back to the prologue but by that point you don't even remember what you read that long ago.

I highly recommend this story because as a debut story its really good and the world is built very well it just needs some help with the editing

I was hesitant to start this story because of it's length, and for Fantasy, I typically need to be hooked from the start. Once I got through the first 100 pages or so, I was absolutely taken by this story. It did get slow at moments, but the world building and character building was beautiful. The story progressed so wonderfully that makes the reader truly fall in love with the characters. I am really excited to see what happens next, and it will be an instant read for me as soon as book two comes out!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
4.5/5 Stars
(Rounded up!!)

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
⚔️ Found Family
𓆩❤︎𓆪 Slowwww Burn
⚔️ Enemies To Lovers
𓆩❤︎𓆪 Military fantasy with political intrigue
⚔️ Betrayals & Some Unexpected Friendships

𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

꧁ᬊᬁTo women who never stop fighting and who will own this world one day”.ᬊ᭄꧂

⋆༺𓆩” You are the shadow of us. We are the light in you.”𓆪༻⋆

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡” I meant what I said. I love you.”♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺A gift. All of it had been a gift.”༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

💭 Thoughts-

-ˋˏ✄┈┈Ok, I get if you want to have a long book and lots of build up to this amazing ending and awesome book, but it gets to a point where 850 pages of book is too many pages…

-The problem is, at the same time I devoured this book and all 850 pages of it. So like I can’t decide whether that amount of pages is truly needed because the build up was insane and worth it, but at times I was also like there’s no way there’s more left. Then there was more.…

-ˋˏ✄┈┈Those two things being said, this book was still so, so good! The fmc went through so many terrible things and I felt like I was grieving with her and also being happy with her because this book fully emersed me into the story, so honestly hats off for that!!

“To women who never stop fighting and who will own this world one day”.

I really thought I was going to enjoy this more than I did however, the pacing was farrrr too slow for me which pulled my rating down.

I enjoyed Elaine’s character development until I got to chapter 41 sorry, what the heck was that?! I very much enjoyed her friendship with the war band and her friendship with Lizzie and Agatha.

“My Elaine. I’m yours, as you’re mine, and that’s all there is to it”. I need Elaine and Alex to sort their shit. Why are we saying all these things and never talking againnnn?!

The whole Elaine being Myla subplot interests me, like I wanted moreee of the god lore but we just didn’t get it?

The book probably could’ve been about 250 pages shorter. It didn’t need to be 800+ pages, it was not that serious. And the callback to the prologue should’ve happened about 5 chapters sooner. I do still want to know what happens so I guess I’ll be on the lookout for book 2.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

I have one word: YES

But seriously, I loved seeing FMC's growth in this novel. She's flawed and shows it, but she also exhibits a learning curve in the novel by processing trauma and learning to accept joy and love. The romance is hot, but forged on building connection.

I have only main critique; the addition of magic. It felt forced?

All in all, a 12/10 would recommend read. I was absolutely obliterated by the sudden presence of the Acknowledgments page.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to review this book. Gifted is the story of Elaine, an orphaned soldier in the Kings Army who is ‘Gifted’ to be a part of a dedicated legion.

Unfortunately this is a soft DNF for me at 20%. I know this has high star reviews from others but I just couldn’t get into it. Whilst the plot was intriguing, and I enjoyed the developing female friendships, something about the style of writing did not work for me. It felt very wordy, like every action and description was double what was necessary, and that meant I couldn’t get engaged

I don’t want to be unfair in my judgement, which is why I am only soft dnf-ing and am being reasonably generous with my star rating. I do not think what I read to this point deserves a lower rating, however I currently cannot commit myself to reading more.

This was such a heartfelt and enchanting start to a new series. The mix of fantasy and romance felt seamless, with a story that’s equal parts magical adventure and emotional journey. I loved how the themes of love, courage, and chosen family were woven into the plot—it gave the book a warmth that balanced the action and tension beautifully. The romance was tender yet passionate, and the character dynamics made me instantly invested.

Pros: A magical blend of romance and fantasy; strong themes of courage and family; well-drawn characters you root for; engaging pacing that keeps the pages turning.

Cons: The only downside is that I didn’t want it to end. I’m already eager for the next book.

