joie881's review against another edition
2.0
The two-star rating is me being generous...and hopeful for better sequels.
Full review at http://fantasy-faction.com/2014/trial-by-fire-by-josephine-angelini
Full review at http://fantasy-faction.com/2014/trial-by-fire-by-josephine-angelini
aprilk's review against another edition
4.0
Trial by Fire is utterly unique and one of the most original books that I have read to date. The story is exciting and the world-building superb! I loved how the story starts out very mundane and ordinary, other than Lily's unexplained "allergies", and progresses into this amazingly complex and dangerous alternate world. I just knew there was something witchy behind Lily's affliction and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I was awed at how the author expertly wove in the scientific aspects into this world of witchcraft and just couldn't get enough. The darkness of this place that Lily finds herself compared to our world can't be overlooked but I loved how there were also some things that were more pure than we could find them here. I also really liked how well developed the characters were, even the secondary characters felt relatable and like there was more about them that I would love to know. The romantic obstacles were interesting to say the least and there just seemed to be this amazing spark between Lily and Rowan. The complex relationship and feelings between them because of Lily's mirror image in this world, just makes it even more intense. The whole book is quite enthralling and if you are a fan of books about witches and would like to find one set within a very unique world then I think this is the book for you.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
melissadelongcox's review against another edition
4.0
My SIL recommended this book and after reading the blurb, it seemed captivating. It most definitely draws you in and keeps moving, in the best way! If you enjoy some YA and fantasy, this is a good read.
larissax's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shai3d's review against another edition
3.0
Ms Angelini has done a wonderful job of world building. Definitely the strong point for this book. The landscape is the same but everything else has changed. That by itself was enough to keep me interested.
The characters are also fully fleshed out with all their strengths and weakness making them real and interesting. Lily is a very strong character which she would have had to be to survive her handicaps in her own world. Rowan is delectable and someone I wouldn't mind meeting in my world. Tristan and Caleb also add to the storyline.
I did enjoy TRIAL BY FIRE but I didn't find anything in it to 'wow' me. I am not champing at the bit waiting impatiently for the the next book. Still I would recommend it to my readers who enjoy alternate world stories. It is suitable for readers of all ages since there isn't any sex though it is mentioned.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
The characters are also fully fleshed out with all their strengths and weakness making them real and interesting. Lily is a very strong character which she would have had to be to survive her handicaps in her own world. Rowan is delectable and someone I wouldn't mind meeting in my world. Tristan and Caleb also add to the storyline.
I did enjoy TRIAL BY FIRE but I didn't find anything in it to 'wow' me. I am not champing at the bit waiting impatiently for the the next book. Still I would recommend it to my readers who enjoy alternate world stories. It is suitable for readers of all ages since there isn't any sex though it is mentioned.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
saffie95's review against another edition
3.0
WHAT?! YOU CAN'T MAKE IT END LIKE THAT
3.5 stars. Very unique take on the Salem witch trials
3.5 stars. Very unique take on the Salem witch trials
common_ghost's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kissa301_91's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible! I don't often write reviews for things, besides giving things the star that I feel were earned, but this book has broken me out of that shell because I want to make sure that as many people as possible are aware of this amazing author and read her books. I originally got this ebook on loan, and am seriously buying a copy to have forever. I will admit that the romance tag is what originally made me pick up this book, but once I started it, I could not put it down! The protagonist, Lily, almost lost me at the beginning because she is so stereotypically a teenager in love with her best friend. Once Lily found herself in an alternative universe's city of Salem however, the character really starts to flourish. It's not even that the new world changes her, it just allows her personality to shine through even more. As Lily spends more and more time in this new Salem, she comes into her own, and realizes that the things that made her "weird" in her own world, make her powerful in this one. Sickly and fragile in one world, she is superlative and strong in the new. And although Lily spent the majority of her time focusing on a boy in the start of the book, and does have a love interest develop in the new Salem, it doesn't ever seem to be her whole focus. Instead she has her passions and does not let herself be swayed by a pretty face. This character has her struggles and draws the reader in spite of, and probably because of, them. Finally, even though the reader (most likely) knows before even picking up the book that it is part of a series, and knows when the book is about to be completed, it never felt like the ending was going to be rushed, or forced, or incomplete. It is a whole story in-and-of-itself, that just so happens to end at a part that seems conducive to be followed by a sequel. If you are on the fence: READ THIS BOOK.
siobhan27's review against another edition
5.0
I love Josephine Angelini because she has a way of creating a world so amazing, and characters that intrigue us as readers and I could not wait to get into this new series. And the fact that it has to do with witchcraft made me want to read EVEN MORE!
What I think I liked about this book was the way it was written. It started off as a contemporary and I loved that because it gave us a chance to get to know certain characters without having to explain the surrounding world and have it be a distraction. being about to get to know Lily in today's world made me fall for her way before her world gets turned upside down. Lily was a very different character in the beginning than she was at the end, and watching her go through that growth was amazing.
The world building in this novel was extraordinary, I think what I liked the most about the world in this novel was the fact that it was the same city, but different times in history. Salem is known for Witchcraft and so it makes sense that this book had a lot to do with that topic, and knowing me and my interest in the subject, I was in. What I think I liked the most about this book was its combination of genres. It begins as a contemporary, then leads into time travel because our main character goes back in time to when Salem was run by witches, and then there is the paranormal with magic and the like. All of these different genres were combined to make one of the best books I have read this year.
Characters were very important in this book because they were paralleled in each world and that made for some interesting interactions. On one hand we meet one character that we hate, but then we meet them in another world and they are completely different. Waiting Lily navigate this aspect of the book was great because it showed her growth as a character and how she stopped making assumptions based in that persons "past." Every character in this book had a purpose whether they were in the past or present they had a direct impact on the story and on Lily herself.
There was a subtle love story in this book but it was intense as any I have ever read. There were certain scenes where I had to put the book down because they were so steamy! Not in a overtly sexual way, but just in the sexual tension kind of way and I loved that. I loved their relationship and I cannot wait to see where it goes because the way this book ended makes me want the second book right now!
What I think I liked about this book was the way it was written. It started off as a contemporary and I loved that because it gave us a chance to get to know certain characters without having to explain the surrounding world and have it be a distraction. being about to get to know Lily in today's world made me fall for her way before her world gets turned upside down. Lily was a very different character in the beginning than she was at the end, and watching her go through that growth was amazing.
The world building in this novel was extraordinary, I think what I liked the most about the world in this novel was the fact that it was the same city, but different times in history. Salem is known for Witchcraft and so it makes sense that this book had a lot to do with that topic, and knowing me and my interest in the subject, I was in. What I think I liked the most about this book was its combination of genres. It begins as a contemporary, then leads into time travel because our main character goes back in time to when Salem was run by witches, and then there is the paranormal with magic and the like. All of these different genres were combined to make one of the best books I have read this year.
Characters were very important in this book because they were paralleled in each world and that made for some interesting interactions. On one hand we meet one character that we hate, but then we meet them in another world and they are completely different. Waiting Lily navigate this aspect of the book was great because it showed her growth as a character and how she stopped making assumptions based in that persons "past." Every character in this book had a purpose whether they were in the past or present they had a direct impact on the story and on Lily herself.
There was a subtle love story in this book but it was intense as any I have ever read. There were certain scenes where I had to put the book down because they were so steamy! Not in a overtly sexual way, but just in the sexual tension kind of way and I loved that. I loved their relationship and I cannot wait to see where it goes because the way this book ended makes me want the second book right now!