Monday, August 25, 2014

Review: Trial By Fire

TRIAL BY FIRE
The Worldwalker Trilogy #1
Josephine Angelini
Paranormal Young Adult
384 pages
Feiwel & Friends
Available September 2nd
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (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
Trial by Fire has all the makings of a sprawling fantasy novel, sharing with us a world full of unfathomable creatures and witchcraft, but at its heart is a heroine who keeps us anchored at all times, fully invested in her emotional well being from beginning to end. Ms. Angelini ensures we don’t get weighed down by all the supernatural elements by introducing us to young Lily in our world, letting us bear witness to a heartbreaking moment where her romantic hopes go down in flames, and neither Lily nor we escape without feeling the burn. Only once we’re thoroughly connected to Lily thanks to a shared pain and disappointment does Ms. Angelini shift us to a completely different Salem, one full of monsters and magic where the lives of many are regulated by the tyrannical hands of few.

Lily is a true joy of a heroine, her hope that longtime friendship with best friend Tristan has finally reached the pivotal moment in which it becomes more in the opening chapters something that instantly resonates, causing us to wish for the best for her even when we know thanks to the synopsis that neither our wish nor hers will come true. After having a brutal dose of reality shoved down her throat, Lily could have easily wallowed in her misery and drawn no blame from us, but instead she picks herself up upon finding herself in an alternate Salem and does her best to make sense of it. This determined attitude continues throughout Trial by Fire, Lily fielding whatever is thrown at her with a joke at the ready and a willingness to do whatever it takes to learn, adapt, or fight when the need arises.
 

Many readers–like myself–who have read innumerable young adult novels over the past few years have developed a bit of a nervous tic whenever a young woman finds herself surrounded by several guys her age, dreading the moment where the mere presence of two men in her life ultimately results in the development of romantic feelings for both of them. Luckily for us however, Ms. Angelini doesn’t lead us down that well-worn path, Rowan and Tristan’s positions by Lily’s side staying blessedly free of frustrating romantic entanglements. What we get instead is an intriguingly complex relationship between Lily and Rowan, his former relationship with the other version of Lily, Lillian, an aspect of the story that has us riveted to the pages. The feelings between them are tangled threads of misplaced anger and distrust, and as the story progresses, the addition of hesitant affection and genuine friendship only serves to tangle those threads further until the two of them become a beautiful knot of romantic possibility.

The only small drawback to this first installment is the persistence of one vitally important question: why Lily? We know from the beginning that Lillian is responsible for bringing Lily to her world, and while we eventually get the first small inklings as to why Lillian began her campaign of blood and death, we’re left completely in the dark as to what Lillian needs Lily for in the first place. Granted, this is the first book in the series and the answer to that particular question is likely one that has layers upon layers that will be revealed in time. Overall though, Trial By Fire is action-packed, the death toll rising with every chapter, but where there is pain and suffering there is also warmth and hope in the form of young Lily, and I simply can’t wait to see the type of woman she becomes.

Rating: 4.5/5
 

Find Josephine


This book was sent to me by the author free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

47 comments:

  1. Wow, I have to admit that I assumed this one would go the path that many YA paranormals go and have one girl surrounded hot guys and the romantic entanglements are super complicated. So yeah, I'm glad to be wrong about that! This one hadn't really been on my radar prior to now, despite the inclusion of witchcraft, but I'm definitely changing my tune now! Thanks for the excellent review, Jenny!

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    1. I was a little concerned myself since her best friend Tristan has an alternate version of himself in the new Salem, so I thought there might be issues there with him and Rowan, but it didn't go that way at all. SO GOOD:)

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  2. Death toll? I shall not get attached to anyone then

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  3. Eeeep! Lauren loved this one too and now you have given an almost perfect rating and a gorgeous review. I'm excited (even if I don't like the cover since it looks like a badly photoshopped MG read -.-) So glad that Lily is a great heroine that you just can't help but root for :) Also Salem! While it'll always have a creepy meaning to me, I'm so intrigued. Rowan and Lily seem like the perfect ship to ship ;) Ok, so all your questions weren't answered? I hope you get the answers you seek in the sequel. Gorgeous review, my friend!

