valeriianavarr's review
4.0
"Bit disappointed by it after the first book."
The explanation can be found here: http://valesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/08/firewalker-by-josephine-angelini.html
The explanation can be found here: http://valesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/08/firewalker-by-josephine-angelini.html
larissax's review
adventurous
emotional
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
aprilk's review
5.0
Firewalker picks up immediately after Trial by Fire ends. If you have not read Trial by Fire there is no way I can avoid some spoilers for that book in this review but I will try my best to keep them smallish. The first half of this book takes place in our world so even though it had it's strifes and complications arise it was not nearly as action packed as the second half of the book. But since the book does get rather intense I did enjoy the fun banter and silliness of Rowan trying to argue with Lily about Star Wars and such for as long as that lasted. It was rather charming but made me hate him a little more later on when...whoa! I am getting way ahead of myself so let me rein myself in a little. Anyhow so after sometime in this world Lillian proves to Lily that she needs to come back to her world. At first I didn't believe that there could be any excuse for the things that Lillian had done but as time progressed I couldn't believe the things that she showed Lily. Those "things" were rather gruesome by the way and pretty horrific if you ask me, so tread carefully if considering this book for younger readers or those who are sensitive to gore and vivid descriptions. Anyhow once they are back in Lillian's world things really pick up and I just could not stop reading until I knew everything I could about what was going to happen. I was very surprised by a particular persons reaction to a certain situation and even more shocked by their actions. I am hoping that there was more to that than what we were shown and hope somehow it can save my original perception of this person. I feel like I am close to just blabbering here trying so hard to avoid major spoilers while also trying to describe my reactions to Firewalker. I mean I was glued to the pages and couldn't find out quick enough what was going on... What's with the Woven? What about Lily and Rowan? What about Lily and Tristan? Then when I though that I was finally getting some answers I was also getting more questions. Then BAM!!! my heart was wrenched from my chest and the ending hit me like a ton of bricks. How the author manages to rip me into shreds emotionally while also leaving me with hope for this new discovery is a true talent. I am both sad and anxious and I really need the next book like yesterday!
** I received this book in exchange for my review. I reviewed this book for Mindingspot.blogspot.com ** Review will be posted there shortly. **
** I received this book in exchange for my review. I reviewed this book for Mindingspot.blogspot.com ** Review will be posted there shortly. **
melissadelongcox's review
4.0
After reading the first book in the trilogy, I picked this one up immediately and dove in. If you enjoyed the first book, this one certainly doesn't disappoint! The only thing I disliked about this book was the expansion of the mindspeak, because it made the writing style change a bit to include names with almost every sentence. It's certainly easier to keep up with who is speaking, but I found it a bit frustrating.
jst1morechapter's review against another edition
4.0
Another great installment in the Worldwalker series... this one has some nice twists and turns to the story... can't wait to read the next one
fictionalkate's review against another edition
3.0
Firewalker is an interesting follow up to the first book in the Worldwalker trilogy, Trial By Fire. Picking up where Trial By Fire left off, Lily is back in her own world again but she's not alone. As Lily recovers from the events of the first book, she has to come to terms with who she is - a powerful witch in a world without magic. Rowan may have followed her back to her world but he can't forget all he left behind in his own. Secrets threaten to tear them apart as Lily has to decide just what she is willing to sacrifice in order to save the world.
Lily is one of those characters I love to read. She's not the same girl who started the series. With her trusted mechanic Rowan by her side, there is the feeling that Lily could accomplish anything - even saving the world from mysterious beasts and power-hungry witches. But nothing is ever just as simple as stopping imminent world destruction! Especially not when pesky real world problems interfere.
One of the things I liked most about this book was how there are consequences to Lily's trip to Lillian's world. There is no just dropping off the face of the planet for three months with no consequences. The way Lily's before life in this world wasn't forgotten added to the sense of realism in this book.
That's not to say there isn't a lot of magic, witchcraft and world-hopping involved too. Lily is stronger than ever and has only just began to realise how powerful and addictive her magic can be. I think the magic in this series is very interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing Lily as more than just a cauldron for her coven to power up from. She still has room to grow in her power by the time the series is over.
