Silvana, crown princess of Oruna, is faced with a task that most would fail. She is ordered to accompany her mortal enemy, the man who tried to murder her father when she was seven years old. The imperial prince wants to tour her nation and Silvana is the only person of high enough station to do perform this task. Can she do this impossible task to keep her people safe? On a journey that brings painful memories with every step, Silvana must maintain appearances and keep her secrets safe from the imperial prince. Can she overcome her hate? Or will she succumb to the festering desire for vengeance that is threatening to make her as evil as the imperial prince she despises? Silvana’s Trial is one of The Wordmage's Tales accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
I'm convinced that Astrid is an enchantress who has the ability to charm people with her words. Not only are her plots unique, but she also executes them in the perfect manner. Silvana's Trial is another great addition to the series that kept me hooked from the first page itself.
I've read many books with the enemies to lovers trope; it's actually one of my favorites. But I've hardly read any stories where the protagonists shared such a complicated history. I wondered how the relationship would even work out, but the author managed it quite well.
The book highlights topics like forgiveness and redemption, and these feelings shared by the characters were realistic. I also liked the relationship Silvana had with her family. Though they didn't agree on everything, their constant love and support for each other was heartwarming.
It is tough to include the enemies-to-lovers trope in a novella because having a change of heart takes time. It has to happen gradually. Unfortunately, that is the only issue I had with this book. Though the author tried her best to take it slow, I felt that the characters fell in love too quickly.
Despite the minor issue, it was a great read. I loved the way the book ended; it was immensely satisfying. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy novels with a fictional setting with a strong female protagonist and some romance. While you're at it, check out other books by Astrid. They're amazing!
I loved discovering another one of the Wordmage's Tales. These stand-alone stories are all a unique blend of Fantasy, Fairytale and Space opera, which I greatly appreciate. All of these tales are in fact the stories told by the bard of Astrid V.J.'s other series, the Wishmaster Series. This series starts off with The Apprentice Storyteller. I have yet to read that series, but I've read several of these stand-alone novella's and have loved them all. I loved that this one was told in dual POV, as it allows the reader to get to know and understand both sides of the complicated relationship that the two protagonists have. The story explored a wide range of emotions and, as is the case with all of the books in this series, it was dedicated to one main principle, in this case forgiveness. Such a beautiful tale, I cannot wait to discover the others!
Another wonderful Wordmages’ tale - royal enemies to lovers, loved it!
I thought I’ve read all of Wordmage’s Tales and yet I discovered this little gem of enemies-to-lovers, yay! I love Astrid V.J.’s transformational tales and this one is no exception. 18yo Princess Silvana is tasked with showing her planet and country to the Haldrian stuck-up prince who thinks he murdered her father 11 years ago. It’s what it says on the tin: not that I like to see princesses struggle with hate, but this one was ripe with everything that usually goes wrong in people relating to other people - false assumptions, spiteful actions, trouble of letting go, unwillingness to forgive, etc, etc. You read and you start to think about the assumptions you’ve made and the things you’re struggling with in human comms. I loved the turnaround Silvana made and the way she handled things - with dignity and poise. There’s a bit of court intrigue at the Imperial court as well, which I enjoyed & I can’t wait to read - hopefully - the next instalment when Silvana & Ned change the face of the Haldrian Empire.
Recommended for lovers of new fairytales, YA coming of age fiction with enemies-to-lovers sideline.
Short stories are not something I usually gravitate towards. But I would like to make a point of reaching for them more often. Silvana's Trial was a lovely short story. It started out very strong, and felt unique. A wonderful mix of fairytale feeling, fantasy story and space opera.
The story begins with a bard, who is from another series called The Wishmaster Series. I will add right now, that all of these short stories in The Wordmage's Tales are standalone. After reading only this story from this author, I can say that yes, it does work as a standalone short story. I believe if we were to be more familiar with the character it would only make the world more rich. But its not a necessity. Now, at the beginning of this story, we get a taste of the character and where he is. We quickly find out he is a bard and the story he is telling begins.
The story of Silvana just has a wonderful fairytale feeling to it. Astrid is able to paint a delightful picture for the reader. We get dual POV, and it definitely helped with the enemies-to-lovers trope. BUT, and I feel this is a harder trope to do in short story, the characters relationship felt rushed at the turning point. I wouldn't have complained if the story was longer to help develop more of the storyline. Overall, for a short story novella and the first time reading thus author... Well done.
The latest in the series The Wordmage’s Tales continues the story of the Last Warrior wherein Silvana, Flynn and Cynthia’s daughter sees her father brutally murdered and begs her mother to save her father and not the person who just killed him! That resentment persists even eleven years later, even though her mother was able to save her father with the exception of him loosing a leg to the man her mother healed first because he was a prince of the royal empire. Now this man returns and Silvana is ordered to show him their kingdom as his guide. As they travel she sees he has changed and regrets what he did so long ago as well and her heart softens towards him.
