Review: The Trials of Browid by Stephanie Bosshard

January 7, 2026

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

As a debut novel, the premise sounded promising, and while the end result was good overall, it lacked in certain areas.

The story leans heavily on familiar fantasy and romantasy tropes: a powerful FMC destined by prophecy, hidden away and unaware of her fate, living an ordinary life until strangers arrive to pull her into a world of magic and danger. She must learn to control her powers, prepare for an impending battle, and meets a handsome stranger who quickly becomes her love interest. Their romance escalates fast, and before long, she’s ready to face anyone who threatens her.

I don’t mind a slower start when it’s used to build the world and characters, but here the opening felt drawn out, while the critical turning point came across as rushed in comparison. The potential was there, and I did enjoy parts of the story, but overall it felt too familiar and wouldn’t be the first book I’d recommend from my TBR.

If you enjoy classic tropes and a straightforward romantasy formula, you’ll likely appreciate this more than I did.

🌙 Recension: The Trials of Browid by Stephanie Bosshard
📚 Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
📅 Release Date: November 11, 2025
📖 Publisher: Atmosphere Press
📱 Read as: Kindle
📗 available in various formats
💸 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 600
⭐️ 3/5