Review Tuesday: Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini

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The Worldwalker Trilogy #1

Goodreads Blurb:

"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."

Review:

Because there were so many things that I absolutely loved about this book, I have made a list!  Wouldn't want to forget anything!

1.  The entire concept of different worlds that are simultaneously parallel in nature.  This was just so cool to think about.  How there are different worlds that are in the same time as the one we're in but they're just on another branch of the universe.  The way I got to thinking about it is kind of like the different ponds in Narnia and how each pond led to a different world.  I read this right after watching Interstellar too so I was in the contemplative mood.

2.  The parallels drawn between science and magic and Lillian's attempt at a perfect world.  This is sort of connected to the first bullet but I feel like it deserves its own!  In the book, they use magic and science at the same time and in the same world because, like I said before, the worlds are at the same point in time.  There are just different versions of people on each one that do slightly different things and therefore altering the course of history.  Lillian, the character that brought Lily to her world (they are parallels), has a plan to make the perfect world but the ethics involved are a bit sketchy and really makes you think.

3.  The characters who were featured.  The main circle of characters is really dug into in this book which was nice.  In so many books, you don't really get a good feel for the personalities of the main circle of characters until the second book.  In this book, we did get to know Lily, Juliet, Lillian, and Rowan.  However, I didn't really get a feel at all for Tristan and Caleb (two of Rowans friends) in the book.  Even though they were present quite often, they felt a little flat.

4.  The relationships in New Salem.  I thought it was so fascinating to see two versions of the same person and also how their experiences shaped them to be completely different from who Lily knew in Salem.  Also, the magic in the 'claiming' ritual was so cool to learn about and to see it in action with the characters was very cool indeed!

The Final Verdict:

I simply can't wait to read the next book, knowing what has to happen!  The concept of different worlds fascinated me and learning about the different characters who were also the same was riveting.

4.5 stars

Quotes:

“Worldfoam. I like that. It sounds fluffy.” 

“It's a sauna in her," Lily complained. She flapped her hands, trying to wave a breeze into the robe Rowan had told her to wear to this afternoon's ritual instead of the silk slip. "What are we making today? Deep-fried witch?” 

“Here, in this universe, what differentiated science from witchcraft was that scientists had fewer resources and couldn't magically manipulate the natural world by will alone.” 

“A crucible's craving is her mechanic's mandate.” 

“She heard Rowan awake with a start before he reconciled himself to his surroundings. His back scraped across the trunk of the tree as he slid sideways--trying to see around the branch she was sitting on to get a look at her.
"Are you awake?" he asked, his voice still rough from sleep.
"Yeah."
"Did you sleep at all?"
"No." She heard him mumble something to himself and decided to cut him off before he could scold her again. "My butt did, though. Slept like a log all night."
"Well, obviously, your butt has more sense than you do."
"You're a funny man, Rowan whatever your last name is."
"Fall."
"I'd rather not."
She managed to get a tiny chuckle out of him, which she considered a huge achievement. Rowan stood up on his branch, bringing his head level with Lily's, and started to untie her. His lips were still pursed in a near smile.
"My name is Rowan Fall.” 

“The people who love you will guide you like bright lights into the other worlds.” 

“There comes a day when every girl loses the stars in her eyes. And then she can see clearly.” 

“But—I’m leaving.”
Not without me.”