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The Trials of Browid
A child never meant to be. A power never meant to rise. A worldbreaker, born of love and ruin.
They told her she was ordinary.
They lied.
Hidden deep in the forests of Maine, Selena Bell has spent her life keeping to the edges—quiet, invisible, unremarkable. Or so she thought. But when three strangers arrive in her small town, everything changes.
They don’t just bring answers. They bring a warning.
Selena isn’t mortal. She is Semper. Power in human skin. A force the world should’ve destroyed before it ever drew breath.
Marked by magic older than the world itself, caught between the seductive chaos of the Fallen and the brutal order of the Blessed, Selena is thrown into a realm of vicious trials, monstrous enemies, and ancient courts that see her as a threat and a weapon to claim.
And then there’s him. Charming, untamed, and infuriatingly irresistible.
Her power is growing. Her enemies are circling. And every step forward pulls her deeper into a fate she never chose and may not be able to escape.
Because the only thing more dangerous than what’s coming for her is what she’s becoming.
They told her she was ordinary.
They lied.
Hidden deep in the forests of Maine, Selena Bell has spent her life keeping to the edges—quiet, invisible, unremarkable. Or so she thought. But when three strangers arrive in her small town, everything changes.
They don’t just bring answers. They bring a warning.
Selena isn’t mortal. She is Semper. Power in human skin. A force the world should’ve destroyed before it ever drew breath.
Marked by magic older than the world itself, caught between the seductive chaos of the Fallen and the brutal order of the Blessed, Selena is thrown into a realm of vicious trials, monstrous enemies, and ancient courts that see her as a threat and a weapon to claim.
And then there’s him. Charming, untamed, and infuriatingly irresistible.
Her power is growing. Her enemies are circling. And every step forward pulls her deeper into a fate she never chose and may not be able to escape.
Because the only thing more dangerous than what’s coming for her is what she’s becoming.
- GenresFantasy
600 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
5 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Bosshard
1 book4 followersStephanie Bosshard is a romantic fantasy author, drawn to tales where power has a price, and love is both fierce and complicated. With a background in acting, she brings depth and emotion to the characters she creates, particularly those who are battling fate, facing impossible choices, and discovering who they are in the process.
When she’s not writing, you can find her on set or lost in a book that stirs her soul. The Trials of Browid is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 20, 2025
Let’s get the negatives out of the way, because I promise there are positives. The concept of this book is really not the most original.
The FMC, living in modern-day Maine, discovers she’s the most powerful of the Sempers, a race from a world she knows nothing about, and she is to be their savior. She is of course reluctant to believe that. It’s very much a prophecy/chosen one fantasy. And the MMC controls shadows — among other things — because of course he does. Everybody has wings. Selena and Gabriel (the MCs) fall in love in the span of five seconds. The powers they have are nothing that hasn’t been done but I can’t really fault it for that because these days everything has already been done before.
Those were it, now the positives: man was this book addicting!!!
It’s long but it doesn’t feel long, it feels appropriately sized. All the training scenes were good, I always enjoy those bits. Yes, some parts were driving me up the wall (the romance), but I was entertained! For a book called The Trials of Browid I would’ve expected the actual trials to take place maybe before the 70% mark (another negative, oops), but once they were introduced they were so fun. The world building felt natural and not info-dumpy. I liked that they could communicate telepathically. There’s your mandatory ball scene which was cool, and I liked all the different creatures & monsters.
Overall, I would recommend it to fans of your average romantasy or people who just want an engaging read that’s nothing phenomenal, but not bad.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The FMC, living in modern-day Maine, discovers she’s the most powerful of the Sempers, a race from a world she knows nothing about, and she is to be their savior. She is of course reluctant to believe that. It’s very much a prophecy/chosen one fantasy. And the MMC controls shadows — among other things — because of course he does. Everybody has wings. Selena and Gabriel (the MCs) fall in love in the span of five seconds. The powers they have are nothing that hasn’t been done but I can’t really fault it for that because these days everything has already been done before.
Those were it, now the positives: man was this book addicting!!!
