I don't know, this is hovering between 4 stars and 4.5 stars. I'll first start off by saying I haven't read many books about witches, probably 3 including this one. And so far I'm kinda loving witchy books. I guess that's good. |
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.
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.
Trial by fire is a great book not without flaws.
#1 Storyline: Certain parts of the book were delivered rather awkwardly. The character can speak through their minds, convey emotions that don't lie - something like telepathy I guess, and hence this results in some strange moments for me. You know how you usually visualize a scene in your head as you read? So imagining the characters standing like a stick while sharing memories was well...weird? And once in a while the events felt too rushed and unbelievable since it almost always catches my eye when something does not seem too practical. Especially when one thing which can take a witch years to muster can be overcomed in like a try for Lily.
#2 Unanswered questions: We know Lily is sick in her world, allergic to almost everything. What we don't know - mostly what I don't know but I like to assume everyone does not know in an attempt to make myself sound less stupid - is whether Lily is a crucible or witch in her own world. Like if she was actually a witch in her own world, so witches roam her world too? Then in that case she wasn't the only witch? Why is she allergic to let's say smoke in her world but not in the world of witchcraft? If she wasn't a witch in her world what exactly is she? What exactly triggers her reaction? So the questions on her reactions are not clarified or specified and I'm just really curious and it bothers me that the things that made her different and weird were not really answered. Hopefully, they would get answered as the trilogy moves on.
#3 Villain:This is one of the it's me not you part. But you know thinking that the most cruel, evil, cunning and scary witch is a mere seventeen year old girl just does not work in my brain. And just imagining a seventeen year old ruling a world makes it actually sound like this girl is living in her own fantasy of being a queen. Just saying.
That probably summed up most of the flaws so here's some of the things I loved:
#1 Plot Development: I liked how things progressed in the book. Although some events sounded rushed but mostly everything was rather evenly paced and easy to follow.
#2 Writing:I'm not a fan of third person pov but recently the books I read have narrated it well, this book is no exception. It was quite easy to get engaged and pulled into the story itself.
#3 Villain: Despite my slight problem with the age, I liked how the villain was portrayed, not one without a heart. Sometimes she might seem like the meanest bitch on the universe but other times she really seemed like she actually cared for her world that much. Let's not forget how mean she is the the people she supposedly loves though. Lillian's character threw me into confusion and really triggered my interest in discovering more of the secrets she's hiding because I'm sure they won't disappoint!
Overall, the characters were pretty likable, in fact I am very intrigued by the character's back stories and their past relationship. Especially Lillian's and Rowan's past. I really enjoyed reading this book so much!
#1 Storyline: Certain parts of the book were delivered rather awkwardly. The character can speak through their minds, convey emotions that don't lie - something like telepathy I guess, and hence this results in some strange moments for me. You know how you usually visualize a scene in your head as you read? So imagining the characters standing like a stick while sharing memories was well...weird? And once in a while the events felt too rushed and unbelievable since it almost always catches my eye when something does not seem too practical. Especially when one thing which can take a witch years to muster can be overcomed in like a try for Lily.
#2 Unanswered questions: We know Lily is sick in her world, allergic to almost everything. What we don't know - mostly what I don't know but I like to assume everyone does not know in an attempt to make myself sound less stupid - is whether Lily is a crucible or witch in her own world. Like if she was actually a witch in her own world, so witches roam her world too? Then in that case she wasn't the only witch? Why is she allergic to let's say smoke in her world but not in the world of witchcraft? If she wasn't a witch in her world what exactly is she? What exactly triggers her reaction? So the questions on her reactions are not clarified or specified and I'm just really curious and it bothers me that the things that made her different and weird were not really answered. Hopefully, they would get answered as the trilogy moves on.
#3 Villain:This is one of the it's me not you part. But you know thinking that the most cruel, evil, cunning and scary witch is a mere seventeen year old girl just does not work in my brain. And just imagining a seventeen year old ruling a world makes it actually sound like this girl is living in her own fantasy of being a queen. Just saying.
That probably summed up most of the flaws so here's some of the things I loved:
#1 Plot Development: I liked how things progressed in the book. Although some events sounded rushed but mostly everything was rather evenly paced and easy to follow.
#2 Writing:I'm not a fan of third person pov but recently the books I read have narrated it well, this book is no exception. It was quite easy to get engaged and pulled into the story itself.
#3 Villain: Despite my slight problem with the age, I liked how the villain was portrayed, not one without a heart. Sometimes she might seem like the meanest bitch on the universe but other times she really seemed like she actually cared for her world that much. Let's not forget how mean she is the the people she supposedly loves though. Lillian's character threw me into confusion and really triggered my interest in discovering more of the secrets she's hiding because I'm sure they won't disappoint!
Overall, the characters were pretty likable, in fact I am very intrigued by the character's back stories and their past relationship. Especially Lillian's and Rowan's past. I really enjoyed reading this book so much!