Love doesn’t run smooth as she accompanies her mother to the Imperial Palace so she can try and heal the emperor and Silvana is rejected and ignored by all the royalty there but Ned, the man she has fallen in love with. The emperor elevated his grandson to be the next emperor to take his place and he returns to Silvana and she reveals the secrets she has kept from him fearing rejection but finding love and kindness from him instead.
This story is about learning to forgive yourself and in so doing learning to forgive others as well. These stories are masterfully told by Astrid, the real life Viola, master storyteller! Astrid’s stories touch the heart in ways other books can’t. There is such a depth of feeling and emotion emulating from these characters that it takes ones breath away. They come alive and are no longer a story on paper but resonate with emotion and conviction!
These stories deserve to be read by everyone for if they were and the principles contained within these stories were applied, our world could unite in peace and harmony instead of the continual battles all around us!
I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend not only this book and this Wordmage’s series but Astrid’s other books as well! Let them work their magic on you as you read them and let them change your life for the better!
They are entertaining, thoughtful, well written and can touch your heart with what you read! I love them and I have full confidence you will as well!
Wow this book was so good! Things were a little confusing for me in the beginning since I haven't read the earlier books in the series yet (which I'm going to remedy asap now) but I loved how this was still such an easy read for me, I ended up finishing it in one day because it was just so hard to put it down once I started!
I absolutely loved Silvana and really admire her strength. And Ned was so sweet throughout the book he's definitely one of my favorite book bfs now. This book was so well written and I loved how the story was simple and fast paced without too much focus on unnecessary drama. As much as I would have loved some more fantasy elements in the book it felt good that the book didn't shift it's focus from romance that was the main plot. It was really refreshing to read a book that had all the elements I love but was still so different from all my other usual reads.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the shift in Silvana's feelings felt a little sudden to me. Ned's interest in her was obvious from the start and her struggle with her own feelings was very well written but I would have enjoyed it more if there was a little slower transition where we would have gotten to see them become friends and then falling in love with each other. Other than that one point in the book I absolutely loved it. I was sucked in from the very first page and I was so sad when it ended! GIMME MORE PLEASE!!!!
I'm really curious about Jo now and I'll definitely read all the other books in this series!
‘Wederom een geweldig verhaal met belangrijke lessen en goed uitgewerkte karakters’.
De boeken van Astrid V.J. zijn tot op heden alleen beschikbaar in het Engels. Ik probeer mijn reviews te vertalen maar mocht je de verhalen willen lezen, dan zijn deze dus Engels. Dit boek kan prima op zichzelf worden gelezen, maar is wel deel van een serie genaamd ‘The Wordmage’s tales’. Dit is een reeks novelles die horen bij de volledige serie ‘The apprentice storyteller’. Hierin vertellen de hoofdpersonen, Viola en Jo, verhalen die je terug kunt lezen in de Wordmage’s tales.
Silvana is de kroonprinses van Oruna. De Haldriaanse prins, prins Huneddzach, is haar gezworen vijand. Zijn positie is hoger dan die van haar, wanneer hij wil dat Silvana hem vergezeld door haar natie kan ze niet weigeren. Ze kan niet onder deze nachtmerrie uitkomen, ze wil tenslotte ook haar volk beschermen. Haar vader heeft echter belangrijk advies, over mensen een tweede kans geven.
‘It is unintentional pain that causes the most harm’.
Ik heb genoten van dit verhaal. Wat het extra gaaf maakte om te lezen is dat het doorloopt vanuit andere verhalen. Het is leuk om dit aan elkaar te knopen en te leren over het Haldriaanse rijk en haar geschiedenis, voor ik het tweede deel kan lezen van ‘The apprentice storyteller’. Silvana’s trial bevat belangrijke lessen en thema’s zoals agressie, wraak en haat. Maar ook liefde, vergeving en kracht. Silvana is koppig en vurig maar is ook erg goed in het maken van de juiste beslissingen voor haar volk.
Trigger warning: brief thoughts of self harm in this story. Basically one line, but I thought it couldn't hurt to mention it.
I loved this story, especially part three. And the sneak peek at what Jo is up to? I can't wait for December!
Silvana is the daughter of Cynthia and Flynn from The Last Warrior. Prince Ned also is featured in the first story, and while it is possible to read this one without the previous story, reading both really helps show the personal growth Ned has gone through in the past 11 years, and just how selfless and forgiving Silvana's parents are. There isn't a mean bone in either of their bodies despite all the hardships they have been through.