Combining characters from multiple worlds and having more than one version of a person could be confusing but that is not the case in Firewalker. Angelini manages to have scenes with multiple versions of a character without any confusion. There is a sense that these characters are both a product of their environments but at the same time the same soul runs throughout every version of a person.
Plot wise, for much of this book I felt like it was just bridging the gap between brilliant beginning novel and what I hope is an epic ending. Lots of information was exchanged and the foundations of what should be a great plot was laid out. I thought certain parts just felt a little too easy and didn't believe others considering other things in the novel we knew to be true. Whilst I liked the contemporary world consequences, I felt like that part of the story was weaker than the parts from Lillian's world.
Firewalker was a nice return to Lily's magical tale but it doesn't quite measure up to the first book in the trilogy. The world building is nice and I loved getting to see more of Lillian and Rowan's world whilst witnessing the drama and plot working up to what should be an interesting climax. There is romance mixed in with some nice interactions between Lily and Rowan but ultimately I didn't feel as invested in their relationship as I had in the past.
Having read Firewalker - I'm more excited than ever to read the third and final book in the Worldwalker trilogy, Witch's Pyre. This is shaping up to be an entertaining series but Firewalker fell a little short of my expectations.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy.
Lily is one of those characters I love to read. She's not the same girl who started the series. With her trusted mechanic Rowan by her side, there is the feeling that Lily could accomplish anything - even saving the world from mysterious beasts and power-hungry witches. But nothing is ever just as simple as stopping imminent world destruction! Especially not when pesky real world problems interfere.
One of the things I liked most about this book was how there are consequences to Lily's trip to Lillian's world. There is no just dropping off the face of the planet for three months with no consequences. The way Lily's before life in this world wasn't forgotten added to the sense of realism in this book.
That's not to say there isn't a lot of magic, witchcraft and world-hopping involved too. Lily is stronger than ever and has only just began to realise how powerful and addictive her magic can be. I think the magic in this series is very interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing Lily as more than just a cauldron for her coven to power up from. She still has room to grow in her power by the time the series is over.
Combining characters from multiple worlds and having more than one version of a person could be confusing but that is not the case in Firewalker. Angelini manages to have scenes with multiple versions of a character without any confusion. There is a sense that these characters are both a product of their environments but at the same time the same soul runs throughout every version of a person.
Plot wise, for much of this book I felt like it was just bridging the gap between brilliant beginning novel and what I hope is an epic ending. Lots of information was exchanged and the foundations of what should be a great plot was laid out. I thought certain parts just felt a little too easy and didn't believe others considering other things in the novel we knew to be true. Whilst I liked the contemporary world consequences, I felt like that part of the story was weaker than the parts from Lillian's world.
Firewalker was a nice return to Lily's magical tale but it doesn't quite measure up to the first book in the trilogy. The world building is nice and I loved getting to see more of Lillian and Rowan's world whilst witnessing the drama and plot working up to what should be an interesting climax. There is romance mixed in with some nice interactions between Lily and Rowan but ultimately I didn't feel as invested in their relationship as I had in the past.
Having read Firewalker - I'm more excited than ever to read the third and final book in the Worldwalker trilogy, Witch's Pyre. This is shaping up to be an entertaining series but Firewalker fell a little short of my expectations.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for the review copy.
gelisvb's review
1.0
Wow. This was terrible.
It is one of those books were you root for the villain.
Lillians is a character much more interisting than the main one; in fact everything is more interesting than the main character.
I wasn't able to finish this book because I can't stand that Lily will win in the end.
I will finish this serie only if it ends badly.
It is one of those books were you root for the villain.
Lillians is a character much more interisting than the main one; in fact everything is more interesting than the main character.
I wasn't able to finish this book because I can't stand that Lily will win in the end.
I will finish this serie only if it ends badly.
momo24's review against another edition
3.0
Characters: 3/5
World: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 1/5
Fun: 3/5
This second book in the series fell pretty flat after the first book exceeded my expectations. The world is still the same, and the plot remains intriguing and with compelling arguments, but man, the dialogue and writing bottomed out in this book. Every piece of dialogue is incredibly monotone, regardless of who is talking, and exposition suffered from the same, dry factual descriptions/explanations.
