Trial by Fire

Josephine Angelini writes some addicting stories. I wasn't sure how the witches + alt reality set up of this story would work out for me, but I ended up liking Trial by Fire a lot. I definitely couldn't put it down. Plus it's always fun to read a story that takes place in your backyard. Set-up. Lily lives in present day Salem, Massachusetts, where her life is a daily struggle to survive a compounding amount of environmental and food allergies. It doesn't help that her mom is a little crazy and her dad is pretty much absent. But she has the constant support of her sister Juliet and her best friend Tristan. Lily has been interested in Tristan as more than a friend for quite a while, and it finally seems like he's noticing her. But after a disastrous night at a high school party, which almost kills her, Lily gets transported to a different Salem, Massachusetts. One filled with magic and witches, all ruled by an alternate version of her, Lillian. Only this girl is the villain in the tale. Parallel worlds. I generally avoid parallel world/alternate reality books like the plague. Mostly, because the main character is typically in the head of multiple versions of herself and that means love triangles and confusion for me. So I appreciated that the characters in each of these realities were distinct individuals. Although the story feels very contemporary high school when Lily is in her Salem, once she travels to the alternate New Salem, the story becomes something different entirely. I loved meeting the alternate versions of characters we'd known before, as well as new people too. It's definitely an interesting nature vs. nurture debate to see what other versions of people have become. Still, I did have trouble in places seeing Lillian as an evil villain. We don't spend a lot of time with her, and she rarely interacts with Lily. We also don't get her full motives or plans. I think also, because she was a version of Lily, I sympathized with her. Or at least felt like I didn't fully understand her enough to judge her, and I gave her some slack, despite the awful things she'd done. But all that also served to make the story and her character more compelling too, and it's one of the reasons this book was so very intriguing. I can't wait to see where her character goes in the future. Magic. The New Salem to which Lily is transported is a place ruled by witches who wield incredible magic. The difference between men and women's abilities and how their talents work together is fascinating. Although all people have some magic in them, women are the most powerful, and Lily is one of the strongest. The strength of her ability has to do with why her Salem was physically killing her. But Lily, like other female witches, works best when her magic is projected through others. She also needs Mechanics (doctors/healers for witches) like Rowan to keep her healthy. Oh Rowan. We will get to him next. Romance. [I'm going to outline this for those who like these details. Not major plot spoilers, but I'm candid about the romantic elements.] I would not consider this story to have any sort of Love Triangle, although it is a bit of of a progression in the beginning. It's clear pretty quickly that Tristan is not a great match for Lily, and I don't think there is any threat of that relationship reviving in any future world. Especially, after she meets Rowan in the alternate Salem. Rowan used to be Lillian's head Mechanic and how he hates her for very valid reasons. Then he meets Lily who is a version of Lillian but also is very much not her, and he dislikes her on sight. I really liked the way that Lily and Rowan's relationship starts off antagonistically and takes time to build slowly over the course of the book, as they discover who each other is. Even by the end they are not trying to rush anything, which hopefully will mean that the author won't introduce an awkward triangle in future books to add tension (I hate when that happens). However, just as I had trouble seeing Lillian as an evil villain, I struggled with the Lillian - Rowan - Lily situation. It's very clear that Rowan and Lillian once had a relationship. I don't think that Rowan would ever go back to Lillian, but it is a little awkward watching him move on to another version of her. I want to know more about how much his feelings for Lily are wrapped in Lillian - and see them separate from that. This lessened as the book continued, and I think the romance has potential to be very strong and epic as it continues. But it was uncomfortable at times, though that's also a reason why it intrigued me. Cliffhangers. The end of this book is especially exciting. I really, really liked the direction it took, and that has made me quite impatient for the next installment. It's one of those cliffhangers that makes you eager to keep reading, instead of stressed out. It's also a good breaking point in the series. Final thoughts. I read Trial by Fire a few weeks ago, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. There was something incredibly compelling about this story for me. It's funny because the romance made me slightly uncomfortable, and I was't completely sold on the villain. But those elements somehow combined to make me more excited about what happens next. I want to know a lot more about these characters and I'm eager to get back into this story.

Alternate worlds with the magic and monsters? Yes please! It was so easy to love a character in one world, only to turn around and hate them in the other. As Lily is, somewhat, whiny at the start of this book, I still prefer her over Lillian; her alternate self in another Salem. This is what fascinated me with this book, the alternate worlds. I’m not big on them, but if the author can take the time to make them super villains of their original selves – or vice versa – I’m game. At the start, Lily is desperate to make that leap with her best friend Tristan. She’s been crushing on him forever and they finally may have something. All she wants is to go to a party on his arm, and for once, not let her allergies disrupt her life. Things turn out differently, and she is humiliated in front of her peers. “Dear God, make me a bird; so I can fly far. Far Far away from here”, is her mantra. Well, not those words but you get my point. And, wish granted! Only, she ends up in the other Salem, which is filled with creatures and magic. Most of all, Lily is not prone to sickness in this world, and she is as strong as ever. Lily soon learns that Crucibles can be cruel, and that Lillian is up to no good. Rowan. I liked him instantly. He shows Lily how to use her magic to help the Outlanders. I loved the blossoming relationship between Lily and Rowan. But, when it all boils down, Lily has to make a choice. Stay in this alternate world where she is stronger and powerful, or return home and live with her allergies and self consciousness. She doesn’t want to face what she left back there and now she has found herself. I really liked this story – though the ending left me wanting more. Well, only 3.5 months to go until the next book, so there’s not a long wait. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you love witches and magic.

