Given: An Epic Romantasy (The Giving Chronicles #1) by Elayna R. Gallea
Genre: Epic Fantasy • Romantasy • Dark Fantasy Romance • Enemies-to-Lovers Series: The Giving Chronicles, Book 1 Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5 (slow-burn romance, low-to-moderate spice)
Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)
Wren was born with a mysterious Mark on her forehead, meaning she has always known her fate: on her twentieth birthday, she will be Given to serve the gods. She accepts this destiny—until she secretly witnesses a Giving Ceremony and discovers the horrifying truth behind the ritual.
Terrified, Wren flees her village, determined to survive and escape the gods’ control. During her journey, she finds an injured stranger in the woods and uses her healing ability to save him.
But the man she rescues is not just a traveler.
He is a Hunter, sent to capture Marked Ones like her.
Bound by duty but unexpectedly drawn to Wren, the Hunter gives her a single chance to run: one day’s head start. Now Wren must survive while being hunted by the very man who may become her greatest threat—and her greatest temptation.
Tropes
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🏹 Hunter × hunted heroine
🌙 Slow-burn romance
✨ Hidden powers
👑 Gods and prophecy
⚔️ Survival fantasy
🏃 Forced chase / cat-and-mouse romance
💔 Betrayal and secrets
🤍 Morally conflicted hero
🌌 Epic fantasy world-building
Spice Level
🌶️🌶️/5 — The romance focuses more on tension, emotional connection, and slow-burn chemistry rather than frequent explicit scenes.
Content Warnings
Human sacrifice themes
Death and violence
Religious/godly oppression
Murder
Trauma
Betrayal
Threats of execution
Fantasy violence
Emotional distress
Overall
Given is a great choice for readers who enjoy slow-burn romantasy with a dangerous pursuit dynamic. The story combines a heroine fighting against a cruel fate, a conflicted hunter questioning his orders, and a growing connection between two people who should be enemies.
Fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, and A Court of Thorns and Roses may enjoy the mix of danger, forbidden attraction, magic, and destiny-driven romance.
⭐ Best for readers who want: a hunted heroine, a morally conflicted warrior, forbidden romance, gods, magic, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers journey.