It’s long but it doesn’t feel long, it feels appropriately sized. All the training scenes were good, I always enjoy those bits. Yes, some parts were driving me up the wall (the romance), but I was entertained! For a book called The Trials of Browid I would’ve expected the actual trials to take place maybe before the 70% mark (another negative, oops), but once they were introduced they were so fun. The world building felt natural and not info-dumpy. I liked that they could communicate telepathically. There’s your mandatory ball scene which was cool, and I liked all the different creatures & monsters.
Overall, I would recommend it to fans of your average romantasy or people who just want an engaging read that’s nothing phenomenal, but not bad.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
Stephanie Bosshard delivers an imaginative concept in The Trials of Browid, introducing readers to a world of Semper beings, elemental magic, and dangerous trials. The premise is compelling—a young woman discovers her hidden power and is thrust into a realm of intrigue and prophecy.
The world-building is solid, with creative lore and atmospheric settings that draw you in. However, the character development lacks the depth needed to form strong emotional connections. While Selena’s journey is interesting, her relationships, especially with Gabriel, feel underdeveloped and rushed, leaving the romance and tension less impactful than expected.
Action scenes and magical elements are enjoyable, but the pacing occasionally falters, and some plot twists feel predictable. For readers who love fantasy with a romantic edge, this book offers plenty of potential.
Ultimately, The Trials of Browid, has a great concept with flashes of brilliance but missing the character connection and gripping intensity required for me to give a five-star read. Worth a read especially if you enjoy a unique new urban fantasy world and are looking for a lighter, less emotionally demanding adventure. 3.5 Stars
Thank you to Atmosphere Press and Netgalley for this ARC copy of The Trials of Browid.
The world-building is solid, with creative lore and atmospheric settings that draw you in. However, the character development lacks the depth needed to form strong emotional connections. While Selena’s journey is interesting, her relationships, especially with Gabriel, feel underdeveloped and rushed, leaving the romance and tension less impactful than expected.
Action scenes and magical elements are enjoyable, but the pacing occasionally falters, and some plot twists feel predictable. For readers who love fantasy with a romantic edge, this book offers plenty of potential.
Ultimately, The Trials of Browid, has a great concept with flashes of brilliance but missing the character connection and gripping intensity required for me to give a five-star read. Worth a read especially if you enjoy a unique new urban fantasy world and are looking for a lighter, less emotionally demanding adventure. 3.5 Stars
Thank you to Atmosphere Press and Netgalley for this ARC copy of The Trials of Browid.
December 29, 2025
I want to thank NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to review this book
Selena lives in a small town, her mother died when she was young and her father went missing. Selena owns a coffee/bakery shop, one day someone comes in her shop with jewelry and he leaves her with a cryptic message. Selena meets Gabriel and that is when the fun venture starts.
Selena is fighting to protect herself, but also learning a great deal of who she really is. The magic in this book is great. I loved all the characters and I especially loved and appreciated the writing. This is a great story if you are looking for action and adventure with a lot of good plot and twists and turns. Would I recommend this book most definitely. This book is not for all audiences but will attract those that believe in a little fantasy and bringing it into reality.
Selena lives in a small town, her mother died when she was young and her father went missing. Selena owns a coffee/bakery shop, one day someone comes in her shop with jewelry and he leaves her with a cryptic message. Selena meets Gabriel and that is when the fun venture starts.
Selena is fighting to protect herself, but also learning a great deal of who she really is. The magic in this book is great. I loved all the characters and I especially loved and appreciated the writing. This is a great story if you are looking for action and adventure with a lot of good plot and twists and turns. Would I recommend this book most definitely. This book is not for all audiences but will attract those that believe in a little fantasy and bringing it into reality.
December 23, 2025
We follow Selena Bell, a seemingly ordinary girl living in modern day Maine who discovers she’s an ancient, powerful being known as a Semper. Pulled into a hidden supernatural world divided between the Fallen and the Blessed, Selena must face betrayal, uncover her abilities, and eventually survive deadly trials that force her to step into her fate.