Silvana has horrible memories of the prince from her childhood, and I had originally imagined him as older when I read The Last Warrior, so I had to go back and reread sections of the first story and reimagine him as a cocky teenager to age him down in my head for this story. Aging Ned down to his proper age also helps me understand how was just a misguided child in The Last Warrior who has since grown into his own person and is trying to make up for his past mistakes.
This beautifully executed enemies to lovers romance was so good that I read it twice and it was even better the second time.
All together, these stories tell so much about the Haldrian Empire's past and I love how connected they are. I really need to go back and make myself a timeline for the Wordmage's Tales as well as mark where the stories are told in The Apprentice Storyteller.
(English copy from my Instagram profile @agamundisr_escritor / @leyendoconalice)
Konnichiwa to all you readers 🌸
Today I have the pleasure to bring you the review of the novel in English Silvana's Trial by the author Astrid V.J. in collaboration with the solidarity project Enchanted Forests. This time we will see a fantasy story designed for a teenage and New Adult audience. With that said, let's get started:
🏹The story begins by introducing us to Princess Silvana of Oruna, who is required by her nemesis, the man who tried to assassinate her father when she was a child, the imperial prince. Pressed between duty and the desire for revenge, the fate of her people depends on the outcome of such a dangerous assignment.
🏹The narrative unfolds with expert syntax and a calm pace. It gives off a medieval essence that gives drama and romance scenes a patina that helps to get into the reading. On the other hand, the description of the scenarios has seemed balanced to me, at times I have felt comfortable reading R.A. Salvatore.
🏹 Regarding the characters, I contextualize that it is the first time I read the author and the saga, which has made me lose a bit with the affiliations of the cast.
I consider that the cliché of enemies to lovers of Silvana with the prince has seemed well taken care of and gives depth to both characters. The redemption of his hatred based on a warrior heart has seemed to me the most interesting of the cast.
🌸Conclusion: Silvana's Trial has seemed like a good fantasy novel with several very exploited clichés. Despite this, I take my hat off to the author's narrative style and cast construction. So, I invite you to give it a try.
I really enjoyed this one. This is my third Wordmage Tale, and I have really liked them all. I really like how they can be read as standalone books without having read the series. I also think that Astrid is a wordmage, because she is able to pack so much world-building and detail into such a short book. That's just amazing to me, I haven't ever felt shorted on the detail in one of these stories.
This one tells the tale of Silvana, next in line to the throne, and a journey she must make taking the man who murdered her father on a tour of her realm. During the course of the journey, she learns much about herself, her father's killer, and the events of the past. All of this leads to Silvana not only taking a physical journey but an emotional one as well.
I liked the premise of this book, I thought it was unique and an interesting take on the typical hero's journey story. Silvana was a great main character, I could really feel her emotions right along with her. I also loved that this story used a dual perspective. I love getting into both characters' heads, I think seeing the full picture of the story in that way is really interesting. I also enjoyed the banter between the two characters and seeing their relationship change over the course of the story. And without spoiling anything, I will say I LOVED the ending- it totally knocked my socks off! I hope there may be more to this coming later because I would love to see what happens next after that ending.
Definitely pick this one up and give it a read. It's a fast read and well worth your time. If you haven't read any other Wordmage Tales, not to worry this is a standalone, and you'll be just fine. I also recommend any of the other books in this series, ,they are all fantastic!
Jo has come a long way from when he was an apprentice storyteller. In this latest tale within-a-tale, he stands confidently before the Haldrian Empress herself. She's familiar with the story he begins to recount, or thinks she is. But Jo has a surprise in store for her.
His tale deals with Princess Silvana, one of the empress's most revered ancestors. It's a touching story of finding love in the most unlikely circumstances. I won't spoil the plot, but I will say I especially enjoyed the scenes where Silvana takes delight in making a visiting prince squirm. Nicely written, author!
Themes of guilt, revenge, renewal, and betrayal are among those that feature in this well-written book. Fans of fantasy and romance will enjoy this gentle work. It held my interest from start to finish. As did the character development, not just for the two main characters in the tale being told, but also for Jo himself, as the confident ending illustrates. He's not an apprentice any longer!
What starts as a story being told by an apprentice storyteller turns into an intriguing romantic story that becomes hard to put down.
Silvana is a fierce hearted woman who loathes the Prince due to a terrible occurrence in the past. When he shows up wanting to travel and learn about the customs of her people, she has no choice but to be his guide.
It was fun to read as Silvana struggled with her feelings for the Prince, who also struggled with his guilt of the past. The two certainly find growth in their travels. I loved how Silvana was able to overcome her dark emotions and how the Prince was able to realize things and become someone better than what he once was.
Overall, this was a lovely, quick romance with some political intrigue mixed in. I really enjoyed it!
I was a little confused in the beginning because I haven't read the other books in the series but I quickly got up to speed with it. You don't have to have read the others to enjoy this one!
