Review: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini || Very witchy… which pleased me to no ends

Title: Trial by Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: Worldwalker trilogy, book 1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, [Young-Adult]
Heat Rating: Cool
Page Count and Format: 373 pages, Paperback
Published: 2015 by Macmillan’s Children Books
Source: Purchased
My Rating:

Blurb (from Goodreads):

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.

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First of all, this book was epic! I enjoyed it so freaking much. The plot and the characters were unique and I was never bored throughout the book.

Lily has always been a victim of allergies which makes it impossible for her to enjoy normal activities. Out of frustration, she wishes to disappear from her current life and incidentally when she wakes up in a different world. In that world, everything is run by witches and there she is a danger to herself. Will she be ever able to return to her home?

“I’m a witch and witches burn.”

The plot of Trial by Fire was very interesting. Due to her allergies, Lily is not able to enjoy her life like other people. When her best and only friend Tristan offers to take her to a high school party, she grabs that chance but when things take a different turn, Lily wishes to escape her present situation and the next day she wakes up a parallel universe. We are thrust into the world which is run by witches. The worldbuilding was amazing! Albeit, this book took quite some time to explain all the mechanics of this world but I didn’t mind much.

The interrelation of science and magic was such an amazing concept, I enjoyed it so much. The Salem which Lily ended in not only has witches but various other people who are crucibles, mechanics, and outlanders. The woven were an interesting breed of creatures, I could definitely understand this was a part which would be dealt on in the next books.

All the characters were layered and pretty intriguing. I absolutely loved Lily. She was an amazing character, she was brave and didn’t take shit from people. I loved her character growth throughout the story and how she came to terms with her powers. She handled everything quite maturely in her situation. On the other hand, Lillian was the total opposite, well not completely as we only get some glimpses of her story but they definitely had contrasting personalities.

“I remember what I must do, even if it makes me the villain of my own story”

Now, can we talk about the boys… *ahem* Rowan, our love interest is the brooding and serious guy. He is a lot doubtful about Lily at first but slowly and steadily he begins to trust her. I loved how their relationship proceeded. The other two guys, Tristan (of the parallel world) and Caleb were pretty interesting as well. I loved the understanding and friendship between the trio as well as their relationship with Lily. At first, I was afraid of a love triangle happening but then it was quite clear who Lily was falling for.

Overall, Trial by Fire was a great read! I loved how the plot was executed and the characters were pretty amazing to read about. I liked the chemistry between Lily and Rowan and the worldbuilding was pretty awesome. The writing was smooth and beautiful and the pace was even throughout the book.

Recommend it?

Yes.

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So guys, what do you think about this book? Have you read this series yet or is it in your tbr? If yes, how was your experience?

• 4 stars
• 4 stars out of 5
• book 1
• Fantasy
• Josephine Angelin
• Macmillan's Children Books
• paperback
• Purchased
• romance
• Trial by Fire
• Worldwalker trilogy
• YA
• Young-Adult