I really enjoyed this story. The beginning leans more heavily into the romance, focusing on Selena and Gabriel’s connection, while the pacing picks up toward the end once the trials begin and the stakes rise. The hidden powers reveal was done well, the betrayals added tension, and Gabriel an MMC with wings and shadow magic who would burn the world down for Selena was a definite highlight. 🖤🔥
The only thing that held this back from five stars was the romance pacing. Selena and Gabriel fall in love very quickly, and I would’ve loved more buildup and tension. Still, it was an addictive romantic fantasy, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Thank you Atmosphere press and NetGalley for this complimentary read!
I really enjoyed this story. The beginning leans more heavily into the romance, focusing on Selena and Gabriel’s connection, while the pacing picks up toward the end once the trials begin and the stakes rise. The hidden powers reveal was done well, the betrayals added tension, and Gabriel an MMC with wings and shadow magic who would burn the world down for Selena was a definite highlight. 🖤🔥
The only thing that held this back from five stars was the romance pacing. Selena and Gabriel fall in love very quickly, and I would’ve loved more buildup and tension. Still, it was an addictive romantic fantasy, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Thank you Atmosphere press and NetGalley for this complimentary read!
October 17, 2025
Loved it!!!!
December 10, 2025
After her mother’s death and her father’s unexplained disappearance, Selena is barely holding together the family café in the quiet coastal town of Ogunquit, Maine, until a stranger presses a pendant into her hand and warns her: “don’t trust them.” Suddenly, someone is stalking her, her home is broken into, and three mysterious outsiders arrive with impossible truths: they aren’t human, but Sempers, powerful beings from another realm. Selena is one of them. And she is at the center of an ancient prophecy whose choices could either save the world… or destroy it.
1,5⭐️/5
I went into The Trials of Browid excited by the premise: prophecy, trials, enemies, a “vicious court,” and a heroine discovering she’s not human. Unfortunately, the reading experience hasn’t matched the promise so far. I DNF’d at 36% because I just couldn’t connect with the story.
Positives so far
There is strong conceptual potential:
⭐️ Sempers: beings from another realm
✨ Gift-based magic
⚔️ Different castes (Blessed, Fallen, Wards)
📜 A prophecy heroine
⚔️ A looming court conflict
The ideas are great, the execution just needed more groundwork.
Pacing & information placement felt off
In Chapter 6, Selena tells us about Fargo, her abusive ex, and then immediately runs into him at a party. It reads more like the author wanted us briefed before the scene, instead of letting the narrative bring the memory forward naturally.
Insta-connection that moves way too fast
One of my biggest frustrations was how fast the emotional stakes between Selena and Gabriel were pushed, long before the narrative laid the groundwork.
By 10–15% of the book:
-they’ve barely spoken,
-she’s met him only three times,
-we haven’t seen meaningful interaction, shared hardship, or gradual trust…
…and yet the story behaves as if they’ve been soul-bonded for months/years.
We get physical closeness immediately:
and moments after, Gabriel’s internal monologue leaps to world-ending devotion:
That level of intensity should hit, but it doesn’t, because it’s not earned.
Or when Gabriel said
It lands hollow because we haven’t seen a relationship justify this level of sacrifice. That quote gave Slade Ringer vibes (but Slade said that in book 3 I guess, after two books of interactions with Auren).
Rather than slow-burn tension, guarded attraction or conflicted yearning, the book jumps straight to fated mate obsessiveness without showing us:
-why he cares this much
-why she trusts him so fast
-or why their bond would be this immediate
There were a few moments with genuinely beautiful lines, but the relationship development around them was really lacking for me.
Dialogue and logic inconsistencies
After seeing Gabriel three times, and meeting Sophia and Theo moments earlier, she tells them:
“How is my family tied to this? I’m sure you’ve all heard what happened to them.”
But why would they? They just arrived in town.
The reader is forced to infer logic that the text never supports.
Sophia says “your parents were…” then immediately “your parents are…”, even though one is dead and the other missing.
Then suddenly, Selena casually mentions she’s heard guiding voices since childhood, a massive supernatural detail, dropped without buildup or emotional weight, as if the author remembered mid-scene that it should exist.