World: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 1/5
Fun: 3/5
This second book in the series fell pretty flat after the first book exceeded my expectations. The world is still the same, and the plot remains intriguing and with compelling arguments, but man, the dialogue and writing bottomed out in this book. Every piece of dialogue is incredibly monotone, regardless of who is talking, and exposition suffered from the same, dry factual descriptions/explanations.
katetheardent's review
2.0
I want to give this book one star simply because of the ending, maybe it's because I just finished it 5 minutes ago so the wound is fresh. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy the majority of the book but come the ending I was not pleased. Angelini completely took the coward's way out by killing off Lily's Tristan and not allowing Lily to explore her possible feelings for him (he was one of my favorite characters too:( ). Fingers crossed that in the third, yet to be published, book we find out he lived. Speaking of the end does anyone else feel like she's starting to just wrap things up neatly with a little pretty bow, I get it, it's supposed to be another trendy trilogy series making the next book the last book, but come on: Tristan dies = Lily & Rowan will get back together without the trouble of a love triangle AND then not only are the woven part human (which I originally thought to be an interesting smart play on Angelini's part) but then the terrifying murderous hive actually turn out to be friendly little chauffeurs taking them all the way too California la de da de da... The End. ?!!!!!!!?!!??!?!!!!??!?!
What's next a Queen Woven (*cough*Fairy Queen vibe anyone?*cough*cough) who graciously helps all travelers to their final destination of Sunny California, who agrees to help Lily solve the woven vs. man problem, then Lily goes back to the East Coast shares her new knowledge gifted to her by the Fairy Queen, I mean Hive Queen, and the atomic bombs are dismantled and all live happily ever after, Yay!
I really hope the 3rd book is better than my current expectations of it... Fingers crossed...
What's next a Queen Woven (*cough*Fairy Queen vibe anyone?*cough*cough) who graciously helps all travelers to their final destination of Sunny California, who agrees to help Lily solve the woven vs. man problem, then Lily goes back to the East Coast shares her new knowledge gifted to her by the Fairy Queen, I mean Hive Queen, and the atomic bombs are dismantled and all live happily ever after, Yay!
I really hope the 3rd book is better than my current expectations of it... Fingers crossed...
jennifeve's review
3.0
Some spoilers I guess?
I think I overhyped this book to myself after reading Trial by Fire! I loved it and couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel, expecting it to be even better than the first book, but in my opinion it just fell a bit flat.
I feel like it lost the heat, and I wasn't as invested in Lily and Rowan's relationship. There was a bit of romance between them but it wasn't all that exciting and I felt like it was over in the blink of an eye, replaced with butt loads romantic drama. Also, not a fan of the love triangle.
Rowan was my favourite character by far in Trial by Fire, but in Firewalker there was a moment that made me view him in a much different light. I can't say I hate him exactly, but I definitely feel some distaste for him now.
Another thing that bugged me a bit was how quickly and easily Lily's new coven was formed. Her friends from her home-world seemed to accept the revelations of witches and alternate universes as easily as hearing a restaurant's soup of the day. I feel like it was all a tad too convenient!
Otherwise, I found the book to be entertaining, but I didn't love it and it didn't really make me want to finish the series! I just can't see myself rushing out to buy the final book, but if I found it on sale or something I might reconsider..
Overall I give this a generous 3/5.. Not great but not horrible!
I think I overhyped this book to myself after reading Trial by Fire! I loved it and couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel, expecting it to be even better than the first book, but in my opinion it just fell a bit flat.
I feel like it lost the heat, and I wasn't as invested in Lily and Rowan's relationship. There was a bit of romance between them but it wasn't all that exciting and I felt like it was over in the blink of an eye, replaced with butt loads romantic drama. Also, not a fan of the love triangle.
Rowan was my favourite character by far in Trial by Fire, but in Firewalker there was a moment that made me view him in a much different light. I can't say I hate him exactly, but I definitely feel some distaste for him now.
Another thing that bugged me a bit was how quickly and easily Lily's new coven was formed. Her friends from her home-world seemed to accept the revelations of witches and alternate universes as easily as hearing a restaurant's soup of the day. I feel like it was all a tad too convenient!
Otherwise, I found the book to be entertaining, but I didn't love it and it didn't really make me want to finish the series! I just can't see myself rushing out to buy the final book, but if I found it on sale or something I might reconsider..
Overall I give this a generous 3/5.. Not great but not horrible!