Review: Trial by Fire

I received this book for free from FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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.

The topic of Salem and witch trials has not been brought to my attention since I read the Crucible back in high school. Although, this book uses similar names, it does not even come close to the story, the plot, and the way the author uses her imagination to create a vast world the reader will fall in love with.

I fell in love with the twist that the author brought to this history topic that people have been learning about as they go through school. The two separate worlds, the duplicate people, and the idea of one girl having to stop herself is of so much brilliance. The story flows through the multiple perspectives giving the reader an overall sense of what is going on from all sides. This story and plot line sure will leave the reader wanting more.

Lily is someone who has such a difficult time where she is. She is uncontrollably sick, her dad left her and her family, her mom is sick, and the person who she thought she knew she doesn’t. She hears a voice in her head asking if she wants to leave and finally she does. She travels to another world where she meets her other self and from there the story takes off. She meets different people who take her in and train her for a battle that is on the horizon. Lily grows up so fast in this book, and she goes through so much that by the end she is a young woman.

Switching to the other Lily or in this case Lillian, I am still trying to figure out her motives. There were times where I wanted to smack her but then there were times, I felt some sort of sympathy coming off of her. I am curious to see where she goes in the next installment.

The relationship in here is interesting. I am curious to see where it goes and if it will end or expand. I feel like it will be complicated.

Overall this was a great way to start the series. Josephine is a talented author and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her books and am looking forward to the next installment in the trilogy.