Where I really started to struggle (34–36%)
By Chapter 18 (around 34%), I was trying hard to stay engaged but it became increasingly difficult.
Selena is mauled by a Neesta, on the brink of death. Gabriel races for a healer, gets drugged and randomly captured by an old gang, bargains for release, the healer fails, and then Selena wakes up miraculously healed, without explanation.
It felt rushed.
There’s also an attempt at found family, but for me it rang hollow. Aside from the forced attraction between Selena and Gabriel, nothing felt truly developed:
-no emotional depth with Theo or Sophia
-no real interpersonal dynamics
-no sense of earned belonging
I love found family tropes but this one felt like the book was telling me they were bonded rather than showing it happen.
At 36%, I finally DNF’d. The premise still intrigued me, but the storytelling wasn’t working for me.
The Trials of Browid has a compelling pitch: prophecy, magical castes, danger, destiny, an enemies-and-court structure, but the execution felt too fast, too loose, and too emotionally unearned for me.
If you enjoy: instant soul-bond romances, fast escalation without slow-burn tension, lore-heavy worlds with rapid plot movement, you might click with this.
But if you need: gradual character dynamics, believable emotional responses, buildup before payoff, earned tension, you may struggle like I did.
I’m genuinely sad to DNF because I wanted those trials, enemies and vicious court politics the blurb promised, but at 36%, they still hadn’t arrived, we don’t even have a hint about those and I couldn’t keep pushing.
Thank you Stephanie Bosshard, Atmosphere Press and Net Galley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
1,5⭐️/5
I went into The Trials of Browid excited by the premise: prophecy, trials, enemies, a “vicious court,” and a heroine discovering she’s not human. Unfortunately, the reading experience hasn’t matched the promise so far. I DNF’d at 36% because I just couldn’t connect with the story.
Positives so far
There is strong conceptual potential:
⭐️ Sempers: beings from another realm
✨ Gift-based magic
⚔️ Different castes (Blessed, Fallen, Wards)
📜 A prophecy heroine
⚔️ A looming court conflict
The ideas are great, the execution just needed more groundwork.
Pacing & information placement felt off
In Chapter 6, Selena tells us about Fargo, her abusive ex, and then immediately runs into him at a party. It reads more like the author wanted us briefed before the scene, instead of letting the narrative bring the memory forward naturally.
Insta-connection that moves way too fast
One of my biggest frustrations was how fast the emotional stakes between Selena and Gabriel were pushed, long before the narrative laid the groundwork.
By 10–15% of the book:
-they’ve barely spoken,
-she’s met him only three times,
-we haven’t seen meaningful interaction, shared hardship, or gradual trust…
…and yet the story behaves as if they’ve been soul-bonded for months/years.
We get physical closeness immediately:
« She instinctively shuffled closer to Gabriel, feeling the heat of his strong thighs brushing against hers. »
and moments after, Gabriel’s internal monologue leaps to world-ending devotion:
« He would kill for her. Protect her. He would burn the entire world if he had to, just to keep that look from ever returning to her face. »
That level of intensity should hit, but it doesn’t, because it’s not earned.
Or when Gabriel said
« She didn’t understand the danger yet. Not really. But he did. And if he had to be the villain in her story to keep her safe a little longer, then so be it. »
It lands hollow because we haven’t seen a relationship justify this level of sacrifice. That quote gave Slade Ringer vibes (but Slade said that in book 3 I guess, after two books of interactions with Auren).
Rather than slow-burn tension, guarded attraction or conflicted yearning, the book jumps straight to fated mate obsessiveness without showing us:
-why he cares this much
-why she trusts him so fast
-or why their bond would be this immediate
There were a few moments with genuinely beautiful lines, but the relationship development around them was really lacking for me.
« Heavens, when those eyes of hers beheld him slightly too long, he felt like she looked into his soul. It baffled him how she had such a strong hold on him. Each glance, each silent challenge, carved a piece of him away, leaving him hollowed out and aching for more. No one had made him feel like that in a hundred years. »
« She was fire: fierce, consuming, wild. A whit flame that didn’t flicker; it devoured. And gods help him, he didn’t want to run from it. He wanted to be burned. »
« Can’t keep away from me, can you?