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    1. I really, really liked Lily Siiri! She was a trooper and handled her situation with far more grace than I would have. I definitely still have some questions, mostly with regard to why Lily was chosen by Lillian, but I imagine that will be addressed in future books:)

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  4. Ooo Jenny I read a few meh reviews but yoi have swayed me..the world, characters and body count have me curious. Lovely, informative review.

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    1. YAY! I was a big fan of this one Kim, highly recommend:)

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  5. I've been hearing some good things about this book, and I'm really excited about reading it myself when it releases. It sounds fantastic. I'm glad that you explained the dynamics between Lily and the guys around her. It definitely makes me feel less nervous about starting the book. I'm excited to meet this lovely cast. This is a series, so I hope your questions will be answered eventually. :)
    Gorgeous review, Jenny!

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    1. I was a little worried too Nick since her last series did have a triangle of sorts, but I loved how everything was handled in this book. It's possible a triangle will come into play in the next book, but I'm hoping not!

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  6. I am so excited to read this one and basing from your review, it looks like it would totally live up to my expectations. I am so happy that there are no messy romantic entanglements but a promise of a romantic possibility. It also seems like Lily is my kind of heroine. Fantastic review, Jenny! You just made me want this book NOW. :D

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    1. LOVED Lily and Rowan. Theirs is a very complex relationship and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds:) Can't wait to see what you think Sarah!

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  7. Lily sounds like a wonderful character. It's the first review I read about this one but it sounds so good and I just love the cover lol. I could onlyr ead it or that. Great review!

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    1. YAY! Glad I could bring this one to your attention, I hope you give it a try:)

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  8. Oh, wow, this sounds much more complex than I first assumed! That's what I get for assuming anything in the first place. I'm glad the romance avoids all the usual traps, and I must say I'm curious about the rest as well. Death toll? Action-packed? Suffering but also hope? Sign me up.
    I'm starting this tomorrow. Fabulous review, Jenny!

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    1. I look forward to seeing what you think Maja!

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  9. Oooh, a high death toll? You know how much I like my books bloody, Jenny! Way to use my magic word against me. ;) Unanswered questions can be incredibly frustrating, especially the why of it all, but that's also part of the fun of starting a new series. Wonderful review!

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    1. Then you will like this one Carmel! This alternative Salem is definitely not a place I want to live. Yikes. Such a good book though!

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  10. I was very very happy as you were that there was no love triangle in this one and I hope it will continue like that in the next books!
    I was a bit thrown by the mostly regular contemporary setting of the beginning but it was a great way to introduce us to Lily.
    I cannot wait until the next book when we'll learn more about why this Lily was chosen by Lillian and what's gonna happen after that cliffhanger!!
    Fantastic review as always, Jenny!

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    1. ME TOO PILI! I was worried it would be an epic triangle but that was not the case. And I loved how Lily recognized the similarities between her Tristan and the alternate Tristan and knew she didn't want to go there with him.

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  11. Oh, no. September 2nd? Here I thought I still had weeks to read it and review it before release date! Grr.

    I am SO glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Jenny, because I'm very excited to read it myself. I need some action-packed books in my life every now and then! Great review :)

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    1. Hehe. Yeah, those release dates sneak up on you sometimes don't they? Hope you love it Hafsah!

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  12. Yes! I loved this book and you know this normally isn't my thing but there was just something about this one that drew me in.
    Beautiful review Jenny, you said everything better than I could have hoped to. :)

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  13. Thanks for the lovely review! So glad to hear there's no love triangle. This makes me super excited to read this book :)

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    1. I hope you love it as much as I did Eileen!

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  14. Now I know I must read this!! Jenny thank for reviewing this.

