That's What She Read

Watch out vampires/zombies/werewolves! Witches are back and ready to take their place in the spotlight. With Trial by Fire, that spotlight is well-deserved indeed. There is an imaginative and fascinatingly plausible use of science to explain alternative universes. Similarly, Lily’s grasp of science, specifically physics and natural laws, are quite impressive and advanced. In spite of her infirmities in her home universe, she is whip-smart, independent, and strong. The added benefit of magic in the alternate Salem makes her an incredible character – one who stands by her word, thinks through the consequences, and is not afraid of taking the hard road if it means living by her convictions.

What is particularly entertaining is Ms. Angelini’s use of Salem lore. There is an unsubtle nod to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible interspersed throughout the story, made more prominent for readers who have read or seen the play and remember key details. Ms. Angelini also draws on folk lore and the stories told in history classes about the Salem Witch Trials. It is a creative reimagining of history using science and the theory of alternate universes with a little added magical fantasy thrown in for good measure. The combination of fact and fiction, science and fantasy, and the well-known hysteria in Salem in the 17th Century create a remarkable story.

If a reader is going to start one new series this year, Trial by Fire and the Worldwalker Trilogy is the one to start. It has action, adventure, more than one kick-ass heroine, a little bit of romance, plenty of world-building, and so much more. It is a world in which women literally run everything of note; while there are issues with this fact, as with any power struggle, the idea is still an exciting one. Ms. Angelini does an excellent job balancing questions with answers so that readers feel satisfaction at what they learn and highly anticipate what is still to come. The ending is filled with potential without being too abrupt or open-ended. The entire story is creative, well-written, and highly entertaining.