Seems you have the same problem with me. »
« The feeling you had when we met, can you describe it?
There’s this… pull. Like something inside me is burning, for something I’ve never had. Like a piece of me is missing and I don’t even know what it is. »
Dialogue and logic inconsistencies
After seeing Gabriel three times, and meeting Sophia and Theo moments earlier, she tells them:
“How is my family tied to this? I’m sure you’ve all heard what happened to them.”
But why would they? They just arrived in town.
The reader is forced to infer logic that the text never supports.
Sophia says “your parents were…” then immediately “your parents are…”, even though one is dead and the other missing.
Then suddenly, Selena casually mentions she’s heard guiding voices since childhood, a massive supernatural detail, dropped without buildup or emotional weight, as if the author remembered mid-scene that it should exist.
Where I really started to struggle (34–36%)
By Chapter 18 (around 34%), I was trying hard to stay engaged but it became increasingly difficult.
Selena is mauled by a Neesta, on the brink of death. Gabriel races for a healer, gets drugged and randomly captured by an old gang, bargains for release, the healer fails, and then Selena wakes up miraculously healed, without explanation.
It felt rushed.
There’s also an attempt at found family, but for me it rang hollow. Aside from the forced attraction between Selena and Gabriel, nothing felt truly developed:
-no emotional depth with Theo or Sophia
-no real interpersonal dynamics
-no sense of earned belonging
I love found family tropes but this one felt like the book was telling me they were bonded rather than showing it happen.
At 36%, I finally DNF’d. The premise still intrigued me, but the storytelling wasn’t working for me.
The Trials of Browid has a compelling pitch: prophecy, magical castes, danger, destiny, an enemies-and-court structure, but the execution felt too fast, too loose, and too emotionally unearned for me.
If you enjoy: instant soul-bond romances, fast escalation without slow-burn tension, lore-heavy worlds with rapid plot movement, you might click with this.
But if you need: gradual character dynamics, believable emotional responses, buildup before payoff, earned tension, you may struggle like I did.
I’m genuinely sad to DNF because I wanted those trials, enemies and vicious court politics the blurb promised, but at 36%, they still hadn’t arrived, we don’t even have a hint about those and I couldn’t keep pushing.
Thank you Stephanie Bosshard, Atmosphere Press and Net Galley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
December 5, 2025
Book Review: The Trials of Browid by Stephanie Bosshard
The Trials of Browid begins in a quiet Maine town with Selena Bell running her family café and grieving her missing father. She’s the kind of rule-follower who could probably alphabetize her anxieties. Life is steady, small, and safe.
Then three strangers walk in and inform her that her entire identity is wrong.
Turns out Selena isn’t just a “regular girl with trauma.” Surprise: she’s Semper, which translates to “magical royalty who got lost somewhere between fate and a clerical error.” Before she can finish blinking, she’s dragged into a hidden world filled with Blessed, Fallen, ancient houses, dangerous politics, and a power structure so tangled it probably needs a priest, a therapist, and a project manager.
And standing squarely in the middle of this mess is Mister Green Eyes. Brooding, guarded, armed with a tragic backstory, and treating vulnerability like it’s toxic. He flips between fierce protector and “do not ask me anything meaningful,” which is apparently my personal brand of poison.
As Selena is hauled deeper into this world, she learns her father didn’t simply disappear. He was taken. And the people who took him are more intertwined with her new identity than she ever imagined. Mild spoiler: the trials she’s forced into aren’t ceremonial. They’re lethal. Pass and she earns her place. Fail and she becomes a cautionary tale.
The world building goes full dramatic flourish: forests that whisper, estates holding more secrets than furniture, tattoos linked to magical power, and political factions sharpening their knives with enthusiasm. The magic system wobbles in places, but the plot moves fast enough that you stay hooked.