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  15. I'm actually really excited for this book (espcially since the characters name is Lily...*wink* *wink*) LOL!
    But beyond the characters name you make this one sound truly fascinating! Can't wait tog et my copy :)
    Lily

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    1. I always like when I come across characters named Jenny ;-) Can't wait to see what you think Lily!

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  16. Hmm, I wasn't really too interested in reading this one but after reading your review, Jenny, I may actually give it a try. It sounds quite original and I like that there's no love triangle. The romance actually seems pretty enjoyable too.

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    1. I really enjoyed this one Z! I definitely want more information as to what Lillian's goal in bringing Lily over is, but there's time to figure that out:)

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  17. I have this coming up on my pile. I'm really excited to read it and even more so since you loved it so much! YAY for no love triangle!

    Sorry I've been absent. Last week was horrible but hopefully I'm back for this week. :) And then next week my parents will be visiting so I'll be absent again.

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    1. Glad to have you back! Life is always more important than blogging though, no worries about being absent:)

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  18. I am reallly excited to read this book and I am so glad to see that you enjoyed this one! I adored the first two books in the Starcrossed series (still need to read the last one) and I am hoping that Trial by Fire will be just as good if not more so! :)

    I am definitely looking forward to getting to know, Lily and watching her relationship with Rowan develop because boy does it sound like I am going to enjoy shipping the two!

    Lovely review, Jenny!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. YES RASHIKA. I'm shipping them so hard. I couldn't not root for them, and I really wish book 2 wasn't a year away so I could find out what it has in store for these two:)

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  19. Oh wow. This one sounds fantastic. I have my review copy and I have it scheduled in September. So happy to hear that it has a thrilling storyline, lots of action and yeah for no love triangle! Looking forward to this one.

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  20. Ooh Jenny, Lovely review and now I'm even more excited for Trial by Fire. I've read a few mixed reviews, but I love everything you've mentioned here - so I'm definitely keeping this on my to read list. It sounds wonderful and complex, and no love triangle either :)

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  21. I have to admit the main reason I want to read this one is because she has life threatening allergies. I now know I need to read this one because of the characters. I'm also curious about this world. I'm also VERY happy that there is no triangle. :D Adding this one to the top of the wishlist. Oh... maybe I'll do this one on audio? Will have to check if will come out in audio!

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  22. This book exploded in my Goodreads feed this week. Haha. Like many were reading it and a lot had it added to the TBR so I’m very intrigued and those who have read it all 5 stars. So I’ll definitely be checking it out b/c I’m curious. =)))

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  23. Jenny, I'm so sorry! But I can't read your review since I'm going to start it very very soon and I want everything to be a surprise! I'm so so glad you enjoyed it though. :D

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  24. I'm on the WHY LILY questions -- a bit more than halfway through the book and, yeah. WHY LILY?!? Highly enjoying this story, though I keep holding my breath about the romantic entanglements. To triangle or not to triangle...

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  25. Nice! This actually sounds like a fantasy I'd really like.

    It seems like it has been so long since I've visited. I just got my computer fixed after 2 weeks w/o it. Talk about withdraws.

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  26. Fantastic review! I am looking forward to reading this one, especially since I liked Angelini's previous series. Your review has me looking forward to picking up this book soon!

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  27. I am SO excited for this book and cannot wait to dive in as I haven't read a truly phenomenal witch novel in a loooong time. It is a little concerning about the "Why Lily?" question but I feel confident that it's going to be a minor blip in an otherwise amazing world. Yet another wonderful review, Jenny!(:

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  28. Lol I love how you brought up that YA readers immediately get nervous over the fact that there are teenage guys in the story around the leading lady. I think ever since love triangles were put in YA books around the time of Twilight we all get nervous now when there are two potential love interests but I'm glad this one didn't go down the well worn path. I think YA authors are starting to understand we hate insta-love and the two guy struggle.
    Thanks for the great review!

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  29. I'm thrilled to see such a high rating from you for this one! I have a feeling I'm going to love Lily and Rowan, and I'm so happy the love triangle was avoided in this one. Can't wait to read it!

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