The Gifted Divide

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

When the system fails, where do you draw the line?

In a society where the Gifted—those with mysterious abilities—are treated as outcasts and second-class citizens, Sera Kroix is determined to fight back. As the leader of a group of Gifted rebels, she seeks justice by taking matters into her own hands, executing criminals that the corrupt justice system has failed to punish.

Lucas Alescio, a top agent for Eldario, is one of the country's most powerful and influential figures. When he encounters Sera, he becomes drawn to her strength and unwavering conviction. As their paths continue to cross, Lucas begins to uncover the truth about Sera and her group, and the consequences of their actions.

Caught between his duty to the system and his growing obsession with Sera’s cause, Lucas is faced with an impossible choice: uphold the law and bring her to justice, or turn his back on everything he’s ever known to stand against a system that perpetuates injustice.

In a world divided by fear and prejudice, Sera’s fight for justice could either spark the change they all need—or ignite a conflict that threatens to tear the country apart.

Updated every Monday and Friday

(Originally on Wattpad)

Information

Status
Hiatus
Year
2022
Author
yumemi

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.3/ 5.0
Followers
18
Views
15,171

Chapters(105 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

  • FirstNexusRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    I'll start with the style, because going into it, I didn't expect the length of each chapter, but after going through and reading them, I can 100% understand why they're so long. Because each chapter feels more like a part or a volume within the story and it's split up and written well.
    The story score is where I give full marks because it entrances and pulls you in from the very beginning. The world building is by far some of the best I've ever seen and each and every scene further adds to the lore behind the characters. The plot itself is by far my favorite and highest rated aspect of the story so far.
    Grammar is the only consistent issue I found with the story, as it was jarring to see the prose switch from past to present tense. I think a lot of the present tense should be written in past tense and there are some other slight things with the sentences, but it's not nearly enough for me to not like the story, because as I said above, the plot is done incredibly well.
    Character score is also where I give high marks because each and every character is filled out and contains they're own personality. Even in my own writings I'm not the best at fleshing out character personalities and making each character human, but here, it's done very well. Each character has their own thoughts, emotions, and goals and it all mixes to create an amazing story.
    Conclusion: I'm following this story to see where it goes because if written consistently, I can see this becoming a very fun and interesting read.
  • FuedRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    The world presented in this narrative is intriguing, and the lore exposition is well-executed. However, I find it puzzling how gifted individuals simultaneously possess significant power yet are treated as powerless objects. This contradiction creates an awkward reading experience in the first chapter.
    The characters are interesting, but their abrupt introduction and subsequent time jump hinder their natural development. However, by the end of the second chapter, the story begins to flow more smoothly and the characters start to come together effectively.
    In general, I believe the story is solid. However, I would suggest dialing back the pace a bit and refraining from overwhelming the reader with a multitude of characters. It would be beneficial to introduce them gradually, perhaps limiting it to three per chapter, especially if they play significant roles throughout the story. This approach would allow for better character development and a smoother reading experience.
    The storyline is engaging, revolving around the familiar theme of evading corrupt authority while dealing with the presence of criminals. It avoids excessive fantastical elements and maintains a solid narrative structure.
    In terms of style, the frequent action sequences keep the story dynamic and engaging. However, the rapid introduction of numerous characters can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, once the narrative settles into a more balanced pace, it has the potential to become quite compelling.
  • DosilliRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    So, the premise of the story so far is about the oppression of the gifted face from the normals and the rebellion that is born of that oppression. The person leading that premise is the Main Character, Sera. Someone who didn’t hesitate to save two gifted children without even knowing them or exactly what the situation was, and this sort of willingness to help continues as the story progresses.
    The author does a great job painting the reality of the dread that gifted feel and highlights the somber atmosphere that the world and characters are experiencing.