Selena’s arc is the beating heart of the story. A quiet girl shoved into destiny’s mouth who discovers she has far more bite than anyone expected. Watching her shed her old skin is electric.
If you want tidy systems, predictable romance, or characters who make rational decisions every time, this isn’t that. But if you love messy power plays, a heroine rising under pressure, a world with teeth, and a plot that sprints rather than strolls, Browid serves what you’re craving.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest review, guarded with the enthusiasm of a gremlin protecting a shiny prize.
The Trials of Browid begins in a quiet Maine town with Selena Bell running her family café and grieving her missing father. She’s the kind of rule-follower who could probably alphabetize her anxieties. Life is steady, small, and safe.
Then three strangers walk in and inform her that her entire identity is wrong.
Turns out Selena isn’t just a “regular girl with trauma.” Surprise: she’s Semper, which translates to “magical royalty who got lost somewhere between fate and a clerical error.” Before she can finish blinking, she’s dragged into a hidden world filled with Blessed, Fallen, ancient houses, dangerous politics, and a power structure so tangled it probably needs a priest, a therapist, and a project manager.
And standing squarely in the middle of this mess is Mister Green Eyes. Brooding, guarded, armed with a tragic backstory, and treating vulnerability like it’s toxic. He flips between fierce protector and “do not ask me anything meaningful,” which is apparently my personal brand of poison.
As Selena is hauled deeper into this world, she learns her father didn’t simply disappear. He was taken. And the people who took him are more intertwined with her new identity than she ever imagined. Mild spoiler: the trials she’s forced into aren’t ceremonial. They’re lethal. Pass and she earns her place. Fail and she becomes a cautionary tale.
The world building goes full dramatic flourish: forests that whisper, estates holding more secrets than furniture, tattoos linked to magical power, and political factions sharpening their knives with enthusiasm. The magic system wobbles in places, but the plot moves fast enough that you stay hooked.
Selena’s arc is the beating heart of the story. A quiet girl shoved into destiny’s mouth who discovers she has far more bite than anyone expected. Watching her shed her old skin is electric.
If you want tidy systems, predictable romance, or characters who make rational decisions every time, this isn’t that. But if you love messy power plays, a heroine rising under pressure, a world with teeth, and a plot that sprints rather than strolls, Browid serves what you’re craving.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest review, guarded with the enthusiasm of a gremlin protecting a shiny prize.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
Stephanie Bosshard delivers a vivid and imaginative fantasy adventure in The Trials of Browid, a story filled with magic, mystery, and the kind of character growth that keeps you eagerly turning pages.
The book centers on Browid, a young protagonist thrust into a series of perilous trials that test not just his strength, but his heart, loyalty, and resilience. Each trial adds another layer to the world Bosshard has crafted—rich with lore, tension, and emotional depth. The journey feels both epic and personal, striking a great balance between external danger and internal development.
What stands out most is Bosshard’s world building, which is intricately detailed without ever feeling overwhelming. The pacing is steady, and the narrative has a classic fantasy feel while still bringing fresh ideas to the genre. Supporting characters are memorable, and the relationships formed throughout the trials give the story real emotional grounding.
Pros:
⚔️ Engaging trial-based storyline with high stakes
🌍 Immersive world building and lore
💛 Strong character development and meaningful relationships
📚 Perfect for fans of traditional quest-style fantasy
Cons:
⏳ A few sections slow down due to heavy detail, but they ultimately enrich the world
🌀 Some transitions between trials feel abrupt, though the momentum picks back up quickly
Overall Thoughts:
The Trials of Browid is a compelling and heartfelt fantasy adventure that delivers both action and emotional resonance. Stephanie Bosshard creates a world you can easily lose yourself in, guided by a protagonist you can’t help but root for. It’s a rewarding read for fantasy lovers and a promising start (or continuation) of a series.
⭐ Rating: 4 / 5 stars
The book centers on Browid, a young protagonist thrust into a series of perilous trials that test not just his strength, but his heart, loyalty, and resilience. Each trial adds another layer to the world Bosshard has crafted—rich with lore, tension, and emotional depth. The journey feels both epic and personal, striking a great balance between external danger and internal development.