I loved the character development throughout this story. Silvana truly experienced a full roller coaster of emotions throughout this short story. I loved the whole will they, won't they vibes. It really kept me hooked until the last page!
I really wish this story had been longer. There were quite a few times skips and I would have loved to have spent more time with Silvana and Ned.
Overall, this was an interesting, quick read that had me on the edge of my seat right up to the last word!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Silvana's Trail is an emotional, character driven romantasy novella. Astrid V.J. masterfully fits all the emotion and drama of a romance novel into a succinct novella. You can almost feel the emotions with the characters. The world is interesting- a mix of dynasty-era orient and futuristic technology. Overall, an excellent short read, great for a weekend "getaway" to another world!
Silvana’s Trial is a beautiful enemies-to-lovers tale that emphasizes redemption, forgiveness, and love. My favorite aspect of the story is how it is told from the POV of both main characters. Not only did it help the story to flow better and be more exciting, but it was also a reminder of quick people can be to make assumptions about one another without knowing the whole story. I loved rooting for Silvana and Ned and couldn’t wait to see how everything would come together in the end.
Silvana’s Trial is a stand alone story in the Wordmages Tales. I have already read a few of the other stories and enjoyed them. In addition to reading Silvana’s Trial, I would highly recommend reading the Wishmaster books (The Apprentice Storyteller and Finding the Way), as you will appreciate it even more!
An amazing tale set in an amazing world. A beautiful message and a truly strong protagonist. Loved Silvana and was happy to be swept along on her journey. Loved it as can only be expected from this talented author.
Astrid has an enchanting way of writing and this latest book is no exception. A compassionate story of growth and romantic love woven with a larger political picture of this world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next book.
This was a great story about forgiveness and enemies to lovers!
The only thing I could not get my head around was how quickly and easily the parents accepted the Prince, especially if you have read The Warrior before this. It kind of ruined the realness a little for me.
Silvana was a fiesty and funny MC and her love interest was an interesting twist.
Astrid has a way with words like no other author. Her stories are such a pleasure to read and "Silvana's Trial" was no different. I loved the protagonist. She is strong, witty, and feisty. Her journey is not an easy one and yet she perseveres. This story falls in nicely with the rest of Wordmage's Tales and I will definitely read them again.
A nice, short book with excellent world-building, and the ongoing moral conflict between good and bad. The characters were strong and the story fast-paced. It felt like more than the 100 pages.
I really liked the world the story was set in: the 'Wordmage's Tales' background. It was a story-within-a-story which I found intriguing and pleasant.
- Pandemonium broke out in the hall. [...] “I speak only the truth as I know it for I have been sent by the Mother-Father to bring peace and harmony to this universe, something you have neglected, oh Empress of Haldria. We shall meet again.”
His staff hit the ground and Jo vanished, chuckling to himself at the good fun he was having.
One of the tales told in Find the Way, this is at the end of the book. This tale was highly researched by Viola and Jo and is steeped in truth as Viola discovers about many of the tales in their universe are. The truth that is discovered will challenge what has been taught in the Empire for centuries. Silvana and her story is a continuation of The Last Warrior, it follows Silvana on her road of forgiveness. Set 11 years later, Silvana is the heir and expected to follow the expectations set for her. The visiting Imperial Prince wants to tour her nation but her hatred for the man and his actions threaten diplomacy. Her father insists that the man is worth another chance and to set aside her hatred if not for herself then for her nation. During the journey she stubbornly refuses to believe that he has changed and holds onto her hate which causes her to change into someone she doesn’t want to be. She is faced with a decision, to keep moving down this path or move on. This story shows how far removed the current imperial family is even from those truths. That this is a much more satisfying truth than the lies that have been told. This was a story I greatly enjoyed and I look forward to when there are more to be told.
This is a enemies to lovers novella, so it was a quick read and dare I say very enjoyable. I haven't been introduced to this world before, so only at the end of the book I realised this took place on different planets instead of different countries. I would have loved a little more world building, because I can imagine those places have a rich history and are very interesting.
I really enjoyed how the characters are displayed. Silvana is a young, strong lady and Ned is a man who has been influenced in doing something bad, that he's regretted doing ever since.
Silvana has so much hate, but still does what she's been asked to do with poise. Eventually she softens and realises forgiveness isn't really for the other person, but for yourself. Ned has so much guilt and struggles with that for a long time, but slowly realises that you can't live in the past, but can do better in the future.
The one thing that bothered me, was that the forgiveness and falling in love was fast. How could it not with such a short story. But in my head I could imagine that it took longer and see the small changes in both of them over the course of time.
Beautiful story about love and forgiveness. I would recommend.
The writing was really good but unfortunately it wasn't able to catch my interest. I had expected even a little bit of action, maybe that's on me, but there wasn't any. And the love story went by so fast, we didn't get enough scenes with the two MCs to understand their connection