Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Title: Trial by Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:  September 2, 2014
Pages: 374
Source/format: Library/hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (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.

My Thoughts:

So I am obsessed with books that have to do with Salem. Maybe it's because I went to college in Salem and I currently live a town away from Salem. I found this book interesting with the parallel worlds. One of my favorite passages is the following:

You are sick in this world.

Lily wondered if she was talking to herself.

Come to me and be the most powerful person in the world.

But...I don't want to go, Lily thought. The faint voice went away, and Lily fell back into her body.

- Page 31 

I find it fascinating that Lily is strong yet weak in her world of Salem. In the alternate new Salem, she is powerful. The fact that her alternate self, Lillian, is able to call Lily into this alternate Salem, proves that Lily is strong even though she may severe life threatening allergies. She is able to walk right into a parallel universe.

I find it interesting that the parallel Salem is medieval like yet modern at the same time. The fact that Rowan doesn't exist in Lily's world is interesting since you would think that in a parallel world, everyone and everything has a counterpart. Lily doesn't believe in magic. Well she didn't until she met Rowan. The look on her face when Rowan's eyes were on fire and when she was able to mend her broken ankle with Rowan's help made her a believer of magic. The magic and thermodynamics in the book definitely kept me interested. I love how magic and science are interwoven in the the Trial by Fire.

Lily learns she is a crucible and she needs to learn to earn the title of a witch and yet she earns the title without proper training or a willstone. I find the willstones intriguing probably because they are intimate, super powerful and mysterious at the same time.

Lily's relationship with Rowan is quite intriguing. At first they don't get along but eventually they warm up to each other and work as a team to survive. They were able to trust each other in order to fend off the Woven. Lily and Rowan are perfect for each other and eventually fall in love. On the other hand, Gideon is just vile. He is power hungry and is selfish. He will do whatever in order to get what he wants. Everyone wants to use Lily for their own purpose. Can Lily trust anyone?

I find it interesting how the roles of the witch and the accuser have swapped. The witch is now the accuser of those who practice science. Those who are logical are hanged.  And the pyre scene is so compelling. I seriously couldn't put the book down. I cannot wait to read the next installment of the Worldwalker trilogy.

If you're a big fan of a magical fantasy with a bit of sci-fi and a bit of historical fiction, I highly recommend this book.