Review: Fire Walker by Josephine Angelini

Goodreads Overview:

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Review:

Fire Walker picked up pretty much where Trial by Fire left off.  Lily is back in her version of Salem and now has to explain her lengthy disappearance.  Her family and friends assumed she had been kidnapped and was dead.  Nobody will believe what really happened, the fact that she is a witch and can travel to alternate universes, so they concoct a story. Her mom has a history of mental issues, so she must have "forgotten" where she went and reported her missing.  The authorities aren't buying the story, but they have no proof to the contrary once her mom backs up the story.

As much as Lily wants to stay in her own world with Rowan, he can't just abandon his friends and family back in his world.  He decides he needs to return and begins training some other mechanics to take care of Lily in her world. Lily doesn't like the plan, but eventually understands his point of view. Just when Rowan is about to return to his world, things take a turn for the worse in Lily's Salem. Lillian and her mechanics start inflicting damage that Lily can't ignore. In order to stop the violence, Lily and her mechanics return with Rowan to his world to stop Lillian once and for all.

Throughout the book Lily is hiding things from Rowan to "protect" him from what Lillian has shown her. Lily is beginning to understand why Lillian has done some of the terrible things she has done. She doesn't agree with her methods, but understands she is trying to do what is best for the greater good.

We learn more about the woven and the dangers in Rowan's world. Lily devises a plan to save Rowan's Salem, but it is risky and divides her coven.  Some of her claimed aren't willing to take the risk she is asking of them. She understands and sets out to save the world with anyone who is willing to join her.

It has been a long time since I read the first book in this series, but I didn't have too much trouble getting back up to speed. I felt like the first part of the book was pretty slow, but the last half flew by once the action picked up. I didn't really care for the secrets and tension between Lily and Rowan. It would have been more entertaining and productive, in my opinion, if they were honest with each other and worked together. Hopefully they will get to that point in the final book in this series. I enjoyed some of the new characters that were added from Lily's world and look forward to seeing how everything will unfold in the Witch's Pyre.

I don't think this series is nearly as good as Angelini's Starcrossed series, but it has been entertaining. I am curious about how it will conclude and really hope she will ratchet things up to the 4 or 5 star level I have come to expect from her. The first two books in this series have been 3 stars for me.  I have enjoyed them, but they haven't captivated my attention like Helen and Lucas did in her Starcrossed series. 

I am participating in the Year of Epic Reads challenge and selected this book to complete the week 11 challenge. Read a Book Featuring Time Travel.