“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 flames rise, and I twist and scream, trying to get away, but the iron shackles on my wrist keep me bound to this stake. I’m a witch. And witches burn.

I’ve been looking for a book about good ole witches for a long time, and let me tell you right now: this one rocked my world!

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini is the story about Lily Proctor. At the beginning of the novel, we see her as a normal girl who has a hard life — being ill and having to deal with a crazy mom. She’s in love with her best friend who’s finally started to notice her in a romantic way. We soon find out, though, that Lily won’t be able to go to school because of her illness, and the only thing she dreams about is going to a party with her boyfriend best friend, even though it’s dangerous for her health. Unsurprisingly, something goes wrong, and she ends up with a broken heart.  In that moment, she decides that she has had enough. Beckoned by her inner voice (or so she thinks), she accidentally travels to another world. There she meets her evil doppelganger, becomes a member of the riot against the government, falls in love, and becomes a stronger woman.

First and foremost, I loved the world-building in Trial by Fire. Lily transports to the same Salem she was living in, but, at the same time, the two locations couldn’t be more different. This alternate Salem is ruled by the most powerful witch, Lillian, and her coven as well as the Council, which is a congress of sorts. They all wear special stones that help them to do magic. Witches also have mechanics — people who tend to them and serve as their personal knights. There are also Outlenders — poor people who are forbidden to live in the city. They don’t get help from the government (no medical treatment, no food, no shelter), and they are considered traitors for using science instead of magic to survive. Why is Lillian so against science that she’s ready to kill thousands of people just to get rid of it? That’s the question.

All of the characters in this book are well-written. I loved Lily: brave, funny, stubborn. She often made me laugh, and I imagined her kind of like Merida, from Disney-Pixar’s Brave. I also loved Rowan, her swoon-worthy love interest; he is the perfect book boyfriend. I’m sure you’ll love him, too! Secondary characters took a big part in this story, and they proved to be as important as the main ones. Most of all, though, I was interested in the ever fascinating Lillian and her motivations. To quote her:

I remember what I must do, even if it makes me the villain of my own story. Most importantly, I remember that the good of the many really does outweigh the good of the few. Even if one of those few is me.

I just love those villains who happen to be not so villainous. She wasn’t born evil, nor does she enjoy doing evil. Her story truly is one of the most heartbreaking I’ve ever read because she lost everything for what she thought was a greater cause. What makes her so great is that I could definitely understand her logic behind her actions.

All in all, this book has everything I needed: a well thought-out plot, detailed world-building, lovable characters, a swoony romance, hilarious jokes, and lots of magic!

And now (of course)…keep calm and wait for the sequel.