Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Publication Date: September 2, 2014

USA Cover

Book Description:

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.

UK Cover

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 saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

My Thoughts

If you liked her Starcrossed Series

then you will like this new series of hers. I got this book when I went to BookCon in New York and THIS was the book I wanted the most! And I was lucky enough to get it!

This story followers a girl named Lily who is a young sixteen year old, living in present day Salem, Massachusetts. Sadly Lily has life threatening allergies which keep her from living the life of a regular teenager. Just about anything can kill her and she does everything she can to not have people treat her like she is going to kill over any second. However, her classmates pretty much still treat her like a freak. If it weren't for Tristan, her best friend and a boy who happens to be the most popular and desired boy in school, she would have given up on life a long time ago. Tristan is the boy she has had a crush on but he always seemed to treat her like a sister more than even a best friend, as he is always there to keep her sane and to protect her from every harm that could agitate her allergies. One night Tristan does something that makes Lily think that there could be a possibly of things to change between her and Tristan and that he could possibly see her in a different light. Lily then gets her hopes up that they could possibly be more than just friends.  

When Lily's gets to go to her first high school party it turns out to be a social disaster and she nearly dies, plus when Tristan does something stupid she feel utterly betrayed and she is devastated. Due to the humiliation and devastation  Lily wishes she could disappear, when suddenly, she is literally transported to another Salem in an alternate universe. However in this new world, we find that Lily's doppelganger is a Witch that rules the kingdom of Salam.

In this alternate universe Lily finds herself no longer plagued by her allergies. Science is banned on point of death and the people are told they must believe in magic. Witches are the most valued due to their ability to use magic. Lily finds new people with same faces of people that she knew in her world and finds out incredible things about herself.

I loved this story because it not only was original but Angelini has created a world so vivid and well described that it was easy to picture in my mind. The world building was beautifully written, the emotions so beautifully done that you could feel your emotions rise and fall as they rode a roller coaster throughout the story. 

The romance and relationships in this story were so addictive. They flowed nicely, and the character development was slow and easy to follow. I loved that Lily was so brave, stubborn and sassy! The humor she had was perfect! She is also refreshing because she is not whiny but sees the good in terrible situations and tries to make the best of what she's got while she tries to figure out a way to get home, back to her world. I especially enjoyed the relationship between her and the Rowen. Angelini knows how to write a good leading man that is completely swoon worthy.

Overall Trail by Fire is an addictive read and an instant favorite, and left me breathless and yearning for more in the end. 

Sexual Content: moderate (understand that 2 characters at one point had a relationship and they were intimate)

Language: moderate

Drugs/Alcohol: moderate (some underage drinking and drugs mentioned)

Violence: moderate (murders-not terribly graphic, fighting scenes) 

*Thank you Feiwel&Friends for this book, which I got free in exchange for an honest review*

a Rafflecopter giveaway