Trial by Fire

By: Josephine Angelini

Narrated by: Emma Galvin

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

In Josephine Angelini's Trial by Fire, 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.

©2014 Josephine Angelini (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Another home-fun for Angelini

PJV Quickie: Already an established fan of Josephine Angelini, I didn't think I would have any issues with her new series, TRIAL BY FIRE, I just didn't expect it to be so different, so dark...the synopsis of this one does it no justice. TRAIL BY FIRE is a richly constructed and well-crafted Young Adult Fantasy novel that I was pulled into from the first sentence and wasn't let go until the last and yet still I keep thinking about the novel, weeks after finishing it.

Review: Angelini tackles the idea of the multi-verse and makes us question our own beliefs, in the first from her new series, TRIAL BY FIRE. The first novel introduces us to a very unique young lady, Lily Proctor. Lily is allergic to everything, her life is literally hanging on a thread, she is only managing to go outside of her house with the use of tons of medications and restricting what she wears, eats and even touches. Nothing ever goes her way, until one day, her long-term crush finally makes a move and Lily thinks, this is it...but it's not. Thrown into despair, Lily gives herself over to this little voice in her head that is whispering about a better life a better world and Lily says, "yes."

Nothing will be the same for Lily again. Brought to a more primitive and dangerous world, her counterpart, Lillian is a cruel and merciless ruler that has some weird agenda for Lily and believes that Lily can help "save her world." She came to this conclusion because Lily had been outspoken in her opposition of certain things, like not eating meat and opposing nuclear energy by wearing t-shirts. The underlying message behind these novels seemed to be showcasing a form of fanaticism and the lengths a person might go if they believe something to be wrong. Angeline did a great job! This book seems to be loved and hated - and frankly I think that is the mark of a great book. I loved it. I thought Lily's character, whom, didn't go over that well with me, her stubborn stance on different issues that would put other people's lives in danger, was quite infuriating. But, the fact that you could admire her stubbornness but then see the ignorance in her stance, shows that this character will have to go through a bit of a transition by the end of the trilogy which is always a plus for me. Love character transitions.

Overall, great book - can't wait to read more. Angelini hit another home-run.

Narration: Emma Galvin is a favorite of mine, she has a good voice that translates well to a YA female narrative. She has done series like DIVERGENT and ARCANA CHRONICLES - which are both MUST LISTEN books. You can't go wrong with Galvin.

Recommendations: This one is nothing like STARCROSSED, but if you loved her other series, you'll enjoy TRIAL BY FIRE. If you love Young Adult Fantasy, also another plus, give this one a try. It has romance, heart-break, violence and evil witches! PG-13 rating. Enjoy!

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Wow!

I loved this book, it's a great new take on witch craft and traveling to different world's. I can't say enough how much I loved this story, I really hope Emma Galvin narrates the second book when it comes out in September 2015. I can't wait for the 2nd book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Love Emma Galvin!

This book was recommendedCD-ROM others I've read. I really loved it! I can't wait for the next book to come out on audio.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Promising start to a new series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The premise is interesting and fans of paranormal YA will enjoy this new series. I don't think I've come across a world like this one and it's refreshing to explore a new paranormal concept.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I hate cliffhangers that don't complete the story. I get that cliffhangers are meant to lead you to the next book, but I think each instalment should be a complete story. It does guarantee that I'll download the next book, because I enjoyed this one so much.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Emma Galvin is one of my favourite narrators. I would have given her performance five stars, but I think she does better with dialogue than she does with narrative and it showed in this book. My only complaint about her narration is she breathes at odd places and it breaks the narration in a distracting manner. She's otherwise perfect.

Any additional comments?

I would have given the story another star, except I felt the author was getting a little preachy with the anti-nuclear/vegan/environmental stance. Those are all very admirable ways of life, but it was a touch too preachy.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Pretty good

3.5 stars

Great world building and interesting ideas throughout. I loved the first 90% and suffered through the last 10%, weirdly. The ending just seemed a little forced, less a culmination of the plot and more a yeah, so this happens... And it's super duper dramatic and tense....and then it's supposed to be emotional, then it's done (with a cliffhanger, of course). Just didn't really work for me. But the book was seriously awesome for almost all of it, then just fell flat.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

I would recommend this book to the teen reader as well as a more mature audience this book has something for everyone. I love this narrator and have read several of her other works and was not disappointed at all! Unfortunately I've read so many books I can usually guess where the story is going but, I was pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns that this novel took. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I'm So glad I bought this book!

Would you listen to Trial by Fire again? Why?

Yes! I really enjoyed this book, It was a surprise for me. I'm not usually into the Salem Witch stuff, so I didn't think I would really like it. Boy was I wrong, this is a great story. Very imaginative great new world to explore and read about. I would read it again in a second.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Trial by Fire?

When Lilly saves Juliette and releases all the other prisoners.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Samantha and Juliette show up with the car to pick up Lilly and Rowan.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I can't believe some of the things Lillian is willing to do because she thinks it will make things right. Its makes me angry and sad.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to read more!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

started off good and ended even better

I enjoyed this book so much I can't wait for the next 5☆s great storyline

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I'M NOT LILLIAN, I'M LILY

1. Most certainly a teen book
2. Silly
3. Waste of Time
4. tough to come up with 20 words

28 of 42 people found this review helpful

Fantasy and Science Fiction Adventures

I purchased this book because for two reasons. The first being that it was narrated by Emma Gavin. She brings characters to life in every book she reads. Trail by Fire was no exception. Emma Gavin gave Lily sass and strength, and made her story come to life.

The second reason I purchased this title was because it was on sale. The price was right and I decided to give it a try. I would happily spend a credit on this book with no regrets. While this is not my usual genre, I found the story to be full of action and it drew me in from the beginning. The first few minutes of the book focus on Lily and Tristan as young teens and it seemed like it was going to be a YA style romance. It does have a few elements hinting of romance but it quickly became a fantastic adventure in science fiction/fantasy.

I’m off to purchase the next book in this series, and definitely recommend this first one to those of you that enjoy fantasy or want the try something adventurous.