What stands out most is Bosshard’s world building, which is intricately detailed without ever feeling overwhelming. The pacing is steady, and the narrative has a classic fantasy feel while still bringing fresh ideas to the genre. Supporting characters are memorable, and the relationships formed throughout the trials give the story real emotional grounding.
Pros:
⚔️ Engaging trial-based storyline with high stakes
🌍 Immersive world building and lore
💛 Strong character development and meaningful relationships
📚 Perfect for fans of traditional quest-style fantasy
Cons:
⏳ A few sections slow down due to heavy detail, but they ultimately enrich the world
🌀 Some transitions between trials feel abrupt, though the momentum picks back up quickly
Overall Thoughts:
The Trials of Browid is a compelling and heartfelt fantasy adventure that delivers both action and emotional resonance. Stephanie Bosshard creates a world you can easily lose yourself in, guided by a protagonist you can’t help but root for. It’s a rewarding read for fantasy lovers and a promising start (or continuation) of a series.
⭐ Rating: 4 / 5 stars
December 29, 2025
I'm really sorry but this book wasn't for me and it's not even the book's fault, but the over-saturated fantasy market recycling the same tropes and only changing the names and / or the scene where the story takes place. Now I would never even dream of attempting to write a fantasy and I can't imagine how hard it is to write a good one, but recently I only seem to come across the same book from different authors.
Somewhat naive FMC who is oblivious of her true nature and powers - check
Shadow daddy MMC who is the bestest ever warrior but when it comes to HER he is softer than a puppy - check
Training the FMC who, although she's never had anything to do with trials or combats, of course will catch up to the most seasoned warriros in about a week - check.
Trials - check. And for me this is probably the breaking point now. The Trials. If I had a penny for every book I read over the past maybe 3-4 years, I would be rich enough to bribe the judges of any trials I would need to compete at and call it quits.
This is not a bad book but it suffers the consequences of coming further down the line after the Kindred Curse saga, after Fearless, after ACOTAR, after Crowns of Nyaxia, after Elemental Awakening and who knows how many other books from the same genre. Just on NetGalley the book I reviewed 3 days ago was built on the same structure. Yes, this book has the potential to be entertaining, but only if you haven't read the main fantasy favourites, because you then know at every step what will happen. Kind of like a good song that you enjoy, start listenjng to it on loop and after 3 days you would listen to anything else BUT that song.
Thank you for the author and NetGalley for the ARC copy and I am sorry I couldn't give a better review.
Somewhat naive FMC who is oblivious of her true nature and powers - check
Shadow daddy MMC who is the bestest ever warrior but when it comes to HER he is softer than a puppy - check
Training the FMC who, although she's never had anything to do with trials or combats, of course will catch up to the most seasoned warriros in about a week - check.
Trials - check. And for me this is probably the breaking point now. The Trials. If I had a penny for every book I read over the past maybe 3-4 years, I would be rich enough to bribe the judges of any trials I would need to compete at and call it quits.
This is not a bad book but it suffers the consequences of coming further down the line after the Kindred Curse saga, after Fearless, after ACOTAR, after Crowns of Nyaxia, after Elemental Awakening and who knows how many other books from the same genre. Just on NetGalley the book I reviewed 3 days ago was built on the same structure. Yes, this book has the potential to be entertaining, but only if you haven't read the main fantasy favourites, because you then know at every step what will happen. Kind of like a good song that you enjoy, start listenjng to it on loop and after 3 days you would listen to anything else BUT that song.
Thank you for the author and NetGalley for the ARC copy and I am sorry I couldn't give a better review.
December 12, 2025
The Trials of Browid starts off in a small Maine café, where Selena Bell is just trying to keep her life together after her dad disappears. It’s quiet, a little sad, and honestly feels like the calm before a storm—because the minute three strangers walk in, her entire world changes.
The beginning takes a bit to get into, but once the story shifts into the magical world of the Semper, I definitely wanted to continue reading. I really enjoyed the creativity of Semper—whispering forests, tattoo-tied powers, old houses full of secrets—and even when the magic system gets a little wobbly, the overall world is fun to explore.