Das hätte ich niemals erwartet! Ich lese sehr viele Bücher und teste auch immer neue Autoren aus. Dieses Buch war eine echte Überraschung. Die Geschichte ist toll geschrieben, voller Spannung, Magie und starker Charaktere: Die immer kranke und an Allergien leidende Lily wird, nachdem ihr bester Freund Tristan sie schwer enttäuscht hat, von einem anderen Ich in eine Parallelwelt gezogen. Dort existieren Hexen und Magie, dafür aber keine Wissenschaft. Forscher, Doktoren und Lehrer werden verfolgt und ermordet - und zwar von Lilys anderem Ich - Lillian. Diese ist die stärkste Hexe der Parallelwelt. Verwirrt und geschockt flieht Lily vor Lillian und wird von Rowan gefunden. Dieser war einst Lillians engster Vertrauter, hat sich aber von ihr abgewandt und versucht nun, zusammen mit Freunden den Menschen zu helfen, die von der Gunst der Hexenmagie ausgeschlossen sind - den Outlandern. Diese müssen ohne den Schutz und die Magie der Hexen (Elektrizität, sauberes Wasser, Medikamente...) in den Wäldern außerhalb der Städte leben und versuchen, dort zu überleben. Doch in den Wäldern lauern die Woven - einst durch Magie als Diener der Menschen kreiert (Methode à la Frankenstein), sind sie nun nicht mehr zu kontrollieren und töten alles, was ihnen in den Weg kommt. Lily versucht, sich in dieser neuen Welt zurecht zu finden und mit Hilfe von Rowan, dem Tristan dieser Welt und anderen Freunden, die Magie, die in ihr wohnt, unter Kontrolle zu bringen und für die Outlander einzusetzen. Doch viel Zeit zum Lernen bleibt ihr nicht, denn ihr Auftauchen in dieser Welt blieb nicht unbemerkt und andere Personen wollen die neue, starke Hexe für ihre eigenen Zwecke nutzen. Dabei will Lily eigentlich nur eins - wieder nach Hause. Ich kann es nur noch einmal betonen: ein tolles Buch! Ich lese sonst Bücher von Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Elizabeth Hunter, Thea Harrison oder Patricia Briggs. Dieses Buch hier hat mich vom Hocker gehauen und daher kann ich nur sagen: 5 Sterne; unbedingt lesen! P.S. Was man noch wissen sollte: Das Buch ist der erste Teil einer Trilogie. Teil zwei ist für 2015 geplant. Man muss sich also noch ein wenig gedulden.

One of the best books I have ever read!

I didn't expect this book to be quite so... this book. It was an at times uncomfortable, painful, delightful, epic adventure. I found myself suffering alongside main character Lily as she was backed into corner after corner by strangers, friends, family and even her own body. She had to make the best of having no choices and I yearned for this young woman to learn how to fend for herself, to be able to take control of her own life. I found her reactions honest even when they were uncomfortable or ugly, and I admired her strength of will. I don't want to talk too much about the other characters in the book to avoid giving anything away but let me say that I was intrigued by their stories. I found Rowan, Tristan and Caleb endearing in their own ways. The different ways in which they reacted to and interacted with Lily was, along with Lily's personal journey, the foundation of the story, for me. The weakest portions of the book (for me) were the sections that involved Gideon, one of the villains of the piece, mainly because I was less interested in his side of things. Perhaps if his motivation had been more evident early on? I don't know. I do think that these scenes provided important information about Lillian's side of the story, and about the overall state of things in this universe. They made the struggle that Lily was caught up in much clearer and that elevated the reader's emotional stake in her decisions. so ultimately, I didn't *dislike* these bits, I just didn't find them as compelling as what was happening with Lily. There's some great business with magic, and some science-fictiony bits as well, none of which I want to touch on because it would spoil things. i don't think the book was without flaws - but instead that there was that 'something' that just got to me and kept me entertained and enthralled from start to finish. I enjoyed it so much that it's a five star book for me even if there were some weak parts.

This was an amazing read and I loved it from the very first, to the very last, page. Lily has been in pain her whole life - plagued with allergies and an apparent aversion to the world she inhabits. Tristan is her best friend and he's been a constant support for as long as she can remember. She has harbored a crush on him for years but he's a major player. Recently, things have changed between them, and now it looks like he may return those feelings. Instead, he lets her down in the worst way imaginable. Crushed and heartbroken, she is vulnerable to Lillian's will. Lillian is a different version of Lily from an alternate Salem and a very powerful witch. Essentially, she kidnaps Lily and magics her to a different Salem where horrible creatures known as the Woven strike fear into the hearts of the Outlanders. The Outlanders have essentially been banished outside the walls of the 13 cities by the Coven and the Council. Lily manages to get away from Lillian only to be captured by the terrifying Rowan. Rowan was Lillian's head mechanic ( a cross between a healer, a doctor, and a life coach) and her former lover. She betrayed him and he has now sided with the Outlanders against her. At first Rowan doesn't believe Lily when she tells him who she really is, but gradually he sees the truth and they develop a strong relationship and a very close bond. Rowan helps train Lily and she transforms from someone who was weak in her Salem to a person of considerable strength and power in this Salem. Her life changes beyond all recognition. I loved everything about this book - imaginative world building, strong character development, fast-paced plot and beautiful prose. I enjoyed the slow burning romance mixed in with plenty of action and life-threatening moments and all the magical elements. I particularly liked how the mindspeak aspect was executed. I enjoyed Josephine's Starcrossed series, but I think this has the potential to be even better. A fantastic read. Highly Recommended. This review will be posted to my blog My YA NA Book Obsession

Ho ordinato questo libro per un'amica, che ne è stata felicissima! E' arrivato puntualissimo e in ottime condizioni, anche se la copertina era leggermente ammaccata sul dorso.