astarions_bhaal_babe 's review for:

Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini

5.0

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I’ll give you everything I am. Everything but one part—the worst of me. That I’ll take with me to my grave.





After a bit of thought, I decided to write a single review for the entire trilogy, because, ironically, I can't seem to write a proper review when I truly loved a book.
Isn't that frustrating???

Anyway...
It's been a long time since I last read an entire series back to back, in a matter of days. I started Trial By Fire almost by chance, because I didn't know what to read next so I let my tbr shelf pick for me. I really didn't have any expectations for it, especially because I usually end up getting disappointed by a YA book that came out many years ago.
Boy was I surprised when I found out this wasn't the case.
It got me immediately and after I started, I couldn't stop reading. Lily is an incredible main character. She's probably became my favorite of the whole YA heroine scenario. yes, she's nothing but flawless, but she's also very passionate, selfless and charitable, which, in my book means the pros outweigh the cons.
I'm a very calm and patient person in real life and I'm used to keeping a cool head in front of adversities so I really related to the way she handled problems and was (mostly) reasonable most of the time.
I also couldn't have asked for better side characters even if I wanted to. I loved how easily (and a bit unrealistically) the whole gang came together and how easily people accepted the new reality they were thrown into (also a bit unrealistic but who really cares at this point).
The romance is heart-wrenching and , although it plays a big role in the story, it's never overwhelming. I appreciated the fact that Rowan and Lily were not one of those fictional couples that keep their positive or negative feelings for themselves creating useless drama and unecessary angst. Even the "love triangle" (love square?) thing is played out in the best way.
I read Angelini's Starcossed series a while ago and I remember liking it a lot, but the part I really loved was how friendship and family dynamics were shaped and it only got better with the Worldwalker trilogy.
I'll never get over how good of a team Lily and her friends were.
Also, Rowan, Caleb and Tristan slaying bad guys was the hottest thing ever.


Anyway, while the characters were some of the best I've ever read in a book of this genre, it's the plot that really sold this entire series for me. It's extraordinarily crafted, easily understandable, well written, full of shocking moments that make your heart run wild, and with an original magic system that made me wish this particular crucible witches, their mechanics and the whole stone business appeared in more books about witches and magic in general.



Can you believe it took me 6 years to find my new favorite trilogy??


ACTUAL RATINGS 50000000/5