Overall, a wonderful fantasy romance that delivers both heart and magic. Five shining stars!

The mark of a great story? You finish the 1850th page and you’re ready to read thousands more. Mavi, how did you keep those hints of fantasy tucked away in the shadows, only to unleash them in full brilliance at the end?! This is mind-blowing for a debut novel… What you’ve gifted us… I’m dumbfounded in a sea of swirling thoughts. People say that your first book is your therapy book. You pour every thought you’ve ever had, every character. Gifted feels like that in the best way possible, and I very much enjoyed the therapy journey.
Elaine felt like a friend from the start. I experienced so much of her pain, her conflicting joy, her fragility and strength right at her side. Safe to say, we are all Elaine to some extent. Her pain, trauma, uncertainty, fear, heartbreak, but also her hope, her longing for belonging, for friendship, for family, for love. She knew the mud so well it became comfort, yet she chose to believe she deserved better. We all do. And through her, I lived every terrifying desire for a better life.

For the first time ever while reading, I had to stop and share a quote with my boyfriend. Not a romantic one, but one about building yourself from the ground up. This book, this story needed to exist if only for the way trauma and abuse were handled. Something very broken quietly began to heal in me while reading Mavi's words. Regaining control after living in shame, guilt and fear is an eternal battle we all fight. Elaine’s growth of character, heart and internal strength was so well gone. I wanted to stand and applaud (through tears). The internal dialogue of every woman is right in these pages. Perfectly and honorably executed.

I ache to continue this journey and see where it leads. But oh, Mavi, you broke my heart, you know how. I was praying alongside Elaine and Sybil... Thank you for touching my heart in more ways than I could express!

Forever grateful to Mavi Parolin and NetGalley for the gift of reading this masterpiece.

The romance here is subtle, quiet, and beautifully done.
It simmers in the background, never overshadowing the plot but still hitting all the emotional beats. If you love a slow burn (like... painfully slow) where a lingering touch or using someone's given name feels more intimate than a kiss, you'll adore it! I hope the second book explores this aspect a little more (yes, l'm a sucker for romance, though this book doesn't necessarily need it).

I adored this book. Absolutely adored. It's long and full of detail but it doesn't feel like a long read. Everything from the characters to the twists were perfect and I've already recommended it to a number of my friends. I'll definitely do a re read sometime soon

★★★★★

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

In my top 10 Romantasy already, and it’s only book 1. A girl carrying a large burden, and a significant amount of trauma has to fight her way through a very, very misogynistic world for the same chance at success in the army as all the men. As an orphan, it’s her only hope for a life at all. A problem with authority, hot superior officers, and weird magic flowing through her veins means she faces challenges each and every day. What is fate trying to prove?

Please, please can I have book 2? Let me beta read??

•forbidden romance
•magic & deities
•slow burn & yearning
•hate-to-love
•found family
•trauma/healing
•strong fmc

Gifted by Mavi Parolin is a roller coaster of emotions, action, and relationship-building. When I saw it was an 800+ page book, I was overwhelmed, as is expected. But this book has instilled a new interest in lengthy books for me. There's just so much world-building through different settings and character backgrounds. I'm excited to continue with this series and see what places and people come next.

I loved the central characters, especially their war band, Lizzie, and Alex. And Kamathi. And Sybil. And Annie... The more I remember the characters' names and personalities, the more I realize how much I enjoyed and connected with this book. They were so clearly articulated with unique and memorable personalities. Even the horses had exceptional character-building.

It was so fun to "watch" Elaine go through legionnaire training, especially with the weapons and fighting. Sometimes I felt some parts were missing, like her promised battle with Otto and the actual construction of her poleaxe. But I enjoyed her unique fighting style and training.

The slow burn was well done. Because of the length of the book, I could feel it building up, and I just wanted them to get together already! The back and forth between being together and not being together was frustrating and perhaps overdone. But the complexities of their relationship came out very strongly.

And the ending... I was not expecting that at all. I always expect someone to die in a romantasy, but that's not who I was expecting! How do we move on from here?!

Thank you to Mavi Parolin for this ARC!

4.25 stars

E-ARC provided to me through NetGalley

"Being driven by a need to survive had made me into who I was: a twenty-four-year-old belligerent, brawling, unaccomplished foot soldier, who has taken the Emperor up on his offer for a better life and found there was no such thing."