What really hooked me was Selena herself. She starts out as someone who likes things safe and predictable, and suddenly she’s thrown into deadly trials, political games, and revelations about her father that hit pretty hard. Watching her find her confidence was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Her interactions with Gabriel had great tension, but this definitely felt like an introduction to their romance and relationship that will develop more in later books.
Yes, the pacing is slower at first, but the payoff is worth it. The plot picks up and the second half delivered what I had been hoping for.
"The Trials of Browid" has cool magic, high stakes, and a heroine who grows in all the right ways. If you enjoy messy politics, hidden powers, and stories that don’t wait around once they get going, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Bosshard, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The beginning takes a bit to get into, but once the story shifts into the magical world of the Semper, I definitely wanted to continue reading. I really enjoyed the creativity of Semper—whispering forests, tattoo-tied powers, old houses full of secrets—and even when the magic system gets a little wobbly, the overall world is fun to explore.
What really hooked me was Selena herself. She starts out as someone who likes things safe and predictable, and suddenly she’s thrown into deadly trials, political games, and revelations about her father that hit pretty hard. Watching her find her confidence was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Her interactions with Gabriel had great tension, but this definitely felt like an introduction to their romance and relationship that will develop more in later books.
Yes, the pacing is slower at first, but the payoff is worth it. The plot picks up and the second half delivered what I had been hoping for.
"The Trials of Browid" has cool magic, high stakes, and a heroine who grows in all the right ways. If you enjoy messy politics, hidden powers, and stories that don’t wait around once they get going, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Bosshard, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 25, 2025
It was fine, I just didn’t feel like there was anything very special about it comparing it to other fantasy stories. I also was annoyed at his insta love for her when he literally didn’t know her at all. There were some interesting aspects and I enjoyed the different characters but overall it was just an average one for me!
“He should have been able to drown her out, to push away her thoughts and focus on the task at hand, but Selena's mind, her beautiful mind, was like a melody in the chaos of his own.”
"There are things in this world, Selena, that we may not understand. But if we remember what is truly important, if we stay in the light, the world somehow makes sense again."
"But then I understood, within every shadow, there is light, like stars cutting through the night. I chose to seek the light that lives within the dark."
“He should have been able to drown her out, to push away her thoughts and focus on the task at hand, but Selena's mind, her beautiful mind, was like a melody in the chaos of his own.”
"There are things in this world, Selena, that we may not understand. But if we remember what is truly important, if we stay in the light, the world somehow makes sense again."
"But then I understood, within every shadow, there is light, like stars cutting through the night. I chose to seek the light that lives within the dark."
December 24, 2025
[ ARC Review ]
I felt like the beginning of the book and also the middle could’ve been a bit shorter. Sometimes I was a bit lost to where the story was going to.
Selena and Gabriel started their love journey too early for me. In their beginning scenes I got some butterflies, but then it got too intense real fast.
The idea of the trials was really nice, but as I said, I feel like the way it progressed until the trials was a bit too much and not really necessary.
I did like the world and the characters, but sometimes certain stuff that was said or when it was, for example the next day, these changes were to sudden and I had to reread it to understand what was going on.
I felt like the beginning of the book and also the middle could’ve been a bit shorter. Sometimes I was a bit lost to where the story was going to.
Selena and Gabriel started their love journey too early for me. In their beginning scenes I got some butterflies, but then it got too intense real fast.
The idea of the trials was really nice, but as I said, I feel like the way it progressed until the trials was a bit too much and not really necessary.
I did like the world and the characters, but sometimes certain stuff that was said or when it was, for example the next day, these changes were to sudden and I had to reread it to understand what was going on.
December 10, 2025
It was a very interesting book. I liked how the main characters interacted. It takes a while to get into the book, but I really enjoyed it! It can be a little slow at times but getting thru them is so worth it!
October 17, 2025
Can't wait to read!
October 17, 2025
So excited to read this! Sounds like the perfect Romantasy book!!
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