Series: Worldwalker #1
Author: Josephine Angelini
Audio Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Pages: 374
Source: I got this through my local library!
Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and 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 cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.
Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.
But how can Lily be the savior of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?
I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I picked Trial by Fire up on a whim. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised! I had seen some good reviews here and there, but I was unfamiliar with the plot. The narration and premise immediately drew me in, and I am now eagerly anticipating the sequel!
What I really liked about Trial by Fire was how unique it is. I have been reading quite a few fantasy and witch stories recently, and Trial by Fire held it's own. It isn't another run of the mill witch story. It had an intricate plot and was therefore more captivating. The book had a good balance between the main plot and all the subplots as well. There was just enough to make me care for all the characters, but not so much that I got bored.
Another thing that I really liked about Trial by Fire was the science aspect in it! I had no idea that the multi-verse theory was in this book at all! The multi-verse theory is so much fun to think and read about, and I loved that it was included in Trial by Fire. It was such an unexpected part of the book that made the book that much better.
The romance was a slow burn, and it was so freaking good. I love slow burn romances, and this did not disappoint. I loved how Rowan slowly but surely came to care and trust Lily. Angelini did it in a way that was not cheap and unbelievable. I am looking forward to seeing how the romance progresses throughout the series.
One of my biggest complaints for Trial by Fire was that it was at times confusing. I'm a visual learner, so sometimes listening to audiobooks hinders by comprehension. Especially when I am thrown into an intricate fantasy world like this one. There were also times when I just got bored of hearing how great Rowan is. I did like him, but I felt that he was over-sold. Yeah, he's swoony, but I also want to read more about this epic witch face-off than a boy. Lily frustrated me at times as well. She was so ignorant, and though I know that is a given considering she is thrust into a magical world, even her thinking process and decision making skills left me exasperated. There were times when I was just thinking, "What are you doing?!" If I were in the same situation as Lily, I probably wouldn't have made a lot of the decisions she did.
Regardless of my complaints, I did really enjoy Trial by Fire. It was a great debut novel for this trilogy. Though I have heard worse things for the second book, I am very interested to see how everything goes! The book held my attention the whole time, and I can't wait to see what happens to Lily and Rowan now after that ending!
With that, I give this book
4 out of 5 Stars!
Have you read Trial by Fire? What did you think of it?
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Happy Reading!
Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!