Review: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Title: Trial by Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: Worldwalker Trilogy #1
Genre: Witches / YA / Paranormal
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: September 2nd 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 374 pages
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon US | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Synopsis:

     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.

     So, I don't know why this book has gotten all the hate that it has. This book was really compelling, and engaging. The characters were awesome, and I really loved the differences as well as the similarities between Lily and Lillian. 

Sure, at first Lily is pretty pretensions, with the way she talks about her stance on being a vegan. But once she realized that not everybody, especially in this new world she was pretty much literally dropped into, has the luxury to be choosy about what they eat she got over herself enough to silently keep to her beliefs. 

Some of the hate I see for this book stem from the reasons why Lily let herself be taken to the other Salem. Some seem to think it's only because a boy she likes doesn't like her back. But that's not entirely the case. Sure, it's part of the reason. But Tristan was her best and only friend for years. He leads her to believe that they could become more, then he abandons her at a party and she has a severe allergic reaction to something, and it embarrasses her, deeply. It was more of a betrayal of trust and friendship than anything else. Some seem to think that this isn't enough, but I don't know what magical fairy-tale land those people live in where bullies don't exist.

Back to the characters and this review. Rowan, I have a new love for characters with that name. Rowan is an amazing character. He was and still is, kind of a mystery and very interesting. You really get to see his full growth as a character, from completely not trusting Lily to seeing her for who she is. 

I am really looking forward to the sequel... even though they did a cover change and now my covers won't match.