    If I had to note a few things I think could use work, it is the disconnectedness of the initial chapters. It felt a bit choppy at times and I think the author could potentially refine them a bit more to help those initial chapters be a bit easier to follow. I still think it’s a good read and I like the real feeling of somberness and the dire situation that the author is able to deliver, it could just use some work regarding the earlier parts of the story. Now going forward is the fun stuff. It is definitely similar to the mutant rebellion vibes from X-men, but in a much more life or death kind of way, and I’m enjoying the build up to the potential rebellion that is constantly being hinted at!
    Give it a read!
  • AceGreenRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    The Gifted Divide is fast-paced, exciting, and heartfelt. It reminds me of the kinds of young adult novels I haven't seen on the shelves in a long time. The worldbuilding is interesting, and piqued my interest in a genre I usually don't have much patience for.
    It's clear yumemi has a natural talent for making a story that engages the reader.  Sometimes authors come along with a knack for scene and pace—the kind developmental editors have to beat into anyone who ever wanted their story to make it onto a shelf. For all the virtues of Royal Road and its many great stories, this tends to be a slight weakness. Writing a serial without the help of a developmental editor to tell you what to cut means there tends to be fat that could be trimmed from stories.
    The in media res opener is well-chosen. The Dune style, diegetic quotes that start each chapter are intriguing, usually fun to read in-and-of themselves, and set the tone of each chapter well. The progression from scene to scene just feels well-curated, leaving no room for lulls. When I finished chapter 4 I was genuinely shocked that it was 13,000 words. That's the kind of chapter length that tends to take me three or four sessions to read. I read it in one go.
    The action is pretty fun(though the stakes are quite dire), and I never had a hard time following it at all. I'd be curious to see how later fights or sequences might look like, especially when it comes time for the inevitable Gifted vs Gifted clash.
    The characters are good. The truth is, young adult/superpowers just isn't my genre, and there's a world weariness inherent to the genre that I can never fully get on board with. That said, this is never really a problem in TGD. Sera is a good protagonist, and the things that drive her are relatable. She's world-weary, but it makes sense. She's sad in a way that meaningfully corresponds to her past, while also not dwelling in a way that drags pace. The scene of her throwing the bottle in chapter 4 is pretty heartwrenc
  • S_WinterRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Overall, the story's an interesting read. It's set in some world which seems to have a similar technological level as our world. Guns, solar panels, and IV drips included. Not generally my preference, but done well enough. In this world, people born with magical abilities are hunted and killed either because of the threat they pose or the advantage they offer. This story follows some kids - the age isn't really established, but we can image they're mid to late adolescents. From what I can see so far, it looks like the beginnings of a movement to fight back against the prejudice facing the Gifted.
    Story
    Generally good. Well-paced in terms of action. There could be a bit more world-building going on but perhaps that will happen later.
    Style
    The style is generally readable, but there are awkward moments that sometimes break the flow a bit. Often these moments are linked to incorrect grammar. Overall, though, words are well-chosen and paint a good picture of what's happening.
    Character
    We don't know much about any of the characters so far, though there are lots of mysterious hints to tease us. I'm sure that as the story gets going, more of the characters' backgrounds will be revealed. For now, the main character's motivations are clear. It would be good for the side characters to be established a bit more. The two characters which first appear seem to be mostly foils to allow the main character to demonstrate her powers and explain a bit about her background/the world.
    Grammar
    A number of faults here, mostly pertaining to use of tense. The author seems to switch between present and past tense in the same sentence and sometimes this obscures meaning: 'the gift I had' instead of 'the gift I have', for example. There are also some...interesting uses of semi-colons which, again, caused me to have to reread a sentence a couple of times to properly understand it. Apart from that, generally the grammer was fine.
  • ZEROkun1015Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    I really liked the world setting, how the ones with powers are seen with contempt, the rift between normals and gifted. The characters are really interesting, Sera, to me appears as an enigma who has several layers of depth to her, her past, Blade, the gang which was much like a family to her; Kailey, Neil, Timo, Laura and the rest with their own tales to tell, very much looking forward to how it will unravel.
