Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini Pages: 384
Published by Feiwel & Friends, Macmillan on September 2, 2014
Series: The Worldwalker Trilogy #1
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.
Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.
What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.
Trial by Fire is a book filled with so many awesome elements. Not only are the characters fantastic, but the plot is original and the concept is thought provoking and utterly cool! It reminded me on an episode of the Big Bang theory where Sheldon is talking about an infinite number of universes and an Infinite number of different Sheldons. That is the world you get introduced to in Trial by Fire. Lily Proctor is in our world, and then she isn’t. She is taken to a different world where a bunch of people are familiar to her, but everything else is so very different. Magic exists and witches rule. But that is only the beginning. Josephine Angelini does an incredible job of blending science with magic. These are witches, or crucibles as they are called, like I have never seen them before. I love that their magic stems from converting elements and substances that they take in from their surroundings.
The book starts out in our world, but Lily quickly leaves and the rest of the novel takes place in Lillian’s world. Some of the characters up front confused me. I have no idea why Lily had a crush on her world’s Tristan. I know they were best friends, but I didn’t even get the vibe that he was a very good friend. He just seemed like a royal jerk. And the other character that confused me was Lillian. I know she is painted to be this power hungry killing machine, big bad villain. I do get why people would think that, she was hanging everyone in sight. But from her passages and her interactions with Lily, I just didn’t get a completely evil vibe from her. I know she is holding back a lot of information, and a small part of me wants it to be a great justification so I don’t have to dislike her. Because I don’t hate her yet. I can’t wait to find out more about her character in the next book. I just have a feeling it is going to be something good. But I will hate her in a second if she tries to encroach on Rowan! (just sayin’)
I got really into the story. All of it. I loved the willstones, and I was just as fascinated by the whole relationship between magic and science as she was. I liked Rowan so much, but I don’t blame Lily for being confused by him. He didn’t give her too much to go on. I wanted to get inside his head a little more. But really, the whole cast of characters was great. There is so much action and detail going on in this story that you will never be bored. Trial by Fire is one of those books, where you get mad at the world for sending real life interruptions to your reading. I didn’t want to put it down.
The cliffhanger at the end of this one left me cursing the fact that I have to wait so long for the next book. I am on the edge of my seat with this one. There are so many things that Josephine Angelini can do with the next book, and I can’t wait to see what direction she takes the story in. I have tons of questions that I can’t wait to delve into when the world walking really comes into play. This is a great one for fans of paranormal and witches. Trial by Fire is a riveting read that is delightfully original.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Red Iza
I just love Sheldon 🙂 The cover had already caught my attention, but your review does it : on my list ! Thanks for sharing.
kindlemom1
LOL I love Sheldon! 😛
I really liked this too and am looking forward to book two. This one really surprised me for some reason, I really wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did.
kimbacaffeinate
If the cliffy made you curse, maybe I should wait closer to the release of book two..LOL
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I have been seeing this book absolutely everywhere lately – this is going to be my very next read! I love it when you’re so absorbed in a book that you don’t want the real world to interrupt!
Kathy @ My Nook, Books & More
Great review!! I just finished and I loved it too. When I read the ending I cursed too! I can’t wait for the next book!
Jaime Lester
The only thought in my head right now? I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2! I LOVED Trial by Fire so much. It was a little shocking to me, because I tried and failed MANY times with Josephine Angelini’s previous series. I just could not get into it. I read the first book, it was so-so, and tried with book 2, but I couldn’t do it. THIS one though, this one blew me away! I loved reading your review, and I look forward to seeing what you think of book 2!
Penny Olson
I like the aspect of magic combined with science. Thanks for the review.