Gifted by debut author Mavi Parolin is the first installment in the Gifted series, and it’s a military fantasy steeped in politics, hierarchy, and the costs of duty and sacrifice.

What struck me most was how quickly the characters pulled me in — they felt emotionally resonant and complex, making the found family elements all the more impactful. The FMC is flawed but fierce, and watching her wrestle with past and present trauma, while finding resilience, healing, and growth, was one of the strongest aspects of the story.

Romance readers will find a slow-burn relationship here, leaning more into “antagonism to lovers” than traditional enemies to lovers. It’s closed-door, but the tension simmers enough to keep you turning pages.

I’ll be honest — the final act didn’t work as well for me. It felt like the plot veered off track and I felt confused. That said, I’m invested enough in the world and characters that I’ll absolutely pick up the sequel.

If you’re looking for a military fantasy with romance, political intrigue, and a flawed but compelling heroine, this is one to keep on your radar.

A gentle note: please do check trigger warnings before diving in.

This was a great book! The story was very interesting and fast paced. I also loved the plot twists in this book and the writing!

Whew that was a chonker. Long ass book, but the pacing is good so I was never bored!

Pros: Elaine’s development, the slow (very slow) burn, the fleshed out side characters, the FEMINISM.

Cons: Elaine’s self deprecation (just a tad too much), and the extremely rude ending…. how could you do that to me?

It was interesting to read a book where it is technically a fantasy but the fantasy elements are so few and far between that.. honestly? It felt more like a badass female military coming-of-age book. Nothing wrong with that. Very hard to believe this is a debut novel because it’s extremely well structured, thought and fleshed out, and written well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mavi for the free review eArc!

I LOVE this book. Elaine is so well written. The characters are fantastic, the suspense and questions you have keeps you up at night. I had to devour this book and didn't care if I slept or not. The writing is done well. I know some might find the pacing slow at times but I feel that it was still used with perfect intentions. It allows us to know the characters so intimately. It allows us to collect with them. I am obsessed with this story and I cannot wait till the second book.

