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Trial by Fire

Josephine Angelini - Author

Lily’s move between two versions of Salem sets up a fantasy about altered identity and power, alongside romance and danger. Her life-threatening allergies are part of her circumstances in the first world.

More about this book

In her hometown of Salem Lily Proctor endures not only life-threatening allergies but humiliation at her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But in a different Salem -- one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles, she is Lillian, the strongest and cruelest Crucible ... Lily's other self in an alternate universe that Lily suddenly finds herself where she is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected. Once meek and tormented by debilitating allergies, Lily Proctor is transported to an alternate universe and becomes a staggeringly powerful witch. The plot contains mild profanity, sexual situations, and violence. Book #1

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

IdentityPowerResponsibility

Consider

Fear and suspenseViolence and harmRelationships and intimacy

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

identitypowerresponsibility

Fiction

Themes in Context

Identity, ability and responsibility

Lily finds herself in a Salem where her counterpart is a powerful and cruel Crucible; Lily also faces abilities and responsibilities she can barely understand.Ambiguous

How the book presents it: The contrast between Lily and her powerful counterpart places identity, power and responsibility at the centre of the story’s setup.

Talk about: If Lily’s new abilities bring responsibilities, what does she think she owes others?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

The contrast between Lily’s vulnerable life at home and her extraordinary abilities elsewhere may appeal to readers interested in alternate worlds and a protagonist facing unfamiliar responsibilities.

What Deserves Attention

Expect frightening creatures and violence, as well as sexual situations and mild profanity. The story also includes humiliating social experience and life-threatening allergies.

A Conversation Worth Having

If Lily’s abilities change how others treat her, what might that suggest about power and responsibility?

Reading Approach

You could read alongside your teenager and pause when the story shifts between worlds, giving them room to talk about which parts feel most compelling or troubling.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

Identity, ability and responsibility: Lily faces unfamiliar responsibilities in the alternate Salem.

Trial by Fire - Josephine Angelini - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 2 October 2026.

Relevant to: Identity, ability and responsibility

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini | Open Library