**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net** 

Trial by Fire is a book filled with so many awesome elements. Not only are the characters fantastic, but the plot is original and the concept is thought provoking and utterly cool! It reminded me on an episode of the Big Bang theory where Sheldon is talking about an infinite number of universes and an Infinite number of different Sheldons. That is the world you get introduced to in Trial by Fire. Lily Proctor is in our world, and then she isn't. She is taken to a different world where a bunch of people are familiar to her, but everything else is so very different. Magic exists and witches rule. But that is only the beginning. Josephine Angelini does an incredible job of blending science with magic. These are witches, or crucibles as they are called, like I have never seen them before. I love that their magic stems from converting elements and substances that they take in from their surroundings.

The book starts out in our world, but Lily quickly leaves and the rest of the novel takes place in Lillian's world. Some of the characters up front confused me. I have no idea why Lily had a crush on her world's Tristan. I know they were best friends, but I didn't even get the vibe that he was a very good friend. He just seemed like a royal jerk. And the other character that confused me was Lillian. I know she is painted to be this power hungry killing machine, big bad villain. I do get why people would think that, she was hanging everyone in sight. But from her passages and her interactions with Lily, I just didn't get a completely evil vibe from her. I know she is holding back a lot of information, and a small part of me wants it to be a great justification so I don't have to dislike her. Because I don't hate her yet. I can't wait to find out more about her character in the next book. I just have a feeling it is going to be something good. But I will hate her in a second if she tries to encroach on Rowan! (just sayin')

I got really into the story. All of it. I loved the willstones, and I was just as fascinated by the whole relationship between magic and science as she was. I liked Rowan so much, but I don't blame Lily for being confused by him. He didn't give her too much to go on. I wanted to get inside his head a little more. But really, the whole cast of characters was great. There is so much action and detail going on in this story that you will never be bored. Trial by Fire is one of those books, where you get mad at the world for sending real life interruptions to your reading. I didn't want to put it down.

The cliffhanger at the end of this one left me cursing the fact that I have to wait so long for the next book. I am on the edge of my seat with this one. There are so many things that Josephine Angelini can do with the next book, and I can't wait to see what direction she takes the story in. I have tons of questions that I can't wait to delve into when the world walking really comes into play. This is a great one for fans of paranormal and witches. Trial by Fire is a riveting read that is delightfully original.

 This review was originally posted on Book Briefs