Wow... just wow. I have read many five star romantasy books this year. I was beginning to question my rating scale by going with "feels" and how well it kept my attention. There were a lot of good books this year, especially in romantasy. Gifted blows them all out of the water. That is not to say the other books still aren't great and I don't want to take anything away from them. But, Gifted was just everything I maybe didn't know I needed?
I would never believe that Mavi Parolin was a debut author. The world building was top notch, I never felt taken out the story, I was invested from the start.
Elaine... oh, my Elaine. I fell in love with Elaine. Her pain, her strength, her endurance, her guardedness. At the beginning, you see this loner who longs to just get by, not be bothered. After giving herself and her heart to her commander to be let down, she closed herself off. An orphan, alone, thinking its best. Never having or feeling she has a place to call home. I had this feeling right away that I wanted her protected at all costs. Every hand she had been dealt was crap. Her life was not her own and she was basically a pawn to be traded as a "Gift" to a well known governor known to possibly be cruel, to an elite military force that she didn't understand why she was chosen.
Elaine's growth is so beautiful and heart-wrenching to watch. To see her gain friends, a home, a family, strength, love, acceptance. It is just beyond. Her story is so worthy of reading by everyone. Will women gravitate to her and understand her more? Sure, but, I think men could really enjoy this story and see what women in positions that are held by mostly men, deal with in every field, in every world. Elaine is just everything to me. She has been through hell over and over again. The author has written her so well, you cannot help but love and adore and want to hold her and keep her safe. I could write my own novel about my love for Elaine, so let me stop there.
Alex, so damn near perfect Alex. Grief, fear, misunderstanding, confusion, and just loving someone with trauma and trying his best. Not always perfect, but close. He never hid his feelings, his affection, his care. Even when it hurt, even when his grief overpowered his emotions, he was at least honest. I have my worries for him going into the second book, we will just have to wait and see what happens... how long do we have to wait, lol...
Lizzie, sweet, wonderful, smart, witty, cunning, Lizzie. This girl cracked open Elaine after Grace pricked a pinhole for her to find. Lizzie was light, love, laughter, family for Elaine. So many of their interactions stole my heart, made me smile, made me laugh, made me cringe for Elaine! Just pure innocence and love.
So many side characters deserve their own recognition. There were many and yet each had their own personalities, you didn't get confused, they each had their own stories, even if we didn't know them. Truly spectacular writing to make me care for them all.
Agatha, someone Elaine needed so badly, who came in at just the right time. I adore her. I know we will get her story at some point and I look forward to it.
Michael, love love love, a true friend, a true confidant. His and Elaine's friendship is so beautiful and grew to be such a loving relationship.
The rest of the war gang, Otto, Li, Vincent, Ollie, each with their own relationship with Elaine, some not as fleshed out as others, but they would all fight by her side no matter what. They would come when she called. I loved how she helped Ollie, and then Otto and Ollie's relationship growing. I loved the teasing from Vincent to bring some lightheartedness. I think they were all a little in love with Elaine.
Hu... yes, I am including him. I think Hu knew something. He knew she was destined for more than him, the army, her place. I don't know if we will ever see why he did what he did, but I think he was drawn to her just like everyone else, but was stronger by letting her go. Or maybe I am just giving him too much credit.
Sam, I knew something was up with him. I wasn't surprised by most of what happened. There was something that definitely threw me off. Will he or was he starting to redeem himself? I don't know. But, I do know his mom is a raging b.
There are more characters that deserve to be mentioned, but I could go on and on, so I choose to stop there.
There are, what I feel to be, hints throughout the story. Little times that Elaine thinks something or feels something, or something strange happens that is unexplainable. It ties together so well with the "reveal", that's in quotes because we don't have any real answers at the end of book 1. I am in dire need for book 2... like my goal until book 2 comes out is to get book 1 printed some way. I need to have a physical manifestation of this book, no question, no ifs, ands or buts. I need it. Sorry, losing my direction here.
This book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and you will keep asking for me. I cried more times than I can count. The yearning is top notch, the longing, the need, the adoration... more, more, more (imagine the Kylo Ren meme).
Elaine and Alex's journey is filled with so many roadblocks, so much pain, so much yearning, so much love.
Some of my highlights (and I had a metric TON of them):
For the setting I kept expecting some olde world language like "ye"s, but that was not present. That was my first note lol. Not an issue I just laughed at myself for noticing it.
First sign of something more going on: a "similar place flashed through my mind, but I couldn't place it or hold on to it for more than a passing second before it faded away" my note: a memory perhaps of where she comes from?
Finding a place to call home: "everything about this place made me waht to experience a different life" note: having heard Elaine talk about never feeling home anywhere, this response to Barrymore is hopefully foreshadowing that she's found her home.
She talked about the fire at the orphanage, my note: Unknown magic possibly? Is this why the med worked?
A highlighted a passage of a story Sybil told about the sun god, and I questioned if Elaine may be a daughter or granddaughter or some descendant of a god?
She also talked about how she began to care about the men on her tier, and started to make connections and build trust. How she started to be truly happy.
Signs the gods had her:
"But, suddenly it wasn't all dark at all"
"After awhile, the air around us warmed up a bit, though I didn't have a single logical explanation for that phenomenon either"
"It was probably a combination of the adrenaline and my new training, I told myself. There was no point in overthinking it"
"What the hell do the gods have to do with this?"
"Elaine, your body is connected to the Mother"
"It was a longshot but whatever lineage I came from was more prone to herbal medicines. I had no way of knowing, since my parents were long gone and finding them was a futile quest that I had given up a long time ago, It would be easier to find a god and ask them directly than to trace back my origins. It wasn't like there was even documentation proving I even existed until I got the orphanage"
"I had been born around the same time religion had been destroyed"
"Most of my childhood issues could only be settled with the gods, and it wasn't like they gave a shit anyway"
"The emperor thinks he's the last child of the sun god."
"Once upon a time, there was a land which had grown from the love between a goddess and a human man"
Like I said, to many highlights and notes, I haven't even begun on interactions between Elaine and Alex, Elaine and Lizzie, Elaine and her band, Elaine and the masters and commanders.
I haven't even touched on the trauma and PTSD. You will want to protect Elaine at all costs. I am telling you, this woman is everything.
The latter 20-30% of the book had me in tears and yearning back and forth, over and over again.
I cannot tell people enough to read this book.

