Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: The Worldwalker Trilogy #1
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Genre: YA Paranormal
Format: ARC
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Source: ARC received from publisher at BEA
Rating: 4.5 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***
Synopsis
from Goodreads:
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.
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.
My
Review:
Why did I wait so long
to read this book??? I’ve had it since BEA (for those who don’t know, that was
back in May…) and I kept putting it off and putting it off. Stupid, stupid,
stupid. This book was so freaking good! Fast-paced, full of magic and science,
an awesome main character, swoony boys. You will not be able to put this down.
Parallel worlds always
intrigue me and I loved the way this one was done. Lily gets pulled into
another world by one of the other versions of herself. A world where witches
rule and magic reigns supreme. Her other self has seemingly gone a little crazy
and is ruling her land under an iron fist. Lily has to decide whether to stay
and fight her evil doppelgänger or try to find a way home and leave the madness
behind.
One of my favorite
things about this book was how magic and science were interwoven. Josephine
Angelini’s explanations for the way things worked in this version of Salem were
so amazing. I loved how she would show us magic and then tell us how it’s done
scientifically. Because it made science feel like magic and that my friends, is
awesome.
Lily, the main
character was pretty awesome too. I do feel like maybe she accepted things a
bit too easily and that things came to her a bit too easily, but she was
strong. She was a survivor. She had to be living with all her allergies in her
own world. And that strength definitely was her biggest asset in this new
world. Lily was a fighter. She never gave up, no matter how bad things seemed
and she had true heart and compassion.
Okay, we have arrived.
Let’s talk about the swoony boys. I’ll start with Tristan. Tristan is a
complicated mess. I kind of don’t like him based on some stuff, but then he
turns on the charm and I melt into a puddle. Tristan is that cocky, arrogant
player-type guy. He’s not perfect, but he has his own unique brand of sexy.
And then there’s Rowan.
What is it with the hot Rowan’s taking over YA lately? (I’m thinking of Rowan
from Heir of Fire of course.) This
guy is swoony as f***. Seriously. He’s that silent, stoic type that you can’t
figure out and you desperately want him to let you in. The journey is
agonizing, but when he finally does you explode from sheer giddiness and you
can’t contain your fangirly squeals of glee. Yep. That paragraph just happened. Oh and to answer your question, there's no love triangle.
The only thing I really
didn’t like about this book was the POV. It was written in third person
omniscient which I’ve never really liked. Too much jumping around. However,
once I got used to it, I didn’t really notice and unlike most books written
this way, I was still able to connect to the characters.
If you haven’t read
this book yet, you’re going to want to. Witches. Magic. Science. Hot boys. Do I
really need to sell you on this one anymore? Oh, but beware the cliffhanger
ending. I will die waiting for the next book. Seriously. Wtf. I can’t even. I
must know what happens now!!
Have you read this one yet? What did you think of the magic mixed in with the science?
So glad you loved this one!!!! I did too. I'm a sucker for parallel world books and this one was so well done. Loved the idea of the willstones, mechanics taking care of the body like a piece of machinery, etc. And Rowan…completely agree about the swoon, but what did you think of him having an intimate relationship with Lillian before? A bit weird, I have to say. And Lillian…what an incredible villain…or is she? Definitely something going on there and I can't wait to find out what happened when she went away and why she changed so much. Great review!! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteYes, it was so interesting the way the author did the magic and everything. I just loved it. Yes, I definitely agree that it was a little weird. Like, if Lillian goes back to being normal (since I feel like she's the way she is for a good reason) will he love her again and leave Lily? I definitely think that the relationship is going to get very messy as it goes on.
DeleteOMG! YES! So excited to see your review for this pop up in my Feedly :) I want to read this so badly, but I keep putting off on buying it but I am going to add it to my Christmas list for Nick! It sounds amazing, and I so trust your recommendations for the paranormal <3 Eek... but the cliffhanger ending ... ah well, witches, it will be worth it. And swoony buys. Yes please lol.
ReplyDeleteI think that you will love it!! The witches, the swoony boys, the parallel worlds. Oh my gosh it was amazing. I am dying for the second one, but it was well worth the read and the wait. :)
DeleteYES! I loved this one too and am always excited to find others who did :D. I got confirmation from Josephine that there will be plenty of magic in book two despite that ending ;-). I loved the science sprinkled it sooooooo much, it was a fantasy reading, science grad students dream!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! That makes me happy! I figured there still would be. I imagine that she is going to be able to do magic back in her world still since she now understands it.
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