Trial of Bronze and Blood
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Average rating5
Gladiator meets Heartless Hunter meets Bloodguard in this new adult fantasy romance.
Four deadly trials will reunite them. One secret will tear them apart.
When a mission goes wrong and ends with her best friend dead, Drusilla Valerius is rescued by someone she never expected to see again: Marcus Scaevola. The only man she’s ever cared for—the man who spurned her feelings six years ago.
Marcus should’ve known Dru wouldn’t be the same woman he left all those years ago, and is he’s unprepared for her distrust of him – and her uncanny ability to kill. But he has a purpose for seeking her out.
Bound by loyalty, he convinces her to train King Cato of Anziano, one of the last countries yet to fall to the tyrannical Imperium, in the Valorem Blood Trials.
Unlike years’ past, the Imperium has a heavy hand in it, hiding beneath the guise of peace and unity between their two countries. When both Dru and Marcus find themselves joining the competition – Dru to take the place of an innocent and Marcus to protect the king – they’re forced to trust one another with their lives.
Now inescapably entrenched in the gory, duplicitous world of the blood trials, feelings long-buried surface, blurring the lines between duty and honor, love and loyalty. But Marcus carries a devastating secret–one that could destroy the foundations of Dru’s world...
Series
Featured Series
1 primary book#1 in Bronze and Blood Saga
Bronze and Blood Saga is a 1-book series first released in 2025 with contributions by M.K. Deoradhán.
Reviews
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M.K. Deoradhán's debut novel "Trial of Bronze and Blood" is a masterful blend of gladiatorial action, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance that kept me engrossed from start to finish.
At the heart, this story centers on Drusilla Valerius, a warrior devoted to the Faithless resistance since childhood. Her unexpected reunion with Marcus Scaevola, who broke her heart years ago, sparks tension and chemistry that drives this compelling second-chance romance.
The world-building is rich and immersive, with the Blood Trials serving as a brutal backdrop that showcases both the physical prowess and strategic minds of our protagonists. The author has crafted a complex political landscape where the tyrannical Imperium's influence seeps into every aspect of life, making the stakes feel genuinely high throughout the narrative.
What I Loved:
- The combat scenes are exceptionally well-choreographed, making you feel every punch, parry, and near-miss
- The second-chance romance element is perfectly paced, with just the right balance of angst and tender moments
- Drusilla's character development is outstanding - her journey from distrustful warrior to someone learning to open her heart again feels authentic
- The political intrigue adds layers of complexity without becoming overwhelming
The relationship between Drusilla and Marcus is the highlight of the novel. Their shared history creates a delicious tension that builds throughout the story, and their forced proximity during the trials only amplifies this. The author does an excellent job of showing how their past shapes their present interactions while allowing room for growth and change.
The Blood Trials themselves are brilliantly conceived, combining physical challenges with strategic thinking. Each trial raises the stakes higher than the last, creating a natural progression of tension that keeps you turning pages well into the night.
This impressive debut skillfully combines brutal gladiatorial action, political intrigue, and an emotional second-chance romance. I'm eagerly anticipating the next book in the Bronze and Blood Saga.
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