Mundie Moms

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini, Book Review


By: Josephine Angelini
Published by: Feiwel & Friends (Fierce Reads)
Released on: 9.2.14
Series: World Walker Trilogy, Book #1
Source: arc from publisher to review / purchased book
4.5 Stars - I Really Enjoyed It!
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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.


Witches, Magic and the right amount of that Josephine Angelini slow burning character chemistry that I've come to love. Trial by Fire has that perfect blend of supernatural/paranormal elements, mixed into a beautiful crafted world filled with intriguing characters I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know, and follows the story of a tough heroine who learns to navigate a world that parallels her own. Josephine Angelini proves yet again, why I love reading her books. 

Lily Proctor has an unusual illness. This poor girl has debilitating illnesses and allergies that leave her teenage body frail, and make her family and her few friends overly protective of her. On a night when things seem to go from bad to worse, and she's betrayed by someone closest to her, she gets so ill she actually hears a voice in her head. That voice lands in her a completely different world. She's definitely not in her own Salem any more. No, the Salem she suddenly finds herself in is vastly different. Filled with similar characters much like the ones in her own world, this world also has dangerous creatures, magic, betrayal, and herself. Wait, what? Yep, the voice inside Lily's head, is herself, but not her. 

A world in which there are two versions of ones self sounds a little creepy doesn't it? This world has creep, but it's ruled by magic and run on fear. Witches are the power source. The Lilian who brought Lily here is sick, but powerful in her own right. This Lilian is a powerful and one of a kind crucible. She's also feared by many. Lilian and Lily may be similar in many ways, but there's one thing that separates them. Lily in her other Salem is a frail, fragile Lily. But once she finds herself in this new confusing world, she's definitely not that helpless girl. This Lily is much stronger, just as stubborn, and proves that she's much more powerful than she ever thought. Though the two girls maybe be similar versions of themselves, only one can out smart the other. Once Lily finds out why Lilian really brought her over her, she has to learn to not only trust herself, but those around to help her over power Lilian.

Josephine Anglini is one of my favorite YA story tellers. This book re-interates why. I love the way she can craft together a story with both it's world building, the characters, and all the elements she uses. There is so much to the new Salem Lily finds herself in. I love the way Anglini draws on the parallels of both worlds, and the similarities of the characters in both worlds to tell Lily's story. Instead of telling me things, she shows me. She draws me into Lily's world. I enjoyed getting to know the characters as the story goes on, and find out what their true motives and feelings are. 

The romantic interest in this story was fabulous! Though there is some awesome character chemistry through out the story, the romance isn't a big part of this story at all. Funny that it's one of the things that I loved. Rowan and Lily have this sizzle that kept me wanting more from them. I'm glad Angelini took her time in giving me what I wanted from the two of them, because these two had to learn to trust each other. There's so much history between Rowan and Lilian, and so much Lily has to learn about her new world. The way Rowan and Lily's relationship grows was a natural one. I loved it. Seriously.... I need more Lily and Rowan! 

There's a lot I'd like to say about this book, but I can't. There are so many elements to this story that feed into spoilers. This book is like an addicting puzzle. I wanted all the pieces at the same time so I could figure out the over all storyline, and what the ending was going to entail, but I loved the way in which Anglini strung me along giving me little pieces at a time. She made it impossible for me to predict the outcome, and I loved that. There are plenty of secrets, betrayals and mysteries that are uncovered, and some were still left untouched. I loved this story! This is another Josephine Anglini masterpiece. Now I want more!! I can't wait to pick up the sequel when it's out.

Check out the trailer below:



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