Ratings:
Overall: this book is greater than a five star rating. I cannot scale it against other books because it's on a level all it's own.
FMC: again, Elaine, is beyong a five star rating for me. I love her to the ends of the earth.
MMC: Alex... boy, you were so so close. He is a 4.9, for one lie that was unacceptable.
Spice: OK, technically no "spice" there are intense make-outs that are descriptive but I would consider fine for a 16 year old to read. I don't know what will come in future books. So, I will rate the yearning... and boy could these two YEEEEAAAAARRRRRRNNNN. A+ yearning and desire and want and love.

Read this book.
WHEN it gets printed, buy it. This author deserves all the support. And from her author's note, so does her Dad, so thank you Mavi Parolin's Dad!

The Empire of Liona's capital city of Lyanthian is a place of starvation and abuse, unless you are of the ruling elite. A land that chose the Emperor over any gods they may have once worshiped. Commoners only keep their eldest children and any others are cast out as orphans to so couples can stave off hunger a little while longer. Elaine, unloved in a city where the weak are exploited, is cast out of the orphanage at 12 years of age to find her own way. She finds her way into the vast Imperial Army as one of the few women who are soldiers and strives to become unnoticed. Years before, Elaine fell for her general who has since tossed her aside and now she has no ambition aside from drinking and fighting for spare coin.

However, the gods don't always care what we want and Elaine bewilderingly finds herself ripped from her small, aimless life to become a Gift from the Emperor to Alexander Courtenay, and his elite Barrymore Legionnaires. Elaine does not know how to be a comrade; she only knows how to exist. At Barrymore she becomes so much more than she ever knew possible and learns that love changes everything.

What an incredible debut effort by, Mavi Parolin, that I consumed in 24-hours. Please read the content warnings, but also, please do not let them scare you off. I found the sensitive topics were dealt with authenticity as part of the world Elaine lives in. Unreservedly, I've recommended the book to many women, confident that Elaine's experiences and how she deals with them will empower and connect others. The incredible personal growth Elaine experiences is hard-fought and not without heartbreaking setbacks. You ache for her and want her to succeed. To my delight, all of the characters in this novel are multi-dimensional with unique motivations outside of Elaine's narrative; they are not merely stand-ins for her story. Thank you, Maria Victoria Parolin and NetGally for this ARC and I eagerly await the next book!

This was a surprise to me. The cover gives off vibes in a specific direction (not bad), but the content of the book gives off even better vibes. I really enjoyed this book. Four stars only because the ending felt rushed and introduced (really late) a whole other element to the story. I’m still stunned that this is this author’s Debut novel with how aware the characters are, and how deep the content. can’t wait to read more from her.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Really fun and emotional read
I really enjoyed Gifted! Elaine is such a strong and relatable main character, and I loved following her as she discovers her abilities and grows into her role as a Legionnaire. The world around her is full of interesting details and made the story feel real and exciting.
A few side characters didn’t feel as developed, and I would absolutely love to find out more about them, but overall the story kept me hooked. It’s emotional, sometimes intense, and really makes you care about what happens to the characters.
I’m excited to read the next book and see where Elaine’s journey goes!

One of the best books I've read this year! The story is fantasy based yet not in an overreaching sense. It has a nice mix of real world aspects with a bit of fantasy mixed in. The story really gives you time to get to know the main character Elaine, and see her growth throughout. Although the book is a long one I could not stop reading. There is always something going on, just pulling you right back in to keep reading.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I just finished this book and I feel unwell. This is a 6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me.

The fact that is is a debut novel is almost unbelievable.

At first I was nervous about the length of this book- but now I am so upset that it’s over.

The world building and character development are top notch. Every character in this book is beautifully written and you can’t help but fall in love with each one. Even the “side” characters have development and stories worth learning about.

The progression of the story line pulls you in and the details just flow through the pages.

The behind the scenes yearning in this book!!

I found myself crying and smiling through out this entire book.

Congrats to Mavi! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book and see where book 2 will take us!

Really interesting plot and backstory. A few pacing issues throughout the book but a good cliffhanger. I was pretty invested in the characters and look forward seeing how the series progresses.