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Cover of Trial By Fire

Trial By Fire

Written by Josephine Angelini

5.01 rating

390 pages, about 8 hours of reading

Young adult fiction

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About this book

Trial by Fire is a sensational, page-turning adventure, inspired by the Salem witch hunts, from the bestselling author of Starcrossed, Josephine Angelini. Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns. This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted . . . which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and 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 cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences. Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected. But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy? Continue The Worldwalker Trilogy with Firewalker.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Trial By Fire, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • dark
  • mysterious
  • romantic

In Josephine Angelini's "Trial By Fire," Lily Proctor, a teenager plagued by life-threatening allergies, inadvertently crosses into an alternate Salem, a world teeming with terrifying creatures and ruled by powerful, magical women known as Crucibles. Here, she discovers an identical, cruel version of herself named Lillian, the strongest and most feared Crucible. As Lily navigates this terrifyingly sensual new reality, she realizes that her perceived weaknesses from her old world are precisely what grant her extraordinary power in New Salem, putting her life in immense danger. Torn between unforeseen responsibilities and a burgeoning love, Lily must confront her doppelgänger and understand her own potential to save a world where she is paradoxically her own worst enemy.

“This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted.”

Key themes

Identity and Self-Discovery
The central theme revolves around Lily's journey of understanding who she is, both in her original world and in New Salem. The existence of Lillian, her identical but cruel counterpart, forces Lily to confront the nature of self, destiny, and the choices that define a person. She discovers that her perceived weaknesses are sources of strength, fundamentally altering her self-perception.
Power and Corruption
Explores how power is wielded, its intoxicating effects, and its potential to corrupt. The Crucibles, particularly Lillian, exemplify the dangers of unchecked authority and the moral compromises made in the name of control or survival. Lily's own burgeoning power forces her to consider her responsibilities and the temptations that come with it.
Destiny vs. Free Will
The narrative frequently raises questions about whether Lily is fated to become like Lillian or if she can forge her own path. Her sudden arrival in New Salem and the discovery of her powers suggest a predetermined role, yet her choices and moral compass guide her actions, challenging the idea of an inescapable destiny.

Worth discussing

How does Lily's initial weakness (her allergies) become her greatest strength in New Salem? What does this say about perception and power?

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