    The tension in the air and the vibe of a dark scene with fear of the unknown, It really got me hooked. The language used is simple and understandable, and the quotes at the beginning is a nice touch, very much adds to the mood. Really looking forward to reading the rest.
  • Jonah BreRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    Fantastic start to the story.  I went in thinking it would be generic but was pleasantly surprised. Fantastic world building is on display here, with a lot of care put into it. The only gripe I have is that the characters feel kinda disconnected. Might be due to the viewpoint. Regardless it's done well. I do however raise my eyebrows at the upload schedule. Hopefully the author continue the story from here on out
  • Lu JiuxinRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    The Gifted Divide is a good story with great worldbuilding, that even I, someone who doesn't enjoy stories like these could comfortably read through.
    I really liked the PTSD scenes including Sera in particular, and am eager to know more.
    The worldbuilding is great too, making one deeply entranced by the history of Eldario, such as how the Gifted got their powers, how Hunters rose to their power, who are the deities such as the Lady above and the Queen of the Underworld are, and if they granted the Gifted their powers etc.
    All in all, the story has enough intrigue, especially with Sera's past as well as the history of Eldario to keep readers engaged while having enough action scenes to change the pace and hit the dopamine release most readers of Royalroad are looking for.
    As for grammar and style, there is not much to say, good in both fronts but not outstanding, which is fine because that's exactly the way I like it.
    The Gifted Divide is a good story with great worldbuilding, that even I, someone who doesn't enjoy stories like these could comfortably read through.
    I really liked the PTSD scenes including Sera in particular, and am eager to know more.
    The worldbuilding is great too, making one deeply entranced by the history of Eldario, such as how the Gifted got their powers, how Hunters rose to their power, who are the deities such as the Lady above and the Queen of the Underworld are, and if they granted the Gifted their powers etc.
    As for style, the use of letters and the quotes in the beginning is certainly an unusual but welcome approach that not many authors here use. The prose itself is also great, being succinct and to the point, not falling into the pitfall of verbose purple prose.
    Grammar wise, while I noticed a few odd mistakes here and there, but not noticable enough to distract readers.
    All in all, The Great Divide, as a story has enough intrigue, especially with Sera's past as well as the history of Eldario to keep readers engaged, with enough action s
  • Lucian T. EinarRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    *OVERALL:*
    *Blood Red Moon* offers readers an engaging start to a story set in a world where the gifted are persecuted by a nefarious agency. While it has notable strengths, including world-building and an intriguing plot.
    *STYLE:*
    The author's writing style impresses with its ambition. The chapters are lengthy and feel like volumes within the story, offering readers a deep dive into the narrative. While the ambitious approach is commendable, it can be overwhelming at times, especially with numerous historical references and dense prose. However, it contributes to the story's unique atmosphere.
    *STORY:*
    The story opens with a classic conflict between the gifted and the normals, but it quickly delves into a complex web of factions and groups, each with its motivations. The world-building is a standout feature, and the plot holds the potential to become a captivating journey. However, it may benefit from a smoother introduction of characters and a more balanced pacing.
    *GRAMMAR:*
    Grammar is generally clean, with no glaring issues. However, there are instances of tense switching, which can disrupt the reading experience. A more consistent tense usage would enhance the narrative flow.
    *CHARACTER:*
    The characters in *Blood Red Moon* show promise, with the enigmatic characters like Sera, leading the way. Each character possesses distinct personalities, but there's room for deeper development. Additionally, the omniscient point of view creates a sense of distance from the characters, and more could be employed to reveal their backgrounds and motivations.
    In conclusion, *Blood Red Moon* presents a promising start to what could be an enthralling tale. Its strengths lie in its world-building and intricate plot, while character development and grammatical consistency could be areas of improvement. Despite these challenges, the story's potential shines through, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy richly detailed narratives. With continued development and refinement,
  • LuckycricketRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    When the story begins it starts with a standard beginning however I was pleasantly surprised when it strayed away from my expectations. The writing is better than a lot with descriptive and detailed world building and comprehensive storytelling. It's not too detailed and manages to pace itself really well. The story is unique compared to a lot here and I appreciate that. overall, very good writing paired with a good story.